Sony Unveils Patent for In-Game Sign Language Translation

Sony is taking significant steps toward enhancing accessibility for deaf gamers with a groundbreaking patent. This patent, titled "TRANSLATION OF SIGN LANGUAGE IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT," showcases a revolutionary technology aimed at translating American Sign Language (ASL) to Japanese Sign Language (JSL) in real-time within video games.

Sony Patents ASL to JSL Translator for Video Games

Proposed to Use VR Devices and Work Over Cloud Gaming

Sony's latest patent introduces a real-time sign language translation system designed to facilitate communication among deaf gamers during in-game interactions. The system would capture and translate sign gestures from one language, convert them into text, and then transform this text into sign gestures of another language for seamless communication.

According to the patent, "Implementations of the present disclosure relate to methods and systems for capturing sign language of one user (e.g., Japanese), and translating the sign language to another user (e.g., English)." Sony highlights the necessity of this technology due to the non-universal nature of sign languages, which vary by geographical origins.

To implement this system, Sony suggests using a VR-type device or head-mounted display (HMD). "In some implementations, the HMD connects via a wired or wireless connection to a user device, such as a personal computer, game console, or other computing device," Sony explains. This setup would allow for an immersive viewing experience within the virtual environment.

Sony also proposes that the system can operate over a network, with user devices communicating with a game server. "In some implementations, the game server executes a shared session of a video game, maintaining the canonical state of the video game and its virtual environment," Sony states, ensuring that all user devices are synchronized.

This setup allows for real-time interaction and sharing of the virtual environment among users. Additionally, Sony mentions that the game server could be integrated into a cloud gaming system, which "renders and streams video" between user devices, further enhancing the gaming experience.

By developing this innovative technology, Sony is not only improving accessibility but also fostering a more inclusive gaming community where deaf players can communicate effectively, regardless of their sign language.