How to Connect and Configure RFID Readers with NoviSign

An RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) reader is a hardware device used to wirelessly read data from RFID tags. These tags can be embedded in objects such as product packaging, ID badges, or promotional items. When combined with digital signage, RFID readers enable personalized and dynamic content playback — for example, showing specific ads or product info when a tag is scanned.

Our native Android player app supports connecting an RFID reader and connecting a barcode reader.

There are many hardware vendors of RFID readers. We integrated with RFkeeper‘s device as it was easy. You can find any hardware vendor you like, get a unit and test it based on the below instructions. You might like to use a barcode scanner as it is more available and cheaper, while it works in a very similar way to RFID reader in whatever it comes to digital signage.

 Supported barcode scanner models that we’ve tested include:

• Honeywell Voyager 1450G2D – USB imaging barcode scanner

• Motorola DS9208-SR4NNU21Z – USB barcode scanner

For reference:

• RFKeeper’s RFID reader with 50 passive tags costs around $1,500

• Other RFID readers are available in the $250–$900 range

Our native Android player app supports both RFID readers and barcode scanners. Follow the steps below to integrate one with your NoviSign player:

 Step 1: Hardware Requirements

• Choose an RFID reader or barcode scanner with a USB connection

• Connect the device to your Android media player via the USB port

Step 2: Verify Device Functionality

• Open a text editor app (e.g., a notepad app) on the Android device

• Scan a tag or barcode

• You should see the tag ID or barcode number appear, followed by a Carriage Return (an “Enter” key press)

  Example:

Tag1
Tag2
Tag3

• If the Carriage Return doesn’t appear, you may need to configure the reader to send it after each scan

Step 3: Integration with NoviSign

Once you’ve verified the device works:

1. Collect the full list of tag IDs or barcode numbers

2. Send us:

   • The list of IDs

   • Your Studio account name (the one you’d like to configure the RFID events in)

3. Our team will:

   • Provide a customized player version with your tag data

   • Enable RFID/barcode event setup in your Studio account

To begin this process, please contact our support team at support@novisign.com

We can support other RFID readers that have different API, but a development work might be required in order to build a driver that would support the API.