Abstract: A transaction product for a retail display includes a transaction sticker and a transaction card. The transaction sticker defines a front surface and a rear surface opposite the front surface. The transaction sticker includes a first account identifier linking the transaction sticker to an account or record configured to track a value available for use toward a purchase of goods and services. The first account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The rear surface is coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive. The transaction card defines a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface and including a second account identifier. The second account identifier is machine readable by the point-of-sale terminal. The transaction sticker is releasably coupled to the transaction card and is configured to be removed from the transaction card and applied to an article. Other cards, products, combinations and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A management apparatus operable for protecting data on a failing storage device in a data processing system including a storage array having at least one of a plurality of storage devices. The management apparatus includes a receiver component for receiving a failure message indicating that the plurality of storage devices comprises the failing storage device. An analyzer component is in communication with the receiver component and responsive to receipt of the failure message, for analyzing the failure message. A sender component is in communication with the analyzer component. The sender component is adapted for, in response to the analyzer component determining the failing storage device, sending a zoning message, the zoning message instructing the storage array to isolate the failing storage device, and sending a protect message. The protect message instructs the storage array to protect data on the failing storage device.

Abstract: A system and method for a retailer to sell merchandise over the Internet in affiliation with an Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site is accessible through the Internet service site of the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site includes designations of both the retailer and the Internet service provider. The co-branded Internet site including one or more links to the Internet shopping site of the retailer. Client software for accessing the co-branded Internet site is distributed at retailer locations. Members of the co-branded Internet site are provided with incentives to access and shop on the Internet shopping site of the retailer through the co-branded Internet site.

Abstract: Various embodiments for rapid defragmentation of storage volumes in a computing environment are provided. A plurality of source data sets is copied from the fragmented storage volume to a plurality of target data sets on an additional storage volume. The plurality of source data sets is placed on the additional storage volume as the plurality of target data sets in an unfragmented order. A first volume serial number (VOLSER) of the fragmented storage volume is swapped with a second VOLSER of the additional storage volume. The fragmented storage volume is varied offline, and the additional storage volume is varied online. The computing environment recognizes the additional storage volume having the plurality of target data sets placed in the unfragmented order.

Abstract: An I/O module includes a switch module, a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) controller and a baseboard management controller (BMC). A first address for a first component of the plurality of components is received. The first address is provided by a user. The switch module is queried for additional addresses for additional components of the plurality of components. The switch module obtains the additional addresses for the additional components from a first persistent storage location associated with the switch module. The first and additional addresses for the first and additional components are stored in a second persistent storage location accessible by the BMC, the switch module, and the RAID controller. Synchronization of the first and additional addresses for the first and additional components in the second persistent location is controlled by the BMC.

Abstract: A transaction product includes a lens, a slide, an actuating mechanism, a housing and an account identifier. The slide depicts a plurality of scenes, and each of the plurality of scenes is separately depicted on a different portion of the slide. The actuating mechanism is positioned to cause movement of the slide to change which one of the plurality of scenes aligns with and is viewable through the lens at a given time. The housing substantially encloses the lens, the slide and the actuating mechanism. The account identifier is coupled with the housing and links the transaction product to an account or record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal such that value can be added to or deducted from the account using the account identifier. Other product, cards, assemblies and associated methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A stored-value product includes a toy automobile and a panel. The toy automobile includes a body and wheels rotatably coupled to the body. The panel is coupled to the body and includes an account identifier signifying a financial account or record linked to the stored-value card assembly. Stored-value product assemblies, methods of promoting sales of stored-value products, methods of using a stored-value product and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for data storage, including configuring a first logical volume on a first storage system and a second logical volume on a second storage system. The second logical volume is configured as a mirror of the first logical volume, so that the first and second logical volumes form a single logical mirrored volume. The method also includes receiving at the second storage system a command submitted by a host to write data to the logical mirrored volume, and transferring the command from the second storage system to the first storage system without writing the data to the second logical volume. On receipt of the command at the first storage system, the data is written to the first logical volume. Subsequent to writing the data to the first logical volume, the data is mirrored on the second logical volume.

Abstract: Various embodiments for writing data in a tape medium having wraps by a tape drive are provided. The tape drive allocates the wraps in a shingled data band between two or more data partitions. A set of contiguous wraps is allocated to one data partition of the two or more data partitions. An additional set of contiguous wraps is allocated to an additional data partition of the two or more data partitions. A minimum buffer is retained between the set and the additional set of contiguous wraps of at least one wrap per direction written within at least one data band shared between the one and the additional data partitions such that the one and the additional data partitions may be written to by the tape drive independently of each other.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus and a method of managing a snapshot storage pool (SSP) associated with a storage unit of a distributed data storage system. According to some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus may include a logic module and a controller. The logic module may be adapted to provide a threshold corresponding to a ratio between a current amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP and a total storage capacity defined for the SSP. The controller may be adapted to trigger an action which may be effective for managing the SSP in response to the amount of storage resources used for storing snapshots in the SSP crossing the threshold.

Abstract: A transaction card includes a single layer substrate and an account identifier. The single layer substrate is formed of a transparent polymer resin mixed with a fluorescent dye such that the single layer substrate exhibits an edge-glow characteristic. The single layer substrate is one of transparent and translucent. The account identifier is connected to the single layer substrate and links the transaction card to at least one of an account and a record. The account identifier is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. Stored-value card assemblies, methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a stored-value card and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for minimizing read response time in a storage subsystem including a plurality of resources is provided. A middle logical block address (LBA) is calculated for a read request. A preferred resource of the plurality of resources is determined by calculating a minimum seek time based on a closest position to a last position of a head at each resource of the plurality of resources, estimated from the middle LBA. The read request is directed to at least one of the preferred resource or an alternative resource.

Abstract: A financial transaction product includes an electrical assembly, a housing at least partially enclosing the electrical assembly, a connection cable, and an account identifier. The connection cable includes a first end, which is coupled with the housing and in electrical communication with the electrical assembly, and a second end, which is opposite the first end, is spaced from the housing, and includes an electrical connector configured to selectively interface with a electrical device separate from the financial transaction product. The account identifier is affixed to the housing and links the housing to at least one of a financial account or a financial record. Methods of encouraging purchase and facilitating use of a financial transaction card assembly and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for prioritizing directory scans in cache by a processor is provided. While traversing a directory in the cache, one of attempting to acquire a lock for a directory entry and attempting to acquire access to a track in the directory entry is performed. If one of the lock is not obtained for the directory entry and the access to the track in the directory entry is not obtained, the directory entry is added to a reserved data space. Following completion of traversing the directory, a return is made to the reserved data space to process the directory entry and the track in the directory entry.