Abstract: A cloud deployment system is used for obfuscating CPU operation codes in a set of machines operating in a distributed computing environment. A reprogrammable microcode replaces a hardware instruction set, the microcode layer containing a set of original operation codes. A first transform of the set of original operation codes produces a first set of transformed operation codes. A first transformed microcode is created which incorporates the first set of transformed operation codes instead of the original operation codes. An operating system and an application is compiled using the first set of transformed operation codes to produce a first cross compiled operating system and application. The first transformed microcode, the first cross compiled operating system and application are deployed to a respective first one of the set of machines, the first one of the machines equipped with a softcore processor.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and program product for shutting down a first instance of an application and starting up a second instance of the application. The first instance of the application has associated therewith at least one first instance support resource. The second instance of the application has associated therewith at least one second-instance support resource. The method includes starting up the at least one second-instance support resource; shutting down the first instance of the application after the at least one second-instance support resource has started up; and starting up the second instance of the application based on at least one condition from a set consisting of: when the at least one second-instance support resource is running, and when the first instance of the application has shut down to a selected degree.

Abstract: A cloud deployment system is used for obfuscating CPU operation codes in a set of machines operating in a distributed computing environment. A reprogrammable microcode replaces a hardware instruction set, the microcode layer containing a set of original operation codes. A first transform of the set of original operation codes produces a first set of transformed operation codes. A first transformed microcode is created which incorporates the first set of transformed operation codes instead of the original operation codes. An operating system and an application is compiled using the first set of transformed operation codes to produce a first cross compiled operating system and application. The first transformed microcode, the first cross compiled operating system and application are deployed to a respective first one of the set of machines, the first one of the machines equipped with a softcore processor.

Abstract: A cloud deployment system is used for obfuscating CPU operation codes in a set of machines operating in a distributed computing environment. A reprogrammable microcode replaces a hardware instruction set, the microcode layer containing a set of original operation codes. A first transform of the set of original operation codes produces a first set of transformed operation codes. A first transformed microcode is created which incorporates the first set of transformed operation codes instead of the original operation codes. An operating system and an application is compiled using the first set of transformed operation codes to produce a first cross compiled operating system and application. The first transformed microcode, the first cross compiled operating system and application are deployed to a respective first one of the set of machines, the first one of the machines equipped with a softcore processor.

Abstract: A cloud deployment system is used for obfuscating CPU operation codes in a set of machines operating in a distributed computing environment. A reprogrammable microcode replaces a hardware instruction set, the microcode layer containing a set of original operation codes. A first transform of the set of original operation codes produces a first set of transformed operation codes. A first transformed microcode is created which incorporates the first set of transformed operation codes instead of the original operation codes. An operating system and an application is compiled using the first set of transformed operation codes to produce a first cross compiled operating system and application. The first transformed microcode, the first cross compiled operating system and application are deployed to a respective first one of the set of machines, the first one of the machines equipped with a softcore processor.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a battery cartridge aperture is included in a device. The edges of the battery cartridge aperture form a shape that match a selected battery cartridge and indicate a power configuration. The selected battery cartridge is selected from a variety of different battery cartridges with each of the battery cartridges having a unique external shape with each unique external shape corresponding to a different power configuration. The various battery cartridges each have a different configuration of battery cells within the battery cartridge that provide power to the device through electrical contacts. The contacts are affixed within the device with each of the contacts positioned to correspond with electrical contacts from the battery cartridge. In one embodiment, protective covers are provided that cover the contacts with the covers automatically retracting to expose the contacts when the battery cartridge is inserted in the device.

Abstract: Telemarketer identity verification uses an application executing in a smartphone or tablet device. When a call is received, the application takes the number and attempts to verify whether it is associated with a known telemarketer. If so, the application queries the telemarketing service for additional data about the call. The service responds with additional details, for example, the subject of the intended call. The user is then provided an notification that an incoming call is being received. At this point, the user knows that the call is from a telemarketer, that the telemarketer has been verified, and the nature of the call. This information is then output to the user, e.g., visually, aurally, physically, or some combination thereof. The visual representation may include a “decline” button that may be selected by the user. If the call is declined, the client application may then notify the telemarketing service to that effect.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and computer program product for a virtual world query response system. A set of virtual world entry points in a virtual world database that is responsive to a query is identified. A virtual world entry point is a location within a virtual world. A free shard from a set of free shards is identified. A shard is a virtual world hosted on a server. Custom content associated with the set of virtual world entry points is generated. The custom content is added to the selected free shard to form a custom shard responsive to the query. An entry point of the custom shard is returned to the client.

