We propose to develop an authoring tool and run-time environment for learning modules based on reusable 3D components. For Phase I, we will define and develop a proof-of-concept authoring tool and run-time environment using VRML and Java. We will definea concept and interface standards for… More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop software tools allowing educators, interpreters, and linguists skilled in American Sign Language (ASL), but not skilled in computer 3-D animation, to create fully grammatical synthesized ASL to provide access for Deaf and Hard of… More

For this Phase II SBIR project, we will create a full prototype of a SCORM-conformant Authoring Tool Suite that implements the Framework demonstrated as part of Phase I. This Authoring Tool Suite will integrate the Component Aggregation, Animation , andScripting elements into a unified, cohesive… More

For this Phase II SBIR project, we will create a full prototype of a SCORM-conformant Authoring Tool Suite that implements the Framework demonstrated as part of Phase I. This Authoring Tool Suite will integrate the Component Aggregation, Animation , andScripting elements into a unified, cohesive… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a fully functioning prototype software tool that will allow educators, interpreters, and linguists skilled in American Sign Language (ASL), but not in computer 3-D animation, to create fully grammatical synthesized ASL. … More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop a fully functioning prototype software tool that will allow educators, interpreters, and linguists skilled in American Sign Language (ASL), but not in computer 3-D animation, to create fully grammatical synthesized ASL. … More

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop a proof-of-concept, multi-modal Universal Access Web Interface that provides the user with a choice between text, speech, and animated American Sign Language (ASL). A representative knowledgebase, encoded using Extensible Markup… More

Human control and interaction with synthetic agents and environments has tremendous potential application in intelligent tutoring, performance analysis, human factors analysis, and distributed training. To date, this application has been limited by the cost of creating and maintaining simulations.… More

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Miscommunication is a risk in virtually all conversations. When two people converse using different languages, miscommunication is nearly certain. And when the topic of discussion is personal medical information, the results could be tragic. The aim of this Phase… More

This Small Busees Innovation Research Phase II Project proposes to develop an Accessibility Markup Language (AML) that annotates digital representations of English text with linguistic information needed for proper translation into other modalities, as required by persons with physical or cognitive… More

Development of a fully functional Multimedia Literacy Software (MLSW) progam to address the needs of deaf/hard of hearing and other students and identify best uses of the MLSW in instruction of reading skills

In order to increase the accessibility to courses in Foreign Languages and cultures, organizations such as the Defense Language Institute (DLI) are developing distributed learning courses that include responsive, multi-cultural avatars. Currently, training simulations employing these avatars must… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop assistive technology software that provides an accessible input interface for people who are Deaf. Many Deaf individuals have difficulty with reading and writing English text. Although text is within the visual… More

Development of a fully functional Multimedia Literacy Software (MLSW) progam to address the needs of deaf/hard of hearing and other students and identify best uses of the MLSW in instruction of reading skills

For this Phase II SBIR Project, Vcom3D will develop and demonstrate a modular architecture for avatars whose behavior can be easily modified to model different cultures and contexts. Our approach will be to separate the "meaning and intent" of character interactions from the culturally-specific… More

For this Phase I SBIR project, we will develop a design baseline for authoring tools and a run-time environment for creating and delivering vignettes for cross-cultural and foreign language training. As part of these training vignettes, the learner will be able to interact with role-playing virtual… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a proof-of-concept Web-delivered Virtual Reality (VR) simulation that incorporates lifelike virtual tutors capable of manipulating simulated objects and communicating in written or spoken English or sign language into TERC's… More

For this Phase I SBIR project, we will identify promising, task-based instructional strategies for teaching foreign languages and cultures using authentic, interactive training vignettes. Using a standards-based framework for authoring and delivery, we will create proof-of-concept vignettes that… More

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project will develop proof-of-concept, Web- or CD-delivered Virtual Reality (VR) simulations that incorporate lifelike virtual tutors, capable of demonstrating and performing science experiments and communicating in written or spoken English or… More

The project is developing and evaluating a proof-of concept American Sign Language and Signed English dictionary for held hand computer and media player devices. The dictionary includes signed animations of English terms that can be difficult for learners who are deaf to master including: idioms,… More

This project creates and evaluates a mobile version of a Signing Science Dictionary with at least 1300 scientific terms.

