Abstract: A dual-mode light field camera or plenoptic camera is enabled to perform both 3D light field imaging and conventional high-resolution 2D imaging, depending on the selected mode. In particular, an active system is provided that enables the microlenses to be optically or effectively turned on or turned off, allowing the camera to selectively operate as a 2D imaging camera or a 3D light field camera.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein facilitate the design of plenoptic camera lens systems to enhance camera resolution. A first configuration for the plenoptic camera may first be selected, with a first plurality of variables that define attributes of the plenoptic camera. The attributes may include a main lens attribute of a main lens of the plenoptic camera and/or a phase mask attribute of a phase mask of the plenoptic camera. A merit function may be applied by simulating receipt of light through the main lens and the plurality of microlenses of the first configuration to calculate a first merit function value. The main lens attribute and/or the phase mask attribute may be iteratively perturbed, and the merit function may be re-applied. An optimal set of variables may be identified by comparing results of successive applications of the merit function.

Abstract: The encoding of an input string of binary characters includes: a register storing a cellular data structure definition including a starting empty cell; a register storing a group cell structure definition for a valid brick formation; a brick validation engine testing data structure at a current cell beginning with the starting empty cell for an invalid brick formation; a character reading/writing engine writing, if the empty cell is not invalid, a binary character from the input string to the empty cell and writing, if the empty cell is invalid, a dummy value to the empty cell; a loop facilitator looping back through the testing and writing steps with a next data character and a next empty cell until there are no more data characters; and a serialization de-serialization engine methodically serializing the data structure into a one dimensional binary string of characters representing an encoded string of alphanumeric characters.

Abstract: A dual-mode light field camera or plenoptic camera is enabled to perform both 3D light field imaging and conventional high-resolution 2D imaging, depending on the selected mode. In particular, an active system is provided that enables the microlenses to be optically or effectively turned on or turned off, allowing the camera to selectively operate as a 2D imaging camera or a 3D light field camera.

Abstract: A dual-mode light field camera or plenoptic camera is enabled to perform both 3D light field imaging and conventional high-resolution 2D imaging, depending on the selected mode. In particular, an active system is provided that enables the microlenses to be optically or effectively turned on or turned off, allowing the camera to selectively operate as a 2D imaging camera or a 3D light field camera.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein facilitate the design of plenoptic camera lens systems to enhance camera resolution. A first configuration for the plenoptic camera may first be selected, with a first plurality of variables that define attributes of the plenoptic camera. The attributes may include a main lens attribute of a main lens of the plenoptic camera and/or a phase mask attribute of a phase mask of the plenoptic camera. A merit function may be applied by simulating receipt of light through the main lens and the plurality of microlenses of the first configuration to calculate a first merit function value. The main lens attribute and/or the phase mask attribute may be iteratively perturbed, and the merit function may be re-applied. An optimal set of variables may be identified by comparing results of successive applications of the merit function.

Abstract: According to various embodiments, the system and method disclosed herein serve to at least partially compensate for departures of an actual main lens of a light-field camera from the properties of an ideal main lens. Light-field data may be captured and processed through the use of product calibration data and unit calibration data. The product calibration data may be descriptive of departure of a main lens design of the light-field camera from an ideal main lens design. The unit calibration data may be descriptive of departure of the actual main lens of the light-field camera from the main lens design. Corrected light-field data may be generated as a result of the processing, and may be used to generate a light-field image.

Abstract: A dual-mode light field camera or plenoptic camera is enabled to perform both 3D light field imaging and conventional high-resolution 2D imaging, depending on the selected mode. In particular, an active system is provided that enables the microlenses to be optically or effectively turned on or turned off, allowing the camera to selectively operate as a 2D imaging camera or a 3D light field camera.

Abstract: Process for evaluating a plurality of refinery feedstocks, by providing an array of refinery feedstocks, the array having at least a plurality of different refinery feedstocks, and fractionating each of the refinery feedstocks in the array, either in parallel or in a rapid serial fashion, to produce a further array having a plurality of fractions with different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery. Each of the plurality of fractions is analyzed to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, the analyzes being performed at least partially in parallel.

Abstract: Process for evaluating the effect of a refinery feedstock on a refinery process by (i) providing a refinery feedstock (ii) treating the refinery feedstock to produce a plurality of fractions each representative of a feedstock for the refinery process, the plurality of fractions having at least two fractions with different properties; (iii) treating each of the plurality of fractions under experimental conditions representative of those in the refinery process, the treatments being carried out in an essentially parallel manner; and (iv) determining one or more performance criteria for each fraction for the refinery process by analyzing the respective product streams produced from each fraction at least partially in parallel.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for detecting data traffic of a specific type, such as voice-over-IP traffic, on a network. A detector connected to the network is used to identify a set of data packets traveling across the network that conform to at least one signature describing data complying with a data transmission protocol. The detector is used to manipulate the set of data packets or create a record of data associated with the set of data packets. Such record can be analyzed or transferred to an external billing system to capture revenue for the transmission of the data.

