REQUEST # 67911
Improving the Aesthetic Appearance of QR Codes
RESPONSE DUE DATE: February 24, 2012
MANAGER: Pamela Semanik
SOLUTION PROVIDER HELP DESK
EMAIL: PhD@ninesigma.com
PHONE: +1-216-283-3901
Opportunity
Product development, product acquisition, licensing. Readilyadaptable solutions are preferred.
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Timeline
Phase 1 – Proof of concept (3 - 4 weeks)
Phase 2 – Application development (2 - 4 weeks)
Financials
Funding is available commensurate with product readiness,
business opportunity, and business relationship. All terms to be
negotiated between the Solution Provider(s) and client, as
warranted.
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
NineSigma, representing an international
Fortune 500 company and leader in global
technology, invites proposals for improving the
aesthetic nature of QR codes in archival
documents. This is a substantial opportunity with
the potential for production of 2 million+ unique
bar codes per year.
The successful technology will:
 Allow a QR code to be embedded into a
simple graphic (i.e., logo) or a graphic
embedded into a QR code
○ Without loss of information
○ Must be capable of carrying 1000 – 2000+
bytes of data
○ Must allow for color and design variation
 Be compatible with standard and current code
reading technologies (laser, imaging)
 Be scalable, and allow for the large-scale
generation of unique bar codes
 Be printable using inkjet printers, laser
printers, and other high quality printing
mechanisms
○ Adaptability to other printing processes is
desired
 Allow for flexibility in design graphics or logos
 Meet the following performance requirement:
○ Original image quality at least Grade B
(ISO/IEC 18004:2006 information
technology)
 A range of sample QR codes and images is
provided to demonstrate the complexity of a
typical document graphic described in this
RFP. Please consider using the sample
images and codes to demonstrate your
approach, along with any additional samples
you may submit in your proposal.
BACKGROUND
Quick Response (QR) codes are 2-dimensional
bar codes that hold large amounts of information,
accessible by reading devices such as scanners
and smartphones.
QR codes, used in official documents such as
certificates and diplomas, allow verification of
authenticity. Assigning a unique QR code to an
official document, and tying authenticating data
to the code, allows for the validation of the
document and its holder.
The client is interested in technologies that allow
a QR code to be embedded into a logo or
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium
www.ninesigma.com
RFP format and graphics© Copyright 2012 NineSigma, Inc
NineSigma Request # 67911
Improving the Aesthetic Appearance of QR Codes
document graphic, such as an official seal,
without loss of data storage capacity.
SAMPLE IMAGES AND QR CODES
Examples of images and QR codes are included
in a file to demonstrate your approach’s
capabilities in handling typical document
elements addressed in this RFP. Please see the
Response Template for download information.
POSSIBLE APPROACHES
Possible approaches might include, but are not
limited to:
 Graphics technologies that allow for the
identification of the code via a standard reader
 Approaches that allow for color and design
variation
 Variations of current QR code design that are
readable by standard technologies
 Alternative approaches to current commercial
products are welcome
APPROACHES NOT OF INTEREST
The following approaches are not of interest:
 Scanning or code reading technology
innovations
 Codes that are not readable by both laser
(red/green) and imaging readers
APPROPRIATE RESPONSES TO THIS REQUEST
Responses from companies (small to large),
academic researchers, other research institutes,
consultants, entrepreneurs, or inventors are
welcome.
 I am a company/research organization
with a proprietary QR code generating
platform which should provide a solution
compatible with standard commercial
products.
 I am an advertising company with a
graphics-based solution that is currently
available for licensing.
Appropriate responses will use the proposal
template and address the following:
 High level description of the capabilities of the
proposed approach
Page 2
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Examples of graphic + code, readability
o Examples of code and graphic are included
in this RFP. Please consider including this
as part of your response, along with other
examples you may have to demonstrate
your approach.
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Data to support proposal claims
Technical maturity of approach (solutions that
are available or near commercialization are
preferred)
Description of the proposed technology
compared to current capabilities
Preferred business arrangement
Approaches that are demonstrable will be
given priority for this RFP
Please provide information regarding your
anticipated development cost and timeline
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RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST
NON-CONFIDENTIAL DISCLOSURE
By submitting a Response you represent that the
Response does not and will not be deemed to contain
any confidential information of any kind whatsoever.
Your Response should be an executive summary (about
3 pages). The Response should briefly describe the
technical approach and provide information on
technology performance, background, and description of
the responding team and their related experience.
By submitting a Response, you acknowledge that
NineSigma’s client reserves the sole and absolute right
and discretion to select for award all, some, or none of
the Responses received for this announcement.
NineSigma’s client also may choose to select only
specific tasks within a proposal for award. NineSigma's
client has the sole and absolute discretion to determine
all award amounts.
RESPONSE EVALUATION
NineSigma’s client will evaluate the Response using the
following criteria:
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Overall scientific and technical merit of the proposed
approach
Approach to proof of concept or performance
Potential for proprietary position (i.e., is the
technology novel or protectable)
Economic potential of concept
Respondent’s capabilities and related experience
Realism of the proposed plan and cost estimates
The client will contact respondents with highly
responsive proposals for next steps.
Offices: Cleveland - USA, Tokyo - Japan, Leuven - Belgium
www.ninesigma.com