Introduction

A Smart Attendance System using QR Code is a modern approach to recording student or employee attendance. Instead of manually marking attendance, this system uses QR codes and a scanner to capture attendance digitally, saving time and ensuring accuracy.

This project is useful for schools, colleges, offices, and training institutes.

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Objective of the Project

• To automate attendance marking using QR codes
• To reduce manual effort and errors in attendance
• To store attendance data digitally for analysis
• To integrate IoT for remote monitoring of attendance

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Working Principle

1. Each student or employee is given a unique QR code
2. A QR code scanner or camera module reads the QR code
3. Microcontroller or Raspberry Pi verifies the QR code
4. Attendance is marked automatically in a database
5. Optional IoT integration sends attendance records to a cloud server or mobile app

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Components Required

• Arduino Uno + Camera / ESP32-CAM
• QR Code Scanner Module (like Keyes QR module)
• LCD / OLED Display (optional, for confirmation)
• Buzzer (for scan success/failure)
• Wi-Fi Module (ESP8266 / ESP32 built-in) for IoT
• PC / Cloud Server for storing attendance
• Jumper wires and power supply

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Block Diagram

Student QR Code
        ↓
 QR Code Scanner / Camera
        ↓
   Microcontroller (Arduino / ESP32)
        ↓
Buzzer & LCD (Optional)
        ↓
Database / Cloud Server
        ↓
Attendance Record & Reports

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Circuit Connections (Arduino + QR Scanner Example)

QR Scanner Module

VCC → 5V
GND → GND
TX → Arduino RX (D0)
RX → Arduino TX (D1)

Buzzer

+ → D8
- → GND

LCD 16×2 (Optional)

RS → D7
EN → D6
D4 → D5
D5 → D4
D6 → D3
D7 → D2
VSS → GND
VDD → 5V
V0 → Potentiometer for contrast

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Arduino Code (Smart Attendance using QR)

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

#define BUZZER 8

SoftwareSerial qrSerial(0, 1); // RX, TX

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  qrSerial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(BUZZER, OUTPUT);
  Serial.println("Smart Attendance System Ready");
}

void loop() {
  if (qrSerial.available()) {
    String qrData = qrSerial.readStringUntil('\n'); // Read QR code data
    qrData.trim();
    Serial.print("QR Code Scanned: ");
    Serial.println(qrData);

    if(qrData.length() > 0){
      // Attendance logic here
      // Store QR code or corresponding student ID in database
      Serial.println("Attendance Marked");
      digitalWrite(BUZZER, HIGH); // Feedback
      delay(500);
      digitalWrite(BUZZER, LOW);
    }
  }
}

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Code Explanation

• QR Scanner reads QR code and sends data to Arduino
• Arduino verifies the scanned data
• Attendance is automatically marked in the system (database/cloud integration optional)
• Buzzer provides feedback on successful scan

For IoT integration, scanned data can be sent via ESP32 Wi-Fi to a cloud database or Google Sheets using HTTP requests.

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Advantages

• Fast and accurate attendance marking
• Eliminates manual errors
• Easy digital record keeping
• Supports remote monitoring and reporting

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Applications

• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Corporate offices
• Training institutes and workshops
• Conferences and events

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Future Enhancements

• Mobile app to scan and mark attendance
• Integration with facial recognition for added security
• Automatic alerts for absent students/employees
• Data analytics and report generation

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Conclusion

The Smart Attendance using QR Code system is a mini + innovation project that demonstrates automation, IoT integration, and digital record keeping. It simplifies attendance management, reduces manual effort, and modernizes traditional attendance systems.