What on earth is a QR code?

Have you ever wondered what this image is? If you though your eye prescription needed updating , then you'll be glad to hear that it doesn't, although it still might. It’s called a QR Code, if you want to know what it does....read on

What are QR Codes?
A Quick Response Code, or a QR Code is a type of two-dimensional barcode, except it’s capable of storing up to 100 times the data of its predecessor. Developed by the Japanese Denso Corporation in 1994, QR codes were intended for quick tagging in the manufacture of car parts. However, technology quickly evolved, and the way in which QR codes were used became more creative and diverse (more on that later). They are widely used in Japan, unsurprisingly, as this advert for NTT DoCoMo mobile phones suggests:

How does it work?

This image below explains the code structure for how QR codes work; thankfully the process for you to actually use them is a lot more straightforward.

The camera on the majority of Japanese mobile phones was designed to read the data contained in a QR code; in the US & Europe the majority of handsets will require additional software capable of reading them.

QR Code-reading software for the iPhone

For a limited time only you can get Quickmark for free; which is an application for the iPhone to read both traditional and 2D barcodes. App store link

• Install and open your QR code-reading software
• Take a photo / point your camera at the QR code
• Depending on your handset, your phone’s browser will automatically start and redirect you to the URL or request for you to confirm you wish to visit the link.
  As you can see from the screenshot on the right, Quickmark has some additional options for sharing your QR code including a send to Twitter option, email and the ability to generate QR codes for contact information. Please note, I haven’t used the following software so I have no idea how they work.

QR Code-reading software for Google Android

Google’s Product Search now includes a barcode scanner which is also capable of reading QR codes. At present, this only works in the US & UK, more information here

QR Code-reading software for all other devices

Beetagg Reader seems to support the vast majority of popular brands such as HTC, Nokia, iPhone and Blackberry; simply sign up and you’ll receive an SMS with a download link.

QR Codes can also be read by industrial scanners by companies like Motorola, Sick and Datalogic All of these can be supplied by Weber Marking Systems.

Creative examples of QR-Code usage & opportunities

This is the really interesting part. As smartphones grow in popularity, the higher the likelihood of advertising campaigns using QR-codes as part of its message. Let’s look at some examples of what’s already been done, and what could happen in the future.

Enviromentally Friendly Campaigns - Eventbrite (an online event registration company) tested an event using QR codes for ticketing with the intention to reduce waste and increase efficiency (sadly their blog post is no longer online). On a similar note, I was reading a magazine and there was an advert for Siemens’ environmental policy, linked to from its QR code.
Local Business Listings on Google – the search giant has just sent out up to 190,000 QR codes to the most searched-for business in its local directory. So if you start seeing these in the windows of a restaurant you’ve never visited before, it’s possible you’ll be able to read reviews on the spot.
Bands or artists could produce QR Codes for after exhibitions or concerts – if your budget doesn’t stretch to printed merchandise or CDs, why not print some codes to drive traffic to your website or an alternative shopping link? Or to go one further, like one band did..
Use them to take political swipes at your government – the Pet Shop Boys attacked the UK’s Big Brother surveillance laws by featuring over 2,000 real QR codes. Pause the video below to test the QR codes for yourself, they all link to various articles about personal freedoms and the like.


Increase your own visibility and ‘person brand’ – want more Facebook friends or followers on Twitter? How about having a t-shirt printed with a QR Code that leads to its URL? With the Facebook App, you install it on your profile and it generates the t-shirt. I agree, it's not to pretty.....and it wont make you attractive to women.

What the future has in store

Color Code Technologies showcased its new Colour Construct Code (CCC) back in November 2009 at the Mobile Asia Congress, Hong Kong. This is capable of storing much more data and doesn’t require an internet connection in order to access it. These colour codes can also be printed on inkjet printers, resulting in easier and more cost-effective distribution.

One recent example involved a new record by Japanese group ‘The Tenka’. A colour QR code was included on a promotional leaflet and when scanned, the data was converted into a song and stored on the phone. According to 2d Code, it’s possible to add password encryption and expiration dates, making it ideal for a broad spectrum of promotions. The site also goes on to say that the decoder is available from the Nokia Ovi Store for a limited number of handsets.

Tomorrows world today? ....very possibly.

If Weber can help with any of your barcode needs please let us know.