Abstract: An encoding system includes a prediction mode decision unit and an encoding unit. The prediction mode decision unit is configured to receive a target image and decide an optimized mode by applying rate-distortion optimization (RDO) to n (n is a natural number) modes of the target image. The encoding unit is configured to encode the target image according to the decided mode. The prediction mode decision unit includes a distortion calculation unit configured to calculate distortion by mean squared error (MSE) calculation between the target image and the n modes, a Lagrangian multiplier calculation unit configured to calculate a Lagrangian multiplier based on multi-scale structural similarity (MS-SSIM) calculation, and a bitrate calculation unit configured to calculate a bit rate of the n modes.

Abstract: The present solution provides a network communication method, peers and a network communication system, the method includes establishing communication with a communication room peer, and obtaining a capacity of the communication room peer, and an IP address and a port of communication room; establishing communication with a pilot peer, obtaining an IP address and a port of the pilot peer, sending a capacity of the communication room and a total number of user peers to the pilot peer, so that the pilot peer creates a required number of communication room peers based on the capacity of the communication room and the total number of user peers; and establishing communication with the user peers, sending the IP address and the port of the communication room peer to the user peers, so that the user peers join in the corresponding communication room peer to perform communication.

Abstract: The present solution provides a network communication method, peers and a network communication system, the method includes establishing communication with a communication room peer, and obtaining a capacity of the communication room peer, and an IP address and a port of communication room; establishing communication with a pilot peer, obtaining an IP address and a port of the pilot peer, sending a capacity of the communication room and a total number of user peers to the pilot peer, so that the pilot peer creates a required number of communication room peers based on the capacity of the communication room and the total number of user peers; and establishing communication with the user peers, sending the IP address and the port of the communication room peer to the user peers, so that the user peers join in the corresponding communication room peer to perform communication.

Abstract: An encoding system includes a prediction mode decision unit and an encoding unit. The prediction mode decision unit is configured to receive a target image and decide an optimized mode by applying rate-distortion optimization (RDO) to n (n is a natural number) modes of the target image. The encoding unit is configured to encode the target image according to the decided mode. The prediction mode decision unit includes a distortion calculation unit configured to calculate distortion by mean squared error (MSE) calculation between the target image and the n modes, a Lagrangian multiplier calculation unit configured to calculate a Lagrangian multiplier based on multi-scale structural similarity (MS-SSIM) calculation, and a bitrate calculation unit configured to calculate a bit rate of the n modes.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive an incoming air stream from within an enclosure and to exhaust an outgoing air stream into the enclosure, the incoming and outgoing air streams flowing in a flow direction. The apparatus comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a heat extraction portion and a heat depositing portion, wherein the heat extraction portion is disposed in an air stream outside of the enclosure and wherein the heat depositing portion is disposed downstream of the evaporator with respect to the flow direction. A method includes receiving an incoming air stream from within an enclosure in a dryer apparatus, the apparatus including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A heat exchanger is operably connected to the dryer apparatus to transfer sensible heat from an air stream outside of the enclosure to a location downstream of the evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to receive an incoming air stream from within an enclosure and to exhaust an outgoing air stream into the enclosure, the incoming and outgoing air streams flowing in a flow direction. The apparatus comprises an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger has a heat extraction portion and a heat depositing portion, wherein the heat extraction portion is disposed in an air stream outside of the enclosure and wherein the heat depositing portion is disposed downstream of the evaporator with respect to the flow direction. A method includes receiving an incoming air stream from within an enclosure in a dryer apparatus, the apparatus including an evaporator, a compressor, and a condenser. A heat exchanger is operably connected to the dryer apparatus to transfer sensible heat from an air stream outside of the enclosure to a location downstream of the evaporator.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooling device for an LED chip mounted on a heat sink includes an enclosed tube in contact with the heat sink. The tube includes a vacuum section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins and a liquid-filled section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins. The liquid-filled section is in contact with the heat sink. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a heat sink, an LED chip mounted on the heat sink, and an enclosed tube in contact with the heat sink. The tube includes a vacuum section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins and a liquid-filled section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins. The liquid-filled section is in contact with the heat sink.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is adapted for transferring heat between two different ducts in a ventilation system. The system has a heat pipe having a plurality of conduits. Each conduit including an evaporator section extending laterally from a first open end of the respective conduit, a condenser section extending laterally from a second open end of the respective conduit, and a liquid return section. The liquid return section of at least one conduit being distinct from the liquid return section of another of the conduits. A common vapor manifold is in fluid communication with and extends between the first and second open ends of each of said plurality of conduits so vapors produced in the evaporator sections can flow from the first open ends through the common vapor manifold to the second open ends without flowing through the conduits.

