China Mobile announced recently plans to launch QR code, a new two-dimensional (2D) symbology for convenient data capture using mobile handsets.
The announcement follows the launch of DM code earlier this month. Inspiry is the developer of QR code used in China Mobile's service. Compared with the DM code, the QR code has higher capacity of information storage. Originally the QR code could only be read with special scanners that have the enlargement function. Now with the improvement of technology, the QR code can be also read by the camera on mobile handsets.
The trial of QR code in 13 provinces of China is now complete. China Mobile plans to launch the service nation-wide in September 2006.
In August 2006, China Mobile partnered with Gmedia Corp (Gmedia) to offer DM Code, a 2D code that can be printed on newspapers, magazines, posters, packaging and business cards. When mobile subscribers take a picture of the code with their camera handsets, they will be directed to the associated WAP website to download information, such as company profile, product info, images, music clips and coupons.
Unlike the bar code that contains data in one direction only, the 2D code contains information in both the vertical and horizontal directions. A 2D code holds a considerably greater volume of information than a bar code.
The QR code has similar functions as the DM code. The QR code technology was originally created by the Japanese company Denso Corporation. Now it has become an international standard, based on which we developed the code making applications.The QR code can be generated through a user-end software application downloaded to the user's PC, or through Inspiry's online code maker at its website www.inspiry.com.cn.
For example, the user can input his or her contact information into the software to create the QR code. The QR code can then be saved and printed on the user's business card. People who have QR code identification software can “scan” the code using their camera phones and easily store the associated information in their phones.
The identification software is already embedded in 5 handsets offered by Nokia, Lenovo, Dopod, NEC and ZTE. The software can also be downloaded through China Mobile's Monternet platform. The QR code, which can also be generated to store short messages, emails, and WAP site addresses, will be offered to China obile's service providers (SP) in their marketing and value-added services.
In addition to the mobile handsets, special scanning devices or the webcam connected with computers can also scan the QR code.
Source:佚名