Retrofitting with USB barcodereader

The barcodereader microservice enables the processing of barcodes from USB-linked scanner devices, subsequently publishing the acquired data to the Unified Namespace.

When should I use it?

When you need to connect a barcode reader or any other USB devices acting as a keyboard (HID). These cases could be to scan an order at the production machine from the accompanying order sheet. Or To scan material for inventory and track and trace.

What can I do with it?

You can connect USB devices acting as a keyboard to the Unified Namespace. It will record all inputs and send it out once a return / enter character has been detected. A lof of barcode scanners work that way. Additionally, you can also connect something like a quality testing station (we once connected a Mitutoyo quality testing station).

How can I use it?

To use the microservice barcode reader, you will need configure the helm-chart and enable it.

1. Enable the barcodereader feature by executing the following command:

   sudo $(which helm) upgrade --kubeconfig /etc/rancher/k3s/k3s.yaml  -n united-manufacturing-hub united-manufacturing-hub united-manufacturing-hub/united-manufacturing-hub --set _000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.enabled=true --reuse-values --version $(sudo $(which helm) ls --kubeconfig /etc/rancher/k3s/k3s.yaml  -n united-manufacturing-hub -o json | jq -r '.[0].app_version')
   

2. During startup, it will show all connected USB devices. Remember yours and then change the INPUT_DEVICE_NAME and INPUT_DEVICE_PATH. Also set ASSET_ID, CUSTOMER_ID, etc. as this will then send it into the topic ia/ASSET_ID/.../barcode. You can change these values of the helm chart using helm upgrade. You find the list of parameters here. The following command should be executed, for example:

   sudo $(which helm) upgrade --kubeconfig /etc/rancher/k3s/k3s.yaml  -n united-manufacturing-hub united-manufacturing-hub united-manufacturing-hub/united-manufacturing-hub --set _000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.USBDeviceName=<input-device-name>,_000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.USBDevicePath=<input-device-path>,_000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.machineID=<asset-id>,_000_commonConfig.datasources.barcodereader.customerID=<customer-id> --reuse-values --version $(sudo $(which helm) ls --kubeconfig /etc/rancher/k3s/k3s.yaml  -n united-manufacturing-hub -o json | jq -r '.[0].app_version')
   

3. Scan a device, and it will be written into the topic ia/ASSET_ID/.../barcode.

Once installed, you can configure the microservice by setting the needed environment variables. The program will continuously scan for barcodes using the device and publish the data to the Kafka topic.

What are the limitations?

• Sometimes special characters are not parsed correctly. They need to be adjusted afterward in the Unified Namespace.

Where to get more information?

• You can get more information in the technical documentation of barcodereader
• Our helm chart reference provides lists of configuration parameters.