Storing a BMP image in a QR code

Question

I'm trying to create (or, if I've somehow missed it in my research, find) an algorithm to encode/decode a bmp image into/from a QR code format. I've been using a guide (Thonky) to try to understand the basics of QR codes and I'm still not sure how to go about this problem, specifically:

• Should I encode the data as binary or would numeric be more reasonable (assuming each pixel will have a max. value of 255)?

• I've searched for information on the structured append capabilities of QR codes but haven't found much detail beyond the fact that it's supported by QR codes -- how could I implement/utilize this functionality?

And, of course, if there are any tips/suggestions to better store an image as binary data, I'm very open to suggestions!

Thanks for your time,

Sean

Glebe

I would ask whether you really want to do this. Structured append is not supported by just about any reader, and a max size QR code is unreadable by most devices in practice. Encode a simple hyperlink to the image. – Diantha

Answer 1

I'm not sure you'll be able to achieve that, as the amount of information a QR Code can hold is quite limited.

First of all, you'll probably want to store your image as raw bytes, as the other formats (numeric and alphanumeric) are designed to hold text/numbers and would provide less space to store your image. Let's assume you choose the biggest possible QR Code (version 40), with the smallest level of error correction, which can hold up to 2953 bytes of binary information (see here).

First option, as you suggest, you store the image as a bitmap. This format allows no compression at all and requires (in the case of an RGB image without alpha channel) 3 bytes per pixel. If we take into account the file header size (14 to 54 bytes), and ignore the padding (each row of image data must be padded to a length being a multiple of 4), that allows you to store roughly 2900/3 = 966 pixels. If we consider a square image, this represents a 31x31 bitmap, which is small even for a thumbnail image (for example, my avatar at the end of this post is 32x32 pixels).

Second option, you use JPEG to encode your image. This format has the advantage of using a compression algorithm that can reduce the file size. This time there is no exact formula to get the size of an image fitting in 2.9kB, but I tried using a few square images and downsizing them until they fit in this size, keeping a good (93) quality factor: this gives an average of about 60x60 pixel images. (On such small images, it's normal not to see an incredible compression factor between jpeg and bmp, as the file header in a jpeg file is far larger than in a bmp file: about 500 bytes). This is better than bitmap, but remains quite small.

Finally, even if you succeed in encoding your image in this QR Code, you will encounter an other problem: a QR Code this big is very, very hard to scan successfully. As a matter of fact, this QR Code will have a size of 177x177 modules (a "module" being a small white or black square). Assuming you scan it using a smartphone providing so-called "HD" frames (1280x720 pixels), each module will have a maximum size on the frame of about 4 pixels. If you take into account the camera noise, the aliasing and the blur due to the fact that the user is never perfectly idle when scanning, the quality of the input frames will make it very hard for any QR Code decoding algorithm to successfully get the QR Code (don't forget we set its error correction level on low at the beginning of this!).

Even though it's not very good news, I hope this helps you!

Insular

MBrenon, Thanks so much for the response. I didn't realize how much of a size constraint I would be working with -- I suppose I have some work to do in terms of scanability (I'm not working with smart phones so the biggest issue will be the input frame quality due to the medium being used) vs. amount of data stored. With that in mind, I still can't seem to find any information about the structured append feature of QR codes -- do you have any resources that explain how to 'link' QR codes together? Again, thanks for this input, it definitely helps me understand the issue I'm facing! -Sean – Glebe

Answer 2

There is indeed a way to encode information on several (up to 16) QR Codes, using a special header in your QR Codes called "Structured append". The best source of information you can use is the norm about QR Codes (ISO 18004:2006); it's possible (but not necessarily easy) to find it for free on the web.

The relevant part (section 9) of this norm says:

"Up to 16 QR Code symbols may be appended in a structured format. If a symbol is part of a Structured Append message, it is indicated by a header block in the first three symbol character positions. The Structured Append Mode Indicator 0011 is placed in the four most significant bit positions in the first symbol character. This is immediately followed by two Structured Append codewords, spread over the four least significant bits of the first symbol character, the second symbol character and the four most significant bits of the third symbol character. The first codeword is the symbol sequence indicator. The second codeword is the parity data and is identical in all symbols in the message, enabling it to be verified that all symbols read form part of the same Structured Append message. This header is immediately followed by the data codewords for the symbol commencing with the first Mode Indicator."

Nevertheless, i'm not sure most QR Code scanners can handle this, as it's a quite advanced feature.

Insular

Answer 3

You can define a fixed image size, reduce jpg header parts and using just vital information about it, so you can save up to 480bytes of a ~500bytes normal header.

I was using this method to store people photos for a small-club ID cards, images about 64x64 pixels is enough.

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