Abstract: In an upgrade infrastructure performing an overall upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade processes being executed, possibly concurrently, on multiple hosts for upgrading one or more software applications hosted by hosts, automated hang detection mechanisms are disclosed for quickly, efficiently, and automatically detecting when one or more of the upgrade process are in a hang state. Different hang detection techniques are described including a metadata-driven hang detection mechanism and a code-driven hang detection mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques for managing an upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade process executing on multiple host machines (or hosts) for upgrading software applications on the multiple hosts. Techniques are disclosed for managing notifications that are generated by the multiple upgrade processes during execution, and more particular, techniques for reducing the number of notifications that are sent to a user. The techniques include: only sending a subset of the generated notifications to a user, the subset being selected at the host machines based upon notifications level criteria specified by the user for the host machines; consolidating multiple generated notifications into a fewer number of consolidated notifications and only sending consolidated notifications to the user; combination of criteria-based selection and notifications consolidation.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to methods of conducting transactions using a dual function card that is transacted amongst a processor in communication with a point of sale: receiving a message including: an indicia of the card and identifiers of goods; identifying a closed loop account and amount, a schedule of eligible goods, and an open loop account and amount; determining eligible goods and a purchase amount; comparing the purchase amount to the amount in the closed loop account, and if the purchase amount is less than or equal to value in the closed loop account, authorizing the transaction. Upon a determination that the purchase amount is less than the amount in the closed loop account, determining if the value in the open loop account is greater than or equal to the deficit, and if so, deducting all value from the closed loop account and the deficit from the open loop account.

Abstract: Techniques for managing an upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade process executing on multiple host machines (or hosts) for upgrading software applications on the multiple hosts. Techniques are disclosed for managing notifications that are generated by the multiple upgrade processes during execution, and more particular, techniques for reducing the number of notifications that are sent to a user. The techniques include: only sending a subset of the generated notifications to a user, the subset being selected at the host machines based upon notifications level criteria specified by the user for the host machines; consolidating multiple generated notifications into a fewer number of consolidated notifications and only sending consolidated notifications to the user; combination of criteria-based selection and notifications consolidation.

Abstract: Techniques for managing an upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade process executing on multiple host machines (or hosts) for upgrading software applications on the multiple hosts. Techniques are disclosed for managing notifications that are generated by the multiple upgrade processes during execution, and more particular, techniques for reducing the number of notifications that are sent to a user. The techniques include: only sending a subset of the generated notifications to a user, the subset being selected at the host machines based upon notifications level criteria specified by the user for the host machines; consolidating multiple generated notifications into a fewer number of consolidated notifications and only sending consolidated notifications to the user; combination of criteria-based selection and notifications consolidation.

Abstract: In an upgrade infrastructure performing an overall upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade processes being executed, possibly concurrently, on multiple hosts for upgrading one or more software applications hosted by hosts, automated hang detection mechanisms are disclosed for quickly, efficiently, and automatically detecting when one or more of the upgrade process are in a hang state. Different hang detection techniques are described including a metadata-driven hang detection mechanism and a code-driven hang detection mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for concurrently upgrading one or more software applications hosted by one or multiple hosts. Checkpoint data associated with the upgrade processes executing on the multiple hosts may be generated during the upgrade. The checkpoint data may be stored in a shared storage that can be accessed by the upgrade processes. Each upgrade process running on a host may be adapted to read checkpoint data from the shared storage and write checkpoint data only to a dedicated location on the shared storage. Checkpoint data written by a first upgrade process may be read by a second upgrade process to determine the status and/or progress of the first upgrade process on a given host. In this manner, the checkpoint data enable the multiple upgrade processes to synchronize with each other.

Abstract: Techniques for concurrently upgrading one or more software applications hosted by one or multiple hosts. Checkpoint data associated with the upgrade processes executing on the multiple hosts may be generated during the overall upgrade operation. The checkpoint data may be stored in a shared storage that can be accessed by the upgrade processes. A reporting tool may generate a timing report using the checkpoint data. The timing report may indicate execution timing data of all hosts executing the upgrade processes such as the total time spent for each upgrade process, when an upgrade process started execution, when an upgrade process stopped and/or completed execution, and the like.

Abstract: In an upgrade infrastructure performing an overall upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade processes being executed, possibly concurrently, on multiple hosts for upgrading one or more software applications hosted by hosts, automated hang detection mechanisms are disclosed for quickly, efficiently, and automatically detecting when one or more of the upgrade process are in a hang state. Different hang detection techniques are described including a metadata-driven hang detection mechanism and a code-driven hang detection mechanism.

Abstract: Techniques for concurrently upgrading one or more software applications hosted by one or multiple hosts. Checkpoint data associated with the upgrade processes executing on the multiple hosts may be generated during the overall upgrade operation. The checkpoint data may be stored in a shared storage that can be accessed by the upgrade processes. A reporting tool may generate a timing report using the checkpoint data. The timing report may indicate execution timing data of all hosts executing the upgrade processes such as the total time spent for each upgrade process, when an upgrade process started execution, when an upgrade process stopped and/or completed execution, and the like.

