Personal Research Project on QR Codes and Augmented Reality - Final Presentation

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Artefact 6 - Evaluation

Due to the complications of the previous artefact I strayed away from heavy code and opted for further research into projects that are trying to replicate what I'm trying to do. I then came across Daqri. Daqri is currently a beta service that provides users with an easy non-code-heavy way of producing QR Codes that link to information on a user specific web page. It also provides the user with an Augmented Reality feature to add 3D models to the QR Code. The only problem with this is that the AR feature only works through the Daqri application, currently only on iPhone and iPad.

Having been in contact with the developers at Daqri, I've managed to suggest for them to add a feature similar to my last artefact in adding an Augmented Reality video plane as adding video in this way increases its interactivity and the users engagement than just a plain 3D model without animation. I also had a few problems with their mobile as it wasn't optimised for mobile devices and was slow to load.

In testing Daqri's functionalities it does work brilliantly however there are some areas that could be developed and improved. Ultimately the product did what I set out to do which was seeing if QR Codes and AR could help us share information, which it does. My only reserve is that the development of Augmented Reality is slower than QR Codes and it will take a little longer for the full potential of AR to be realised and users create applications for AR to be visually impressive and useful to the user. Nevertheless over the next year I can see a huge increase in the use of QR Codes on advertising and self-promotion items as it is a brilliant way of sharing information quickly.

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The Culmination of my Personal Research Project on #QRCodes and #AugmentedReality

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If you're not sure how to scan the QR Codes, find out here

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Testing #Daqri Features on an iPod Touch - Artefact 6

Live testing of Daqri.

Things are still in beta so the vCard doesn't work at the moment.

Auto playing the AR didn't work either although I did select it in the settings.

Nevertheless, the AR on the QR Code does work brilliantly!

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#Daqri May be the Answer - Artefact 6

Introducing Daqri.

I'm currently testing it as a beta tester.

It works really well with the integration of the QR Code and Augmented Reality however it doesn't work with video in the way I'd hoped it to.

Although my particular augmented reality business card plays the video automatically on a manipulative plain, with Daqri you have to select to play the video within its own video player as it doesn't play automatically.

If only the Daqri could play a selected video above the QR Code (See example below) It would be brilliant!

I'm going to play more with the service over the next few days as it has some augmented reality features for using models which I want to look at.

Also another problem I have is that I don't have an iPhone or a new iPod Touch so I'm borrowing the use of one while waiting for their Android app to be released.

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I'm Spitting QR Codes

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A few weeks ago I spotted this video and thought it was a brilliant idea. I've therefore create my own, Version 1, to hopefully develop into something that I can use for real. So far it's just a short video but I would like to develop into a proper introduction. I may also use this idea as one of my exhibition images once developed further.

Also here is another example of the same technique being used in a magazine -

If you're not sure how to scan the QR Code, please see this previous blog post - http://blog.cityandwool.co.uk/how-to-scan-quick-response-codes-with-your-sm

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Thanks to #Saqoosha My AR QR Code Business Card Works

OK it doesn't work perfectly yet, and I haven't added in my own 3D model, but I've been able to create my own marker file so the SWF file will recognise my business card marker and produce the pink box above it. It does struggle to produce the 3D box all the time but this is due to the size of the QR Code. It's to small and detailed for it to be easily recognized.

Next step is to customise the AR in producing my video with a transparent background using green screen.

I may also need to improve the AR marker for better recognition.

Link to the tutorial

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Running a #Junaio Channel On My Server

Further developments to my Personal Research Project, Artefact 5.

I tried using their GLUE Channel Creator but didn't have much luck. I've therefore uploaded one of their GLUE examples onto my server to see it I can start to understand how it works and customize it from there.

Now it's successfully running from my server, I now need to change the tracking image to my QR Code based Augmented Reality marker and create my own 3D image, which has to consist of a .md2 file and a .obj file.

'The MD2 file format supports animated models with up to 1024 vertices per model. MD2 models cannot have different colours but textures. Therefore, textures have to be baked in case for instance "vertex colours" shall be shown.
One MD2 file can contain a set of different animations. The animations are calculated on per-vertex base (no bones) and are very efficient for mobile devices with weak processors. Although the MD2 file format is a vertex-animation format, the file itself is very small in size compared to other vertex-animation supporting formats (like VRML for example). A Model with around 500 Vertices, 1000 Polygons and a total frame number of 200 with all animations will consume about 480 KB of storage on the mobile device. When this exemplary model is loaded into the renderer it will consume additionally 750 KB of system memory. Please consider that 200 frames in MD2 at 25frames per second can be actually about 600 frames when considering some steps ongoing in MD2 content preparation. Usually, MD2 models do not need to have more than 500 vertices (although 1024 per model are supported). Differences between a model with 500 vertices and a model with 1000 vertices are nearly unrecognizable if the texture map for the MD2 model was well prepared.

