Abstract: Methods and systems for creating, reading, and writing compressed data for use with a block mode access storage. The compressed data are packed into a plurality of compressed units and stored in a storage logical unit (LU). One or more corresponding compressed units may be read and/or updated with no need of restoring the entire storage logical unit while maintaining a de-fragmented structure of the LU.

Abstract: A label for a prescription pharmacy bottle includes a panel, a tab, and a flange. The panel defines a first side edge, a second side edge, and an aperture extending through the panel and positioned adjacent the second side edge. The tab extends from the first side edge away from the panel and rotates about the first side edge to selectively move between a first position, in which the tab substantially covers the panel, and a second position, in which the tab extends away from the panel. The flange is initially formed to extend from the second side edge away from the panel and defines a substantially planar surface coated with an adhesive. The flange is folded about the second side edge to extend behind the panel such that the adhesive on the flange extends across and is exposed through the aperture. Other labels, combinations, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A transaction card assembly includes a transaction card, a foldable backer, and an article. The transaction card includes an account identifier fixedly connected thereto. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal and links the transaction card to a financial account or record. The foldable backer supports the transaction card and defines an interior surface, an exterior surface opposite the interior surface, and a viewing aperture extending from the interior surface to the exterior surface. The article is coupled with the interior surface of the foldable backer such that a portion of the article is viewable through the viewing aperture when the foldable backer is in a folded configuration around the article. Stored-value cards, combinations, methods of facilitating use of a transaction product and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transactional processing within a clustered file system wherein user defined transactions operate on data segments of the file system data. The users are provided within an interface for using a transactional mechanism, namely services for opening, writing and rolling-back transactions. A distributed shared memory technology is utilized to facilitate efficient and coherent cache management within the clustered file system based on the granularity of data segments (rather than files).

Abstract: A method of generating and redeeming a plurality of coupons includes generating a first coupon, generating a second coupon, distributing the first coupon to the first consumer, and distributing the second coupon to the second consumer. Generating a first coupon includes selecting a first group of offers from a plurality of offers such that the first group of offers is individually customized to the first consumer, and printing a first bar code identifying a first account and indicating that the first coupon relates to the first group of offers. Generating a second coupon includes selecting a second group of offers, and printing a second bar. Each of the plurality of offers is redeemable for a discount on a corresponding one of a plurality of products offered for sale, and the first group of offers differs from the second group of offers.

Abstract: System, computer program product, and method embodiments for communication between a kernel operational on a storage subsystem and a key manager (KM) through a hardware management console (HMC) to provide encryption support are provided. In one embodiment, an event request is initiated by the kernel to the KM to execute an event flow. Pursuant to a communication request by the kernel to the HMC, a socket of the HMC is opened along a communication path between the KM and the kernel according to an event flow type selected by the KM for the event flow. Pursuant to a data request by the kernel to the KM, data including a data payload is sent by the KM to the kernel, the data payload corresponding to the selected event flow type.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for providing on-demand storage capacity on a remote storage server to a customer is provided. A virtual array site code is received. The remote storage server is virtually connected to a local storage server of the customer in response to receiving the virtual array site code. A virtual array site object is created on the local storage server corresponding to an array site object on the remote storage server.

Abstract: A set of logical extents, each having compressed logical tracks of data, is mapped to a head physical extent and, if the head physical extent is determined to have been filled, to at least one overflow extent having spatial proximity to the head physical extent. Pursuant to at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation, the at least one subsequent write operation and destage operation determined to be associated with the head physical extent, the write operation is mapped to one of the head physical extent, the at least one overflow extent, and an additional extent having spatial proximity to the at least one overflow extent.

