Abstract: The disclosed playback devices, media playback systems, and/or methods improve upon the media playback experience by selectively reducing audio quality under certain conditions. The reduction of audio quality may be based on one or more aspects of the acoustic environment, such as the number and locations of one or more users, noise levels, playback device locations relative to the acoustic environment, etc. The media playback system may monitor or periodically poll each of one or more playback devices and other devices or sensors in and around an acoustic environment to determine whether there are opportunities to reduce audio quality for one or more playback devices. This reduction in quality allows the media playback system to conserve resources in one or more aspects and, potentially, divert those resources to other aspects for purposes.

Abstract: An interactive autonomous robot is configured for deployment within a social environment. The disclosed robot includes a show subsystem configured to select between different in-character behaviors depending on robot status, thereby allowing the robot to appear in-character despite technical failures. The disclosed robot further includes a safety subsystem configured to intervene with in-character behavior when necessary to enforce safety protocols. The disclosed robot is also configured with a social subsystem that interprets social behaviors of humans and then initiates specific behavior sequences in response.

Abstract: An interactive autonomous robot is configured for deployment within a social environment. The disclosed robot includes a show subsystem configured to select between different in-character behaviors depending on robot status, thereby allowing the robot to appear in-character despite technical failures. The disclosed robot further includes a safety subsystem configured to intervene with in-character behavior when necessary to enforce safety protocols. The disclosed robot is also configured with a social subsystem that interprets social behaviors of humans and then initiates specific behavior sequences in response.

Abstract: A process and computer program product to record performance related data for a plurality of entertainment performances having a plurality of audiences. Further, the process and computer program product determine external data that is associated with the plurality of audiences and/or environmental factors corresponding to locations of the plurality of entertainment performances. In addition, the process and computer program product annotate the performance related data with the external data to generate annotated performance related data. The process and computer program product also train an artificial intelligence system based upon the annotated performance related data. The process and computer program product generate, at the artificial intelligence performance instructions to provide a performance. Further, the process and computer program product provide, from the artificial intelligence system to a performance device, the performance instructions to provide a performance.

Abstract: A process and computer program product to record performance related data for a plurality of entertainment performances having a plurality of audiences. Further, the process and computer program product determine external data that is associated with the plurality of audiences and/or environmental factors corresponding to locations of the plurality of entertainment performances. In addition, the process and computer program product annotate the performance related data with the external data to generate annotated performance related data. The process and computer program product also train an artificial intelligence system based upon the annotated performance related data. The process and computer program product generate, at the artificial intelligence performance instructions to provide a performance. Further, the process and computer program product provide, from the artificial intelligence system to a performance device, the performance instructions to provide a performance.

Abstract: There is provided a system for delivering an oxygen rich lotion. The system uses a single reservoir dispensing bottle that contains a peroxide-rich liquid. The bottle has an outlet within which is a peroxide decomposition catalyst immobilized on a substrate, so that the peroxide-rich liquid and immobilized catalyst come in contact with each other just as the liquid is leaving the outlet of the bottle.

Abstract: There is provided a system for delivering an oxygen rich lotion. The system uses a single reservoir dispensing bottle that contains a peroxide-rich liquid. The bottle has an outlet within which is a peroxide decomposition catalyst immobilized on a substrate, so that the peroxide-rich liquid and immobilized catalyst come in contact with each other just as the liquid is leaving the outlet of the bottle.

Abstract: A flexible substrate applied with an activated carbon coating is provided. The activated carbon coating is formed from a mixture of a polymeric material and an activation agent. The mixture is activated by heating to a temperature of from about 100° C. to about 250° C. As a result of the present invention, it has been discovered that a substrate can be formed that is flexible and also capable of performing other functions, such as serving as an odor control agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web containing superfine microfibers. The web contains a blend of a first group of split microfibers which contains a first polymer component and a second group of split microfibers which contains a second polymer component, wherein at least one of the polymer components is hydrophilic. The invention additionally provides a meltblown fiber web having at least two groups of fibers, wherein each group of the fibers has a distinct cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: Robust round homofilament fibers are meltspun from a spinneret having two conjoined capillaries of different length to diameter ratio to induce differential shear to produce fiber crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching of the fibers.

