SPARQCode

SPARQCode for the URL of the sparqcode.com main page

A SPARQCode is a matrix code (or two-dimensional bar code) encoding standard that is based on the physical QR Code definition created by Japanese corporation Denso-Wave.

Overview

The QR Code standard as defined by Denso-Wave in ISO/IEC 18004 covers the physical encoding method of a binary data stream.^[1] However, the Denso-Wave standard lacks an encoding standard for interpreting the data stream on the application layer for decoding URLs, phone numbers, and all other data types. NTT Docomo has established de facto standards for encoding some data types such as URLs, and contact information in Japan, but not all applications in other countries adhere to this convention as listed by the open-source project "zxing" for QR Code data types.^[2]

Encoding standards

SPARQCode Pictograms, highlighting embedded data type.

The SPARQCode encoding standard specifies a convention for the following encoding data types.

• Phone Number
• SMS TEXT
• MAP
• URL
• MeCard
• vCard
• BlackBerry PIN

The SPARQCode convention also recommends but does not require the inclusion of visual pictograms to denote the type of encoded data.

License

The use of the SPARQCode is free of any license. The term SPARQCode itself is a trademark of MSKYNET, but has chosen to open it to be royalty-free.^[3]

Uses

SPARQCodes are used in the travel industry^[4], CRM Applications(Salesforce.com)^[5], Art Sales^[6], and marketing. A recent trend in SPARQCode usage growth is for mobile app downloads. Message group users and bloggers are embedding SPARQCodes directly in to their message posts for streamlining mobile app downloads.^[7]

References

1. ^ "QR Code Standardization | QR Code.com". Denso-wave.com. http://www.denso-wave.com/qrcode/qrstandard-e.html. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
2. ^ "Barcode Contents". zxing – A rough guide to standard encoding of information in barcodes. http://code.google.com/p/zxing/wiki/BarcodeContents. Retrieved 25 February 2010. 
3. ^ "SPARQCode Trademark - Terms Of Use". mskynet.com. http://www.sparqcode.com/static/tos. Retrieved 25 February 2010. 
4. ^ "Travel Industry - flight status". flightstats.com. http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightStatus/flightStatusByFlightBarcode.do?id=184667712. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
5. ^ "CRM Applications - Salesforce.com". force.com. http://sites.force.com/blogs/ideaView?c=09a30000000D9xo&id=087300000007BDDAA2&returnUrl=/apex/ideaList%3Fc%3D09a30000000D9xo%26category%3DAppExchange%26sort%3Dpopular. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
6. ^ "Art Industry - labeling art with sparqcodes". gallerish.com. http://gallerish.com/artwork-label-ad.php. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 
7. ^ "Mobile App Downloads - Al Lowe's - CyberJoke3000". allowe.com. http://allowe.com. Retrieved 2010-02-25. 

External links

• sparqcode.com
• (QRGen) SPARQCode Generator API
• Online SPARQCode Generator