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Alternative To QR Code Uses NFC and Cheap Rectennas

Posted by timothy on from the which-infrastructure-do-you-prefer? dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The BBC reports researchers in Korea have developed a technology that can be used as a viable alternative to QR codes. Made of plastic and electronic ink, the rectennas cost less than one penny each to produce and use the NFC standards for wireless radio communication to devices. They are seen as a cheap, easy-to-print and environmentally friendly way to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes, the usage of which has greatly increased in the last few years."

17 of 164 comments (clear)

  1. Rectannas by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Rectannas is just not an appealing word...

    1. Re:Rectannas by stevegee58 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Reminds me of Cartman's anal probe.

    2. Re:Rectannas by arielCo · · Score: 4, Informative
      Quoth the 2nd link in TFS (I know, I'm relatively new here):

      A rectenna is a rectifying antenna, a special type of antenna that is used to convert microwave energy into direct current electricity.

      (Boldface in the original)

      --
      This post contains no rudeness or derision of any kind. All arguments are friendly. Terms and exclusions may apply.
    3. Re:Rectannas by Cute+Fuzzy+Bunny · · Score: 3, Funny

      Quoth the 2nd link in TFS (I know, I'm relatively new here):

      A rectenna is a rectifying antenna, a special type of antenna that is used to convert microwave energy into direct current electricity.

      (Boldface in the original)

      Absolutely 100% incorrect. This is a rectal antenna. I knew the cell phone companies would find a way to stick it up our butts eventually.

    4. Re:Rectannas by Havenwar · · Score: 4, Funny

      Short for Quantum Rectal Code.

      It's complicated. All about qubits, existing in two states at once, and giant rectennas in uncomfortable places.

  2. Missing the point? by squiggleslash · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The entire point of a QR-Code is that it can be placed where-ever anything visual can be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad...

    --
    You are not alone. This is not normal. None of this is normal.
    1. Re:Missing the point? by Grantbridge · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The great thing about text is you can put it anywhere anything visual can be placed! You can but a tinyurl.com/acmeadd on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image.... (And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus.)

    2. Re:Missing the point? by siddesu · · Score: 5, Insightful

      When I hear "antenna" and "NFC" I can't help but think that QR has one important "shortcomming" -- it can only get into my phone if I want it to. Now, imagine the marketing potential for something that can be read without user interaction by a helpful app and you'll see the appeal ...

    3. Re:Missing the point? by camperdave · · Score: 4, Insightful

      The entire point of a QR-Code is that it can be placed where-ever anything visual can be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad...

      The entire problem of a QR-Code is that it must placed where anything else visual could be placed. You can put a QR code on a billboard, on a streetsign, on a television image, in a newspaper, on a bus ad... and there's that much less space for the ad art itself.

      These rectennas can be covered by advertisement without impairing their function.

      --
      When our name is on the back of your car, we're behind you all the way!
    4. Re:Missing the point? by blind+biker · · Score: 4, Insightful

      And its still quicker to type than to get the camera all lined up to QR code something you pass on a bus

      Actually no, it's not quicker.just typing "tinyurl.com" takes more time than to acquire a QR code.Unless you use a catastrophically inefficient app/UI for the QR.

      --
      "The agriculture ministry is not in charge of Gundam" - Japanese ministry official.
    5. Re:Missing the point? by PPH · · Score: 3, Funny

      These rectennas can be covered by advertisement without impairing their function.

      NFC == Near Field Communications.

      You're going to look pretty silly climbing up onto that billboard with your cellphone.

      --
      Have gnu, will travel.
    6. Re:Missing the point? by meerling · · Score: 3, Insightful

      I can't afford a smartphone, or more accurately, I can't afford the mandatory increased phone bill due to the requirement to get a data plan to go with it.

    7. Re:Missing the point? by jbengt · · Score: 3, Insightful
      How does my self-printed airline ticket/boarding pass match up to your "Points of failure for a QR code"

      Must know what a QR code is.

      I had no need to know, just printed from the airlines web page, had no idea it was called a QR code.

      Must have a smartphone

      Nope

      Must have a QR reader app

      No, though the airlines and the TSA needed to be able to read the QR code, it was probably not an 'app'.

      Must be close enough to scan code

      True, I guess, but the TSA agent and the flight attendants were close enough when I handed them the boarding pass.

      Must be quick enough to leap of the sofa and scan TV (for QR codes in ads

      No, just had to find the 'Print' button in the confirmation page.

  3. Environmentally friendly? by vlm · · Score: 5, Insightful

    They are seen as a ... environmentally friendly way to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes...

    I'm mystified how that works. Its not like QR codes are inherently toxic by shape, like prions, nanoparticles, or asbestos fibers.

    The only QR code I've ever used for a "real" purpose is holding my phone up to the screen to scan a google authenticator QR code. I'm not sure how that would translate to a NFC solution like this... have to print out on a 3-d printer or something?

    --
    "Science flies us to the moon. Religion flies us into buildings." - Victor Stenger
    1. Re:Environmentally friendly? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

      I'm assuming environmentally friendly vs metal/semiconductor antennas on existing NFC devices, not as compared to QR codes which are clearly very env. friendly.

    2. Re:Environmentally friendly? by smooth+wombat · · Score: 4, Funny

      Of course the best thing you can do for the environment is not have any antenna gobbling-up any power at all.

      What? Are you crazy! This is technology! We must embrace it because it's new and hip and the next best thing since sliced bread so you can be notified of the newest whiz-bang piece of technology which came out three seconds ago.

      If you're not connected every second of every day, with the ability to instantly respond, you're not living life to the fullest. How are businesses supposed to notify you of their latest offerings if you're not connected?

      Luddite.

      --
      We will bankrupt ourselves in the vain search for absolute security. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
  4. Re:Is it Cheaper? Easier? by 3dr · · Score: 4, Insightful

    No kidding. The summary quoted(?) this nugget: "...to overcome the limitations and inconvenience of QR codes, whose usage has greatly increased in the last few years."

    I'd say that the reason usage QR codes has greatly increased in the last few years is because they are not so limited or inconvenient as the article asserts. The QR code may contain several types of information, but in a 2D bit array, you are inherently limited. QR codes are not a high-bandwidth transport, but even if all they contain is a vcard or URL, the URL is the gateway to larger content.

    I like QR codes because they are inherently opt-in. Screw the NFC based ad network!