inputattach

attach a serial line to an input-layer device

TLDR

Attach a Pulse8 CEC adapter

$ sudo inputattach --pulse8-cec /dev/ttyACM0

Attach a Wacom W8001 pen-only tablet at 19200 baud

$ sudo inputattach --baud 19200 --w8001 /dev/ttyS0

Attach an ELO touchscreen and fork into the background

$ sudo inputattach --daemon --elo /dev/ttyS0

Attach a Microsoft serial mouse

$ sudo inputattach --microsoft /dev/ttyS0

List supported devices

$ inputattach --help

SYNOPSIS

inputattach [options] mode device

inputattach attaches a serial line to the Linux input subsystem. It reads raw bytes from the named serial device, decodes them according to the chosen protocol, and feeds the resulting events into the kernel where they appear as standard input devices under `/dev/input/`.The program is part of the linuxconsoletools package. After attaching, devices can be used with libinput, evdev, X.Org, or any other consumer of the Linux input layer. With --daemon, inputattach detaches from the controlling terminal so it can be started from rc scripts or systemd units.For Wacom W8001 hardware, the default rate of 38400 bps covers pen-and-touch and touch-only devices. Pen-only devices need --baud 19200.

PARAMETERS

--daemon

Fork into the background after attaching.

--always

Ignore initialization failures and keep the device attached.

--noinit

Skip device initialization.

--baud RATE

Override the default serial baud rate.

--help

Display help and list all supported device modes.

Mode flags (select one):--microsoft, --mouseman, --intellimouse, --mousesystems

Common serial mouse protocols.

--elo, --mtouch, --touchit213, --fujitsu

Serial touchscreen protocols.

--w8001, --wacom_iv, --wacom_v

Wacom serial tablet protocols.

--pulse8-cec, --rainshadow-cec

HDMI-CEC adapters that present as serial devices.

--magellan, --spaceorb, --spaceball

6-DOF serial input devices.

--sunkbd, --lkkbd, --stowaway

Serial keyboard protocols.

INSTALL

sudo apt install inputattach

sudo dnf install linuxconsoletools

sudo apk add linuxconsoletools

sudo zypper install linuxconsoletools

CAVEATS

Usually requires root or write access to the serial node. The mode flag must match the connected hardware; the wrong protocol will produce no events or garbage. Once attached, the device remains owned by inputattach until the process exits.

HISTORY

inputattach is maintained as part of linuxconsoletools (formerly joyutils). The Wacom variants are also distributed by the linuxwacom project for use with serial Wacom tablets.