Actuator Array Control for Digital Speaker Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional systems for controlling multiple arrays of actuator elements face challenges in accurately producing desired physical effects, such as sound volume and pitch, due to limitations in noise reduction and actuator addressing, leading to inefficiencies in digital speaker technology.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a controller connected to electrostatic actuator elements, partitioned into subsets, to apply specific electrical potentials, ensuring precise movement of actuator elements and minimizing noise through noise shaping loops, thereby accurately reproducing digital input signals as sound effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional systems control multiple arrays of actuator elements, then basic sound production is achieved, but noise reduction and actuator addressing accuracy are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuator addressing accuracyVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the actuator array into multiple independently controllable subsets or groups, allowing selective activation of specific actuators based on the audio signal requirements. This segmentation enables precise addressing of individual actuators while reducing overall system noise through distributed operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different actuators within the array are assigned different operational characteristics and control parameters tailored to their specific positions and functions. This allows optimization of each actuator's performance while minimizing noise generation through localized control strategies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 3:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor actuator performance and noise levels, dynamically adjusting control parameters to maintain addressing accuracy while minimizing harmful noise output through real-time optimization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If digital speaker technology is used, then sound production capability is achieved, but fidelity and noise performance are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesound reproduction fidelityVSAvoidnoise
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The digital signal is distributed across multiple actuator elements that operate in parallel, with each actuator contributing to the overall sound output. This distributed approach improves fidelity through increased resolution while reducing noise through spatial distribution and averaging effects

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces intermediate control stages between the digital signal source and the actuator elements, including digital-to-analog conversion and signal processing circuits that optimize the drive signals for each actuator group, thereby improving fidelity while filtering out noise

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

This approach enables efficient and accurate control of actuator arrays to produce desired sound attributes, reducing noise and improving the fidelity of sound reproduction in digital speakers.

Implementation Method 1

a controller connected to electrostatic actuator elements, partitioned into subsets, to apply specific electrical potentials, ensuring precise movement of actuator elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic actuation: Electrostatics

Implementation Method 2

minimizing noise through noise shaping loops, thereby accurately reproducing digital input signals as sound effects

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNoise shaping: Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2856769B1A system, a method and a computer program product for controlling a group of actuator arrays for producing a physical effect
Publication Date: 2018.07.04 AUDIO PIXELS
  • EP2856769B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP2856769B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2856769B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system which controls a group of multiple arrays of actuator elements, each of the actuator elements including a moving element which moves between a first and a second extreme positions; the system including: a controller, configured to generate control commands for at least one array of the multiple arrays in each individual cycle out of a series of sampling cycles, based on obtained information; and (b) an interface configured to transfer the control commands to the at least one array, thereby resulting in releasing from the first extreme position during the intended cycle of at least one moving element that is included in the at least one array; wherein release of all moving elements of at least one restrained array out of the multiple arrays is prevented during the intended cycle.