Bitcoin Forum

As many of you may already know, many countries have started quarantaining because of our latest virus... I've been lucky enough of being home and while doing a closet cleanup, I found my old LEGO sets. As the days are long enough, I thought it'd be funny to see if I could get a LEGO made QR code read on a scanner, so I tried it with one of my BTC addresses: 33uqr6sPXin4zbxDjQbXFtvWzcK4FB1sXp

Now, this is the original QR, and following it, the one I crafted

https://i.imgur.com/USzmiol.png?3

https://i.imgur.com/tS8UBVs.jpg?1

Surprisingly, it worked! (I mean surprisingly, because I almost run aout of small blocks and had to start improvising with triangles and stuff) You can try it too, zooming out the screen and reading it if you do not really believe my words.

Now, getting to the point, I thought this was a rather funny activity the end result, had I had all the right blocks, would have been really neat. So I've given it a thought, and I'd be willing to start a kind of service here on the forum, to people who may be interested in having a wallet QR hand made with LEGO blocks! But, since it's a rather rough idea, I'll just place it on service discussion, and then, if I see people would really be interested on it, I'd consider moving it to..... I guess collectibles?

Waiting for your feedback!!

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Edit: In case someone is wondering about the measures, 24,7cms * 24.7 cms

Not sure why people would want their QR code on a LEGO blocks version, but I guess it would be a decent home decoration? Probably use those thin LEGO blocks so they would fit on a picture frame. And instead of wallet addresses QR code, probably a QR code that opens up bitcoin.org or something.

https://i.imgur.com/JRTGIGJ.jpg
source: https://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/lego-led-3ds/386671

Exactly. This is not about Bitcoin, nor wallets. You can make from LEGO blocks any QR code you want.
There are plenty of online QR generators, it's not only a wallet that can make QR.

It could be an interesting way to spend time, just I fear the kids won't lend me their LEGO blocks for this kind of projects  :D



I guess that it would be:

https://talkimg.com/images/2023/05/14/blob45cdfc1db503d224.png

A really good idea to have some fun, I don't think I've seen anything like it, and I don't think anything like this would ever occur to me. I think the idea is not bad at all, some will probably like it and be willing to pay for such a service. Considering all the services and goods members sell, why not offer something like this ;)

I see you're skilled with LEGO, so maybe you can extend your offer beyond QR codes - it might be a good idea to think in that direction as well.

I'd sure be able to, but the wallet QR was the first thing that came into mind and I barely had enough blocks to do it. Nevertheless, anything can be designed and then made, I recall a software that was just for that...



I know,but thinking about "why on earth would someone on bitcointalk want to buy something done with LEGO?" not much came into mind, except for the QR code. I guess that the BTC icon can also be done, but I'm not sure about the dimensions it would need (I can give it some thought though). The QR was something "easily measurable" but a real pain in the ass (and eyes) to put together.



Yup, that was mostly what I thought; to have a wallet with "sentimental" value hand crafted or something "cool" a bussinness accepting BTC could have to offer something different

Good to see some lego based QR code but im not really sure if there are someone who are really interested on trying out such service. Incase if these this have some sort of demand, then what would be your asking price for qr code request?

That would depend on the size; the one I crafted would be the "smallest" scale (1:1) and it's a 31*31 square (29x29 code + frame). I've checked the official LEGO site, and doing some math, only the raw materials would cost somewhere between 40 to 60 € (shipping included), and to that I'd have to add the shipping cost to the buyer. It's also true that once I had the design I'd design it to try to be cheaper in materials; as an example, a 1x1 block costs 0.06€ and a 2x1 block costs 0.07€... So each case would have to be calculated on the spot....

As it's a pretty fair question, I'll take the QR for bitcoin.org that I've seen above and crunch some numbers and when I've done that, I'll come back with an answer!

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So here comes the math!

Using a white 32x32 base, single piece, and putting a frame around the code (like the one I've made with my wallet), there are 2 options:

• Using flat bricks for the blacks and leaving the whites non-flat (cheaper)
• Using flat bricks for blacks and whites (more expensive but looks "better")

I'm going to be using whole numbers, so I'll round up everything to make all easier

The white base is ---- 9€

The frame (any color) ---- 5€ (this may be optional?)

The black flat tiles ---- 10 €

The white flat tiles (optional) ---- 10€


So altogether, the raw materials would cost... 34€
Shipping costs that LEGO wants me to pay :( ---- 6€

So materials cost 40€ altogether, for this QR with a not flat frame and all the code tiles being flat.

