Use NodeJS to read RFID ids through the USB serial stream.

nodejs-rfid.js

/*

DESCRIPTION
-----------
Use NodeJS to read RFID ids through the USB serial stream. Code derived from this forum:
http://groups.google.com/group/nodejs/browse_thread/thread/e2b071b6a70a6eb1/086ec7fcb5036699

CODE REPOSITORY
---------------
https://gist.github.com/806605

VIDEO DEMO
----------
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisbasham/5408620216/

CHANGE LOG
----------
02/02/2011 - Refactored code and acknowledged contributors. Listening for other helpful stream Events.
02/01/2011 - Created initial code.

AUTHOR
------
Chris Basham
@chrisbasham
http://bash.am
https://github.com/basham

CONTRIBUTORS
------------
Elliott Cable
https://github.com/elliottcable

SOFTWARE
--------
NodeJS, version 0.2.6
http://nodejs.org

HARDWARE
--------
Sparkfun RFID USB Reader
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8852

RFID Reader ID-20
http://www.sparkfun.com/products/8628

EM4102 125 kHz RFID Tags
http://www.trossenrobotics.com/store/p/3620-Blue-Key-Fob.aspx

EXAMPLE RFID IDs
----------------
2800F7D85D5A
3D00215B3671
31007E05450F
31007E195503
2800F77C5BF8

*/

// NodeJS includes
var sys = require('sys');
var fs = require('fs');

// Stores the RFID id as it reconstructs from the stream.
var id = '';
// List of all RFID ids read
var ids = [];

// ARGUMENT 1:
// Stream path, unique to your hardware.
// List your available USB serial streams via terminal and choose one:
//   ls /dev | grep usb
// Had trouble with TTY, so used CU.

// ARGUMENT 2:
// Simplifies restruction of stream if one bit comes at a time.
// However, I don't know if or how this setting affects performance.
fs.createReadStream('/dev/cu.usbserial-A600exqM', { bufferSize: 1 })

.on('open', function(fd) {
	sys.puts('Begin scanning RFID tags.');
})

.on('end', function() {
	sys.puts('End of data stream.');
})

.on('close', function() {
	sys.puts('Closing stream.');
})

.on('error', function(error) {
	sys.debug(error);
})

.on('data', function(chunk) {
	chunk = chunk.toString('ascii').match(/\w*/)[0]; // Only keep hex chars
	if ( chunk.length == 0 ) { // Found non-hex char
		if ( id.length > 0 ) { // The ID isn't blank
			ids.push(id); // Store the completely reconstructed ID
			sys.puts(id);
		}
		id = ''; // Prepare for the next ID read
		return;
	}
	id += chunk; // Concat hex chars to the forming ID
});

Neat to see your own incorporation of my changes! (-:

I appreciate you sticking to your style and explaining your rationale with passion. Even though I'm not fully adopting your sly coding aesthetic, there is a lot I like about it. I've added you as a contributor.

Hi,
it's not works for me, need help please.
I have the same hardware: Sparkfun RFID USB Reader, RFID Reader ID-12 and EM4102 125 kHz RFID Tags.
I'm logged in with root, I can open a stream from "dev/ttyUSB0", but when I scan a tag, I don't have output.

Chmod of ttyUSB0 is like this:
crw-rw---- 1 root dialout 188, 0 2012-11-05 12:25 ttyUSB0

Here my script:
var fs = require('fs')
fs.createReadStream("/dev/ttyUSB0", {
bufferSize: 1
})
.on('open', function(fd){
console.log('Stream read');
})
.on('end', function(){
console.log('Stream end');
})
.on('data', function(data){
console.log('Stream data');
})
.on('error', function(error) {
console.log('Stream error');
})

Where I disconnect the Sparkfun RFID USB Reader, I receive the "end" event, so ttyUSB0 is file.
I use a virtual machine with VMware player.
How can I fix that, I don't know, I'm confused about that
Thank you for your help.

[...] When I disconnect the Sparkfun RFID USB Reader, I receive the "end" event, so "/dev/ttyUSB0" is the right file. [...]

It's works now. I'm rolling back to v0.8 of nodejs. Now, my problem is that I get a empty buffer when I scan a tag like this: <Buffer 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00>
What did it mean ? Thank you

I know this code is insanely old but how would you go about writing data TO the tag ?

@freak4pc I don't know how you'd write to a RFID tag. Never tried, and I don't have such hardware. The tags I used for this project are read-only. Would certainly be interested if you figure out some solution.

i have the issue with retrieving the USB serial streams . could you anyone please
help me ?