Abstract: A computer Input/Output (I/O) subsystem providing communication and control between a computer and external audio and telephone devices. The external signals include stereo audio input signals, stereo audio output signals for headphones, monaural audio microphone input signal, monaural audio output signal for a speaker, analog telephone lines and ISDN. Data to and from the multiple computer I/O ports and data to and from the multiple external devices is all merged for communication over a single time-domain-multiplexed full-duplex serial bus. The telephone circuit is designed as an option and is either analog or ISDN. When the telephone circuit is installed, the serial bus is automatically reconfigured to accommodate the additional data and control information. The telephone circuit transparently merges serial telephone data and serial audio data. For example, MODEM data I/O can occur simultaneously with audio sample data.

Abstract: A composite article having a first and a second metal component, and a resultant composite metal article, wherein a flux coating is applied over at least a substantially oxide-free bond surface of the first component, the first component with the flux coating is preheated and, with the first component positioned in a mold to fill a portion of a cavity of the mold, a melt for providing the second component is poured into the mold so as to flow over the bond surface; the first component being preheated to a first temperature and the melt being poured at a second temperature such that, on flowing over the bond surface, the melt displaces the flux coating and wets the bond surface, and that such initial temperature equilibration between the surface and the melt results in an interface temperature therebetween at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the melt, thereby resulting on solidification of the melt in attainment of a bond between the components.

Abstract: A method of forming a composite article having a first and a second metal components, and a resultant composite metal article, wherein a flux coating is applied over at least a substantially oxide-free bond surface of the first component, the first component with said flux coating is preheated and, with said first component positioned in a mould to fill a portion of a cavity of the mould, a melt for providing the second component is poured into the mould so as to flow over said bond surface; the first component being preheated to a first temperature and the melt being poured at a second temperature such that, on flowing over the bond surface, the melt displaces said flux coating and wets said bond surface, and that such initial temperature equilibration between said surface and the melt results in an interface temperature therebetween at least equal to the liquidus temperature of the melt, thereby resulting on solidification of the melt in attainment of a bond between the components.