EPC Tag Decode
Decodes an EPC value from an RFID or NFC tag into usable conversation data.
The EPC Tag Decode node decodes an Electronic Product Code (EPC) received from an RFID or NFC reader. It is designed for retail kiosk scenarios where a physical product is scanned or placed on an NFC/RFID reader, and the virtual being should look up and respond about that specific product.
Available in: Handlers only. Requires a compatible RFID/NFC reader connected to the kiosk hardware.
When to Use
Use EPC Tag Decode in kiosk deployments where:
- Products have RFID tags or NFC chips that the kiosk reader can detect
- You want the virtual being to identify and discuss the scanned product
- A product scan should trigger a specific flow (e.g., product information, pricing, availability)
How It Works
When an RFID/NFC reader sends an EPC value to the kiosk, it arrives as a signal to the pipeline. The EPC Tag Decode node interprets that raw EPC string and extracts the meaningful product identifier (e.g., GTIN, serial number, or a custom product code).
After decoding, the product identifier is available as a context value that can be used in downstream nodes – for example, in a Find record(s) node to look up the product in a data table, or passed to a Tool Agent via the Insert field picker.
Typical Pattern
On User Input Handler
│
└── EPC signal detected ──► EPC Tag Decode ──► Find record(s) (product by ID) ──► Activate Flow (ProductInfo)Retail Use Case Example
- User places product on RFID reader at the kiosk
- RFID reader sends EPC value to the pipeline
- EPC Tag Decode decodes the EPC to a product GTIN
- Find record(s) queries the Products data table for that GTIN
- Activate Flow triggers a product information flow
- The virtual being presents product details, pricing, and answers questions
EPC Tag Decode is part of the Virbe retail integration suite. For full setup instructions including RFID hardware configuration and data table schema for products, see the Retail use case guide.