Interesting Facts about QR Codes

Today is the most suitable day to remember some interesting stories about barcodes.

Funny Fact 1: In Seattle, QR codes are inscribed on graves which contain a link to the detailed information about the deceased person

Funny Fact  2: The first patent for bar code was issued to inventors Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver on October 7 of 1952.

Funny Fact 3: Wrigley’s Gum was the first product to have a barcode included in June of 1974, at a Marsh’s supermarket in Troy, Ohio. There was installed the 1st UPC scanner too.

Funny Fact 4. Some religions believe that the global use of barcodes is an indication that we are living in the ‘last days’, as they all contain the number 666 in them (either the number set or the control sum).

Funny Fact 5. Maths and barcodes are together. Check any product with the EAN8 barcode, doesn’t the retailer make a mistake in it?

The check digit is chosen (we are checking EAN8 barcodes now) so that

3 x (1st + 3rd + 5th+ 7th number) + (2nd + 4th + 6th + 8th number)

is exactly divisble by 10.

Right barcode? Congratulations! Both you and the retailer are very good at maths!

1. QR Code Stories
2. How to use a QR Code
3. How do you know if your device is enabled for QR code?
4. Which popular apps are using QR code

QR Code Stories

“I know they aren’t technically gadgets, but I felt this was the most relevant place. Anyway, QR codes, in my opinion, are pretty fantastic, but the general opinion is negative and caused the whole thing to flop”.

Some opinions:

• I’d love to use QR codes in marketing campaigns and was wondering if anyone had any ideas as to what would make them better or if they ever have a chance of gaining popularity again. The reason they’re so bad is that they weren’t even completed when they were put out for users. You have to download an app to even use the horrible things, and after struggling to get it to scan for 5 minutes, it most likely goes to a site that isn’t even valid anymore.
• I remember scanning a QR code at Dunkin Donuts once. Worst. Decision. Ever. I started getting countless ads via text and email to my phone and swore off QR codes. Because businesses used them for this sort of marketing it caused the mass opinion about them on a whole to be negative. Maybe if they completely redesigned the idea, and made it so the user could just view a photo.
• We have the capability of creating code that reads links inside images, which really makes QR codes useless. Right now they’re confusing to people because they don’t understand them.
• I think they’re useful in some aspects but not others. People keep trying to use them as a universal tool when in reality they can’t handle everything. I used to play Animal Crossing and I remember the QR codes in there were used to share clothing designs online. It was fun and interactive, but it probably would have been easier if the developers had just made a specific connection for it via Wifi. Dude, no.
• Sure it was “edgy” and considered “guerilla” marketing when it first came out, but QR codes are so done to death that if they were to improve they’d need a whole image lift.

How to use a QR Code

Like any other barcode, using a QR code isn’t that complicated if you have the right QR reader. What you do is scan the code with an image sensor to access its content. A notification pops up with details that connect to a given type of information.  You can use a smartphone’s camera app to convert code to binary. Once that is done, the encoded information is displayed. You may also complete a given action preprogrammed into the code.

Importantly, QR codes have made it easier for people to hyperlink real-world activities to the code. If you are not into QR codes, go for any of the numerous QR code apps that help you the read the encrypted code.

How do you know if your device is enabled for QR code?

Figure out if your device supports QR code reading by simply going to the phone or tablet Camera app. Open and steadily point the camera towards the QR code you intend to read. If QR scanning is enabled on your device, you will get a notification regarding the code. But if no such thing happens, first confirm by going to your Settings to enable QR code reading. If by chance your device doesn’t have a native QR reader, proceed to download a third-party app.

Which popular apps are using QR code?

• Snapchat – allows for use of QR codes to add new friends
• WhatsApp– you can use a QR code to link the mobile app and desktop version. Now easily access your Whatsapp app on your PC by simply scanning a code.
• Facebook – go to the Apps section on your Facebook app and use your phone’s camera to scan QR codes.
• Pinterest – you can scan QR codes in your Pinterest app and the feature is very good for anyone looking to market products.

Interesting Fact: A QR code configured with the highest level of error correction can function even when part of the code is damaged.

References:

Introduction Into Barcodes by ByteScout
History of Bar Code – Inventors – About.com
That Religious Studies Website
The Centre for Innovation in Mathematics Teaching