How the QR Code Works and Its History

By understanding how the QR code works, it becomes possible to recognize its multi-functionality. They can be used in any industry worldwide to enhance your marketing efforts and can be used for personal use as well.

What is a QR code?

Before we dive into the history of QR codes, let’s clarify what a QR code is. A QR code (quick response code) is a code that can be read quickly by a mobile phone (hence the word “quick” in the name). Various information can be conveyed by using the combination of distances as a kind of matrix barcode (two-dimensional barcode) and reading the QR code. QR codes are widely used in all industries such as retail, marketing, and logistics. 

QR Code and barcode

QR code and Barcode are actually similar, but QR codes contain more information as they can store information both horizontally and vertically. Barcodes use only lateral information. Barcodes work well in situations like scanning supermarket items, but QR codes are much more capable of transmitting information, and their versatility probably made them more popular. 

QR code’s history

Life before barcodes and QR codes

Like many technological developments, QR codes were created out of necessity. QR codes actually started out as barcodes with their typical purpose.

for supermarkets. In the 1960s, Japan experienced a wave of economic growth. Supermarkets no longer just sell groceries, they now sell clothing and a variety of other items. So basically they realized they needed a way to keep track of everything. . Before barcodes, cashiers had to manually enter each item (can you imagine?!). Because of the health problems caused by frequently repetitive behaviors such as carpal tunnel syndrome, supermarket owners knew they had to find a solution.

Who Invented the QR Code?

Point of sale (POS) system

The POS system was developed as a result of the growing demand for technology to relieve supermarket cashiers. It was basically a new version of barcodes that allowed individual items to be scanned and registered with a computer. However, despite these efforts, this was not enough. Then supermarkets faced another obstacle.

Barcodes can only store up to about 20 characters of alphanumeric information and work in one dimension (one-way encoding). 

Participation of DENSO WAVE INC.

The invention of the QR code is due to Denso Wave and its main developer, Masahiro Hara. We were approached by a supermarket that recognized the limitations of these barcodes and was looking for a way to make them more versatile and contain more information by developing 2-D codes (two-way coding).

Hara, who has only two members on his team, first came up with the idea of ​​a square. Because her research found it to be an easily distinguishable form. In addition, this format made it possible to encode information both horizontally and vertically. Another advantage of her is the increased speed of reading information (up to 10 times faster than barcodes). The combination was a hit. Denso Wave published its invention of the QR Code in 1994 without maintaining patent rights, and the use of QR Codes spread rapidly.

How did QR codes become popular?

QR codes were first used in Japan’s Kanban, a type of electronic communication tool used in the automotive industry. They quickly realized the versatility that QR codes offered and he started using them in everything from manufacturing to shipping to trading. Then, following the societal demand for greater product traceability, especially in the food and pharmaceutical industries, these industries realized that the use of QR codes would bring essential business benefits.

As a result of the original decision not to retain patent rights, QR codes have come into use in people’s daily lives. Then in 2000, the QR code was added to the international ISO standard. As a result, it is basically available worldwide. After that, with the invention of smartphones, the spread of QR codes knew no bounds. 

Other types of QR codes

Barcodes and QR codes come in many varieties and are used for many different reasons. Here are some of the most popular versions:

Micro QR code

QR codes found even more uses with the development of micro QR codes, or codes small enough to fit in small items so as not to take up space. However, it has the limitation of having less information than the usual QR code for him.

QR code

Unlike the squares in common QR codes, QR codes use a rectangular shape. Because of this format, QR codes can hold both smaller and larger amounts of data than traditional micro QR codes. 

Frame QR

FrameQR Code was developed in 2014 to add some creativity to the look of QR Codes. Our QR code generator offers many options for colors, shapes, types, logos, and more.

How do QR codes work?

QR code’s structure

The current QR code consists of 7 parts. Each of these parts creates a kind of pixel pattern similar to a crossword puzzle. Each element has a specific purpose that conveys specific information through code such as Orientation, timing, error tolerance, and whitespace to distinguish code from its surroundings.

How to scan the QR code

Today, most QR codes are scanned with smartphones. There are many free QR scanning apps for Android and iOS devices (even with cameras). Most of the time you just open the app and it automatically scans the QR code with the push of a button.

What are the uses of a QR code?

There are over 1 billion uses of QR codes. seriously. We have a comprehensive guide with examples, but I’ll summarize a few examples below.

QR code in Business

One of its most popular uses is as a QR code for business cards. This is useful, for example, if you are at a networking event and need to talk to many people in a short amount of time. Many business people are accustomed to carrying a large number of business cards after an event like this, but QR codes offer a better solution. Add a vCard Plus QR code to easily upload business card details directly to your smartphone. An added benefit is that you are no longer limited to the space of a traditional business card. In the digital version, potential customers and partners can see you on social media to receive additional information such as opening hours or book directly. 

QR code on the product package

Many are familiar with supermarket product codes meant to be scanned for logistical purposes, but can now be used to provide consumers with more information. Suppose you have a seasonal product. B. At Christmas. By using the PDF QR code, you can attach the exclusive recipe directly to this product without changing the package design. Another use for your product packaging is to add a QR code for social media to increase your followers.

Healthcare QR code

One way to ensure that medical staff provides the best possible care is to provide patients with the opportunity to complete feedback surveys. Actually having to do this can be frustrating and even embarrassing, especially if the patient is dissatisfied. Use feedback QR codes to allow patients to fill out surveys at their leisure. A simple online appointment system that can be automatically filed after a patient’s appointment can be combined with this.

Personal QR code

Suppose you are planning a large event. This process is often stressful and requires a lot of organization. Simplify the process by sending your invitees an event QR code with all the event details, providing a way to get in touch, and adding the event directly to your calendar.

Gym qr code

Walking around town, you’re used to seeing pictures and ads offering discounts on gym subscriptions, especially during the holiday season in preparation for New Year’s Eve. You can easily improve these ads by making it easier to get this discount by adding the QR code of the coupon directly to the graphic. Instead of expecting customers to remember to come back and get discounts, they now have easy access by signing up. Combine that with an exclusive offer and a link back to your website, and you can easily reach new customers with much less effort. 

Source: https://onlqr.com/

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