Fast and Easy WiFi Connection with QR-Code

How to connect a web browser to a server easily and quickly?

Let's consider a weather station measuring temperature and humidity. The weather station is connected to a WiFi network and acts as a server. 

One option would consist on setting the CC3200 in access point (AP) mode. However, this requires that the clients select the specific WiFi network provided by the CC3200. Using the local WiFi network seems easier and faster.

For this project, I'm using a LaunchPad CC3200, a Grove BoosterPack with the DHT22 temperature and humidity sensor and the Sharp Memory Display BoosterPack. 

Getting the IP Address 

The server connects to the access point and receives an IP address. 

The server then converts the IP address into a QR-code and displays it on the screen.

The Sharp Memory Display provides a high resolution with an excellent contrast. Each dot is perfectly shaped. I've tried with standard LCD TFT displays, but resolution isn't good enough.

Connecting a Client

There are two requisites:
  • A QR reader app has been installed on the smartphone previously. 
  • Both the smartphone and the weather station are connected to the same WiFi network.
Now,
  • Launch the QR reader application and focus on the QR code. 
  • The QR reader application reads the IP address and launches a web browser! 

Software

The project was developed with embedXcode and reuses four main components from other projects.
  • The project is based on the Simple Web Server WiFi example provided by Energia for the CC3200.
  • One library QR-Code-Generator generates the QR-code.
  • Another library LCD Sharp BoosterPack SPI provided with Energia manages the display.
  • A final library reads data from the DHT22 and make the conversion into temperature and humidity.

Links