Head-Related Transfer Function Adaptation for VR Audio
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sound reproducing technologies for virtual reality struggle to account for the complex interactions between a user's head and ear anatomy, leading to impractical computation requirements that hinder real-time processing for an immersive experience.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate a target head-related transfer function by adapting a fixed head-related transfer function using pre-recorded sound data and listener data, allowing for efficient sound signal reproduction in virtual environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all factors of head and ear anatomy are taken into consideration for sound reproduction, then the realism of virtual reality experience is improved, but the computation amount becomes too large for real-time processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex head-related transfer function into two separate components: a distance function that models sound propagation over distance, and a fixed head-related transfer function that models the acoustic effects of head and ear anatomy at a reference distance. This segmentation allows each component to be processed independently, reducing the overall computational burden while maintaining realism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-calculates and stores the fixed head-related transfer function at a reference distance before runtime. During real-time virtual reality processing, only the distance function needs to be computed and applied to the pre-computed transfer function, significantly reducing real-time computational requirements while preserving acoustic realism.
2Device complexity
If a fixed head-related transfer function at a fixed distance is used, then the computational complexity is reduced, but the accuracy of sound perception at different distances deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dynamic distance function that adjusts the head-related transfer function based on the actual listening distance. This distance function dynamically scales and modifies the fixed head-related transfer function to accurately represent acoustic conditions at any distance, maintaining measurement precision while keeping the base transfer function fixed and computationally simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the distance parameter of the head-related transfer function by applying a distance-dependent modification to the fixed transfer function. This parameter change allows the system to adapt the acoustic characteristics to different listening distances without re-computing the entire transfer function, balancing computational complexity with accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A sound reproducing method used in sound reproducing apparatus that includes the steps outlined below is provided. A sound signal is generated with a 3D sound generating process according to listener data and sound data. Pre-recorded sound data is retrieved to further generate a target distance function corresponding to the sound distance. A fixed head-related transfer function corresponding to a fixed distance is retrieved. A target head-related transfer function corresponding to the sound distance is generated by adapting the target distance function to the fixed head-related transfer function. The sound signal is reproduced by multiplying the sound signal by the target head-related transfer function.