Anatomy of a QR Code
What QR Codes Are
Wikipedia describes a QR code
as a, “specific matrix barcode (or
two-dimensional code), readable
by dedicated QR barcode readers
and camera phones. The code
consists of black modules
arranged in a square pattern on a
white background. The information
encoded can be text, URL or
other data. The QR code is one
of the most popular types of
two-dimensional barcodes. QR
is the abbreviation for Quick
Response, as the creator intended
the code to allow its contents to
be decoded at high speed.”
What QR codes Are NOT
Difficult to learn, use and deploy.
What They Look Like
While this may appear to be
gobbledygook to some, a
smartphone equipped with a QR
code reader easily deciphers the
code and gives access to the
information embedded in them.
Inside the Square
While QR codes can vary
considerably in what they do and
say, there are several elements
that “come standard.” First is
Version Information, contained
in the purple shaded areas. There
are 40 different QR code versions
and each version is based on the
amount of alphanumeric information
that needs to be in the code.
For example: a version 1 QR
code holds up to 25 alphanumeric
bits of information and a version
40 holds 4,296.
Second is Format Information, contained in
the blue shaded areas which also
includes the positioning symbols,
and enables a code to be read
omni-directionally at high
speeds. Data and Error Correction
Keys are contained in the
gray areas. And there are
Required Patterns that must
appear in any QR code: the
square Position Patterns in every
corner but the lower right; the
square Alignment Pattern in the
lower right; and the Timing
Patterns in the black and white
lines extending between the
Position Patterns.
Where to Download Free QR Code Readers
You can Google “free QR code
reader downloads” to find readers like KAYWA Reader, Nokia
Reader, i-nigma Reader, Lynkee
Reader, UpCode, QuickMark,
SnapMaze, BeeTagg,
NeoReader, ScanLife, and
MobileTag. Just make sure the
reader will work with your
smartphone operating system. If
you want to download a reader
that can handle both QR codes
and the more conventional UPC
barcodes, check out our own
Christy Correll's favorite: RedLaser for iPhones, Blackberrys, and Android mobile devices.
Create Your Own QR Code
And what if you
actually want to
create and deploy
QR codes as part of
your company’s
marketing, promotion
and operations?
For simple codes, there
are free downloads. If
you have a seasoned
developer available,
creating a QR code inhouse
is certainly an option.
This is one area where the early
bird truly catches the worm, as
QR codes are exploding on the
scene in dynamic new ways that
set proactive companies apart
from the crowd. Of course, there
are also less desirable deployment
options that merit attention
before orchestrating a campaign.
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