An information processing apparatus including a controller (130) configured to, based on a detected state of the apparatus, control outputting of sound that is performed by the apparatus, wherein the controller is configured to, according to an amount of change in the state, sequentially change a mode of outputting a synthetic sound that can be output by the apparatus in a normal state is provided. Furthermore, an information processing method including, by a processor, based on a detected state of an apparatus, controlling outputting of sound that is performed by the apparatus, wherein the controlling includes, according to an amount of change in the state, sequentially changing a mode of outputting a synthetic sound that can be output by the apparatus in a normal state is provided.

A method for automatically changing the engine exhaust sound in conjunction with the traveling mode implemented by the exhaust system applied to the vehicle may vary the valve opening of an electronic variable valve provided in a first tail pipe of first and second tail pipes of muffler discharging the exhaust gas coming from an engine by a mode recognition logic connected to an engine ECU to the atmosphere, and control the variation of the valve opening with the engine torque and the engine RPM based on a change in an accelerator pedal stroke in any one of a SMART DRIVE MODE-ECO state, a SMART DRIVE MODE-COMFORT state, and a SMART DRIVE MODE-SPORT state, implementing a quiet engine exhaust sound and a sporty engine exhaust sound depending on various vehicle traveling states provided by the SMART DRIVE MODE and increasing vehicle/engine outputs.

A method for automatically changing the engine exhaust sound in conjunction with the traveling mode implemented by the exhaust system applied to the vehicle may vary the valve opening of an electronic variable valve provided in a first tail pipe of first and second tail pipes of muffler discharging the exhaust gas coming from an engine by a mode recognition logic connected to an engine ECU to the atmosphere, and control the variation of the valve opening with the engine torque and the engine RPM based on a change in an accelerator pedal stroke in any one of a SMART DRIVE MODE-ECO state, a SMART DRIVE MODE-COMFORT state, and a SMART DRIVE MODE-SPORT state, implementing a quiet engine exhaust sound and a sporty engine exhaust sound depending on various vehicle traveling states provided by the SMART DRIVE MODE and increasing vehicle/engine outputs.

A system for controlling sound character of a vehicle includes one or more performance enhancement systems operable to enhance powertrain performance. Each of the one or more performance enhancement systems includes a performance control input. One or more sound enhancement systems are operable to adjust at least one of an external vehicle sound and an interior sound perceived by vehicle occupants. Each of the one or more sound enhancement system includes a sound enhancement control input. A sound character control system includes a central controller operably connected to at least one performance control input and at least one sound enhancement control input. The central controller coordinates operation of at least two of the one or more performance enhancement systems and the one or more sound enhancement systems to establish one of a desired exterior sound character and an interior sound character.

An acoustic system comprises an output unit, a communication unit, a first output control unit, and a second output control unit. The output unit is configured to be capable of outputting a sound and an image. The communication unit is configured to be capable of communicating with an external device. The first output control unit is configured to receive, from a communication device that transmits a reproduction signal for acoustic data, the reproduction signal via the communication unit and to cause the output unit to output a sound based on the reproduction signal, to thereby perform reproduction of a series of sounds represented by the acoustic data. The second output control unit is configured to cause the output unit to output, as the image, a word corresponding to the sound outputted by the output unit among the series of sounds represented by the acoustic data.

A notification system utilizing a doorbell assembly in electrical communication with a sound generating mechanism (e.g., a windchime) is described to produce sound(s). In some embodiments, the system utilizes a modification of existing elements to produce the notification system. In some embodiments, the system utilizes assembled parts as part of a notification system or assembly.

A notification system utilizing a doorbell assembly in electrical communication with a sound generating mechanism (e.g., a windchime) is described to produce sound(s). In some embodiments, the system utilizes a modification of existing elements to produce the notification system. In some embodiments, the system utilizes assembled parts as part of a notification system or assembly.

Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.

Examples of a pressure wave generator configured to generate high energy pressure waves in a medium are disclosed. The pressure wave generator can include a movable piston with a guide through which a piston control rod can move or slide. The pressure wave generator can include a transducer coupled to a medium. During an impact of the piston on the transducer, the control rod can slide in the guide, which can reduce stress on the rod. The pressure wave generator can include a damper to decelerate the control rod, independently of the piston. Impact of the piston on the transducer transfers a portion of the piston's kinetic energy into the medium thereby generating pressure waves in the medium. A piston driving system may be used to provide precise and controlled launching or movement of the piston. Examples of methods of operating the pressure wave generator are disclosed.

The present disclosure describes speech or sound-emulating bottle cap apparatuses and systems and methods for manufacture thereof. It will be understood that a bottle cap prohibits gases from escaping a pressurized bottle. Ordinarily, when the cap is removed from the bottle, the escaping gas will emit a sound, but the sound carries no discernable meaning, cognizable message or recognizable sound (aside from gas simply escaping a pressurized container). Embodiments described herein harness gas escaping from a bottle (when the cap is removed) to generate a discernable meaning, cognizable message or otherwise recognizable sound. The sound-chamber may be wrapped or twisted into a coil or helix shape (in addition or as an alternative to miniaturizing it). A coil or helix shape permits recovery of the original sound quality of the initially modeled sound-chamber, resulting in “a sound-emitting cap-chamber” removably or permanently coupled to a bottle cap or bottle as described herein.