• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers A
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.1035-1044
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• 2010

Head-related transfer function (HRTF) is an acoustic transfer function from a sound source to the ear canal entrance position. HRTFs are very important information in the construction of virtual sound fields. HRTFs also vary for different individuals. In this study, characteristics of HRTF for an average Korean are investigated numerically by comparing with the HRTF for a standard Knowles Electronics Manikin for Acoustic Research (KEMAR). A boundary element (BE) model for an adult Korean is developed using the computerized tomography (CT) data in order to investigate the variation in HRTFs for different individuals. The boundary conditions of the BE model are identified by comparing the numerical results with the experimental results. The numerical model shows that accurate HRTFs can be calculated efficiently over full audible frequency range for individuals.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.841-848
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• 2008

Based on the averaged Korean head shapes that are the results of digital Korean project by KISTI and Catholic university, experimental apparatus of head dummies of Korean male and female are developed in order to measure head-related transfer functions(HRTF) by using a reverse engineering and rapid prototyping techniques. For the Korean dummies, HRTFs are measured using the substitution method ever 12kHz frequency bands. At every azimuth angle $15^{\circ}$ HRTFs are measured for elevation angles $-30^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$ and $-30^{\circ}$. The measured HRTFs are compared with those of KEMAR(knowles electronic manikin for acoustic research) dummy head, which shows $3{\sim}5\;dB$ difference over $4{\sim}5\;kHz$ kHz frequency band.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering Conference
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• 2008.04a
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• pp.669-673
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• 2008

Based on the averaged Korean head shapes that are the results of digital Korean project by KISTI and Catholic university, experimental apparatus of head dummies of Korean male and female are developed in order to measure head-related transfer functions (HRTF) by using a reverse engineering and rapid prototyping techniques. For the Korean dummies, HRTFs are measured using the substitution method over 12 kHz frequency bands. At every azimuth angle $15^{\circ}$ HRTFs are measured for elevation angles $-30^{\circ}$, $0^{\circ}$, and $30^{\circ}$. The measured HRTFs are compared with those of KEMAR (Knowles Electronic Manikin for Acoustic Research) dummy head, which shows a little different frequency characteristic beyond 2 kHz frequency band.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.19 no.12
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• pp.1260-1268
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• 2009

Three methods(the stepped sine method, the statistical method(random excitation method) and the maximum-length sequence(MLS) method) for head-related transfer functions(HRTFs) are experimentally compared in view point of accuracy and efficiency. First, the stepped sine method has high signal-to-noise ratio, but low efficiency. Second, the statistical method is fast measurement speed, but weak to noise than the other methods. Finally, the MLS method shows both good efficiency and high signal-to-noise ratio, but it needs additional software or equipment such as MLS signal generator. For comparison of measurement accuracy, HRTFs of KEMAR dummy are measured for various azimuths and elevations. Error norms for magnitude and phase of HRTFs are defined and calculated for the measured HRTFs. The calculated error norms show that the methods give similar results in magnitude and phase except a little phase difference in the MLS method.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2004.04a
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• pp.61-67
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• 2004

This paper describes Three-Dimensional Listening Simulation System (3D-LSS) which is to analyze whistle sound related marine casualties, and is to evaluate the accident situations using 3D sound by Head Related Transfer Function. At first, the three-dimensional listening model from the analysis of accident situations is proposed, and then the reproduction and evaluation methods of 3D sounds are also discussed. The system is designed to explain the accident situations and to simulate the possible situations with GUI based graphics and 3D sound reproduction. The evaluation experiments using 3D-LSS are carried out with six cases that did not known whether it is true or not the blast and listening of the whistle sound between two vessels. As results of psychological assessments by five subjects, the six cases can be analyzed clearly by visual images and audio sounds, thus the usability of 3D-LSS as one of the judgment assistant system of marine casualty is verified.

• Journal of Navigation and Port Research
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.659-666
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• 2004

This paper describes Three-Dimensional Listening Simulation System (3D-LSS) which is to analyze whistle sound related marine casualties, and is to evaluate the accident situations using 3D sound by Head Related Transfer Function At first, the hree-dimensional listening model from the analysis of accident situations is proposed, and then the reproduction and evaluation methods of 3D sounds are also discussed. The system is designed to explain the accident situations and to simulate the possible situations with GUI based graphics and 3D sound reproduction. The evaluation experiments using 3D-LSS are carried out with six cases that did not known whether it is true or not the blast and listening of the whistle sound between two vessels. As results of psychological assessments by five subjects, the six cases can be analyzed clearly by visual images and audio sounds, thus the usability of 3D-LSS as one of the judgment assistant system of marine casualty is verified.

