QR code
A QR Code is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave in 1994. The "QR" is derived from "Quick Response", as the creator intended the code to allow its contents to be decoded at high speed. QR Codes are most common in Japan, and are currently the most popular type of two dimensional code in Japan.
Although initially used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR Codes are now used for inventory management in a wide variety of industries. More recently, the inclusion of QR Code reading software on camera phones in Japan has led to a wide variety of new, consumer-oriented applications, aimed at relieving the user of the tedious task of entering data into their mobile phone. QR Codes storing addresses and URLs are becoming increasingly common in magazines and advertisements in Japan. The addition of QR Codes on business cards is also becoming common, greatly simplifying the task of entering the personal details of a new acquaintance into the address book of one's mobile phone.
Consumers with capture programs and a PC with an RS-232C-interface may use a scanner to acquire the data.
The Japanese standard for QR Codes, JIS X 0510, was released in January of 1999, and a corresponding ISO International Standard, ISO/IEC18004, was approved in June of 2000.
"QR Code is open in the sense that the specification of QR Code is disclosed and that the patent right owned by Denso Wave is not exercised."—from the Denso-Wave website
Storage
| QR Code Data capacity | |
|---|---|
| Numeric only | Max. 7,089 characters |
| Alphanumeric | Max. 4,296 characters |
| Binary (8 bits) | Max. 2,953 bytes |
| Kanji/Kana | Max. 1,817 characters |
| Error Correction capacity | |
|---|---|
| Level L | 7% of codewords can be restored. |
| Level M | 15% of codewords can be restored. |
| Level Q | 25% of codewords can be restored. |
| Level H | 30% of codewords can be restored. |
The example below illustrates how the QR code handles distortion. Pixels were either added or removed from the original code to examine the borderline distortion level. Both images where data was altered are still recognisable and use the "L" level of error correction.
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Source Code. -
Data Removed. -
Data Added.
Micro QR Code
Micro QR Code is a smaller version of the QR Code standard for applications with less ability to handle large scans.
There are different forms of Micro QR Code as well. The highest of these can hold 35 characters.
Windows Live Barcode
Windows Live Barcode is a web site that demonstrates QR Code and how it can be applied to mobile phones, billboards, and business cards. The use of QR Code on mobile phones allows for easy dialing of mobile VoIP calls using SIP, and retrieval of information from the mobile web.
See also
Alternatives codes
External links
- QR Code Official English Site
- J2ME QR code reader for your mobile phone
- Micro QR Code page by Denso Wave
- Programs For Compiling QR Codes (Trial)
- English version of QR-factory (free)
- Barcode Images
- QR Code Help
- perl and PHP QR Code generators (free, with source)
- A simple and free web based QR code maker in English and in Japanese
- Java-based encoder and decoder
- QR Code software for Java, .NET, ActiveX, Delphi or PHP (with source code?)
- Kaywa's QR Code and Datamatrix Reader
- Would you like chips with that? An ingenious application of QR codes in Japan
- Collection of free QR Code Readers for your mobile phone
Online QR Code generators
- Kaywa's QR Code Generator
- nfggames.com
- pukupi.com
- tec-it.com
- WINKsite's QR Code Generator (Widget Version)
- WINKsite's QR Code Generator (Printable PDF Version)
- WINKsite's QR Code Generator (Publisher's Account Area)
- Hafenscher (With Decoder)
- J4L QR Code for PHP demonstration
- QR code generator for Colombia's Wap project (in spanish)
- Windows Live Barcode