Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach to optimize link-based cloning in a virtualization architecture. In some approaches, each of the remote nodes is allowed to maintain its own snapshot of the linked/shared image. In this way, the processing power of each remote node can be used in a decentralized manner to administratively handle access to the shared data, rather than requiring the CPU resources of only the host node to centrally handle administrative access to the data. In addition, each of nodes can maintain copies of the shared image in a local cache. This allows the caching resources to also be decentralized, as each of the nodes can use its own caching resources to hold the shared data.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing a storage system having an operation log where data writes are initially performed to a fast operation log, rather than to its permanent storage location. A distributed operation log can be employed to replicate the data to multiple locations in the storage system.

Abstract: A computer implemented method implemented with a processor for assigning a unique identifier for a data item initially deployed at a node of a networked environment includes determining a unique node identifier for the node of the networked environment, atomically modifying a local counter value at the node of the networked environment, and appending the unique node identifier to the atomically modified local counter value at the node of the networked environment to form a unique ID for the data item.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. It includes presenting a payment card to an access device, obtaining additional data, encrypting the additional data, and passing the encrypted additional data to the access device.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing a storage system having an operation log where data writes are initially performed to a fast operation log, rather than to its permanent storage location. A distributed operation log can be employed to replicate the data to multiple locations in the storage system.

Abstract: Disclosed is an approach for implementing disaster recovery for virtual machines. Consistency groups are implemented for virtual machines, where the consistency group link together two or more VMs. The consistency group includes any set of VMs which need to be managed on a consistent basis in the event of a disaster recovery scenario.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved approach for implementing and maintaining writable snapshots. An efficient approach is provided for implementing snapshots that can be used to immediately create snapshots without incurring any detectable delays in providing access to the new snapshots. Also described are improved metadata structures that can be used to implement and maintain the writable snapshots.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to systems, apparatus, and methods for receiving an account token for a transaction, and returning an associated real account identifier if the transaction is approved. In one embodiment, an authorization request message for a transaction is received by a server computer, the authorization request message including an account token associated with a real account identifier. The server computer determines the real account identifier associated with the account token. If the transaction is approved, an authorization response message including the real account identifier is transmitted.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention directed to systems and methods that allow for determining a transaction initiation mode used to conduct a transaction and applying a specific set of rules associated with the transaction initiation mode to the transaction. A transaction authorization request message is received at a server computer. The transaction authorization message is for a transaction between a consumer and a merchant and includes a plurality of data elements. The server computer determines a transaction initiation mode, from among at least three different transaction initiation modes, used to conduct the transaction based at least in part on the data elements. The server computer applies a specific set of rules associated with the transaction initiation mode to the transaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a plurality of shipping containers into a carrier. The containers are arranged according to a predetermined pattern on a fixed staging unit of the apparatus. A first conveyor of the apparatus receives and transports the arranged containers from the fixed staging unit. The first conveyor is movable horizontally. A second conveyor of the apparatus receives the containers from the first conveyor and transports the containers into the carrier. The second conveyor is movable horizontally and vertically. A control unit of the apparatus controls transportation of the containers from the second conveyor into the carrier when the second conveyor is vertically moved to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A method is disclosed. It includes presenting a payment card to an access device, obtaining additional data, encrypting the additional data, and passing the encrypted additional data to the access device.

Abstract: Example embodiments of the disclosed systems and methods of providing a notched cover include a lid for an underground vault for temporary use while the permanent lid to the underground vault is removed. In an example application, this underground vault lid would facilitate fiber maintenance in that the fiber optic cables may be maintained through the lid while protecting the public and the utility company employees from the danger of injury due to an “open hole in the ground” that is created when an underground vault is open. The disclosed systems and methods of providing a notched lid may include a temporary vault lid comprising a small opening relative to the size of the lid, the opening allowing the fiber optic cable to exit the vault while maintaining the pedestrian integrity of the vault lid, thereby reducing and/or eliminating the safety risk associated with the exposed vault.