Abstract: Techniques for managing an upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade process executing on multiple host machines (or hosts) for upgrading software applications on the multiple hosts. Techniques are disclosed for managing notifications that are generated by the multiple upgrade processes during execution, and more particular, techniques for reducing the number of notifications that are sent to a user. The techniques include: only sending a subset of the generated notifications to a user, the subset being selected at the host machines based upon notifications level criteria specified by the user for the host machines; consolidating multiple generated notifications into a fewer number of consolidated notifications and only sending consolidated notifications to the user; combination of criteria-based selection and notifications consolidation.

Abstract: In an upgrade infrastructure performing an overall upgrade operation comprising multiple upgrade processes being executed, possibly concurrently, on multiple hosts for upgrading one or more software applications hosted by hosts, automated hang detection mechanisms are disclosed for quickly, efficiently, and automatically detecting when one or more of the upgrade process are in a hang state. Different hang detection techniques are described including a metadata-driven hang detection mechanism and a code-driven hang detection mechanism.

Abstract: Embodiments provide techniques for concurrently upgrading one or more software applications hosted by one or multiple hosts. Checkpoint data associated with the upgrade processes executing on the multiple hosts may be generated during the upgrade. The checkpoint data may be stored in a shared storage that can be accessed by the upgrade processes. Each upgrade process running on a host may be adapted to read checkpoint data from the shared storage and write checkpoint data only to a dedicated location on the shared storage. Checkpoint data written by a first upgrade process may be read by a second upgrade process to determine the status and/or progress of the first upgrade process on a given host. In this manner, the checkpoint data enable the multiple upgrade processes to synchronize with each other.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to methods of conducting transactions using a dual function card that is transacted amongst a processor in communication with a point of sale: receiving a message including: an indicia of the card and identifiers of goods; identifying a closed loop account and amount, a schedule of eligible goods, and an open loop account and amount; determining eligible goods and a purchase amount; comparing the purchase amount to the amount in the closed loop account, and if the purchase amount is less than or equal to value in the closed loop account, authorizing the transaction. Upon a determination that the purchase amount is less than the amount in the closed loop account, determining if the value in the open loop account is greater than or equal to the deficit, and if so, deducting all value from the closed loop account and the deficit from the open loop account.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes and underground storm shelter that has a housing with at least one side wall and a floor, and the side wall and the floor create an interior cavity and an opening to the interior cavity. Further, the housing is supported by a frame coupled thereto. Additionally, the underground storm shelter has a door slidably coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a first portion of the opening and to allow ingress to the interior cavity through the first portion of the opening. The underground storm shelter also has a hatch hingedly coupled to the frame of the housing that is adapted to cover a second portion of the opening a hydraulic system coupled to a first end of the hatch that is adapted to hingedly lift the hatch to expose the second portion of the opening for allowing egress from the interior cavity.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include building a multi-dimensional contextual model, receiving search terms from a user, performing a search based on the search terms and the multi-dimensional contextual model, generating search results based on the search, and visually displaying the search results.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include building a multi-dimensional contextual model, receiving search terms from a user, performing a search based on the search terms and the multi-dimensional contextual model, generating search results based on the search, and visually displaying the search results.

Abstract: A color translating UV microscope for research and clinical applications involving imaging of living or dynamic samples in real time and providing several novel techniques for image creation, optical sectioning, dynamic motion tracking and contrast enhancement comprises a light source emitting UV light, and visible and IR light if desired. This light is directed to the condenser via a means of selecting monochromatic, bandpass, shortpass, longpass or notch limited light. The condenser can be a brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast or DIC. The slide is mounted in a stage capable of high speed movements in the X, Y and Z dimensions. The microscope uses broadband, narrowband or monochromat optimized objectives to direct the image of the sample to an image intensifier or UV sensitive video system.

Abstract: A color translating UV microscope for research and clinical applications involving imaging of living or dynamic samples in real time and providing several novel techniques for image creation, optical sectioning, dynamic motion tracking and contrast enhancement comprises a light source emitting UV light, and visible and IR light if desired. This light is directed to the condenser via a means of selecting monochromatic, bandpass, shortpass, longpass or notch limited light. The condenser can be a brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast or DIC. The slide is mounted in a stage capable of high speed movements in the X, Y and Z dimensions. The microscope uses broadband, narrowband or monochromat optimized objectives to direct the image of the sample to an image intensifier or UV sensitive video system.

Abstract: A color translating UV microscope for research and clinical applications involving imaging of living or dynamic samples in real time and providing several novel techniques for image creation, optical sectioning, dynamic motion tracking and contrast enhancement comprises a light source emitting UV light, and visible and IR light if desired. This light is directed to the condenser via a means of selecting monochromatic, bandpass, shortpass, longpass or notch limited light. The condenser can be a brightfield, darkfield, phase contrast or DIC. The slide is mounted in a stage capable of high speed movements in the X, Y and Z dimensions. The microscope uses broadband, narrowband or monochromat optimized objectives to direct the image of the sample to an image intensifier or UV sensitive video system.