Actipaper links printed and web content with just a single click

Contents

General section

- What does the Actipaper solution involve?
- What is a 2D code?
- What is the difference between the Actipaper mini-codes and other 2D codes you may come across?
- How big is the Acti-paper mini-code image ?
- Which companies or services can effectively make use of the Actipaper solution ?
- Where can you use Actipaper mini-codes ?
- What kind of materials can the mini-codes be printed on ?
- How is a mini-code linked to a specific URL ?
- How many mini-codes can you generate ?
- How to read the Actipaper codes ?
- Is it possible to customise the readers ?
- Where and how can Actipaper readers be obtained?

Usage section

- How do I use my reader?
- How is the reader connected to the computer?
- Is there a special programme or driver that needs to be installed for the reader to work?
- Where can I get a user manual for the reader?
- Is there a way to access the relevant web contents without a reader and without the Actipaper application?
- Can the reader be used on a vertical surface?
- How do you know when the readers have correctly read a mini-code?
- What happens if the reader (simple or mouse) is used on something other than an Actipaper mini-code?
- What should I do if the reader doesn't work?
- The mini-code has been recognised by the reader but the web page doesn't display. What should I do?

General section

What does the Actipaper solution involve?
Actipaper is the print & web convergence solution that allows anyone to use a single button press on a printed document to directly access a specific Internet page (or to trigger any other web-based command, like adding a product to a shopping basket or creating a new email to a nominated recipient). This is based on an optical reader connected to your computer to decode the data embedded in a 2D mini-code (which is just a two-dimensional version of the now commonplace barcode). Decoding the data will open the Internet browser and request and display the associated web page.

What is a 2D code?
A 2D code is a graphic representation of numerical or alphanumerical data. It is in fact a bar code in 2 dimensions. However, the standard EAN 13 bar code is limited to 13 digits while the 2D codes may contain several thousands of characters. There are several formats for 2D codes but all are compatible with each other. The main ones are the QR codes and Datamatrix. Actipaper codes belong to the latter category.

What is the difference between the Actipaper mini-codes and other 2D codes you may come across?
Actipaper mini-codes and mobile phone tags are based on the same principal of a two-dimensional code. There are, in fact, several different types of format available (e.g. datamatrix or QR codes). But Actipaper mini-codes are significantly smaller than those currently used. This means that they can be easily included on catalogue pages or even directly inserted into lines of standard text.

How big is the Acti-paper mini-code image ?
An Actipaper mini-code is a square with its side measuring between 2.5 and 10mm.

Which companies or services can effectively make use of the Actipaper solution ?
Wherever the two universes of print and web media co-exist, the possibilities are endless. Using an Actipaper solution is highly effective in numerous domains and multiple applications. You can click here to watch a video that will demonstrate the multitude of possibilities through a few select examples.

Where can you use Actipaper mini-codes ?
Actipaper mini-codes can be used on any type of printed media: catalogues, magazines, newspapers, print mail, packaging, etc.

What kind of materials can the mini-codes be printed on ?
Generally speaking, Actipaper mini-codes can be printed on just about any surface that doesn't pose any particular printing issues. Mini-codes have already been successfully printed and used on various paper products, brochures, plastic cards, mouse pads, desk pads, etc.

How is a mini-code linked to a specific URL ?
URL addresses are associated with their respective mini-codes using an application developed by Actipaper.

How many mini-codes can you generate ?
Several millions of different copies of Actipaper mini-codes may be produced.

How to read the Actipaper codes ?
- with the simple reader :
The simple reader is compatible Mac/Pc and reads codes measuring between 2,5 and 3,5 mm long on each side
- with the mouse :
The mouse is compatible PC and reads codes up to 12 mm long on each side. You can also use it like any other mouse.
- With the Actipaper iPhone application :
The Actipaper application is available on the Apple Store and is compatible with the 3GS and 4G iPhones. It reads all the code size from 5 mm and offers the possibility to keep an history of all the scanned codes.

Is it possible to customise the readers ?
It is quite possible to customise the readers (simple reader or mouse) : printing product logos, various different colours and shapes, etc. Such customisations may sometimes impose additional delays in delivery.

Where and how can Actipaper readers be obtained?
The readers (simple reader or mouse) are supplied with printed materials published by companies that have decided to use the Actipaper solution for their communications media. The readers are also available by contacting Actipaper directly. An Actipaper iPhone application is also available from the Apple Store.

Usage section

How do I use my reader?
Whether it is the driver or the mouse, you must place the viewing window above the code and click on the button. For the iPhone, touch the screen by pressing on the scan button then place your phone 10 to 15cm from the code and position the code inside the viewing window. The link opens automatically.

How is the reader connected to the computer?
The current reader versions must be linked to the computer using a USB2 cable and port.

Is there a special programme or driver that needs to be installed for the reader to work?
For the readers to operate, a small application must be installed before connecting the reader. They are available for Mac (simple reader) and for Windows (simple reader and mouse). You may download them from here by selecting the reader of your choice.

Where can I get a user manual for the reader?
You can download the reader's user guide from the web site or by clicking here.

Is there a way to access the relevant web contents without a reader and without the Actipaper application?
There are several solutions available for using the redirection services without an Actipaper reader. These solutions employ an alphanumeric code that can be placed beside the 2D mini-code. You can enter this alphanumeric code (also known as the link code) into an Actipaper widget or into a customised widget. This kind of redirection can also be used by entering the link code into the Actipaper portal or on the website of whoever printed that actual link code. These access modes can even sometimes be used on the web browser included on your mobile phone.

Can the reader be used on a vertical surface?
There are no restrictions against using the reader to decode a mini-code printed on a vertical surface.

How do you know when the readers have correctly read a mini-code?
When the mini-code is decoded, the reader's diode lights flash, the computer will make a characteristic sound (sounds like a camera taking a photo), and the web browser screen will open on the web page linked to that mini-code.

What happens if the reader (simple or mouse) is used on something other than an Actipaper mini-code?
The reader's lights will remain lit for 5 seconds, indicating that the camera is trying to decode the image. Then a sound will be emitted and the lights switched off to indicate that the decoding didn't work. Nothing else occurs at all.

What should I do if the reader doesn't work?
If the simple reader malfunctions, it might be necessary to check the following items:
- the reader is correctly connected to a USB2 port.
- the driver is working properly. When necessary, restart the driver by right-clicking on the Actipaper icon that is visible in the notification panel of your taskbar, and then clicking on the ""Restart the reader's driver"" option
- the driver may not be correctly installed. In such cases it might be necessary to reinstall the driver. When doing this, first uninstall the driver by clicking through Start/All programs/Actipaper/Uninstall. Then re-run the installation procedure after having disconnected the reader.

For the mouse, close the program by right-clicking the icon in your taskbar and restart the application by double-clicking on the Actipaper icon on your desktop.

The mini-code has been recognised by the reader but the web page doesn't display. What should I do?
This may mean that the link associated with the mini-code in question is not working itself, either for technical reasons (e.g. Internet connection problems) or because that link itself doesn't exist any more. In the latter case, you can advise either or both of the company that published the materials with the erroneous mini-code and/or the Actipaper company itself directly by clicking here.