QR-CODE

1.INTRODUCTION
Quick Response Code is the trademark for a type of matrix barcode first designed for the
automotive industry in Japan; a barcode is an optically machine-readable label that is attached
to an item and that records information related to that item: The information encoded by a QR
code may be made up of four standardized types of data. That is, numeric, alphanumeric,
byte /binary, Kanji or, through supported extensions, virtually any type of data.
The QR Code system has become popular outside the automotive industry due to its
fast readability and greater storage capacity compared to standard UPC barcodes. Applications
include product tracking, item identification, time tracking, document management, general
marketing, and much more.
A QR code consists of black modules (square dots) arranged in a square grid on a
white background, which can be read by an imaging device (such as a camera) and processed
using Reed-Solomon error correction until the image can be appropriately interpreted; data is
then extracted from patterns present in both horizontal and vertical components of the image.

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2. CHARACTERISTICS
Additional to the characteristics for two-dimensional symbols such as large volume data
(7,089 numerical characters at maximum), high-density recording (approx. 100 times higher in
density than linear symbols), and high-speed reading.QR Code has other superiority in both
performance and functionalities aspects.

2.1 ALL-DIRECTION (360) HIGH-SPEED READING

Reading matrix symbols will be implemented by using a CCD sensor (area sensor). The data
of the scan line captured by the sensor will be stored into the memory. Then, by using the
software, the details will be analysed, finder patterns identified, and the position/size/angle of
the symbol detected, and the decoding process will be implemented. Traditional twodimensional symbols used to take much time for detecting the position/angle/size of the
symbol, and had a problem that their readings were less accurate when compared with those of
linear symbols. QR Code has finder patterns for notifying the position of the symbol arranged
in three of its corners to enable high-speed reading in all directions (360).
The ratio between black and white among the scan line that runs through the finder
patterns is always 1:1:3:1:1 when seen from any direction among the 360 surrounding it. By
detecting this specific ratio, the finder pattern can be detected from among the image captured
by the CCD sensor to identify the position of the QR Code in a short period of time.
Additionally, by identifying the positional relationships of the three finder patterns listed in
Figure 5 from among the image field of the CCD sensor, the size (L), the angle (), and the
outer shape of the symbol can be simultaneously detected. By arranging the finder patterns
into the three corners of the symbol, the decoding speed of the QR Code can be made 20 times
faster than that of other matrix symbols. Additionally, detecting finder patterns can be easily
implemetned by the hardware, and can also be accelerated.

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2.2 RESISTANT TO DISTORTED SYMBOLS
Symbols often get distorted when attached onto a curved surface or by the reader being tilted
(angled between the CCD sensor face and the symbol face). To correct this distortion, QR
Code has alignment patterns arranged with a regular interval within the range of the symbol.
The variance between the centre position of the alignment pattern estimated from the outer
shape of the symbol and the acutal centre position of the alignment pattern will be calculated
to have the mappings (for identifying the centre position of each cell) corrected. This will
make the distorted linear/non-linear symbols readable.

2.3

DATA

RESTORATION

FUNCTIONALITY

(RESISTANT

TO

SMUDGED OR DAMAGED SYMBOLS)

QR Code has four different error correction levels (7%, 15%, 25%, and 30% per symbol area).
The error correction functionality is implemented according to each of the smudge/damage,
and is utilising Reed-Solomon code which is highly resistant to burst errors. Reed-Solomon
codes are arranged in the QR Code data area. By this error correction functionality, the codes
can be read correctly even when they are smudged or damaged up until the error correction
level. The error correction level can be configured by the user when he/she creates the symbol.
So if the code is highly likely to get smudged in the users usage environment, it is
recommended to have 30% set for this correction level.

