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!

Participated in the
ShopBot Challenge

Participated in the
Arduino Challenge
10 Comments
9 years ago on Introduction
Interesting project!,
You know how to generate QR pattern through arduino script?
Reply 5 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 5 years ago
Yeah, that was also what I was hoping for.
7 years ago on Introduction
nice
10 years ago on Introduction
Although you state it's useless, it is great for other applications.
I like it!
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Any idea?
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Advertisement or information that changes on a regular basis, like the weather forecast (when there is limited space).
Reply 10 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.
10 years ago on Introduction
Great idea.
Reply 10 years ago on Introduction
Thanks! great nickname :)