QR code is widely used as an efficient, fast and reliable interface between printed media and camera equipped mobile devices. QR code is mostly used to replace any long and boring sequence of typing, or activating various commands with much easier and accurate actions.
Many various kinds of information can be interchanged, including numbers, text, hypertext, addresses, etc.
Each producer of TV program generates a large amount of information devoted to the audience. Among others, it can be the program promotion, with the information about the scheduled broadcast date/time, or any other kind of information which requires writing down numbers, web addresses, plain text or other content.
The concept of Second Screen (parallel use of mobile device and TV screen) and Social Television, (i.e. the union of television and social media) is showing strong increase in popularity. QR code is one way of making their connection simple, accurate and effective.
QRTV Reminder is the receiving side tool for visual communication between the TV program and mobile device.
It can be used only with the QR codes generated using the qrtvreminder.com service and displayed on TV screen.
There are four QRTV Reminder functionalities:
1. Creating an event - reminder in Google calendar, with basic information on program, air date, time and duration;
2. Sending an SMS (text message) with predefined content to the predefined number;
3. Dialling the predefined phone number and
4. Opening the predefined web page.
The application is very simple. The main activity is to scan the QR code displayed on the TV screen. When started, QR code image must be located within the viewfinder rectangle. Code is scanned and decoded very quickly.
Depending on the code content, further actions are suggested to the user.
1. For creating the calendar event, user can modify some of the event fields, or simply touch DONE or SAVE button.
2. For sending the text message, user should touch the SEND button.
3. For dialling the number, user should touch the DIAL button.
4. For opening the web page, it is directly opened.
For any other QE code, QRTV Reminder behaves as ordinary QR reader.