To that, I guess that I'd add some cost to cover for my work and effort (I'm guessing a small 5/10€?) or nothing and leave it up to tips?

And shipping costs to the buyer... ??? (I really don't have much idea on this one)[/s]

Something was not adding up, so I double checked and it turns out the bitcoin.org QR is 25x25 instead of 29x29 (a good example of why each model would be priced differently).

I'm looking into a more accurate estimate, but I don't think it will change much

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I'm not sure this has been helpful to understand how I'd estimate the price o a 1:1 scale QR

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Final (I hope) update to this one example

After redoing the bitcoin.org code ----> just a 25x25 white background, with no frame and only using flat black tiles; 21€ on bricks, plus 6€ on the shipping. So seeing the little difference with the original calculations, I'll assume they are accurate enough, except for the frame and base

I'll leave the digital design so that you see what I mean with "a 25x25 white background, with no frame and only using flat black tiles"

https://i.imgur.com/YSr29Gn.png

Nice work OP. I never thought it could have worked even in such a way, probably because I have less knowledge on such things.

Yeah, that's what we are doing these days with being quarantined in the home. I would have tried but unlucky that there's no LEGO block in my house at the moment.

Depends on which country you are sending to; it may be the half of the total cost of making the QR code.

Checking the Spanish Post Service site for an estimate..... 30€ average for all international destinations. But as the previous post, it's just an estimate; I'm sure some cheaper shipping agency can be found

I've had to resize these images as they spill off of the page every which way:

abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzabcde
https://talkimg.com/images/2023/05/16/blobf1b0d46cb009c2bb.jpeg	https://talkimg.com/images/2023/05/16/blobd4e3eee0d35edce6.jpeg

I just can't quite get them to align up...

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You can actually order individual sizes of Lego from their website: https://www.lego.com/en-au/categories/individual-bricks-boxes (one of the various links)

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If you had a white base and black bricks it would require less pieces overall.

Hmmmm, I guess I could do that to the original Imgur post and update the OP...



Yup, I'm well aware, and it's what I'm using to do the calculations for the Bitcoin.org example above

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Edit: Hope that's a better size

Didn't know that one, thanks for the advice!

that's nice of course but do the colors matter here or not really and yours code seems in way big can you make it smaller

I'm not really an IT guy, so I have little idea how QR really works... I can make some experimenting with the digital model, but an explanation from an expert would be appreciated

I think you can pitch this to coffee shops, book shops, or toy shops even as a talking point.  I wouldn't suggest you use this as a privkey storage Lego Wallet Vs Paper Wallet.  But you'd be left scratching your head if the wallet address changed to another wallet address - you might want to mark the base board with the relevant square in texter to ensure if the tiles/bricks are removed then you can reassemble the wallet.

Nah, the main idea was to use it as a public key, to show people in case you had a crypto-friendly shop/tips/whatever. The private key idea is really un-ideal, because the "client" would have to trust I didn't use his loaded wallet after I assemble the code, and besides, the dimensions of the board are far from ideal for something you want to keep private


Not a bad idea, but fortunately, the digital design is there to rescue us on those events!

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Btw, I'm still unsure as to where I could place a new thread announcing this...

Services board has been flooded with crap for quite some time so no point going there.... General marketplace seems to have the same issue and Collectibles looks like the "most" accurate, but I don't really think it should go there...

Some help is appreciated

I'm not surprised it works it's extremely clear and just two colors black and white

Hope you don't mind a couple of almost off topic pics:

(source: Beyond the Brick (https://www.facebook.com/BeyondtheBrickTV/))

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92569679_2828084733912612_2698368436991426560_n.jpg

https://scontent-syd2-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/92660074_10158070200961000_7725094088877277184_n.jpg

If the links actually worked, yeah, I woldn't mind ;)

As far as I know, QR codes doesn't necessarily need to be black and white. Whatever the colors are, as long as the camera/scanner could detect the contrast(and difference) between the two colors, it would work.

Amazing! Just googled and seems there are some people who made the QR code via LEGO. I think whoever imagined this at first, should be in their marketing team. Doesn't Lego has a bricks line with the flat, sleek surface? I just tested your QR code but somehow it didn't work (btw laptop's screen and smartphone's cameras are good).
OP have you tried to make QR code with black and white Play-Doh? I think it will be cool and fun, I would take it from children but those colours are always mixed with other colors, so, not useful :D

Those flat bricks do exist, but at the time I didn't have enough of them to create the whole QR, it was bigger than it looks. As to the QR not working, I've just checked with both my phone and tablet and they got it okay; maybe something on the reader you have?

