Introduction

Handy Signs is a visual communications protocol using hand signals. The hand signals are static and designed to transmit efficiently over video making it useful for video conferencing. Handy signs can also be utilised for group meetings, presentations, and speeches.

Purpose

Being efficient in video conference call setup

Improving audio quality over video conferencing

Gathering group consensus

Ability to signal about necessary adjustments for the video conference (eg: disruptive background noise that needs to be muted) without stopping the flow of the meeting.

Usage

The transmitting node holds the signal in view of the receiving node. In the case of video conferencing, ensure the signal is in view of the camera. The signal is held by the sending node until acknowledged by the receiving node.

Signals

What is my audio quality?

Usage

Determine how audio is being received by the other nodes.

Gesture

Back of hand facing camera.

Fingers spread.

Signal audio quality.

Your audio quality is (0-5).

Usage

Rate received audio quality on scale from zero (nothing heard) to five (loud and clear).

Gesture

0 - fist with palm facing camera.

1 - one finger raised from fist palm facing camera.

…

5 - fingers spread with palm facing camera.

I am not receiving you

Usage

Communicate no audio being received from another node.

Gesture

Make fist

Palm facing camera (same signal as your audio quality is 0).

Mute your mic

Usage

Ask node to mute their mic.

Gesture

Make fist

Back of hand facing camera

Can you hear me?

Usage

Determine if other nodes are receiving audio.

Gesture

Cupped hand

Thumb close to ear

Palm facing camera

Response

Yes or No hand signal.

Yes / Approve

Usage

Communicate affirmative or approval to other nodes.

Gesture

Make fist

Thumb pointing up

No / Disapprove

Usage

Communicate negative or disapproval to other nodes.

Gesture

Make fist

Thumb pointing down

Resend

Usage

Request node re transmit recently send packets.

Gesture

Cupped hand into a circle

Pinky finger facing camera

All fingers together

Thumb touching index finger to make circle

Response

Node will retransmit previous packets.

Adjust your video framing

Usage

Request node adjust video framing.

Gesture

Pistol grip

Index finger and thumb extended at right angles

Video off

Usage

Sending or receiving nodes change to audio only mode.

Gesture

Hand with fingers spread in between eyes and camera

Palm facing forward

Response

Node shuts of video

And/Or you shut your video off

Audio continues

There is background noise

Usage

Node is receiving background noise.

Gesture

Fingers in the shape of a claw

Fingertips toward and near ear

Blade of hand towards camera

Response

Node will stop background noise

Node will mute mic

Reestablish call

Usage

Node needs to reestablish call because of bad connection.

Gesture

Arm diagonal across camera frame

Hand pointing up and to the left

Response

Node will disconnect call and reestablish the call.