Mobile Tagging - a Link Between the Offline World and the Internet
Already widespread in Japan, mobile tagging is set to make the jump to Europe as a link between physical world objects and online content. The concept was developed in 2003 and it typically involves a two-dimensional barcode, a camera phone, and a webpage created specifically for mobile phone.
What is Mobile Tagging?
Mobile tagging is the process of providing data on mobile devices, commonly through the use of data (such as a URL) encoded in a two-dimensional barcode. From your mobile phone, simply snap or scan the two-dimensional code anywhere you see it - in editorials, advertisements, product packaging and signs. The reader software on you device then causes the phone's browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL giving you instant access to websites, videos, reviews, schedules, contact information and more.
The barcode
Densos' QR Code (Quick-Response Code) is currently the most popular 2D barcode in Asia and it is ISO-standardized. Most current Japanese mobile phones can read QR codes with their camera. For reading out 2d-barcodes it is essential to install specific software, a reader, on the mobile device.
Which items can be encoded?
Using dedicated software you can encode different type of information:
- Internet links
- Text messages
- Business cards
- SMS
There are many free QR code generators that can be found on the Internet.
The Reader
The reader uses the camera of a mobile phone for the mobile tagging process and is available free for downloading for non commercial use.
Applications of Mobile Tagging
Commercial Tagging
Commercial tagging includes the use of multi-dimensional barcodes, especially in the fields of mobile marketing and advertising. Barcodes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, business cards, etc. The codes can be used for additional information about a product (e.g. nutrition facts on food), direct downloads (e. g. free ringtones, clips or mobile games) and the direct link to the website of a company.
Public Tagging
In terms of public tagging, barcodes serve as a hyperlink to additional information on public information carriers. This information may include maps, customer reviews or other non-commercial advice.
Private Tagging
Two-dimensional barcodes can be used for example for saving data automatically in the contact list of mobile phones by scanning a code printed on business cards.
What is Mobile Tagging?
Mobile tagging is the process of providing data on mobile devices, commonly through the use of data (such as a URL) encoded in a two-dimensional barcode. From your mobile phone, simply snap or scan the two-dimensional code anywhere you see it - in editorials, advertisements, product packaging and signs. The reader software on you device then causes the phone's browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL giving you instant access to websites, videos, reviews, schedules, contact information and more.
The barcode
Densos' QR Code (Quick-Response Code) is currently the most popular 2D barcode in Asia and it is ISO-standardized. Most current Japanese mobile phones can read QR codes with their camera. For reading out 2d-barcodes it is essential to install specific software, a reader, on the mobile device.
Which items can be encoded?
Using dedicated software you can encode different type of information:
- Internet links
- Text messages
- Business cards
- SMS
There are many free QR code generators that can be found on the Internet.
The Reader
The reader uses the camera of a mobile phone for the mobile tagging process and is available free for downloading for non commercial use.
Applications of Mobile Tagging
Commercial Tagging
Commercial tagging includes the use of multi-dimensional barcodes, especially in the fields of mobile marketing and advertising. Barcodes storing addresses and URLs may appear in magazines, on signs, business cards, etc. The codes can be used for additional information about a product (e.g. nutrition facts on food), direct downloads (e. g. free ringtones, clips or mobile games) and the direct link to the website of a company.
Public Tagging
In terms of public tagging, barcodes serve as a hyperlink to additional information on public information carriers. This information may include maps, customer reviews or other non-commercial advice.
Private Tagging
Two-dimensional barcodes can be used for example for saving data automatically in the contact list of mobile phones by scanning a code printed on business cards.
