Abstract: An example method involves providing an interface that simultaneously displays an indication of a respective volume corresponding to each of at least two zone players and displays a respective selectable icon corresponding to each of the at least two zone players. Each respective selectable icon indicates whether the corresponding zone player has been selected for a group, and at least one of the respective selectable icons indicates that a respective zone player has been selected for the group. The interface further displays an indication of a group volume associated with the at least one selected zone player. The method further includes receiving a command to change at least one of a respective volume of one or more of the at least one selected zone player or the group volume, and transmitting an indication of the received command to one or more of the at least one selected zone player.

Abstract: Systems and methods for rule optimization are disclosed. In accordance with aspects, a method may include providing a segment rule, where the segment rule uses a machine learning model score associated with a data record and a scaler value to evaluate data records and the segment rule is configured to evaluate data records categorized into a corresponding segment of the segment rule by attributes of the data records; receiving, at the segment rule, a categorized set of data records, wherein each data record in the categorized set of data records is categorized in the corresponding segment of the segment rule based on attributes of the data records; iteratively evaluating, by the segment rule, each received data record with a range of scaler values, where the iteratively evaluating produces a plurality of outputs of the segment rule; and determining an optimal output from the plurality of outputs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequent machine learning model retraining and rule optimization are disclosed. In accordance with aspects, a method may include generating a challenger machine learning model based on a production machine learning model; training the challenger machine learning model on a plurality of datasets; scoring historical data with the challenger machine learning model, wherein the scoring produces a respective score for each record of a plurality of records in the historical data; determining that the challenger model performs within predetermined thresholds based on the scoring; selecting an optimal scaler value for a rule based on execution of the rule with a range of scaler values applied to the respective score for each record of the plurality of records evaluated by the rule; determining that the optimal scaler value outperforms a production scaler value; and promoting the challenger model and the optimal scaler value to a production environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods for frequent machine learning model retraining and rule optimization are disclosed. In accordance with aspects, a method may include retrieving, from a data store, a plurality of datasets; generating a challenger machine learning model, wherein the challenger machine learning model is generated from a production machine learning model, and includes variables and variable weights included in the production machine learning model; training the challenger machine learning model with the plurality of datasets; adjusting the variable weights of the challenger machine learning model based on patterns in the plurality of datasets determined by the challenger machine learning model; performing a comparative analysis between the challenger model and the production model; and promoting the challenger model to a production environment based on the comparative analysis.

Abstract: A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. The robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In the invention, the robot uses an end effector which is configured to extend through the safety barrier and includes a release mechanism configured to readily release from the robot upon contacting the human subject, thereby preventing injury.

Abstract: A device for ensuring safe operation of a robot used for cosmetics applications, including the retrofitting of robots not originally design for such applications. The robot is used for the automatic placement of eyelash extensions onto the natural eyelashes of a subject. In some embodiments, a safety barrier is provided by a physical barrier or light curtain. In the invention, the robot uses an end effector which is configured to extend through the safety barrier and includes a release mechanism configured to readily release from the robot upon contacting the human subject, thereby preventing injury.

Abstract: An exoskeleton includes first and second supports coupled to an exoskeleton wearer, a joint connecting the first support to the second support and an actuator. The actuator includes a ball screw, a ball nut assembly coupled to the ball screw and first and second tensile members. The ball nut assembly has first and second cord reactors. The first tensile member is routed through the first cord reactor, and the second tensile member is routed through the second cord reactor. Movement of the ball nut assembly along the ball screw in a first direction causes the second support to move relative to the first support in a first rotational direction about the joint. Movement of the ball nut assembly along the ball screw in a second direction causes the second support to move relative to the first support in a second rotational direction about the joint.

Abstract: An exoskeleton includes first and second compression members configured to be coupled to a wearer of the exoskeleton. A tensegrity joint connects the first compression member to the second compression member, the joint including a tensile member having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the first compression member on a first side of the joint, and the second end is coupled to the first compression member on a second side of the joint opposite the first side.

