QR CODES

Bar codes have become widely popular because of their reading speed, accuracy, and superior functionality characteristics and their convenience universally recognized, the market began to call for codes capable of storing more information, more character types, and that could be printed in a smaller space. As a result, various efforts were made to increase the amount of information stored by bar codes, such as increasing the number of bar code digits or layout multiple bar codes. However, these improvements also caused problems such as enlarging the bar code area, complicating reading operations, and increasing printing cost. 2D Code emerged in response to these needs and problems.

QR Code is a kind of 2-D (two-dimensional) symbology developed by Denso Wave the primary aim of being a symbol that is easily interpreted by scanner equipment.

QR Code (2D Code) contains information in both the vertical and horizontal directions, whereas a bar code contains data in one direction only. QR Code holds a considerably greater volume of information than a bar code.

QR codes data types

QR codes can contain many different types of information. Different app readers on Smartphone are able to act and read this data. Think of it as an alternative way of getting data into your phone (as opposed to typing it in manually). Here are some of the possibilities.

• Contact information: QR codes can contain contact information so someone can easily scan a QR code, view your contact details, and add you on their phone. You can input your name, phone number, e-mail, address, website, memo, and more.
• Calendar event: If you have an event you want to promote, you can create a QR code containing info for that event. QR codes containing event info can contain event title, start and end date/time, time zone, location, and description. This could work well on an event flyer or possibly even on a website promoting.
• E-mail address: A QR code can contain your e-mail address so someone can scan the code, see your e-mail, and then open an e-mail on their phones. If your call to action is mostly to have someone e-mail you, this would be great.
• Phone number: Maybe e-mail isn't immediate enough and you want someone to call. Link them up to a phone number.
• Geo location: If you have an event you want to promote, you might want to stick a QR code linking someone to a Google Maps location. This will allow someone to scan your QR code and get directions so they don't have to manually type in an address. Although some may prefer to type it in, it doesn't hurt to give them another option.
• SMS: QR codes can populate a text message with a number and message. You can have your QR code send you a text saying "Tell me more about XYZ," for instance.
• Text: You can also just have a sentence or a paragraph of text. This could be fun for having some type of QR code based game where you can leave hints in QR codes.
• Wifi network: Do you hate telling someone a long WEP wireless key that's a pain to type out on a mobile phone? Set it up so someone can scan a QR code and automatically configure wifi on their phones.
• URL: The possibilities of encoding URL into barcode are endless. You can use a link that takes someone to your Facebook fan page, LinkedIn or Twitter profile. You can also link someone to a YouTube video. Check in to some place via check in link. Encoding android market or iPhone app store link allows promoting and downloading you mobile application anywhere. Or maybe you want someone to pay for something via PayPal.