Bitcoin Forum

edit 2014-03-21: a variant of the original version (public domain)   links to bitcoin.org

http://blockchained.com/stuff/bitcoin_qr-code.png


edit 2013-03-30: New download link. License changed to public domain.

edit 2012-07-20: if you sell these let me know and I will put up a link here (got a request for stickers)

edit 2012-03-22 (copied from down the thread):

http://blockchained.com/stuff/weusecoins_x-qr_low_res.png

a new bitcoin design QR code linking to http://weusecoins.com

high res versions:
http://blockchained.com/stuff/weusecoins_x-qr.png  (orange should not get brighter!)
b/w: http://blockchained.com/stuff/weusecoins_x-qr_bw.png

released as cc-by-sa public domain. Do whatever you want with it.


---------------

This code was among the hardest QR codes I have done so far and took quite a while to make, so I would not mind if someone would like do donate: 1fTb8zZHPypnW7QbjW5uTrnVbv64SjBn1

Hope to see them on stickers everywhere.

---------edit------------
if someone makes a sticker or otherwise prints this code be very carefull that the orange does not get lighter and test (prototypes) well.

http://ma.eatgold.com/btc/qr-sticker.png

i wondered about what the OP said and so I created a bitcoin regular design qr code. it links to bitcoin.org.

I release it into the public domain
(In case your jurisdiction does not know the concept of "public domain", i hereby license you to do anything you want with it.)

It is based on bitboys design. I slightly modified it and made the B-sign a little bigger so it is well readable.

This code was as easy as all the other QR codes I have done so far and took me a whole 3 minutes to make, so I would not mind if someone would like do donate: 1Bo3Nqu1rKWvDzHmZJ7GD2BGnsg6YoqzPr

Hope to see them on stickers everywhere.

Edit: VECTOR VERSION at http://ma.eatgold.com/btc/qr-sticker.pdf (http://ma.eatgold.com/btc/qr-sticker.pdf) [PDF, 14kb]

Pretty!


Less pretty.

Interesting. The "extreme" barcode scanned instantly, while most QR codes seem to take a couple of seconds. Using Barcode Scanner for Android.

This needs to go on a billboard... how much do billboard's cost? =)

I'm unable to successfully scan Phelix's QR code.  Marcusaurelius's is scanned perfectly.

Using Barcode Scanner v3.6 on a Nexus One.

Eh? I can't make it NOT scan the code.

I scanned the OP code perfectly on my iPhone with RedLaser

Cyanogenmod 7, Barcode Scanner 3.6.  Scans instantly.

Well done, phelix.  I didn't know you could get rid of half the timing info like that, and it looks amazing.

Google Goggles scans Phelix's fine for me.  It's still unable to be scanned with Barcode Scanner for some reason though.  Odd.

Both scanned successfully for me in 1 sec or less (Barcode Scanner for Android).

Just to add then that both scan in the same amount of time (instant) for me on a Sony Ericsson Arc using NeoReader.

Very nice job, phelix!

barcode scanner seems to have a problem with the orange. it is close to the edge between white/black.

if someone makes a sticker or otherwise prints my code be very carefull that the orange does not get lighter and test (prototypes) well.

Very nice QR code! However, I hated that little square, so I changed it to dots. Probably a violation of QR design, but still readable with my CodeUp mobile phone SW!

https://i.imgur.com/H9IVB.png

BTW, do you have the original image in vector format (or bitmap with higher DPI?)

I would not recommend to modify that positioning marker as it is a very sensitive part of the code and may cause trouble with some readers (though I checked a couple and it worked fine). Also I am very used to the look of it.

There is no vector format of the whole code. I could create a higher resolution bitmap but only if it was really really necessay because you wanted to print it very big - like put it on a whole building or something =)

for those who want to print it on a billboard, i put up a vector version:

http://ma.eatgold.com/btc/qr-sticker.pdf (http://ma.eatgold.com/btc/qr-sticker.pdf) [PDF, 14kb]

Ok I had a little time and the stuff to put this together:

https://i.imgur.com/0DYFx.jpg

Stickers are 2"x2" and come in sheets of 16.  I can sell a sheet for the btc equivalent of 1.50usd shipped to anywhere in the US.  I'll also take Mt. Gox, Dwolla, or nmc.  If you want one of the other versions I can probably make them too.  PM me if you're interested.

Thanks!

I assume the image you posted is a low resolution copy of the original high resolution file used for printing the stickers?  :o

Correct.  Sorry for not making that clear. 

