We wish to build on work done in ODCSSS 2007 on Sign Language Recognition from real-time video. A basic system was developed, which could recognise human hand-shapes from colour video images. This could be used as part of a system to translate Sign Language into English in order to help Deaf people communicate with hearing people. This year we wish to make that system more useful by implementing it on a mobile device. This will allow users to use the system in different environments such as shops, offices, the home etc. This will present problems because of the restricted memory and speed of mobile devices. It will also require novel algorithms to deal with the changing illumination and background, which the device will be required to operate in.
This device clearly falls under the theme of Social Connectedness by helping Deaf people connect with other members of the community.