What is QR Code & what are its specifications
QR Codes were invented in 1994 by Denso-Wave in Japan to support the automobile manufacturing industry. Despite its trademark, the format is open, which allows royalty-free use of the symbology. Today, QR Codes are still widely used in Japan for many applications including encoding URLs in signs and publications.
Named QR for ‘Quick Response,’ QR Codes are square codes that can be quickly read due to their design. QR Codes are square symbols, containing three distinctive ‘finder’ squares embedded in three corners of the symbol. A fourth smaller alignment square is near the lower right corner of the symbol. When read by a QR-enabled reader linked to a browser, the code can direct a user to a web site. The QR code also has a variant symbology known as the Micro QR Code, which can hold 35 characters in a small space.
One of the key advantages of QR codes is their ability to store a large amount of information in a compact form. Unlike traditional one-dimensional barcodes, which store data in a linear form, QR codes can store data in two dimensions, allowing them to store much more information in a smaller space. This makes QR codes well-suited to applications where space is limited, such as on product labels or business cards.
Another advantage of QR codes is their versatility. QR codes can be used to encode a wide range of information, including URLs, product information, and contact information. This versatility makes QR codes a popular choice for a variety of applications, such as marketing and advertising, product labeling, and event ticketing. QR codes can be easily customized to meet the specific needs of different industries and applications, making them a highly flexible and adaptable technology.
In terms of security, QR codes can be designed with error correction algorithms to ensure that the encoded information is read correctly, even if the QR code is damaged or partially obscured. This helps to reduce the risk of scanning errors and ensures that the information contained within the QR code is accurate and reliable.
QR codes are also easy to use, as they can be quickly scanned using a smartphone camera and a QR code reader app. This makes them a convenient and accessible technology for both businesses and consumers, as anyone with a smartphone can easily scan and access the information contained within a QR code.
Despite the many benefits of QR codes, there are some challenges associated with their use. One of the main challenges is ensuring that the encoded information is secure, as anyone with a QR code reader app can access the information contained within the code. This has led to concerns about privacy and security, and has prompted some businesses to take steps to protect sensitive information encoded in QR codes.
Another challenge associated with QR codes is their limited design options. QR codes consist of a pattern of black and white squares, and while they can be customized to include logos or other images, they are still limited in terms of design flexibility. This can make it difficult to create visually appealing QR codes, which can be a drawback for some businesses and applications.
Despite these challenges, QR codes continue to be a popular choice for a wide range of applications, due to their versatility, ease of use, and ability to store a large amount of information in a compact form. Whether used for marketing and advertising, product labeling, or event ticketing, QR codes are a valuable technology that is helping to streamline and simplify many aspects of modern life.
Features
- QR code stands for "Quick Response" code. The primary purpose of the code development was to create a code that could be read quickly.
- Square symbol, containing three distinctive ‘finder’ squares embedded in three corners of the symbol.
- Matrix symbology consisting of pixels (so-called “modules”). The smallest QR codes are 21x21 pixels, and the largest are 177x177. The sizes are called versions.
- Engineered to deliver its message even if smudged or disfigured.
- Convenient way to store all kinds of data in a small space, anything from simple text, to email addresses, to phone numbers, URLs, payments and so on.
- Used in a wide range of applications, such as manufacturing, logistics, and sales applications.
How can the barKoder SDK help with your QR Code scanning requirements
The barKoder barcode scanner SDK can empower any enterprise or consumer mobile or desktop app with state-of-the-art barcode scanning functionality with very little integration efforts.
Download the free trial SDK, evaluate barKoder via its Barcode Scanner demo app, explore our documentation hub, blog posts and more.
