This paper proposes a method for offering information and realizing communication to the deaf-mute. The deaf-mute communicates with another person by means of sign language, but most people are unfamiliar with it. This method enables to convert text data into the corresponding image sequences for Korean sign language (KSL). Using a general 3D shape model of the upper body leads to generating the 3D motions of KSL. It is necessary to construct the general 3D shape model considering the anatomical structure of the human body. To obtain a personal 3D shape model, this general model is to adjust to the personal base images. Image synthesis for KSL consists of deforming a personal 3D shape model and texture-mapping the personal images onto the deformed model. The 3D motions for KSL have the facial expressions and the 3D movements of the head, trunk, arms and hands and are parameterized for easily deforming the model. These motion parameters of the upper body are extracted from a skilled signer's motion for each KSL and are stored to the database. Editing the parameters according to the inputs of text data yields to generate the image sequences of 3D motions.

Date Published: 30 May 1995
PDF: 12 pages
Proc. SPIE 2513, 21st International Congress on: High-Speed Photography and Photonics, (30 May 1995); doi: 10.1117/12.209654

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 2513:
21st International Congress on: High-Speed Photography and Photonics
Ung Kim; Joon-Sung Chang; Seung-Han Park, Editor(s)