• Transactions of the Korean Society for Noise and Vibration Engineering
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.226-233
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• 2013

Individual differences in head-related transfer functions(HRTFs) were calculated using boundary element(BE) models for three Korean adults. The BE models for the individuals were developed from the computerized tomography(CT) images of the individuals. The BE models were composed of the head, pinna, and ear canal. The frequency-dependent impedance boundary conditions were imposed on the skin, hair, and tympanic membrane. The HRTFs calculated from the individual BE models showed large difference above 2 kHz in magnitude and in the locations of peaks and valleys of the frequency spectrums, which should be considered in virtual auditory sound field. The identified individual differences in the HRTFs demonstrate that the developed BE models can be utilized successfully in order to obtain the HRTFs information of individuals.

• Broadcasting and Media Magazine
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.31-45
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• 2011

사용자가 원하는 3D 사운드 혹은 소리의 공간감을 원하는 대로 재현할 수 있는 오디오 시스템은 오랜 기간 동안 인류가 가지고 싶었던 꿈의 기계였다. 그러나 과연 개인 혹은 사용자가 원하는 3D 사운드라는 것이 무엇이며 어떻게 정의하여야 하는지는 명확하지 않다. 이것은 매우 주관적인 개념일 뿐만 아니라 개인에 따라 다를 수 있으며, 그 평가에 대한 객관적인 방법 또한 존재하지 않는다. 관련된 연구를 살펴보면, 원하는 소리의 파동 전파 자체를 시공간 상에서 물리적으로 재현하는 WFS(Wave Field Synthesis)나 Ambisonics, 또는 머리전달함수(HRTF: Head Related Transfer Function)를 기반으로 한 많은 연구들이 있다. 이렇게 재현된 음장(sound field)을 보면 이들이 인지되고 평가되는 등의 객관화를 위하여는 청취 환경에 따라 그 특성이 바뀌고 동일한 환경에서도 청취자에 따라 다르게 인지되는 근본적인 문제점을 가지고 있다. 음장 재현 방법의 이러한 근본적인 문제는 놀랍게도 과거의 스테레오 시스템에서 볼 수 있는 밸런스 노브(balance knob)로부터 그 해결의 실마리를 찾을 수 있다. 밸런스 노브는 보편적인 최적의 소리를 찾는 대신에 청취자가 원하는 음향 효과를 얻을 때까지 직접적으로 소리를 청취하고, 스스로 조절하여 평가할 수 있는 매개체의 역할을 수행한다. 만일 밸런스 노브와 같이 청취자가 원하는 3D 사운드를 스스로 평가하고 조절하기 위한 방법을 마련할 수 있다면? 즉, 청취자가 시공간적으로 원하는 3D 사운드를 실시간으로 청취하고 변화시킬 수 있는 인터페이스를 구현할 수 있다면? 과연 그러한 것이 어떻게 가능할 수 있는지 체계적인 검토가 이루어질 수 있다면 매우 좋을 것이다. 본 고는 이러한 것을 가능케 할 수 있는 즉, 청취자가 자유 자재로 원하는 음장을 형성할 수 있는 렌더링 기법 및 즉각적인 피드백이 가능한 인터페이스를 소개하고 있다. 인터페이스는 현재까지 오디오 시스템에서 주로 사용되는 주파수 이퀄라이져(frequency equalizer)와 매우 유사한 특징이 있다. 이러한 점을 감안하여 "Spatial Equalizer$^{(R)}$"라는 이름을 붙여 보았다. Spatial Equalizer$^{(R)}$는 공간 상에 하나의 점 또는 다수의 점으로 표시되는 가상 음원을 사용자가 조종하여 원 소리의 공간감을 제어할 수 있도록 구성되어 있다. 공간 상에 다수의 점 음원들의 위치를 변화시키거나 크기를 변화시킴으로써 청취자가 원하는 공간감을 구현할 수 있도록 하고 있다. 중요한 것은 종전의 이퀄라이져와 같이 Spatial Equalizer$^{(R)}$에 의해 형성되는 음장이 어떤 객관적인 척도에 의해서 평가되는 대신 사용자에 의해 직접 주관적으로 평가되고, 선택된다는 점이다.

• Proceedings of the Korea Information Processing Society Conference
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• 2017.11a
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• pp.909-912
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• 2017

In implementing a computerized virtual training system, the auditory element is responsible for the human cognitive ability following visual elements. Especially, the improvement of hearing ability is closely related to the performance of the training, and it contributes to improvement of the training effect. In this paper, we propose a sound system that is necessary for constructing such a virtual training system as a test system that can use a sound source using a head related transfer function (HRTF). Functional and auditory tests were performed to evaluate system performance.