Generation of head-related transfer functions of an individual listener for acoustic virtual reality

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K12068
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 61020:Human interface and interaction-related
• Research Institution: Chiba Institute of Technology
• Principal Investigator: Iida Kazuhiro 千葉工業大学, 先進工学部, 教授 (60458627)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 竹本 浩典 千葉工業大学, 先進工学部, 教授 (40374102) ; 苣木 禎史 千葉工業大学, 先進工学部, 教授 (50284740)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: バーチャルリアリティ / 頭部伝達関数 / HRTF / 個人化 / 3次元音響

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to realize VR in sound reproduction (3D sound reproduction), we examined a method to generate the individual head-related transfer functions (HRTFs). As a result, it was shown that the individualized HRTFs, for which an individual listener localized a sound image in the front direction, can be generated using the data of pinnae shape. In addition, we obtained knowledge on the pinna region that should be used in the HRTF individualization in order to improve the accuracy of sound image localization. However, it was suggested that a machine learning-based algorithm should be considered for general consumers to obtain the pinna shape data from the pinna images that can be taken with a smartphone. In addition, due to the behavioral restrictions caused by COVID-19, we have partially modified the initial research plan and developed a toolkit, by which listeners can generate the individual HRTFs in the upper hemisphere by themselves.

Free Research Field

空間音響学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

従来，耳介形状から個人化頭部伝達関数を推定する研究は多くあるが，生成した頭部伝達関数を用いた音像定位実験により，目標方向は正面だけではあるものの，その有効性を確認したのは世界で最初である．また実用面においては，本研究の成果を用いれば、従来の研究では必要とされていた頭部伝達関数データベースが不要となるため，一般の聴取者が本人に適した頭部伝達関数を自ら生成することが可能になり，音のVRの普及が期待できる.