QR Code vs Bar Code: The Story

QR codes and barcodes are two different types of codes used for identification and tracking purposes. Despite their differences, they are often confused with one another. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of QR codes and barcodes, including their histories, uses differences, and potential future developments.

QR Code vs Bar Code: The Story

 

The History and Emergence 

Barcodes were first patented by Norman Joseph Woodland and Bernard Silver in 1949. The most common type of barcode was the Universal Product Code (UPC) which was adopted in the United States in 1973. Since then, barcodes have been used in many sectors, including retail, healthcare, and even the military.

 

QR codes, on the other hand, were invented in 1994 by Denso-Wave, a Japanese company that is now a subsidiary of Toyota. It was initially used to track parts in the automotive industry and later adopted in other industries such as retail, transportation, and healthcare.

 

The Uses 

Barcodes are mainly used for inventory tracking, retail product identification, and shipping. They are also used in healthcare, where they are used to track medical equipment and patient information.

 

QR codes, on the other hand, can be used for a wide variety of purposes. They are commonly used for marketing and advertising purposes, such as for coupons and product promotions. QR codes are also used to store information such as website links, contact information, and product information, which can be scanned by a smartphone.

 

The Differences 

The most obvious difference between QR codes and barcodes is the size. QR codes are much larger than barcodes, which means they can store more information. Barcodes can only store up to 20 digits of information, while QR codes can store up to 4,000 alphanumeric characters.

 

Barcodes are also limited to one-dimensional scanning (vertically or horizontally), while QR codes can be scanned in all directions. Furthermore, barcodes must be printed on paper or other materials, while QR codes can be printed, displayed on a screen, or even used as tattoos.

 

The Potential Future Developments 

In the future, QR codes are expected to become more popular, as they can store more data than barcodes and are easily accessible via smartphones. Additionally, QR codes could be used in a variety of new applications, such as for medical records and payment systems.

 

Furthermore, QR codes could be used in Augmented Reality (AR) applications, where physical objects can be scanned and their digital counterparts can be viewed on a smartphone or other device. Furthermore, QR codes could be used to store data related to the physical object, such as product information or online reviews.

 

The End Notes 

QR codes and barcodes are two types of codes that are used for identification and tracking purposes. Barcodes are mainly used for inventory tracking, while QR codes can be used for a variety of purposes, such as marketing and advertising. There are many differences between the two, such as the size, type of scanning, and material used. In the future, QR codes are expected to become more popular and be used in a variety of new applications.