Bar code to 2D Code Bar codes have become widely popular because of their reading speed, accuracy, and

superior functionality characteristics. As bar codes became popular and their convenience universally recognized, the market began to call for codes capable of storing more information, more character types, and that could be printed in a smaller space. As a result, various efforts were made to increase the amount of information stored by bar codes, such as increasing the number of bar code digits or layout multiple bar codes. However, these improvements also caused problems such as enlarging the bar code area, complicating reading operations, and increasing printing cost. 2D Code emerged in response to these needs and problems

2D Code with stacked bar 2D Code (matrix type) codes (stacked bar code type) 2D Code is also progressing from the stacked bar code method (that stacks bar codes), to the increased information density matrix method. About QR Code QR Code is a kind of 2-D (two-dimensional) symbology developed by Denso Wave (a division of Denso Corporation at the time) and released in 1994 with the primary aim of being a symbol that is easily interpreted by scanner equipment.

Multiple bar code layout

QR Code (2D Code) contains information in both the vertical and horizontal directions, whereas a bar code contains data in one direction only. QR Code holds a considerably greater volume of information than a bar code.

Typical 2D Code In addition to QR Code, some other kinds of 2D Code have been developed. Below is a table of typical 2D Code and their features. QR Code PDF417 DataMatrix Maxi Code

Developer(country) Type

DENSO(Japan)

Matrix Numeric 7,089 4,296 Data Alphanumeric capacity Binary 2,953 Kanji 1,817 Large capacity, small Main features printout size Large capacity High speed scan Main usages All categories OA AIM International AIM International Standardization JIS ISO ISO

Symbol Technologies (USA) Stacked Bar Code 2,710 1,850 1,018 554

RVSI Acuity CiMatrix (USA) Matrix 3,116 2,355 1,556 778 Small printout size FA AIM International ISO

UPS (USA) Matrix 138 93

High speed scan Logistics AIM International ISO

QR Codes can carry up to several hundred times the amount of data carried by ordinary bar codes.

QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or almost any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the telephone's browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is termed hardlinking or object hyperlinking.

QR codes can be used in Google's mobile Android operating system via both their own Google Goggles application or 3rd party barcode scanners like ZXing or Kaywa. The browser supports URI redirection, which allows QR codes to send metadata to existing applications on the device. Nokia's Symbian

operating system is provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR codes,[4] while mbarcode[5] is a QR code reader for the Maemo operating system. In the Apple iOS, a QR code reader is not natively included, but more than fifty paid and free apps are available with reader and metadata browser URI redirection ability. With BlackBerry devices, the App World application can natively scan QR codes and load any recognized Web URLs on the device's Web browser. Windows Phone 7 will be able to scan QR codes through the bing search app in the upcoming Mango update.

License. The use of QR codes is free of any license. The QR code is clearly defined and published as an ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR codes, but has chosen not to exercise them.[6]

In the US, the granted QR code patent is US5726435. In Japan it is JP2938338. In Germany it is DE69518098. (The European Patent Office granted patent EP0672994 to Denso Wave, but Denso only "nationalized" the patent grant in Germany.)

The term QR code itself is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.[10]

Data capacity

The amount of data that can be stored in the QR code depends on the character set, version and error correction level. The maximum values for version 40 with error correction capacity level L:[1][11] Numeric only Alphanumeric Binary (8 bits) Max. 7,089 characters Max. 4,296 characters Max. 2,953 bytes

Kanji/Kana Max. 1,817 characters

Error correction Example of a QR code with artistic embellishment that will still scan correctly thanks to error correction.

Codewords are 8 bits long and use the ReedSolomon error correction algorithm with four error correction levels. The higher the error correction level, the less storage capacity. At the highest error correction level it is possible to create artistic QR codes that still scan correctly, but contain intentional errors to make them more readable or attractive to the human eye, as well as to incorporate colors, logos and other features into the QR code block.[12][13] While the exact number of errors that can be corrected depends on the size of the symbol and the location of the errors, the following table lists the approximate error correction capability at each of the four levels: Level L Level M Level Q Level H 7% of codewords can be restored. 15% of codewords can be restored. 25% of codewords can be restored. 30% of codewords can be restored.

Variants Example of Micro QR

Micro QR code is a smaller version of the QR code standard for applications with less ability to handle large scans. There are different forms of Micro QR codes as well. The highest of these can hold 35 numeric characters.

