Tag: mobile qr codes

Each set has nearly fifty different barcodes that can be scanned using smartphones and tablets.

A realtor from Idaho Falls, Idaho, has used QR codes in order to develop what he has nicknamed “Smart PJs”, which allow kids to be able to enjoy bedtime a little bit more through the use of a smartphone and their jammies.

The man behind the development of this new use for the barcodes is named Juan Murdoch.

Murdoch explained his creation by saying that “It’s a new spin on pajamas. Pajamas have been around for thousands of years and this is something new.” As a realtor, not an inventor, creating uses for QR codes is far from his primary occupation. However, he explained that the idea of pajamas that could tell a child a bedtime story, or sing a lullaby for a little boy or girl simply made its way into his head, one day, and he just went with it.

The QR codes on the pajamas provide a number of different experiences, not just a single song or story.

Murdoch explained that he’s not certain whether or not it was the “dad in me” that helped him to come up with the creative use for the QR codes. He explained that “I’ve got six kids. My wife and I have 6 kids and so I know how important a bedtime story is.”

The pajamas are designed with colorful dots all over them. Though they may simply look like bright and fun sleepwear, the dots are actually QR codes that can be scanned, for free, using the Smart PJs application, on an Android or iOS smartphone. Each set of pajamas has nearly 50 different dots, each with its own unique story or song.

Once the QR codes have been scanned, the tablet or smartphone reads a book, sings a lullaby, or even tells the child a number of interesting facts about various animals. Depending on the code that is scanned, the result is different.

Murdoch has explained that he is “proud” of his invention. He explained that it brought out the sense of pride that he feels in being able to “bring that technology and something unique to Idaho” and that he feels that it is “kind of cool”.

Consumers are familiar with the small, squared QR codes on many products and in advertising, but often do not feel motivated to scan the code with their smartphone. A new company aims to not only change the look of the code, but also to make it more relevant so that consumers are more likely to scan.

Visualead and QR codes

Even if consumers do not know what QR code does, they have probably noticed it in various places like in advertising and on products. Those that have used it have been somewhat disappointed in the results and are reluctant to waste time doing it again. However, Visualead wants to change all of that by making QR more useful and even more profitable for businesses. Most consumers are not even aware of what the code can actually do.

New, improved QR code

Those who have seen QR code know the code has little to be desired in looks. The code is often in black and white and is comprised of small squares. The look is not very appealing. In most uses, these are scanned to give more details about a product or service but they rarely went any further than that. Some offered sales information and some are used for rewards programs, but consumers mostly ignore them. Visualead has devised a new, much more appealing appearance for QR code by blending it with the company logo while still keeping the components needed to make sure the code works.

The trick for Visualead has been to make sure the code and image are appealing without rendering the code useless. They have worked code into artwork and Logos for many well-known companies and even into pictures intended for use on Facebook. Visualead saw more than 300,000 scans in a very short and very limited test run.

Off and running

Investors have taken notice of the success of that limited trail run. Thanks to that success, Visualead has secured substantial backing and has begun the search for advertisers and companies that could benefit from what they have to offer. Not only could the new QR code be good for the typical uses, it could also, through the work of this company, see a consumer from introduction to a product to a final sale, all through a simple QR code scan.