First, let’s begin with the name – QR code, a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc.
Though Denso Wave, a subsidiary of Toyota, has a patent they have chosen not to enforce giving way to endless forms of application. They invented this two dimensional code back in 1994 as a smarter tracking system for auto parts in the vehicle manufacturing industry. This turned out to be so much more efficient, opposed to bar codes, due to the compact nature and the ability to relay ten times more information.
Bar code vs. the QR code:
To explain the major difference between a bar code and the QR (short for quick response) code is the two dimensional theory works like this: traditional bar codes only carry information horizontally where the QR code reads info both horizontal and diagonal. Thus allowing more information in a smaller space.
It’s come a long way since then but still has been slow growing in the United States, although, just recently many large companies are seeing the potential. Big money is starting to flow into billboards, magazine ads, advertising material, etc. A fresh new look geared to a technological generation is hoping to bring home the bacon for not just the big guy; the small businesses are getting their feet wet too!
How it works:
First, you scan the code with your phone and then depending on where the owner wants you to go you’ll end up at one of the following…by the way, did I say all you have to do is scan, no inputting numbers or url’s, it automatically takes you to it, all on your phone! Wants someone’s phone number, BAM! It goes right into your phone book and so on…
The qr code scanners are more and more popular thanks to mobile phones. The Google Android phone now comes with this application and many more are jumping on board. If your phone doesn’t have one already, don’t worry, you can download an application for it today. The possibilities of this are endless; just think…movie trailers, Facebook and other social media, business cards, contests and so much more – all waiting for you to view on your phone!
This is the first of its form and many businesses don’t want to miss the train. Taking potential customers from the QR Code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the phone’s browser. You no longer have to imagine it, the act of linking from the physical world to a hand held device which is also known as a hardlink or physical world hyperlinks, is now a reality.
