QR and Bar Codes

[+Zeute]

QR on billboards? Meh... how about on gravestones?

 

Another link

 

I've thought of using RFID in place of signing the log, but requiring all participants to have a RFID reader and all caches to have a tag means it is never going to reach critical mass. At least most people have a cell phone capable of scanning bar codes.

 

Not only in Japan and with a prettier package: http://www.memorymedallion.com/

[+Chrysalides]

Not only in Japan and with a prettier package: http://www.memorymedallion.com/

Took me a while to figure out what it is. Definitely a nicer package - you need to slide the cover over to reveal the QR code.

[+wyld_bill2003]

Still can"t find one to work on my LG Rumor Touch (Java J2ME). Tried all the direct to phone downloads and none of them will accept my phone. I have left contacts at a few sites, just waiting to hear something back.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Not only in Japan and with a prettier package: http://www.memorymedallion.com/

Took me a while to figure out what it is. Definitely a nicer package - you need to slide the cover over to reveal the QR code.

Memory Medallions. Proves that folks will buy anything. Oh wait... people will buy anything!

 

Introducing Cache Medallions™!

 

 

That design form could be my next geocoin!

 

Who will be the first to have these produced in plastic and sold in the Groundspeak store?

 

Camo Cache Medallions™ in shades of brown or gray to stick to fences and walls.

 

I can see geocoins and TBs with QR Codes. We won't have to worry about labels and tags staying attached, just scan the QR Code on the traveler right at the cache site to discover the traveler's mission.

Edited July 23, 2010 by TheAlabamaRambler

[+GeoGeeBee]

I think I am going to put one under the lid of all my caches to aid cachers with smart phones in logging on location. It will be the link to the log entry page of the cache.

You can make it even more convenient by adding "&logtype=2" to the end, so that it defaults to "Found It".

 

I learned that from one of dfx's posts.

 

Is there something you can add so that the text defaults to "TFTC?"

 

<ducking and running>

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I think I am going to put one under the lid of all my caches to aid cachers with smart phones in logging on location. It will be the link to the log entry page of the cache.

You can make it even more convenient by adding "&logtype=2" to the end, so that it defaults to "Found It".

 

I learned that from one of dfx's posts.

 

Is there something you can add so that the text defaults to "TFTC?"

 

<ducking and running>

 

I was just mentioning the "Crossroads" cache in another thread and can see by your avatar that you "Found It".

[Andronicus]

I think I am going to put one under the lid of all my caches to aid cachers with smart phones in logging on location. It will be the link to the log entry page of the cache.

You can make it even more convenient by adding "&logtype=2" to the end, so that it defaults to "Found It".

 

I learned that from one of dfx's posts.

 

Is there something you can add so that the text defaults to "TFTC?"

 

<ducking and running>

I was wondering that too. If it was for my cache I would probably default it to something like "Wow! That was the best cache ever! The CO must be a caching god!"

[+EscapeFromFlatland]

Heh. I found a site where I could get my QR code on a sticker.

Could do "This cache was found by bramasoleiowa. TFTC!" and slap it in the log book.

[Andronicus]

Heh. I found a site where I could get my QR code on a sticker.

Could do "This cache was found by bramasoleiowa. TFTC!" and slap it in the log book.

I had thought of that too. Would be kind of cool. Alternatively to having a sticker made up, just use an avery sticker label and print it on there yourself. I suspect it would be way less money.

EDIT: If you brought one of those Brother label makers with you, you could put an actual costom log note for each cache. Or maybe a link to your the online log. That would require logging from the field, or a dummy placeholder Note log before heading out caching.

Edited July 23, 2010 by Andronicus

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

Heh. I found a site where I could get my QR code on a sticker.

Could do "This cache was found by bramasoleiowa. TFTC!" and slap it in the log book.

I had thought of that too. Would be kind of cool. Alternatively to having a sticker made up, just use an avery sticker label and print it on there yourself. I suspect it would be way less money.

True, but they smear pretty badly.

 

I am contacting Coins and Pins to see if they are interested in making something like the Cache Medallion I mentioned earlier...maybe like a poker chip with the QR Code image in the center.

[Andronicus]

Heh. I found a site where I could get my QR code on a sticker.

Could do "This cache was found by bramasoleiowa. TFTC!" and slap it in the log book.

I had thought of that too. Would be kind of cool. Alternatively to having a sticker made up, just use an avery sticker label and print it on there yourself. I suspect it would be way less money.

