| 1. Prescription for dispensing pharmacies |
 |
A new service has started in which prescription data is encoded into QR Codes and printed on prescriptions. The specifications for recording the data are standardized by the Japanese Association of Healthcare Information System Industry (JAHIS). In this service, users read prescription data with a scanner, which enters patient and prescription data quickly and accurately into the computer, preventing input errors and alterations of prescriptions. Because the service reduces time required for data input, waiting time becomes shorter for patients while pharmacists can spend longer time giving instructions on dosage and administration.
Data to be encoded include information on the medical institution, diagnosis and treatment department, physician's name, patient's name, health insurance information, and drug information. Coded information complies with the data exchange standard of HL7 with which GS1 concludes a Memorandum of Understanding for collaboration. |
| 2. Standardization at the Japan Association of Medical Equipment Industries |
 |
GTIN and serial numbers are coded into QR Code and directly marked on steel surgical instruments.
(For more details, refer to 4.1.2-3.) |
| 3. Test System for Blood Specimens |
 |
Medical laboratories analyze and test medical specimens such as blood as commissioned by medical institutions. These specimens must be accurately managed and identified individually because a great number of specimens are handled every day for individual hospitals, and test types.
At some laboratories QR Code labels are automatically printed, marked and attached by labeling equipment. Data include acceptance date, medical institution name (in Japanese kanji characters), analysis/test item code, test site code, and identification number. |
| 4. Sales Management of Glasses and Contact Lenses |
 |
QR Codes are used for the sales management of contact lenses and glasses. For a contact lens, the product code, product name, degree of correction, base curve, and other information are encoded into a QR Code of about 8 square mm size. The code is printed on the lens container, and the information is used for point-of-sales or inventory management. |
| 5. Visitor Management System |
 |
At various exhibitions, seminars, and receptions QR Codes on the ID badges of visitors and/or event staff are scanned when they enter and exit the venue, and used for various purposes such as on-site security management, marketing management, and customer management. For example, QR Code was used in the Expo 2005 Aichi Japan for the staff/vehicle entry
control. |
| 6. Passenger flight information carrier for ticket-less boarding |
 |
Many airline companies are introducing a ticket-less boarding service that allows domestic flight passengers to go on board without check-in. In Japan, passengers can choose QR Code as an information carrier. The ticket-less boarding system varies with airlines, but a customer who purchased a ticket, reserved a seat, and paid for it online can usually choose QR Code as a medium to receive flight reservation information. The QR Code is then sent to the customer's cell phone or PC. A boarding
pass is issued when the code is scanned by the reader at the security check counter or the boarding gate. This service is advantageous to customers who no longer have to check in. It is also advantageous to airline companies which no longer have to issue paper tickets. A Japanese airline company plans to completely switch to the electronic ticket system by the end of 2007.
Recently, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced a global standard that allows multiple 2D symbols including QR Code for use in mobile phone check-in system, which will be implemented by 2010. |
| 7. Backup of vehicle inspection certificate information |
 |
In Japan, QR Code is marked on the vehicle inspection certificate, which certifies each vehicle registered and inspected to meet the requirements. While the certificate is kept by the car owner, a vehicle inspection sticker is attached to the car itself. When the sticker needs to be reissued, the QR Code on the certificate is read to reduce paperwork. |
| 8. Shipment Management System for Clothing |
 |
An apparel manufacturer prints QR Codes displaying the shipment destination, GTIN, color, and size on the shipping instructions and utilizes them for shipment management. Some of the information encoded in QR Codes are written in Japanese kanji characters or and/or phonetic characters. |
| 9. Identification of Building Sites for Sale |
 |
A local organization engaged in urban land readjustment and redevelopment sticks ceramic tiles with QR Codes carrying the location information to land survey markers to match the surveying drawings. These QR Codes on the site enable correct and prompt identification of land and buildings and improves work processes. |
A. Access mobile websites with QR Code
Encode product order URLs of mobile websites into QR Codes and print them in magazine ads or pamphlets. Then users simply scan a QR Code to access the product ordering page. Users can place orders anywhere and at anytime. QR Codes allow sellers to take full advantage of more business opportunities.
Encode contact information, such as name, phone No., and e-mail address, into a QR Code and print it on their business cards. Contacts who receive their cards can enter the data into their address books by simple cell phone scanning operations. This type of business card will be welcomed by business people who can save time to enter contact information.
