please change 'in_waiting' function in this line "data_in_buf = self._serial_port.in_waiting "
actually Serial module use inWaiting function, without brackets it will throw error. So, write "data_in_buf = self._serial_port.inWaiting() "
Right, apparently this project is not active. I have already done this work and the implementation of express scan on my fork, now register and active here : https://github.com/Roboticia/RPLidar
please change 'in_waiting' function in this line "data_in_buf = self._serial_port.in_waiting " actually Serial module use inWaiting function, without brackets it will throw error. So, write "data_in_buf = self._serial_port.inWaiting() "