True, but they smear pretty badly.

 

I am contacting Coins and Pins to see if they are interested in making something like the Cache Medallion I mentioned earlier...maybe like a poker chip with the QR Code image in the center.

 

The avery labels was a suggestion for a log book lable in place of signing your name. The Coin or Poker Chip would make a great signature item. How much do you figure it would cost to have costom poker chips made up? You will have to have a fairly large one, as small ones will likely not have enough room for a large enough QR code.

[+TheAlabamaRambler]

The avery labels was a suggestion for a log book lable in place of signing your name. The Coin or Poker Chip would make a great signature item. How much do you figure it would cost to have costom poker chips made up? You will have to have a fairly large one, as small ones will likely not have enough room for a large enough QR code.

Just a quick Google search found 1,050 laser-printed on vinyl poker chip labels for $80. (http://www.nolimitpokerstore.com/productdetails.asp?prod_id=11420&src=GoogleBase)

 

Looks like custom clay poker chips run around .75 cents each. (http://www.buypokerchips.com/custom-poker-chips-s/37.htm).

 

I see custom plastic poker chips at .18 cents each. (http://www.inkhead.com/party-supplies/personalized-poker-chips+tokens-_ca-380-1.html).

 

I do not yet know how small a QR Code image can be and still be readable but I think they would do fine at this size.

Edited July 23, 2010 by TheAlabamaRambler

[+Chrysalides]

I do not yet know how small a QR Code image can be and still be readable but I think they would do fine at this size.

Good info about poker chips, thanks.

 

QR needs a "4 module wide blank margin" around the edges, so do take that into account. It'll be interesting to create some PDF simulations of QR on poker chips, print them out on paper, and test out on various phones.

[+Winstonsmom]

The avery labels was a suggestion for a log book lable in place of signing your name. The Coin or Poker Chip would make a great signature item. How much do you figure it would cost to have costom poker chips made up? You will have to have a fairly large one, as small ones will likely not have enough room for a large enough QR code.

Just a quick Google search found 1,050 laser-printed on vinyl poker chip labels for $80. (http://www.nolimitpokerstore.com/productdetails.asp?prod_id=11420&src=GoogleBase)

 

Looks like custom clay poker chips run around .75 cents each. (http://www.buypokerchips.com/custom-poker-chips-s/37.htm).

 

I see custom plastic poker chips at .18 cents each. (http://www.inkhead.com/party-supplies/personalized-poker-chips+tokens-_ca-380-1.html).

 

I do not yet know how small a QR Code image can be and still be readable but I think they would do fine at this size.

 

Love this idea! TY TAR!

[+Winstonsmom]

Oh great guys. Now she is going to be able to hide MORE caches I cannot find.

Aww! You can borrow my iPhone any time!

[+JBnW]

I do not yet know how small a QR Code image can be and still be readable but I think they would do fine at this size.

Good info about poker chips, thanks.

 

QR needs a "4 module wide blank margin" around the edges, so do take that into account. It'll be interesting to create some PDF simulations of QR on poker chips, print them out on paper, and test out on various phones.

What about a letterbox stamp? Would that make for an overly large stamp?

[+Chrysalides]

What about a letterbox stamp? Would that make for an overly large stamp?

Hmm, interesting idea. Challenge would be to get the stamped image clear enough to be recognized by a cell phone without much trouble. I've never hand carved a stamp so I wouldn't know how difficult it is.

 

Looking through the spec in more detail, I see there are 40 () different versions of QR size. I guess no one is really interested in carving a 177 x 177 matrix for a stamp. Picking something more reasonable (level 2 - 25 x 25) with ECC level M, you can have 38 alphanumeric characters.

 

Do you know how small a square can be carved on a rubber stamp by hand? That's going to be your module size. Multiply it by 25 and that's the width (and height) of your stamp.

[Andronicus]

I have been trying to get my avitar to be a QR code. It was always too small pixles, and would not work. Just now, I figured out that if I used just my alias (Andronicus) the result was a 75x75 pixle QR code, perfect for a avitar. Then I though, what about using a "tiny url". So I just setup a tinyURL for my user profile. Made a QR code using that. It was 87 pixels large. I used MS Paint to shrink it to 86%, and tried uploading that. It works on my phone using i-nigma. I have to get my phone fairly close, but after moving it around for a few seconds, it manages to read it.

