Established in Japan a number of years ago, the methodology of using QR codes is finding ready acceptance across the world, and Leuze has now incorporated this technology to provide users with optimum assistance quickly and easily, directly on-site - completely independent of Ethernet connections or WLAN availability and complicated configurations.
Gerry Bryant, managing director of Countapulse Controls, says that by using the Internet to read Quick Response (QR) Codes via mobile phones, technicians are able to respond that much faster and with greater accuracy. "The QR code contains the necessary address data and this means the user doesn't need to tediously enter the Internet address or a search term in the keypad of his mobile phone."
Leuze has equipped Safety Light Curtains of the SOLID-4E series with QR Codes. During maintenance or when reinstalling a device, these codes provide important information directly on the display of the technician's mobile phone.
Bryant says this could be for diagnosing sensor messages, viewing FAQs or data sheets. "The process is simple as the necessary software (QR Code Reader) is generally already installed on new mobile phones."
The user starts the software, which in turn activates the phone's camera function. After scanning (photographing) the code, the software immediately displays the address (URL) of the corresponding mobile website. With another click, the user confirms the address, and the requested page immediately opens. Here, Leuze makes documents available to support the user in daily use of the safety sensors.
With this new process, it is possible to increase productivity by gaining access to the correct data within minutes. Bryant says that for those whose mobile phones do not have the necessary software, the QR-Code reader is available as freeware on the Internet.
www.countapulse.edx.co.za