Standard QR code is the QR code standard for applications that possess the ability to handle large scans. A standard QR code can contain up to 7089 characters, though not all QR readers can accept that much data.

While the adoption of QR codes in some markets has been slow to begin (particularly in markets such as the United States where competing standards such as Data Matrix exist), the technology is gaining some traction in the smartphone market. Many Android, Nokia, and Blackberry handsets come with QR code readers installed. QR reader software is available for most mobile platforms.

QR Code is an application of encode and decode QR image for Android GPhone.

QR Code provides the following features compared with conventional bar codes. High Capacity Encoding of Data While conventional bar codes are capable of storing a maximum of approximately 20 digits, QR Code is capable of handling several dozen to several hundred times more information. QR Code is capable of handling all types of data, such as numeric and alphabetic characters, Kanji, Kana, Hiragana, symbols, binary, and control codes. Up to 7,089 characters can be encoded in one symbol. QR Code Data capacity Numeric only Alphanumeric Binary (8 bits) Kanji, full-width Kana Max. 7,089 characters Max. 4,296 characters Max. 2,953 bytes Max. 1,817 characters A QR Code symbol of this size can encode 300 alphanumeric characters.

Small Printout Size Since QR Code carries information both horizontally and vertically, QR Code is capable of encoding the same amount of data in approximately onetenth the space of a traditional bar code. (For a smaller printout size, Micro QR Code is available. Kanji and Kana Capability As a symbology developed in Japan, QR Code is capable of encoding JIS Level 1 and Level 2 kanji character set. In case of Japanese, one full-width Kana or Kanji character is efficiently encoded in 13 bits, allowing QR Code to hold more than 20% data than other 2D symbologies. Dirt and Damage Resistant QR Code has error correction capability. Data can be restored even if the symbol is partially dirty or damaged. A maximum 30% of codewords*1 can be restored*2.

*1: A codeword is a unit that constructs the data area. In the case of QR Code, one codeword is equal to 8 bits. *2: Data restoration may not be fully performed depending on the amount of dirt or damage. Readable from any direction in 360 QR Code is capable of 360 degree (omni-directional), high speed reading. QR Code accomplishes this task through position detection patterns located at the three corners of the symbol. These position detection patterns guarantee stable high-speed reading, circumventing the negative effects of background interference.

Structured Append Feature

QR Code can be divided into multiple data areas. Conversely, information stored in multiple QR Code symbols can be reconstructed as single data symbols. One data symbol can be divided into up to 16 symbols, allowing printing in a narrow area.

The same data can be read either from the upper symbol or the lower four symbols.

QR code standardization
Open 2D Code For 2D Code to become widely used, it is first necessary for QR Code specification to be clearly defined and made public. In addition, QR Code must be freely usable by users. The background behind the popularity of bar codes, is specification disclosure. Today, there are very few bar codes with closed specifications or strict patent protection. QR Code is open in the sense that the specification of QR Code is disclosed and that the patent right owned by Denso Wave is not exercised. History of QR Code Standardization QR Code is standardized as below. This shows that QR Code has been accepted internationally, ensuring its widespread acceptance not only domestically, but also overseas. QR Code Standardization October, 1997 March, 1998 January, 1999 June, 2000 Approved as AIM International (Automatic Identification Manufacturers International) standard (ISS - QR Code) Approved as JEIDA (Japanese Electronic Industry Development Association) standard (JEIDA55) Approved as JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) standard (JIS X 0510) Approved as ISO international standard (ISO/IEC18004)

November, Micro QR Code is Approved as JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) standard (JIS X 0510) 2004 QR Code Outline Specification Symbol size 21 21 - 177 177 modules (size grows by 4 modules/side)

Type & Amount of Data (Mixed use is possible.)

Error correction (data restoration) Structured append

Numeric Max. 7,089 characters Alphanumeric Max. 4,296 characters 8-bit bytes (binary) Max. 2,953 characters Kanji Max. 1,817 characters Level L Approx. 7% of codewords can be restored. Level M Approx. 15% of codewords can be restored. Level Q Approx. 25% of codewords can be restored. Level H Approx. 30% of codewords can be restored. Max. 16 symbols (printing in a narrow area etc.)

Obtaining QR Code Specification QR Code is established as an ISO (ISO/IEC18004) standard. QR Code specification can, therefore, be purchased from this organization. <Buy ISO Standards> Please seach by inputting ISO No.18004 to "Search and ISO Catalogue". http://www.iso.ch/iso/en/prods-services/ISOstore/store.html QR Code System Configuration A QR Code system is used in combination with a QR Code printer(or QR Code creation software) and QR Code scanner.

