QR codes - An overview

The 3Ds in QR codes

QR codes have a lot to do with the 3Ds. Well, it is not the 3D images we are talking about, but it actually is density, display and functional distance. It will be a little complicated to start off, but it is pretty simple. If the density of the codes increases without the change in the display size, the functional distance size decreases. On the other hand, if the code density reduces but the display size remains static then the functional distance goes up. This means that there is an inverse relation between the code density and the functional distance.

In short the density matters the most for QR codes.

QR code optimization

QR code for the URL of the English Wikipedia Mobile main page

Two inputs play an important role in determining the density variable of the QR codes. The first is the number of characters being encoded and the second is these characters being multiplied by the error correction settings. Let us consider an example of encoding a URL.

The character count of a certain URL depends on a number of factors such as the use of keywords, the tracking parameters and even the domain branding. There are four correction choices for you. They are 7%, 15%, 25%, and 30%. Each of these parameters will increase the end density of any QR code.

You will certainly want it to keep at the highest, for a simple reason that it will handle more error correction. However, that will not be true in every case. It depends and varies up to a great extent. E. g. if you are using the QR codes on digital displays like a TV set, or even online, then the lower the error correction settings, the better.

Let us have a closer look at it. If you have a URL that is approximately less than 20 characters, then it would be wise to set the error correction to its lowest value – 7%. The reason for this is that the lower correction error will generate a 21X21 code that is the lowest possible one. If you go for highest settings – 30%, which is not required, you are sure to get a 29X29 code.

If you consider closely, the values are 21X21 = 441 and 29X29 = 841. So the highest settings use up nearly twice the space. So always use the QR codes considering all these aspects.