Abstract: A system and method for improving the efficiency of DMA transfers. In particular, a “continue” command is provided for DMA block transfers. In practice, this command allows the system to begin a DMA transfer before the entire size of the transfer block is known and to continue the transfer, avoiding an additional setup time, by simply instructing the DMAC to continue sending data in the same manner. Transfer continuation is accomplished by resetting the DMA transfer count register to a new value without ever stopping the transfer. Each time the transfer count runs down, the system resets it to a higher value and continues the transfer rather than initializing a second transfer.

Abstract: A nozzle for a drill bit has an adjustable orifice, allowing a single nozzle to change the pressure drop for a given flow rate. This is accomplished by the use of two plates, each having a shaped aperture therein. The degree to which the two apertures are overlapped determines the size of the orifice. The movement of the apertures, and thus the size of the orifice, can be adjusted at the drilling site.

Abstract: The present invention allows the load-bearing capabilities of a drill bit thrust flange to be increased. The invention utilizes a thrust flange that is larger than the inside diameter of an associated drill bit journal bushing. The thrust flange may extend past the inside diameter of the journal bushing up to a distance equal to two times the thickness of the journal bushing. The invention may also utilize a thrust washer that is disposed adjacent the thrust flange to assist in bearing loads applied to the thrust flange.

Abstract: Roller cone drilling wherein the bit optimization process equalizes the downforce (axial force) for the cones (as nearly as possible, subject to other design constraints). Bit performance is significantly enhanced by equalizing downforce.

Abstract: A pressure compensating assembly for use in roller cone drilling bits of the sealed bearing type. The compensating assembly includes a hollow body arranged to fit into a cavity in the bit connected with the lubrication system of the bit and the hollow body includes a normally open lubricant passageway extending therethrough. A seal encircles the body on one side of the lubricant passageway and is arranged to sealingly engage the bit and an elastomeric, cup-shaped diaphragm is located on the body and has a lip arranged to sealingly engage the bit on the other side of the lubricant passageway. The diaphragm having a protuberance on the side of the diaphragm facing the passageway and sized to enter and close the passageway. The body, seal, and diaphragm being assembled into a unitary cartridge for introduction into the bit as a unit.

Abstract: A rotary cone drill bit is provided with at least one cutter cone assembly having a machined cutting structure which will maintain an effective cutting profile despite abrasion, erosion and/or wear of the associated cutting elements. The machined cutting structure may be formed on a generally cone shaped blank by a series of lathe turns and/or plunge cuts. The cutting elements may be formed with an aggressive cutting profile. For one application, the crest of each cutting element has the general configuration of an ogee curve. A layer of hardfacing material may be applied over all or selected portions of the machined cutting structure.

Abstract: The present application discloses a system of software distribution in computer manufacturing which manages and distributes software from release by a software engineering group to installation at a remote manufacturing site or testing facility. The distribution system disclosed seeks to overcome the deficiencies of present software distribution systems. In overcoming these deficiencies, the distribution system disclosed contains several innovative features.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing a graphics request stream begins processing subsequent vertex data while processing previous vertex data. To that end, the apparatus has a vertex assembler having an input for receiving graphics requests, and a processor (coupled to the vertex assembler) for processing received graphics requests. The processor provides a headstart signal to the vertex assembler to indicate that the processor is processing a new graphics request. Upon receipt of the headstart signal, the vertex assembler causes the processor to restart processing of the new graphics request if the new request is determined to have not been properly assembled.

Abstract: A converter for reducing the amplitude of a DC input signal includes first and second switches that each are coupled between an input port for receiving the input signal, and voltage reducing circuitry for reducing the amplitude of the input signal. The two switches are configured so that at least one of the switches is open at all times, thus reducing the heat generated by either one of the switches. This consequently reduces the need for heat dissipation devices such as, for example, conventional heat sinks. Moreover, the two switches each may be smaller than that which would be used if a single switch were used since their duty cycles are much smaller than that of such single switch. The converter further includes an output port coupled to the voltage reducing circuitry for providing an output signal having an amplitude that is less than that of the input signal.

Abstract: A graphics processor for processing vertices of a polygon includes an input for receiving an instruction for processing a given vertex, memory for storing a first lookup table and a second lookup table, and an interpolation engine that, responsive to receipt of the instruction from the input, selects one of the lookup tables, determines table output from the one of the lookup tables, and produces an output value based upon the table output and data relating to the given vertex. Each of the first and second lookup tables may correspond to a selected function and contains table output as a function of an input value. The input value corresponds to data relating to the given vertex.

Abstract: An insert is provided for a rock bit for drilling bore holes in the ground and other downhole tools. The cutting portion of the inserts consist of encrusted cubic boron nitride pellets, tungsten carbide particles and a binder material which are fused together to form a unitary body. The cubic boron nitride particles of the fused insert are cubic in structure and substantially free of heat degradation and resultant hexagonal crystalline structure in response to fusing the elements together in a single step of simultaneously heating and compacting the elements.

Abstract: A battery charging system in which current is averaged over a long time period (seconds) to determine the maximum average charging rate. When the integral of charging current over this long period reaches the programmed maximum charge value for one period, current is simply cut off for the remainder of the fixed long period.

Abstract: A post attachment including an anchor receptacle (20) mounted in the ground. A post (30) is attached to the anchor receptacle by a removable locking bar (40) which engages a slot (34) in the post and a groove (28) in the anchor receptacle. A first tool (12) is utilized which straightens the locking bar for attachment of the post to the anchor receptacle. A second tool (14) is utilized which bends the locking bar for disengagement from the post slot and anchor receptacle groove so that the post may be removed from the anchor receptacle.

Abstract: A planar-type magnetic structure in which two coils, on two poles of the same core, are separated by an open space which is wide enough and low enough that the air return flux, through the open space, completes the flux circuit for each coil. Thus the coupling coefficient between the two coils is very small, even though they are both mounted on a single continuous core of high-permeability material.

Abstract: A method for supporting a USB-based Device Bay Controller without a hardware interface between the DBC and the 1394 bus, by intercepting 1394 GUID queries in software and returning a stored GUID which is set by the manufacturer to be correct for the hardware actually present.

Abstract: A lithium-ion cell charging system wherein pulse charging (with excursions above the critical voltage) is followed (once average current has fallen low enough) by charging in a linear regulator mode, using a transistor internal to a battery pack as an element of a linear regulator.

Abstract: A system and method for performing 3D graphics copying operations in such a manner as to produce both a smooth image and smooth edges. The alpha value of each pixel is used to mark the pixels which are and are not part of the image to be copied, and removes unwanted pixels from bilinear filtering operations. After filtering, the resultant alpha values along the edges of the object are used to eliminate unwanted pixels, and to blend the object into the background of the image, which reduces or eliminates the "blocky" edges.

Abstract: A computer manufacturing architecture in which a single software database feeds both direct downloading and surrogate downloading through a common network.

Abstract: A method of theft protection for computers and computer related hardware. Warranty fraud, theft of proprietary technology, and hardware theft are minimized by encoding the hardware components such that a digitally authenticated handshake must be performed between the system and the component at power-up. If the handshake is successful, normal operation continues with all enhancements. If the handshake is unsuccessful, the device is disabled or shifted into a lower performance mode.

Abstract: A low power parking meter to control two or four parking bays. A display, either by a flag-wheel or a digital display will normally indicate the status of each bay. When funds are deposited without indicating the bay to be credited, the meter will escrow the amount until a bay is chosen. The meter normally operates in an idle loop unless an individual bay is being checked or vended.