The deaf, who communicate through cell phones SMS messages will now be able to communicate in their native languages. This has been made possible by a group of engineers, who have developed a new software that has made two way video communication possible.

Prof. Eve Riskin, University of Washington, who happens to be a professor of electrical engineering feels that this would be prove to be a great advantage as one could now communicate effectively in one’s own language.

Jessica DeWitt, an undergraduate in psychology, University of Washington ,who is deaf, is of the view that video was better way of communicating messages than text-messaging. Most of her communication is in the form of facial expressions, which are transmitted over the video phones. Transmission rates of low levels on cellular networks combined with the limited power of processing on mobile devices have resulted in the prevention of real-time video transmission with sufficient frames per second that it would be able to transmit language in sign form.

The team member have tried different methods to make avail of comprehensible sign language on low-resolution video. They observed that the most important aspect of the image to be transmitted in a high resolution is the face. Most people look at the face, while signing.

The team has developed a scheme to transmit the individual’s hands and face in a high resolution. They had the background in a low resolution. Presently, they are working on an aspect that identifies itself with people who are moving their hands, processing power when a person is not signing and reducing battery consumption. The team members are presently using phones that have been imported from Europe. These phones were found to be suitable to the software. They have a video screen and a camera that are located on the same side of the phone. This enables people to film themselves, while watching the screen.

The mobile video sign language will be made available only when it is marketed through a commercial cell-phone manufacturer.

Source: TOI August 26th 2008