06-08-2011, 02:57 PM
ABSTRACT
Touch is a fundamental aspect of interpersonal communication. Whether a greeting handshake, an encouraging pat on the back, or a comforting hug, physical contact is a basic means through which people achieve a sense of connection, indicate intention, and express emotion. In close personal relationships, such as family and friends, touch is particularly important as a communicator of affection.
Current interpersonal communication technology, such as telephones, video conferencing systems, and email, provides mechanisms for audio-visual and text-based interaction. Communication through touch, however, has been left largely unexplored . unexplored. In this paper, we describe an approach for applying haptic feedback technology to create a physical page link between people separated by distance. The aim is to enrich current real-time communication by opening a channel for expression through touch.