A method for customizing appliance alert tunes includes downloading a user selected alert tune from a server to an appliance over a network. The user selected alert tune is a plurality of synthesized notes. The method also includes saving the user selected alert tune in a memory of the appliance and playing the user selected alert tune on a sound emitter of the appliance in response to an activation condition for the user selected alert tune.

An imaging device includes an image sensor, a controller, and an annunciator. The image sensor is configured to capture an object image entering via an optical system. The controller is configured to control focusing operation to focus the object image by the optical system. The annunciator is configured to output focusing sound that has a predetermined frequency characteristic according to the focusing operation. The frequency characteristic of the focusing sound includes a first sound component based on first frequency, and a second sound component based on second frequency that is higher than the first frequency and lower than twice frequency of the first frequency.

An arrangement for the conversion of at least one detected force from the movement of a sensing unit into an auditory signal. The arrangement includes at least one sensor for generating a force signal from the at least one detected force. A processing unit is configured for converting the force signal into a digital auditory signal. An output unit for converting the digital auditory signal into an auditory signal is further included wherein the digital auditory signal includes in formation of acceleration, strength and duration of a single detected force. The present method is used for converting at least one detected force affecting an object into auditory signal, as well as the use of an arrangement according to the present invention for various entertainment and/or therapeutic purposes.

Systems and methods providing engine harmonic enhancement receive a first signal representative of a load on an engine and generate a control parameter based on the first signal. One or more harmonic scaling elements generate a scaled version of an engine harmonic signal based on the control parameter. Each harmonic scaling element includes a harmonic specific mapping element for mapping the control parameter to a scaling factor, wherein at least some of the scaling factor values of the harmonic specific mapping element are mapped to control parameter values associated with a negative load on the engine.

In a general aspect, a system includes a controller configured to receive a first signal representative of a load on an engine and to generate a control parameter based on the first signal, one or more harmonic scaling elements, each configured to receive the control parameter and a different engine harmonic signal of a plurality of engine harmonic signals and to generate a scaled version of the received engine harmonic signal. Each, harmonic scaling element includes a harmonic specific mapping element for mapping the control parameter to a harmonic specific scaling factor, wherein at least some of the harmonic specific scaling factor values of the harmonic specific mapping element are mapped to control parameter values which are associated with a negative load on the engine, and an adjustable gain element for forming a scaled version of the received engine harmonic signal including applying the harmonic specific scaling factor to the received engine harmonic signal. The controller is further configured to condition the first signal to remove transient components before generating the control parameter.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may emit masking sounds during operation of the UAV to mask other sounds generated by the UAV during operation. The UAV may be used to deliver items to a residence or other location associated with a customer. The UAV may emit sounds that mask the conventional sounds generated by the propellers and/or motors to cause the UAV to emit sounds that are pleasing to bystanders or do not annoy the bystanders. The UAV may emit sounds using speakers or other sound generating devices, such as fins, reeds, whistles, or other devices which may cause sound to be emitted from the UAV. Noise canceling algorithms may be used to cancel at least some of the conventional noise generated by operation of the UAV using inverted sounds, while additional sound may be emitted by the UAV, which may not be subject to noise cancellation.

In a general aspect, a system includes circuitry for providing an engine harmonic scaling module and a summer. The engine harmonic scaling module is configured to receive a torque signal and a throttle signal, process the torque signal to generate a calibrated torque value, process the throttle signal to generate a throttle percentage value, determine a control parameter based on an examination of the calibrated torque value and the throttle percentage value, determine, based on the control parameter, a harmonic-specific scaling factor for each of one or more engine harmonic signals of a plurality of engine harmonic signals, and apply the corresponding harmonic-specific scaling factor to each of the one or more engine harmonic signals to generate corresponding scaled engine harmonic signals. The summer is configured to generate, from the scaled engine harmonic signals, a combined engine harmonic signal.

In a general aspect, a system includes circuitry for providing an engine harmonic scaling module and a summer. The engine harmonic scaling module is configured to receive a torque signal and a throttle signal, process the torque signal to generate a calibrated torque value, process the throttle signal to generate a throttle percentage value, determine a control parameter based on an examination of the calibrated torque value and the throttle percentage value, determine, based on the control parameter, a harmonic-specific scaling factor for each of one or more engine harmonic signals of a plurality of engine harmonic signals, and apply the corresponding harmonic-specific scaling factor to each of the one or more engine harmonic signals to generate corresponding scaled engine harmonic signals. The summer is configured to generate, from the scaled engine harmonic signals, a combined engine harmonic signal.

In a general aspect, a system includes circuitry for providing an engine harmonic scaling module and a summer. The engine harmonic scaling module is configured to receive a torque signal and a throttle signal, process the torque signal to generate a calibrated torque value, process the throttle signal to generate a throttle percentage value, determine a control parameter based on an examination of the calibrated torque value and the throttle percentage value, determine, based on the control parameter, a harmonic-specific scaling factor for each of one or more engine harmonic signals of a plurality of engine harmonic signals, and apply the corresponding harmonic-specific scaling factor to each of the one or more engine harmonic signals to generate corresponding scaled engine harmonic signals. The summer is configured to generate, from the scaled engine harmonic signals, a combined engine harmonic signal.

An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) may emit masking sounds during operation of the UAV to mask other sounds generated by the UAV during operation. The UAV may be used to deliver items to a residence or other location associated with a customer. The UAV may emit sounds that mask the conventional sounds generated by the propellers and/or motors to cause the UAV to emit sounds that are pleasing to bystanders or do not annoy the bystanders. The UAV may emit sounds using speakers or other sound generating devices, such as fins, reeds, whistles, or other devices which may cause sound to be emitted from the UAV. Noise canceling algorithms may be used to cancel at least some of the conventional noise generated by operation of the UAV using inverted sounds, while additional sound may be emitted by the UAV, which may not be subject to noise cancelation.