The lights are on
A patent filed by Microsoft reveals new features for its Kinect motion-sensing peripheral, including the ability to detect American Sign Language.
The patent is from last year, and claims the device can not only interpret ASL into phrases that could be recognized and then turned into voice chat on the other end, for example, but that it can read lips and other fine body articulations. So far in the demos we've had, however, Kinect doesn't always live up to its promises of 1:1 fidelity. In other words – be careful if Kinect is trying to read your lips when you say "six" in German.
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Even if Kinect could see you say "six" in German, I'm sure it wouldn't suddenly produce "six" on your screen because you asked for it.
Why didn't they show this at E3 then? It would probably help their show.
It would be cool if it could teach sign language
Great news. Kinect could be used to teach sign language to deaf individuals and allow ASL users to communicate with non-deaf individuals over the web.
I don't expect Kinect to recognize asl with perfect fidelity from launch. I think the functionality will progress as Kinect is improved.
Now this is a nice use for Kinect that neither Wii nor Move can do. Being able to learn sign language or to communicate with someone through sign language, or with someone using sign language, is a really cool feature. Sounds like Microsoft is looking to "Kinect" people in a new way. Yeah, I'm giving myself a pat on the back for that genius pun.
As for why they didn't show this feature at E3, I'm guessing that it simply doesn't work as well as they'd like yet. Maybe next E3.
I might be interested to learn sign language if Microsoft uses Kinect for some easy way to learn.
This is pretty interesting but odd at the same time.
hahahah this article amused me mainly cause im german. although its cool that kinect can interpret ASL the xbox could do that before with a simple controller so i dont see this as an asset for kinect.
Awesome, hopefully as the months go by that it will be able to more accurately recognize it.
Could be very very useful for companies like Mayo Clinic or other hospitals, medical centers.
Not surprising at all
Only time will tell if it works or not. Microsoft can take the patent out for it even if it's not able to do it yet. But now they've got their bases covered and can try to sue anyone they think is getting to close to their product.
For a generally cheap piece of consumer electronics, that's an impressive "oh and it can do this" feature... but of course, it's hip to hate Kinect so... ZOMG NO ONE CARES SO DUMB LULZ
can it tell im flipping it off?
I'd like to think Microsoft could have made some awesome games to take advantage of this... as I don't know of any ASL incorporating games. However, they can make handfuls of blatant Wii ripoffs.
Like my blog said, I believe Kinect is the more innovative piece of tech, I just don't believe Microsoft will utilize it well for gaming.
That's the only thing cool about kinect
SWEET!!! So now I can tell people off by using one finger 'gestures' and it will be translated. Wonder how it will interpret the classic but never tacky 'air hump'?
That's kind of cool
Does it understand the middle finger?