Too bad this is released as non-commercial, how can anyone put it on stickers, shirts etc?  They would have to give them away for free?   No incentive to do so.  Can someone make a similiar but original work and release it public domain?  I like the one marcusaurelius did in this thread as pub domain but I prefer the 'dots' in the OP's image

Depends on how you (and phelix) reads the license. I read it as you're not allowed to use the QR-code itself for commercial gain, but if it's just part something else and that something else is what has the value you're charging for I don't see how that would be against the license.

E.g. white t-shirt without QR-code $10 and with QR-code $20 wouldn't be ok. Print t-shirt without QR-code $20 and with QR-code $20 would be.

Other opinions? I admit to being a huge fan of CC licenses and the topic of what constitutes NC or non-NC comes up regularly among us who use it.

http://wiki.creativecommons.org/Defining_Noncommercial

Especially this comment from Lessig himself should be relevant to this case: http://blogoscoped.com/archive/2008-02-07-n77.html

(The best thing would of course be for phelix to add his intentions to the OP)

I like this interpretation, now what if I sell a $20 t-shirt with the QR code, and a blank shirt of the same price, but I don't advertise or list this theoretical $20 shirt without the QR code on my site, but agree to sell the blank shirt at the same price if someone requested it?




yes, please.

Creative Commons is a child of the attribution economy spearheaded amongst others by the Open Source community. (Some of Lessig's better known books are a good read on that subject). Attribution and OSS licenses are closely related to intention, as can be seen when someone slips up on an Open Source license violation. If it wasn't by intention, the community is fine with it. If it was intentionally, hell breaks loose.

So. If your intention is to just sell phelix' QR-code on an otherwise blank t-shirt, and that is your business idea, my opinion would be that you would be in violation of the CC license.

If your business is in selling something else and the QR-code is just added to advertise or to explain Bitcoin, I'd consider that to be ok.

(IANAL, but they do ask me for CC and OSS license explanations)

this image crashed zxing's barcode scanner for android :D

it was seeing markers everywhere and couldn't figure out what to read.

check these out, I'd love to see a bitcoin QR code like these

http://qrarts.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/IPA-qrcode-qrarts_2.png







http://9.mshcdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/630QR-Code2.jpg







http://qrazystuff.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/optiscan-alien.jpg







http://qrazystuff.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/apple_qr2_fun.jpg







http://qrazystuff.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/mj-copy.png

zxing's android scanner couldn't read #1 or #4.

#5 goes to http://qrlicious.com which i'm now going to visit...

FWIW my android phone w/ barcode scanner reads them all.  It helps to hold it back a couple feet from the monitor so the QR code doesn't take up much of the barcode scanner screen, you want the details to sort of blur together

yeah that's what i thought too... but the problem is zxing then gets confused by markers that are in the adjacent QR codes.

edit: finally did get it to read all of them eventually.

Dam, that was intense.

That is the way I felt, so I used the work made by marcusaurelius for all of my products.  I gave away a few hundred of them at the BitCoin NYC conference as well as sold a good number and they got out there!

The NC attribution on the OP's work precluded me from selling it at any price unless it was very clear that I made zero profit on it. 

I like the op's orignal QR if he could provide one suitable for the posters i'm printing linking to we use coins i'd greatly apprecate it

You should be able to change the large squares to dots also.  I think the lack of timing dots is what is causing the biggest problems.  QRdroid finds the squares but then gives up.

I am working on a new code with some readability and style improvements. Will release a version linking to weusecoins.com

Would you prefer a CC-BY-SA license? With a small and light 90° rotated URL on the right side?

you really should not change the position markers dots. some scanners just can not cope with it.

I would not be able to put any attribution on a sticker, it would not fit, or would be to small to read.  I do give attribution on my store to the creator

"Design by marcusaurelius on the bitcointalk.org forum. " even though none is required by it being put in the public domain.  

I would be interested in printing some stuff that links to weusecoins.com

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/

So what is not clear to me.  If I am using an item that is under the  very open license CC BY, and I am going to PRINT a sticker of it....
How do I give attribution?  Does anything need to be on the sticker?   Or are these licenses really not designed for anything outside of the web and do not make sense in world of physical printing?

maybe you can print a little attribution note with your inkjet and stick it in the package with the stickers

The difference between CC and Public Domain. Your creativity when it comes to giving the license-required attribution doesn't in any way affect the product's license status.

I'll update the posters with that later today, should i interpet that liscense to mean if i offer sticker sheets with that code for a cost level fee that's accepable?

cc-by-sa is not restricted to non-commercial use. as long as you give credit you can ask whatever price you like.

of course it has to be in bitcoins. ;)

Good to know, and damnit it i wanted cosby coins i'm out of jello

If I print them 2"x2" in 600dpi from the highrez color file, would you consider that readable?

