The advantages of using TAGs to transfer information

There are many ways to transfer information from one device to another; however, there are some distinct advantages to doing so using TAG, not the least of which is in providing instructions to a TAG Application.

A primary use for TAG will be to transfer complex operations or instructions. This can include just about any combination of tags and information but will be especially valuable to application developers who include interfaces to their applications. In any case, TAGs can be included in the printed material, such as user guides that initiate a process on the mobile device. Just as a web site address invokes the browser or a telephone number invokes the device's telephone, by design, a specific code can invoke an application.

The Universal Translator is a good example of this use. By managing the complexity of setting up a connection between two phones, the users can commence a translated conversation in a matter of a few seconds without any setup. Essentially, the two exchange TAGs and begin talking.

However, there can be a number of generalizations made pertaining to this type of TAG use. First, the facilities to accommodate the code require a connection between the TAG reader and the application and that in turn is dependent upon the TAG reader being extensible. There must be a facility to add the required interceptor into the TAG reader and the interceptor must in turn be able to connect with the application.

Another example would be the Retail TAG System and the interaction in retail stores. This goes beyond the simple concept of getting more information on an item and involves retaining a list of items and their prices (as would be the case when people are shopping around to find the best price).

The premise is that some retailers would want their prices compared and others would not. Therefore to entice retailers (and distributor/manufacturers to pressure retailers) to provide TAGs, the presumption is that user would provide contact information in return for access to the codes. Accordingly, retailers will utilize a system that exchanges a decryption code to read the TAGs placed on the retailer's merchandise.

The decryption code can itself be included in the TAG along with the setup process to prepare the list application. Retailers can place the TAGs to obtain the decryption code at their entrance or throughout their store.

In the above example, if the process required the user type in a decryption code and then setup the list application in order to proceed then the system would likely be rejected. Shoppers would want to gather information but not spend time setting up the device. However, if all they have to do is capture the TAG and invoke the process, there is higher probability for success.