Real-Time Control of a Remote Virtual Tutor Using Minimal Pen-Gestures

We present a distance tutoring system that allows a tutor to provide instruction via an animated avatar. The system captures pen-gestures of real tutor, generates 3D behaviors automatically, and animates a virtual tutor on the remote side in near real-time. The uniqueness of the system comes from the pen-gesture interface. We have done a study to test this interface. The system can effectively recognize and animate different types of gestures. Gesturing on the tablet and gesturing on the board were then compared. The results show that users can easily adopt to tablet, and pen-gesture on the tablet naturally. They were able to use pen-tablet interface effectively after a short instructional period.