Designing Touch Based Communication Devices

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Designing Touch Based Communication Devices

• The iterative design process

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The steps so far
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Iterative design

• Every week, ask a new question.
• Find the answer, or report the progress every
  week.
• Iteration of Form Factor Studies
• http//www.media.mit.edu/anjchang/COMTOUCH

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Goal
Create common sensory experiences to increase
understanding ?increase communication

• Cross-couple the senses
• Modalities touch, taste, audition, vision
• Comtouch uses Touch to Audio

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Existing technology
voice
Audio signal
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Addition of sensory modality
Touch pressure
Vibration signal
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Cross coupling modalities
Touch pressure
voice
Vibration signal
Audio signal
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Discussion

• The technology
• Sensors and actuators
• Select transducers that cross modalities
• Communication protocol
• Who speaks, when?
• Language of touch
• Defined or analogous to current language