Abstract: An open brayton cycle power generation system is enabled and improved by integration of an energy storage system utilizing cryogenic storage of atmospheric gas. A particular improved system is an open brayton cycle power generation system in which the heating source is Concentrating Solar Power. Multiple embodiments are described which permit various modes of operation and improved overall efficiency.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a system for monitoring and tracing transmission of multimedia resources, wherein, said method comprises: capturing data packets in a network link, reassembling the captured data packets to complete the restoration of data streams, and storing the restored data streams into a data stream database; and extracting data fragments from a multimedia file as file DNA fragments to construct a file DNA, and storing the file DNA into a file DNA database; and invoking the file DNA from the file DNA database, and identifying the file DNA fragments of the file DNA in the data streams to get identification results.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope includes various insertable components that facilitate multiple imaging and measurement capabilities. These capabilities include Nomarski imaging, polarized light imaging, quantitative differential interference contrast (q-DIC) imaging, motorized polarized light imaging, phase-shifting interferometry (PSI), and vertical-scanning interferometry (VSI).

Abstract: A compact and low cost microscope illuminator capable of generating 3-D optical images includes a first light source and a second light source. The two light sources lead two optical paths: one to illuminate a sample and another to project a pattern onto the focal plane of a microscope objective lens. The two light sources are controlled by a processor and can be turned on and off rapidly. A 3-D optical microscope equipped with said microscope illuminator and a method of creating a 3-D image on said 3-D optical microscope are also described.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.

Abstract: A method and system for generating power in a vaporization of liquid natural gas process, the method comprising pressurizing a working fluid; heating and vaporizing the working fluid; expanding the working fluid in one or more expanders for the generation of power, the working fluid comprises: 2-11 mol % nitrogen, methane, a third component whose boiling point is greater than or equal to that of propane, and a fourth component comprising ethane or ethylene; cooling the working fluid such that the working fluid is at least substantially condensed; and recycling the working fluid, wherein the cooling of the working fluid occurs through indirect heat exchange with a pressurized liquefied natural gas stream in a heat exchanger, and wherein the flow rate of the working fluid at an inlet of the heat exchanger is equal to the flow rate of the working fluid at an outlet of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method of detecting multi-surfaces of an object includes providing an imaging system capable of detecting surfaces of the object. After system parameters are set up, two-dimensional images of the object at multiple Z steps can be acquired. Each surface of the object can then be extracted using two steps. In a first step, the surface can be constructed based on a confidence threshold. In a second step, the surface can be enhanced using an interpolation filter.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) microscope for patterned substrate measurement can include an objective lens, a reflected illuminator, a transmitted illuminator, a focusing adjustment device, an optical sensor, and a processor. The focusing adjustment device can automatically adjust the objective lens focus at a plurality of Z steps. The optical sensor can be capable of acquiring images at each of these Z steps. The processor can control the reflected illuminator, the transmitted illuminator, the focusing adjustment device, and the optical sensor. The processor can be configured to capture first and second images at multiple Z steps, the first image with the pattern using the reflected illuminator and the second image without the pattern using one of the reflected illuminator and the transmitted illuminator.

Abstract: A live streaming system/method provides cross platform live streaming capabilities to mobile devices. The live streaming system includes a live streaming recorder operative to (1) capture a live media stream generated by a live media source and save the captured live media stream as a recorded stream in a recorded media file, and (2) transcode the recorded stream into a plurality of transcoded media files of respective different media encoding formats. The system further includes a stream distribution subsystem operative to generate a plurality of distributed media streams each generated from one or more of the transcoded media files, each distributed media stream being delivered to a corresponding set of the mobile endpoint devices.

Abstract: In a system for streaming data over a network, the type and rate of streaming are automatically varied based on available network bandwidth. Video media is transcoded into different bit rate encodings that are divided into segment files. Segments are sent from a network-aware adaptive streaming (NAAS) server and reassembled and presented to a media player at a client device. The system may download additional segment files ahead of time from multiple NAAS servers to increase throughput. A playback status (“bookmark”) may be maintained to keep track of what the user has viewed and to allow the user to continue playing from where the user left off. The user may continue watching from the bookmark point on the same device or on a different device.

Abstract: A live streaming system/method provides cross platform live streaming capabilities to mobile devices. A file format compatible with legacy HTTP infrastructure is used to deliver media over a persistent connection. Legacy client media players can dynamically change the encoded rate of the media delivered over a persistent connection. Standard HTTP servers may be used without modification, leveraging standard media players embedded in mobile devices for seamless media delivery over wireless networks with high bandwidth fluctuations.

