Due to applications in recent electronic appliances and pervasive devices, Automated Hand Gesture Recognition (HGR) is of particular interest nowadays. HGR developments have come a long way from the traditional Sign Language Recognition (SLR) systems to innovations such as wearable sensor based electronic devices. A large amount of research on HGR is still on the way, both from the industry and academia, that is working towards introducing more practical gesture recognition systems and associated algorithms. This book highlights state-of-the-art practices in the direction of HGR research. It is organized into five coherent heads: HGR introduction, modalities, and challenges, practical hand segmentation schemes capable of working under cluttered backgrounds, gesture recognition schemes targeting different acquisition mechanisms, solutions sticking to different, practiced methodologies, and conclusions from the HGR works witnessed so far and future options. The book is ideal for undergraduates, researchers at all levels, and the developer community as it provides a basis of information about HGR, as well as new and in-depth research in the field.

Due to the rise of new applications in electronic appliances and pervasive devices, automated hand gesture recognition (HGR) has become an area of increasing interest. HGR developments have come a long way from the traditional sign language recognition (SLR) systems to depth and wearable sensor-based electronic devices. Where the former are more laboratory-oriented frameworks, the latter are comparatively realistic and practical systems. Based on various gestural traits, such as hand postures, gesture recognition takes different forms. Consequently, different interpretations can be associated with gestures in various application contexts. A considerable amount of research is still needed to introduce more practical gesture recognition systems and associated algorithms. Challenges and Applications for Hand Gesture Recognition highlights the state-of-the-art practices of HGR research and discusses key areas such as challenges, opportunities, and future directions. Covering a range of topics such as wearable sensors and hand kinematics, this critical reference source is ideal for researchers, academicians, scholars, industry professionals, engineers, instructors, and students.