2017年09月29日　　Friday Lunch Seminar
12:15 〜 13:00

CiNet　1F　Conference Room

“Estimating auditory cues for 3D spatial hearing from geometry of the outer ear”

Parham Mokhtari

CiNet/情報通信研究機構（NICT ）
主任研究員

担当PI ： 安藤広志

Abstract:

Auditory cues for human 3D spatial hearing include inter-aural time and level differences (used to locate a sound source along the left-right axis) and monaural cues imparted by each outer-ear (used to detect elevation or polar angle). This talk will focus on the latter; in particular, the peaks and notches of head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) that are known to be generated by acoustic resonances of the outer-ear (pinna). To better understand the physical mechanisms involved, a finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) acoustic simulator was developed and applied to MRI-measured pinna shapes of 19 individuals. In this way, the first three resonances (HRTF peaks) were identified and the corresponding normal-modes on and around the pinna surface were visualized. Regression models were then evaluated for estimating the resonance frequencies and amplitudes, from distances between anatomical landmarks on individual pinnae, thus bypassing the need for complicated HRTF recordings or simulations. This work has direct implications for the HRTF personalization that is necessary to create more effective and human-centric, 3D audio systems.

About CiNet’s Friday Lunch Seminars:
The Friday Lunch Seminar is CiNet’s main regular meeting series, held every week at 12:15 in the beautiful main lecture theatre on the ground floor at CiNet. The talks are typically 40mins long and orientated towards an inter-disciplinary audience. They are informal, social, and most people bring their own lunch to eat during the talk. They are open to anyone who is feeling curious and wants to come, regardless of where you work.