Abstract: Content files such as photographs, video, graphics and/or music are indexed to identify subjects captured in them. Indexed content files are scanned to identify content files that match certain criteria. Content files that satisfy the selection criteria are directed to appropriate output devices for display such that related files are presented in a fashion by which a theme or message is conveyed.

Abstract: A system for a community of multimedia agents (COMMA) is provided comprising an Agent Library and a Development Environment. The former comprises one or more multimedia agents contributed for use as components when developing more sophisticated systems. All contributed multimedia agents are provided in executable or object code format only to protect intellectual property rights of contributors. The Development Environment allows multimedia agents to be presented to users and allows users to build more sophisticated systems by combining the multimedia agents. The Development Environment also handles the coordination of agent execution. Results generated by the agents are visualized in the Development Environment to facilitate comparison of agent performance. Specifications based on the industry standard are provided for agents' inputs and outputs that facilitate communication among agents and allow the construction of hierarchies of agents.

Abstract: Content files such as photographs, video, graphics and/or music are indexed to identify subjects captured in them. Indexed content files are scanned to identify content files that match certain criteria. Content files that satisfy the selection criteria are directed to appropriate output devices for display such that related files are presented in a fashion by which a theme or message is conveyed.

Abstract: Content files such as photographs, video, graphics and/or music are indexed to identify subjects captured in them. Indexed content files are scanned to identify content files that match certain criteria. Content files that satisfy the selection criteria are directed to appropriate output devices for display such that related files are presented in a fashion by which a theme or message is conveyed.

Abstract: A method of retrieving product information and ordering products is disclosed. A consumer observes a product in its real world usage context and scans an RFID tag embedded in the product. A mobile terminal is used to transmit the RFID tag to a computer connected to a computer network. The computer transmits product specification information to the mobile terminal. The consumer may also be given the option of purchasing the product in real time.

Abstract: A wardrobe closet that assists users in selecting and purchasing clothing is provided. A radio frequency receiver scans tags embedded in clothing to identify the clothing. When a user removes an article of clothing from the wardrobe closet, the wardrobe closet suggests other articles of clothing that match the removed article of clothing. The wardrobe closet may also be connected to websites via the Internet. The wardrobe closet may determine the user's clothing needs and find clothing offered for sale at one or more web sites. The user is then allowed to purchase the clothing.

Abstract: A wardrobe closet that assists users in selecting and purchasing clothing is provided. A radio frequency receiver scans tags embedded in clothing to identify the clothing. When a user removes an article of clothing from the wardrobe closet, the wardrobe closet suggests other articles of clothing that match the removed article of clothing. The wardrobe closet may also be connected to websites via the Internet. The wardrobe closet may determine the user's clothing needs and find clothing offered for sale at one or more web sites. The user is then allowed to purchase the clothing.

Abstract: A method of retrieving product information and ordering products is disclosed. A consumer observes a product in its real world usage context and scans an RFID tag embedded in the product. A mobile terminal is used to transmit the RFID tag to a computer connected to a computer network. The computer transmits product specification information to the mobile terminal. The consumer may also be given the option of purchasing the product in real time.

Abstract: Content files such as photographs, video, graphics and/or music are indexed to identify subjects captured in them. Indexed content files are scanned to identify content files that match certain criteria. Content files that satisfy the selection criteria are directed to appropriate output devices for display such that related files are presented in a fashion by which a theme or message is conveyed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying locations of objects are provided. A first location of a mobile transceiver unit is determined and a first plurality of objects each having a tag attached to the object are illuminated with electromagnetic radiation. The mobile transceiver unit then simultaneously senses electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tags attached to the first plurality of objects. The identities of the first plurality of objects are determined from the sensed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A display navigation system is presented in which indicia for a first target category and a second target category are presented to a user on a display, where the indicia are associated with keywords and the keywords are assigned weight. The user then performs various interactions and the user's interactions are detected. Additional indicia are presented to the user in response to the interactions, where the additional indicia represent additional target categories that are similar or dissimilar to the first and second target catergories depending on the interactions and weight of the keywords. Finally, additional indicia are displayed.

