SOFTWARE

REQUIREMENTS
SPECIFICATION
DOCUMENT
FOR

SIGN-TO-TEXT LANGUAGE
CONVERSION

BY:
1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The Sign to Text Conversion system is a software tool that recognizes sign language gestures and converts
them into written text, providing a means of communication for people who use sign language. Its purpose is
to bridge the communication gap between signers and non-signing individuals, improving social integration
and facilitating practical applications in areas such as education, healthcare, and customer service. Overall,
Sign to Text Conversion aims to enhance communication and promote inclusivity, creating a more accessible
and equitable society for all.

1.2 Project Scope

The Sign to Text Conversion project aims to develop a software tool that accurately recognizes sign language
gestures and converts them into written text, with a user-friendly interface and the ability to handle errors
gracefully. The system should be fast, reliable, and compatible with commonly used hardware and operating
systems. Accessibility and security are also important considerations, and the project may involve the use of
third-party libraries and APIs. The overall goal of the project is to create an easy-to-use tool that promotes
inclusivity and improves communication for individuals who use sign language

1.3 Product Perspective

The Sign to Text Conversion system has the potential to create positive social impacts by promoting
inclusivity and improving communication for individuals who use sign language. The development of the
system requires expertise in computer vision, natural language processing, and user interface design. The
system may also have potential economic opportunities for commercialization through sale, integration, or
licensing. Overall, the Sign-to-Text Conversion system can make a significant impact on society by enabling
more effective communication in various settings.

1.4 Product Features

Sign language-to-text conversion involves the transformation of visual signs and gestures used in sign
language into written or spoken language. The following are some features of sign language to text
conversion:

 Gesture Recognition: Sign language-to-text conversion relies heavily on the accurate recognition of
gestures and signs used in sign language. Gesture recognition technology, such as computer vision
and machine learning algorithms, is used to recognize and interpret the meaning of each gesture.

 Translation: Once the gestures are recognized, they need to be translated into a written or spoken
language that can be understood by the target audience. This involves using software or human
translators to convert the signs into text.

 Grammar and Syntax: Sign language has its own grammar and syntax, which may differ from the
grammar and syntax of the target language. Therefore, sign language-to-text conversion requires a
deep understanding of both sign language and the target language's grammar and syntax to ensure
accurate translation.
  Context: Sign language is heavily reliant on context, and the meaning of a sign can change based on
the situation in which it is used. Therefore, sign language-to-text conversion requires an
understanding of the context in which the sign is used to ensure accurate translation.

 Speed: Sign language is generally faster than spoken language, and sign language interpreters can
have difficulty keeping up with the speed of sign language users. Therefore, sign language-to-text
conversion technology needs to be fast and accurate to keep up with the speed of sign language.

 Accuracy: Sign language-to-text conversion needs to be accurate to ensure that the meaning of the
signs is correctly translated into the target language. Any errors in the translation can lead to
misunderstandings and miscommunications.

1.5 Operating Environment

 The system should be compatible with commonly used operating systems such as Windows, macOS,
and Linux.
 The system should have minimal hardware requirements to enable usage on a wide range of devices,
including laptops, desktops, tablets, and smartphones.
 The system should have the ability to work with a variety of input devices, including webcams and
microphones.
 The system should be able to function both online and offline, allowing for flexible usage in different
environments.
 The system should be able to handle different lighting conditions and backgrounds to ensure accurate
recognition of sign language gestures.
 The system should be designed to consume minimal system resources, to ensure smooth
performance on a variety of devices.
 The system should be scalable and able to handle high volumes of requests if used in enterprise or
large-scale environments.
 The system should be designed with security in mind, using encryption and secure storage to protect
user data.

1.6 Design and Implementation Constraints

Describe any items or issues that will limit the options available to the developers. These might include:
corporate or regulatory policies; hardware limitations (timing requirements, memory requirements);
interfaces to other applications; specific technologies, tools, and databases to be used; parallel operations;
language requirements; communications protocols; security considerations; design conventions or
programming standards (for example, if the customer’s organization will be responsible for maintaining the
delivered software).

1.7 Assumptions and Dependencies

Assumptions:

 It is assumed that the system will have access to a wide variety of sign language data and resources
to ensure accurate recognition of sign language gestures.
 It is assumed that the system will be developed using reliable and robust technologies and tools to
ensure its accuracy, performance, and security.
 It is assumed that users will have a basic understanding of how to use a computer or mobile device
and navigate a user interface.
Dependencies:

 The system may depend on third-party libraries or APIs for sign language recognition, natural
language processing, or other functionality.
 The system may depend on external hardware such as webcams or microphones to input sign
language gestures.
 The system may depend on the availability of reliable and fast internet connectivity to function
properly in online mode.
 The system may depend on the availability of compatible operating systems and hardware to
function properly on different devices.
 The system may depend on ongoing maintenance and support to ensure its accuracy, performance,
and security over time.