Abstract: A financial transaction card includes a substrate, a member, and a rim. The substrate is formed of a first material and defines a first major surface and an aperture extending though the substrate. The substrate further includes an account identifier linking the financial transaction card to at least one of a financial account and a financial record and is configured for use a payment toward a purchase. The member is formed separately from the substrate and defines a perimeter edge. The rim extends around at least a portion of the perimeter edge of the member and is coupled with the first major surface of the substrate adjacent the aperture in a manner at least partially coupling the member to the substrate such that the aperture and the member align with one another. Other products and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Subsequent to a storage operation performed on the source instance by a source component, a synchronization message is sent to a replicated component for the replicated instance. The synchronization message is stored locally in a persistent storage location associated with the source component along with an indicator representative of a time the storage operation was performed. Pursuant to receipt of the synchronization message by the replicated component, the replicated component is updated to a dirty state to indicate a lack of full synchronization between the source and replicated instances. Receipt of the synchronization message is acknowledged by the replicated component by sending a dirty state acknowledgement. If, during a subsequent recovery process, the dirty state is not yet cleared, the replicated component is deemed ineligible for participation in a full restoration operation.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a housing and a plurality of cards. The housing defines a storage chamber and a substantially planar exterior surface facing away from the storage chamber. The housing is configured to repeatedly open and close to selectively provide access to the storage chamber and includes a machine-readable account identifier statically secured to the substantially planar exterior surface. The machine-readable account identifier links the transaction product to an account or record remote from the transaction product and having a value available for use as payment toward a purchase. The plurality of cards is arranged in at least one stack. The at least one stack is selectively maintained within the storage chamber of the housing, and each card of the plurality of cards is substantially planar.

Abstract: A method of sale including processing a plurality of purchases to be sold to a consumer, identifying a consumer financial account held by a financial institution, receiving authorization from the financial institution to enable payment for the plurality of purchases from the consumer financial account, and providing the consumer with an option to approve the payment from the consumer financial account. The option is provided during processing of the plurality of purchases. Transaction approval systems provide additional advantages.

Abstract: Exemplary methods, systems, and computer program product embodiments for migrating existing data from a source storage controller to a target storage controller, each associated with a data processing storage subsystem, using a processor device in communication with a memory device, are provided. The target storage controller is configured with at least one target volume having pass-through support to a source volume of the source storage controller. An input/output (I/O) path to the existing data through the target storage controller is configured. The I/O path is added to an existing I/O path connected to the existing data using an operating system (OS) operational on at least one host in communication between the source and target storage controllers. The OS is adapted for I/O multipath support. Upon completion of data migration, the existing I/O path is removed.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer program product embodiments for recording data on a contactless integrated circuit (IC) memory associated with a data storage cartridge are provided. In one exemplary embodiment, an index of a plurality of files to be recorded on a storage media of the data storage cartridge is parsed with a table of contents (TOC) profile file to build a table of contents (TOC) specific to an owning application of the plurality of files. The TOC is written to the contactless IC memory.

Abstract: Various embodiments of an optical switch device are provided. In one embodiment, the optical switch device includes a substrate. A photonic crystal, having a dielectric material, is applied on the substrate. An optical gain layer, having an optical gain material, is disposed above the photonic crystal. The photonic crystal is formed with a second-order distributed feedback structure to emit laser light perpendicular to a plane of the photonic crystal and a first-order distributed feedback structure adapted for reflecting light in the plane of the photonic crystal back into the second-order distributed feedback structure. The first-order distributed feedback structure at least one of fully surrounds the second-order distributed feedback structure and is arranged on two opposing edges of the second-order distributed feedback structure.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer program product for thin-provisioning of storage in a storage system by an adviser is provided. A workload profile of the storage is created from performance data. The workload profile includes a measurement of changed data per a predetermined time and resource utilization data over a period of time. A capacity estimate is derived from the measurement of changed data per a predetermined time. A placement estimate is derived from the resource utilization data obtained over a period of time. A target capacity is recommended to a user based on the capacity estimate. A placement location is recommended to a user based on the placement estimate. A predicted resource utilization is provided to the user based on the capacity estimate or the placement estimate.

Abstract: Various embodiments writing data are provided. In one embodiment, the data arranged in a plurality of write intervals is loaded into a plurality of buffers, the totality of the plurality of buffers configured as a sliding write window mechanism adapted for movement to accommodate the write intervals. The data may reach the storage system out of a sequential order, and by loading it appropriately into the said buffers the data is ordered sequentially before it is written to the storage media. When a commencing section of the sliding write window is filled up with written data, this section is flushed to the storage media, and the window slides forward, to accommodate further data written by the writers. The writers are synchronized with the interval reflected by the current position of the sliding write window, and they send data to be written only where this data fits into the current interval of the window.

Abstract: A transaction product assembly includes a transaction product and a supporting backer. The transaction product includes an account identifier, a primary article, and a panel. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record, and the account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The primary article defines a substantially planar surface. The panel extends across the substantially planar surface to define a pocket between the panel and the substantially planar surface. The supporting backer is formed separately from the transaction product and includes a flap extending into the pocket to at least partially couple the supporting backer to the transaction product. Other products, assemblies, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed.