Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for scheduling USB transaction processing tasks. A periodic queue head list associated with a USB host controller is configured to be processed once every polling period. The periodic queue head list describes a location of the USB transaction processing tasks scheduled for processing. The entries in a frame list of the USB host controller are linked to identify a corresponding periodic queue head list. A USB transaction processing task processed by the USB host controller is assigned to one of the periodic queue head list. A desired response time for the USB transaction processing task is matched with the polling period of the periodic queue head list.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for scheduling USB transaction processing tasks. A periodic queue head list associated with a USB host controller is configured to be processed once every polling period. The periodic queue head list describes a location of the USB transaction processing tasks scheduled for processing. The entries in a frame list of the USB host controller are linked to identify a corresponding periodic queue head list. A USB transaction processing task processed by the USB host controller is assigned to one of the periodic queue head list. A desired response time for the USB transaction processing task is matched with the polling period of the periodic queue head list.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system is provided in which a network file system is operable to report multiple virtual files in various formats for a single native file in storage. When one of the files is opened, the file system reads data from the single native file and converts the format on the fly to the destination format that was opened by the operating system. The operating system thus converts files spontaneously on request and provides a synthetic file in a desired one of a plurality of possible formats while requiring the storage of only one native content file in server memory. Further aspects of the file system include provisions for additional features including Directory, Open File, Read File, Write File and Seek operations.

Abstract: A system and means for selecting a proper protocol for a pointing device used in a computer system having a data store, a main processing unit, data input and output means, is disclosed. The selecting means includes means, coupled to the pointing device, for analyzing a data stream from the pointing device; means, coupled to the analyzing means, for determing a protocol based on the analyzed data stream; and means, coupled to the determing means, for selecting a device state from a plurality of device states for enabling the pointing device to operate in the computer system.

Abstract: A collection of agglomerated anti-friction grains for plasma deposition, the grains each consisting essentially of (a) H.sub.2 O atomized stainless steel particles, (b) solid lubricant particles consisting of at least one of boron nitride or a eutectic of calcium fluoride and lithium fluoride, and (c) a binder holding said steel and solid lubricant particles together for plasma spraying, said binder being present in an amount of 0.5-4.0% by weight and is vaporizable at the temperature of plasma spraying and does not interfere with the deposited process.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for processing input to a data processing system having a memory and an input device having a number of keys which represent associated characters and functions. According to the method of the present invention, a translation table is created within the memory for translating virtual key codes, which specify relative positions of associated keys, into corresponding input codes, which specify a character or function. The translation table enables virtual key codes to be translated into character codes independently of the operating system and input device utilized by the data processing system. In response to the detection of a selection of a key of the input device, a scan code representing the selected key is determined. The scan code representing the selected key is then converted into a virtual key code, which is translated into an input code utilizing the translation table. The input code is thereafter received for processing within the data processing system.

Abstract: A method of flexibly manufacturing engine blocks by first bonding an extruded tube liner insert, of a given thickness (1-15 mm), to a fixed configuration block, the liner insert having been coated with an anti-friction wear-resistant coating having a controlled standard thickness, and secondly bonding an extruded tube liner insert of a different thickness (again selected from 1-15 mm) to another of the fixed configuration blocks, the second liner insert having been coated with the same type of anti-friction wear-resistant coating in essentially the same controlled standard thickness. The common sized engine block can have (i) identically shaped circular cylindrical bore walls or (ii) ovoid cylindrical bore walls with the liner insert having an interior surface shape selection varying between circular to ovoid. The block and liner insert may be both made of aluminum.

Abstract: A method of making an anti-friction coating on a metal surface subject to sliding wear, including the steps of: forming an encapsulated powder having grains made of a core of solid lubricants including at least graphite and MoS.sub.2 (others may include BN, NaF, LiF, CaF.sub.2, and WS.sub.2), and a thin shell of fusable soft metal such as Ni, Co, Fe, Zn, Sn, Mg, or Cu; plasma spraying the powder onto a light metal surface, such as a cylinder bore wall of an internal combustion engine, to form a coating; and finish-smoothing the coating to a uniform thickness of about 25-175 microns. Some core particles may be hard, wear-resistant particles such as SiC, NiCrAl, FeMn, FeCrAl, FeWNiVCr, NiCrMoVW, FeCrMoWV, CoFeNiCrMoWV, NiCrMoV, and CoMoCrVW.

Abstract: An engine block having one or more anti-friction coated cylinder bore walls, comprising: a coating of grains fused to the cylinder bore wall, the grains being comprised of solid lubricant particles encapsulated within a soft metal shell, the shells being fused together to form a network with limited porosity, the solid lubricant comprising at least graphite and MoS.sub.2 ; and wet oil lubrication retained within the porosity of the coating.

Abstract: A thermally sprayable powder having grains comprising: a core of solid lubricant particles comprised of at least graphite and MoS.sub.2 (others may include Bn, NaF, LiF, CaF.sub.2, and WS.sub.2); and a thin, soft metal shell (Ni, Co, Fe, Zn, Sn, Mg, or Cu) encapsulating such core. Some core particles may also be hard, wear-resistant particles from the group consisting of SiC, NiCrAl, FeMn, FeCrAl, FeWNiVCr, NiCrMoVW, FeCrMoWV, CoFeNiCrMoWV, NiCrMoV, and CoMoCrVW.

Abstract: An air distribution unit for discharging conditioned air into an area to be conditioned and having a plenum chamber for receiving conditioned air and an outlet in communication with the plenum chamber and with the area being conditioned. A damper is employed to regulate the flow of conditioned air from the plenum chamber to the outlet with the damper being responsive to a thermostat to regulate the quantity of air discharged into the area in accordance with the temperature requirements thereof. The distribution unit includes an override control to maintain the flow of air through the damper at a constant predetermined rate irrespective of the temperature requirements in the area, the override control becoming operable when the damper has initially discontinued flow of conditioned air into the area in response to sensed temperature.