There are more than 1 million people in the U.S. who are functionally
deaf, and another 10 million who are hard of hearing, according to a
2005 study. With such an enormous population comes a need for better
methods of translating sign language to
spoken language. The MyVoice prototype is based around a handheld device
with a built-in microphone, speaker, soundboard, video camera, and
screen. The device can be placed on a hard surface, where it reads a
user’s sign language movements. MyVoice processes sign language motions
and can translate them using specific algorithms into an electronic
voice. It can also monitor a person’s voice and translate words into
sign language, which is projected on an LCD display.