Blackberry Messenger Code “Decoded” — QR Code Explained and Free Generator

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Blackberry Messenger 5.0 introduced a barcode scanning feature for adding contacts and groups.  The barcode scanning is much more versatile than may be immediately apparent.  The barcode is encoded using the “QR Code” system.  Each QR Code can store up to 7,089 numbers, 4,296 characters or 2,953 bytes.  Accordingly, the QR Code can be used to encode, among other things, URLs, text strings, phone numbers, text messages, business cards and small amounts of data.  It is also easily and quickly decoded by cellphones with cameras and decoder apps.  If you launch Blackberry Messenger 5.0 and select “Scan a Group Barcode,” you will be able to decode many QR Codes.  (Try decoding the image on the right.)

The “QR Code” system was patented by Denso Wave Corporation in 2003.  The system has now entered the public domain and Denso Wave Corporation has relinquished its rights to enforce the patent to spread adoption of the system.  It is more commonly used in Japan and other Asian countries than in the U.S., although  QR Code is used in the U.S. in the manufacturing process to label parts.  It is expected that QR Code will be used in the U.S. on consumer product packages and retail displays.  Newspapers and magazines are also likely to adopt QR Codes in advertisements for linking to webpages, coupons or signing up for e-mail newsletters.  Below is an image of Japanese consumer products that use the QR Code:

Source: http://mobile.kaywa.com/20060830

You can generate your own QR Codes (free) at:  http://qrcode.kaywa.com/.

Links:  Denso Wave QR Code FAQ.

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