What is this so called QR (Quick Response) Code / Mobile Tagging Codes

QR (abbreviation for Quick Response) code  is a particular matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) which is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and certain smart camera phones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. The information encoded can be either text, URL or other data.

This is very common technology in in Japan as it was initially created by Toyota subsidiary Denso-Wave in 1994. QR Code allow its contents to be decoded at high speed.The technology has seen a large uptake in Japan and South Korea. However, in the West there has been a slower adoption of QR codes may be due to being code looking bit ugly in design. Also it is similar to west in other asian countries
like India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka etc...

QR codes are now used in a much broader context, including both commercial tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications aimed at mobile phone users (known as mobile tagging). QR codes can be used to display text to the user, to add a vCard contact to the user's device, to open a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) or to compose an email or text message. Users can also generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating sites.QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in magazines, on signs, buses, business cards, or almost any object about which users might need information. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the phone's browser. This act of linking from physical world objects is termed hardlinking or object hyperlinking.

Google's mobile Android operating system supports QR codes by natively including the barcode scanner (ZXing) on some models, and the browser supports URL redirection, which allows QR codes to send metadata to existing applications on the device. Nokia's Symbian operating system is also provided with a barcode scanner, which is able to read QR codes,while mbarcode is a QR code reader for the Maemo operating system. In the Apple i OS, a QR code reader is not natively included, but over 50 free apps are available with reader and metadata browser URI redirection ability. As for BlackBerry devices, the App World application can natively scan QR codes and load any recognized Web URLs
on the device's Web browser.The use of QR codes is free of any license. The QR code is clearly defined and published as an ISO standard. Denso Wave owns the patent rights on QR codes, but has chosen not to exercise them. The term QR code itself is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Incorporated.

(Photo 1; QR Code , Photo 2; A giant QR code linking to a website, to be read with smart mobile phones.)

Uses of QR Code;



Marketing Materials

QR codes have become more prevalent in marketing circles and have been integrated into both traditional and interactive campaigns. Media where QR codes have been deployed include: billboard ads, guerrilla marketing campaigns,in-store displays, event ticketing and tracking, trade-show management, business cards, print ads, contests, direct mail campaigns, websites, email marketing, and couponing just to name a few.

QR codes are of particular interest to marketers, giving them the "ability to measure response rates with a high degree of precision" allowing for easier ROI (return on investment) calculation, thus helping justify spending on marketing budgets. QR codes have also been used at trade shows and in conferences as well.

Entertainment

QR codes are becoming increasingly innovative and more and more ideas for their use are becoming a reality. LBP.me has created a QR code for every user generated level in LittleBigPlanet 2 for the PlayStation 3, and all people have to do is print that QR code out and hold it in front of the PlayStation 3's dedicated camera, the PlayStation Eye, while the game is running and the game will automatically take the player to that level on the community page. The Nintendo 3DS Mii Maker application can generate a QR code for every possible Mii with the word "Mii" written in the middle of the code, with the Mii's name at the bottom (though the written name is not necessary for scanning). With this code, a Mii can be published and shared on the Internet or in printed material. A QR code was used to promote Lupe Fiasco's album, "Lasers." The album was launched in the center of San Francisco with a massive QR code which allowed fans to scan it with the Redlaser technology in order to preorder the album.The hip hop collective OFWGKTA used a QR code when they played on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon instead of an album artwork which Jimmy Fallon usually presents. The code redirected to a site on the groups homepage.

Use in books

Ubimark, an Indiana company created with support from the Purdue University Discovery Park, has published a number of books that include QR codes. One of them, a new version of Around the World in 80 Days,uses QR codes to provide readers quick access to the audio versions of the book chapters and to Google Maps.Another example is the collection of poems "handyhaiku" which was written by Oliver Bendel. The haikus are not only printed in text form but as QR codes. Users scan their favorite poems onto their cell phone and can send them on to friends and family.


Also QR codes used in coins, cemeteries, libraries, interpretation and several more...