2020 IEEE REGION 10 CONFERENCE (TENCON)

Osaka, Japan, November 16-19, 2020

Quick Response Code Attendance System with

SMS Location Tracker
Jehriel Joseph S. Casunuran Christine Rose C. Quiambao Matthew E. Fordan
College of Engineering College of Engineering College of Engineering
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
City of Cabuyao, Philippines City of Cabuyao, Philippines City of Cabuyao, Philippines
[Link]@[Link] christinerosequiambao@[Link] matthewfordan111@[Link]

Aldrin J. Soriano Mary Grace P. Beaño Ericson A. Mandayo

College of Engineering College of Engineering College of Engineering
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Pamantasan ng Cabuyao Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
City of Cabuyao, Philippines City of Cabuyao, Philippines City of Cabuyao, Philippines
[Link]@[Link] mgrpbeano@[Link] ericsonmandayo993@[Link]

Bernie B. Domingo
College of Engineering
Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
City of Cabuyao, Philippines
einrebsunday@[Link]

Abstract— Over the years, the manual checking of attendance are serious for all the children and the community, not just
has been carried across most of the educational institutions. the students who miss school. The data on school
Manual attendance monitoring results in a lot of time
attendance gives basic information about the quality of the
consumed. To overcome the problem for manual attendance,
the researchers proposed a Quick Response (QR) Code school and in many countries, school budgets are based on
Attendance System with SMS Location Tracker that can the average daily attendance at school [4].
provide information about the student’s arrival and
departure time in school. The main purpose of the study is to
According to the U.S. Department of Education, there
design a QR Code Attendance System to improve the are ways that educators can help make school a place that
manual/traditional attendance and to provide a Global students want to be. One of the ways that the teachers can
Positioning System (GPS) that can track the location of the help is to communicate the expectations of school
students. The researchers used an Incremental Methodology attendance to students and their families. This describes the
to approach the study. It is a method in which the product is significance of attendance and why being on time and in
incrementally designed, implemented, and evaluated until the
school matters. Another way is to maximize the time of
product is complete. The design project was tested and
evaluated by 50 users and 10 experts. Based on the series of educators and school leaders, by providing a system for
testing the system can provide an easier and more convenient monitoring day-to-day attendance. Using a mobile app or
recording and checking of attendance using the QR Code internet platform, as opposed to a paper-based system or
Scanner, it is also capable of providing the information about disorganized system, can save teachers numerous hours.
attendance by sending a text message and can provide location And one of the best ways is when students feel happy and
by requesting on the Android Application.
safe, they attend school [5].
Keywords—Attendance, QR Code, SMS, GPS, Android Ensuring children’s safety is every parent’s priority.
Application
Although there is no substitute for good childcare which
would include constant monitoring, the reality is that
I. INTRODUCTION constant monitoring of children is not always feasible
In this modern world, technology is the product and especially when they are at school. Some incidents like
process that make people’s daily lives more convenient and physical abuse, sexual harassment, kidnapping, and other
that makes the time more useful since technology is applied related cases could bring shackles to the child’s future [6].
in almost everything a person can do [1][2]. Technology is The students who arrived at the school does not mean they
consistent and will continue to improve in every part of an actually attend their class. There are times when the student
individual. The way people interact, make friends, learn and feels like going somewhere. Students are locked in a fight
teach, is changing. According to Santisteban [3], the for authority and it is not with their parents or teachers,
DepEd's Bureau of Curriculum Development Director however, with themselves and this also needs to be taken
Jocelyn DR. Andaya states that teachers should adapt to care of [7]. The Philippine National Police (PNP) even
technological advances in education to allow maximum urged parents to be extra vigilant since there is news about
learning with the use of modern technology. Successful child abductors lurking around schools [8]. The amount of
schools begin by engaging students and ensuring that they Filipino kidnapping last year raised by 16.66 percent, from
come to school regularly. This may seem obvious but, what thirty-six in 2017 to forty-two last year. A majority were
is less obvious is that the consequences of low attendance

