Real time hand shape recognition for man-machine interfaces

The authors describe a hand shape recognition method for man-machine interfaces using a pipeline image processor. The basic strategy is to use simple but effective real-time dynamical image processing to enhance the reliability of hand shape recognition. Low-level image processing reduces the data required for recognition of a hand shape. An algorithm for a noncontact-type hand shape recognizer has been developed for incorporation into a virtual reality environment. To realize this recognizer, the most important considerations are processing speed, the pointer´s positional accuracy, and command recognition rate. The usefulness of the proposed method is verified through experimental results for these three points