Abstract: A system for using sound to display data which includes the capability of storing, manipulating and retrieving data and data-to-sound parameter mappings for the purposes of controlling a sound generator with the data such that auditory reference beacons result. These beacons may be used to compare to sound resulting from the incoming data and/or to other beacons to orient a system user within a complex data set, and to enhance comprehension of system status and trends in the data. Incoming data to become the data component of the beacon generator is stored in memory, then, when recalled, is injected into a sonic map. The sonic map formats the data for control of the sound generator and routes it to selected parameters of a sound generator. By manipulating the beacon data and the sonic map, a flexible means of data inspection and reference are obtained.

Abstract: An audio signal processor in which the harmonic content of the output signal varies with the amplitude of the input signal. The preferred embodiment includes an analog to digital converter, a sample and hold circuit, timing circuits, a RAM look-up table for performing non-linear transformation, a digital to analog converter and a post filter from which processed analog audio is output.