Jupin.Īpple files numerous patent applications on a weekly basis. The filing lists its inventors as Darius A. For example, knowing that users aged 20-25 prefer HRTFs with certain properties will mean the system would err towards those particular filters if it encounters someone matching those settings in the future. It is also suggested that, by grouping users, the mass usage of different HRTFs could be monitored to help improve selection. The system would search for the best match for a listener's HRTF, not their specific settings. If the device is being used by only one user, the measurement would only need to be performed one time, but it would offer potentially other information about which HRTF would be best. To help the system more, it is suggested that a binaural measurement could be taken by the audio device for the user. After the initial settings, the system could then narrow down its choice to the most generic from the reduced list, to select the most appropriate HRTF for use. The pruning process can include taking away options that are far from basic characteristics of the user, such as height, gender, race, and age.Ĭutting down the database to a smaller number increases the chance of the most-correct HRTF being used, the patent advises. The patent centers around the idea of selecting the nearest HRTF to what is needed, by whittling down the database to a select few. The HRTF is then used as part of a binaural simulation digital signal processing algorithm to reproduce an audio recording as binaural sound, which in turn is played through headphones. While it is relatively time-consuming or impractical to create a HRTF for an individual user using consumer electronics with any real level of accuracy, there is the possibility of using either a generic "average" HRTF, or selecting a HRTF that is closest to the user's needs.Īn example ratings matrix for a group of users experiencing different HRTF settings. These are effectively a pair of acoustic filters for each ear that characterize the transmission of sound from one place in an environment to the ear.Įach HRTF varies on a number of factors, so as to match differences between people in terms of spatial hearing expectations. In a patent granted to Apple on Tuesday titled "Head related transfer function selection for binaural sound reproduction," Apple believes it can make the effect of virtual 3D sound positioning better by having what it refers to as the Head related transfer function (HRTF). However, while this can be useful, the effect isn't truly believable as differences in physiological elements like ears, the head, and body can alter what a person expects to hear from a noise in a specific position. A typical stereo headphone setup may provide some limited left and right differentiation at a basic level, while virtual sound systems are able to fake 3D positions by altering the properties of the sound effect to mimic distortions based on its positioning.įor example, a sound played behind the user's head could be muffled, while one from the front could be much clearer. While audio can help sell the illusion of video, there are some limitations. In the case of augmented reality, the experience of seeing a digitally-created item in the real-world view could easily be accentuated by a sound effect when it is interacted with in some way. Gaming and virtual reality systems all offer some level of audio feedback to the user to accompany visuals. Awny El-Mohandes, Navid Zandi, and Rong Zheng.Spatial audio is offered in the AirPods Pro.“Individualizing Head-Related Transfer Functions for Binaural Acoustic Applications”, With localization ability, the listener can turn toward the sound source and take the advantage of using the additional visual cues to enhance communication in adverse listening conditions. Sound localization is important for safety reasons such as to avoid oncoming traffic, approaching cyclist on a running path, or a falling object. Localization is the ability to determine the location of a sound source in a 3D space. As in our human auditory system, the artificial one must be capable of localizing, extracting, recognizing, and interpreting. Consequently, he needs an artificial auditory system to monitor the surroundings. While using earbuds, the person is isolated from his surrounding environment. Providing a simple, yet accurate procedure to do the HRTF estimation, to use the resulting estimated transfer function in the subsequent applications can help to spread the use of 3D sound. HRTF measurement setup inside anechoic roomĮstimating subject specific HRTFs is not a trivial job, needs sophisticated infrastructure and should be repeated for each individual.
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