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from Mindanao with 33 followed by eight in Luzon and one QR Code Scanner. It consists of Raspberry Pi 3 B+,
in the Visayas. Some of the kidnapped were children [9]. SIM800L EVB GSM Module, NOIR Pi Camera, DS3231
Mini RTC Module, Active Buzzer, and three LEDs. The
To address this problem, the proposed system is not Raspberry Pi scans the QR codes via Pi Camera and QR
only designed to track attendance but also to track the Scanner installed on it. Then it sends an SMS notification
location of the students. There are existing QR Code based to parents using the GSM module connected to it. The LED
attendance system that saves student's attendance into a and buzzer serve as indicators. The buzzer beeps when the
database. Some of these systems even have a Short system is ready to scan a QR code. The green LED indicates
Messaging System (SMS) notification system that sends a the time in, yellow LED indicates ready for scanning, and a
message to parents every login or log out of the student. red LED indicates a time out, upon scanning QR codes. The
Comparing to those QR Code based attendance system, the RTC module keeps track of the time which is vital for
proposed system will not only help the school on attendance keeping.
monitoring the attendance but will also be a great benefit in
securing every student’s safety by tracking them
individually. The described system has GPS and SMS
modules with a rechargeable battery that can function
autonomously. The device on the student's id will send
location information to an authorized person which can be
viewed on a map using an android app.

II. METHODOLOGY
The goal was to design a school attendance system that
would be beneficial to both teachers and parents. Unlike Fig. 2. SketchUp Model of ID installed with location tracker
most of the common attendance system that only handles
time in and time out, this project could also track the Location Tracker. It keeps track of the location and
location of the students. The main objective is to help sends information via SMS. It consists of 18560 Lithium
teachers automate the student’s attendance and to inform Ion Battery, Arduino Pro Mini 328 5V 16MHz, NEO6MV2
parents about the attendance and location of their children. GPS Module, SIM800L GSM Module, TP4056 5V 1A
Lithium Battery Charger Module, MT3608 2A Max DC-
Implementing Quick Response (QR) codes as tags for
DC Voltage Step Up Boost Converter Module and buzzer.
the students ensures a low-cost advantage. QR codes are
The Arduino serves as the brain where the Arduino code is
flexible, they can store almost all types of data, e.g.
embedded. It receives messages, such as location requests,
numeric, alphabet, special, and binary. Extremely quick
and sends location information using the GSM Module.
scanning. Like other 2-d barcodes, the QR code has a high
Keeping track of location made possible by GPS Module. It
tolerance for error. Even if some portion of the code is
updates every 5 seconds, given that there is a good reception
damaged, the data can still be decoded from the code. Store
of the signal. Since its main purpose is to be installed on a
a large amount of information, unlike 1-d barcodes [10]. As
student’s ID, the lithium battery will be essential for power
they are easy to generate, this means that they are very
sourcing the system, together with the battery charger for
cheap, since QR codes can be generated free online. Having
safe charging. There is a deficiency of voltage between the
a local website to view and manage the attendance, gives a
battery and the voltage requirement of the Arduino Pro
wide platform advantage. Installing extra software is not
Mini. The battery provides 3.7V while Arduino Pro Mini
necessary since websites can be accessed via an internet
needs 5V. This calls for a need of Voltage Step Up Boost
browser of any laptop or smartphone. The location is
Converter, which the researchers include in the system. It
fetched via the GPS module installed on the Identification
converts the battery’s output of 3.7V to 5V for the Arduino.
(ID) cards of the students. The data, attendance, and
location information would be transferred via SMS, as well
as the location request from parents to the ID. The SMS B. Software Design
notifications will be handled by an Android Application for
sorting and translating the location information to a map
view.