Abstract: A heat pipe has a plurality of conduits. Each conduit has an evaporator section extending laterally from a first open end of the conduit, a condenser section extending laterally from a second open end of the conduit, and a liquid return section connected to the evaporator section at a position away from the first open end and connected to the condenser section at a position away from the second open end. The liquid return section of at least one conduit is distinct from the liquid return section of another of the conduits. A common vapor manifold extends between the first and second open ends of each of said plurality of conduits so vapors produced in the evaporator sections can flow from the first open ends through the common vapor manifold to the second open ends without flowing through the conduits.

Abstract: A single terminal is used to configure an integrated circuit into one of three states. A circuit within the integrated circuit is coupled to the terminal and determines whether the terminal: 1) is coupled by a low impedance to a voltage source, or 2) is coupled by a medium impedance to the voltage source, or 3) is floating or substantially floating. The circuit asserts a first digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the low impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a second digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the medium impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a third digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is floating or substantially floating. The terminal and circuit are particular suited for use in a Power Management Unit (PMU) Integrated Circuit.

Abstract: A single terminal is used to configure an integrated circuit into one of three states. A circuit within the integrated circuit is coupled to the terminal and determines whether the terminal: 1) is coupled by a low impedance to a voltage source, or 2) is coupled by a medium impedance to the voltage source, or 3) is floating or substantially floating. The circuit asserts a first digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the low impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a second digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is coupled by the medium impedance to the voltage source. The circuit asserts a third digital logic signal when the circuit determines that the terminal is floating or substantially floating. The terminal and circuit are particular suited for use in a Power Management Unit (PMU) Integrated Circuit.

Abstract: In one aspect, a dehumidifier is provided for installation in an air duct of an HVAC system. The air duct has air flowing therethrough controlled by a blower of the HVAC system. The dehumidifier includes an enclosure, which includes a compressor connected to an evaporator and a condenser. The evaporator has a first air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough. The condenser has a second air flow rate for the air flowing therethrough, wherein the second air flow rate is higher than the first air flow rate. In another aspect, the evaporator has a first air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough. The condenser has a second air impingement surface area for the air flowing therethrough, wherein the air impingement surface area is larger than the first air impingement surface area. Another aspect is drawn to a system wherein a dehumidifier is installed in an air duct.

Abstract: In one aspect, a cooling device for an LED chip mounted on a heat sink includes an enclosed tube in contact with the heat sink. The tube includes a vacuum section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins and a liquid-filled section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins. The liquid-filled section is in contact with the heat sink. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a heat sink, an LED chip mounted on the heat sink, and an enclosed tube in contact with the heat sink. The tube includes a vacuum section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins and a liquid-filled section surrounded by a plurality of cooling fins. The liquid-filled section is in contact with the heat sink.

Abstract: A heat pipe loop includes a first heat pipe section having a first temperature and a second heat pipe section having a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The first heat pipe section is a condenser and the second heat pipe section is an evaporator. A vapor line connects an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section. A liquid line connects a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section. In one embodiment, the first heat pipe section is disposed at a first elevation and the second heat pipe section is disposed at a second elevation higher than the first elevation. A pump directs liquid from the first heat pipe section to the second heat pipe section through the liquid line.

