Quick Response Code

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21 Aug, 2024

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Quick Response codes, or QR codes, are two-dimensional matrix codes that are a variation of standard barcodes and can be used to transmit a range of information in the form of a grid. For example, they can store numbers, websites, and texts and convey them instantly when scanned by a mobile device.

Technological advancements have enhanced its usefulness in various fields, such as academics, food, in-store product labeling, commercial tracking, security, marketing, and entertainment. High data storage capacity, quick scanning, and omnidirectional readability are some of the benefits of QR codes. It also includes error correction that enables proper reading of broken codes.

What is a Quick Response code (QR)?

Quick response codes are an advanced version of barcodes used for storing information in various forms, such as texts, images, and website links. Barcodes are one-dimensional, while QR codes are two-dimensional matrix codes and are better at storing and handling information than the former.
A QR code looks at every square in the grid and assigns a value based on whether it is black or white. It then puts grid squares together into larger patterns.
It is one-directional, scans faster, and occupies less space with the capacity to hold multiple types of data (alphabets, numbers, alphanumeric, binary, etc.).

Quick Response (QR) Code Explained

A quick response code is a category of matrix bar codes or two-dimensional codes designed to be read by a QR scanner. The code is represented by a white background with black modules arranged in a square pattern. It stores information, and the decoded information may be text, a website, or other necessary data. QR is expressed as a "quick response" as the code content should be decoded quickly at high speed.

An encoder and decoder make up the system for using QR codes. The encoder is in charge of data encoding and QR code generation, and the decoder is in charge of extracting its data. The Quick Response code scanner or reader then decodes the code into a grid and examines it.

Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, created the concept in 1994 and used it for tracking inventory in manufacturing parts of vehicles. Now it finds itself useful in a large number of fields. Every QR code symbol comprises square modules placed in a regular square array and contains function patterns and an encoding region. One can decode the binary codes that make up QR codes to disclose the data. A quiet zone border surrounds the entire symbol. Function patterns are the shapes present in specific code areas to ensure the scanners appropriately recognize and orient the code to decode them.

A QR reader can use the three sizable squares outside the QR code to recognize its code. Once it has recognized these three shapes, it understands that the entire square is a QR code. The QR reader then decodes the code into a grid and examines it. First, it examines each square and gives it a value based on whether a grid square is black or white. Afterward, it assembles grid squares into bigger patterns.

Encoding and decoding QR codes comprises data analysis, data encoding, error correction coding, module placement in a matrix, and data masking format and version information.

Types Of Quick Response (QR) Codes

The following are the major types of QR codes:

#1 QR Code Model 1 & 2

Model 1 is the original one, which has the capacity to code 1167 numerals. However, all the later versions had better encoding capacity, including 2, which is an improvement of 1.

#2 Micro QR Code

This code allows printing in a small space with one orientation or position-detecting pattern. It differs from the usual QR codes that need a specific area to detect patterns at the three corners. Furthermore, micro QR codes need only two module-wide margins, while normal QR codes require at least four-module wide margins.

#3 LogoQ (Logo QR Code)

LogoQ comes with improved visual recognition ability by combining it with alphabets and pictorial representations in color.

#4 IQR Code

It is a matrix-type 2D code whose position and size are easily read. This code accommodates a wide range of codes, including smaller than normal, micro QR, and larger ones.

#5 Encrypted QR Code

This code contains a QR reading restricting function containing encrypted data. When it comes to encrypted QR codes, one can apply the encrypted information to the Quick response code generator, which creates the QR code. The decoder later scans and decodes this code and obtains the data using decryption procedures.

Quick Response (QR) Codes vs Barcodes

Here are the key differences between a barcode and a QR code:

QR Code	Barcode
A two-dimensional variant of a standard barcode	Often linear or one-dimensional barcodes (1D), it represents data visually in machine-readable form
Stores information horizontally and vertically	Only scans unidirectional
Stores more data than a barcode	Stores less data than a QR code
Better error correction	Not good at error tolerance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does a quick response code do?

The necessary information is derived from patterns in an image's horizontal and vertical components, created in a quick response code generator. Then, itt is scanned through an imaging device such as a camera and corrected.

2. How is a quick response code used?

Quick response codes provide information on images that can be decoded with the help of an imaging device. This way, the code stores data through patterns of black and white shapes in a grid and conveys the same quickly.

3. Why is it called a quick response code?

QR codes are useful for storing a variety of information. Scanning a code gives the user access to that particular data very quickly, hence the name.

4. What is a quick response code reader?

QR readers are quick response code scanners that scan the image that holds the QR code. They help decode the information present there and hence the name reader.