Automatic production system of sign language CG animation for meteorological information

Abstract

NHK has developed a system for computer generation of Japanese Sign Language (JSL) graphics for meteorological information. As JSL is a different language from Japanese, persons whose first language is JSL have been demanding more TV programmes with sign language in addition to the closed caption services. The JSL CG system automatically generates animations from the telegrams distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency so that the user can immediately see the latest meteorological information on the Internet. In addition, we are now working on development to adapt the system to the NHK Hybridcast, which is the integrated broadcast and broadband system in Japan. A major issue for the CG animations to be accepted by persons who use JSL for their daily communication is that the automatically generated hand movements of the animated characters connecting the sign language words may seem unnatural. Therefore we have developed a new method for connecting and interpolating between sign language word motions.