Mobile Barcode Basics
A mobile operator employee at Web 2.0 said that he was flooded with barcode information. Here is an overview.
Semacodes, shotcodes, QR codes, barcodes and data matrix mobile coupons are set to change the way content and advertising are distributed and accessed on the mobile device.
Barcodes work by users taking pictures of barcodes, which appear on several forms of mobile advertising from posters to soft drink cans, with their camera phones to gain instant access to the WAP page or URL.
Types of Code
| Type of Code | Description |
| Semacode | Semacode software uses a “tag” barcode model. Tags are captured by the mobile phone and decoded to reveal the web address. This is an open system and software development kit (SDK) tools are available free of charge for non-commercial use. |
| Shotcode | The shotcode is a circular barcode that is often described as “bullseye” coding because the technology reads the data bits from the data in the circles surrounding it. Shotcodes do not store data, rather they are connected to a server where the information or mapped URL is stored. |
| QR Code | QR codes are popular in Japan and have the backing of industry heavyweight NTT DoCoMo. A QR Code is a “quick response” code to indicate that data is decoded at high speed. The issue with QR codes is that they store URLs. URL’s could be hacked. This hasn’t been the case in Japan (perhaps a more honest society), but is a worry in Europe and US where hacking QR codes represents a huge potential risk. |
| Data Matrix | A data matrix is a two dimensional barcode showing black and white square or rectangular patterns. Its size can vary up to 2kb, storing as many as 2,335 alphanumeric characters. The size of the data matrix is a concern because the larger the content, the more it costs the consumer to download. |
| Barcode | A barcode uses dark ink on a white surface where lines of varying size hold the data. They are read by machine. |
Current market concerns with barcodes
Barcodes are giving birth to a number of new business models and ideas. Many of them are proprietary. They have their own standards and use their own barcode readers, which have to be downloaded to provide access. Therefore, users who have a barcode reader installed on their phone still might not be able to read or access all barcodes. This creates a messy user experience and confusion in the marketplace.
To avoid continued fragmentation of the barcode market there have been calls to establish de facto standards for mobile barcodes.
| For standardisation | Against standardisation |
| Dozens of barcodes now exist. If they are not standardised, users will have to download a different reader for each different service, which is time consuming and frustrating, and will inhibit usage. | Many companies have invested greatly to create their own readers and services, yet if their model is not chosen as THE model, they could lose their entire business. |
| One reader needs to be available on all devices that enables consumers to read ALL barcodes, not this or that type. | Mobile operators are fans of walled gardens and want to develop services for their users only as a means to attract and keep customers.
Basically, if consumers want to use barcodes then they need to stick with the mobile operator that offers the service and has a special promotion etc. |
| Security is an issue; some barcode readers are less secure than others and could engender spam and hacking. | Security is a major reason why barcodes should remain proprietary. The codes and services can then be governed by the mobile operator. |
Patent wars
The non-standardised barcode market has already given rise to patent wars over a standard mobile reader. The market leaders have stronger arms than the others and naturally are exploiting their advantage, but most patent wars could be resolved through standardisation. One reader should meet all needs and be free to consumers.
(Important. Several articles that GoMo News has written have appeared in other blogs without a link back to the source. I am flattered that people like what I write, but its just not fair not to link back - please save me the embarrasment of having to contact you and please link to GoMo News)
Related News:
4 Responses to “Mobile Barcode Basics”
[…] A Blog About Articles,Webmaster News,IT News,Mobiles,Computers,Auto,General, SMS, Free Downloads wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptA mobile operator employee at Web 2.0 said that he was flooded with barcode information. Here is an overview. SHARETHIS.addEntry({ title: “Mobile Barcode Basics”, url: “http://www.gomonews.com/mobile-barcode-basics/” }); Get Edgy […]
Comment made on March 13th, 2008 at 1:25 amRegarding patent wars:
In the following interview, Scanbuy’s CEO Jonathan Bulkeley opening admits to infringing on NEOM’s patented process.
http://www.regardingid.com/audio/episode7_030608.mp3
Jonathan Bulkeley: “Everything is on the server. So the code is just an index which goes to the server.”
Scanbuy uses the indirect encoding method for their barcode resolution process.
Indirect encoding (patented by NeoMedia) is the process of linking the target information to an index (364528 for example) and putting that unique identifier into a 1D or 2D barcode. The code reader on the mobile phone reads the barcode and sends the code data over the Internet to a central resolution server that will tell the mobile phone what action is associated with the index, i.e. access a URL, download media, initiate a phone call, ect.
Comment made on March 13th, 2008 at 12:12 pmWow, you caught them. I am sure they will now just write you a check for millions of dollars. This clearly shows they are infringing.
Moronic.
Comment made on March 13th, 2008 at 6:50 pmScanbuy’s CEO Jonathan Bulkeley said it … Not me
You are right, Scanbuy is pretty moronic for infringing on NeoMedia’s IP.
What happens when NeoMedia’s patent (The one Scanbuy elicited the EFF’s help to challenge) is upheld by the USPTO this year? … And what happens when NeoMedia seeks a permanent court ruling enjoining Scanbuy from ever infringing on NeoMedia’s patented process?
Food for thought.
Comment made on March 13th, 2008 at 7:55 pmLeave a Comment