[+Lil Devil]

I have been trying to get my avitar to be a QR code. It was always too small pixles, and would not work. Just now, I figured out that if I used just my alias (Andronicus) the result was a 75x75 pixle QR code, perfect for a avitar. Then I though, what about using a "tiny url". So I just setup a tinyURL for my user profile. Made a QR code using that. It was 87 pixels large. I used MS Paint to shrink it to 86%, and tried uploading that. It works on my phone using i-nigma. I have to get my phone fairly close, but after moving it around for a few seconds, it manages to read it.

http://coord.info/PR2RVGH might be a better short URL to use.

[+thedeadpirate]

I have to get my phone fairly close, but after moving it around for a few seconds, it manages to read it.

 

Works fine on my phone. Picks it up immediately.

 

http://coord.info/PR2RVGH might be a better short URL to use.

 

+1

[+NYPaddleCacher]

I came across another application of QR codes today. I was downloading some code from the Google summer of code site and they used QR codes as a checksum verification mechanism.

[Andronicus]

I have to get my phone fairly close, but after moving it around for a few seconds, it manages to read it.

 

Works fine on my phone. Picks it up immediately.

 

http://coord.info/PR2RVGH might be a better short URL to use.

 

+1

That is 5 characters longer than the tinyURL. However, the link you gave me produces the same size QR. I will give it a try. I know about the coord.info links for caches, but did not realize they existed for profiles etc. How do you know what the extention is?

[Andronicus]

Updated my avitar with the coord.info link. Works on my phone. Anyone else tried it? (presumably Sir Bedevere the Wise can read it based on previous sucess)

[+thedeadpirate]

Updated my avitar with the coord.info link. Works on my phone. Anyone else tried it? (presumably Sir Bedevere the Wise can read it based on previous sucess)

 

Works like a charm.

[+Jumpin' Jack Cache]

Works for me. I'd also like to know how to get the coord.info profile link.

[Andronicus]

Updated my avitar with the coord.info link. Works on my phone. Anyone else tried it? (presumably Sir Bedevere the Wise can read it based on previous sucess)

 

Works like a charm.

Oh, I just realized, it must be one of the Knights who say Ni, not Sir Bedevere the Wise

[+Chrysalides]

Works for me. I'd also like to know how to get the coord.info profile link.

I don't know how Lil Devil figured it out, but reverse engineering is easier. It uses the same encoding system (base 31 - for converting cache number to waypoint ID, prefixed with "PR".

 

FizzyCalc can do it one way (modified base 31 to decimal) - I don't know of a tool to do it the other way but it should be fairly straightforward. Yours is http://coord.info/PR15KY4

[Andronicus]

Works for me. I'd also like to know how to get the coord.info profile link.

I don't know how Lil Devil figured it out, but reverse engineering is easier. It uses the same encoding system (base 31 - for converting cache number to waypoint ID, prefixed with "PR".

 

FizzyCalc can do it one way (modified base 31 to decimal) - I don't know of a tool to do it the other way but it should be fairly straightforward. Yours is http://coord.info/PR15KY4

I tried using http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/numbers.html, but the numbers didn't work out. For one thing, you can't use a 'Y' in standard base 31. and base 35 adn 36 (that can have a Y) don't give me the correct numbers. What does the 'modified' mean in your post?

 

Edit: Just used fizzyCalc. Tested on Chrysalides. Result is http://coord.info/PR2GP8X. Don't know quite how that works, but seems to work fine...

Edited July 26, 2010 by Andronicus

[+Jumpin' Jack Cache]

FizzyCalc did the trick

[Andronicus]

Updated my avitar with the coord.info link. Works on my phone. Anyone else tried it? (presumably Sir Bedevere the Wise can read it based on previous sucess)

 

Works like a charm.

Oh, I just realized, it must be one of the Knights who say Ni, not Sir Bedevere the Wise

...

Nice avitar update

 

You should do a QR for Ni!

Edited July 26, 2010 by Andronicus

[+Chrysalides]

I tried using http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/numbers.html, but the numbers didn't work out. For one thing, you can't use a 'Y' in standard base 31. and base 35 adn 36 (that can have a Y) don't give me the correct numbers. What does the 'modified' mean in your post?

 

Edit: Just used fizzyCalc. Tested on Chrysalides. Result is http://coord.info/PR2GP8X. Don't know quite how that works, but seems to work fine...

