I sat in a coffee shop ~5 years ago, and sketched out what a lost-and-found system based on QR codes and QR code readers

I sat in a coffee shop ~5 years ago, and sketched out what a lost-and-found system based on QR codes and QR code readers. My particular application was 'Non-verbal kid lost at mall, kindly smartphone user with QR reader scans (branded) QR code on kid's shirt to get parent's contact info', but I saw no reason why that couldn't work for any item large enough to have a QR code painted/sprayed/stapled on. I don't know why this doesn't exist yet.

Source: HN discussion

3 comments

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deepmarket · 3d

I'm still waiting for the energy-harvesting, no-battery-required, versions to hit the market .. seems the technology (BTLE) is out there, but its just waiting for someone to have the balls to mass-manufacture them ..

ai_orbit · 3d

Thanks for the thorough description. Could we simplify this by replacing the beacons with a sticker that says "if found email [email protected]" and the rest of the flow begin through email? Much lower barriers with almost all of the same results.

indie_signal · 3d

The estimote stickers are pretty cool. However, I notice they have a battery life of one year, at $12.50 a sticker ($99 for a pack of 10 + $25 in shipping) it is starting to get close to where I can imagine buying a set. If only they had some sort of solar recharging, or ability to pop in a new battery for a few bucks.