I just sent him with a pdf linked to verify it himself but that text is completly illegible at that size(roughly the size on the posters i've been printing) he needs to darken it and increase 2-3 times what it is for it to be legible at 2x2

ok I darkened the signature. also it was off by one pixel in the color version which hurt scaling.

I recommend scaling by whole numbers. This helps keep up the QR code readability.

Optimum reduced sizes are: 396x396, 792x792

396x396 (displayed in the post) @300 dpi --> 1.320" on the paper including white boarder --> signature still crisp and readable on high quality print (e.g. Laser) --> ok

if you want to go with other (small) sizes/resolutions you will probably have to rewrite the signature.


if in doubt - go bother someone if he/she can read it.    ;)

You know what would be cool? A version of a QR code that gives a message when scanned. Something along the lines of "Greetings! You've discovered bitcoin! Bitcoin is an anonymous digital currency that enables instant payments to anyone. Learn more at http://www.blahblahblah.blah"

If there were stickers with the bitcoin logo and this information placed on the walls in major cities around the world, I think it would drive greater engagement for a message to actually appear to the interested party's mobile. If we get out there and place enough in clubs and busy places, this could virally become massive.

Just my two btc.....

that's a lot of data...

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=300x300&chl=Greetings!%20You've%20discovered%20bitcoin!%20Bitcoin%20is%20an%20anonymous%20digital%20currency%20that%20enables%20instant%20payments%20to%20anyone.%20Learn%20more%20at%20http://www.blahblahblah.blah

I have a Wasp handheld laser barcode scanner WDI4500 (USB keyboard emulator) and it can't read the "fancy" version with the bitcoin logo artwork in the middle no matter how hard I try (even printed on paper).

This scanner can otherwise quickly read any normal 2D code without any hesitation, including off my screen.

well.. the code might be slightly out of spec. it should work with the popular readers for android and iphone, though.

Who is Ann?

she's the one that makes all the announcements on this forum.

She's a very hard-working lady, good job for her!!

Does that actually work!?

sure does

yeah if you look at the code you'll see i generated it via a Google API (the same API that i use in the background for links like http://payb.tc/donate/qr):


if you don't have an app on your phone, you can easily decode them here:

http://zxing.org/w/decode.jspx

How do "normal people" scan these QR codes into their computer?  I keep seeing requests for QR codes, for example, many people would prefer these over printed numbers for bitcoin private keys on my coins.  But I don't understand how they're any easier than typing them.

Sure, everyone's got a smartphone that can read them.  But unless they're going to somehow use their cell phone to do the import, they're going to have to just type them in anyway.

Is there a popular QR code reader for webcams that everyone is using but that I just don't know about?  If you had a private key in the form of a QR code, how would you get that code into your computer without having to type it?

I paid $400 for a handheld laser reader (USB), and of course it makes QR codes very convenient, but somehow I highly doubt this is what most people are doing.

for most things i would upload it to the link i posted above, however for a private key, i might instead try to find some offline reader.

you might find what you need here (http://lmgtfy.com/?q=qr+code+reader+without+smartphone)

Oh cool! I scanned it and it worked instantly. I thought you meant though the it READS the message to you. THAT would be cool. I'm sure there's some site out there that'd do that  XD

I checked that link but didn't find it. Thanks anyway, friend :)

one of the links on google was this one, which puports to read QR codes without a smartphone or webcam :
http://www.nirmaltv.com/2011/01/27/scan-and-read-qrcodes-with-onbarcode/

I can't vouch for this app though, so try at your own risk

if you sell these qr codes let me know and I will put up a link here (got a request for stickers)

You want to own the entire billboard or just advertise on one? I couldn't resist, for you seldom make a faux pas (theymos adds one post count to my account each time I use a French word or phrase).

There's a way to get this image seen billboard-style on the cheap, and located on a major thoroughfare. Simply take a page from the Bloch Brothers' (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloch_Brothers_Tobacco_Company) handbook.

~Bruno~

EDIT: I need a quick reply. Does the following image work? Feel free to PM me so that I don't miss the answer.

http://qrazystuff.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/optiscan-alien.jpg

EIDT: Nevermind! I found its source. I'm excited about this image, hence a new thread's in the works, to be located in off-topic.

I am interested in buying a sheet of the stickers if anyone has any to sell.

great info.  will add it to my bitcoin at http://www.vnbitcoin.org