I must be running an older version of Fizzycalc that doesn't do it the other way (or I miss the option somewhere).

 

Modified means that the character set is 0-9, A-Z, but missing I, L, O, S, U (easiest way to remember : LOUIS in alphabetical order). Someone named Louis must have p*ssed off the frog (I heard that it is to avoid confusion with 0/O, 1/I,5/S but I'd choose to nix 8/B and 0/D or even Z/2 instead of L or U).

 

Edit to add : there's also a difference between shorter IDs and longer IDs. Don't want to get into too much detail, but markwell's page has a great explanation (except he didn't mention poor LOUIS explicitly).

Edited July 26, 2010 by Chrysalides

[Andronicus]

I tried using http://www.unitconversion.org/unit_converter/numbers.html, but the numbers didn't work out. For one thing, you can't use a 'Y' in standard base 31. and base 35 adn 36 (that can have a Y) don't give me the correct numbers. What does the 'modified' mean in your post?

 

Edit: Just used fizzyCalc. Tested on Chrysalides. Result is http://coord.info/PR2GP8X. Don't know quite how that works, but seems to work fine...

I must be running an older version of Fizzycalc that doesn't do it the other way (or I miss the option somewhere).

 

Modified means that the character set is 0-9, A-Z, but missing I, L, O, S, U (easiest way to remember : LOUIS in alphabetical order). Someone named Louis must have p*ssed off the frog (I heard that it is to avoid confusion with 0/O, 1/I,5/S but I'd choose to nix 8/B and 0/D or even Z/2 instead of L or U).

The current version will auto convert both ways. The LOUIS Base-31 is rather odd. Google turns up nothing on the subject. So I guess you just have to use FizzyCalc.

Edited July 26, 2010 by Andronicus

[+Lil Devil]

I also used FizzyCalc.

[+Jumpin' Jack Cache]

I must be running an older version of Fizzycalc that doesn't do it the other way (or I miss the option somewhere).

 

Gotta use the top field & replace PR with GC on the version I have.

[+thedeadpirate]

I was wondering about how to do the coordinfo conversion as well.

 

Nice avitar update

[Andronicus]

...

Edited July 26, 2010 by Andronicus

[+thedeadpirate]

...

I watched all of the faulty towers shows one rainy weekend at the lake. Maybe we all could start doing all of our posts in QR format. Then all the other techno pesants would feel left out. Unfortunatly most of the image hosts are blocked here at work. What host do you use? (or is that pic on geocaching.com)

 

We did that once and the mods shut us down. (and rightfully so)

 

*** Oops, I forgot to say that I usually use Photobucket.

Edited July 26, 2010 by GeoBain

[Andronicus]

...

I watched all of the faulty towers shows one rainy weekend at the lake. Maybe we all could start doing all of our posts in QR format. Then all the other techno pesants would feel left out. Unfortunatly most of the image hosts are blocked here at work. What host do you use? (or is that pic on geocaching.com)

 

We did that once and the mods shut us down. (and rightfully so)

 

*** Oops, I forgot to say that I usually use Photobucket.

Some boards let you put images in your signature. That would be a cool use for a QR! Especialy one of those QR Art ones.

 

I had suggested in the tatoo thread to do a QR code tatoo for his personal trackable. If you could get that QRarts.com guy to do a cool one, that would be cool.

 

[+Jumpin' Jack Cache]

I've been having fun with these.

 

 

Apparently, there's a lot of latitude... http://contentdeveloper.com/2010/01/how-to...rands-identity/

[+gwendelen]

So, you'll have to please excuse my techno-peasant-ness here, but a few months ago I had a magazine with QR codes and it did not require a smartphone. I used my dumbphone to take a picture which I then sent as a picture/text message to a specific telephone number then it sent me some text msg spam back.

 

Now, I'm not exactly sure what you do for the telephone number and the automation of sending back a text msg, but I hear that the google voice allows you to do some cool stuff and I believe you can get a free phone number from them with voice mail and all sorts of goodies. Maybe you wouldn't even need to send a text message to the user. You could have instructions recorded on the outgoing voicemail message. This would include a lot more user who don't have smartphones, but do have phones that they can take pictures and send text messages with.

