CoUnSiL: A video conferencing environment for interpretation of sign language in higher education

Vít Rusnák, Pavel Troubil, Desana Daxnerová, Pavel Kajaba, Matej Minárik, Svatoslav Ondra, Tomás Sklenák, Eva Hladká

Abstract: Collaborative Universe for Sign Language (CoUnSiL) is a video conferencing environment for remote interpreting of sign language designed for use in higher education courses. The work is motivated by the lack of qualified interpreters capable of interpreting highly specialized courses at universities. Our ambition is to have a system that enables interpreting remotely to the same extent as on-site. Such as system allows us to utilize the free capacity of external interpreters who are not available physically in the location of a lecture which requires interpreting. The CoUnSiL environment ensures low latency and sustainable frame rate of multiple video and audio streams for up to 10 participants. In this paper, we describe the design requirements, present the backend technologies as well as the client-server architecture of the CoUnSiL environment. Further, we report on user evaluation sessions and their outcomes that influenced its final version.