Now that many are rediscovering the use of QR codes to consult the menu in restaurants and cafeterias, why not take advantage of this technology within the home. Here are some ideas for getting the most out of QR codes at home, and of course, how to read and create your own.
What are QR codes
QR codes are nothing new. They were invented in 1994 by the Japanese company Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, and since then they have been used to a greater or lesser extent. But before going any further, what exactly is a QR code?
If for some reason you are still not clear, QR codes are a two-dimensional barcode or dot matrix capable of storing various information. For example, you can store information related to a web address, email or a simple plain text.
QR codes admit different versions depending on the number of modules that make up the matrix. That means it can go from 1 to 10, which would result in matrices from 21 x 21 modules minimum to 177 x 177 maximum.
With multiple options when it comes to customizing them, since they even admit the use of colors and gradients, To read these codes you need a QR reader. This is no longer a problem today, because since the arrival of smartphones anyone can use their camera to do so through applications that in many cases are already installed by default, such as Google Lens or the native camera app. And even so, there are users who are surprised when they find out how to read one of these codes using a device that they always carry in their pocket and the information they contain.
Anyway, now that you know what all this about QR codes is, the next step is to know how to create them. To do this, it is enough to use one of the many online services that exist. Some proposals that you will see below allow you to generate your own code with information as varied as links to web pages, location on a map, email address, plain text, Wi-Fi password, Vcard, etc.
These services are some of the most popular you can find, but there are many more. Even applications to use locally, without the need for an internet connection. But this is still more comfortable than having to swim making unnecessary installations.
Ideas to take advantage of QR codes at home
You already know what they are, you also know how to generate them, but now you need ideas. So here are some practical uses that you could make of QR codes and that they could help you when carrying out certain actions at home, consulting information, etc. And yes, they will also be useful for those who are going to visit you.
Share Wi-Fi network password for guests
Many operators started using QR codes on stickers placed on their routers to facilitate user access to the Wi-Fi network created by default. Even so, since it is normal for you to change the name of the network and its password, with a code generated by you you will be able to facilitate that access to, mainly, your Wi-Fi network for guests.
So, configure your network, access a service that allows this option and create your QR code to access your Wi-Fi network for guests. Then, put that code in a visible place when you enter the house or salon. In short, the most common places where your guests will be.
Important information
If you need to have important information always available and, furthermore, it is extensive, it is best to resort to solutions such as those offered by QR codes. Through a link that points to a website, PDF document or plain text you can directly have all that data always accessible.
It does not have to be something of life or death either, but you can use it to have the telephone numbers of establishments that you usually go to on a regular basis, health or security services, etc. These last examples can be interesting if you rent your house or receive guests on a regular basis.
Catalog the contents of boxes, cabinets and much more
The idea of using QR codes to access all the stored content in a box, closet or location is one of the most interesting. If they are places that are not easy to access, because they are in another location or are bulky boxes placed in uncomfortable places to access, create a QR code to catalog the content.
In this way, when you need to know what is inside or if what you are looking for is there, you will only have to read the QR code and clear up any doubts. Goodbye to going down to the storage room to find out if that photo album, tool or whatever is there or not. Of course, you have to be disciplined and keep the record updated.
Sending predefined messages
With a QR code you can also create an action through which send a pre-recorded or predefined message. It may seem unnecessary, but there will be times when the opposite is true. Here, as always, it is a question of whether or not you can take advantage of the idea and how.
If you live with people with possible disabilities it can be interesting. Also if you rent your house and you want to make it easier for your tenants to contact you in emergency or need situations.
Tell stories
In the same way that you can use QR codes to link to a web page, why don't you use them to tell stories. For example, if you like to print photos, you could add a code that links to the Instagram post where you commented on that photo taken, where you told what you were doing, feeling or whatever.
This, which is used so much in art galleries to expand information about the work, is something that you can replicate at home for your own personal stories. That way they will never be forgotten and those who see it will be able to know what happened at that moment.
Instruction manual for your electrical appliances
For those of "where will I have put the instruction manual" QR codes can be a salvation. Create laminated stickers and paste them with the QR code that link to PDF instruction manual on the manufacturer's page or that you have downloaded and saved to your own server or cloud location.
You will never have problems again, nor will anyone who needs to consult things such as the operation of the washing machine, etc.
QR codes at home, more useful than they seem
As you can see, these are some ideas, mixing them together and combining them with other technologies you can achieve many interesting things at home. It's all about experimenting and rethinking ideas. But knowing how easy it is to create them and read them through a device that we always carry with us, it is worth not thinking about it and start using them.