QR CODES (Quick Response)

While in Las Vegas recently, we stopped at the Hard Rock Café and noticed throughout the hotel, almost all of the countless items on display worn by various entertainment artists had these little squares.. . These little squares were new – they were black & white, probably 6-8” sq. tiles – quite similar to sections of what we call “bar codes” but different. I couldn’t find any explanation as to what they were…

I’d intended to “Google” them, but hadn’t done that yet and when I mentioned them during one of our classes here in AZ a student solved the puzzle. By the way Harley-thank you… Harley is keeping current on technology and had recently read an article which explained they were QR Codes. Harley was kind enough to send me an article he’d read, some of which I've included below.. So combined with what he sent me and a little more research here’s an “English” explanation of how & what they are for…

They were initially designed and used for tracking parts in vehicle manufacturing, but now these QR codes are used everywhere both commercially and residentially. One use growing in popularity is that which was intendd at the Hard Rock Café – in the display cases, they encourage/allow Smartphone (cell) users with the right app (called mobile tagging) to aim their Smartphone at the code, which in turn display all the info & a photo of what’s in the case OR it can compose an email or text message for use later… Users can also generate and print their own QR codes for others to scan and use by visiting one of several free QR code generating site – WOW…

Here’s the article quote from March 28, 2011|By Umika Pidaparthy on CNN News
“A confused crossword puzzle. A psychedelic postage stamp. A bar code on drugs. This is how a QR, or Quick Response, code may appear to most people. You may have noticed these black-and-white squares showing up in subway ads or in pages of magazines. Thanks to our growing addiction to our Smartphone’s, you'll likely be seeing more of them. QR codes are showing up in more and more places: posters, storefront window displays, TV advertisements, business cards, websites and even on T-shirts. When accessed with your phone, a QR code takes you to a landing page where you'll usually find special promotional content” The QR code was invented by a Japanese company called DENSO Corp., a subsidy of Toyota, in 1994. The codes have been used in Japan for years and are quite common there. But only now are they becoming mainstream in the United State”

Now that I know what they are, I’m seeing them everywhere – Amazing how this technology continues to change…