My 1999

After dealing with the Kunlun mobile phone, Xu Liang soon paid attention to Hongmeng Payment.

He called.

The company's CEO Shang Zhengfeng quickly answered.

"Mr. Xu."

"Is there any progress on the QR code?"

"Yes, Mr. Xu.

The "QR code payment" project you arranged is being vigorously developed by our team. The technical difficulty is not great and the results will be available next year at the latest.

During this period, we also went on a business trip to Japan and visited the inventor of the QR code, Hara Masahiro.

We originally wanted to purchase or obtain patent authorization, but it turned out that their patent was open source and people all over the world can use it for free."

"Open source? No money? The Japanese are so generous?" Xu Liang said in surprise.

Although he knew that "QR code payment" was the general trend of future development, he was not clear about the specific details.

It was only when smartphones became popular and Hongmeng Payment had a certain user base that the development of "QR code" was handed over.

"This is true! Hara Masahiro works for Toyo Denso Co., Ltd., an auto parts company that was independent from the Toyota Group.

In 1994, in order to solve product management problems in the manufacturing and logistics industries, Denso Co., Ltd. arranged for Hara Masahiro and a colleague to develop QR code technology.

Because information can be recorded in both horizontal and vertical directions, QR codes have greater information capacity and anti-fouling performance than ordinary barcodes.

Because this technology is not very difficult, and in Hara Masahiro's view, the use scenario should be limited to industry, open source patents can make this technology more widely used.

If the patent is paid for use, many people and companies may not use this technology."

Xu Liang said nothing.

It is not accurate to say that the QR code technology was invented by the Japanese, because Americans invented this technology as early as the 1980s.

It was just that the Japanese Hara Masahiro later improved it and launched the QR standard QR code, and because it was free, it became popular on the application side. Later, the QR standard even became synonymous with QR code, a standard QR code.

QR stands for Quick Response Matrix Code, which features three small squares in the four corners of a square except for the lower right corner.

In his previous life, after seeing the ubiquitous QR codes in the streets and alleys of China, Hara Masahiro told Chinese reporters that he was very happy to see his invention being widely used in the whole society.

He also said that he was planning to further research and design safer and more diverse QR code technology, but this time it would be charged. I don’t know if his heart was bleeding when he said this.

There were many Japanese people on the Internet who stood up for their country and thought that Chinese people should pay Japanese patent fees, one cent per use. This statement was ridiculed by Chinese netizens.

First of all, the patent is only valid for 20 years in China. By the time the QR code is widely used, the original patent of the QR code technology in Japan has long expired.

In addition, China’s payment QR code is a second-generation development based on the original QR code invented by Hara Masahiro, which is equivalent to a variant, but if traced back to the source, it still belongs to the QR standard.

There are several QR code startups in China that applied for one or two patents, and they actually went to Penguin to claim 10 billion yuan.

As a result, the startups' patents were ruled invalid by the relevant departments.

It's not that Penguin had connections, but the patents of the startups are not valuable. After all, they were developed based on the original patents of Japanese and Americans.

Even the Japanese have given up charging, who is so bold as to jump out and charge.

It can be said that no company has a dominant control position in the QR code technology patent for the time being, but there may be some problems in the future, such as patent traps.

Shang Zhengfeng continued, "We searched all over China and found that right next to us in Zhongguancun, there is a startup company called Yirui Xinchuang that develops and applies QR codes. They mainly focus on the research and development of core technology QR code reading engine software.

This company has cooperated with the Huaxia Article Coding Center and has successfully developed my country's first Hanxin code reading device and mobile version of Hanxin code engine.

It also won the 2006 Special Contribution Award of Huaxia Automatic Identification Industry. This year, it has become a national standard and is applying for international ISO standards.

By the way, Academician Li Guangnan is the leader of the expert group for this project."

Xu Liang was a little surprised.

Of course he knew Li Guangnan.

Not only because he founded the predecessor of Liangxin Company and developed the famous Liangxin Company Han Card.

The most important thing is that he and Liu Chuanzhi's dispute over "technology, industry and trade" and "trade, industry and technology" brought together the epitome of an era in China.