2.4 EFFICIENTLY ENCODING OF KANJI AND KANA CHARACTERS

QR Code has been developed based on the premise that it will be used in Japan. The
specifications for the symbol has efficiently encoded JIS level-1 & 2 Kanji and Kana
characters. When making Japanese expressions using other two dimensional symbols, the
expression would have to be made in binaries and would require 16 bits (2 bytes) for a single
character, whereas QR Code has each Japanese character encoded in 13 bits. This means that
QR Code can have Japanese letters encoded 20% more efficiently than other two-dimensional
symbols. In other words, if the data volume is the same, the symbol can be generated in a
smaller area. Codes in each country will be using the language in that specific country, and

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this functionality will enable encoding of the specific language in an efficient manner, such as
having Chinese characters for China and Vietnamese for Vietnam efficiently encoded.

2.5 LINKING FUNCTIONALITY OF THE SYMBOLS

QR Code has a linking functionality which will enable a single symbol to be represented in
several symbols by dividing it . A single symbol can be divided into 16 symbols at maximum.
The example shown in Figure 8 is one where a single QR Code is divided into four symbols,
and each symbol has an indicator showing how many symbols the original symbol had been
divided into and in which order that specific symbol would be among all divided ones. This
will enable the entire data to be edited and submitted to the computer regardless of what order
the symbols had been read by the reader. By this linking functionality, the QR Code will be
able to be printed even if the printing space is not wide enough to have a single QR Code
printed.

2.6 MASKING PROCESS

By having special patterns to process masking, QR Code is enabled to have black and white
cells well arranged in a balanced order. To accurately binalize the data that had been read, it is
necessary to arrange the white and black cells in a well-balanced manner. To enable this, EXOR calculation will be implemented between the data area cell and the mask pattern
(template) cell when encoding the stored data and arranging it into the data area. Then, the
number of unique patterns exisiting and the balance between the white cells and the black cells
will be assessed against the data area where the calculation had been implemented. There are
eight mask patterns. Assessment will be made for each mask pattern, and the mask pattern
with the highest assessment result together with the EX-OR calculation result will be stored
into the data area.

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2.7 THE CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE CODE
By making the relationship between the character type and the stored data unique for a special
usage, QR Code can be easily encrypted.Unless the conversion table between the character
type and the stored data is deciphered, no one will be able to read the QR Code.

2.8 DIRECT MARKING

QR Code exerts superior readability even for symbols which are directly marked using laser or
dot pin markers. For directly marked symbols, the cell shape does not necessarily have to be
square as shown in Figure 10. It can also be circular shape. Even if the white part (with high
reflectance) and the black part (with low reflectance) are inverted due to the angle of the
illuminating ray, the code can still be read in an accurate manner. It is also possible to read
from the back side of the symbol when it is marked upon a transparant material such as glass,
etc.

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3. QR CODE STRUCTURE
QR Code is a matrix type symbol with a cell structure arranged in a square. It consists of the
functionality patterns for making reading easy and the data area where the data is stored. QR
Code has finder patterns, alignment patterns,timing patterns, and a quiet zone.

Fig3.1 The QR Code Structure

3.1 FINDER PATTERN

A pattern for detecting the position of the QR Code. By arranging this pattern at the three
corners of a symbol, the position, the size, and the angle of the symbol can be detected. This
finder pattern consists of a structure which can be detected in all directions (360).

Fig3.2 Finding Pattern

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Fig3.3 Identifying a QR Code

3.2 ALIGNMENT PATTERN

A pattern for correcting the distortion of the QR Code. It is highly effective for correcting
nonlinear distortions. The central coordinate of the alignment pattern will be identified to
correct the distortion of the symbol. For this purpose,a black isolated cell is placed in the
alignment pattern to make it easier to detect the central coordinate of the alignment pattern.

Fig 3.4.Allignment Pattern

3.3 TIMING PATTERN

A pattern for identifying the central coordinate of each cell in the QR Code with black and
white patterns arranged alternately. It is used for correcting the central coordinate of the data

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cell when the symbol is distorted or when there is an error for the cell pitch. It is arranged in
both vertical and horizontal directions.

3.4 QUIET ZONE

A margin space necessary for reading the QR Code. This quiet zone makes it easier to have the
symbol detected from among the image read by the CCD sensor. Four or more cells are
necessary for the quiet zone.

