I am trying to Connect a Hokuyo URG Laser Range Finder to a Jaunty Ubuntu computer through a serial to USB converter. When I plug it into the computer and type 'lsusb' it does not recognize the device.

Before I plug it in:
~~~~~ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 021: ID 0781:5406 SanDisk Corp. Cruzer Micro 1/4GB Flash Drive
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0bda:0158 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Mass Stroage Device
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 5986:0203 Acer, Inc
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub


After I plugged it in:
~~~~~~~~ lsusb
Bus 001 Device 021: ID 0781:5406 SanDisk Corp. Cruzer Micro 1/4GB Flash Drive
Bus 001 Device 004: ID 0bda:0158 Realtek Semiconductor Corp. Mass Stroage Device
Bus 001 Device 003: ID 5986:0203 Acer, Inc
Bus 001 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0002 Linux Foundation 2.0 root hub
Bus 005 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 004 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 003 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub
Bus 002 Device 012: ID 15d1:0000
Bus 002 Device 001: ID 1d6b:0001 Linux Foundation 1.1 root hub

Is your USB serial port adapter recognized on other computers/operating systems?
It this a generic device? Do you know the manufacture?
A quick search did not reveal any information about the vendor ID so its difficult to say if the device is broken or linux is having problems reading it.

Did anyone else get it to work on any version of linux?

michaelk- I think I was mistaken I don't think that it connects through a serial usb converter. I think it is just straight USB. I am able to use the LRF normally on a windows machine.

Jefro- According to the IT people at Acroname (the company that provides software for this piece of hardware) this device has worked on Ubuntu platforms.