Synthetic individual binaural audio delivery by Pinna image processing. Issue 3 (19th August 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Spagnol, Simone; Geronazzo, Michele; Rocchesso, Davide; Avanzini, Federico
• Editors: Khalil, Ismail
• Is Part Of: International journal of pervasive computing and communications. Volume 10:Issue 3(2014)
• Publication Date: 2014-08-19
• Subjects: Ubiquitous computing -- Periodicals; Mobile computing -- Periodicals; Computer network protocols -- Periodicals; Computer network architectures -- Periodicals; Application software -- Development -- Periodicals; 004.6
• DOI: 10.1108/IJPCC-06-2014-0035
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1742-7371

Abstract

Abstract : Purpose: The paper presents a system for customized binaural audio delivery based on the extraction of relevant features from a 2-D representation of the listener's pinna. Design/methodology/approach: The most significant pinna contours are extracted by means of multi-flash imaging, and they provide values for the parameters of a structural head-related transfer function (HRTF) model. The HRTF model spatializes a given sound file according to the listener's head orientation, tracked by sensor-equipped headphones, with respect to the virtual sound source. Findings: A preliminary localization test shows that the model is able to statically render the elevation of a virtual sound source better than non-individual HRTFs. Research limitations/implications: Results encourage a deeper analysis of the psychoacoustic impact that the individualized HRTF model has on perceived elevation of virtual sound sources. Practical implications: The model has low complexity and is suitable for implementation on mobile devices. The resulting hardware/software package will hopefully allow an easy and low-tech fruition of custom spatial audio to any user. Originality/value: We show that custom binaural audio can be successfully deployed without the need of cumbersome subjective measurements.