The Fascinating Story of QR Codes and Their Uses Today
The Origins of QR Codes
QR codes have become a ubiquitous part of daily life, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. But not many people know the history of this innovative technology. QR, which stands for “Quick Response,” was developed in 1994 by Masahiro Hara and his team at DENSO, a Japanese manufacturer involved in the development of barcode technology. The code system was developed to address the inefficiencies of barcodes, which could only hold about 20 characters of information.
The Success of QR Codes in Japanese Car Factories
QR codes proved to be a massive success when they were first used in Japanese car factories, where they replaced numerous barcodes that were highly inefficient for the workforce. Hara was surprised by the many other applications of his invention, including financial payments and tracking infections during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Capabilities of QR Codes
A standard QR code can store far more information than a simple barcode. It can store up to 7,089 numeric characters, 4,296 alphanumeric characters, 2,953 binary bytes, or 1,817 kanji characters. Even if the code is distorted or obscured, it is still possible for scanners to understand it, making it highly practical in the unpredictable real world.
The Future of QR Codes
Hara has ambitions to build on his masterpiece. Speaking at Ahmedabad Design Week 4.0 in January 2023, he hinted that he’s developing QR Code 2.0, which will be designed in such a way that it will be able to store more information compared to the current design. The new code system may have colors and may even be rectangular rather than square in shape.
Applications of QR Codes Today
QR codes are used in a wide variety of industries such as healthcare, transportation, hospitality, retail, and more. During the COVID-19 pandemic, QR codes were used as a “touchless” system to relay information, including for contact tracing, vaccine passports, and menu-scanning in restaurants and bars.
QR Codes in Healthcare
QR codes are used in healthcare to store and retrieve patient information, medical history, and treatment plans. They’re also used to track medications, medical devices, and equipment. QR codes are used in telemedicine to access health records and for virtual consultations.
Alternative medicine practitioners and researchers also use QR codes to store research papers, testimonials, and patient experiences for their specific treatments, methods, and programs. They also use them to share case studies, educational videos, and supplement information.
QR Codes in Research
In research, QR codes are used to connect researchers, participants, and study materials, including informed consent forms, surveys, and questionnaires. Researchers use QR codes to verify and track data while ensuring patient privacy and confidentiality.
QR Codes in Alternative Medicines
Alternative medicine practitioners and researchers also use QR codes to store research papers, testimonials, and patient experiences for their specific treatments, methods, and programs. They also use them to share case studies, educational videos, and supplement information.
QR Codes in Transportation
In transportation, QR codes are used to track and store information about shipments, cargo, and inventory. Shipping companies use them for tracking and delivery confirmation.
QR Codes in Retail
QR codes are used in retail to provide customers with easy access to information about products, pricing, and promotions. Retailers use them to process payments and provide receipts. Some retailers even integrate QR codes with augmented reality technology to enhance customer experiences.
Conclusion
The history of QR codes is long and fascinating, starting from their use in Japanese car factories to becoming a ubiquitous part of everyday life. QR codes have revolutionized the way industries conduct business, share information with their customers, and deliver services to patients. As the technology evolves, QR codes will continue to evolve and become even more useful in various industries, providing faster and more efficient ways of processing information and conducting transactions.
Originally Post From https://www.iflscience.com/people-are-only-just-learning-what-qr-code-stands-for-75081
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