Nobuko Kato

An ALife approach to modeling virtual cities

This paper proposes a novel method that enables automatic modeling of virtual cities. The method makes use of L-systems to generate road networks and the genetic algorithm (GA) to generate building layouts. The road networks are composed of two types of roads-linear flow systems which are generated by using the Tree L-system and cellular networks which are generated by using the Map L-system. A generation procedure for road networks and building layouts is described. Some experimental results of generated road networks and virtual cities are also shown.

Visual communication with dual video transmissions for remote sign language interpretation services

In this paper, we discuss the number of images and their contents required for a good remote sign language interpretation service. Our approach uses dual-video transmission which gives interpreters full view of the remote place. For example, the interpreter can see the face of a hearing speaker giving a presentation and the faces of the deaf audience at the same time. Evaluation experiments were conducted for two kinds of scenes, a conversation scene and a lecture scene. The experimental system of remote sign language interpretation service and subjective evaluations are described. A questionnaire survey has shown dual-video transmission to be highly practical for remote sign language interpretation services.

The User Interface Design for the Sign Language Translator in a Remote Sign Language Interpretation System

In recent years, broadband networks have spread quickly and sufficient communication bandwidth for sign language video communication is now available. Because of this, remote sign language interpretation carried out in real time through networks, from distant locations, is being realized in Japan.

Understanding emotion through drawings comparison between hearing-impaired people and people with normal hearing abilities

With the purpose of building a performance assistant system with visual cues for hearing-impaired people and people with normal hearing abilities to play music together, we need to better understand how hearing-impaired people express and understand music with visual assistance. We have conducted a series of experiments to determine how hearing-impaired people understand an emotion in a drum performance from its intended emotion. These experiments showed that communication based on emotion through musical performance is possible. Therefore we need to know the practical applications for a visual interface. In this paper, we describe an experiment that determines how hearing-impaired people understand an emotion in small simple drawings from its intended emotion. The results suggest that there are similarities in recognizing emotions between hearing-impaired people and people with normal hearing abilities.

Modeling virtual cities based on interaction between cells

A novel method is described for automatically modeling virtual cities that change over time. Cellular automata are used to lay out the buildings, and a genetic algorithm is used to produce the time series of changes. The cellular automata are given one of several states: vacant, four kinds of buildings and two kinds of roads. The sequence of applied rules needed to generate the series of changes is determined using a genetic algorithm.

Development of Web-Based Remote Speech-to-Text Interpretation System captiOnline

1. はじめに ISeeeプロジェクト[1]では,「オープンな,誰もが誰かの 助けになる情報保障」のコンセプトを掲げ,情報保障技術 にクラウドソーシング技術を応用し,健常者も障害者も関 係なく,各人の得意なことを活かして,支援し合う環境の 構築を目指している. 著者らは,この技術の適用の場として,2020年の東京オ リンピック,パラリンピックの競技会場を想定している. 多様な特性を持つ人たちが集まる中で,支援を必要として いる人と支援が可能な人とが,ともに楽しめる場の創造が 可能となる.すなわち,不特定多数が支援者(ワーカー) として情報保障を担当することによって,互いに助け合い, 楽しめる場を創造する. 実際に,クラウドソーシングを活用して,複数の非熟練 者で文字化を行う方法も提案されている[2].たとえば,張 ら[3],および白石ら[4]の研究では,情報源(手話)をタス クの単位に分割したクラウドソーシングによる通訳システ ムの実現可能性を提示している.こういった技術は日本語 の手話化や,手話の日本語化だけでなく,書記日本語の音 声化,多国語の通訳にも利用が期待される. 先行研究[5]では,文献調査と障害者スポーツ競技団体へ のアンケート調査を通して,スポーツ実況のクラウドソー

Visualization Support of Remote Sign Language Interpreting System on Lecture

Recently it has become possible for persons with hearing impairments in remote locations to communicate via sign language using video phones and videoconferencing systems. Video interpreting makes use of videoconferencing technology to allow remote sign language interpreting services to occur without an interpreter on site. In this paper, we describe our experimental system for the remote sign language interpreting services of lecture. And we discuss that a sign language interpreter, in a remote sign language interpreting services, can realize more effective interpretation by visualization support in lecture.