There is now the "shape detection API" that can be used to process bar codes and QR codes. Combined with a camera this could provide a mobile phone option for reading asset codes.

This is not available on all browsers, so the suggestion is to detect of the API is available and then provide a widget to scan when available.

Note, I've used this in one of my own projects. The way I implanted it:

• On desktop, clicking on barcode icon opens up a virtual window with the camera being being used to scan the barcode
  • I was testing on a laptop, where it defaults to using the main camera, but it is not mirrored
  • Worked in all desktop browsers, but sometimes the odd quirk
• On mobile: opens fulls screen, but defaults to rear camera, so mirroring is not a concern
  • Worked with iPhone, but needs the API to be enabled