Where was that QR code scanned?

Knowing when and where a QR code is scanned can be valuable information for marketing professionals. Because QR codes are mostly scanned by mobile and smartphones of which most have GPS (Global Positioning System) on board, It could be interacting to request this geographic location information from the device that scanned the code to determine the location and time the scan was made.

Putting Geolocation of a QR code scan to the test

Below are two QR codes, one for the iPhone/iPad(click on it) and the other for Android mobile devices. Scan the code to see how it determines your geographic position.

The result on an Samsung Android system	The results from an iPhone

 How geo-location works

The iPhone geolocator uses new HTML5 features to ask for the co-ordinates. Unfortunately Android (froyo) in combination with the Samsung Galaxy S's standard browser does not seem to support this, so here we went back to Google Gears which did the trick, but the accuracy leaves a lot to be desired.

The technology used in the two test cases above is openly and freely available on the Internet, so if you have QR codes in newspapers, magazines or on materials that move around a lot and you want insight into where these QR codes are being scanned. These systems may be helpful in providing you with the geographic information you need. If you want to integrate geolocation with your QR codes and need assistance, please contact us.

Mobilizing your LinkedIn profile with the social media QR code generator form QR4.

A popular trend is to use QR codes with social media and after the Twitter and Facebook QR code generators, The LinkedIn OR code was bound to happen sooner or later. And here it is. You can use it as a mobile scanable hyperlink button on websites and blogs allowing easy access to your profile via this QR code button.

Making a LinkedIn QR code button

To create your own personal QR code, click on the image above and then in another browser window go to your profile page on LinkedIn and copy and paste the URL into the 'LinkedIn profile path' text box. Currently user profile pages start with (in this case for the Netherlands) 'https//nl.linkedin.com/in/ + username'.

Type in your name or company name in the 'Title' field and press the 'generate QR code' button. Copy the image to your computer and you now have you own multi-purpose LinkedIn profile button.

So you want a QR code generator for your website too!

Well that should not be a problem. In two easy steps you can have a QR code generator for your website and also use it in other applications. This QR code API is driven by simple HTTP web requests (URLs) and returns a ready to use QR code image. A sample of how to create dynamic QR codes in your website is included.

The QR code API is located at https//www.qr4.nl/Gen.aspx

Step1: Get a QR code API key

QR4 offers free API access keys, all you have to do is ask for one to be sent to your email address. You can request a QR code API key here.

Besides requesting an API key, this page also shows you a working sample of how easy it is to create dynamic variable QR codes for your web pages using Java script. In the example the URL of the current web page is determined and used as content to create a QR code. You can also attach it to a database to generate QR codes with references to products or links to product pages. After you fill in and send the request you receive the API key via email.

The email contains your API key and it also has a test URL so you can test your key immediately to confirm the QR code generator is responding.

Step2: Making your own QR codes with the API

It's as simple as making a web request like typing in a URL, and you get a QR code image back from the service.

How it works 

The QR code generator is behind https//www.qr4.nl/Gen.aspx and accepts commands or instructions in the form of parameters. Two parameters are always needed, these are key and type, where the key is the information you received in the email, the type determines what type of QR code you want. At present four types of QR codes are supported:

1. Text
2. Direct call
3. SMS messages
4. Direct Wifi access (for Android devices)

Depending on user requests other QR code types may be added, so keep an eye on the API page for up-to-date specifications on all the new options that become available. The main page of the API is pretty clear on how to format a request for a QR code, but becareful to check what is returned. An incorrect key or wrong parameter will return HTML and not image information, this can also be used to check whether your request is valid.

A working example of the QR Code API in action

An example of how to request a text message QR code from the API showing the complete request and allowing you to determine the message via a standard input text box.

https//www.qr4.nl/Gen.aspx?key=testkey&type=text&cont=

The code to make this possible is a line or two of java script you can copy and paste into your own website. It uses one text box and an image, but there is nothing stopping you to expand on this and offer more features of the QR code API in your site.

<script type="text/javascript">// <![CDATA[
        function getQR(img) {
            img.src = "https//www.qr4.nl/Gen.aspx?key=testkey&type=text&cont=" +
 document.getElementById('myText').value;
        }
// ]]></script>

You need to replace the 'testkey' in the request above with a valid API key and you can then allow your websites, blogs and even desktop applications and mobile devices that have Internet access to become QR code generators.

A functional demo of a QR code name tag generator.

Name Tag QR Code Generator

Using an Excel spreadsheet as data source it generates vCard QR codes and using them makes printable and scannable name tags.

These are ideal for use at conferences, congresses, symposions and other events where people get together. The fun part is that the QR code can be used to register attendance and after that can be used to exchange contact information by scanning the QR code with a mobile device or smartphone.

The same type of QR code automation can be used to make business cards, direct mail campaigns, customer loyalty service, and more.

The free online QR Code name tag generator will generate ten name tags of 90mm by 55mm on an A4 sheet as downloadable and printable PDF file. Download the Excel file and replace the demo data with your own data, then upload it to the generator and get your own QR code name tags.

Ideal to use for your next social gathering, allowing guests to exchange their contact information directly via mobile phone easily.

Abandoned QR code attempts

Funny how social media and other channels of information appear to be 'in the know' and educating and broadcasting information about what is happening and what appears to be the latest truth. My parents taught me at an early age not to believe everything I read and to challenge and question what I didn't trust or beleive at face value.

The incomprehention and misunderstanding is only enhanced by headlines like:

QR Codes: Goodbye and Good Riddance, tweets on twitter like "QR codes a failure..told you so" and also "QR codes R.I.P.".

When it is only about Google stopping the use of QR codes for their 'Places" service. Why? Because it was not used, did not work and cost more than it delivered. Speculation is on NFC (Near Field Communication) for Google Places, which my Samsung already has, but I have yet to see any service make use of this feature today.

Another QR Code attempt dumped (or so it seems) so add this one to the list as well...

See: Monthly Archives = 2008 !? They did not bother to complete their web site and gave up completely leaving the site up and running in a pre 1990 mode, not even putting up a dreaded 'under construction' notice.

Lesson to be learned

QR codes the consumers will determine if they take the trouble to scan 2D codes or not, not marketing departments nor advertising agencies. You can dream up and implement the ultimate QR code driven solution, but if the consumers are not interested, it will fail, at your expence.

Anti QR code articles, as mentioen above, clearly indicate an irritantion factor concerning QR codes. This is probably caused by the poor and incorrect use and implementation of these 2D codes in public media. It is a clear warning that if done incrrectly it will not help you achive what your goal was, but exactly the opposite.

Recommendations

QR codes are like tools used by craftsmen who know how to use it well in their trade. Because this technology is open for use by anyone, it is also open for missuse and abuse. It is always advisable to first do research before using QR codes in public campaigns if their is no prior experience or knowledge of QR codes avaiable. Alternatively if speed to market and success are important, consult QR code specilists, it really is worth every penny at the end of the day. When wanting to use QR codes, ask yourself the following: Is it the right tool? Is it used for the right reason? Is it used at the right time? Is it the right place?