Personalized HRTF Matching From Mobile-to-Head Audio Recordings
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing HRTF acquisition methods are time-consuming and inaccurate for individual users due to anthropometric differences, leading to non-optimal spatial audio experiences, and existing solutions like generic or average HRTFs fail to provide a perceptually convincing binaural spatial audio.
Innovation Solution
A method using mobile-to-head audio measurements to determine near-field HRTFs, followed by far-field HRTF extrapolation and anthropometric feature matching to identify a personalized HRTF with minimum spectral differences, leveraging mobile-to-ear audio measurements and RF sensing for precise user-specific HRTF generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If generic or average HRTFs are used, then the complexity of HRTF acquisition is reduced, but the accuracy and perceptual quality of spatial audio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary HRTF measurements using mobile-to-head audio recordings before spatial audio rendering. These measurements capture the user's specific head-related acoustic characteristics in advance, allowing the system to apply pre-measured HRTFs during audio rendering without requiring complex real-time measurements
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy of the user's specific HRTF characteristics through mobile-to-head audio recordings. Instead of using generic HRTFs, the system captures and stores the user's individual acoustic profile, then applies this copied profile to personalize the spatial audio experience
2Measurement precision
If personalized HRTF measurement is performed for each user, then the accuracy of spatial audio improves, but the time required for HRTF acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs HRTF measurements in advance using mobile-to-head audio recordings, capturing the user's acoustic characteristics before actual spatial audio usage. This preliminary measurement approach eliminates the need for time-consuming measurements during audio rendering sessions
Solution Approach 2:
The system replaces traditional laboratory-based HRTF measurement equipment with mobile devices (smartphones, tablets) for audio recordings. This substitution enables quick, convenient measurements using the user's existing mobile device, significantly reducing acquisition time compared to specialized measurement setups
3Measurement precision
If traditional multi-microphone spatial audio recording is used, then spatial information capture is improved, but the complexity and cost of the recording system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's mobile device to create a copy of the measurement capabilities needed for HRTF acquisition. Instead of requiring specialized multi-microphone recording systems, the mobile device's existing audio recording functionality is leveraged to capture the necessary acoustic data
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves multiple functions: it acts as the audio source, the recording device, and the processing unit. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate specialized equipment, reducing system complexity while maintaining measurement capabilities
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and techniques are provided for processing audio data. For example, a process can include determining a set of near-field Head-Related Transfer Functions (HRTFs) corresponding to a user, based on a plurality of audio measurements each obtained using a respective measurement position at a near-field measurement distance. A set of far-field HRTFs corresponding to the user can be generated based on the set of near-field HRTFs. The set of far-field HRTFs can be compared to one or more candidate far-field HRTFs obtained based on anthropometric features corresponding to the user. An individualized HRTF can be determined for the user as a candidate far-field HRTF of the one or more candidate far-field HRTFs having minimum spectral differences from the set of far-field HRTFs at corresponding measurement positions.