Abstract: A streaming media system employs dynamic rate adaptation. The method includes a file format compatible with legacy HTTP infrastructure to deliver media over a persistent connection. The method further includes the ability for legacy client media players to dynamically change the encoded delivery rate of the media over a persistent connection. The method provided works transparently with standard HTTP servers, requiring no modification and leverages standard media players embedded in mobile devices for seamless media delivery over wireless networks with high bandwidth fluctuations. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A streaming media system employs dynamic rate adaptation. The method includes a file format compatible with legacy HTTP infrastructure to deliver media over a persistent connection. The method further includes the ability for legacy client media players to dynamically change the encoded delivery rate of the media over a persistent connection. The method provided works transparently with standard HTTP servers, requiring no modification and leverages standard media players embedded in mobile devices for seamless media delivery over wireless networks with high bandwidth fluctuations. A system is also specified for implementing a client and server in accordance with the method.

Abstract: A live streaming system/method provides cross platform live streaming capabilities to mobile devices. A file format compatible with legacy HTTP infrastructure is used to deliver media over a persistent connection. Legacy client media players can dynamically change the encoded rate of the media delivered over a persistent connection. Standard HTTP servers may be used without modification, leveraging standard media players embedded in mobile devices for seamless media delivery over wireless networks with high bandwidth fluctuations.

Abstract: Disclosed is a regenerator, a regeneration process, and a liquid polymer mixture for periodic cooling, storing, and heating of atmospheric gas. The regenerator, the regeneration process, and the liquid polymer mixture involve a liquid polymer that remains in contact with a thermally conductive solid material during a first operational period and a second operational period of a regeneration process.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and system involving pressurizing an atmospheric gas stream to form at least a compressed atmospheric gas stream, directing the compressed atmospheric gas stream to a first regenerator for cooling, pressurizing to above a second predetermined pressure to form at least a supercritical atmospheric gas stream, directing the supercritical atmospheric gas stream to a second regenerator for cooling, reducing pressure to form at least a liquefied atmospheric gas stream, selectively storing the liquefied atmospheric gas stream, pressurizing the liquefied atmospheric gas stream to form at least a pressurized liquefied atmospheric gas stream, heating the pressurized liquefied atmospheric gas stream in the second regenerator to form at least a heated stream, expanding the heated stream to form at least a medium pressure atmospheric gas stream, directing the medium pressure atmospheric gas stream to the first regenerator, and heating the medium pressure atmospheric gas stream in the first regenerat

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a system. The method and system involve compressing an atmospheric gas stream to form a supercritical atmospheric gas stream, forming at least a first stream from the supercritical atmospheric gas stream, directing the first stream to a regenerator for cooling to form a first cooled stream, directing the first cooled stream from the regenerator, expanding the first cooled stream to form a liquefied atmospheric gas stream, storing at least a portion of the liquefied atmospheric gas stream, pressurizing at least a portion of the stored portion of the liquefied atmospheric gas stream, and heating at least a portion of a pressurized liquefied atmospheric gas stream in the regenerator. In the method and system, refrigeration below the critical temperature of the atmospheric gas is directly or indirectly provided to at least one portion of the system from a non-combustible source.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.

Abstract: A reflector-solar receiver assembly and methods related to the reflector-solar receiver assembly are described. The reflector-solar receiver assembly contains a reflector and a solar receiver. The reflector has a substantially planar light reflecting face and the solar receiver has a substantially planar light receiving face. The normal direction of the light reflecting face and the normal direction of the light receiving face are at an angle of about 90°. The reflector-solar receiver assembly can be installed at an installation site by placing the substantially planar light reflecting face at an angle of about ??23.5° or about ?+23.5° from the gravitation line of the installation site, ? is the latitude of the installation site, so that the substantially planar light reflecting face reflects at least a portion of sunlight to the substantially planar light receiving face during a majority of the clear days of a year.

Abstract: A 3-D optical microscope, a method of turning a conventional optical microscope into a 3-D optical microscope, and a method of creating a 3-D image on an optical microscope are described. The 3-D optical microscope includes a processor, at least one objective lens, an optical sensor capable of acquiring an image of a sample, a mechanism for adjusting focus position of the sample relative to the objective lens, and a mechanism for illuminating the sample and for projecting a pattern onto and removing the pattern from the focal plane of the objective lens. The 3-D image creation method includes taking two sets of images, one with and another without the presence of the projected pattern, and using a software algorithm to analyze the two image sets to generating a 3-D image of the sample. The 3-D image creation method enables reliable and accurate 3-D imaging on almost any sample regardless of its image contrast.