It's A Barcode! It's A QR Code! It's A Weird Code

Airstud · Wed May 27, 2015 12:01 pm

I received a package today with this funky symbol on the shipping label. I thought it might just be the next evolution in QR codes, but my phone's QR reader didn't register anything. It's a neat-looking arrangement, whatever the heck it is.

Also, for the past few months I've been getting FedEx envelopes at my work with these gnarly barcodeoids:

What's happening with good old-fashioned barcodes? How is that jagged, funky new code readable, with the width of the bars varying vertically like that...

Give me 1960's style OCR fonts or give me nothing, I say....

cjg225 · Wed May 27, 2015 12:07 pm

Might wanna cover up those tracking numbers... I can't remember if you can pull the address from the Proof of Delivery on UPS' and FedEx's tracking tools.

CPH-R · Wed May 27, 2015 12:12 pm

It's a MaxiCode: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MaxiCode

seb146 · Wed May 27, 2015 3:34 pm

And don't forget the mini QR codes on some products and at least two other types of QR like codes.

ikramerica · Wed May 27, 2015 4:34 pm

I believe the fedex one is a similar idea to UPS but pioneered by Fedex instead. The bar code simply has the tracking number. The complex one has more info.

sammyk · Wed May 27, 2015 4:38 pm

UPS has been using that type for over 20 years now.

flyingturtle · Wed May 27, 2015 6:36 pm

What? QR codes?

They only have one purpose: Pasting them on ads, guerilla-style, and direct the interested but unsuspecting public to porn sites.

David

blueflyer · Wed May 27, 2015 7:43 pm

"Good old-fashioned barcodes" don't contain as much information as one of these "funky symbols" you ask about. They're also easier to scan from just about any angle.

ikramerica · Wed May 27, 2015 8:01 pm

Quoting flyingturtle (Reply 6):

Not in USA. They are used on real estate signs and Mail ads etc. very useful on real estate signs, btw.

mirrodie · Wed May 27, 2015 8:49 pm

Barcode, she used to post her often. Havent heard from her in a while.

Quoting sammyk (Reply 5):
UPS has been using that type for over 20 years now.

AKAIK, UPS and USPS has also used them for a long time. Not exactly the same as those QR codes.

flyingturtle · Wed May 27, 2015 10:29 pm

Quoting ikramerica (Reply 8):
Not in USA. They are used on real estate signs and Mail ads etc. very useful on real estate signs, btw.

Cool. Even more possibilities for abuse. Slap self-created QR codes on real estate signs...

David

ha763 · Wed May 27, 2015 10:58 pm

They are also known as 2D barcodes with FX and UPS pioneering their use more than 20 years ago.

Quoting ikramerica (Reply 4):

I believe the fedex one is a similar idea to UPS but pioneered by Fedex instead. The bar code simply has the tracking number. The complex one has more info.

The FX barcode is called PDF417 and was developed at Symbol Technologies by Dr. Ynjiun P. Wang back in 1991. It is also the barcode standard the DHS chose for Real ID and by the airlines for boarding passes.

ikramerica · Thu May 28, 2015 12:44 am

Quoting flyingturtle (Reply 10):

Are you experiencing this problem in Switzerland? I never have in the U.S.

Airstud · Thu May 28, 2015 5:10 am

Quoting flyingturtle (Reply 6):
direct the interested but unsuspecting public to porn sites.

"Unsuspecting." Riiiiiiiiiiiiight...

flyingturtle · Thu May 28, 2015 10:55 pm

Quoting ikramerica (Reply 12):
Are you experiencing this problem in Switzerland? I never have in the U.S.

Nope, as of yet. But people are getting creative.

In this example from Germany, a liberal candidate ran under the slogan "Liebe kennt keine Grenzen", or "Love knows no borders". Opponents of her - or just some rather cool dudes - created a QR code directing people to a porn movie with the title "Liebe kennt keine Grenzen", and slapped it over the genuine one that leads users to her campaign website.

http://www.rp-online.de/politik/deut...uehrt-zu-porno-seite-aid-1.4195346

David

[Edited 2015-05-28 15:55:55]

Airstud · Fri May 29, 2015 4:36 am

Quoting cjg225 (Reply 1):
Might wanna cover up those tracking numbers... I can't remember if you can pull the address from the Proof of Delivery on UPS' and FedEx's tracking tools.

I've been getting numerous messages from well-intentioned a.nutters about this very topic. I assure you, I am safe. The only visible tracking # in the photos is for my workplace, a super-secure facility with 'lectronic gates and RFID access badges, located deep beneath the civil defense shack in the Springfield alkali flats.

flyingturtle · Fri May 29, 2015 7:42 am

Quoting Airstud (Reply 15):

David

It's A Barcode! It's A QR Code! It's A Weird Code

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