How do QR codes work?
QR codes work by arranging a series of black and white pixels into a unique pattern that encodes a string of data. When scanned, the pattern of the qcode can be translated into human-readable information.
If you know how to scan a barcode using a laser-reader, you already know how to scan a QR code — the only real difference is the type of device used to read the code. But unlike barcodes’ linear arrangement, QR codes can store much more data, because they’re written both vertically and horizontally.
All QR codes have a standard structure that makes information readable. Let’s break it down:
Quiet Zone: The empty white border around the outside of a QR code.
Hinder pattern: The three black squares in the bottom-left, top-left, and top-right corners.
Alignment pattern: A small square near the bottom-right corner, which ensures the QR code can be read, even if it’s skewed or at an angle.
Timing pattern: An L-shaped line that helps to identify individual squares within the whole code, making it possible for a damaged QR code to be read.
Version information: Identifies which version of the QR code is being read.
Data cells: The rest of the QR code communicates the actual information — the URL, phone number, or other data.
Usually, you don’t need to use a special QR app scanner — smartphones will link to the content in the QR code when you point your camera app at it. If you’re offline or think you’ll need to access the code again, taking a picture of it will make the QR code scan again when you view it later.