Choose from a full lineup of QR Code scanners designed for a variety of applications. Cellular phones capable of reading QR Code are being sold recently also. QR Code is generated with QR Code creation software and a special printer. However, these tools cannot automatically create QR Code that can be read correctly. In order to generate a properly readable QR code for the intended reader, the size (area) of QR Code is important. QR Code Size Decision Factor The size of QR Code is decided by determining a symbol version, based on data capacity, character type and error correction level, and by setting a module size, based on the performance of the printer for printing or the scanner for reading.

Use QR Code printers and PC software to print QR Code.

Symbol Version The symbol versions of QR Code range from Version 1 to Version 40. Each version has a different module configuration or number of modules. (The module refers to the black and white dots that make up QR Code.) "Module configuration" refers to the number of modules contained in a symbol, commencing with Version 1 (21 21 modules) up to Version 40 (177 177 modules). Each higher version number comprises 4 additional modules per side.

Each QR Code symbol version has the maximum data capacity according to the amount of data, character type and error correction level. Check the maximum data capacity for each version.*Version and maximum data capacity table In other words, as the amount of data increases, more modules are required to comprise QR Code, resulting in larger QR Code symbols. Error Correction QR Code has error correction capability to restore data if the code is dirty or damaged. Four error correction levels are available for users to choose according to the operating environment. Raising this level improves error correction capability but also increases the amount of data QR Code QR Code Error Correction Capability* Level L Level M Level Q Level H Approx.7% Approx. 15% Approx. 25% Approx. 30%

size. To select error correction level, various factors such as the operating environment and QR Code size need to be considered. Level Q or H may be selected for factory environment where QR Code get dirty, whereas Level L may be selected for clean environment with the large amount of data. Typically, Level M (15%) is most frequently selected.

*Data restoration rate for total codewords (codeword is a unit that constructs the data area. One codeword of QR Code is equal to 8 bits.)

Error Correction Feature The QR Code error correction feature is implemented by adding a Reed-Solomon Code*to the original data.

The error correction capability depends on the amount of data to be corrected. For example, if there are 100 codewords of QR Code to be encoded,50 of which need to be corrected, 100 codewords of Reed-Solomon Code are required, as ReedSolomon Code requires twice the amount of codewords to be corrected.

In this case, the total codewords are 200, 50 of which can be corrected. Thus, the error correction rate for the total codewords is 25%. This corresponds to QR Code error correction Level Q.

In the example above, the error correction rate for QR Code codewords can be considered as 50%. However, it is not always the case that codewords of not Reed-Solomon Code but only QR Code are susceptible to dirt and damage.QR Code therefore represents its error correction rate as a ratio of the total codewords.

(*) Reed-Solomon Code is a mathematical error correction method used for music CDs etc. The technology was originally developed as a measure against communication noise for artificial satellites and planetary probes. It is capable of making a correction at the byte level, and is suitable for concentrated burst errors. Example of Symbol Version Determination If there are 100 digits of numerical data, set the data type as "Numeric". Next, specify an error correction level. Then, find the intersecting value (the maximum data capacity) of the data type sequence and the specified error correction level. The value must be 100 or above, but as close to 100 as possible. If the error correction level is M (error correction capability of 15%), the code size is 29x29 modules, which corresponds to Version 3.

Setting Module Size Once a symbol version is determined, the actual size of the QR Code symbol depends on the millimeter size of the module (one square area comprising QR code) to be printed. The larger the module is, the more stable and easier to read with a QR code scanner it becomes. On the other hand, as the QR Code symbol size gets larger, a larger printing area is required. It is, therefore, necessary to determine the module size of each application after considering all the relevant factors. It is recommended that QR Code symbols be printed as large as possible within the available printing area. Printer Head Density and Module Size The module size of a standard thermal transfer/direct thermal printer depends on the number of dots in the printer head. For example, if the head density is 300dpi and each module is made up of 5 dots, the module size is 0.42 mm2. Increasing the number of dots improves printing quality, eliminates printing width or paper feed speed fluctuations, distortion of axis, blurring, etc, and enables more stable operations. It is recommended for stable operations that each module is made up of 4 or more dots. Printer and module size Printer Head density 600dpi (24dot/mm) 360dpi (14dot/mm) 300dpi (12dot/mm) 200dpi (8dot/mm) 4-dot 5-dot 6-dot configuration configuration configuration 0.17mm 0.28mm 0.33mm 0.5mm 0.21mm 0.35mm 0.42mm 0.63mm 0.25mm 0.42mm 0.5mm 0.75mm The module size is approx. 0.5mm2 The module size is approx. 1.0mm2

