What is 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.