Interactive animation system for sign language
First Claim
1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method comprising:
- retrieving a first set of elements for a first activity area;
retrieving a second set of elements for a second activity area;
displaying the first activity area;
displaying the second activity area;
displaying a three-dimensional avatar configured to communicate using sign language on the display between the first activity area and the second activity area;
receiving a selection signal indicative of the selection device pointing at a respective element of the first set of elements;
in response to the selection signal, directing the avatar to sign an expression associated with the selected element of the first set of elements.
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Abstract
A method and system for interactive communication in sign language using computer animation. In one aspect, a user interface is provided with a first activity area and a second activity area. A three-dimensional avatar configured to communicate using sign language is displayed between the first activity area and the second activity area. In response to the user selection of a respective one of the activity areas, the avatar is directed to sign an expression associated with the selected activity area. In another aspect, a method of teaching mathematics using sign language is provided. According to another aspect, a method of animating a signed communication is provided. In another aspect, a method of creating an animation of a sign language expression is provided.
91 Citations
21 Claims
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1. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method comprising:
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retrieving a first set of elements for a first activity area;
retrieving a second set of elements for a second activity area;
displaying the first activity area;
displaying the second activity area;
displaying a three-dimensional avatar configured to communicate using sign language on the display between the first activity area and the second activity area;
receiving a selection signal indicative of the selection device pointing at a respective element of the first set of elements;
in response to the selection signal, directing the avatar to sign an expression associated with the selected element of the first set of elements. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. In a computer system having a graphical user interface including a display and a selection device, a method of teaching mathematics using sign language comprising:
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displaying a three-dimensional avatar configured to communicate using sign language on the display;
retrieving a mathematical problem;
displaying the mathematical problem on the display in a textual manner; and
directing the avatar to communicate the mathematical problem using sign language. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of animating a signed communication:
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providing a first animation segment configured to sign a first expression, where a signer in the first animation segment starts in a first position;
providing a second animation segment configured to sign the first expression, where a signer in the second animation segment starts in a second position;
receiving a request to sign the first expression;
determining whether the first expression will be an initial segment in an animation sequence, if the first expression is the initial segment in the animation sequence, retrieving the first animation segment, and if the first expression is not the initial segment in the animation sequence, retrieving the second animation segment. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of animating a signed communication, the method comprising:
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providing a library of sign language expressions, each expression associated a first animation segment, a second animation segment, a third animation segment and a fourth animation segment, where a signer in the first animation segment starts in a first position and ends in the first position, where a signer in the second animation segment starts in a second position and ends in the second position, where a signer in the third animation segment starts in the first position and ends in the second position and a signer in the fourth animation segment starts in the second position and ends in the first position;
receiving a request for a signed communication, the signed communication including an initial expression, an intermediate expression and a final expression;
retrieving the first animation segment for a sign language expression corresponding to the initial expression from the library;
displaying the first animation segment on a display;
retrieving the fourth animation segment for a sign language expression corresponding to the intermediate expression from the library;
displaying the fourth animation segment on the display;
retrieving the second animation segment for a sign language expression corresponding to the final expression from the library; and
displaying the second animation segment on the display.
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21. A method of creating an animation of a sign language expression, the method comprising:
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capturing a first signal from a motion capture suit, the first signal representing a range of motion during a signed expression;
capturing a second signal from a motion capture glove, the second signal representing a range of motion during the signed expression;
converting the first signal and the second signal into an animation sequence in which an avatar communicates the signed expression.
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Specification