What is VSigns?
VSigns generates VRML animation sequences from Sign Language notation, based on MPEG-4 Body Animation.
Sign Language notation, in the well-known SignWriting system, is provided as input and is initially converted to SWML (SignWriting Markup Language), an XML-based format which has recently been developed for the storage, indexing and processing of SignWriting notation.
Each sign box (basic sign) is then converted to a sequence of Body Animation Parameters (BAPs) of the MPEG-4 standard, corresponding to the represented gesture. These sequences, which can also be coded and/or reproduced by MPEG-4 BAP players, are then used to animate HANIM compliant VRML avatars, reproducing the exact gestures represented in sign language notation.
The HANIM models used in VSigns are (c) Christian Babski (LIG/EPFL)