Routing USB Magnetic Stripe Reader to a file handle

[Agron]

Hi,

When using a Magnetic Stripe Reader which acts like a keyboard, is it
possible to route the output of the Magnetic Stripe Reader into my program
rather then the Magnetic Stripe Reader "typing" into the application with a
keyboard focus.

Can I do something like this
#> myprogram < /dev/usb/whatevercardreader

and have the out go there only.

Or can I just open a this file /dev/usb/cardreader and read from it?


I am asking these question since I don't have that USB reader with me right
now.

Thanks

[Wiseguy]

Post by Agron
Hi,
When using a Magnetic Stripe Reader which acts like a keyboard, is it
possible to route the output of the Magnetic Stripe Reader into my
program rather then the Magnetic Stripe Reader "typing" into the
application with a keyboard focus.
Can I do something like this
#> myprogram < /dev/usb/whatevercardreader
and have the out go there only.
Or can I just open a this file /dev/usb/cardreader and read from it?
I am asking these question since I don't have that USB reader with me
right now.

Just because it is a USB device doesn't mean it will be supported under
linux. It will depend on whether it supports a driver that linux uses
and that depends on whether the hardware manufacturer was willing to
release the information about how it works to the open source community.

[Robijashi]

Yes it is being supported and it acting like a keyboard, dumping everything
to the application with a keyboard focus.

Can I capture the readers output with
#> myprogram < /dev/usb/whatevercardreader
Or can I just open a this file /dev/usb/cardreader and read from it?


Thanks,

Post by Wiseguy

Post by Agron
Hi,
When using a Magnetic Stripe Reader which acts like a keyboard, is it
possible to route the output of the Magnetic Stripe Reader into my
program rather then the Magnetic Stripe Reader "typing" into the
application with a keyboard focus.
Can I do something like this
#> myprogram < /dev/usb/whatevercardreader
and have the out go there only.
Or can I just open a this file /dev/usb/cardreader and read from it?
I am asking these question since I don't have that USB reader with me
right now.

Just because it is a USB device doesn't mean it will be supported under
linux. It will depend on whether it supports a driver that linux uses
and that depends on whether the hardware manufacturer was willing to
release the information about how it works to the open source community.