What is a QR Code?

A QR code (abbreviated from Quick Response code) is a type of barcode that is readable by dedicated QR readers and smartphones. The code consists of black modules arranged in a square pattern on a white background. They’re similar to the barcodes used by retailers to track inventory and price products at the point of sale. Here's what one looks like.

FICPA Website

When you scan a QR code with your iPhone, Android or other camera-enabled smartphone, you can link to digital content on the web via your phone, import a contact directly to your phone, and activate a number of phone functions. This is a lot quicker than manually typing this information into your phone.

How Does it Work?

1. Download and install an application on your smartphone that will enable you to scan QR codes. Here are links to two QR Code readers but there are a number in the Apple App Store, Android Market, and Blackberry App World. Just search for the term "QR Code" in any of these markets and download one of them.
   • i-nigma
   • QuickMark
2. When you see a QR code, use your phone's application to scan it. Simply open up the application you installed and scan the QR code. Once you scan the image it will direct to the appropriate URL or open up the contact information. Here's another sample for you to scan.

FICPA Contact Information

Make Your Own QR Codes!

Many QR code scanners allow you to make you own QR codes. The QuickMark application above is one of these. You can also find many places online that will generate QR codes with the information you want. Here are a couple.

• http://zxing.appspot.com/generator/
• http://www.i-nigma.com/CreateBarcodes.html