[NBLUG/talk] USB kernel driver for APG cash drawer

[William L. Thomson Jr.]

I am in the process of developing a POS (Point of Sale) app in Java to
be deployed on Linux workstations.

I tried my best to research cash drawers and could not find one that has
a USB interface and support for Linux.

In fact I have not come across any so far that have support for Linux
regardless of interface. With the exceptions of cash drawers that are
triggered via the printer interface. Which require the use of a printer,
that will not be used or present in the POS app I am developing.

After contacting APG, it seems they only have drivers and support MS
platforms. They are developing a Linux driver and accompanying JPOS API,
but their ETA is 120 days. They claim the market and demand has not been
there to justify the efforts before now.

I am now faced with trying to find and use a different cash drawer with
Linux and Java support. Or write the driver and Java API myself.

I have worked with C, mainly C++. However I have never even looked into
building a kernel modules.

At this point I do not seem to have a choice but to develop a driver and
Java API on my own. I am hoping some one out there has some kernel
driver experience, hopefully with the USB HID interface. If not could
anyone point me in the direction of a how to, so I have a starting
point.

If anyone would like to help out, assist, and/or join me in the
development of the driver and API I would be very great full. I may even
be willing to pay someone to develop the driver and API for me, or pay
someone to assist me in the development. However that is a worst case
scenario. Since I will get nothing for developing the driver. Other than
having a cash drawer that can be used with Linux. Which will allow me to
complete development and move on to deployment of my POS app.

Please if anyone can help out in any way it would really make my day.

I am still shocked it would take a company that manufactures cash
drawers 120 days to create a driver and API. I mean all a cash drawer
does is open. An advanced cash drawer like the one I am using also has
states for the drawer being opened.

In the end it's three things. Drawer is closed. Drawer open. Drawer is
open.

Please feel free to contact me on or off list. If this thread get's
long, off list will be best as to not annoy others.

-- 
Sincerely,
William L. Thomson Jr.
Obsidian-Studios, Inc.
http://www.obsidian-studios.com