Abstract: The invention is a drying system and a method for its use, the drying system having a container containing a product to be dried and a dryer. The dryer includes an inlet for providing the drying air, a drying air pathway, and a furnace for heating the drying air. The drying air flows through a supply route to the container, where the drying air dries the product and is converted into a return air. The return air flows through a return route back to the dryer. The return air flows through a return air pathway and a heat exchanger which intersects the return air pathway and the drying air pathway. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the return air to the drying air. The return air is exhausted through an outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a tobacco barn and the product is tobacco.

Abstract: A heat pipe loop includes a first heat pipe section having a first temperature and a second heat pipe section having a second temperature higher than the first temperature. The first heat pipe section is a condenser and the second heat pipe section is an evaporator. A vapor line connects an upper portion of the first heat pipe section with an upper portion of the second heat pipe section. A liquid line connects a lower portion of the first heat pipe section with a lower portion of the second heat pipe section. In one embodiment, the first heat pipe section is disposed at a first elevation and the second heat pipe section is disposed at a second elevation higher than the first elevation. A pump directs liquid from the first heat pipe section to the second heat pipe section through the liquid line.

Abstract: The invention is a drying system and a method for its use, the drying system having a container containing a product to be dried and a dryer. The dryer includes an inlet for providing the drying air, a drying air pathway, and a furnace for heating the drying air. The drying air flows through a supply route to the container, where the drying air dries the product and is converted into a return air. The return air flows through a return route back to the dryer. The return air flows through a return air pathway and a heat exchanger which intersects the return air pathway and the drying air pathway. The heat exchanger transfers heat from the return air to the drying air. The return air is exhausted through an outlet. In a preferred embodiment, the container is a tobacco barn and the product is tobacco.

Abstract: This invention is a new, energy efficient, environmentally clean grain drying system which consists of two main parts: a hot drying air generator and a modular, portable drying bin. One novel aspect of the air generator is the introduction of a heat pipe design which enhances the efficiency of a dehumidifier heat pump, making its use economically feasible, especially for humid climates. Another novel aspect is the use of advanced burners incorporating antipollution devices. The hot air generator can operate on many sources of energy such as electricity; gasoline; diesel; biomass such as wood, charcoal, or rice husks; or even solar energy. The modular bin is made of several modules which can be disassembled, transported, and reassembled with great ease. The bin design also creates a very low air pressure drop, allowing substantial savings on blower energy. The complete system will offer great benefits for developing countries that are producers of rice, especially for those with humid climates.

Abstract: A heat pipe heat exchanger is provided in the form of a serpentine heat pipe that does not have the ends of the individual tubes manifolded to one another via a straight pipe or via any other common connector. Instead, it has been discovered that heat pipes connected via U-bends to form a continuous coil function adequately. The serpentine heat pipe may include integral condenser and evaporator portions separated by a divider to form a one-slab heat exchanger, or separate evaporator and condenser coils connected to one another by vapor and return lines to form a two-section heat pipe. The heat pipe heat exchanger may be formed in a continuous closed-loop pipe so that the heat exchanger can operate with or without the aid of gravitational effects.

Abstract: A heat pipe heat exchanger is provided in the form of a serpentine heat pipe that does not have the ends of the individual tubes manifolded to one another via a straight pipe or via any other common connector. Instead, it has been discovered that heat pipes connected via U-bends to form a continuous coil function adequately. The serpentine heat pipe may include integral condenser and evaporator portions separated by a divider to form a one-slab heat exchanger, or separate evaporator and condenser coils connected to one another by vapor and return lines to form a two-section heat pipe. A method of producing a serpentine heat pipe includes providing a plurality of U-shaped tubes which are interconnected to form a single serpentine heat pipe, one of the tubes having an open end, and inserting sufficient refrigerant in the one tube to allow each of the tubes to function as a separate heat pipe. The serpentine heat pipe heat exchanger may be used to increase the dehumidification capacity of an air conditioner.