RFID Lets People Talk to the Touchwall

To ensure that the attendee's name and avatar would appear as close to directly in front of the person as possible, the Schematic engineers mounted four different reader antennas behind the screen (all linked to a single interrogator) and used software to analyze the tag's signal strength, in order to determine that person's location. Jeff Maki, Schematic's solutions architect, explains that the engineering team initially hoped the RFID reader would detect the tags worn by the attendees from a distance of many feet, and that this connection would last until a wearer began interacting with the screen. But they found, during testing, that the tag's proximity to the body often interfered with the RF signal (due to a human body's high liquid content).

Once the software detected an attendee and displayed the greeting and avatar, that person could choose from a menu of actions offered on the screen that would let him do things like learn how to get to specific meeting rooms, or specific locations within the city of Cannes, by utilizing an interactive map. The attendee could also use a social networking application to find the listing of another person at the event, then share contact info by touching that person's name and dragging it to his own personal avatar. This would trigger a command in the software to send introductory e-mail messages to both attendees, or set up a meeting time and place between them. The user could also employ a scheduling application enabling him to drag the names of specific events or sessions to his avatar. This action would send those events to a calendar application that the attendee could later access via the Internet, through his smart phone or laptop.

In a retail setting, Kaufman explains, software would be designed with different types of features and capabilities, though the basic functionality would be similar. Instead of a conference badge, consumers in a retail environment would hold up an RFID-based loyalty card, for instance, to the touch screen. This would trigger the software to pull up that shopper's database, which may contain his shopping history or product and brand preferences—or, perhaps, a listing of food allergies. By holding RFID-tagged products to the screen, the patron could then learn more about the products and find out about promotions or similar products, or download recipes. All of this information could be sent to the consumer via e-mail, using an address saved in the store's database. With a smart phone, he might also download promotional offers or coupons, redeeming them on the same shopping trip.

Outside of retail settings, the Touchwall could also be used at other events and conferences, or in such locations as airports, where travelers might be able to use RFID-enabled tickets or frequent-flier membership cards to identify themselves and interact with the system.

Kaufman says it's no coincidence that the Touchwall uses EPC Gen 2 tags and readers—he wants the system to be aligned with the RFID standards being utilized within the supply chain.