Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#1

Post by jamesbowman » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:22 PM UTC

Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor
excamera.substack.com

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#2

Post by cristoperb » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:49 PM UTC

That's inexpensive enough to be the basis for a modern recreation of the CueCat:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CueCat

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#3

Post by rootsudo » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:51 PM UTC

cristoperb wrote: post #2

That's inexpensive enough to be the basis for a modern recreation of the CueCat: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CueCat

beat me to it. was thinking the same.

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#4

Post by Ductapemaster » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 4:52 PM UTC

Sadly, Useful Sensors seems to have pivoted to other edge AI tech and no longer sells this or their person detector.

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#5

Post by ravetcofx » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:32 PM UTC

Can also do this with an esp-32 camera module which are cheap and all-in-one https://github.com/alvarowolfx/ESP32QRCodeReader

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#6

Post by xmprt » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:37 PM UTC

My experience with small QR code readers like this on ESP32 boards is that without a viewfinder, they lose a lot of utility. The feedback loop that a viewfinder gives with positioning and knowing when the QR code is detected is invaluable.

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#7

Post by nemomarx » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:38 PM UTC

xmprt wrote: post #6

My experience with small QR code readers like this on ESP32 boards is that without a viewfinder, they lose a lot of utility. The feedback loop that a viewfinder gives with positioning and knowing when the QR code is detected is invaluable.

I wonder if you could project some red LEDs instead, like barcode scanners?

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#8

Post by benjaminbenben » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:40 PM UTC

If you pair this with a eink display you could send messages back and forth with another device https://remotehack.space/QR-TX/

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#9

Post by therein » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:47 PM UTC

nemomarx wrote: post #7

xmprt wrote: post #6

My experience with small QR code readers like this on ESP32 boards is that without a viewfinder, they lose a lot of utility. The feedback loop that a viewfinder gives with positioning and knowing when the QR code is detected is invaluable.

I wonder if you could project some red LEDs instead, like barcode scanners?

You can, and it still results in a subpar experience. There are products out there that do exactly that.

Re: Tiny Code Reader: a $7 QR code sensor

#10

Post by Liftyee » Tue, Jul 22, 2025, 5:58 PM UTC

xmprt wrote: post #6

My experience with small QR code readers like this on ESP32 boards is that without a viewfinder, they lose a lot of utility. The feedback loop that a viewfinder gives with positioning and knowing when the QR code is detected is invaluable.

In places where QR payment is commonplace, readers without viewfinders often get round this issue with a pyramidal frame in front of the camera marking out its FOV, the rectangular opening indicating where the QR code should be aligned. From experience, the code often reads before you even finish approaching the reader.