What Is a QR Code?

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 A simple and informative article that explains QR codes and “Quick Response.”


Tip: Ideally, QR codes should direct the user to a mobile landing page. This code resolves to lehanart.com which is a work in process, and is not
yet completely mobilized.

What is a QR Code?QR (or Quick Response) codes are two-dimensional, matrix barcodes, which can be read by smartphones. QR codes connect the physical world to the Internet (this act is known as physical world hyperlinks). The connection takes place when a user scans (takes a picture) of a QR code using a (typically free) app on their smartphone. At a minimum, scanning a QR code eliminates the need for the user to manually key text - scanning a code immediately transports a person to an URL, plays a video, displays text, etc. QR codes storing an URL can be printed in magazines, on signs, business cards, buildings or about any physical object where a person interacting with it may need information.  QR (brand) codes were invented by and are a registered trademark of Toyota subsidiary - DensoWave in 1994 as a means to inventory automobile parts. All two-dimensional (or datamatrix) codes such as ScanLife EZcode; Microsoft Tag; datamatrix codes; and the other (almost 50) types of 2-D codes in the public domain are incorrectly referred to "QR codes". Using the terminology "QR code" is the same as saying you "Googled" something on the Internet when, in fact, you used Yahoo. This author acknowledges that the 2-D code invented by Denso-Wave in 1994 is a “QR code” and that the several proprietary quick response codes that are being introduced in the U.S. (including the “QR code”) are “quick response” codes. Arguably, all two-dimensional codes can be referred to as "quick response" (they all work in a similar, immediate fashion) it's just important to distinguish that the "QR code" (as a brand) is a code specific to Denso-Wave and that the term "QR" (when used as an acronym) is short for "quick response" and is synonymous with 2-D codes in general.
What is Quick Response?
Quick response means just that. Advertising typically contains a “call to action.” Meaning the user is asked to do something ― call a phone number, go to a store, visit a domain, etc. Conventional (read: pre-QR code) means of taking action consists of a lag time (mobile marketers call this “drop off”). This is because there is varying time between awareness and the physical act of calling a number, going to a store or getting to a computer to visit a domain. A person can scan a QR code and immediately activate the mobile action with an instant response on his or her mobile phone screen such as a phone number, message, website, picture, video, etc.
Chris Lehan is the Director of Product Development at Impressions Incorporated (a multi-color printer in St. Paul, MN specializing in the complete production of customized printing and paperboard packaging). http://www.i-i.com/
Follow me on Twitter @chrislehan