A. Hardware Design

Fig. 1. SketchUp Model of front and back view of QR Code Attendance

System
Fig 3. System flowchart of the Attendance QR Code Scanner

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 Fig. 3 displays how the function of the QR Code dimension, second is how fast can the scanner send an SMS
Scanner. The QR Code Scanner scans the QR codes first when a QR Code was scanned, third is when the tracker was
that serves as the input. Upon scanning, the QR image used outdoor and last, the evaluation of 50 users and 10
undergoes verification to restrict unknown QR codes. After experts that will determine the acceptability of the
verification, the QR scanner sends an SMS to request a prototype.
location to the ID tracker and records it to the attendance
database. Then the tracker sends the SMS to the parent. If it
A. Testing
is an invalid QR Code, the attendance is marked void.
TABLE 2. USING 3.2×3.2cm QR CODE
Trials Input (QR Distance (cm)
Code) Min Max
TRIAL 1 – 0 lux 1 No detection
TRIAL 2 – 9 lux 1 5 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 3 – 15 lux 1 5 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 4 – 20 lux 1 5 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 5 – 25 lux 1 5 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 6 – 30 lux 1 4 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 7 – 40 lux 1 4 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 8 – 45 lux 1 4 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 9 – 50 lux 1 4 cm 11 cm
TRIAL 10 – 100 lux 1 4 cm 12 cm
Fig. 4. System flowchart of the ID Location Tracker

Fig. 4 shows how the function of the ID Location In this table, it shows the trials that were made to test
Tracker is executed. The tracker updates the location every the lux value or the light levels upon scanning while the
5 seconds. If the user requested a location, the ID tracker room lightings were switched off and see what is the
sends an SMS regarding the location requests and wait for minimum and maximum range that the QR Code Scanner
another request to send another location. can detect. As the light intensifies, it increases the distance
that the scanner can detect using a QR Code with a
dimension of
C. Data Interpretation
TABLE 1. LIKERT SCALE 3.2×3.2cm.
Numerical Rating Interpretation Range
5 Excellent 4.51 - 5.00 TABLE 3. TESTING OF 20 QR CODES
Trial Input (QR Output (1 = Time
4 Very good 3.51 - 4.50
Code) Received (seconds)
3 Good 2.51 - 3.50
SMS, 0 = No
2 Fair 1.51 - 2.50 SMS)
1 Poor 1.0 - 1.50 1 1 1 15.17s
2 1 1 02.18s
This table shows the instrument that was used to assess
3 1 1 02.43s
the acceptability of the prototype.
4 1 1 02.26s
D. Statistical Treatment of Data 5 1 1 02.12s
Weighted Mean. Weighted mean was used to 6 1 1 02.33s
determine the average responses of the five options on the 7 1 1 02.28s
Likert scale. The weighted mean for each prototype
characteristics will be computed. 8 1 1 02.80s
9 1 1 02.36s
10 1 1 01.98s
𝑥̄ 𝜔 (1)
11 1 1 02.18s
Equation (1) is the formula of the Weighted mean that
will be used to derive the overall evaluation mean. 12 1 1 02.22s
13 1 1 02.16s
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 14 1 1 02.28s
Results are categorized by four parts, first is the testing
15 1 1 03.07s
of QR Code on how far the scanner can detect with that

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 16 1 1 02.28s Local Website. This serves as the main interface of the
17 1 1 02.21s attendance system. Using the website, the teacher can edit
the class list, view the attendance, and export an MS Excel
18 1 1 02.23s
file of the whole attendance. It is broadcast via Wi-Fi and
19 1 1 02.05s can be accessed using a static IP address where the website
20 1 1 02.20s resides. Having a website instead of an application,
managing this attendance system has a wide platform
Average: 2.93s
advantage because it can be accessed on any smartphones
or laptops with an internet browser installed. Reference [11]
In this table, the researchers conducted twenty trials to was the picture used on the header of the website.
test how fast it takes for the scanner to scan the QR Codes
and send an SMS. Trial 1 shows how many seconds the
scanner needed to initialize and an average of 2.93 seconds
to scan and received an SMS. Every scan of QR Code sends
a text message to the parent informing about the time-in and
time-out of their children.

