Plush toy with non-rigid sensor for detecting deformation
First Claim
1. A plush toy having electronics therein for interacting with a user, the plush toy comprising:
- a body portion having a soft fabric exterior and plush stuffing therein; and
electrical components positioned in the body portion, the electrical components including a battery, a microprocessor, a hug sensor, and a plurality of wires electrically coupling the battery, microprocessor and hug sensor together to form an electric circuit, wherein the hug sensor has first and second layers of an electrically conductive and compressible material spaced apart by an intermediate layer of a non-conductive and compressible material positioned between the first and second layers of material, wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more apertures there through, wherein the hug sensor is movable from a rest, non-compressed position where the first and second layers are spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the one or more apertures towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, where at least a portion of the first layer abuts a portion of the second layer in at least one of the one or more apertures, wherein the hug sensor creates an open circuit when the hug sensor is in the rest position, wherein the hug sensor creates a closed circuit when the hug sensor is in a compressed position, wherein the hug sensor has a resistance there across, and wherein the resistance is variable based at least in part on an amount of contact between the first and second layers, and wherein the resistance corresponds to changes in voltage across the circuit.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A plush toy having electronics therein for interacting with a user includes a non-rigid electrical component for detecting deformation thereof. The component includes a first layer of a compressible material with at least one aperture therethrough. Second and third layers of an electrically conductive material are positioned on opposite sides of the first layer across the aperture. The second and third layers of material may be brought into contact with each other in the aperture of the first layer to complete an electrical connection between the second and third layers by compression of the first layer upon application of a compression force. When the compression force is removed, the first material expands to separate the second and third layers, thereby breaking the electrical connection. Upon detection of deformation of the electrical component, the electronics activate a response by the toy, such as an audio response.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A plush toy having electronics therein for interacting with a user, the plush toy comprising:
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a body portion having a soft fabric exterior and plush stuffing therein; and electrical components positioned in the body portion, the electrical components including a battery, a microprocessor, a hug sensor, and a plurality of wires electrically coupling the battery, microprocessor and hug sensor together to form an electric circuit, wherein the hug sensor has first and second layers of an electrically conductive and compressible material spaced apart by an intermediate layer of a non-conductive and compressible material positioned between the first and second layers of material, wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more apertures there through, wherein the hug sensor is movable from a rest, non-compressed position where the first and second layers are spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the one or more apertures towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, where at least a portion of the first layer abuts a portion of the second layer in at least one of the one or more apertures, wherein the hug sensor creates an open circuit when the hug sensor is in the rest position, wherein the hug sensor creates a closed circuit when the hug sensor is in a compressed position, wherein the hug sensor has a resistance there across, and wherein the resistance is variable based at least in part on an amount of contact between the first and second layers, and wherein the resistance corresponds to changes in voltage across the circuit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A plush toy having electronics therein for interacting with a user, the plush toy comprising:
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a body portion having a soft fabric exterior and plush stuffing therein; and electrical components positioned in the body portion, the electrical components including a battery, a microprocessor, a hug sensor, and a plurality of wires electrically coupling the battery, microprocessor and hug sensor together to form an electric circuit, wherein the hug sensor has first and second layers of an electrically conductive and compressible material spaced apart by an intermediate layer of a non-conductive and compressible material positioned between the first and second layers of material, wherein the intermediate layer includes one or more apertures there through, wherein the hug sensor is movable from a rest, non-compressed position where the first and second layers are spaced apart from one another on opposite sides of the one or more apertures towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, where at least a portion of the first layer abuts a portion of the second layer in at least one of the one or more apertures, wherein the hug sensor creates an open circuit when the hug sensor is in the rest position, wherein the hug sensor creates a closed circuit when the hug sensor is in a compressed position, and wherein resistance across the hug sensor is variable based at least in part on an amount of contact between the first and second layers. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification