The parameter extractor 1842 may extract parameters 1852 related to social touch, such as forces, vibrations, or motions. The parameters 1852 may be represented in dimensions of pressure, temperature, texture, sheer stress, time, and space or a subset thereof. These parameters 1852 (e.g., pressure) may be used by the haptic communication device 1820 to generate haptic vibrations 1824 using the parameters 1852. For example, the parameters 1852 may be translated into a duration time, frequency, or amplitude of the haptic vibrations 1824.
In one embodiment, the parameter extractor 1842 may determine, from the sensor signals 1806, which of the cutaneous actuators 1822 should be turned ON (i.e., activated) or OFF at different times to create different haptic illusions or convey different messages to the body 1826 of the user, as described and illustrated above with respect to