Abstract: The fouling caused by a refinery feedstock on one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said (iv) refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and determining the fouling of said refinery feedstock or fraction thereof. Preferably, the metal samples are in the form of a microfabricated array and the testing is carried out in parallel using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: An optical communications system using forward error correction (FEC) to correct errors in signals carried by the system. Optical signals on the system are dropped at nodes and converted to electrical signals by avalanche photodiodes (APDs) at the node receivers. An FEC chip operates on the electrical signal to correct errors. The error rate is used to control the APD bias voltage which affects signal noise and therefore error rate. The errors in a predetermined interval are counted and a determination made as to whether the error rate is rising with time. The bias voltage is derived from the value of a counter whose count is incremented each interval. If the error rate is rising, the counting direction is changed.

Abstract: Process for evaluating the corrosive effect of a refinery feedstock on the metallurgy of one or more refinery processes, by (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array having a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of the refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and (iv) determining the corrosive effect of the feedstock and/or fraction on the metal sample.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel composition which is suitable for sue in a fuel cell apparatus and an internal combustion engine comprises at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and is characterised by an olefin content of less than 20% by volume, an aromatics content of less than 42% by volume, a final boiling point (fop) of less than 215° C., and a sulphur content of less than 20 ppm.

Abstract: The fouling caused by a refinery feedstock on one or more refinery processes, said process comprising: (i) providing a plurality of refinery feedstocks and/or a plurality of fractions of one or more refinery feedstocks, (ii) providing an array comprising a plurality of metal samples representative of metallurgy present in a refinery, (iii) contacting each of the plurality of metal samples with one or more of said (iv) refinery feedstocks or fractions under non-static conditions, and determining the fouling of said refinery feedstock or fraction thereof. Preferably, the metal samples are in the form of a microfabricated array and the testing is carried out in parallel using high throughput experimentation.

Abstract: Unleaded blend compositions, as well as formulated gasolines containing them have a Motor Octane Number (MON) of at least 80 comprising either: (i) component (a) at least 5% (by volume of the total composition) of at least one hydrocarbon having the following formula I R—CH2—CH(CH3)—C(CH3)2—CH3??I wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, especially triptane, or (ii) at least 2% of component (a?), which is at least one branched chain alkane of MON value of at least 90 and of boiling point 15-160° C. or a substantially aliphatic hydrocarbon refinery stream, of MON value of at least 85, at least 70% in total of said stream being branched chain alkanes, said stream being obtainable or obtained by distillation from a refinery material as a cut having Initial Boiling Point of at least 15° C. and Final Boiling Point of at most 160° C.

Abstract: Unleaded blend compositions, as well as formulated gasolines containing them have a Motor Octane Number (MON) of at least 80 comprising either: (i) component (a) at least 5% (by volume of the total composition) of at least one hydrocarbon having the following formula I R—CH2—CH(CH3)—C(CH3)2—CH3??I wherein R is hydrogen or methyl, especially triptane, or (ii) at least 2% of component (a?), which is at least one branched chain alkane of MON value of at least 90 and of boiling point 15-160° C. or a substantially aliphatic hydrocarbon refinery stream, of MON value of at least 85, at least 70% in total of said stream being branched chain alkanes, said stream being obtainable or obtained by distillation from a refinery material as a cut having Initial Boiling Point of at least 15° C. and Final Boiling Point of at most 160° C.

Abstract: The present invention provides a portable apparatus for analysis of a refinery feedstock or a product of a refinery process, said apparatus comprising: (a) a first analytical device for determination of the boiling point profile of a refinery feedstock or a product of a refinery process, and (b) at least two further analytical devices each of which contains or is associated with a database and an algorithm, at least one of said devices being adapted for determination of the density of the refinery feedstock or product of a refinery process, and at least one of said devices being adapted for determination of the total acid number of the refinery feedstock or product of a refinery process.

Abstract: A process for evaluating a refinery feedstock, said process comprising: (i) providing a refinery feedstock, (ii) treating said refinery feedstock to produce an array comprising a plurality of fractions having different chemical and/or physical properties, each fraction being representative of a process stream that might be present in a refinery, and (iii) analysing each of said plurality of fractions to determine one or more chemical and/or physical properties of the fractions, said analyses being performed at least partially in parallel. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of refinery feedstocks is evaluated, each being fractionated prior to analysis of the fractions.