[IP] Automated Translation to Sign Language using Avatar

[David Farber <dave@farber.net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Paul Davey <ip@pdc.co.uk>
Date: September 16, 2007 5:29:53 AM EDT
To: dave@farber.net
Subject: Automated Translation to Sign Language using Avatar

This may be of interest for IP.

IBM sponsored students have created a Automated Translation to Sign  
Language using an Avatar to display British Sign Language. But with  
another generic signing module language already added it is designed  
for easy extensibility - to ASL for example.

We see a lot more rapid repeats these days (often out of core hours)  
on British TV of programmes with signing added as a part of the  
regular picture.

Of course even now you could transmit an additional sub-channel with  
video based signing (like Closed Caption or Digital Teletext) on a  
broadcast signal - and use interactive MHEG5/Red Button features to  
display on demand.

But that optional image still needs some extra effort to transmit it,  
but perhaps we might even see this type of technology added to a TV  
or DVD playback devices as an option for displaying existing textual  
subtitles or voice sound tracks.

I can't see it being that hard to add to existing software playback  
options (if the processing power permits).

Details and summary:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/6993326.stm

  Technology that translates spoken or written words into British  
Sign Language (BSL) has been developed by researchers at IBM.

  The system, called SiSi (Say It Sign It) was created by a group of  
students in the UK.

  SiSi will enable deaf people to have simultaneous sign language  
interpretations of meetings and presentations.

  It uses speech recognition to animate a digital character or avatar.



        Paul Davey <paul@pdc.co.uk>

        The revolution will not be televised - the revolution is  
online.





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