Use a Barcode Reader With TimeSquAir

Intro: Use a Barcode Reader With TimeSquAir

Why not use a Barecode Reader to add products on your shopping list?

STEP 1: Get a Barcode Reader

You can get one on amazon, in this tutorial it's the « Inateck 2.4GHz Wireless USB Automatic Barcode Scanner Handheld Bar-code Reader »

STEP 2: Connect Your Barcode Reader

Open the TimeSquAir (4 nylon screws on the back) and plug the USB dongle of your Barcode reader on the Raspberry Pi.

STEP 3: Collect the Data

Then on Node-RED, take the node "Serial" in the input section. Create a new Serial Port and set it like the picture.

STEP 4: Transform a Binary Code Into a String

Now if you use your Barcode, it'll return something like that : «02000700000000000000000000000000...»

If you want to translate this binary code into characters you just need to create a function that will do it.

STEP 5: An Example

You can generate your shopping list by scanning the products and use http://world.openfoodfacts.org to match the reference of the barcode of your product.

This example just displays the result, but you can stock it in a file and send it by email when you go shopping.

Comments

[hoenxiang]

I am using raspberry Pi zero W, i can get the data from the scanner to raspberry pi. But my nodered unable to receive the data. what could be the possibility?

[Lorddrake]

how do you get the information from the website to your shopping list? is there an export feature, or do you have to manually cut and paste the info?

[ArthurD27]

Hi, it works with an HTTP request. So you just need to specify the
products in the url message and it'll return you the name of your
product in a JSON format. If it doesn't you'll need to add this product directly on the
openfoodfacts.