

What are the different types of QR codes? It also stores more information than UPC barcodes. A QR code can display the data even when scanned in different dimensions. QR codes replaced UPC barcodes as they’re much better to use. It was completely unexpected.“įurthermore, QR codes were meant to replace the UPC barcodes. But it was widely used by general users, which I did not expect. “At the time, I felt that I had developed something great and predicted that it would be widely used in the industry in the future. They didn't expect people to use QR codes outside the automotive business when they designed it. Hara and his team were tasked with creating a QR code that people could use to track a car and its parts during production. Because every car component has a unique size, function, and fit, Masahiro created QR codes to eliminate a mechanic's manual labor and prevent errors. Why were QR codes created?Ī Denso Wave engineer named Masahiro Hara invented QR codes in 1994. On the other hand, QR codes can be decoded in different directions, which means they can encode over a hundred times more data. QR codes have a major advantage over regular barcodes as they’re two-dimensional and only require a QR code scanner (most of which are free) that people can install on their smartphones.Ī barcode contains machine-readable information, is one-dimensional, and contains information horizontally. The other little squares help a QR code scanner read the code. QR codes use three big squares for alignment so you can scan them in any direction.

How do QR codes work?Įach black and white square in a QR code represents “one bit,” encoding different characters into the text. QR codes are a practical and highly efficient tool, bridging the gap between the physical and digital worlds. A barcode consists of a series of characters, numbers, and symbols, while a QR code can store up to 406 bytes of information. QR codes can store various data and information, including a link to an online store, an influencer's social media sites, and files such as photos, videos, music, official documents, and more. With an online QR code generator, you can create QR codes readable in both vertical and horizontal dimensions. It’s a two-dimensional matrix barcode that can be read and scanned with compatible devices such as a smartphone camera or an app. The "QR" in the QR code stands for "Quick Response". But what are QR codes really? How do they work? How are they made? How does your device recognize them? You may know that scanning a QR code with your mobile device takes you to a website, file, or menu. You even see them in commercials, TV shows, and on some notable occasions lighting up the sky in a spectacular drone show. Everywhere you go, you see square, black-and-white matrix barcodes printed on building entrances, printed materials, and product packaging.
