Building an Interactive Badge Scanner System with Python Text-to-Speech

In this tutorial, we'll create a badge scanner system that provides audio feedback using Python's text-to-speech capabilities. This project is perfect for intermediate Python developers who want to build a practical access control system with voice notifications. Prerequisites Python 3.x Basic understanding of Python functions and data structures Familiarity with pip package management Required Packages pip install pyttsx3 pip install keyboard Part 1: Setting Up Text-to-Speech Notifications Let's start by creating our voice feedback system. We'll use pyttsx3 to generate clear audio notifications for different scanner events. import pyttsx3 class VoiceNotifier: def init(self): self.engine = pyttsx3.init() def speak(self, message): self.engine.say(message) self.engine.runAndWait() def access_granted(self): self.speak("Access granted") def exit_granted(self): self.speak("Exit granted") def access_denied(self): self.speak("Access denied") def badge_exists(self): self.speak("Badge code already exists") def badge_added(self): self.speak("Badge code added") The VoiceNotifier class encapsulates all our text-to-speech functionality. By initializing the engine once in the constructor, we improve performance compared to creating a new engine for each notification. Part 2: Badge Management System Now, let's create our badge management system that will handle badge validation and tracking: class BadgeManager: def init(self): self.voice = VoiceNotifier() self.valid_badges = set(range(100000)) # Valid badges from 00000-99999 self.active_badges = set(['00000']) # Currently active badges def validate_badge(self, badge_code): try: badge_int = int(badge_code) return 0

Feb 28, 2025 - 01:27

Building an Interactive Badge Scanner System with Python Text-to-Speech

In this tutorial, we'll create a badge scanner system that provides audio feedback using Python's text-to-speech capabilities. This project is perfect for intermediate Python developers who want to build a practical access control system with voice notifications.

Prerequisites

Python 3.x
Basic understanding of Python functions and data structures
Familiarity with pip package management

Required Packages

pip install pyttsx3
pip install keyboard

Part 1: Setting Up Text-to-Speech Notifications

Let's start by creating our voice feedback system. We'll use pyttsx3 to generate clear audio notifications for different scanner events.

import pyttsx3

class VoiceNotifier:
    def __init__(self):
        self.engine = pyttsx3.init()

    def speak(self, message):
        self.engine.say(message)
        self.engine.runAndWait()

    def access_granted(self):
        self.speak("Access granted")

    def exit_granted(self):
        self.speak("Exit granted")

    def access_denied(self):
        self.speak("Access denied")

    def badge_exists(self):
        self.speak("Badge code already exists")

    def badge_added(self):
        self.speak("Badge code added")

The VoiceNotifier class encapsulates all our text-to-speech functionality. By initializing the engine once in the constructor, we improve performance compared to creating a new engine for each notification.

Part 2: Badge Management System

Now, let's create our badge management system that will handle badge validation and tracking:

class BadgeManager:
    def __init__(self):
        self.voice = VoiceNotifier()
        self.valid_badges = set(range(100000))  # Valid badges from 00000-99999
        self.active_badges = set(['00000'])  # Currently active badges

    def validate_badge(self, badge_code):
        try:
            badge_int = int(badge_code)
            return 0 <= badge_int <= 99999
        except ValueError:
            return False

    def scan_badge(self, badge_code):
        """Process a badge scan for entry/exit"""
        if not self.validate_badge(badge_code):
            self.voice.access_denied()
            return False

        badge_code = int(badge_code)

        if badge_code not in self.valid_badges:
            self.voice.access_denied()
            return False

        if badge_code in self.active_badges:
            self.active_badges.remove(badge_code)
            self.voice.exit_granted()
        else:
            self.active_badges.add(badge_code)
            self.voice.access_granted()

        return True

    def add_badge(self, badge_code):
        """Add a new badge to the system"""
        if not self.validate_badge(badge_code):
            print("Invalid badge code format")
            return False

        badge_code = int(badge_code)

        if badge_code in self.valid_badges:
            self.voice.badge_exists()
            return False

        self.valid_badges.add(badge_code)
        self.voice.badge_added()
        return True

    def get_active_badges(self):
        return sorted(list(self.active_badges))

Part 3: Creating the Interactive Interface

Finally, let's tie everything together with a keyboard-controlled interface:

import keyboard

class BadgeScanner:
    def __init__(self):
        self.badge_manager = BadgeManager()
        self.running = True

    def start(self):
        print("Badge Scanner System")
        print("-------------------")
        print("Press 's' to enter scan mode")
        print("Press 'a' to enter add badge mode")
        print("Press 'ESC' to exit")

        keyboard.on_press_key("s", lambda _: self.scan_mode())
        keyboard.on_press_key("a", lambda _: self.add_mode())
        keyboard.wait("esc")

    def scan_mode(self):
        print("\nScan Mode - Enter badge number or 'q' to quit")
        while True:
            badge = input("Scan badge: ")
            if badge.lower() == 'q':
                break
            self.badge_manager.scan_badge(badge)
            print(f"Active badges: {self.badge_manager.get_active_badges()}")

    def add_mode(self):
        print("\nAdd Badge Mode - Enter badge number or 'q' to quit")
        while True:
            badge = input("New badge code: ")
            if badge.lower() == 'q':
                break
            self.badge_manager.add_badge(badge)

# Run the system
if __name__ == "__main__":
    scanner = BadgeScanner()
    scanner.start()

How It Works

Voice Notification System: The VoiceNotifier class provides clear audio feedback for all system events. It uses a single text-to-speech engine instance for better performance.
Badge Management: The BadgeManager class handles all badge-related operations:
- Maintains sets of valid and active badges
- Validates badge numbers
- Processes badge scans for entry/exit
- Manages adding new badges
User Interface: The BadgeScanner class creates an interactive interface:
- Keyboard shortcuts for different modes
- Clean input handling
- Clear feedback for all operations

Key Features

Audio Feedback: Clear voice notifications for all actions
Dual-Purpose Scanning: Same badge scan handles both entry and exit
Valid Badge Range: Supports badge numbers from 00000 to 99999
Error Handling: Robust input validation and error messaging
Active Badge Tracking: Maintains list of currently active badges
Interactive Modes: Separate modes for scanning and adding badges

Usage Example

Start the system:

scanner = BadgeScanner()
scanner.start()

Press 's' to enter scan mode:
- Enter a badge number (e.g., "12345")
- System will announce "Access granted"
- Enter same number to exit, system announces "Exit granted"
Press 'a' to enter add badge mode:
- Enter a new badge number
- System confirms addition with voice notification
Press 'ESC' to exit the program

Improvements and Extensions

Here are some ways you could extend this system:

Add database integration for persistent storage
Implement time-based access restrictions
Add logging functionality
Create a GUI interface
Add support for physical badge scanners
Implement user roles and permissions

Conclusion

This badge scanner system demonstrates how to combine text-to-speech, input handling, and state management in Python. The modular design makes it easy to extend and modify for specific needs. The audio feedback makes it practical for real-world use where visual confirmation isn't always possible.