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What are QR Codes?

What are QR Codes?

They’re starting to pop up all around you—square, black symbols on a white background. If you aren’t familiar with QR codes, these symbols may look a bit odd. They are found on billboards, products that you buy in the store and magazine advertisements. QR codes are a two-dimensional means of encrypting textual information with a small area of space. The term “QR” stands for “quick response.” These codes provide useful information to readers and shoppers concerning various products and announcements. Once you understand these codes a little better, you might find yourself using them as well.

How It Works

Users with camera phones take a picture of a QR code with their phone. The phone then translates the code into alphanumeric text. On some mobile devices, the QR code activates the browser, which automatically takes the user to the intended website related to the product or service. QR codes are very accessible for businesses and consumers due to the fact that you can use free software to create and read these special encryptions. For the average smart phone user, you only need to download the app related to QR code reading. Then your phone will be ready to interpret the codes when you take pictures of them. Some smart phones come with this scanning capability already installed. Simply point the camera’s lens toward the QR code, snap the picture and read the information that comes up.

Origin

The use of QR codes began in 1994 under the leadership of a subsidiary of the Toyota company. The DENSO WAVE corporation of Japan pioneered this technology in the 1990s for the purpose of producing a “…Code read easily for the reader.” QR codes grew in popularity in Japan and later in Europe over the next decade. The usage of QR codes has grown in recent years in the United States as well, with the increase in the number of people using smart phones.

Benefits

When a business prints a QR code on an advertisement or on a product itself, it gives the consumer an easy way to access additional information concerning the product. In contrast, if a company prints an entire web address on an advertisement, for instance, the consumer has to memorize, write down or type the address right away. With QR codes, the mobile device does all the work by reading the code and instantly transferring the consumer to a source of information about that item. Another benefit is that QR codes take up very little space. An advertiser can use a smaller space in which to effectively advertise a product. QR codes are capable of storing more information than a traditional bar code. An additional benefit is the ability of QR codes to generate a potential customer’s curiosity. Much like a “secret de-coder” may draw a kid to want a certain toy, the mystery of a hidden code on a product or ad draws many customers’ interest. The hidden information acts as a tease that causes the consumer to want to know more. QR codes also provide companies with tracking information about the users who are scanning their codes. This type of information includes data such as the number of scans, the date and time of each scan and the type of device used to perform each scan. This information allows companies to market their products more effectively. Overall, QR codes help to increase web site traffic, increase brand awareness and connect consumers with information related to a specific product, event or service.

Future Implications

There are a wide range of possible uses of QR codes in the near future as the general public’s acceptance of this technology grows. Educators may use the codes more frequently within textbooks and classroom printouts for the purpose of directing students to online sources of information relating to class material. Supermarkets and department stores could label displays with QR codes to direct customers toward online services detailing the products being sold. Cities and parks may use QR codes on signs to allow visitors to direct themselves on various tours of the location.

Some hail QR codes as the wave of the future, whereas others say the phenomena will fade with time. Whether QR codes are a permanent fixture or a temporary fad is a fate that lies in the hands of the consumers. The usefulness of this technology is evident. If the general public responds favorably and continues to use QR codes, the presence of this type of data form will grow and expand.

For more useful information on QR Codes, peruse the information offered within the following links: