[Observation of oral actions using digital image processing system]

A new digital image processing system to observe oral actions is proposed. The system provides analyses of motion pictures along with other physiological signals. The major components are a video tape recorder, a digital image processor, a percept scope, a CCD camera, an A/D converter and a personal computer. Five reference points were marked on the lip and eyeglasses of 9 adult subjects. Lip movements were recorded and analyzed using the system when uttering five vowels and [ka, sa, ta, ha, ra, ma, pa, ba[.

1. Positions of the lip when uttering five vowels were clearly classified. 2. Active articulatory movements of the lip were not recognized when uttering consonants [k, s, t, h, r[. It seemed lip movements were dependent on tongue and mandibular movements. Downward and rearward movements of the upper lip, and upward and forward movements of the lower lip were observed when uttering consonants [m, p, b[.