The OBJ file format is a model format for static meshes. It supports multiple meshes with different textures and materials. Meshes can also have assigned different materials to their polygons.
Thereby, the OBJ format provides more flexibility with respect to textures than the MD2 format which can only use one texture. However, the OBJ format does not support animations. Thus, it is recommended to use the OBJ format for high quality static objects and rely on the MD2 format for animated models.'

These files must the be encrypted with a file size limit of 350kb each.

If I want sound with my 3D Model I would also have to add this to the XML -

<poi ...>                            <customizations>          <customization>             <name>Name</name>             <type>sound</type>             <!--"click" will start the sound on user interaction; "idle", once the model is loaded -->             <node_id>[CLICK/IDLE]</node_id>             <value><![CDATA[URL_TO_YOUR_SOUND_TO_BE_STREAMED]]></value>          </customization>       </customizations>    ...  </poi>

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#Junaio Augmented Reality Browser Saves The Day!

As you can see in my last blog post, I've been trying to set-up an Augmented Reality SDK, which unfortunately didn't support the HTC Legend, so now I've moved back into looking at AR Browsers.

Here's where Juniao comes into play with their GLUE Channel Creator which is exactly what I've been looking for!

I've even played with a test version of my QR Code based AR marker within Juniao's Instant Tracker.

I've also signed up to be a Juniao Developer and currently waiting for their servers to be updated with my created channel which will allow me to test my Augmented Reality business card on my HTC Legend.

The test images are viewing my marker from a computer screen.

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Artefact 5 - Planning for the Creation of my Augmented Reality Business Card

To summaries my last artefact, it has given me good grounding for my next artefact (number 5) for developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will (hopefully) include virtual video content.

In researching methods to do this I've found two pathways to follow; One being an ActionScript 3.0 version utilizing a computer or laptop webcam, and the second pathway of developing it for Android using an Augmented Reality Software Development Kit (AR SDK) by Qualcomm.

In following the second pathway, I could actually use it on a supported mobile device which would be brilliant, but I'm struggling to get my head around the code, etc. so may have to keep to a simpler ActionScript 3.0 version until the next artefact.

I feel like I'm just scratching the surface but hopefully I can get the ball rolling over the next few days.

I'm also looking at the use of green screen to have my video with no background when displayed from the business card.

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Artefact 4 - Evaluation of my Augmented Reality Business Card Concepts

Reflecting back on my research topic and what I’ve learnt from the
last artefact, I wanted to include the use of Augmented Reality in the
sharing of information and ideas. I therefore took the results from my
last artefact and integrated a QR Code business card with an Augmented
Reality marker. I then developed 4 concepts of how this Augmented
Reality would work to test with users. These concepts included a
simple image/avatar,  a portfolio/flipbook, video content and finally
social media links.

Although these weren’t working prototypes, results from generating
these concepts showed that users preferred the portfolio/flipbook and
the video content to the other, simpler concepts. Opinions showed that
the ability to include a large amount of information on the flipbook
was a likeable quality however the QR Code within the marker could be
used to link to a website or portfolio which would be more suitable.
In using Augmented Reality to generate a virtual person within the
video it brings something unique to the virtual environment.

Users were also questioned on least effective concept with the simple
image and social media links scoring the highest. Comments that
emerged  from this highlighted the need for ease of use in accessing
the extra information, explanation of the icons and the inclusion of
more interactivity.

Finally over half the users agreed that they would adopt the business
card that included the Augmented Reality video content with the
portfolio/flipbook getting a positive response too. Reasoning behind
this came from the ability to present yourself as a designer which
would firstly show off your personality and secondly to put a name to
a face or brand.

To summarise, this artefact has given me good grounding for my next
artefact developing my own Augmented Reality business card which will
include virtual video content.

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Artefact 4 - Presentation

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Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards, Artefact 4.