 

And one last thought, If the size (and I guess intricacy and required picture clarity) of the code is dependent upon the number of characters that it represents, why not encode a relatively simple/small number that represents a larger message in a data base. For instance, instead of trying to encode coordinates, you could encode the number "12" which when texted to a specific phone number hits a data base, and "12" points to a file that hold the actual co-ordinates which get texted back to you.

 

I'm not a techie so I hope that wasn't just a bunch of blabber.

[+thedeadpirate]

Actually, that sounds quite intriguing.

[+gwendelen]

http://www.mskynet.com/msky-blog/2010/04/2...email-qr-codes/

 

"We are pleased to announce our Beta MMS / Email QR Code decoding service called Mailbot. It’s quite simple. Anyone can use a mobile phone and take a picture of a QR Code and either MMS or Email it to our special address GO@SPARQ.IT. Our system will decode the contents and immediately reply to the user with the call-to-action stored in the QR Code. We have also introduced the concept of tagging QR Codes with labels and arrows to help increase the discoverability of QR Codes and integrated this with our QR Code API (QRGen) and our QR Code Generator (Maestro). "

 

OK, So I think this is pretty much what I was talking about. I'll read a little more about it and see if I can find other comparable sites.

[Andronicus]

I've been having fun with these.

 

 

Apparently, there's a lot of latitude... http://contentdeveloper.com/2010/01/how-to...rands-identity/

That crazy Loui Vouton QR works on my phone. Have you checked out the http://qrarts.wordpress.com/ blogg? It has some realy cool ones.

[Andronicus]

I just noticed that bramasoleiowa had a larger QR avitar than me. Now I did not have QR envey (well maybe a bit), but larger = easyer to scan. I realized that (s)he had stripped off the white around the actual QR. I know that the white is supposed to be there, but the forums add in some almost white blue stuff around the avitar. Not to mention, I don't think it is actualy needed. Some of the crazy ones QRart dose do not have a 'keep out' zone, so I figure why not. Anyway, I have now set my QR avitar up the same as bramasoleiowa.

[+Jumpin' Jack Cache]

There is definitely some leeway on the "keep out zone".

 

[Andronicus]

I think I am going to start putting up new QR codes frequenty (but not every day or anything) with something funny. If only I was funny and could think of something to put in there....

[Andronicus]

I just combined the two coolest things...QR codes and ASCII art

 

Check it out here http://www.codeismylife.com/ascii_cool/104290.html

[40zzzzz]

i just loaded quickmark on my iphone after seeing this thread. it works great. i never new these existed. its kind of like being in a secret club.

[Andronicus]

http://www.mskynet.com/msky-blog/2010/04/2...email-qr-codes/

 

"We are pleased to announce our Beta MMS / Email QR Code decoding service called Mailbot. It’s quite simple. Anyone can use a mobile phone and take a picture of a QR Code and either MMS or Email it to our special address GO@SPARQ.IT. Our system will decode the contents and immediately reply to the user with the call-to-action stored in the QR Code. We have also introduced the concept of tagging QR Codes with labels and arrows to help increase the discoverability of QR Codes and integrated this with our QR Code API (QRGen) and our QR Code Generator (Maestro). "

 

OK, So I think this is pretty much what I was talking about. I'll read a little more about it and see if I can find other comparable sites.

Somehow I compleatly missed this post. I tired that service out today. They say "instant" response. And lets face it, anything short of instant is a FAIL when talking about mobile/print convergance. Anyway, after 15 min, still no response.

 

Prognosis: FAIL

[Andronicus]

http://www.mskynet.com/msky-blog/2010/04/2...email-qr-codes/

 

"We are pleased to announce our Beta MMS / Email QR Code decoding service called Mailbot. It’s quite simple. Anyone can use a mobile phone and take a picture of a QR Code and either MMS or Email it to our special address GO@SPARQ.IT. Our system will decode the contents and immediately reply to the user with the call-to-action stored in the QR Code. We have also introduced the concept of tagging QR Codes with labels and arrows to help increase the discoverability of QR Codes and integrated this with our QR Code API (QRGen) and our QR Code Generator (Maestro). "

 

OK, So I think this is pretty much what I was talking about. I'll read a little more about it and see if I can find other comparable sites.

Somehow I compleatly missed this post. I tired that service out today. They say "instant" response. And lets face it, anything short of instant is a FAIL when talking about mobile/print convergance. Anyway, after 15 min, still no response.

 

Prognosis: FAIL

 

Ok, found the e-mail in my spam folder. I tried again and it took 7 min. Still too long.