3.5 DATA AREA

The QR Code data will be stored (encoded) into the data area. The grey part in Figure 3.1
represents the data area. The data will be encoded into the binary numbers of 0 and 1 based
on the encoding rule. The binary numbers of 0 and 1 will be converted into black and white
cells and then will be arranged. The data area will have Reed-Solomon codes incorporated for
the stored data and the error correction functionality.

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4. TYPES OF QR CODES
To us, they all look the same, but they are different when it comes to storing information. QR
codes can store many different types of information including:
URL: These are the codes that redirect the user to a website. As soon the code is scanned, the
phone browser will open and load the company website. Company can put URL QR codes on
their promotional materials so that their customers who are looking for more information can
land on their website.
MECARD: Containing contact details, these codes automatically save information in a users
phone address book. This saves users from the hassle of entering the information manually
and from making input mistakes. These codes are very useful in an event such as conventions,
conferences, and seminars where there is a need to exchange business card.
VCARD: A vCard QR code can store more data than meCard QR code, like a salutation, job
title, mobile number, work details, address, zip code, and country. Such information is useful
if a person is working on a global level and needs to share more information about to
consumers.
CALENDAR EVENT: Usually found on invitation cards and movie or concert tickets, these
codes have information regarding the event date, time, and location. They can also hold event
descriptions. These codes also have an option to automatically save the event in the phones
calendar.
EMAIL: When scanned, email QR codes will have an email address to provide. Email QR
codes can also open email composition window on a users phone, with the email address field
already filled in. These codes can prompt users to send an email.

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PHONE NUMBER: This code is used to encode a phone number so when a phone scans it, it
will produce a number on its home screen. This encourages users to call the advertiser, rather
than continue searching. This type of QR code is especially useful for pizza delivery and
similar services.
SMS: This type of QR code prompts an SMS message from the users phone, automatically
addressing and composing the text message. An SMS QR code is best used for subscription
services.
GPS MAP COORDINATES: Information regarding the location of a particular place or an
object is stored using latitude and longitude coordinates and can be displayed on a
smartphone. This code can also provide directions.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Use this code to get a person to like a Facebook page or retweet on
Twitter. You can also use this code to share information on social networking websites.
PLAIN TEXT: This code displays a text message to the codes scanner, and is useful for
communicating short messages.
YOUTUBE VIDEO: Embedding a YouTube video in your QR code directs users to
promotional or how-to videos about your company.
LINKEDIN SHARE: Creating a QR Code for LinkedIn lets clients and customers find your
profile easily on this popular business networking site.
FOURSQUARE VENUE: You can create a QR code to capitalize on the popularity fo the
FourSquare app, which entices customers to check in at your location and tell their friends.

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5. FUNCTIONS OF QR CODES
QR Codes are commonly used to navigate to a web page. However, the real power of QR
Codes resides in the full-functionality of your smart phone. QR codes can also dial numbers,
send texts, launch your favorite app, send a vCard, send geographic coordinates, and more.
Here are just a few common QR Code functions:

Go to a website (URL)
Set a bookmark
Make a phone call
Send an SMS message
Start an email
Send a vCard
Store a date in your calendar (schedule an appointment)
Redirection based on parameters (change functionality based on date scanned, of type

of phone)
Return text (i.e. You Win!)
Encryption
Record geographic coordinates

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6. CREATION OF QR CODES
The QR Code can be created are as follows

Steps to create a QR code

Step 1: Click on this link http://goqr.me/.
Step 2: Now, choose the type of data you want to encrypt via QR codes from the left side
option panel.
Step 3: I entered the URL of my website as shown in the below image and the QR code got
ready at the right side of the screen. if you want to download it, click on download button just
beneath the QR code.

Fig 6.1 Qr Code Generator

Step 4: Once, you click on the download button, you will be asked to refer the format of the
Code as SVG, EPS, PNG or JPEG.

