Abstract: Method, system, and computer program embodiments for reducing deadlock in multi-system computing environments are provided. A set of default, current wait times is initialized for resource requests of each of a plurality of resources. A plurality of resource holders and resource waiters is monitored within an address space. If one resource holder of the plurality of resource holders of one of the plurality of resources is determined to be one resource waiter on another of the plurality of resources, a current wait time for the one resource holder is incremented and a deadlock indicator for both the one resource holder and the one resource waiter is activated. Following expiration of a predefined interval, the plurality of resource holders and resource waiters are parsed through to determine an original resource holder, indicating a system deadlock. The resource holder associated with the system deadlock having a lowest current wait time is restarted.

Abstract: A retail system for implementing planograms includes a communications network, a central computing system, and a plurality of retail computing systems. The central computing system is configured to receive and to transmit a plurality of planograms, each planogram being associated with one retail store of a plurality of retail stores and a plurality of products to be displayed for sale at the associated retail store. Each planogram includes data indicating threshold quantities of each product of the associated plurality of products. Each retail computing system is at a corresponding one of the plurality of retail stores and is configured to receive, via the communications network, planograms associated with the corresponding retail store and to receive inventory information indicating in-stock quantities of the plurality of products associated with each planogram.

Abstract: Method for generating a label for a medication in which information about the medication is obtained and printed on the label in a hierarchical manner with more important information in a more prominent location or more prominent type relative to other less important information. The information may be divided into primary information and secondary information with the primary information being placed on the label before the secondary information. The label may be used in a container having a curved front wall, a planar rear wall, a substantially planar bottom wall and a cap engaging with the front and rear walls to seal the container. The rear wall is constructed with a device for removably received an information card containing information relating to the medication.

Abstract: A method for combining partial records into a single direct memory access (DMA) operation for a count key data (CKD) protocol in a computer environment is provided. In an initiator processor of the computer environment, a number of the partial records to be prefetched is determined by gathering a plurality of descriptor information for a command according to a predetermined algorithm having a plurality of assumptions for the command. The number of partial records is prefetched. At least one of record headers and record keys of the number of partial records are concatenated into the single DMA operation. The DMA operation is forwarded to a receiver process to be completed.

Abstract: A tent assembly includes a storage container, a tent body, a first fold guide and a second fold guide. The tent body is configured to transition from an erect position to a collapsed position and is configured to be folded along a plurality of predetermined fold lines to fit within the storage container when the tent body is in the collapsed position. The first fold guide is coupled to the tent body and is spaced a first distance from and positioned on a first side of one of the plurality of predetermined fold lines. The second fold guide is coupled to the tent body and spaced the first distance from and positioned on a second side of the one of the plurality of predetermined fold lines, wherein the second side is opposite the first side. Other tents, tent bodies and associated methods are also described.

Abstract: A retail system includes a rack assembly and a cover. The rack assembly has a stand that is adapted to rest on a substantially horizontal surface, where the stand is formed of a plurality of tubular members. The rack assembly also has a mounting frame that is substantially rectangular in shape and supported in a substantially vertical position by the stand. The cover includes a base portion that is formed by a combination of a first shell and a second shell that is complementary to the first shell, the base portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is supported in a substantially vertically position by the rack assembly and covers at least a portion of the mounting frame. The cover also includes a stack portion defining a hollow, substantially box-like structure that is adapted to slide over the mounting frame and mount atop the base portion.

Abstract: Method, system and computer program product embodiments for, in an input/output (I/O) link handling complex instruction chains, a messaging scheme incorporating a method of error recovery between an initiator processor and a receiver processor, are provided. An operation initiation message is been sent from the initiator processor to the receiver processor for the receiver processor to begin work on an operation. If determined to be necessary, a terminate operation message is sent from the initiator processor to the receiver processor. The initiator processor withholds sending additional messages for the operation until a terminate operation response message is received. Once the terminate operation message is received, outstanding messages in process are flushed from the receiver processor. The receiver processor withholds sending additional messages to the initiator processor as the outstanding messages are completed.