Abstract: A mobile wireless device provides location-related information to a remote monitoring position. Based on the location-related information, the remote monitoring position accesses one or more environmental sensors proximate to a location of the mobile wireless device. Thereafter, environmental information concerning a region proximate to the mobile wireless device's location is provided to the remote monitoring position. In turn, the remote monitoring position may present the environmental information to a user of the remote monitoring position and/or may send at least some of the environmental information to the mobile wireless device for presentation to the user of the mobile wireless device. Audio information may be sent by either or both of the mobile wireless device and the remote monitoring station, and alarm signals can be generated by either. In this manner, the present invention provides a technique whereby a virtual personal escort presence may be established in a cost-efficient manner.

Abstract: A simulation and optimization system improves or optimizes the performance of a retail store. A simulator provides individual customer discounts in response to input parameters, such as price variables, customer models, and user inputs. The product price variables include purchasing costs, inventory costs, and replenishment rates. The customer models represent customer shopping behaviors. The user inputs include a store strategy providing the relative importance of profits, sales volume, and customer loyalty.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying locations of objects are provided. A first location of a mobile transceiver unit is determined and a first plurality of objects each having a tag attached to the object are illuminated with electromagnetic radiation. The mobile transceiver unit then simultaneously senses electromagnetic radiation emitted by the tags attached to the first plurality of objects. The identities of the first plurality of objects are determined from the sensed electromagnetic radiation.

Abstract: A medicine cabinet or similar device that assists users in selecting and taking medication. A radio frequency receiver is configured to read information included on radio frequency sensitive labels that are attached to items containing medication in the medicine cabinet. A computer in the medicine cabinet is operatively connected to the radio frequency receiver and also to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The medicine cabinet has a display device that is operatively coupled with the computer and, in the form of a touch screen flat panel, the display device functions to interface the user and the medicine cabinet. The computer is configured to transmit information to the Internet and receives information from websites or additional computers that are coupled to the Internet. Information regarding medications and users as well as vital signs records of the users are stored either in the memory of the medicine cabinet or at a remote location via the connection to the Internet.

Abstract: A display navigation system is presented in which a plurality of indicia are presented to a user representing common items. As an item is selected on the display more items corresponding to the selected item selected are displayed to allow a user to intuitively identify a category of items of interest.

Abstract: A medicine cabinet or similar device that assists users in selecting and taking medication. A radio frequency receiver is configured to read information included on radio frequency sensitive labels that are attached to items containing medication in the medicine cabinet. A computer in the medicine cabinet is operatively connected to the radio frequency receiver and also to a wide area network, such as the Internet. The medicine cabinet has a display device that is operatively coupled with the computer and, in the form of a touch screen flat panel, the display device functions to interface the user and the medicine cabinet. The computer is configured to transmit information to the Internet and receives information from websites or additional computers that are coupled to the Internet. Information regarding medications and users as well as vital signs records of the users are stored either in the memory of the medicine cabinet or at a remote location via the connection to the Internet.

Abstract: A method of retrieving product information and ordering products is disclosed. A consumer observes a product in its real world usage context and scans an RFID tag embedded in the product. A mobile terminal is used to transmit the RFID tag to a computer connected to a computer network. The computer transmits product specification information to the mobile terminal. The consumer may also be given the option of purchasing the product in real time.

Abstract: A wardrobe closet that assists users in selecting and purchasing clothing is provided. A radio frequency receiver scans tags embedded in clothing to identify the clothing. When a user removes an article of clothing from the wardrobe closet, the wardrobe closet suggests other articles of clothing that match the removed article of clothing. The wardrobe closet may also be connected to websites via the Internet. The wardrobe closet may determine the user's clothing needs and find clothing offered for sale at one or more web sites. The user is then allowed to purchase the clothing.