Desktop QR Code Reader
What are QR Codes?:
A QR code is a lot like a barcode you see on most products. QR codes are a great way to share information like websites and contact info. They can be scanned using your camera equipped device and a proper QR code processing app (For Android, I use the Barcode Scanner App, and on iPhone I use QR Reader for iPhone.) Once the code is scanned and processed, it takes you directly to the URL on your device, or shows you whatever else was encoded in the QR code. I love the ease ability of QR codes, just a quick scan, and the content is on your device. For Example, there is a great plug-in for Google Chrome called QR-Code Tag (For Firefox there’s Mobile Barcode) which lets you generate a QR code for the site you are currently viewing. This is super handy if your reading an article, and need to take it on the go. So, what about reading a QR code from your phone to your desktop computer? Well, surprisingly that wasn’t as easy. I spent some time digging around the internet, and could not find a good cross-platform application for reading QR codes onto your desktop computer. The only thing I found that was somewhat close, was an AS3 library on the Spark Project community page called QRCodeReader. At that time, the only thing using the library was embedded on a web page… which isn’t the most ideal solution if your wanting to just scan something quickly. So, I took the initiative to implement the library into an Adobe AIR app that can be run on basically any system. I call it QRreader. Follow me on twitter for updates.
Note: I have moved all the info and download links for QRreader to http://dansl.net/qrreader
Looks like lastest version of Adobe AIR has broken QRreader. If your having issues. Try uninstalling Adobe AIR, and installing an older version of AIR. Till I (or Adobe) can fix this issue. Here is a link to a version of AIR that QRreader is known to work with. http://airdownload.adobe.com/air/mac/download/3.0/AdobeAIR.dmg
Thanks
Yes the The Creative company camera is working for this.
The Creative cam will work for this.
The creative company cameras will work for this.
How do download the source? I dont understnd japanese ?
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Having similar issues to those posted here. Find that when loaded image is displayed in ‘QRwindow’ it is ‘mirrored’ as previously noted. Want ot say up front this must be a great tool when working, I’m just corious as to why it fails in my case. Used 2 different cams and reloaded both AIR and QR each time and then not, and re-booted for each ( just for grins). Using WinXP(3) and current ver of AIR on Toshiba4014 laptop. Both cameras exibit normal operation on other loaded software. Selected each cam from QR pulldown without any noted change in operation. Also noted that no ‘red marker’ or beep is seen/heard. (Assume this is ‘auto take’ as most facial rec login programs do and corners turn red with audio beep) Aligning Visual of ‘printed’ QR Suqare dot corners to ‘just fit’ in white ‘corner markers’ in display. Tried different sized Printed QR’s from .750″ to 1.5″ and ‘clocking’ of image (90,180,270) to read it. Both cameras are 640/480. Also tried moving paper closer/farther away to see if a ‘sweet spot’ is important. Was unsure of image ‘shake’ errors (as handheld) so used fixed stand for alignment also. Just never worked.
Is there a specific ‘refresh’ rate or camera resolution that is perferred? (ie. 1.5-6MP?)
Regards.
Latest Adobe Air update seems to break this app. I have tried reinstalling and it still opens and freezes on the webcam image.
Will this work with my document camera? When I go into settings it is that camera that is listed. For some reason the QR scanner still looks dark though and wont scan. Am I out of luck?
Is there any way or any application that saves the content of the scanned QR code automatically? I need this functionality in my senior project.
Is there any plugin for firefox to read QR Code image just like chrome plugin?
Doesn’t work on my MacBook Pro either…
@gpang – press the cog in the top left and select ‘Open URLs Automatically’, works PERFECTLY
@OP, thanks this is perfect. We are moving to a warehouse and with a webcam (disguised as a barcode scanner!) this will bring up each product on our website where we can place the order for them. Brilliant.
Only question, what about standard barcodes? Would you be able to release a version that scanned normal barcodes (like this http://www.barcode1.co.uk/images/samplejplarge.jpg) or are they completely different, i.e. can they not just contain a simple URL to load when scanned?
Thanks!
Lloyd
FYI: I am using a Dell latitude E6420 laptop that has a built in camera…
YEA!!! got the config to open the URL…. Now is there a way to optimize the software the read smaller codes? 1 inch x 1 inch codes cannot be read but 2.5 inch x 2.5 inch read pretty good… -gp
I must be missing something… your program installs and works on the pc running XP and the reader window displays the results of a read QR code… but how or where can you set the software to automatically goto the url site after reading the QR code?
Same as lisa up there. right now we are develop program with vb 6.0 to combine with your qr reader for attendence database. please contact us for more detail discussion
hi,
i enjoyed your article and info. i’ve downloaded two qr readers (yours is the 2nd), and neither would display the code read. the frame turns red and beeps when image is acquired. any thoughts? i’m running windows 7 on a pc laptop. thanks.
Hi,
does it send the recieved QR-Code-string on a port over the network so I can grab it?
Thanks!
Hi,
I have not yet tried your application but am grateful it exists, the comments give me confidence in your reader. I am running a program where I’d like to “check” people in by scanning a unique generated QR code for each individual. But what I want is the data to go to a database (Access or Excell on a laptop/desktop) rather than open up a web page. Insights? Please contact me. I am sure I can buy you a coffee or something if we can find a solution. Target date for completion May 1, 2012.
Thanks!