Abstract: An exoskeleton includes first and second supports coupled to an exoskeleton wearer, a joint connecting the first support to the second support and an actuator. The actuator includes a ball screw, a ball nut assembly coupled to the ball screw and first and second tensile members. The ball nut assembly has first and second cord reactors. The first tensile member is routed through the first cord reactor, and the second tensile member is routed through the second cord reactor. Movement of the ball nut assembly along the ball screw in a first direction causes the second support to move relative to the first support in a first rotational direction about the joint. Movement of the ball nut assembly along the ball screw in a second direction causes the second support to move relative to the first support in a second rotational direction about the joint.

Abstract: An exoskeleton includes first and second compression members configured to be coupled to a wearer of the exoskeleton. A tensegrity joint connects the first compression member to the second compression member, the joint including a tensile member having a first end and a second end. The first end is coupled to the first compression member on a first side of the joint, and the second end is coupled to the first compression member on a second side of the joint opposite the first side.

Abstract: A two-piece spring push includes a main body portion and a cap. The cap is attached to the main body portion through frictional or interference fits of projections and openings in the two-piece spring push. The two-piece spring push allows for the use of the spring push on larger diameter optical cables as the spring push is assembled on the optical fibers after the optical fibers are terminated in an optical ferrule.

Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule and optical fibers therein make easier contact with other multi-fiber ferrules and connectors with a small fiber tip radius and a modulus of elasticity. A method for qualifying multi-fiber ferrules (and connectors) is also disclosed.

Abstract: A two-piece spring push includes a main body portion and a cap. The cap is attached to the main body portion through frictional or interference fits of projections and openings in the two-piece spring push. The two-piece spring push allows for the use of the spring push on larger diameter optical cables as the spring push is assembled on the optical fibers after the optical fibers are terminated in an optical ferrule.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simplified method of controlling power among the various sources and loads in a power system. Power generating sources are each connected to a common DC bus through a converter designed to optimize power flow to the DC bus. A DC storage device is connected to the common DC bus through a power regulator designed to maintain a constant voltage on the DC bus. Further, an inverter may be provided to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage for a customer load or for connection to the utility grid. Each power conversion device is independently controlled to provide a modular and simplified power control system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a simplified method of controlling power among the various sources and loads in a power system. Power generating sources are each connected to a common DC bus through a converter designed to optimize power flow to the DC bus. A DC storage device is connected to the common DC bus through a power regulator designed to maintain a constant voltage on the DC bus. Further, an inverter may be provided to convert the DC voltage to an AC voltage for a customer load or for connection to the utility grid. Each power conversion device is independently controlled to provide a modular and simplified power control system.

Abstract: A multi-fiber ferrule and optical fibers therein make easier contact with other multi-fiber ferrules and connectors with a small fiber tip radius and a modulus of elasticity. A method for qualifying multi-fiber ferrules (and connectors) is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a natural product litter composition as well as methods of preparing and using a natural product litter as a sorbent for liquids. The sorbent contains 1% to 50% by weight wood particles and 50% to 99% by weight ground grain. The sorbency of a ground grain litter can be improved by pelletization and crumbling. Addition of up to 50% of wood particles to a ground grain litter further enhances the sorbency while maintaining suitable swelling and clumping characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a natural product litter composition as well as methods of preparing and using a natural product litter as a sorbent for liquids. The sorbent contains 1% to 50% by weight wood particles and 50% to 99% by weight ground grain. The sorbency of a ground grain litter can be improved by pelletization and crumbling. Addition of up to 50% of wood particles to a ground grain litter further enhances the sorbency while maintaining suitable swelling and clumping characteristics.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a large block of frozen liquid having vertically-disposed heat transfer tubes positioned within an open-bottom, walled mold, and elevator means to raise and lower a platform or a tray to seal with the mold as a bottom to receive and retain the liquid. Once frozen, the block is removed by lowering the platform or tray in a controlled manner.