From Barcode To QR Code Applications
From Barcode To QR Code Applications
2:9-17
INFO ABSTRACT
Received 22 Nov 2012
Accepted 11 Dec 2012 This paper shows the Zsohár Horticulture Company in Nagyrákos, how they want to
Available on-line 28 Dec 2012 change their barcode identification system to QR code. They cultivate herbaceous,
Responsible Editor: Rajkai, K. perpetual decorational plants, rock-garden, flower-bed and swamp perpetuals,
decorational grasses and spices. A part of the perpetuals are evergreens, but most of them
Kulcsszavak: has special organs - such as onions, thick-, bulbous roots, "winter-proof" buds - so they
barcode, QR code, gardening, can survive winter. In the first part of the paper I introduce the different barcode
smartphone, Zsohár standards, how can it be printed and how can it be read. In the second part of the paper I
Horticulture give details about the quick response code (QR code) and the two-dimensional (2D)
barcode. Third part of this paper illustrates the QR code usability in agriculture focused
on the gardening.
1. Introduction
This paper shows how Zsohár Horticulture Company in Nagyrákos wants to change their barcode
identification system to QR code.
Zsohár horticulture cultivates herbaceous, perpetual decorational plants, rock-garden, flower-bed
and swamp perpetuals, decorational grasses and spices. A part of the perpetuals are evergreens, but
most of them has special organs - such as onions, thick-, bulbous roots, "winter-proof" buds - so they
can survive winter (I1).
In general, those perpetuals that have flowers on them - except a few plants - bloom only in a short
period of time that is why called them "season indicator" plants. Although they have a variety of
leaves so they are beautiful part of the garden from spring till autumn. With careful selection a
decorative, nice flower-bed can be created almost for the entire year.
It has been said: "they are the intelligent, lazy people's plants". Important to know a few things
about them, but they do not need too much care, so they can be pretty for years. They grow their plants
in special containers (rigid walled plastic ones) based on their size and growing parameters, therefore
they can safely be planted in their final location in the entire year without any damage. They grow
most perpetuals in 9x9 cm pots with underplate, the mid size ones go to 11x11 cm and diameter is 14
cm pots, the big plants go to 2 litre or 3-5 litres pots. The spice plants take their place in 10.5 cm
diameter brown, round pots with underplate (I1).
They have a little webshop, where the customer orders different kind of plants. They need correct
identification in transport and delivery of the plants (I1).
2. The barcodes
As far back as the 1960s, barcodes were used in industrial work environments. Some of the early
implementations of barcodes included the ability identify rail road cars. In the early 1970s, common
barcodes started to appear on grocery shelves. To automate the process of identifying grocery items,
UPC barcodes were placed on products. Today, barcodes are used for identification in almost all types
of business (Fig. 1).
1
DEbreceni Egyetem,[email protected]
• applications,
• components,
• hosted Services (Dynamic Barcode Generator Service or XML Barcode Webservice).
3. The QR codes
Quick response code (QR code) is a type of two-dimensional (2D) barcode that can be read using a
QR barcode reader or camera enabled smartphone with QR reader software (Fig. 4.). A QR code is
able to carry information in both the vertical and the horizontal direction, which is why it is called a
2D barcode. The QR Code is a registered trademark of Denso Wave Inc. in Japan and other countries
(Lyne, 2009).
QR Codes are popular with mobile phone users as the barcode can be used to store addresses and
URLs. With a camera-enabled smartphone, users can scan the QR Code which has been coded to do
things like display text, provide contact data or even open a webpage in the browser on the
smartphone. The QR Code specification outlines data types or services for this information. By using
the standards it ensures QR Code software can correctly read the code.
QR Codes can be printed and displayed anywhere a mobile phone user might scan the code such as
in a magazine or displayed at a cash register. It can be displayed also online (Waters, 2012).
There are a number of online services that will generate a QR Code based on the information is
specified when mapping the QR code.
Codewords are 8 bits long and use the Reed–Solomon error correction algorithm with four error
correction levels. The higher is the error correction level, the less storage capacity. The following table
lists the approximate error correction capability at each of the four levels (I10):
Farmers’ market vendors have other options. QR codes could be used to lead visitors to the vendor’s
website where they can find information about the farm’s location, a list of products grown or
available at a particular time, or days/ times and location of other markets in which the farmer
participates.
