Patent attributes
The present invention reduces noise generated by a phase change in an ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus that changes an ultrasonic wave focal point within a space by changing the phase of vibration of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers. When inputted position coordinates within a three-dimensional space are changed, the ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus calculates a target time lag Tnew that allows ultrasonic waves outputted from the ultrasonic transducers to form a focal point at the changed position coordinates X1, Y1, Z1. The ultrasonic wave focusing apparatus then examines the ultrasonic transducers to locate a particular ultrasonic transducer that outputs an ultrasonic wave whose time lag Ttmp differs from the target time lag Tnew, and changes the phase of the outputted ultrasonic wave to a target phase in multiple steps (steps 140 and 150).