Barcode/QR Code

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 KarTraks.
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
Quietit.
Zone
surrounding

No Zones
QR Code
Position Markers
Format
Version Number
Alignment Marker

Barcodes
Barcode scanners are made of
3 different parts: an illuminator,
a convertor, and a decoder.
The illuminator shoots out a line
of light (typically red) at the
barcode.
Light will reflect from the
barcode (from anywhere that is
not black) in the form of a
wave.
The convertor converts the
wave into a readable form for
the device.
Decoder reads the converted
information.

Light from Scanner

Light Reflection

Barcode

QR Codes
Certain applications on a
smart phone / portable
gaming device can scan QR
codes (i.e ZXing on
Android)
Instead of bouncing off an
image via light, QR Codes
are interpreted from a
picture skipping the light
wave process.

QR Codes
Interpretation of the code
is that excluding the no
zones, each black module
is a 1 bit and a white one is
a 0 bit.

QR Codes
There are also different
versions (currently up to
40).
These are determined by a
numeral in a chart,
followed by a error
correction level. By
following the two, the
version number is reached.

QR Codes
Error Correction
This allows other
images to be placed
into the code without
any issues.

Still works!

Conclusion
What barcodes and QR codes are.
A brief history of barcodes.
The different kinds of barcodes.
How they work.

References
Webster, M. (n.d.).Bar code. Retrieved from http://www.merriamwebster.com/dictionary/bar code
UID Solutions - UID Products and Services for US Military Contractors
and DoD.Barcode History Timeline.Retrieved from http://
www.uidsolutions.com/barcodetimeline.html
Qr readers. (n.d.). Barcode Technology Timeline. Retrieved from
http://www.qrreaders.net/articles/barcode-technology-timeline.html
(9/29/2011).What Is A QR Code And How Does It Work?.
[ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.youthedesigner.com/2011/09/29/what-is-a-qr-code-andhow-does-it-work/.
How Barcode Scanners Work. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://www.carolinabarcode.com/how-barcode-scanners-work-a69.html.
(2000).Information technology Automatic identification
and data capture techniques Bar code symbology QR
Code. [ONLINE] Available at:
http://raidenii.net/files/datasheets/misc/qr_code.pdf.

Questions