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October 24, 2005
Mobile and Barcodes: Part 1
I had a discussion today with someone from a local mobile content company about the possibilities of reading barcodes from a mobile display. We're not talking 2D QR codes here, I just mean reagular old barcodes. Is it possible to scan one from the display of a mobile device? Any one want to place a bet?
I played around with this a few years ago, but don't think the results represent todays phones, so I am going to load up a few different feature phones with a barcode today, hit em with a scanner and see what the results are.
Stayed tuned.
Posted by David Adams at October 24, 2005 12:51 PM
Comments
I don't know if you are aware of 2D barcodes in Japan. Mobiles and their cameras are used all the time to read them and display information on the mobile screen.
They're unfortunately quite slow so they're not overwhelmingly popular. Though the technology is quite widespread. I have a 2D barcode on my Japanese visa in my passport, that I can read with my sister's Japanese (Voda)phone.
Posted by: Kai Hendry at October 26, 2005 11:36 PM
Yes, it is possible. But you need specialised scanners, since the screens reflect to much. Here in the Netherlands, at least one company uses it for mobile tickets.
http://www.beep.nl/beep/generic2.jsp?node=info
(altho they do use 2d barcodes).
Posted by: PanMan at October 27, 2005 03:01 AM
I'd be interested in the results. There are several companies claiming to do this but I'm still not convinced. Can't see someone handing over their cell phone to the aged shop assistant at the grocery store and having them figure out how to make the backlight come back on so they can scan the barcode etc. In the UK the Orange mobile network does a weekly text-in-and-get-a-PIN-code for free cinema tickets - these are redeemed by you reading out the PIN and the guy behind the counter typing it into a GPRS-enabled handset which checks it. That's the nearest I've seen to a usable mobile voucher system.
Posted by: Chaz at October 27, 2005 02:23 PM
http://www.mobiqa.com/ seems like another interesting one (courtesy http://theponderingprimate.blogspot.com)
Let us know what happens.
Posted by: Dorian at October 31, 2005 03:30 PM