A method for efficiently calculating head-related transfer functions directly from head scan point clouds

Publication Year
2017

Type

Conference Paper
Abstract

A method is developed for efficiently calculating head-related transfer functions (HRTFs) directly from head scan point clouds of a subject using a database of HRTFs, and corresponding head scans, of many subjects. Consumer applications require HRTFs be estimated accurately and efficiently, but existing methods do not simultaneously meet these requirements. The presented method uses efficient matrix multiplications to compute HRTFs from spherical harmonic representations of head scan point clouds that may be obtained from consumer-grade cameras. The method was applied to a database of only 23 subjects, and while calculated interaural time difference errors are found to be above estimated perceptual thresholds for some spatial directions, HRTF spectral distortions up to 6 kHz fall below perceptual thresholds for most directions.

Conference Name
143rd Convention of the Audio Engineering Society (AES 143)
Full text

Errata:

 

  1. In section 3.2 on page 4, the last sentence of the first paragraph should read “…and simple geometrical models of the head…”.