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Google QR encoder API


The Google QR encoder API located here http://code.google.com/apis/chart has been out for a few weeks now, I originally posted about it here  http://deancollinsblog.blogspot.com/2008/05/google-chart-api-now-generates-qr-codes.html

The chart API is a fantastic application where any browser will return an image dependant on the url entered, originally designed for charts/graphs etc but in this instance you can enable the return of a 2D barcode in the form of a QR image.

(btw in case you are wondering - I use a Cingular 8525 (otherwise known as the HTC Tytyn) - and my QR reader of choice is the Quickmark reader - available for free download at   www.quickmark.com.tw

I kept waiting for Google to provide some documentation ( which they haven't for whatever reasons :) or extend the capability as until then it’s really just a neat trick.

So I was sitting around today looking for a project to do....... through trial and error let me provide you some documentation about the hidden extended functionality available on the Google QR Encoder API.



URL is the 'documented function'

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=http://www.cognation.net/profile



Send Email

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=dean@cognation.net



XXXX Send Email with subject ?? cant seem to get this to work but seems like it should so feel free to post if you work out how to do it.

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=dean@cognation.net:subject:



Dial From QR

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=tel:19172073420



Dial from QR 2 or more numbers separated by a "comma , "     (comma cant do 2 sms though)

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=tel:19172073420,12122034357,1917456321



SMS to number

 http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=sms:19172073420




SMS to number with message

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=sms:19172073420:there%20was%20a%20quick%20brown%20fox



MeCard functionality - this is the area I think the Google API really lets you down. Vcard is far more effective/useful and has more 'fields' for information.
Google have also left out certain fields for the MeCard standard.

(if you want to see the differences between MeCard and Vcard check out the samples on the Quickmark encoding site)

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=MECARD:N:Dean,Collins;TEL:9172073420;EMAIL:dean@Cognation.net;URL:www.cognation.net;;



http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=MECARD:N:Dean,Collins;ADR:smith%20st,new%20york;TEL:9172073420;EMAIL:dean@Cognation.net;URL:www.cognation.net;NOTE:this%20is%20a%20test;;




You can have 2 phone numbers for a contact just need a tel leading and a comma in between.
http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=MECARD:N:Dean,Collins;ADR:smith%20st,new%20york;TEL:9172073420,TEL:3332073420;EMAIL:dean@Cognation.net;URL:www.cognation.net;NOTE:this%20is%20a%20test;;



And last but not least - Text Only :)

http://chart.apis.google.com/chart?cht=qr&chs=200x200&chl=the%20quick%20brown%20fox%20jumps%20over%20the%20lazy%20dog