iQR Code

iQR Code was developed by Denso to be the successor of the QR Code. It features 80% higher data capacity, as well the option for a rectangular symbol. This barcode was designed for printing in small spaces. Like its predecessor, iQR Code efficiently encodes Kanji characters.

The Character Sets

iQR Code is capable of containing the following characters in each of the four different modes.

Alphanumeric: 0 - 9, upper case A - Z, space, $, %, *, +, -, ., :, /
Binary (8-bit byte): JIS 8-bit character set (Latin and Kana) in accordance with JIS X 0201
Kanji: Shift JIS values 8140 (HEX) - 9FFC (HEX) and E040 (HEX) - EAA4 (HEX). (These are values shifted from those of JIS X 0208. Refer to JIS X 0208 Annex 1 Shift Coded Representation for details.)

The Symbology Structure

iQR Code contains three position detection patterns, data modules in the data area, and an alignment pattern. The orientation of iQR Code is determined by the use of the three position detection pattern boxes in the corners. These patterns allow for the barcode to be scanned properly at any orientation. Data is stored in "modules", or dots, in the data area as binary information. Each black module represents a binary 1 and each white module represents a binary 0. The alignment pattern helps the decoding software re-synchronize in case of slight distortion of the code.

Five selectable levels of Reed-Solomon error correction are available which allow a barcode with up to 50% of damaged codewords to still read properly.

The Dimensions

iQR Code supports both traditional square dimensions and rectangular dimensions for use on cylindrical surfaces or narrow spaces.

When iQR Code is displayed as a square, it starts at 9 x 9 modules and increases in steps of 2 modules per side for the first 10 versions. Versions 11 to 45 increase in steps of 4 modules per side. Versions 46 to 61 increase in steps of 16 modules per side.

iQR Code supports the following rectangular symbols: 5 x 19 modules, 5 x 29 modules, 7 x 29 modules, 9 x 29 modules, 9 x 35 modules, 11 x 35 modules, 13 x 35 modules, 15 x 47 modules, 19 x 59 modules, 23 x 71 modules, 27 x 83 modules, 31 x 95 modules, 35 x 107 modules, 39 x 119 modules, and 43 x 131 modules.