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Fig 6.2 Qr Code Generator

Make sure that the size of your QR code is large enough to be detected (scanned) under
low light or long distance conditions.
If you experimenting to create a colored QR code, make sure to keep the quiet zone
ideally white or light color. The border around a QR code is known as quiet zone.
Also make sure that Quiet zone zone of you QR code should be at least 4 times the
width of the modules of your QR code.
If you are making a QR code of a URL of a website, try creating it after shortening the
URL. Most of the times, QR code generated from long URL are complex and
unreliable.

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7. WORKING OF QR CODES
A QR code is a two-dimensional barcode, used to encode information. The information is read
by a mobile phone equipped with a QR code reader, which works in conjunction with the
phone's camera to decode the information.
The information in a QR code is typically some sort of actionable text; that is, the
information in a QR code typically directs the phone to take some sort of action. For example,
a QR code might instruct a phone to open its browser to a specific URL, or to open an email
and address it to a certain address.
Here are some of the most popular uses of QR codes
URL: A QR code can be used to encode the text of a URL, which will be opened using
the mobile phone's Web browser.
E-MAIL ADDRESS: A QR code may contain an e-mail address. The phone's e-mail
client will open, and a blank message using the encoded email address will
automatically be opened.
TELEPHONE NUMBER: A QR code also may contain a phone number. When the
code is read, the phone's dialer will open with the number filled in, but the QR code
should not automatically place the call without asking permission.
CONTACT INFORMATION: A QR code may be encoded with contact information,
such as a mailing address, phone number, and email address. When read, the QR code
will prompt the phone's contact manager to open, and will create a new entry with all
of the data.
SMS / MMS: A QR code may contain a mobile telephone number that is ready to
receive a text or multimedia message. The QR code reader would prompt the phone to
open the messaging client, and would open a new message that the user can compose
and send.

8. APPLICATIONS OF QR CODES
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Originally designed for industrial uses, QR codes have become common in consumer
advertising. Typically, a smart phone is used as a QR-code scanner, displaying the code and
converting it to some useful form (such as a standard URL for a website, thereby obviating the
need for a user to type it manually into a web browser).
In the shopping industry, knowing what causes the consumers to be motivated when
approaching products by the use of QR codes, advertisers and marketers can use the behavior
of scanning to get consumers to buy, causing it to have the best impact on ad and marketing
design. As a result, the QR code has become a focus of advertising strategy, since it provides
quick and effortless access to the brand's website. Beyond mere convenience to the consumer,
the importance of this capability is that it increases the conversion rate (that is, increases the
chance that contact with the advertisement will convert to a sale), by coaxing qualified
prospects further down the conversion funnel without any delay or effort, bringing the viewer
to the advertiser's site immediately, where a longer and more targeted sales pitch may
continue.
Although initially used to track parts in vehicle manufacturing, QR codes are now (as
of 2012) used over a much wider range of applications, including commercial tracking,
entertainment and transport ticketing, product/loyalty marketing (examples: mobile couponing
where a company's discounted and percent discount can be captured using a QR code decoder
which is a mobile app, or storing a company's information such as address and related
information alongside its alpha-numeric text data as can be seen in Yellow Pages directory),
and in-store product labeling. It can also be used in storing personal information for use by
government. An example of this is Philippines National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) where
NBI clearances now come with a QR code. Many of these applications target mobile-phone
users (via mobile tagging). Users may receive text, add a vCard contact to their device, open a
Uniform Resource Identifier (URI), or compose an e-mail or text message after scanning QR
codes. They can generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting
one of several pay or free QR code-generating sites or apps. Google has a popular API to
generate QR code and apps for scanning QR codes can be found on nearly all smart phone
devices.

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QR codes storing addresses and Uniform Resource Locators (URLs) may appear in
magazines, on signs, on buses, on business cards, or on 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 telephone's browser. This act of linking from
physical world objects is termed object hyper linking. QR codes also may be linked to a
location to track where a code has been scanned. Either the application that scans the QR code
retrieves the geo information by using GPS and cell tower triangulation (aGPS) or the URL
encoded in the QR code itself is associated with a location.

