Direct Method VS Indirect Method of linking QR Codes to the Web

Point and shoot your camera phone at a mobile code to connect directly to a website, view a message or get a phone number ready for dialing. QR Barcodes will be the new bread and butter of the mobile marketing world shortly. All you need is a code reader for your camera phone and you are in on the fun.

The following information will outline Direct Method verses the Indirect Method of linking QR Codes to the Web.

Indirect Method:

3 STEP PROCESS

1. Assign end destination to code or object. Where you ultimately want to end up when you scan the barcode.

2. Photo invokes browser on mobile device

3. Sends user to assigned destination

Direct Method:

5 STEP PROCESS

1. Assign web site to code or object (much like the one you see to the left of this post), the embedded URL is skuyou.com

2. Browser will be invoked and directed to skuyou.com landing page depicting client’s branded information

3. The landing page featuring branded client information requires an active decision (‘Click here to continue’)

This bypasses the patent

4. After redirection command is clicked we look up that database number assigned to the code and direct the user to the end destination

5. The user arrives at the end destination

e.g. http://www.theg-stop.com/homepage/

For more information on this topic, post your comments and we will be sure to get back to with a response.

QR Codes in Action

Now movie goers can get on-the spot access to the trailer for the sci-fi thriller The Fourth Kind as soon as they see the poster.

The movie was released on Nov. 6, 2009 and in Canada enjoys the benefits of a promotional poster featuring a QR Code on the bottom right corner. The distinctive code enables casual onlookers who are smart-phone equipped to view the movie trailer on-the-spot or conveniently save it for later viewing.

Movie fans photograph the code with their smart phone (Typically an IPhone or a Blackberry) which in turn activates the mobile browser in the phone and links to a film-branded landing page with a "continue" link. If "yes" is selected, the browser is directed to the film trailer.

The QR Codes were placed on movie posters 3 days prior to release of the film, since that time they have acquired over 7000 hits and counting. The intention is to create instant engagement when the poster is first viewed by the user. As knowledge of QR Codes spreads virally among movie goers, the application becomes more and more appealing both to fans and movie distributors. So much so that QR Codes will be continued with subsequent Maple Pictures releases in 2010.

This is the second time Maple has integrated QR codes into its advertising - the first was with the Oct. 30 film More Than a Game - and its inclusion gives their film's marketing a unique Canadian spin, according to Joanna Miles, director, marketing, Maple Pictures. "This title was perfect," Miles said of The Fourth Kind. "QR codes are geared towards males 18 to 34 and teens, they are among the biggest users of text, mobile phones, and we thought this was a way we can make it more interesting for them to see the trailer. It's a sci-fi, alien-abduction film, and that's perfect for that age group and it really lends itself to that technology."

Now that the technology is in place, the distributor hopes to increase its brand partnership opportunities through QR code-activated contests, in which users could scan the code to enter, with sponsorship of the code-activated landing page.

Whaaat? Pay for QR Codes? Yes! It's cheaper that way.

If you use a QR Code to publicize your party coming this Friday night you will likely create and use a QR Code for free. Stands to common sense, right? However you will still be in contravention of patent laws if you are in North America...sheesh! Chances are you won't get into trouble now with private uses of QR Codes...this issue is too small for the patent holders to worry about. However as soon as money is involved, that is if you are a business and you use QR Codes to promote your company and/or otherwise communicate with your clients, is far cheaper in the long run to pay for any codes you use. That way two things work for you; 1. / You get reliable technology that works the first time and every time and 2. / You won't run the risk of being sued now or in the future for patent infringement.

Next, we'll talk about the Direct Method verses the Indirect Method of linking QR Codes to the Web.

What are QR Codes?

QR Codes also known as Easy Codes are already a major revolution for brand to consumer communications in Asia. They're scanned via the camera on your smart phone and can translate serious amounts of information to your hand-held device with the click of a button. They can provide directions to your nearest store, automatic upload of your company website...The possibilities are endless. These computed thumbprints may help beautify our world with less cluttered advertisements and help companies connect to the consumers that care. If you're not familiar, it's time to get schooled. These little guys will soon decorate everything from bus shelters to product labels. You can even add them to Business cards, T-shirts, Billboards etc.

Why is this significant?

The idea of linking spaces to information is not new, but QR codes combine simple creation with easy access to QR code readers.

As a result, QR codes might kick-start widespread thinking and innovation around information connected to locations and objects. Because QR codes are so inexpensive, they might even be printed as stickers and temporarily added.

QR codes can store quite complex information. As awareness grows about how useful they are, we can expect to see them in more public venues. Advertising is being made more accessible; QR codes link the physical world with the virtual by providing on-the-spot access to descriptive language and online resources for objects and locations.