Nope, and I honestly don't think that's something I have lying around at home. The brick idea came out of the blue while I was doing some cleanup, and turned out to be something fun actually

Flat bricks don't really look like Lego. If you want something flat, Ministeck is cheaper, smaller and lighter (for shipping):
http://kollakowski.net/wp-content/uploads/qr_code_ministeck02.jpg

I The kids have this stuff:
https://www.batboy.nl/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/foam-klei-action.jpg
They haven't used the black and the white. It would be quite good for QR-codes because it hardens, but especially the black foam is terribly sticky.

You can buy exactly one Lego Brick from the Lego web site if you really, really need just one more brick, or a whole tonne of bricks if need be.

Follow the link https://www.lego.com/en-us/page/static/Pick-a-Brick?icmp=HP-SHQL-EG-NO-pick-a-120 (it's not a reference link, that's the page, go to Lego.com and click on "pick a brick" if you're worried about such things...)

confirmed, it's scannable. automatically asking me to open my wallet.
nice work!

https://i.imgur.com/kNssWDc.jpg

it would be even better if the QR code can be simplified, so it can be smaller.


I think I'll make one with "fake" lego for a cheaper price lol.
I will apply a clear epoxy to it, with fake physical bitcoin along with it.

example:
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/N5EARLDp6wA/maxresdefault.jpg

https://sc01.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1FwG4MVXXXXaZapXXq6xXFXXXk.jpg

That's doable; even if it was some time ago, I remeber that there were 3 "definition" options in the QR generator I used for some trials. For the model, I simply used the first one I found on a block explorer, but afterwards, I did some digging to see how good an idea it could be to sell crafted QRs.

Sounds like a great idea, please share some pics once it's finished!

I tried all options, and even the lowest still has error correction: it still works if I cover a small corner of the QR. According to Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code#Error_correction), error correction goes from 7% to 30%.
Instead of reducing error correction, you could try to add a Lego Bitcoin logo in the middle.
This seems like a good activity to do with the kids today :D

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I tried with 2 phones, and only one (the oldest) could scan the Lego.

I will try to find a way to make it smaller.
sure, will share it here when it's done.
IDK how to apply epoxy, but my partner, youtube.. will help me with this  ;D



what if I use a link shortener to simplify the url/text before it's generated into a QR code?
maybe, there is a secure decentralized text/link shortener  ;D ;D ;D

QR-codes are tricky enough already (malicious QR code readers steal Bitcoin (https://securityboulevard.com/2020/03/bitcoin-thieves-use-malicious-qr-code-readers-to-steal-45000-this-month/)), adding a third party only makes it worse.

This guy had a website with a QR Code creator and a push TX - The website no longer exists and the user if inactive:

With help from the kids, the Bitcoin logo (https://worldvectorlogo.com/logo/bitcoin) and Ministeck.eu (https://ministeck.eu/ministeck), we made my boy's QR (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=996318.msg52844433#msg52844433):
https://loyce.club/other/QR.jpg
It uses the highest error correction. The whole thing could have been 50% smaller, but that didn't leave enough resolution for the BTC-logo.
Remind me never to do this again :P It's a good way to waste another stay-at-home-weekend with the kids though :)

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My Android QR Code Scanner scans this about 20 times faster than Mycelium or Coinomi (but I trust that scanner far less).

Nice work! I'd have added the bitcoin: prefix so that it triggers wallet apps, but still amazing. I'm surprised to see how very round the logo is too, considering it isn't easy creating round things with rectangular ones...

In retrospect, given how much better the other QR-scanner is, that would have been better :)

That's all Ministeck.eu (https://ministeck.eu/ministeck)'s doing :) There are sites that turn pictures into Lego-mosaics too.

You've just found a new use for your childhood toy. I would not even think about it if I had not seen this topic on this forum. The only thing is to take flat blocks for the upper layers, without connecting elements, for a clearer picture. Also, it is desirable that all blocks are the same size in height.

Desirable is OK, but perfect conditions are no fun at all! Although I agree with flat bricks giving a more "high-end" result, I did what I could with what I had at hand, and it turned out pretty well I must say