Game Development Reference
In-Depth Information
Figure 8. TESSA, the TExt and Sign
Support Assistant.
Figure 9. Signs being motion
captured.
transactions and entertainment, learning and leisure opportunities, including
broadcast and interactive television, e-commerce and the World Wide Web.
The movements of the virtual human are “copies” of those of a native sign
language user. Software specially developed for the project captures the
signer's hand, mouth and body movements using a variety of electronic sensors
(Figures 8 and 9). These movements are then stored and used to animate the
avatar when required.
VISICAST Technical Approach
Individual components of shape and movement may be acquired live (motion
capture of human signers) or constructed in 3D graphic space using physical
modeling tools (Figure 10). Tools based on each system will be developed in
parallel, evaluated, and deployed as appropriate. For use with the direct
recording of signed sequences, the project will develop a refined suite of
advanced Motion Capture Tools, forming a single, coherent, capture, recording
and replay system, using robust techniques and equipment capable for use in TV
studios and other industrial, non-laboratory settings.
An Internet browser plug-in has been developed, which allows viewing of text
as signs. A version is provided free of charge to deaf users. Authoring tools have
also developed to allow deaf people to construct their own deaf-signed web sites.
The applications of the virtual human signing system are going to be used in face-
to-face transactions, such as post offices, health centers and hospitals, advice
services, and shops. Currently, the scenario for these transactions in VISICAST
is a post-office. The system allows the counter clerk serving the deaf customer
to speak into a microphone and have his or her speech translated into on-screen
virtual human signing. To improve the efficiency of the transactional system, it
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