Abstract: A simulated emotional state of a device is generated and maintained based on previous emotional state and contextual information. A trigger is associated with an effect value. For example, successful completion of a task may have an effect value of +5 while task failure may have an effect value of ?6. Upon occurrence of a trigger, an associated effect value of the trigger may be combined with a previously determined effect value to determine a function input value (FIV). The FIV is used as input to a function that provides an emotion value as output. The emotion value may then be used as input to determine a particular action. For example, if the emotion value corresponds to “happy”, the resulting action may be presenting an animation of a smile on a display device. As triggers occur, the function input value is updated, resulting in updates to the emotion value.

Abstract: A system and method for improved navigation of available titles for a streaming media service is disclosed herein. After entering a discovery mode, a list of categories is presented to a user. Once a user selects a category, a list of criteria specific to the selected category is presented. After a user selects a criteria, a list of categories can be shown to the user, limited to those categories available after the criteria was selected. After a second category is selected, then a list of criteria, specific to the previously selected criteria and to the second category, is presented. Each time a user selects a new criteria, the number of titles available to a user is reduced. Such a process can be repeated, further limiting the number of titles shown to the user, until a user finally chooses a media file to view. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for improved video streaming is disclosed herein. After receiving a log-in request from a user, an embodiment can access the user's account information to find available media files for the user. An embodiment can then determine if any of the available media files for the user are partially viewed. The partially viewed media files are displayed to the user, including a title of the media file and a viewed time of each media file. Thereafter, a user can select one of the list of partially viewed media files. Playback of the media file begins at the viewed time of the selected media file. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for improved navigation of available titles for a streaming media service is disclosed herein. After entering a discovery mode, a list of categories is presented to a user. Once a user selects a category, a list of criteria specific to the selected category is presented. After a user selects a criteria, a list of categories can be shown to the user, limited to those categories available after the criteria was selected. After a second category is selected, then a list of criteria, specific to the previously selected criteria and to the second category, is presented. Each time a user selects a new criteria, the number of titles available to a user is reduced. Such a process can be repeated, further limiting the number of titles shown to the user, until a user finally chooses a media file to view. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A system and method for improved video streaming is disclosed herein. After receiving a log-in request from a user, an embodiment can access the user's account information to find available media files for the user. An embodiment can then determine if any of the available media files for the user are partially viewed. The partially viewed media files are displayed to the user, including a title of the media file and a viewed time of each media file. Thereafter, a user can select one of the list of partially viewed media files. Playback of the media file begins at the viewed time of the selected media file. Other embodiments are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Described are synergistically-effective compositions consisting essentially of zinc ricinoleate or solutions thereof and one or more of the substituted monocyclic organic compounds: 1-cyclohexylethan-1-yl butyrate; 1-cyclohexylethan-1-yl acetate; 1-cyclohexylethan-1-ol; 1-(4?-methylethyl)cyclohexylethan-1-yl propionate; and/or 2?-hydroxy-1?-ethyl(2-phenoxy)acetate and uses of same and compositions containing same for preventing and/or suppressing malodors. Also described for the purpose of application to an inanimate laminar substantially solid surface are malodor-suppressing composition-containing stick articles containing an ester-terminated polyamide or an amide-terminated polyamide structural support polymer in combination with the aforementioned synergistically-effective zinc ricinoleate-substituted monocyclic organic compound composition. Also described is a package for conveniently handling the aforementioned stick article.

Abstract: Described for the purpose of application to an inanimate laminar substantially solid surface is a substantially hydrocarbon-free functional substance-providing stick article having consistently-maintained functional composition integrity comprising a stiff, substantially monophasic, thermally-reversible hydrocarbon-free composition consisting essentially of a mixture of: (a) a structural support polymer containing an ester-terminated polyamide and/or at least one tertiary amide-terminated polyamide; (b) a high concentration of a system-compatible functional composition which is one or more of a perfume composition, an insect repellant composition, an animal repellant composition, an anti-microbial composition, an insect attractant composition and/or an air freshener composition; and (c) at least one compatible operativeness organic acid ester and/or metal salt additive which enables the stick, prior to, during and subsequent to application thereof to the inanimate laminar substantially solid surface, to have