Trap and Read magnetic tripe card reader [modified]

[Kaikus]

Hi! I'm triying to read a card using a magnetic card reader. Now it's working perfectly in a quite simple way: reader it is pluged USB, and recognized as a HID, like a keyboard. I.E.: If I have focused a TextBox, and I pass a card, readed text is puted there (all three tracks, one after another, CR/LF inserted), directly. But I need to TRAP and read the text when no TextBox or simmilar is focused. I don't need any help about magnetic stripe encodig. I have this info. Just need to know how to get that text. Could you help me, please? Thanks!

modified on Friday, January 15, 2010 6:56 AM

[OriginalGriff]

If it only emulates a keyboard, you probably can't. It's going to depend on the card reader - it may be possible to switch it to a delimited format (and then you can trap the delimiters) or use it as a standard serial interface. Either way, your best bet is to look at the manufactureer details, or talk direct to them and explain your problem - it can't be something they haven't met before!

All those who believe in psycho kinesis, raise my hand.

[Roger Wright]

A card reader emulates a keyboard - any DOS text program can accept input from one. I used to have fun with customers at Ace Hardware when I worked there for a while by opening Notepad, scanning their credit cards, and showing them exactly what information the stripes contained. :-D You should be able to use the CON device as input for a text stream, and capture the data from that. I've never tried it, mind you, but that's where I'd start looking. When you solve it, this would make a nice article for CP, by the way. This is a useful bit that many members would probably find helpful.

"A Journey of a Thousand Rest Stops Begins with a Single Movement"