Prototype of an emotional chat system using sense of touch

We have developed a prototype of a chat system using the sense of touch. Depending on the power of grasping a mouse, two kinds of face marks ((^{∧ ∧}), (> <)) are inputted to the chat window. We applied this prototype to a kind of electronic conferencing system, named a remote seminar support system. From the results of experiments, we find that the system is effective for transmitting tension to participants. We think this approach can be applied to various types of communication, for example, interactive TV with the excitement level of the audience.