Know about the big brother to Barcode: The QR code !

November 8, 2016 will always be etched in our memories, as on this day, our respected Prime Minister made a very important announcement. I was in the office at that time and didn’t get to know it until at around 10 pm. 

"Are bhai log, suna tumne..500 and 1000 rupee notes will not be legal from midnight today", said our guruji, Mr. Balaji. "What are you saying Balaji sir, since when have you started believing in those fake messages circulated over social media? We've loads of work to complete, our Go-live is nearby and we need your guidance", I really sounded needful.

"Are PG My boyyyyyyyy, Balaji sir isn't kidding. Don’t you believe him? That's why you are still a Ju-TL" Prashant bhai said in his self-styled 'fake arrogance'. Hearing this, Srikanth, Vijay also started giggling. I was curious now.

"Is it really true Balaji Anna?", I asked sheepishly. He just nodded, resolve in his eyes. Unnerved, I quickly opened the news site and checked for the hitherto seeming fake news. But it wasn't !!

Days passed since the demonetization announcement, but people were still not out of the blues. A long queue outside every ATM was omnipresent. But then, it provided impetus to a 'Digital economy' in making. Several of the companies went with the flow by launching their digital payment solutions to help people pay via their mobile phones. Almost every shop in Bengaluru had one or the other digital payment system, for wallet enabled payments and/or a POS machine for the Credit/Debit cards, helping both the sellers and buyers. The technology that came to the rescue: QR code.

What is a QR code and how does it work? Do we use it just for payments or does it have other applications as well? Let us find it out.

What is the history of QR codes?

QR codes saw the light of the day because of the limitations with the barcodes. Barcodes, as you are aware, are the patterns of white lines over a dark black background. It was a big invention which made the tracking and all easier. The number of lines defined the storage capacity, which kept on increasing owing to the demands and great response from the business world. But the increase in length came up with its own set of obstacles. 

First was the space crunch, as lengthy barcodes couldn’t fit on the label; second was the printing cost. Even reading (i.e. scanning) a lengthy code was complicated. More to that, barcodes could only hold 20 (approx.) alphanumeric characters information.

To overcome these impediments, scientists at Denso Wave (a Toyota subsidiary) developed a 2D code called Quick Response code. These were well carved codes which eliminated the hurdles faced by Barcodes: Information storage capacity, printing space, more functionality and easier readability. Initially, they were created to track parts in the auto-manufacturing industry. But soon, QR codes ruled the world and now we can see these small block of illegible design carved out on every other shop, news page, advertisement boards etc. See the below image of a QR code of our Facebook page. (You may scan it via your phone in case you are reading on Laptop/Tablet).

FB page of WittyScribble

How does a QR code work?

Quick Response code is a two dimensional code used for storing information. It is a square shaped pattern that stores information both in horizontal and vertical fashion, unlike barcodes that stores data in one dimension only. To make QR codes orientation independent, a carefully vetted & researched 'Alignment markers' (of specific black & white widths) were added; thereby making it easier to scan from any direction. Additionally, 'Position markers' or 'Eyes' present at 3 corners of the code, help the scanners to mark the edges of the code.

Then there is the Version number associated with each QR code. The version number ranges from 1 to 40 and the storage capacity of the QR code increases with the version number. Refer the below QR code (again of our FB Page) depicting these important identifiers.

Applications of QR code

QR codes are just not used to redirect to a particular URL; they can be used to store any piece of information. Globally organizations are using QR codes for carrying out multiple applications such as initiating calls, sending emails, delivering coupons, viewing videos, sharing content like WIFI code, maps, calendar event, accepting payments, tracking inventory,  advertisement etc.

Nerd Notes:

1. A 10-pack Wrigley's Juicy Fruit chewing gum was the first product to be scanned using the bar code on June 26, 1974. The pack is a part of valuables on display at Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History
2. A QR code is readable even if it is up to 30% damaged (based on the error correction level)
3. In June 2011, the Netherlands based Royal Dutch mint, printed the world's first official coin with a QR code

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- Prakhar