QR Code

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Introduction to QR code

QR code is a two dimensional matrix bar code developed by the Japanese company Denso Wave in 1994. It resembles the above image. [1] [2]
It was initially developed to distinguish and keep track of parts in the manufacturing industry. Over the years, the specifications of this technology opened up and it found a wide scope of application.
With the advent of the mobile age, the user could directly scan QR codes in an instant which opened its doors to usage in multiple fields.
Further, it came to the rescue during COVID-19, acting as a quarantine pass and became an essential element in our daily lives.
Presently, its versatility has enabled its use across sectors like marketing, easy payment, issuance of boarding pass/ticket, authentication, etc.

Advantages and disadvantages of QR code

QR code can store numbers/alphanumeric characters/binary data/Chinese characters. For alphanumeric characters, it can store a maximum of about 4,300 characters.
It can save a huge amount of data unlike the previous one dimensional bar code. So, the QR code provider can incorporate text in any format they want and use it for a variety of purposes.
Also, the best thing about a QR code is that even if some part of the image is damaged, the error can be restored because it contains an unusually large amount of data.
But, it is always recommended to open QR codes from sources you trust, as QR codes can also contain data created and circulated with malicious intent

QR code of Galaxy camera

Detection Process

Typically, QR codes are detected using the above process.
Once the user holds the QR code against the camera, the camera recurrently acquires a preview image and sends it to the QR code detector.
The detector works to discern if there is a QR code attached in the image sent, if a QR code is detected, the decoder [3] deciphers the code into text.
Galaxy camera has optimized this process to detect the QR code.
The parser analyses the objective of the converted text [4]. Apps aligned with the goal of the QR code open up once the analysis is complete. For example, if it is a URL address, it opens on the internet browser, if it is contact information, it opens up on a contacts app, etc.

Detecting QR code using the camera app

Galaxy camera supports QR code detection. [5]

It allows you to see the QR code information at a glance, and provides different launch menus after detecting the QR code. You can select the action you want out of these options.

Detecting QR code via QR code scanner

You can open the quick panel and click on "Scan QR code" and open the QR code detector using this dedicated scan mode. This can also detect QR codes in photos and screenshots.
In case there is no "Scan QR code" icon, you can press the + button at the very end of the quick panel and add it.

Notes

[1] QR code Wikipedia page: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QR_code
[2] QR code homepage: https://www.qrcode.com/ko/about/
[3] Decoder: This module deciphers protected QR codes and converts them into normal text strings.
[4] Parser: This module reads the text string and determines purpose of the QR code.
[5] It is supported in the One UI 5 based Galaxy S/Note/Fold series and the Galaxy A/M series models. Some models like the Galaxy A13 and a few others just support QR code detection using QR code scanner.