Introduction: An Arduino-based QR-code Clock
I got this idea for a while but I never had the chance to try it out. Friday, a workmate gave me a LCD shield for Arduino and I thought that was the right time to build a clock that comunicate the time through QR-codes. Of course, it's extremely useless (as most of the clocks nowadays).
In the video below you can see the clock booting up and loading 3 different qr-codes (3 minutes)
As all my ideas, it is first sketched on my blog and, as soon as I got time, is realized and published here.
So, if you want to have an insight on my future project have a look at genteautoreggente.com
Step 1: The Hardware
- Arduino UNO
- Color LCD & Joystick shield for Arduino
- USB cable for arduino
- A computer
Step 2: The Software
- On the pc a python script will check every minute the time, search in the img folder the right QR-code that represent the time and send the pixel trough the serial line.
- If you want to change the format of the qr-codes shown you can use the bash script to re-download the images (for example I use 24h time format. You could prefer the 12h one). I use google infographic service to produce the qr-codes. It's super fast and doesn't ban my IP also after a lot of requests.
- On the Arduino, the code will wait for data on the serial line and draw the received data on the LCD shield
Step 3: Future Work
I'm planning to build a cool case for the QR-clock. I'm searching for collaborations for the design of the case and for the fabbrication (laser cutting/3d printing).
Anyone who want to help me can send me a private message. I can offer instructables badges and 'maybe' some months of pro account!

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10 Discussions
8 years ago on Introduction
Interesting project!,
You know how to generate QR pattern through arduino script?
Reply 4 years ago
that would be quite interesting! I know some QR code generators exist in C.
A port for the arduino should be straight forward
Reply 4 years ago
Yeah, that was also what I was hoping for.
5 years ago on Introduction
nice
8 years ago on Introduction
Although you state it's useless, it is great for other applications.
I like it!
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Any idea?
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Advertisement or information that changes on a regular basis, like the weather forecast (when there is limited space).
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Nice idea, you can use some space ON the qr-code to render a meteo icon (http://hackaday.com/2011/08/11/how-to-put-your-logo-in-a-qr-code/).
Another nice thing you can do is to preload the images into an sd card so that you can disconnect from the computer.
8 years ago on Introduction
Great idea.
Reply 8 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! great nickname :)