Abstract: A method and system for identifying and tracking persons using RFID-tagged items carried on the persons. Previous purchase records for each person who shops at a retail store are collected by POS terminals and stored in a transaction database. When a person carrying or wearing items having RFID tags enters the store or other designated area, a RFID tag scanner located therein scans the RFID tags on that person and reads the RFID tag information. The RFID tag information collected from the person is correlated with transaction records stored in the transaction database according to known correlation algorithms. Based on the results of the correlation, the exact identity of the person or certain characteristics about the person can be determined. This information is used to monitor the movement of the person through the store or other areas.

Abstract: A method and system for providing targeted advertising in public places and carriers such as trains, buses, train stations, shopping malls, airports, etc. The demographics, purchasing history and/or personal preferences of individuals in the public place are collected from personal digital assistants (PDAs) or other wireless communication devices carried by the individuals in the public place or public carrier. The collected data pertaining to a group of individuals who are present near the display device, is processed and used to select appropriate advertisements that would most likely interest that group of individuals. The selected advertisements are displayed on the display device located in the public place or public carrier so as to provide targeted advertising to the group of individuals.

Abstract: A method, system, apparatus, and computer program product for using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to store product information in tags attached to items of merchandise is disclosed. The RFID tagging scheme of the present invention prevents tampering with stored information, global tracking of customers and their purchased items, and pricing mistakes made at the point of sale.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by adapting audio renderings of non-audio messages (for example, e-mail messages that are processed by a text-to-speech translator) to reflect various nuances of the non-audio information. Audio cues are provided for this purpose, which are sounds that are “mixed” in with the audio rendering as a separate (background) audio stream. Audio cues may reflect information such as the topical structure of a text file, or changes in paragraphs. Or, audio cues may be used to signal nuances such as changes in the color or font of the source text.

Abstract: An improved 3270 data stream architecture to eliminate data bytes in the 3270 data stream to improve line utilization and reduces network costs. First, a 6-bit increment option has been added to the addressing options for the buffer control orders to reduce the number of address bytes in the set buffer address (SBA) order, repeat to address (RA) order, and the erase unprotected to address (EUA) order. Second, a reduced Start Field (SF) and repeat to address (RA) orders are implemented with utilizing a modified Set Attribute (SA) order to designate the field attribute character and repeat character. The SF and RA orders following the SA order in the data stream are reduced in length. Third, a Modify Existing Format has been implemented which provides a means of modifying a format load that is currently in the format storage of the outboard device without having the host application program resend the entire format when only a small portion of the format needs to be modified.