Abstract: An approach is provided in which a battery cartridge aperture is included in a device. The edges of the battery cartridge aperture form a shape that match a selected battery cartridge and indicate a power configuration. The selected battery cartridge is selected from a variety of different battery cartridges with each of the battery cartridges having a unique external shape with each unique external shape corresponding to a different power configuration. The various battery cartridges each have a different configuration of battery cells within the battery cartridge that provide power to the device through electrical contacts. The contacts are affixed within the device with each of the contacts positioned to correspond with electrical contacts from the battery cartridge. In one embodiment, protective covers are provided that cover the contacts with the covers automatically retracting to expose the contacts when the battery cartridge is inserted in the device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing a plurality of applications in a computer cluster. Each application is able to run on a particular node in the cluster. In one embodiment, associations are maintained among a plurality of modes and the plurality of applications, with each application being associated with at least one mode. Responsive to designation of at least one mode as active for the cluster, each application that is associated with an active mode is flagged as eligible for activation, each inactive application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation, and each active application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation and inactivated. Flagging as eligible, flagging as ineligible and flagging as ineligible and inactivating may be performed in any order, and inactivating is sequenced according to dependencies among the applications.

Abstract: An approach is provided where a smart socket receives a request over a power line and generates a request based on the received request. The second request is transmitted over a power cord connecting the smart power socket to a device. A response is received from the device and a power setting is identified therefrom. The smart socket regulates electrical current flowing from the smart power socket to the device using the identified setting. In a related approach, the device receives a power down request over a power cord from a smart power socket. The device determines whether power is still needed at the device in order to perform one or more device operations. The device then returns a response to the smart power socket, with the response indicating whether power is still needed at the device.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing a plurality of applications in a computer cluster. Each application is able to run on a particular node in the cluster. In one embodiment, associations are maintained among a plurality of modes and the plurality of applications, with each application being associated with at least one mode. Responsive to designation of at least one mode as active for the cluster, each application that is associated with an active mode is flagged as eligible for activation, each inactive application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation, and each active application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation and inactivated. Flagging as eligible, flagging as ineligible and flagging as ineligible and inactivating may be performed in any order, and inactivating is sequenced according to dependencies among the applications.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments provide a computer implemented method and computer program product for a virtual world query response system. A set of virtual world entry points in a virtual world database that is responsive to a query is identified. A virtual world entry point is a location within a virtual world. A free shard from a set of free shards is identified. A shard is a virtual world hosted on a server. Custom content associated with the set of virtual world entry points is generated. The custom content is added to the selected free shard to form a custom shard responsive to the query. An entry point of the custom shard is returned to the client.

Abstract: A system and method for constructing and analyzing a graphical representation of a complex process comprises steps and means for receiving input of content related to the complex process; processing said input to identify entities and actions instrumental in the execution of the complex process; constructing a graphical representation of the process as a network comprising first nodes, representing decision points, second nodes representing primary stakeholders and actions providing direct input to decision making points, and leaves representing secondary stakeholders providing indirect input to decision making points; and applying at least one analytic approach for evaluating the decision points of the graphical representation of the process.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for managing a plurality of applications in a computer cluster. Each application is able to run on a particular node in the cluster. In one embodiment, associations are maintained among a plurality of modes and the plurality of applications, with each application being associated with at least one mode. Responsive to designation of at least one mode as active for the cluster, each application that is associated with an active mode is flagged as eligible for activation, each inactive application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation, and each active application that is not associated with any active mode is flagged as ineligible for activation and inactivated. Flagging as eligible, flagging as ineligible and flagging as ineligible and inactivating may be performed in any order, and inactivating is sequenced according to dependencies among the applications.

Abstract: In one aspect, the invention is directed to a method for shutting down a first instance of an application and starting up a second instance of the application. The first instance of the application has associated therewith at least one first-instance support resource. The second instance of the application has associated therewith at least one second-instance support resource. The method includes: starting up the at least one second-instance support resource; shutting down the first instance of the application after the at least one second-instance support resource has started up; and starting up the second instance of the application based on at least one condition from a set consisting of: when the at least one second-instance support resource is running, and when the first instance of the application has shut down to a selected degree.