2D Barcodes

2D barcodes..sounds very technical, but these are just black and white square modules arranged in either a square or rectangular pattern. So where how are these used? Nowadays most cell phones come with their own integrated cameras. What you can do with your 2 megapixel+ camera phone is turn it into a barcode reader! Sounds crazy but this is exactly what these barcodes were meant for. The barcodes come in two types, explained as follows:

Datamatrix (DM) Barcodes: These are standard 2D barcodes that can take upto 2,335 alphanumeric characters and they come with error correction codes that allow the barcode to be read flawlessly even if it is damaged.

Quick Response (QR) Barcodes: These are barcodes can store upto 4,296 alphanumeric characters. As the name suggests, these barcodes can be read faster than datamatrix barcodes and are used more extensively in advertisements.

Here is an example of a QR code :
This one points to UltraByte's blog URL.

The applications of these codes can range anywhere from advertising to referencing, the possibilities are endless. The barcode can be generated from the online generators (Listed below) free of cost. To read them you can download the reader (also free).

QR code generator: Kaywa
Datamatrix code generator: Nokia

Code Reader: Kaywa reader
Nokia (With more links to other readers and generators)

Follow the instructions given on these sites to install the reader onto your mobile device. You can also make a barcode of your blog's URL and print it onto your t-shirt!

To read a barcode the phones camera is pointed at it and is held till the scanner decodes it. I would recommend that you let the camera automatically focus onto the barcode by holding it as still as possible. Have fun!












(An example of an application of a 2d Barcode)