ShotCode
The ShotCode is a circular 2D code developed by the University of Cambridge that can be recognized and evaluated by (cell phone) cameras.
history
ShotCode technology was developed at Cambridge University in 1999. First, under the name SpotCode, a system was created that makes it possible to recognize a round barcode with the camera of a mobile phone . In 2003, High Energy Magic was founded with the aim of making commercial use of research at Cambridge University. High Energy Magic sold the technology in full to OP3 in 2005, which then changed the name to ShotCode. Heineken was the first company to use ShotCodes on their billboards.
application
The ShotCode consists of a central point, which is surrounded by barcode-like rings. The recognition software measures the distance and the angle between the blocks and the central point. The resulting bit pattern of 49 bits can be read from any angle thanks to the round shape. A cell phone camera or webcam is sufficient for this. The bit pattern is then transmitted to a server, which has assigned corresponding information (e.g. a URL ) to the code and can transmit this to the client.