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Mobile Video Conferencing – Sign Language Technology

August 19, 2010 by
Filed under: Mobile Technology, Sign Language, Translation 

Researchers at the University of Washington (UW) in the US are testing technology that could allow people with hearing difficulties to communicate using sign language over compressed video calls on their mobile phones.

While video conferencing is offered by several current smartphones, such as the iPhone 4 through the Facetime function, the bandwidth and data required makes it very much a premium feature, with several US mobile networks having already barred video conferencing from all but the priciest tariffs.

However, scientists at the university have developed MobileASL, a tool which compresses American Sign Language video messages sufficiently to be sent over standard 3G networks while still maintaining optimized video clarity around the face and hands. According to the researchers, the overall data rate has been reduced to 30Kbps without the clarity of the sign language having been compromised.

Sign Language

In addition to the compression technology, MobileASL is also able to detect when either party is actively signing, switching off the battery-heavy broadcast mode when not being used. While the study’s primary aim is to test the technology’s practical value to the deaf and hard of hearing communities, the scientists behind it haven’t ruled out other applications, particularly given the technology’s ability to make video calling technology a possibility on slower networks or devices.

It is refreshing to know that affordable, reliable medium of connecting sign language speakers is on the way. This will enable to conduct over the phone interpretations more freely without using costly ASL systems and not being locked into one geographical area.

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