2. Project Planning and estimation

2.1 Software project planning
Planning and estimation for a sign language-to-text conversion project would require careful consideration of
several factors, including the scope of the project, the technology needed, and the resources required. Here
are some steps that can be followed to plan and estimate such a project:

Define the project scope: Start by defining the scope of the project, including the number of sign languages
to be supported, the complexity of the signs, and the intended audience.

Identify the technology requirements: The next step is to identify the technology required to convert sign
language to text. This might include computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning, and
other related technologies.

Assemble the project team: Based on the identified technology requirements, assemble a team of experts in
the relevant areas to work on the project. This team could include computer vision experts, natural language
processing experts, machine learning engineers, and linguists.

Define project milestones: Next, define the milestones for the project, including the timeline for each
milestone and the deliverables expected at each milestone.

Estimate the resources required: Based on the project scope, technical requirements, and project
milestones, estimate the resources required for the project, including the budget, personnel, and equipment
needed.

Develop a project plan: Using the information gathered from the previous steps, develop a comprehensive
project plan that outlines the project's timeline, milestones, and resource requirements.

Monitor project progress: Finally, monitor the project's progress against the plan and adjust the
plan as needed to ensure that the project stays on track and is completed on time and within budget.
2.2 Project estimation techniques
There are several project estimation techniques that can be used for sign language to text conversion
projects. Here are a few techniques you could consider:

 Expert Opinion: This technique involves seeking opinions from subject matter experts
(SMEs) who have experience in sign language to text conversion projects. They can provide
insights on the complexity of the project, time required, resources needed, and any other
relevant factors.

 Analogous Estimating: This technique involves using data from similar projects that have
been completed in the past as a basis for estimating the current project. This can be
particularly useful if there is a lack of data specific to sign language to text conversion
projects.

 Bottom-Up Estimating: This technique involves breaking down the project into smaller,
more manageable tasks, and estimating the time required for each task. The estimates for
each task are then aggregated to arrive at an overall estimate for the project.

 Three-Point Estimating: This technique involves using three estimates for each task: a
best-case estimate, a worst-case estimate, and a most-likely estimate. These estimates are
then combined using a weighted average to arrive at a final estimate.

 Parametric Estimating: This technique involves using statistical data and mathematical
models to estimate project parameters, such as time and cost. This technique is particularly
useful when there is a significant amount of historical data available.

 It is important to consider the specific requirements of the sign language to text conversion
project when selecting a project estimation technique. You may also want to use multiple
techniques to arrive at a more accurate estimate.

3. External Interface Requirements

3.1 User Interfaces

 Web interface: The system could be accessed through a web-based interface, where users can
input video recordings of sign language gestures, and the system will output the corresponding text.
The interface could include options to adjust settings such as video quality, lighting, and language.

 Mobile application: The system could be accessed through a mobile application, where users
can use their device's camera to record sign language gestures and get instant text output. The
application could also include options to save or share the text output and adjust settings such as
text size and colour.

 Desktop application: The system could be accessed through a desktop application, where users
can input video recordings or use their device's camera to record sign language gestures and get
instant text output. The application could include additional features such as the ability to edit or
correct the text output and save it to a file or share it with others.
3.2 Hardware Interfaces

1. Camera: The system will require a camera or webcam to capture sign language gestures
input from the user. The camera should be of decent quality to ensure clear capture of the
gestures and should be compatible with the user's device (e.g. laptop, mobile device,
wearable device).
2. Microphone: The system may also require a microphone to capture any accompanying
audio input from the user, such as speech or sound effects. The microphone should be of
decent quality to ensure clear capture of the audio input and should be compatible with the
user's device.
3. Display: The system will output text output in a readable format for the user. The display
interface could include various types of screens, such as a computer monitor, mobile device
screen, or wearable device screen. The text should be presented in a clear and easy-to-read
format.
4. Input devices: In addition to the camera and microphone, the system may also require other
input devices such as touch screens, keypads, or buttons for navigating the user interface,
adjusting settings, or correcting the text output.
5. Internet connection: The system may require an internet connection to function in online
mode, where it can access external resources such as cloud-based machine learning models,
natural language processing APIs, or remote servers for storage and processing. The internet
connection should be fast and reliable to ensure smooth usage of the system.

3.3 Software Interfaces

1. Machine learning models: The system may use machine learning models for sign language
recognition and natural language processing. The software interface could include APIs for
accessing pre-trained models, or libraries and frameworks for training and deploying custom
models.
2. Video processing libraries: The system may use video processing libraries to analyze video
input from the user and extract sign language gestures. The software interface could include
APIs for accessing pre-built libraries, or code snippets and tutorials for building custom
libraries.
3. Text processing libraries: The system may use text processing libraries to analyze the
output text and perform tasks such as spell checking, grammar correction, or translation. The
software interface could include APIs for accessing pre-built libraries, or code snippets and
tutorials for building custom libraries.
4. User interface libraries: The system will require user interface libraries to build the
interface for users to input video recordings, adjust settings, and view text output. The
software interface could include APIs for accessing pre-built libraries, or code snippets and
tutorials for building custom libraries.
5. Operating system interfaces: The system may need to interact with the operating system of
the user's device to perform tasks such as file storage, video playback, or device
configuration. The software interface could include APIs for accessing operating system
features, or documentation and examples for building custom interfaces.
4. Nonfunctional Requirements
4.1 Performance Requirements
Accuracy: The accuracy of the conversion from sign language to text is crucial to ensure that the meaning of
the sign language is conveyed correctly.

