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QRTape – Audio Playback from Paper Tape with Computer Vision (2021)

2 days ago
  • #QR Codes
  • #Data Storage
  • #DIY Technology
  • QRTape is a system using QR codes printed on paper for data storage, replacing traditional magnetic tape transports.
  • The hardware consists of a cardboard and paper tape transport with a webcam for reading QR codes, driven by an Arduino-controlled stepper motor.
  • Software utilizes the ZBar library for QR code scanning and the Opus audio codec for efficient data compression.
  • Data is encoded into QR codes with sequence numbers and CRC16 checks for error detection and correction.
  • The system demonstrates playback of audio files by decoding QR codes in real-time using a pipeline of software tools.
  • Potential improvements include better tape centering, dual motor control for rewinding, and optimized QR code density for higher data bandwidth.