Patent ID: 7602921

Claim:
A sound image localizing apparatus comprising a head-related transfer function processing unit for generating sound image signals collectively constituting a sound image in response to a sound source signal to ensure that said sound image is localized in a direction selected from among a plurality of directions previously defined in three-dimensional space by lateral angles and raising angles, said head-related transfer function processing unit including: a sound image direction setting unit for setting said selected direction; an angle conversion unit for converting said selected direction into a lateral angle and a rising angle; a lateral angle control information storage unit for storing lateral angle control information corresponding to said respective lateral angles; a front direction head-related impulse response storage unit for storing a front direction head-related impulse response; a rising angle difference information storage unit for storing rising angle difference information indicative of the difference in head-related impulse response between a front direction and other directions in median plane with respect to said rising angles; and a convolution operation unit for generating said sound image signals from said sound source signal by convolution using said lateral angle control information corresponding to said lateral angle of said selected direction, said front direction head-related impulse response, and said rising angle difference information corresponding to said rising angle of said selected direction.