Arduino software launcher

Projects General Guidance
1

Hello

What is the best approach to make Arduino connected to the PC via USB cable to open (run) a program (.exe file)?

Regards, Janis

2

Hi Janis,

it depends on what OS is running on the PC in the first place. I had some good experience using gobetwino on the windows platform. Be sure to start the right .exe as some windows apps use a 2 stage startup e.g. open Office.

So what application do you want to start on which OS?

And what you want to do thereafter? send characters ??

Rob,

3

Well ... I was going to spare my life story, but if you insist ... :wink:

For the new invoice approval process I'm setting up ... kind of networked pc-less scanner to scan invoices labeled with barcodes containing file names. It is important to use exiting equipment. Everything was working perfectly when scanner was directly connected to the server. Next task was to place the scanner at the other end of the hallway without any PC attached nearby. For that I procured Repotec USB over IP adapter. And it worked too ... except for the scanner buttons. If I starts scanning application directly, then documents are scanned. If I press the button on the faceof the scanner then nothing happens. I will continue debugging tomorrow and I wroteto Repotech support an email already, but basically everything I need is a way to remotely start ScanToPdf.exe with parameters (or bat file, or script). USB to IP adapter can extend up to 4 USB devices. So I thought that I can connect Arduino along with the scanner, press a button on Arduino and via some goinbetweeno start Scaneer software.

HP ScanJet 5000 -> Repotec USB to IP adapter -> Windows server 2008-> ScanToPdf.exe /autos an

4

What type of scanner is it? does it use TWAIN?

You can purchase ready made solutions for twain devices. You have to watch manufacturers though. HP as well as others sometimes come up with their own implementation or their own way of doing things. That is one of the pitfalls of the industry. The higher end devices follow an industry standard but the lower end consumer devices kinda take on their own path sometimes.

Sometimes it works, sometimes it is just easier to spend a couple hundred and get a network ready scanner.

5

It is important to use exiting equipment.

some - s - missing ? I agree with the statement BTW :wink:

6

Sure it is exciting when big boss storms in saying that he finally found the use for those two high speed usb scanners he bought for some failed project 3 years ago ... :wink: and my diabolical plan to buy arduino for company money is finally seeing some light!

7

Is this thread of any use:
http://www.arduino.cc/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1282010587

If it was me I'd write something that would run as a windows service in Visual Studio (I know, I know), Java or even if I didn't have anything else - VBA (Excel).

8

I'm trying to download http://www.mikmo.dk/gobetwino.html , but from all internet options I have the link seems to be down :frowning: Does anybody knows any alternative links to download it?

9

epossum:
I'm trying to download http://www.mikmo.dk/gobetwino.html , but from all internet options I have the link seems to be down :frowning: Does anybody knows any alternative links to download it?

That link worked for me. Just a web page. With a link on it to:

Where there's a link to the .zip file.

10

@justjed - Yes, today the server is responding.
@daveg360 - that thread was my lifesaver! I managed to fix all issues with some duct-tape ... lua & power shell.

Lua script is responsible for reacting to push button press on Arduino

print ("Scanner button manager V1")
serial_port = "com3"
while 1 do
	serial = assert(io.open(serial_port,"r")) -- open for receive
	serial:flush() 
	data = serial:read("*l")
	serial:close()
	if data == "doscan" then -- received from Arduino
		io.write("- Received button press, starting scanner ... ") -- output to console, but without line feed
		os.execute [["C:\Scripts\scan.bat"]] -- execute scanner script with command line switches
		print("done.")-- output to console with LF
	end
end

In case of user pressed the button without paper loaded HP Twain error window appears on the server.
This PowerShell script watches for it and kills.

Write-Output "Twain error message killer"
while(1){
$fp = gps |where {$_.mainWindowTItle -match "HP twain"}
if ($fp -ne $NULL) {
	$fp.Kill()
	Write-Output " - Killed error message of HP Twain, RIP"
	}
[System.Threading.Thread]::Sleep(5000)
}