Database Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1: Channels of expression
Vocal Channel
(single speaker)
Graphic Channel
(reduced visual channel)
Motion Channel
(wide visual channel)
Two dimensions
Two dimensions
Four dimensions
Components appear in sequence
Components appear in parallel Components appear in
parallel
Expression disappears
Expression preserved
Expression disappears
Building blocks = phonemes
Building blocks = script
Building blocks = ?
which expression is represented by patterns outlined in space by various moving parts of
the body.
The motion channel, like the graphic one, is also a visual channel. But, while the graphic
channel is expressed in
two
dimensions, the motion channel is characterized by
four
: three
space dimensions and a time dimension. Moreover, while in the graphic channel features
components appear in sequence and an expression can be saved for further processing, in the
motion channel components appear in parallel and the expression disappears immediately
after communication. Table 1 summarizes the characteristics of the channels.
General building blocks like phonemes, in the vocal channel, or alphabetic signs in
the graphic channel, have few parallels in the motion channel. Exceptions are ad-hoc sign
systems, such as sign languages for the deaf, some movement notations, robot programming
languages and graphic simulation languages.
We aim to model the motion channel by defi ning a fi nite set of building blocks to
represent the motion space. These building blocks and movement patterns will, we hope, be
the basis of a motion language that will lead to computerized “understanding” and analysis
of motion texts such as sign languages for the deaf or musical conducting signs. It may
also give rise to a natural and convenient dialog on the use of robots and computer graphic
animation applications.
The chapter has the following parts. The chapter outlines the problem and surveys
other attempts at defi ning a motion language. Then, it defi nes the binary-based model and
building blocks of motion. A motion database is also discussed. The next section provides
a comparison of storage parameters of our model as compared to Life Forms, a key frames
animation system. The chapter goes on to outline the prospects and possibilities of a mo-
tion language. The fi nal section gives the conclusions and direction for further study of this
rich area of enterprise.
THE PROBLEM
To achieve the purpose of this research of representing raw motion data, we identify
and formally defi ne the basic building blocks of motion. These must meet the following
criteria:
Refi nement, generality and modularity — to enable accurate and fl exible expression
of the motion channel,
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