What is a QR Code?

A Quick Response (QR) Code is very similar to a traditional bar code. It is a printed digital image that can be read by a special code reader. The code is designed to store information. The actual code is made up of white squares with a black grid or matrix on top. The code reader is able to extract the information stored in this digitized matrix. QR codes are useful for including large amounts of information on products, such as instructions or advertisements.

How do QR Codes Work?

Perhaps the greatest advantage of the QR code is its ability store large amounts of information in a very small image. QR codes are encoded with various types of information, including:

• Alphanumeric
• Numeric
• Binary, and
• Kanji.

The most common uses of a QR code are to advertisements, instruction manuals, and access to accompanying benefits (such as website support). QR codes were invested in the early 1990s by a company known as Denso Wave, a Toyota subsidiary. They were used to track inventory and parts in the production process. The types of QR code have expanded since that time. Some common types include:

• Micro-QR Codes - A smaller version of the original QR code.
• IQR Codes - Allows for additional shapes and formats for the code.
• SQR Code - This type of code has restrictions on the ability to read private information.
• Frame QR Code - This is a QR code in the from of a frame with photos, graphic, and information.