Barcode scanner (images are CC BY-NC-SA 3.0)

Another simple input device is a barcode scanner. Once again it should look like a usbserial device to Linux. The scanner sends the ASCII text to the BeagleBone, as if it was coming from a keyboard. So now you can scan vehicles, boxes and so on coming into your home or business, using either a barcode or an RFID tag, or both.

All of these devices, with the exception of the geophone, require a USB connection. What I would suggest is a POWERED 4-port USB hub connected to your BeagleBone, and your various sensors and wireless devices connected to it.

4-port hub connections