QR Codes: What are they and how do they work?

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       You see that weird looking square on the left side there? If you have a smart phone, download the QR code reader app if you haven't already and scan it.  Well what is it!? That's right, it is direct link to my blog!  How does it do that? That square is called a QR code, which is basically a two-dimensional bar code that stores information.  You are already familiar with the 1-dimensional bar code, which you've seen at grocery stores. Bar codes are stored only in its horizontal widths and its spaces while its vertical makes no difference.

Sample barcode taken from http://freebarcodefonts.dobsonsw.com/

The QR code differs from the bar code by having a larger amount of data in a smaller space, is more reliable, and reads at a higher speed.  They can be scanned from any direction within 360 degrees and because of their design, they can be read up to 20 times faster than regular matrix codes.  The QR code conveys its information by the arrangement of black and white elements called "modules" in both the horizontal and vertical direction.  Each module represents either a 0 or 1, which allows the smart phone to use the code and access information. But what information!?  When scanned, it can link you to any URL whether it be Facebook, Google, YouTube, or Richard's blog!  In our society today, they are being used for marketing, entertainment, commercial tracking, etc.  If you have a product you want to advertise, go ahead and make a QR code to allow people to access your website or any information about your product! 

A poster used in Japan made by Disney to allow people to access exclusive information