10 hours ago
- The humble barcode, in use since the 1970s, is likely to be replaced by QR codes in the next few years.
- The author created a QR code with an embedded UPC barcode, which reads as a 1D barcode when zoomed in and as a 2D QR code when zoomed out.
- High error correction in QR codes allows graphics to be placed within them, but the embedded UPC destroys some error correction, making the QR code more fragile.
- The author doubts the practical usefulness of this combination, as it may confuse scanners and is not a good idea, but it was a fun experiment.
- A comment notes that similar proximity of QR codes and barcodes on products like Coke bottles can cause confusion, referencing a hashtag joke.