QR-Codes in Japan (www.treehugger.com)

Anzeige Mini mit QR-Tag

Studentin an Hinweistafel (observer.case.edu)

QR-Tags: Bar codes not just for groceries anymore

QR Tags auf dem Vormarsch - oder was haben ein Projekt an der Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland und die neue MINI Werbeanzeigen gemeinsam?

Internetadressen vom Plakatabtippen und zuhause am PC oder Laptop ansehen gehört bald der Vergangenheit an, betrachtet man den schnellen Wandel im Bereich Mobil-Computing.

In Zukunft werden solche Informationen über sogenannten QR-Tags (verschlüsselte URLs) kommuniziert. Dazu zückt man einfach sein Fotohandy (mit entsprechendem QR-Code-Reader), fotografiert den QR-Tag und schon bekommt man über die Informationen auf sein Handy. Seit Kurzem ist auch die neue MINI-Anzeigenkampagne mit einem entsprechenden Code versehen.

Der Trend kommt übrigens nicht aus den USA, sondern aus Japan. Dort werden seit 2001 Lebensmittel mit einem solchen Code versehen (www.treehugger.com).

Seit diesem Jahr werden die Kleinen Tags auch an der Case Western Reserve University eingesetzt - als Informationswegweiser.

"Trying to decide between Leutner and Fribley for your lunchtime hangout? Want to know if it's worth waiting at the Greenie stop or if you should just start walking? If you've got a camera phone with Internet access, these decisions have just become a whole lot easier.

A group of Masters of Engineering Management (MEM) students is working to implement a 2D bar code system on campus this semester. This trial is the first of its kind in the nation; Case was chosen to host the trial due to its tech-savvy nature and its distribution of undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff, according to Leigh Ann Barnes, Case 2D code beta trial coordinator.

These bar codes can be read by almost any phone with a camera and the ability to access the Internet using a program called ScanLife. ScanLife turns the average cell phone into a bar code reader that works as easily as the self-checkout lanes at Giant Eagle.

Freshmen will recognize the codes from orientation, where they were used to supplement the scavenger hunts. Scanning the code at each location linked students to the office or program's website.

Case-based codes can currently be found around campus Greenie stops and in the dining halls on table tents. Scanning the Greenie code will direct to the NextBus "wobsite," a website modified for use on cell phones, listing the next scheduled shuttles. Bon Appétit's codes will return a site listing the menus for each dining hall.

The MEM group hopes to increase the use of codes by various groups on and around campus throughout the semester. UPB plans to create codes for their Springfest ads that will link to a schedule of events and bands, and used them at their Battle of the Bands Wednesday night as an additional way to vote for the winner. Student groups could use the technology to link their fliers to websites and videos promoting their events, according to Ben Rose, a member of the MEM team.

Students using the ScanLife program need to sign up for the service at www.mobilediscovery.com using a valid Case e-mail address. The MobileDiscovery website keeps track of scan history for the user's phone as well as the most popular scans overall.

Users can also use the site to create codes for personal use. Linking a code to a website allows the creator to find out who is accessing their site and how often, useful for local businesses to tailor advertising or content.

The bar code technology is already in use in Japan, where codes appear on anything from produce to buildings to fast food. One Japanese woman even tattooed a code on herself that could be scanned to access her profile page, according to team member Nsi Obotetukudo.

Alltel, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon are all participating in this trial, and phones from some other services can be used as well. Charges for using data service vary from provider to provider - checking on the Greenie schedule can cost anywhere from 2 cents per look to a few dollars for a month of unlimited data transfer. Larger files connected to bar codes could cost a lot more depending on their size.

The possibilities for this technology are endless, according to Obotetukudo. "Text messaging was the first wave," he said. "At first people were skeptical, but now everyone incorporates text messaging." Facebook and other social networking sites had similar beginnings; MobileDiscovery is looking to provide another, similar medium.

The MEM team has high hopes for the bar code program. "It will go somewhere, and go somewhere soon," said team member Saira Mahmood."

Quelle: observer.case.edu