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Take a look at my fourth artefact - Concepts for Augmented Reality Business Cards

Take a look at my fourth artefact and then fill in the survey that's linked to the page.

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Artefact 4 - 4 Uses of Augmented Reality with a Business Card

Here are four different concepts for an Augmented Reality business card. I want to find out which one people believe to be the most beneficial to then go ahead with and create it for real (hopefully)

 

The types of AR include -

• Simple image/avatar
• A portfolio/flipbook navigated through by clicking on the red arrows
• A video with audio. This would include either a personal introduction or the reading of my CV
• Various social media links

I've also come across 'Junaio' an Augmented Reality browser - http://www.junaio.com/ which is similar to 'Layar' - http://www.layar.com/ which may be worth a look at, especially the developer side of things.

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Artefact 4 - Further Development

So the plan is to integrate a QR Code and an AR marker to create a 2-in-1 business card. It can then be used as an AR marker to show 3D content via a webcam or smartphone or can be scanned by a QR Reader to get the contact details within the QR Code.

Here are some examples of QR-based Augmented Reality -

Now putting this idea onto a business card could come out with something like this...

via http://visualcard.me/

This example also offers the ability for anyone to create their own AR business card, however in trying to sign up I haven't been able to get any login details sent through to my email address. This is probably due to some problems with their site.

One of the best examples of an AR business card can be found below. It also includes a QR Code however it's slightly separated from the AR marker.

via http://www.t-o-x-i-n.de/index.php/2009/07/18/allgemein/augmented-businesscard-english/

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Artefact 4 -

I was reading through some of my notes for my previous artefacts and found some interesting points which will hopefully help me with my fourth artefact. I still want to keep close to my research document question in doing this artefact too - Could the use of QR Codes and Augmented Reality improve the way we share information and communicate with each other?

• Without me telling you anything about myself and given that I'm happy to share all my information with you, would you be able to virtually get information from me via the use of a QR Codes and Augmented Reality

With keeping this idea of sharing personal information with a business card, I want to look at a more developed concept of the business card. This includes the use of Augmented Reality.

I want to look at face recognition software which would recognise a persons face and augment their virtual business card around their heads. I know there's already a concept idea for this as seen below, but I want to develop it and see how it can be improved. Ultimately I would like to develop my own version of this but I'm not entirely sure how I will go about it.

Here are some Action Script face recognition videos that I've found that might help -

And some face recognition software that might be of help - http://www.pittpatt.com/

And a final video of using just AR on a card. This could be the first step to artefact 4.

Using AR and a QR Code on a business card then to maybe develop that idea in the next artefact suggesting 'what if you don't have a business card at all?'

Some more geo-location based comments I took from my note book too -

• Creating a digital footprint
• Voice you opinion in a QR code and attach it to a government building
• Using QR codes to find events each venue has a QR code with navigates you to the venue.

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QR Code - Content-rich Resume

Just brilliant! Will have to have a go at doing one of these myself!

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Artefact 3 - QR Code Business Cards, Evaluation

Given the previous artefact was looking at real-world applications of QR Codes within a commercial advertising context I wanted to look at the relevance they had to self-promotion, with particular emphasis on promoting myself as a web designer. In doing this I looked at how a traditional business card could be improved by utilising new technologies like the QR Code. In designing five prototype business cards I was then able to test their effectiveness.

From the data collected it was apparent that although a traditional style business card was more visually appealing to most, users found the business card that included the QR Code saving the information directly to their phone was most effective in sharing the information. This was due to its ability to provide information that didn't rely on having an internet connection or Wi-Fi as the other QR Code linked to a web page.

Although there was a positive response to the QR Code being included with half the users agreeing to adopting this type of business card for themselves, it was still apparent that a business card could not rely on a QR Code by itself. It had to include some sort of explanation or extra content that was relevant to what the QR Code was offering. This highlighted a slight issue with trust in not knowing what the QR Code actually included. Although QR Code readers are uncommon, making the inclusion of a QR Code slightly pointless, it does shows an interest in utilising modern technologies which is a likeable quality for an potential employer or client.

To conclude, the artefact was a success as it highlighted the beneficial use of a QR Code and therefore is a technology that will be include in the final year Multimedia exhibition catalogue under each student’s profile.

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Artefact 3 - Presentation

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Artefact 3 - Come and Test My Business Cards

Follow the link below to see my next artefact and don't forget to fill in the survey! -

http://www.cityandwool.co.uk/artefact3/

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