A computer-based customer tracking system passively identifies customers.
Acquired biometric identification information is sent to a computer
processor, which searches files in a library for matching biometric data.
If no match is found, the processor opens a new file in the library. If a
match is found, said processor stores in the file that a repeat
identification has occurred. If said processor is only able to reduce the
number of possible matches to two or more files, personnel determines if
a match certain has occurred. If prior activity information stored in the
file exceeds a predetermined level, the prior activity information is
retrieved from the file and sent to a terminal, preferably at the
location of the transaction. New information from the transaction is
stored for future access. The processor scans the files periodically, and
deletes files which include activity level below a predetermined level
over a preselected time period.