diff --git a/controller.py b/controller.py
new file mode 100644
--- /dev/null
+++ b/controller.py
@@ -0,0 +1,43 @@
+### controller.py
+### Author: Matthew Reed
+
+import sys
+import time
+import signal
+import logging
+import threading
+import configparser
+from enum import Enum
+
+from evdev import InputDevice, categorize, ecodes
+import asyncio
+from select import select
+
+class Controller:
+
+    def __init__(self, config):
+        self.config = config
+        self.connect()
+        
+    def connect(self):
+        try:
+            self.dev = InputDevice('/dev/input/event0')
+        except FileNotFoundError:
+            self.dev = None
+        except PermissionError:
+            self.dev = None
+        
+    def read_input(self):
+        
+        if self.dev == None:
+            self.connect()
+        
+        events = []
+        if self.dev != None:
+            try:
+                for event in self.dev.read():
+                    events.append(event)
+            except BlockingIOError:
+                pass
+            
+        return events
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