Professional Documents
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QR Codes
QR Codes
Technology
Presentation by Chris Gribe
Roadmap
• Definitions
• Development/Timeline
• How do they work?
• Conclusion
• References
• Questions
Definitions
• Barcode - a code consisting of a group of printed and variously patterned
bars and spaces and sometimes numerals that is designed to be scanned
and read into computer memory and that contains information (as
identification) about the object it labels.
• QR Code - a matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code), readable by QR
scanners, mobile phones with a camera, and smartphones.
• Scanner – a device that interpret different imagery, in this case: barcodes.
Development/Timeline
• 1952, a patent for “Classifying Apparatus And Method” is filed.
• 1959, Collins manages development of a car identification system (KarTrak).
• 1967, a standard for bar codes is formed based on KarTrak’s.
• 1968, Collins forms Computer Identics Corp.
• 1971, first portable bar code scanners and wands made.
• 1973, UPC codes invented and adopted by food stores.
• 1974, Code 39 developed.
• 1982, Code 128 developed. 1st handheld scanner & barcode printer released.
• 1987, Code 49 developed. Collins forms Data Capture Institute.
• 1990, ANSI X3.182 standard on bar code print quality is issued. PDF417, is introduced
by Symbol Technologies
• 1994, Checkerboard symbology Data Matrix invented by International Data Matrix,
Inc.
• 2005, airlines implement QR Codes as a part of boarding passes.
• 2008, mobile phones implement usage of the QR Code.
Different Codes
Code 39
• Defines 43 Characters.
• Typically used in non-retail areas.
• Arguably the simplest barcode.
Different Codes
Code 128
• Defines the entire 128
ASCII character set.
• Typically used in
shipping/retail.
Different Codes
QR Code
• Most commonly used
barcode as of recent
especially with mobile
phones.
• Has various numbers of
functions: linking to
websites, send SMS
functions, etc.
How does a
scanner/smartphone interpret
a barcode?
• Each barcode is interpreted similarly and yet also slightly
differently as well.
• Barcodes also happen to be less complex that QR Codes.
• Barcodes can use scanners, whereas QR Codes require
something else (i.e smartphones, computer, game machines)
No/Quiet Zones
• For all commonly used barcodes, each has a no or quiet zone.
Each one varies.
• In general, these must not be covered or the scan of the
barcodes will not work.
• For QR Codes, there are no zones as well as a quiet zone.
• With Codes 39 or 128, they have a quiet zone surrounding it.
Quiet Zone
No Zones
QR Code
• Position Markers
• Format
• Version Number
• Alignment Marker
Light from Scanner
Barcodes Light Reflection