Acoustic Levitation Control with Scattering-Aware Trap Modeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing acoustic levitation techniques struggle to accurately compute sound scattering off physical objects within the levitation volume in real-time, leading to distorted sound fields and limited interaction with physical objects.

Innovation Solution

A two-step modeling approach using a static matrix and direct and scattering transmission matrices to determine control instructions for transducers, allowing real-time control of acoustic traps and object location, even in the presence of scattering objects, by pre-computing the static matrix and calculating direct and scattering contributions in parallel.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If traditional voice coil actuators are used in loudspeakers, then electromagnetic driving force is generated to vibrate the diaphragm, but magnetic leakage occurs affecting nearby electronic components and human health

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic driving forceVSAvoidmagnetic leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful magnetic field from the loudspeaker system by eliminating the traditional voice coil actuator that generates magnetic leakage, while preserving the essential electromagnetic driving function through alternative means that do not produce harmful radiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful electromagnetic radiation into a beneficial non-radiating electromagnetic driving force by using a capacitorless electromagnetic actuator that generates the necessary magnetic field for diaphragm vibration without the harmful leakage associated with traditional voice coils

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If voice coil actuators are used to drive the diaphragm, then sound is generated, but high-frequency noise is produced affecting human health

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound generationVSAvoidhigh-frequency noise
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the high-frequency noise component generated by traditional voice coil actuators while preserving the useful sound generation function through an alternative actuation mechanism that does not produce harmful electromagnetic radiation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful high-frequency electromagnetic noise into beneficial acoustic output by using a capacitorless electromagnetic actuator that drives the diaphragm to produce sound waves without generating harmful electromagnetic radiation in the process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Power

If voice coil actuators are used, then electromagnetic driving force is achieved, but the structure becomes complex and expensive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectromagnetic driving forceVSAvoidactuator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex and expensive voice coil actuator structure while preserving the essential electromagnetic driving function through a simplified capacitorless electromagnetic actuator that eliminates the need for traditional voice coil components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the expensive and complex voice coil actuator with a simpler, more cost-effective capacitorless electromagnetic actuator structure that achieves the same driving function with fewer components and lower manufacturing costs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables high-speed, real-time manipulation of objects within acoustic volumes with arbitrary scattering surfaces, supporting applications like interactive mid-air displays and 3D printing by achieving computational efficiency and accuracy in controlling object positions.

Implementation Method 1

a capacitorless electromagnetic actuator is used in the loudspeaker, which has no magnetic leakage and generates no high-frequency noise

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

Electromagnetic radiation from voice coil actuators in loudspeakers and other electromagnetic acoustic transducers can have a harmful effect on electronic components in the vicinity and on human health

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation:

Data Source

PatentEP4533445B1Method,apparatus and sysyem for controlling sound generation
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 UCL BUSINESS LTD
  • EP4533445B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP4533445B1 patent drawingFigure 1c~1d
  • EP4533445B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present techniques provide a method, apparatus and system for high-speed acoustic levitation, for example high-speed acoustic holography or other applications. A novel technique is presented that allows high-speed multi-point levitation even in the presence of arbitrary sound-scattering surfaces and demonstrates a process that works in the presence of any physical object. Embodiments provide a simplified approach for determining locations of traps in a working volume which may also be termed an acoustic volume or acoustic chamber. Moreover, embodiments provide an approach for determining the location of traps by determining a contribution of a scattering surface in the working volume and a contribution from a target object in the working volume.