Version 1 QR Code (21 21 modules)

Laser

Thermal Scanner Factors

Each scanner has its own readable module size limit. The scanner resolution represents this limit. For example, if a QR Code symbol is printed with a 600 dpi, 4-dot printer, the module size is 0.17mm. A scanner resolution of less than 0.17mm is required to read the symbol. Small printing in the limited area with a higher head density printer can be useless if the reading limit of the scanner is

exceeded. Consider the scanner to be adopted before determining the module size to be used.

The scanner resolution of our products is shown below. Scanner type High resolution type AT10Q-HM GT15Q series(for US/for EU ASIA) BHT-760QWBG-CE Standard type BHT-600Q series AT10Q-SM Camera type Decode software QD20 QRdeCODE Variable according to lens Variable according to iPhone 0.25mm 0.167mm Resolution

Securing Margin When the symbol version and module size are determined, the size of the QR Code symbol is determined. The QR Code symbol area requires a margin or "quiet zone" around it to be used. The margin is a clear area around a symbol where nothing is printed. QR Code requires a four-module wide margin at all sides of a symbol. Four-module wide margin is required around a symbol. Example of Calculating QR Code Area Below is an example of calculating the total QR Code area including margin. (Example) Creating QR Code to encode 50 alphanumeric characters 1. Specify the error correction level as the standard "M". 2. Obtain a version from the Version and maximum data capacity table (find the intersection of alphanumeric characters and Level M). Version 3 capable of storing 50 or more characters. (Version 2 with Level M holds only 38 characters.) Margin of QR Code

3. Use a printer with 400 dpi resolution. 0.254 mm when printed with 4-dot configuration.(Equation: 25.4 mm/inch 400 dpi 4 dots/module = 0.254 mm/module) 4. 4. Version 3 = 29 modules, therefore, the size of QR Code is 29 modules 0.254 mm/module = 7.366 mm. 5. Secure a four-module wide margin. 7.366mm + 0.254mm/module 8 modules =9.398mm In other words, the required QR Code area is 9.398mm2. If QR Code Area gets Too Large If the QR Code area obtained in the process above does not fit the printing space, consider the following three points. 1. Decrease the symbol version. 2. Make the module size smaller. 3. Split the QR Code symbol.

Micro QR Code is a very small QR Code that fits applications that require a smaller space and use smaller amounts of data, such as ID of printed circuit boards and electronics parts, etc. The efficiency of data encoding has been increased with the use of only one position detection pattern. Micro QR Code Configuration A major feature of Micro QR Code is it has only one position detection pattern, compared with regular QR Code that require a certain amount of area because position detection patterns are located at the three corners of a symbol. Furthermore, QR Code requires at least a four-module wide margin around a symbol, whereas a two-module wide margin is enough for Micro QR Code. This configuration of Micro QR Code allows printing in areas even smaller than QR Code. Data Capacity and Symbol Size Micro QR Code is not capable of storing much data (maximum 35 numeric characters). However, because it can store data for each symbol size more efficiently than QR Code, the size of Micro QR Code symbols does not significantly increase, even though the amount of data is increased (see the figure to the right). There are four symbol versions of Micro QR Code, ranging from Version M1 to Version M4. Even the highest version, M4, stores less data than Version 1 QR Code.

* Assuming the size of Version 1 QR Code is 1. Maximum Data Capacity Table for each Micro QR Code Symbol Version Number of Error correction Symbol version Numeric Alphanumeric modules level M1 11 5 L 10 6 M2 13 M 8 5 L 23 14 M3 15 M 18 11 L 35 21 M4 17 M 30 18 Q 21 13 (Reference: Data Capacity of Version 1 QR Code) Number of Error correction Symbol version Numeric Alphanumeric modules level L 41 25 M 34 20 1 21x21 Q 27 16 H 17 10 Micro QR Code Standardization Micro QR Code is open in the sense that the specification of Micro QR Code is disclosed and that the patent right owned by Denso Wave is not exercised. Binary 9 7 15 13 9 Binary 17 14 11 7 Kanji 6 4 9 8 5 Kanji 10 8 7 4

Micro QR Code Standardization November, 2004 Approved as JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) standard (JIS X 0510)