Augmented sound-image enhancement using pre-virtual-leading hypersonic signals

Recently, highly realistic sound-image control methods have been proposed. Some utilize binaural effects to control sound-image localization. The precedence effect, which is one of the binaural effects, allows listeners to perceive and enhance a sound-image toward the first-arriving sound. Moreover, the hypersonic effect and vibrotactile suggest that ultrasound influences the perception of audible sounds. Considering the potential of ultrasound in controlling sound-image localization, we propose an augmented sound-image enhancement method using ultrasound, named pre-virtual-leading hypersonic signals. In this method, a sound-image is constructed using audible sounds, while the hypersonic signals augment directional perception without affecting the content of the audible sounds.