A readability analysis for QR code application in a traceability system

Traceability of data through transformation stages of each individual food product, starting from raw products and to the final product, as well as printing the key data on the product package, adds to the consumers' trust in product quality. For each food product, it is necessary to track data starting from the stage of raw products farming, through food processing, transport, warehousing, to retailing and reaching the end consumer. In order to allow insight to the key data to the user (mostly end consumer), this paper suggests recording the data on the product package in the form of a quick response two-dimensional barcode (QR code) in key points of the product's life cycle. For efficient functioning of the proposed system, it is essential to ensure fast and reliable operation through proper placement of the QR code on the package during production, and fast and easy data reading by the product consumer. This paper presents the results of a readability analysis of QR code of variable contents, size and data error correction level, which are read by smartphones running an Android platform. The experiments were performed with various types of base material on which the code was printed. Furthermore, QR code readability analysis was conducted in the case when there is a geometric deformation of the code. Based on the detailed analysis of the collected data, it can be concluded that QR code readability is not directly influenced by the number of coded characters, or by the error correction level, but only by the size of modules that constitute the code. Furthermore, the results show that the change of the base material does not influence the read time, but influences the code readability. The paper further presents an example of the proposed traceability system, where the QR codes are used for data tracking and tracing for fruit yogurts, based on the recommendations gained through the readability analysis. This traceability system concept is universal and can be used for various products with slight modifications. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.