Lisa
I have tried this with both Windows 7 and Windows XP Pro. I have attempted using a Dell netbook’s internal webcam as well as a Logitech external USB webcam. For both the internal and external webcams, the software installs and shows the webcam image. The external webcam captures the QR code, but then I have the same issues as Kye; the lines flash red recognizing the QR code and nothing else happens. I have tried setting it to both go to the URL automatically and not, but neither setting seems to make any difference. Any advice would be most appreciated.
sir i have a database (student info) at MS access.. i want to know if it is possible to have a qr reader thru webcam of computers? and reads a student number and displays a student profile?
Excelente simplemente excelente me fusiono con mi laptop
Sorry, on macs with built-in camera it doesn’t read the code, because there is the mirror effect! In the system is no way to return the iSight camera to “normal” rather than mirrored.
Nevermind!
Do you have to have adobe air opened when using the app?
Works well on my iMac with built-in iSight. Click the cog wheel to change the settings.
ONE MORE THING,IF YOUR COMPUTER IS SLOW,AND THE CODE IS WITH HIGH DETAIL,AND OR THE LIGHT IS LOW,OR THE CAMERA RESOLUTION IS BAD,OR YOU ARE HOLDING THE CODE TILTED,FOR ANY OF THESE REASONS THE SCANNER WILL NOT WORK.SO BUY YOURSELF A NEWSPAPER AND PRACTICE WITH DIFFERENT CODES,LESS DETAILED FIRST WITH GOOD LIGHT.AND GO TO THE UPPER LEFT CORNER OF THE APPLICATION AFTER YOU RUN IT AND YOUR CAMERA SCREEN WILL BE ON,SO ON THAT SCREEN UP LEFT CLICK THE BUTTON,YOU WILL SEE SCAN WITH BEEP TICK THAT.ETC…,THIS SHOULD END ANY REMAINING PROBLEMS WITH YOU.THANKS
GUYS,IT WORKS GREAT WITH WIN 7 STARTER.I HAVE A LAPTOP WITH PROCESSOR ATOM,AND THE BUILT IN YOUCAM.IF YOU WANT THE APPLICATION TO WORK,…… FOR ALL THE PAST COMPLAINTS,YOU HAVE TO HAVE ORIGINAL WINDOWS,AND UP TO DATE ADOBE AIR.AND SWITCH IT TO DIRECT MODE.YOU CAN COPY THE LINK FROM THE SCANNER,AND PASTE IT ON YOUR BROWSER ,AND CLICK GO OR ENTER.THE BBROWSER WILL TAKE YOU TO THE INTENDED PAGE.THANKS
I’ve had this version for over 9 months, my old imac never was able to successfully scan a code. So I bought a new imac 3 weeks ago, and I thought I’d update this program.. same version… I used the facetime camera, and it hasn’t been able to read on yet
quite odd. I ended up having success with qr journal
I can’t get it to work on my Macbook Pro. I downloaded the adobe air, then the QRreader. But when I hold it in front of the facetime camera, it doesn’t do anything. Any ideas?
Didn’t work for me. I can see it and the brackets turn red for a second, but then they turn white again and nothing else happens. Any tips or help?
Great now its works/goes directly to the link. Click the settings symbol to activate this feature.
Did not work originally but then started working after an adobe update. It’s great, especially if you switch it to direct mode to the link its looking for. Thanks guys
I was using it but now for some reason is not working anymore and is sending me this message.
“This account has been suspended.
Either the domain has been overused, or the reseller ran out of resources.”
How do I fix it?
Thank you very much.
It’s really great, it works fine in Windows Vista.
Tryed with 2 different cameras.
Thank you!
Awesome app! I tried it using a PNG file containing QR code (no webcam) on Win-7 (64 bit) and it worked as described. ManyCam was used to capture the QR code image being displayed on the desktop… the app had no issues detecting ManyCam as a “webcam.”
Thanks.
QR Code Reader made my day! YES it’s awesome because it works on my 2011 MacBook Pro. Just THAT easy!!! Quick and if your code is readable QRcr can do it. Wonderful and free.
Hey great, website! I also own QrMum.com which is a qr code generator.
I just bought you a cup of coffee. Your app works perfectly, right off the monitor, on a WinXP Pro 32-bit PC with Logitech Orbit Webcam and Adobe Air. I turn on the cam’s Quick Capture and then zoom and center a QR code within the brackets. We don’t have a smart phone. So it’s nice not to be left behind. Thanks!
Is it possible to read a code that has been photographed on a digital camera and transferred to the laptop as a jpg file? (broken webcam in the lappie)
Won’t work no matter what I do on Win-7 64bit It sees code but no beep, red brackets or direction to website…pita!
Cannot get it to work on Win-7 (64 bit) no mater what I do. App installed, camera sees code but never get a beep, webpage or red brackets. PITA!
Thank you so much for creating this. Can you create an AIR app for Microsoft Tags or NFC?
Thanks worked well with my laptop
not working on my mac, it just doesn’t read the code (or recognize that there is something there)
Great ideas ,.it is really very useful. It not only makes our life more convenient, but also improves our life quality greatly. but i think You can have more information about it to improve yours on “onbarcode” website.
it scanned but now i dont know what im suppose to do with the link it gave me..im confused
Like it. Thanks, i`ve been wondering why if they are too many for phones don`t have one for computers?
unfortunately not working on my mac, it just doesn’t read the code (or recognize that there is something there)