Audio Barcode Overview

NTT DoCoMo is working on a technology called Audio Barcodes that can recognize a frequency sent from a audio source such as a TV or radio. NTT DoCoMo plans on using this technology in handsets in the near future to allow a consumer to get specific information of a product, service or news. Handset owners can hear an advertisement and point their phone to the source of audio which then receives a sound at a decibel that is undetectable by the human ear. This sound then directs your handset to a given URL where you can find out more information.

Technology behind Audio Barcodes

The data that is embedded into these sounds is transmitted by Acoustic OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) which allows a data modulation technique that enhances a frequency to transmit data at 1kbs so about one or two seconds to receive the data. An advantage of OFDM is it minimizes error of the transmission of data cause it is resistant to signal reflection. OFDM is the same kind of technology used in hi-speed internet access like Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a/g.

Impressions of Audio Barcodes

We can see why this will be a useful tool for a source of information. NTT DoCoMo says that applications could be used in art museums as you look at a painting and hear an audio guide in one language but display information in another language. I think a good use of the application would be a universal translator or podcasts that will be able to direct you to their information. Imagine you hear a song on the radio or internet and want to know who it is, music artists can embed audio code in the music to direct you to more information about that song or where to buy it. One good application would be for social networking, think about it being able to connect different nationalities and cultures together minimizing advertising costs by using an already available audio source that is widely accepted, which means faster deployment of the technology to handsets.

Source NTT DoCoMo

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