How to convert hidapi read output to string in python?

Question

I'm reading a simple QR code with json text:

{test:Hi}

import hid
import time

h = hid.device()
h.open(0x1eab, 0x8003)

print("Manufacturer: %s" % h.get_manufacturer_string())
print("Product: %s" % h.get_product_string())
print("Serial No: %s" % h.get_serial_number_string())

try:
    while True: 
        d = h.read(64)
        if d: 
            print('read: "{}"'.format(d))
finally:
    print("Closing the device")
    h.close()

However, in the console it's returning this:

Manufacturer: YK
Product: YK-2D PRODUCT HID KBW
Serial No: MS001-000000000
read: "[2, 0, 47, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 23, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 8, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 22, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 23, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[2, 0, 51, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[2, 0, 11, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 12, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[2, 0, 48, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 40, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"
read: "[0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0]"

Answer 1

this is pretty sure keyboard output, meaning the scanner sends keystrokes.

First byte is modifier flags (shift, cntrl, .) Second always 0. 3rd is key usage (you can call it scancode). The rest is always 0 for barcode readers since the order of the keys is not guarantied by the OS.

In python3 you can read it with the input() function. Better is to use other interfaces. Keyboard emulation should be the last interface you try to use (I am Mr. Keyboard :-) in my company - one of the major players in barcode readers).

Good barcode scanners can be switched to other USB interfaces like HidPos or CDC-ACM (ComPort Emulation).