After the successful development of Liangxin Company's microcomputer, Li Guangnan began to pay attention to the research and development of computer chips and operating systems.

He added the self-designed ASIC chip to the 7-type Liangxin Chinese card for the first time, and it was successful, with nearly one million copies sold.

In 1992, at the Liangxin Group Annual Meeting, he proposed to create projects such as "program-controlled switches" and "Chinese laser printers", and successfully integrated the Chinese card function into the chip and transplanted it to the laser printer.

During this period, Liangxin gradually had fierce differences in the direction of development. Li Guangnan always advocated increasing R\u0026D investment, continuing to launch advanced products, and taking the "technology, industry and trade" path.

However, most people inside the conscience company group, including then president Liu Chuanzhi, advocated the "trade technology" line.

In 1995, the old man was terminated by the chief and directors of the conscience company.

After that, Li Guangnan still stayed at the conscience company, but he did not have any position until he left completely in 1999.

With his departure, the "ASIC chip" project of the conscience company was abolished.

Later, the "conscience company" known as the national technology company's top brand became the world's largest computer assembly company.

It's ironic!

Then again.

Like the Hanxin code, it is a Chinese standard two -dimensional code tied to the East QR standard.

The country of previous lives has also vigorously promoted this standard, but it is a pity that because there is no QR code easy to use, it is not promoted.

However, the government, national defense scientific research and military departments have always worried about foreign code systems and technology, and they are more inclined to use the code system of independent intellectual property rights, so the Han letter code is not useless. At critical moments, there are spare tires that can top spare tires. superior.

Shang Zhengfeng's mysterious secret: "I also asked my conscience mobile phone to cooperate with Yi Rui, and planned to launch my country's first QR code phone."

"Conscience Company is so fashionable this time?"

Xu Liang's smile is a bit funny. As the saying goes: the step is big, it is easy to pull the crotch!

At present, many factors such as the inconsistent mobile phone platform, the low degree of intelligence, the low configuration of the mobile phone camera, and the high level of technology of manufacturers are not conducive to promoting QR code technology.

I will start promoting QR codes now, I am afraid that it can only be the martyrs.

Shang Zhengfeng heard the ridicule of the boss, and vowed to say, "Mr. Xu, we must be different from them.

The two -dimensional code payment software we developed will definitely get all problems and bring the best experience to users. "

"Don't worry too much, put the polishing products and technology first.

And it is not necessary to develop a software for the two -dimensional code, but should be used as a function in the software. "

Shang Zhengfeng was puzzled: "Everyone is doing so now, including conscience companies and mobile companies intend to develop a software."

"That's a problem with their direction. Isn't it good to equip the mobile phone software of Hongmeng and Penguin? The next Kunlun mobile phone will be equipped with a mobile phone application with Facebook and oil pipes.

Social+two -dimensional code payment is the correct way to open.

Social software provides high -frequency entrances. After the user logs in, you can directly apply the homepage without exit.

For example, take a QR code in the upper left corner or upper corner.

Payment, add friends, sign in, check in, display personal health ... Do not use too much use scenario. "

Shang Zhengfeng listened directly, and surprised: "In addition to paying, there are so many use scenarios?"

Xu Liang smiled back: "When the QR code was born, the application was limited to industry. Now there is no hope for individual users? The mode and method are created by people, and make more brains."

"Still you have vision."

After shooting a fart, Shang Zhengfeng continued, "Mr. Xu, we must polish the technology and products to the most perfect state according to your instructions, and think more about exploring some application scenarios."

Xu Liang responded and thought about it.

"You have time to visit Academician Li Guangnan to see if there is still room for improvement in Hanxin code?"

As a product of independent intellectual property rights and national standards, he also hopes to be widely used in the civilian field, not just military and political use.

"Okay, President Xu."

Nympho

the next day.

Xu Liang simply packed up, and took Mo Hong makeup and three little guys to Manchester.

Mo Manniang has to prepare her own art exhibition, and I have not followed these days.

There is no mistake, one, one, one, one, one, one, one, one 619, one book, one, one, one, one, one, one, a book!

There are private planes in Britain.

