However, they go beyond this connection and can be used for everything from building access controls to product tracking and the exchange of confidential information.
In this article, we will explore in detail what a QR Code is , its history, operation, anatomy and how you can use it to boost your company or simplify your day-to-day life.
What is a QR Code?
QR Code, or Quick Response Code , is a type of two-dimensional code designed to store information in a compact and accessible way. The main difference phone number database between a QR Code and traditional linear barcodes is its ability to contain a much larger amount of data, including URLs, text, contacts, and even action commands, such as connecting to a Wi-Fi network or making payments.
A brief history of QR Code
To understand what a QR Code is , we automation of marketing actions and internal processes to analyze the trajectory of this code. QR Codes have a curious origin and understanding their trajectory helps us understand how they became so indispensable.
Beyond Barcodes
In the 1990s, barcodes were widely in industry, but their limitations were obvious: they only stored information in a linear format, making cell phone data it difficult to read from different angles. To solve this, the Japanese company Denso Wave the QR Code in 1994.
These codes quickly overtook barcodes and below we will provide some reasons why QR Codes became so popular.
Storage capacity
- Barcode : A traditional barcode can only store numeric or alphanumeric information, typically up to 20 characters. It is to identify products or categories, but not to convey detailed data.
- QR Code : Can contain up to 7,000 alphanumeric characters or 4,000 characters in binary format. This makes it ideal for transmitting URLs, text, contact information, and even specific commands.
Size and shape
- Barcode : It works in a linear dimension, that is, the information is in parallel strips of different thicknesses. This requires the code to be longer to contain more data, taking up more physical space.
- QR Code : It is two-dimensional, storing information both horizontally and vertically. This compact structure allows it to store more information in a smaller space.
Reading direction
- Barcode : To be read correctly, the scanner must be horizontally with the code. This limits practicality and reading in dynamic environments.
- QR Code : Can be read in any orientation, thanks to positioning patterns that allow the reader to quickly identify its location and alignment.
Versatility of applications
- Barcode : Its use is mainly to tracking and identifying products, such as prices on cash registers or logistics in stocks.
- QR Code : It goes beyond simple identification. It is to access links, make payments, connect to Wi-Fi networks, authenticate users and much more. Its versatility has made it indispensable in areas such as marketing, technology and security.
QR Code becomes open source
In an decision, Denso Wave, the company responsible for creating the QR Code , chose not to patent the technology. This choice made the QR Code an open source resource , allowing any person or organization to use it freely, without licensing costs.
This openness was key to its global spread, as it barriers to entry and creativity and innovation across a range of sectors. As a result, QR Codes have not only themselves as an industry standard, but have also become an indispensable tool in areas such as marketing, digital payments, education and access control.
The decision to make the QR Code accessible to everyone not only its use but also its relevance as a universal technology, adaptable to the of an increasingly world.