Personalized Head-Related Transfer Function Selection for Audio Localization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users experience in-head localization when listening to sound through headphones, where the sound feels like it is ringing inside their head, due to the difficulty in measuring individual head-related transfer functions for personalized sound localization.

Innovation Solution

A device and method that includes a measuring unit to obtain head-related impulse responses using a microphone, a feature amount extraction unit to extract frequency characteristics, and a characteristic selection unit to select a head-related transfer function from a database based on these features, allowing for personalized sound localization by convolving sound data with the selected transfer function.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a head-related transfer function of a dummy head or another user is used for sound localization, then the in-head localization phenomenon is reduced, but the measurement precision and personalization are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehead-related transfer function measurement precisionVSAvoidease of measuring head-related transfer function in daily life

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a copy of the user's head-related impulse response by playing a measurement signal through a speaker and recording the sound reflected from the user's head and auricle using a microphone worn on the user's ear. This measured impulse response is then transformed into a head-related transfer function that accurately represents the user's individual characteristics without requiring complex measurement equipment or procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The user themselves serves as the measurement medium by wearing the microphone on their own ear and having the measurement signal played through a speaker. The user's head and auricle naturally reflect the sound, and the system automatically processes this reflected sound to generate the personalized head-related transfer function, eliminating the need for external measurement equipment or assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If a head-related transfer function of another user is used, then the in-head localization phenomenon is reduced, but the adaptability to individual user characteristics is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to individual user characteristicsVSAvoidcomplexity of measuring individual head-related transfer function

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using another user's head-related transfer function, the system creates an accurate copy of the specific user's own head-related impulse response by measuring the sound reflected from their head and auricle. This personalized copy ensures high adaptability to individual characteristics while keeping the measurement process simple and equipment-free.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement equipment with a simple electronic system consisting of a speaker and a microphone. The measurement process utilizes the user's own head and auricle as natural acoustic reflectors, substituting physical measurement apparatus with a streamlined electronic recording and processing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effective sound localization outside the user's head, reducing in-head localization phenomena by using a head-related transfer function similar to the user's own, improving the listening experience by adjusting sound directions and amplitudes accordingly.

Implementation Method 1

obtain a head-related impulse response of user based on a sound signal which is collected by a microphone worn on an ear of the user in a state where a predetermined sound as a measurement signal is outputted from a speaker

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS10142733B2Head-related transfer function selection device, head-related transfer function selection method, head-related transfer function selection program, and sound reproduction device

Publication Date: 2018.11.27 JVC KENWOOD CORP

AI summary

A measuring unit obtains a head-related impulse response of a user based on a sound signal which is collected by a microphone worn on an ear of the user in a state where a predetermined sound as a measurement signal is outputted from a speaker. A feature amount extraction unit extracts a feature amount of a frequency characteristic corresponding to the head-related impulse response. A characteristic selection unit selects a head-related transfer function from a database, where head-related transfer functions of many people are respectively made in association with feature amounts of head-related transfer functions, based on the extracted feature amount.