Abstract: A self-checkout lane in a store comprises an incoming goods path for receiving goods, first and second goods collection zones, and a segregation device operable under control of a computer processor to divert goods from the incoming goods path into one or the other of the two goods collection zones. The incoming goods path includes a product scanner electrically coupled to the computer processor and operable to evaluate the total retail price of a plurality of goods. The goods of a first customer are diverted to the first goods collection zone. After receiving payment for the goods, the computer processor operates the segregation device to allow the first customer to access their goods, and to meanwhile divert subsequent goods of a second customer to the second goods collection zone, thereby facilitating the swift and efficient use of the self-checkout terminals by customers. The invention also includes security means to help guard against misappropriation of goods.

Abstract: An approach to operating a web site. A visitor to the web site is identified, either precisely by name, or imprecisely, as by ascertaining a category to which the visitor belongs. An example of a category may be: Avid golfers between ages of 35 and 50. Once the visitor is identified, either precisely or not, the web site performs background research on the visitor and, based on the background research, tailors a web page which is delivered to the visitor. Thus, the web site delivers different web pages to different visitors. Alternately, a tailored e-mail message may be delivered to the visitor.

Abstract: A system, method and/or apparatus aids in preventing duplicate bar code entries in an item security database. Bar codes from items that vary with respect to a security characteristic such as a non-weight characteristic are compiled into a custom bar code format or template that is stored in a custom bar code format file. An obtained bar code from a scanned item is compared to the custom bar code format. If the obtained bar code compares to the custom bar code format, the bar code is manipulated according to the custom bar code format. The manipulated bar code is used to retrieve a security characteristic (value or data) regarding the scanned item and/or to create a bar code entry with an associated security characteristic if the bar code entry is not in the item security database.