Abstract: A coupon includes a bar code and a list. The bar code is configured to be optically read by a point-of-sale terminal during a purchase transaction and includes information identifying a coupon type indicating that the coupon relates to multiple offers, wherein each of the multiple offers is redeemable for a discount on a corresponding one of a plurality of products offered for sale, and an account including a status of each of the multiple offers. The list is a list of the ones of the plurality of products corresponding with each of the multiple offers. Other coupons and related systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for storing data blocks, including forming the data blocks into groups comprising N·M data blocks, where N and M are different positive integers. For every group, the N·M data blocks are assigned to correspond to elements of an array comprising N rows and M columns. A respective parity block is calculated for each of the N rows and M columns, to form (N+M) parity blocks. The resulting (N+M) parity blocks and N·M data blocks are stored in respective storage devices.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for managing modified metadata in a storage controller cache pursuant to a recovery action by a processor in communication with a memory device is provided. A count of modified metadata tracks for a storage rank is compared against a predetermined criterion. If the predetermined criterion is met, a storage volume having the storage rank is designated with a metadata invalidation flag to defer metadata invalidation of the modified metadata tracks until after the recovery action is performed.

Abstract: A method for facilitating input/output (I/O) communication for a processing operation is provided. An interrogate command is obtained by an I/O communications adapter. The interrogate command queries for status information of the processing operation to be provided in an interrogate response. A fixed number of resources and a time allocated to the interrogate command is throttled by pre-allocating the fixed number of resources needed for the interrogate command, and maintaining a timestamp for a interrogate message. The interrogate message is forwarded from the I/O communications adapter to a control unit. If the interrogate response is not received by the I/O communications adapter within a limited timeout period as measured by the timestamp, or if the interrogate message is received while the fixed number of pre-allocated resources are in use, the I/O communications adapter returns a busy response indicating the control unit is busy to prevent overrunning the control unit.

Abstract: A transaction product has an account identifier and includes a series of interconnected, hinged puzzle segments. The various hinged segments may be collectively manipulated to reveal a variety of surfaces, graphics, and indicia. The transaction card may include a number of three-dimensional segments (e.g., eight polyhedral segments) interconnected such that each segment is hingedly connected to two other segments via a hinge structure, wherein the hinge structures on any given cube are orthogonal to each other, resulting in a closed chain of transformations. The hinge structures may be formed via skin components (e.g., plastic, paper, or other laminate media) bonded directly to respective pairs of the three-dimensional segments. The account identifier is associated with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record having a value configured to be used toward one or more of a purchase and a use of goods or services.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for determining severity of communication deficiencies and isolating faults in a power network of a data processing environment is provided. Pursuant to a continuous graph theory analysis, each of a plurality of nodes of the power network is initialized with the same arbitrary value. Each of a plurality of network paths connecting each of the plurality of nodes is analyzed. Upon a successful communication or communication deficiency over one of the plurality of network paths, one arbitrary value of one of the plurality of nodes connected to the one of the plurality of network paths is incremented or decremented, respectively by a weighting value. The incrementing and decrementing is repeated until a threshold is reached and a recovery is performed on which of the plurality of nodes has a lower adjusted value.

Abstract: A system migrates data between a source device and a target device in a storage system. A processor is operational within a local domain of the storage system. A redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller electrically connected to the processor. The RAID controller divides a capacity of the source device into a plurality of sub-regions, locks the sub-regions from storage activity, establishes a mirroring relationship for write data updates between the source device and target device, and assigns the processor to copy data from the source device to the target device. A method of migrating data includes dividing a capacity of a source device into a plurality of sub-regions, locking the sub-regions from storage activity, establishing a mirroring relationship for write data updates between the source device and a target device, and assigning a local processor to copy data from the source device to the target device.