Fujitsu to test kid-tracking system using QR codes

Lest you think RFID is the only technology being used in Japan to track kids, Fujitsu is testing a system that can store detailed data in QR Codes, eliminating the need for kids to wear or carry a digital device. The system works sort of like a CueCat for kids; if a child is lost, his QR Code can be read by an Internet-enabled scanner, which can automatically forward the child's information to a specified server, which will in turn notify the parents. Unlike RFID, of course, there's no active transmissions being sent by the child, but the QR-based system has the advantage of being cheap to implement. Of course, the same results could probably be achieved by having the child carry a wallet-sized card with his home address and phone number, or a camp-style tag sewn into a shirt. But, then, Fujitsu wouldn't be able to sell any scanners, would they?

[#1 Poster @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Perhaps they should use these to tag young White girls who vacation in aruba with their dutch boyfriends !?

Would you like a Smoke and a Pancake?

[Dennis - Help me fight for my son @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Is this tattooed on them? Do you think they will remember to carry it, or swipe it from another kid?

[jfb3 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Oh, you don't really mean "if a child is lost" what you mean is 'if a child is found'.

[hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

people seems to think that rfid chips are like a mobile phone or similar radio transmitter. not so, they only send out a return signal when a special signal is beamed at them, using the power of the first signal to power themselfs. basicly they are kinda like anti-shoplifter alarms.

[otakucode @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Japan had such a cultural advantage in terms of education and ability of its citizenry for quite awhile, why do they insist on killing it? The reason they had such capable citizens, such respectful and helpful people, etc is because they respected their children to be able to take care of themselves. If they decide to babify their kids like we do in the west, they will reap the inevitable crop of inept adults and criminal adolescents that we have.

Remember, adolescents were INVENTED by technology. Prior to technological societies, there were children and there were adults. You sexually mature at 12? Guess what, you're married at 12. And you get a job at 12. And you are an adult. No R rated movies keeping you out, no drinking laws making sure you don't get your short ass drunk. You're just a bit smaller and a bit more inexperiened than the average adult. Nowadays, you're sexually mature at 12? Too bad. Nobody wants to believe you are anything but a slightly taller infant until you are 21. At that time, you are expected to sprout, fully formed, from the head of Society an able-bodied adult. It doesn't work like that. You have to raise children to BE adults if you want them to be capable of taking care of themselves.

And teaching them to kick back and relax because someone will always be watching out for them is not the way to instill any sort of self reliance in anyone.

[mark @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

They didn't seem so superior in Battle Royale did they!??! EH!?!!? nyaaaaa.

[Ben @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Haha, I like the tattoo idea. Don't forget that virtually every cameraphone in Japan can scan these tags. I just scanned that image with a Japanese phone I've got and it picked up some guy's business card (all in Japanese) with his address, phone number, a web site URL and an email address.

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Why don't we just brand them like we do with cattle?

The entire planet is going down the crapper.

[Patrick Shields @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Ben: It's actually the contact details for the Chamber of Commerce of Nichinan City, Miyazaki Prefecture. But you can generate a code that contains your own details on pages like this one:

http://nfg.2y.net/system/qrcodegen.php

[Apoco-lips @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

This just acts as a handy inventory system for paedo-salaryman-types; so they can match the used panties to the child locked in a cupboard next to the folded futon and stacks of cosplay uniform catalogues >_<

[hulk hogan huge biceps @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

did anyone see the episode of "Hogan Knows Best" where he used a thing like this to track his daughter? it was hilarious

[hobgoblin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

about tattooing it on, makes me kinda think about the mark of the beast :P

allso, it makes me think of the fact that nazi's tattooed numbers to concentration camp prisoners...