It took the whole process to reach the Manchester United Kalinton base within an hour.

Xu Liang has been here a few times, and it can be regarded as a light car.

But when he came again, it was obvious that it was a lot busy here.

The parking lot is clearly expanded, and there are more people who have been reached in and out of the suit.

"Boss."

David Gill stood in front of the front, next to the old man, and a group of Manchester United senior.

After Xu Liang stepped forward and shook hands with everyone, everyone came to the conference room.

Dang Ren was sitting on the main position.

After looking around everyone, we laughed: "When I came last time, we had a lot of new partners, which proved that we were developing well. I am very happy."

David Gill was relieved.

"This time, the main purpose is to meet you, and by the way, look at the progress of the company's various plans.

By the way, the day after tomorrow is our top battle with Arsenal's list, and I also plan to watch the ball. "

The old grandfather flickered, but didn't say much.

After a short meeting, Xu Liang sent extra people to leave.

Only David Gill was left.

"David, how is the construction of the new headquarters?"

"The main building has been completed, and the internal and external decoration work is currently being officially delivered in mid -2009."

The construction speed of large construction engineering, pile foundation and overall framework is fast. It is enough to use the steel structure to directly irrigate the cement mortar.

The renovation is really time -consuming.

"Let me see it in a while."

"OK."

"Is the group's third quarter financial report ready?"

"It's ready."

"Show it to me."

David Gill quickly called over a secretary, and soon a copy of Manchester United Group's third quarter 2007 operating data and detailed financial report was handed to him.

The current Manchester United is not only very different from the former Manchester United, but also has undergone tremendous changes.

Let's not talk about the new stadium.

Just in terms of business.

Now Manchester United has the club, Manchester United Business Company (online B2C website and offline member store), Manchester United Catering Company (bars and restaurants), Manchester United Media (TV stations, portals, advertising), and Manchester United Hotel.

Originally, there was also Manchester United Financial Company (similar to PayPal), but it was later laid off and related businesses were sold to banks.

Although Manchester United has developed as a group, it has expanded too much all of a sudden, and it is easy to get into trouble.

After comprehensive consideration, Xu Liang still reduced the scale of Manchester United's business.

In fact, strictly speaking, the only businesses Xu Liang really added to Manchester United are Manchester United Business Company and Manchester United Hotel.

Not to mention the club, Manchester United originally had a bar business, but Xu Liang added a restaurant business to it.

As for Manchester United Media Company, Manchester United TV, portal websites and advertising were all businesses that existed before Xu Liang acquired it.

They were just further expanded.

In terms of websites, in addition to the English website, they also cooperated with Hongmeng to establish Chinese websites, as well as Japanese and Korean websites.

Manchester United has many fans in Asia, especially in the three East Asian countries.

The increase in business volume has also greatly increased Manchester United's revenue.

When Xu Liang acquired it, Manchester United's total revenue was only about 150 million pounds.

But last year Manchester United's total revenue exceeded 700 million pounds.

The total revenue in the third quarter of this year exceeded 280 million pounds.

The club's revenue, which once accounted for nearly 80% of Manchester United's revenue, has now fallen to about 34%.

The revenue from online B2C websites has grown rapidly.

Starting from scratch, in just two and a half years, it has expanded to nearly 200 million pounds in the third quarter.

It is actually very simple to be able to develop so fast.

High-quality product selection.

The most important thing for an online website to develop well is to have products with good quality and reasonable prices.

Therefore, the Manchester United website cooperated with No.1 Store. Manchester United provided designs that catered to the preferences of the British, and No.1 Store provided relatively high-quality domestic suppliers.

Relying on the high-quality supply chain accumulated by No.1 Store and Kelong Supermarket, high-quality and low-priced Chinese products quickly opened up sales with the fan base accumulated by Manchester United.

In less than three years, it became the most popular online B2C website in the UK.

Driving the rapid growth of the entire Manchester United Group's revenue.

Although the revenue has increased, it is well known that the profit of the retail industry is not high.

In order to ensure sufficient competitiveness, especially to cope with the competition from Amazon, the profit ratio of the Manchester United website is only 10%.