BrightSign and Dot Origin have partnered to launch the DTAG100-PRO digital signage integration, which is now available for the full range of BrightSign media players.

The DTAG100-PRO is an intelligent add-on hardware device that connects to digital signage systems via USB and provides both a programmable Bluetooth beacon and a dynamic NFC tag. These are configured locally by the signage player, and can therefore be changed and updated at any moment, to suit whatever is being displayed on the big screen.

All BrightSign media players now support the DTAG100-PRO via a script plug-in that integrates with BrightAuthor and provides easy mechanisms for controlling and updating the beacon and tag contents from interactive presentations and/or HTML5 content.

Integrators and installers can simply purchase DTAG100-PRO devices, plug them in to an available USB port on the player, and configure their system to suit the particular end customer application and requirements.

BrightSign will be demonstrating this capability to provide real time updating of Bluetooth beacon data according to the on-screen content on its booth at CES 2016.

Having created the DTAG100-PRO, a unique hardware offering that provides a fully managed and re-programmable Bluetooth beacon, Dot Origin has now announced the availability of its free Bipzone app on both Android and iOS. Any DTAG100-PRO customer wanting to test or roll out a beacon campaign or infrastructure can now take advantage of this flexible mobile notification manager, instead of having to develop their own app.

Bipzone offers various unique capabilities, including branded notifications, flexible user preferences, and the ability to push variable, real-time notifications to consumer mobiles without requiring internet connectivity.

The annual NEC Solutions Showcase, described as the ‘must-attend AV and Digital Signage event of the year’ features a total of fifteen DTAG100-PRO devices installed at various locations and attached to various systems throughout the exhibition. The Dot Origin devices are being used to welcome visitors to different event zones, and to illustrate various different use cases for both Bluetooth beacons and NFC in the transport, retail and other vertical markets.

With the increased interest in using Bluetooth beacons for mobile interactivity, Dot Origin has now launched the DTAG100-PRO which combines a programmable Bluetooth Low Energy beacon with its existing dynamic NFC tag technology. This new device offers an all-in-one solution for adding short-range wireless interactivity to any digital signage or kiosk system, without the need for additional software or management platforms.

With growing interest from both advertisers and retailers in the interactivity that can be achieved from installing DTAG100 dynamic NFC tags alongside digital screens, Dot Origin has invested significantly in advancing the potential of this solution through its new 2waytap technology. The latest version of the DTAG100, now available to selected partners, enables near-instantaneous two-way exchange of data between mobile phones and advertising screens, kiosks and point-of-sale systems. As well as enabling the launch of mobile apps with unique or personalised data, using 2waytap allows such systems to obtain crucial user identity or transaction information from each mobile in return, subject to the usual app privacy controls, resulting in a truly personalised and interactive engagement at each tap.

The DTAG100 dynamic NFC tag has been installed in a network of 20 high tech digital advertising touchscreens, located at major pedestrian areas of Manchester, the UK’s fastest-growing city. Operated by MediaCo Outdoor and Manchester City Council, the CityLive network embodies the very best of cutting-edge digital out of home technology, including NFC interactivity, facial recognition and automated real-time media scheduling. The integrated DTAG100 dynamic tags make it easy for advertisers to direct and control the exact experience of the mobile user when they tap their phone against the clearly marked hot-spot, enabling them to launch web sites, apps, geo-location tags and more.

The DTAG100 dynamic NFC tag has been installed at over 300 high street stores in the UK, as part of a mobile device display from one of the world’s largest manufacturers. Featuring a powerful touchscreen-based interactive media platform alongside the illuminated NFC ‘hot-spot’, powered by the DTAG100 unit, the displays will enable consumers to enquire about various devices, engage with demonstration videos, and tap their NFC phone to take away further information and promotional links.

The DTAG100 provides an easy way to NFC-enable digital media advertising platforms and other interactive and point-of-sale signage, with no added software, drivers or platform dependencies!

A new YouTube video shows a simple ‘out-of-the-box’ example where a Raspberry Pi running the popular XBMC video player has been set up to send advertiser home page URLs to the DTAG100 via USB each time a new advert is shown.

The DTAG100 is available as a ready-made module for integration into other products, and can be customised to suit larger roll-outs. An evaluation kit is available that includes full instructions, demo files and scripts for various media players.

You can now buy an evaluation kit containing the DTAG100-USB along with associated documentation, some sample files and scripts and an example wall-mounted enclosure. The board can be removed from the enclosure and installed in other situations as needed, including behind glass panels, where the built-in ultra-bright LEDs can be used to good effect. Please visit Smartcard Focus for details..

The DTAG100 is being launched in November. This exciting new product provides an easy platform for serving up NFC tags with dynamically changing content – ideal for out-of-home digital media advertising and many other applications.