TABLE 4. TESTING OF THE LOCATION TRACKER (OUTDOOR)

Trials Input (Track Output (1 = Time
Location is Received SMS, (seconds)
clicked)
0 = No SMS)
1 1 1 09.52s
2 1 1 18.04s
3 1 1 18.02s
4 1 1 18.98s
5 1 1 19.70s Fig. 6. Android Application for Location Tracker

6 1 1 28.81s Android Application. This application provides a map

7 1 1 19.64s
view of the location from the SMS received from the ID
Tracker. The SIM number of the Location Tracker must be
8 1 1 11.76s
introduced to the app so that it will create a list view of the
9 1 1 17.88s SMS messages that came only from the Location Tracker.
10 1 1 16.83s The app can also add another Location Tracker and set a
name for each. It also comes with a Track Location button
Average: 17.92s
that will initiate an SMS location request of the location
tracker.
In this table, the location tracker was used outdoor when
the “Track Location” button was clicked, to test if the C. Evaluation
tracker can send and received an SMS. Based on the results TABLE 5. OVERALL PROTOTYPE AND SOFTWARE
above, an average of 17.92 seconds is required to receive a EVALUATION
Location through SMS and the time that it takes to receive Prototype Weigh Interpret Software Weigh Interpret
Evaluation ted ation Evaluation ted ation
a text message varies when the signal is strong. Mean
Characterist Characteristi Mean
ics cs
FUNCTION 4.21 Very FUNCTIONA 4.26 Very
B. System Design ALITY Good LITY Good
AESTHETI 3.89 Very RELIABILIT 4.09 Very
CS Good Y Good
WORKABI- 3.77 Very CONTENT 4.16 Very
LITY Good Good
DURABILI 3.87 Very AVAILABILI 3.53 Very
TY Good TY Good
ECONOMY 4.03 Very MAINTAINA 3.87 Very
Good BILITY Good
SAFETY 4.26 Very SALEABILIT 3.98 Very
Good Y Good
SALEABILI 3.97 Very Overall Software’s Weighted Mean:
TY Good 3.98

Overall Prototype’s Weighted

Mean: 4
Fig. 5. QR Code Attendance System Local Website

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 Based on the evaluation results that the researchers have to the specifications and to add a different function on the
collected, it indicates that the prototype was acceptable. system.
This table shows that in Prototype’s evaluation
characteristic, Safety got the highest weighted mean with ACKNOWLEDGMENT
4.26 which means that the prototype does not have toxic
The completion of this design project could not have
materials and sharp edges. The prototype can also be used
been possible without the participation, support, and
for protective device. While the workability got the lowest
assistance of the following people.
weighted mean at a grade of 3.77. In Software’s evaluation
First and foremost, we would like to say our deepest
characteristic, Functionality got the highest weighted mean
gratitude to our adviser, Aldrin J. Soriano, to our panel,
with 4.26, which shows that the software is easy to operate,
Oliver A. Medina, Prof. Bernie B. Domingo, and Prof.
user-friendly and can give users convenience. While
Mary Grace P. Beaño for lending their time and effort in
availability got the lowest weighted mean at a grade of 3.53.
guiding us through this design project.
The result of the evaluation for prototype and software gave
We would also like to acknowledge Prof. Anna Liza F.
an overall mean of 4 and 3.98 that interpreted as Very
Sigue, Dean of the College of Engineering, for the
Good, which implies that the device and the system is
opportunity given to us in making this study a part of our
highly accepted by the respondents.
course requirements. This has led us to apply and acquire
greater knowledge and wider experience.
IV. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION We also want to give thanks to our language editor,
A. Conclusion Prof. Rinalynn L. Borito for editing and reviewing our
The Quick Response Code Attendance System with manuscript.
SMS Location Tracker was able to provide a hassle-free and A very special thank you to our parents, relatives, and
convenient checking of student attendance. The researchers friends for being our inspiration and for the support they
concluded that the system needs a good light source to have been giving us. We would not have been able to finish
increase the distance of scanning to be able to recognize by this project without their help.
the QR Code Scanner. It can also provide parents the Thank you as well to the respondents of Butong
information about attendance by sending a text message to Elementary School Teachers, Pamantasan ng Cabuyao
them and can ensure that their children are inside the school. students, parents, and as well as the experts for lending their
It can also be concluded that the device cannot provide time in helping us gather the data we need for our
location when the tracker is indoor because of a weak evaluation.
signal. The tracker can locate the student if the parent Above all, we especially thank our Almighty God for
requested and clicked the “Track Location” button on the guiding us and giving us the knowledge, wisdom, and the
android app. It can give a location to every request of the determination to finish this. To God be all the glory.
user but when the device has a weak signal and the battery
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