9. ADVANTAGES OF QR CODE
The main advantage of a QR code is its versatility. QR codes can be used for anything and
everything. They are also beneficial for both customers and businesses. For example, a
business saves money and advertising costs by distributing a QR code to their website or
URL. A customer can scan this QR code and this allows them to store the information for
future reference. Whats also greater about QR codes is that they bridge different forms of

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marketing streams together. For example ecommerce and mobile commerce are both used for
QR codes. QR codes acts as the link and it also exposes customers to other forms of
advertising the business or service of the QR code has done. This maximizes exposure and can
potentially generate revenue.

10. DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages and risks are as follows
One disadvantage of QR codes and perhaps the biggest problem is the lack of familiarity
of the QR code among people. Although QR codes are popping up everywhere from on plant
specimen labels to library catalogues, there is a large demographic in society that still dont
know what QR codes represent. These proses a problem as companies and business are using
the QR code to advertise information that a potential customer might be interested in, but if
the customer doesnt know how to find the information, then they might not buy the product
or service and this can lose business thousands of dollars. One way to counteract this
disadvantage is product knowledge. Not only should businesses be using QR codes for its
obvious benefits and advantages but they should also be directing customers on where and

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how to get the information. Another major disadvantage of a QR code is the codes
dependability on a mobile device or smartphone. The whole concept of a QR code and its
benefits are strictly based on its ability to be scanned by a mobile device. If a consumer does
not have a mobile device or smartphone, then the QR code is not beneficial to them and they
lose out.

11. RISKS
The disadvantages and risks are as follows
Malicious QR codes combined with a permissive reader can put a computer's contents
and user's privacy at risk. This practice is known as "attagging", a portmanteau of "attack
tagging" They are easily created and can be affixed over legitimate QR codes. On a smart
phone, the reader's permissions may allow use of the camera, full Internet access, read/write
contact data, GPS, read browser history, read/write local storage, and global system changes.
Risks include linking to dangerous web sites with browser exploits, enabling the
microphone/camera/GPS, and then streaming those feeds to a remote server, analysis of
sensitive data (passwords, files, contacts, transactions) and sending email/SMS/IM messages

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or DDOS packets as part of a botnet, corrupting privacy settings, stealing identity, and even
containing malicious logic themselves such as JavaScript or a virus.

12. CONCLUSION & FUTURE SCOPE

QR-Codes first hit mainstream when they were initially used for tracking parts by vehicle
manufacturers. After a while, companies began to see a news scope for where QR-Codes
could be used elsewhere within the world. The most commercial use for QR-Codes is in the
telecommunications industry where the mobile phone seems to be the biggest driver of their
popularity.
Take a mobile phone such as the iPhone; nearly ever mobile phone has a digital camera in
todays world. The camera, along with decoding software can be used to capture a picture of
the QR-Code, of which the QR-Code software decoder can then transform the data held with
the QR-Code to a meaningful action for the mobile phone:

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Connect to a web address

Download a MP3

Dial a telephone number

Prompt your email client with a sender address

This can all be done within a matter of milliseconds making the transformation from a
users mobile phone to the mobile web instantaneous.

FUTURE SCOPE
This is an exciting and thrilling new way to share content digitally. QR stands for Quick
Ready, and thats exactly what it does.
These codes can be printed on anything, so you could use them on business cards with
your contact information.
QR codes are also handy for various branding purposes. They can be used to direct mobile
phone users to special websites to download brand ads, ring tones, character logos, viral
videos, branded flash games and more.
Retailers print them on receipts. Event producers employ them to provide exhibit
information. Doctor's offices and beauty salons use them to let people make appointments
over their mobile phones.
In other words, they're a great tool for marketers!
Googles URL shortener will now create a QR code for you automatically. Just add a .qr to
the end of your Google shortened URL and youll get a QR code you can embed, save or print
and use anywhere.

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