What Is QR Code and What Does It For?

What Is QR Code And What Does It For?

A QR Code is an image template of dark or light pixels in a matrix form, allowing quick access to data with devices such as computers.

Göknil Bağatarhan

The QR code was first invented in 1994 by Masahiro Hara, chief engineer of the Japanese company Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota. The code was initially used to accurately track and trace moving tools and parts in the production processing. The QR code allowed for faster data transfer, compared to other 2D barcode systems.

Standards were published by the Japanese Industrial Standardization Committee in 1999. These standards accelerated the adoption of the QR code commonly, making it an internationally recognized technology. The QR code was later recognized by ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and adopted as the ISO/IEC 18004 standard.

With the development of mobile technology, QR codes have gained more popularity. QR codes, which can be scan with smartphones, helped users access information quickly and easily. Over time, they started to be used for different purposes in different sectors. It is possible to encounter QR codes in many areas such as advertising, logistics, marketing, mobile payments, and event management. With the advancement of technology, QR codes have been developed in ways that can be colored and customized with logos. There are also variants of QR codes in which more data can be encoded.

Today, QR codes are widely used around the world. With rapid access to the internet and the widespread use of smartphones, QR codes play an important role in sharing information, trading transactions, and user experience.

As a result, QR codes have become a tool used to communicate information and provide interactivity practically and effectively.

A QR code is a special type of code that can be easily scanned through a digital device and stores information as a series of pixels on a square grid (matrix). QR codes consist of black-and-white modules in a vertical and horizontal orientation and are optimized to encode and scan information quickly. They can contain more information than traditional barcodes and support a wide range of data types.

QR codes process four data modes:

Alphanumeric
Numeric
Kana
Kanji

Alphanumeric

Alphanumeric data mode is used to encode letters of the Latin alphabet, numbers, and some special characters. For instance, texts, website addresses, or personal information are encoded in this data mode.

Numeric

Numeric data mode is used to encode only numbers. For instance, only numeric data such as telephone numbers or serial numbers are encoded using this mode.

Kana

Kana data mode is used to encode the katakana alphabet used in Japanese. The katakana alphabet is an alphabet of characters used to adapt foreign words into Japanese.

Kanji

Kanji data mode is used to encode kanji characters used in Japanese.

What Is QR Code Used for?

QR codes are used extensively for tracking products and product information. They are also used to display a menu, connect to any social media profile or log in to a website, as a ticket to board an airplane, make or send payments, for Wi-Fi access, and to verify log in credentials.

How to Scan a QR Code?

Most smartphones are equipped with a QR code scanner. However, to access mobile devices that are not equipped with a QR code scanner, a QR code scanner application can be downloaded from the device's app store.

For instance, a user who wants to scan a QR code with an iPhone mobile device can scan the code with the camera.

What Are the Types of QR Codes?

Several types of QR codes can be used for different items:

Micro QR Code
Model 1 QR Codes
Model 2 QR Code
IQR Code
SQRC
Frame QR

Micro QR Code

A micro QR code refers to a smaller version of a traditional QR code used in limited-space situations. Micro QR codes can vary in size but the smallest size is 11x11 modules. They encode up to 21 alphanumeric characters.

Model 1 QR Codes

Model 1 QR codes are the prototype of model 2 and Micro QR codes. The maximum data capacity is 468 bytes and can encode up to 707 alphanumeric characters.

Model 2 QR Codes

Model 2 QR codes have an alignment pattern for better position adjustment. They contain more data density compared to Model 1 QR codes.

IQR Code

The IQR code can be generated as a square or rectangle if there is a problem with the shape or spacing.

SQRC

SQRC has a limited reading function that includes private information.

Frame QR

Frame QR refers to a customized frame containing larger data in formats such as graphics, images, or photos.

What Are the Differences Between QR Code and Barcode?

Traditionally, the amount of information that could be provided or conveyed about a product or a service was limited to the space on the product's packaging or advertisements describing its benefits. If consumers wanted more information about the product or service, they had to contact a salesperson or request additional documentation.

Barcodes are usually located on the back of product packages and can be scanned by machines with an optical scanner. Barcodes can be scanned in one direction, from top to bottom. They are usually in alphanumeric format and can only store small amounts of information.

The QR code can be scanned in both directions, from top to bottom and right to left. A QR code is therefore considered to be two-dimensional. At the same time, QR codes can store more data because they can be scanned in both directions.