Depending on our objective, QR codes might be placed on brochures and other marketing materials,
trucks/trailers, product packaging, or signs. To decide where to place them, we need to understand
how our customers behave (Weir, 2010). Place the QR codes where our customers (or potential
customers) are. Keep in mind, though, that not all consumers use mobile devices, so QR codes should
be used to supplement other promotional tools, not replace them. We may find, though, that some
users have a mobile device but simply do not know how to use it to scan QR codes. It’s possible that
their device came with a scanning application installed.
Conclusion
This paper gives information about Zsohár Horticulture Company in Nagyrákos how they want to
change their barcode identification system to QR code one. The goal of this horticulture to realize a
similar QR code system as can be seen in Fig. 7. The contents, which can be seen on the QR code are
the followings: common name of the plant, the Latin name and pronunciation, zone information, size
dimensions, bloom time, sun and soil preferences. Later they can put pictures about the flowers on it
and so on. Using this new technology the partners can be monitored and traced the appropriate and
bought flowers during and after the transportation.
The QR codes in this horticulture could serve more purposes. One of them use the QR codes to
direct the user to a website, where is a functional webshop. They can lead the user to a mobile-ready
site, to sign up for a newsletter, email list, or other programmes (loyalty programme). The other
possibilities through this connection can send discount coupon or a product description to the
customers. Almost any web-based content (videos, images, Facebook, or Twitter pages) can be
conveyed on a mobile device, so the customer’s possibilities are tremendous.
From the market vendors point of view have more options, how they lead visitors to the vendor’s
website where they can find information about the horticulture’s location, a list of products grown or
available at a particular time, or days/ times and location of other markets in which the gardener
participates.
References
Branden C., 2011. QR Codes, The Ultimate Guide Book, Published by QReative Studios.
Hansen J. P. 2012. Using QR codes for context specific support around the farm. AFITA/WCCA 2012
Taipei/Taiwan 3-6 of September, pp.1-5.
Koran, J. 2011. 5 Steps to a Successful QR Code Marketing Campaign. Social Media Examiner [Online].
Available at http://www. socialmediaexaminer.com/5-stepsto- a-successful-qr-code-marketingcampaign/.
Accessed 11/8/11.
Korhan, J. 2011. How QR Codes Can Grow Your Business. Social Media Examiner [Online]. Available at http://
www.socialmediaexaminer.com/howqr- codes-can-grow-your-business/. Accessed 11/8/11.
Lyne, M. 2009. What is A QR Code And Why Do You Need One? Search Engine Land [Online]. Available at
http://searchengineland.com/whatis-a-qr-code-and-why-do-you-needone-27588. Accessed 11/8/11.
Sansweet J., 2011. Introducing the QR code. The reality & the magic, Published by ProofreadNZ Ltd,,
Auckland, New Zealand
Waters J. 2012. QR Codes for Dummies – Portable Edition, Published by John Wiley and Sons Inc. , Hoboken,
New Jersey.
Weir M., 2010. Mobile marketing for the small business owner, Published by CreateSpace Independent
Publishing Platform.
I1: http://www.zsohar.hu/start.asp?KatalogusID=1&KatalogusID2=0&Ny=A
I2: http://www.techfresh.net/keep-tabs-on-your-items-with-barcodes-scanner
I3: http://www.mobilemarketer.com/cms/news/software-technology/11930.html
I4: http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/01/04/tescos-cool-qr-code-advertising-campaign/
I5: http://code.google.com/apis/chart/infographics/
I6: http://www.708media.com/qrcode/qr-code-readers-iphone-android-blackberry-windows-phone-7/
I7: http://qrd.by
I8: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=la.droid.qr
I9: http://qrdroid.com/encrypted-qr-codes-share-secret-messages.html
I10: http://www.tec-it.com/de/support/knowbase/symbologies/qrcode/Default.aspx
I11: http://blog.360i.com/emerging-media/creative-qr-codes
I12: http://mashable.com/2011/04/18/qr-code-design-tips/
I13: http://www.freshplaza.it/images/2012/0705/Cuoredolce_QR01.JPG
I14: http://www.blog-agri.com/ticagri/wp-content/FS-Green-Plan-Solutions-pomy-QR.jpg
I15: http://thefonecast.com/portals/1/blog11/t-mobile_qr_code_cow.jpg
I16: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PHYDObQhhkE/TefSq-iEuoI/AAAAAAAAC9M/cvUdGuE-QFs/s1600/2011-05-
27+15.43.17.jpg