Decoding Different Patterns in Various Grey Tones Incorporated in the QR Code

• Main Authors: Filip Cvitić, Jesenka Pibernik
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Graphic Arts 2014-07-01
• Series: Acta Graphica
• Subjects: QR code, greyscale, designed QR codes, mobile devices, reliable QR code decoding
• Online Access: http://www.actagraphica.hr/index.php/actagraphica/article/view/140

Using colors in bar codes causes errors that may adversely affect their readability (Tan etal. 2010), given that the contrast between data and background modules is reduced. Due to the unreliability of using color bar codes, most designers still keep to the limitations placed by Pira International (Smithers Pira) in 2002 (Williams, 2004). Since the contrast between data modules and background modules is the most important aspect in the process of reliable bar code decoding, this paper explores the dependence of reliable decoding of QR codes incorporated with combinations of grey tones on the technical characteristics of the cameras on smartphones that were marketed in the period between 2008 and 2012.