For this Phase I SBIR project, we will identify key aspects of culturally-influenced behaviors that can impact a soldier's or junior leader's ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with local populations and coalition forces during the conduct of peacekeeping and humanitarian missions. … More

This project creates and evaluates a mobile version of a Signing Science Dictionary with at least 1300 scientific terms.

This Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I research project develops a system for creating animated stories and related instructional material in American Sign Language (ASL), with the goal of significantly improving Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (HH) K-12 student's opportunities to learn from… More

This project develops and evaluates a prototype signing Science Pictionary (SSP) for bothpersonal computer and handheld applications. The mobile version of the dictionary provides mobilityand independence that leads to opportunity-based learning in classrooms, on field trips, or whilereading a book… More

For this Phase II SBIR project, Vcom3D will develop a distributed interactive simulation in which Soldiers can practice interactions with a local populace with different culture and language. This simulation will immerse Soldiers, live role-players, and computer-generated characters into… More

This project develops software for hand held devices for use in elementary and secondarygrades. During Phase I of this project, Vcom3D developed and tested a prototype Mobile LanguageReference for students in the middle grades that included American Sign Language and Signed Englishdefinitions… More

Deaf and hard-of-hearing students lag behind their hearing counterparts not only in reading and writing, but in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.  In previous collaborations, Vcom3D and TERC have developed PC-based and Mobile Signing Science Dictionaries for… More

In a previous collaboration, TERC and Vcom3D developed an illustrated PC-based Signing Science Dictionary (SSD) for students in Grades 4-8. Research findings show that the SSD helps build a communication bridge to promote teaming and communication of scientific ideas.  However, at the end of… More

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II research project will develop a new authoring tool that will allow persons proficient in American Sign Language (ASL) to create animated stories and instructional material in ASL. The goals of this authoring tool are: 1) to support the creation… More

This project develops and evaluates a Mobile Signing Earth Science Dictionary that provides animated American Sign Language and Signed English definitions for Apple’s newest touch tablet, iPad, and the existing and known technology of the iPod Touch. Using the mobile dictionary, Deaf and… More

For this SBIR project, Vcom3D and our partners at Soar Technology propose to develop a toolkit for rapidly creating Serious Games that train tactical application of cultural knowledge in authentic, experiential environments. This toolkit will extend the two Company's platform independent… More

For this SBIR project, Vcom3D proposes to develop a mobile app that provides both training and a performance aid for interacting with a foreign culture. The app will provide experiential learning in the form of immersion into a 3D interactive scenario, in which the user can observe, meet, build a… More

Building on previous collaborations, Vcom3D and TERC develop and evaluate a Mobile Signing Math Pictionary (MSMP) that provides American Sign Language and Signed English definitions with human voice narration/lip-sync technology for Apple’s iPod Touch/iPad. Deaf and hard of hearing students lag… More

This product develops and evaluates a proof-of-concept, mobile speech-to-sign translator that integrates continuous speech recognition software with natural language processing and Vcom3D’s Signing Avatar animated American Sign Language technology. This speech-to-sign the application is designed… More

For this Phase I SBIR, Vcom3D will design a Web-based medical game for the development of the cognitive skills required to provide highest quality of care from far-forward locations through evacuation to level 1 trauma facilities. The training will empha

This product develops and evaluates a proof-of-concept, mobile speech-to-sign translator that integrates continuous speech recognition software with natural language processing and Vcom3D’s Signing Avatar animated American Sign Language technology. This speech-to-sign the application is designed… More

Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing (Deaf/hh) persons rely heavily on facial movements for communication, whether in American Sign Language (ASL), Signed English (SE), or Spoken English. In ASL, signers add “mouth morphemes”, similar to speech movements, to signs to distinguish concepts that use the same… More

For this Phase II SBIR project, Vcom3D, with Soar Technology as subcontractor, proposes to develop a toolkit for rapidly creating Serious Games that train tactical application of cultural knowledge in authentic, experiential environments. This toolkit will extend the two companies"platform… More