QR Code Full Form

The QR code full form is Quick Response Code. It is a special type of two-dimensional barcode introduced in 1994 by the Japanese Automotive company Denso wave to observe the vehicles during manufacturing. A barcode is a machine-readable optical label that provides information about the item to which it is attached. Practically, the QR code often includes information about the locator, identifier, or tracker that represents the website or application. The four standardized encoding modes namely numeric, alphanumeric, byte/binary, and kanji are used by the QR code to store data efficiently.

Black squares in QR code are arranged in a square grid on a white background, which can be easily read by any device such as a camera, smartphone, scanner, etc, and processed using Reed Solomon error ( group of error-correcting codes) until the image can be easily interpreted. The required data is further drawn out from the patterns that are present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image. 

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QR Code History

In 1994, the QR code system was introduced by Masahiro Hara from the Japanese company Denso wave. The full form of the QR code is the Quick Response Code. The initial QR code design was affected by the black and white pieces on a Go Board. The main purpose of the QR code is to track vehicles during manufacturing. It was designed to permit speedy component scanning. 

QR codes are now used in both commercialized tracking applications and convenience-oriented applications intended for mobile-phone users( termed as mobile tagging). The different types of QR code generators are available both as software or an online tool that are either free or require a paid subscription.  The QR code has now become one of the most widely used types of two-dimensional code. 

QR Code Uses

QR code, long-form Quick Response Code, is now commonly used in advertising. Generally, a smartphone is used as a QR code scanner, displaying the code and converting it into some useful forms. QR code has now become a centerpiece of advertising strategy as it provides a way to access a brand website more rapidly than by entering the URL manually. 

Although initially used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR code is now used in a comprehensive range of applications. This includes commercialized tracking, entertainment, and transport ticketing, product and loyalty marketing, and in-store product labeling. The example of QR code in marketing includes where an organization's discounted and percentage discount can be captured using a QR code decoder which is a mobile app, or saving a company’s information such as address and related information at the side of its alphanumeric text data as can be seen in Yellow Pages Directory. 

QR code is also used in storing personal information for use by organizations.  The best example of this includes the Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where NBI clearance now comes with a  QR code.

QR code retaining addresses and URLs can be seen in magazines, on buses, on signs, on business cards, or almost on any information about which user might need information. 

QR Code in Displaying Multimedia Content

Multimedia QR codes are used to administer users to specific multimedia contents ( such as audio, video, images, documents, etc).

QR Code in Multimedia Operating System

QR codes can be easily operated in different mobile operating systems. Iphone's operating on IOS11 and higher and some Android phones can inseparably scan QR codes without downloading an external app.  

QR Code in Virtual Stores

QR codes are found in virtual stores where a gallery of product information and QR codes is presented to a customer. For example, a QR code on a train station wall. The customers scan the QR code and products are delivered to their homes.  The QR code in virtual stores is stated in South Korea, and Argentina, but now is expanded Globally. Walmarts, Woolworths, and Procter & Gamble have already started using virtual store concepts.

QR Code in Website Login

QR code can be used to log into websites: QR code is displayed on the login page on a computer page, and when a registered user scans with a verified smartphone, they will automatically be logged in.  Verification is performed by the smartphone which gets in touch with the servers. 

QR Code in Loyalty Programs

QR codes are used in different retail outlets that have loyalty programs. Usually,  these programs are in the form of an app that users can download on their smartphones and comes with a feature to scan QR code which is found printed on the receipt that is received while purchasing, enabling the users to collect reward points simply by scanning the code.

QR Code in Restaurant Ordering

Fast serve restaurants can present QR codes near the front door enabling the customer to view an online menu, or even redirect them to an online ordering website, enabling them to order or potentially make payment for their meal without having to stand in line or use a cashier. QR codes are also used to observe daily or weekly specials that are not printed on the standardized menu. 

QR code at table service restaurants enables guests to order their meals without involving the waiter- the QR code includes the table number so that the server knows what food to bring.

Covid 19 Pandemic

After the covid 19 pandemics spread throughout the world, the Quick Response code (QR Code) began to be used as a touchless system to represent information, show menus, or provide updated consumer information, especially in the hospitality industry. The restaurant replaced paper or laminated plastic menus with QR code decals on the table, which opened an online version of the menu. This prevents the need to eliminate single-use paper menus, or institute cleaning and sanitizing procedures for permanent menus after each use.

Local television stations have also started using QR codes on local newscasts to enable viewers quickly access to stories or inflammation related to the pandemic, including testing and immunization scheduling websites, or for links within stories given in the overall newscast. 

Advantages of QR Code

• QR codes can be scanned using smartphones or any other phone with scanning capabilities.

• QR codes are versatile which implies that they can store almost all types of information.

• Similar to the two - dimensional barcode, the QR code has good fault tolerance. Even if some parts of the QR code is damaged, it can still be decoded from a code.

• It stores large amounts of information, unlike one-dimensional barcodes.

Limitation of QR Code

• It requires a phone with a camera and correct reader software that can scan the image of a QR code.

• Not everyone has smartphones.

• Lack of awareness of the QR code among people.

• The user is not familiar with the technology.

• QR code is not very appealing, it includes random patterns of square boxes which might not look appealing on the products, unlike one - dimensional barcode.

• Advertisers have to educate consumers on the latest technology to reduce skepticism.

• QR can be distorted or not read properly.