Abstract: The TRANSACTION RATE PROCESSING APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS (“TRP”) transforms merchant transaction-related information, merchant performance metrics, merchant security/management information, merchant risk-based information, and merchant industry-based information inputs via one or more of security-equipment-based adjustment component(s) (SEAC), security-process-based adjustment component(s) (SPAC), risk-tierage adjustment component(s) (RTAC), growth-rate incentive adjustment component(s) (GRIAC), transaction-volume incentive adjustment component(s) (TVIAC), high-risk assessment adjustment component(s) (HRAC), and merchant-industry adjustment component(s) (MIAC) into generated merchant transaction rate and merchant transaction rate incentive outputs that are distributed to individual merchants.

Abstract: Computer-implemented methods for mapping an element of a source information model to an element of a target information model, forming a cluster of elements for mapping across information models, and evaluating a mapping of elements across information models, and a system and computer program product thereof. The method of mapping an element of a source information model to an element of a target information model includes: receiving information for mapping a first element in a source cluster to an element in the target information model; mapping the first element to the target element using the received information for mapping the first element to the target element; and mapping all other elements in the source cluster to the target element.

Abstract: An apparatus for loading and unloading a plurality of shipping containers into a carrier. The containers are arranged according to a predetermined pattern on a fixed staging unit of the apparatus. A first conveyor of the apparatus receives and transports the arranged containers from the fixed staging unit. The first conveyor is movable horizontally. A second conveyor of the apparatus receives the containers from the first conveyor and transports the containers into the carrier. The second conveyor is movable horizontally and vertically. A control unit of the apparatus controls transportation of the containers from the second conveyor into the carrier when the second conveyor is vertically moved to a predetermined position.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently implementing a local or distributed file system is disclosed. The system may include a distributed virtual file system (“dVFS”) that utilizes a persistent intent log (“PIL”) to record transactions to be applied to the file system. The PIL is preferably implemented in stable storage, so that a logical operation may be considered complete as soon as the log record has been made stable. This allows the dVFS to continue immediately, without waiting for the operation to be applied to a local or real file system. The dVFS may further incorporate replication to one or more remote file systems as an integral facility.

Abstract: A system for managing computer resource usage quotas includes a distributed gateway service, a plurality of clients, an internal network, a distributed storage service a system management service, a configuration database, and a distributed metadata service. A method for managing computer resource usage quotas applied to a plurality of users of data includes the steps of defining one or more resource classes, defining at least one usage policy for the resource classes, tracking quota usage for the usage quotas in accordance with the usage policy, and enforcing quota usage for the usage quotas, and storing the data in accord with the resource class definitions. Optionally, the quota usage may be aggregated.

Abstract: A system for managing computer resource usage quotas includes a distributed gateway service, a plurality of clients, an internal network, a distributed storage service a system management service, a configuration database, and a distributed metadata service. A method for managing computer resource usage quotas applied to a plurality of users of data includes the steps of defining one or more resource classes, defining at least one usage policy for the resource classes, tracking quota usage for the usage quotas in accordance with the usage policy, and enforcing quota usage for the usage quotas, and storing the data in accord with the resource class definitions. Optionally, the quota usage may be aggregated.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing cooked browned baked goods including the steps of:(a) providing a particulate flowable flavoring powder which contains individually discretly encapsulated Maillard reaction reagents with the reaction reagents being at least one encapsulated amino acid and at least one encapsulated sugar;(b) providing an uncooked baked goods foodstuff, e.g., dough;(c) coating the composition of (a) onto the surface of the uncooked foodstuff; and(d) exposing the flavoring powder coated foodstuff surface to microwave radiation for a period of time to cause the foodstuff to be edible and to be brownedwhereby the resulting product is caused to be edible as a foodstuff and the baked goods is edibly browned.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing a cooked edibly browned storage-stable fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue foodstuff including the steps of:(a) providing a particulate flowable flavoring powder which contains individually discretly encapsulated Maillard reaction reagents with the reduction reagents being at least one encapsulated amino acid and at least one encapsulated sugar;(b) providing an uncooked fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue foodstuff containing more than 50% water;(c) placing in intimate the contact with at least part of the surface of the foodstuff, a flavor augmenting, imparting or enhancing quantity of the particulate flowable flavoring powder of (a); and(d) exposing the flavoring powder coated foodstuff surface to microwave powder-radiation for a period of time to cause the foodstuff to be ediblewhereby the resulting product is caused to be edible as a foodstuff and the cooked fibrous proteinaceous muscle tissue is edibly browned.