The Observer, February 29, 2008
Volume XL, Issue 19
Bar codes not just for groceries anymore
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Trying to decide between Leutner and Fribley for your lunchtime hangout? Want to know if it's worth waiting at the Greenie stop or if you should just start walking? If you've got a camera phone with Internet access, these decisions have just become a whole lot easier.
A group of Masters of Engineering Management (MEM) students is working in partnership with Mobile Discovery to implement a 2D bar code system on campus this semester. This trial is the first of its kind in the nation; Case was chosen to host the trial due to its tech-savvy nature and its distribution of undergraduates, graduates, faculty, and staff, according to Leigh Ann Barnes, of Mobile Discovery.
These bar codes can be read by almost any phone with a camera and the ability to access the Internet using a program called ScanLife. ScanLife turns the average cell phone into a bar code reader that works as easily as the self-checkout lanes at Giant Eagle.
Freshmen will recognize the codes from orientation, where they were used to supplement the scavenger hunts. Scanning the code at each location linked students to the office or program's website.
Case-based codes can currently be found around campus Greenie stops and in the dining halls on table tents. Scanning the Greenie code will direct to the NextBus "wapsite," a website modified for use on cell phones, listing the next scheduled shuttles. Bon Appétit's codes will return a site listing the menus for each dining hall.
The MEM group hopes to increase the use of codes by various groups on and around campus throughout the semester. UPB plans to create codes for their Springfest ads that will link to a schedule of events and bands, and used them at their Battle of the Bands Wednesday night as an additional way to vote for the winner. Student groups could use the technology to link their fliers to websites and videos promoting their events, according to Ben Rose, a member of the MEM team.
Students wishing to participate need to sign up for the service at www.mobilediscovery.com using a valid Case e-mail address. The Mobile Discovery website allows students to build and host mobile content, allows for the creation and management of 2D codes, and keeps track of scan history for the user's phone as well as the most popular scans overall.
Users can also use the site to create codes for personal use. Linking a code to a website allows the creator to find out who is accessing their site and how often, useful for local businesses to tailor advertising or content.
The bar code technology is already in use in Japan, where codes appear on anything from produce to buildings to fast food. One Japanese woman even tattooed a code on herself that could be scanned to access her profile page, according to team member Nsi Obotetukudo.
Mobile Discovery is managing the trial on behalf of the national U.S. carriers and many phones from other service providers can be used as well. Charges for using data service vary from provider to provider – checking on the Greenie schedule can cost anywhere from 2 cents per look to a few dollars for a month of unlimited data transfer. Larger files connected to bar codes could cost a lot more depending on their size.
The possibilities for this technology are endless, according to Obotetukudo. "Text messaging was the first wave," he said. "At first people were skeptical, but now everyone incorporates text messaging." Facebook and other social networking sites had similar beginnings; Mobile Discovery is looking to provide another, similar medium.
The MEM team has high hopes for the bar code program. "It will go somewhere, and go somewhere soon," said team member Saira Mahmood.
Questions or suggestions for the team can be directed to case2dcode@gmail.com.
