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With his two ears, a human being can locate all audio sources
in its environment. Sounds from horizontal directions are
localized as well as sounds coming from the top or the bottom.
By localizing the human auditory, perception determines both
direction and distance.
Most of today's audio localizers need more than two microphones
to work properly and precisely. However, the human perception
shows that two auditory sensors are capable to localize sound.
The Ilmenau Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology
develops a binaural Audio Source Localizer, determining the
direction of sound in the horizontal plane following the archetype
of man.
The human hearing sense analyzes information on time delay
and differences in sound level to determine the direction
of sound. These fundamental features are used in combination
with different priorities depending on the frequency band
that is analyzed. In the range of lower frequency primarily
the time delay is analyzed, in the higher frequency range
the dynamics are most important. A combination of both is
used between these ranges. The Audio Source Localizer works
with several acoustical sub bands, by analyzing and weighting
their time delay and differences in sound level.
The innovative Audio Source Localizer is applicable particularly
for binaural hearing aids which can use the source information
for amplifying or suppressing audio sources at patient's options.
This is notably helpful in certain situations, e.g. in conversations
with loud background noises.
Another application would be a camera adjustment system for
video conferencing systems or webcams.
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