Abstract: A stabilized creped nonwoven web and a method for producing the same, wherein a creped nonwoven web is thermally stabilized, for example by through-air-bonding or embossing, to produce the stabilized creped nonwoven web. The stabilized creped nonwoven web having increased tensile strength in the machine direction and an enhanced appearance. The stabilized creped nonwoven web of this invention id capable of withstanding a tensile force or load in a machine direction of at least about 2.0 lbs. at 20% strain and a tensile force or load in the machine direction of at least about 5.0 lbs. at 50% strain.

Abstract: A stabilized creped nonwoven web and a method for producing the same, wherein a creped nonwoven web is thermally stabilized, for example by through-air-bonding or embossing, to produce the stabilized creped nonwoven web. The stabilized creped nonwoven web having increased tensile strength in the machine direction and an enhanced appearance. The stabilized creped nonwoven web of this invention id capable of withstanding a tensile force or load in a machine direction of at least about 2.0 lbs. at 20% strain and a tensile force or load in the machine direction of at least about 5.0 lbs. at 50% strain.

Abstract: Robust round homofilament fibers are meltspun from a spinneret having two conjoined capillaries of different length to diameter ratio to induce differential shear to produce fiber crimping. Crimping may further be aided by quenching of the fibers.

Abstract: A multilayer laminate comprising a fine fiber nonwoven composite web which is a mixture of a first group of fibers and a second group of fibers such that the first and second fibers comprise polymers that are incompatible with each other. The fine fiber nonwoven composite web is bonded to a barrier layer such as a microporous film or a nonwoven web of meltblown fibers.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a helically crimped conjugate fiber containing at least a first composition and a second composition. The first and second compositions respectively contain different thermoplastic polymer having different solidification periods, and at least one of the two compositions contains a nucleating agent. Additionally provided is a process for controlling the level of crimps in the conjugate fiber.

Abstract: There is provided in accordance with the present invention a lofty filter medium for filtering fluid-borne particles, which comprises a nonwoven fiber web of crimped fibers selected from the group consisting of spunbond fibers and staple fibers, wherein the filter medium has a density between about 0.005 g/cm3 and about 0.1 g/cm3. The lofty filter medium is highly suitable for fluid-borne particle filtration applications, such as filtration media for transmission fluids, hydraulic fluids, swimming pool water, coolant oil or cutting fluid for metalworking, metal forming and metal rolling, air-borne particle filtration and the like.

Abstract: The present invention provides a barrier laminate having a barrier layer and a lofty crimped-fiber nonwoven web layer, which laminate provides a foam-like resiliency, cloth-like texture and liquid barrier property. The barrier layer of the laminate is selected from films, microfiber nonwoven webs and laminates thereof, and the crimped-fiber web layer, which contains a structural fiber component and an heat-activatable adhesive component, has substantially uniformly distributed interfiber bonds. Additionally provided are thermoformed articles from the laminate and a thermoforming process for producing the articles.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet filter medium having autogenously bonded uncrimped conjugate fibers which contain a polyolefin and another thermoplastic polymer that have different melting points. The filter medium has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.2 g/cm.sup.3. The invention additionally provides a three-dimensionally thermoformed filter medium that has a density between about 0.07 g/cm.sup.3 and about 0.5 g/cm.sup.3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a web containing superfine microfibers. The web contains a blend of a first group of split microfibers which contains a first polymer component and a second group of split microfibers which contains a second polymer component, wherein at least one of the polymer components is hydrophilic. The invention additionally provides a meltblown fiber web having at least two groups of fibers, wherein each group of the fibers has a distinct cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: A 3-dimension thermoformed bicomponent fiber nonwoven material comprising a lofty bicomponent material layer forming a plurality of peaks separated from one another by channels and having a basis weight in the range of about 0.5 to 7.0 ounces per square yard. The bicomponent material layer comprises a structural component and a heat activatable adhesive component suitable for thermoforming. Also disclosed are various configurations of this material suitable for use in absorbent personal care articles such as sanitary napkins, disposable diapers, incontinent-care pads and the like.