Speed: The system should be able to convert sign language to text quickly enough to keep up with the
speaker's pace. Any significant delay could cause confusion for the user and affect the overall user
experience.

Scalability: The system should be able to handle a large volume of sign language input and convert it to text
without any performance issues.

Accessibility: The system should be designed to be accessible to people with disabilities. This includes
providing support for different sign language dialects, ensuring the text output is readable and
understandable, and providing alternative input methods for those who cannot use sign language.

Reliability: The system should be reliable, with minimal downtime, and should be able to handle errors and
exceptions gracefully.

Security: The system should be secure, with appropriate measures in place to protect user data and prevent
unauthorized access.

Usability: The system should be easy to use, with a clear and intuitive user interface that is accessible to all
users.

Compatibility: The system should be compatible with a wide range of hardware and software platforms to
ensure that it can be used by a broad range of users.

Maintainability: The system should be designed to be easily maintainable, with clear documentation and
well-structured code that is easy to modify and update.

4.2 Safety Requirements

Data Privacy: The system must ensure that user data is secure and protected from unauthorized
access.

Error Handling: The system should be able to handle errors and exceptions gracefully to avoid
any unexpected behavior that could cause harm to the user.

Accuracy: The system must provide accurate translations from sign language to text, as incorrect
translations can result in confusion and misunderstandings.

Accessibility: The system should be designed to be accessible to users with disabilities,

including those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
 Reliability: The system must be reliable, with minimal downtime and a low probability of
failure.

Usability: The system must be easy to use, with a clear and intuitive user interface that is
accessible to all users.

Compatibility: The system must be compatible with a wide range of hardware and software
platforms to ensure that it can be used by a broad range of users.

Risk Assessment: The system should be designed with an understanding of the potential risks
and hazards associated with its use, and measures should be taken to mitigate those risks.

4.3 Security Requirements

1. User Authentication: The system should have a robust user authentication mechanism to ensure that only
authorized users can access the system.

2. Data Encryption: The system should use encryption to protect user data during transmission and storage.

3. Access Control: The system should have appropriate access controls to restrict access to sensitive data
and functions.

4. Audit Trail: The system should maintain an audit trail of all activities to track any suspicious or
unauthorized behavior.

5. Secure Communication: The system should use secure communication protocols, such as HTTPS, to
ensure that all communication between the user and the system is secure.

6. Secure Storage: The system should store user data in a secure manner, such as encrypted databases, to
prevent unauthorized access.

7. Vulnerability Management: The system should be regularly tested for vulnerabilities and any identified
vulnerabilities should be promptly remediated.

8. Disaster Recovery: The system should have a disaster recovery plan in place to ensure that data can be
recovered in the event of a security breach or other disaster.

4.4 Software Quality Attributes

1. Accuracy: The accuracy of the conversion from sign language to text is crucial to ensure that the meaning
of the sign language is conveyed correctly.

2. Reliability: The system should be reliable, with minimal downtime, and should be able to handle errors
and exceptions gracefully.

3. Efficiency: The system should be designed to be efficient and should not consume excessive resources,
such as memory or processing power.

4. Maintainability: The system should be designed to be easily maintainable, with clear documentation and
well-structured code that is easy to modify and update.
5. Usability: The system should be easy to use, with a clear and intuitive user interface that is accessible to
all users.

6. Scalability: The system should be able to handle a large volume of sign language input and convert it to
text without any performance issues.

7. Portability: The system should be portable and able to run on different hardware and software platforms.

8. Interoperability: The system should be interoperable with other systems and software components,
allowing for easy integration and data exchange.

9. Testability: The system should be designed to be easily testable, with a suite of test cases that cover all
possible scenarios.

5. Functional Requirements
Functional requirements for sign language to text conversion refer to the specific functions and
features that the system must perform to meet its objectives. Here are some functional requirements
for sign language to text conversion:

1. Sign Language Recognition: The system should be able to recognize various sign languages and
accurately convert them to text.

2. Text Output: The system should provide text output in a format that is easy to read and
understand.

3. Real-Time Processing: The system should be capable of processing sign language in real-time,
without any noticeable delay.

4. Multiple Input Modes: The system should be able to accept input from various sources, such as
video, webcam, or motion sensors.

5. Translation Accuracy: The system should accurately translate sign language to text, without any
errors or omissions.

6. Vocabulary Support: The system should support a wide range of vocabulary for different sign
languages to ensure comprehensive translation.

7. Feedback: The system should provide feedback to the user, such as confirming the recognition of a
sign, suggesting alternate signs, or asking for clarification.

8. Error Handling: The system should be able to handle errors and exceptions gracefully, such as in
cases where the user performs a sign incorrectly or where the input quality is poor.