FIG. 5 is an example process for haptic communication, in accordance with an embodiment. The social networking system 228 detects 500 an action invoking haptic communication. For example, the social networking system 228 may receive sensor signals 207 from haptic sensor 104 detecting haptic input from a body 212 of a sending user. The haptic sensor 104 generate the sensor signals 207 corresponding to the received sensor input 204. Alternatively or in addition, the social networking system 228 may receive messages from input devices 296 such as the keyboard.
The processor circuit 232 applies 504 a transfer function to the received sensor signals 207 or other input to generate haptic illusion signals 202. The social networking system 228 transmits 508 the generated haptic illusion signals 202 to cutaneous actuators 208. The cutaneous actuators 208 receive the transmitted haptic illusion signals 202 and transmit haptic outputs 276 corresponding to the received haptic illusion signals 202 to a body 280 of a receiving user.
Example Process for Converting Speech to Haptic Communication