Applications of mobile barcode recognition to real-time events and gatherings

Abstract

We discuss our explorations encouraging discussion and information exchange in high-bandwidth, real-time settings such as trade shows, fairs and conferences. We detail the iterative construction and evaluation of the "PittiMobi" system at a series of fashion trade shows. The PittiMobi mobile phone and desktop software clients augment traditional face-to-face communication to form a unique ecosystem that fosters location-based community interaction between buyers, sellers and the press. PittiMobi is based on a system of two-dimensional barcodes, which users can capture with their mobile phones and use to link a physical place to digital space. A custom -developed mobile client interfaces with a Drupal web server and desktop client, with careful attention paid to developing a cross-platform experience that would encourage exchange and discussion throughout the length of a conference. A further platform called "event spaces" for the creation of viral digital conversations that link people at physical gatherings is envisioned, discussed and prototyped as a tool for further study.