Josh Koffman <listsjosh@3MTMP.COM> wrote:
> Ray Gallant wrote:
> > Looking for a hi resolution bar code wand or scanner, (possibly a CCD)
> > for reading thermal labels as well as support circuit, plus code concept
> > (possibly KBD scan codes), in order to interface to a pic. Thanks,
> > {slewrate}
>
> I'd look for what's refered to as a keyboard wedge type of system. The
> idea is that the scanner "wedges" in between the computer and the
> keyboard, and when things are scanned, the computer sees it just as
> typing. While I don't have any brand reccomendations, you should be able
> to find something on eBay. Then it should be relatively simple to adapt
> any of the excellent keyboard decoding apps on the PIC.

That's exactly how the original "Cue Cat" scanner worked. I picked up one
for free from Radio Shack back when they were handing them out, and wrote a
simple Perl script to decode the output.

I thought these were still available from BGmicro

http://bgm.bgmicro.com/prodinfo.asp?prodid=COM1161&page=1&cri=cue+cat&stype=3

but I see that these are the USB version. Probably not so useful for
interfacing to a PIC.

Ebay seems to have a selection of the older ones for a few bucks each,
assuming you only need a small number. Look for ones that have two round
PS/2 connectors and not one flat USB connector. There are many websites
that document their workings; just Google for "cue cat".

-- Dave Tweed

--
http://www.piclist.com hint: To leave the PICList
mailto:piclist-unsubscribe-request@mitvma.mit.edu