Automated System for interpreting Non-verbal Communication in Video Conferencing

Abstract

Gesture is a form of non-verbal, action-based communication made with a part of the body and used instead of and/or in combination with verbal communication. People frequently use gestures for more effective inter-personal communication; out of which nearly 55% come from the facial expressions alone. Facial gestures often reveal when people are trying to conceal emotions such as fear, contempt, disgust, surprise, or even unspoken political tensions. Video conferencing captures such facial signals which can be directly processed by suitable image processing system. Facial gestures are more pronounced via eyes and lip region of human face and hence they form the regions of interest (ROI) while processing the video signal. Some of these concepts are used to develop a system which can identify specific human gestures and use their interpretation towards business decision support.