USB RFID reader

davies has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I have started a small project involving a RFID card reader attached via USB. There are two obvious modules to use with this. The first is RFID::Libnfc, which seems not to have been updated since 2011 and which I cannot persuade to work with the latest version of libnfc. The second is Device::USB, which the POD says is deprecated, without giving any hint that I can find as to what to use instead.

What modules are recommended for talking to USB devices in general and RFID readers in particular? Are there any good docs I should read?

Regards,

John Davies

Comment on USB RFID reader

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Re: USB RFID reader by zentara (Cardinal) on May 11, 2018 at 12:19 UTC
Are there any good docs I should read? Some interesting discussion and Python code.... linux proof of concept reader I'm not really a human, but I play one on earth. ..... an animated JAPH	[reply]
Re: USB RFID reader by Anonymous Monk on May 11, 2018 at 11:15 UTC
Readme explains `This module is deprecated as of version 0.37. I have not had the time or need to update the module, and no one has been willing to take it over.` [download]	[reply] [d/l]
Re: USB RFID reader by RonW (Parson) on May 15, 2018 at 21:05 UTC
Looks like Device::USB was last updated in May 2017 (about a year ago), so may be up to date enough for your purposes. Most RFID readers output a stream of bytes. An USB unit might present that as a virtual serial port, in which case, you might be able to just open the associated tty/serial/COM device and read the data via a file handle. Or, it could present as bulk data. If so, you would need a module like Device::USB. It is even possible for the reader to present as virtual keyboard. Under Linux/Unix/POSIX, you could open the associated device and read the data via a file handle (though, I think you will get scan codes). Under MS Windows, I don't know how (or even if) to access different keyboards as separate devices. I would plug your reader in and see if you get a virtual serial port or keyboard. If not, Device::USB will probably work.	[reply]