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 deformable body portion; and
electrical components positioned in the body portion, the electrical components including a microprocessor and a hug sensor, the hug sensor having an electrically conductive and compressible material,wherein the hug sensor comprises an open circuit when in a rest, non-compressed position, and is movable towards a compressed position, via application of an external force,wherein the hug sensor comprises a closed circuit when in the compressed position such that the hug sensor has a resistance there across, wherein resistance across the hug sensor is variable based on a degree of compression of the hug sensor,wherein the degree of compression corresponds to an amount of surface area connection between a first inwardly facing surface and a second inwardly facing surface of the hug sensor,wherein the microprocessor detects changes in resistance across the hug sensor as a result of changes in degrees of compression, andwherein when the hug sensor comprises the closed circuit, the microprocessor initiates different responses based on the different detected degrees of compression of the hug sensor.
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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, also referred to as a hug sensor, has an electrically conductive and compressible material and is movable from a rest, non-compressed position towards a compressed position by way of the application of an external force thereon (e.g., a hug or squeeze). The hug sensor has a resistance there across that is monitored by a microprocessor. Compression of the hug sensor causes changes in the resistance across the hug sensor. Changes in the detected resistance across the hug sensor result in activation of responses (e.g., playing of audio and/or movement). Varying responses may be activated as a result of varying changes in resistance.
37 Citations
10 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 deformable body portion; and electrical components positioned in the body portion, the electrical components including a microprocessor and a hug sensor, the hug sensor having an electrically conductive and compressible material, wherein the hug sensor comprises an open circuit when in a rest, non-compressed position, and is movable towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, wherein the hug sensor comprises a closed circuit when in the compressed position such that the hug sensor has a resistance there across, wherein resistance across the hug sensor is variable based on a degree of compression of the hug sensor, wherein the degree of compression corresponds to an amount of surface area connection between a first inwardly facing surface and a second inwardly facing surface of the hug sensor, wherein the microprocessor detects changes in resistance across the hug sensor as a result of changes in degrees of compression, and wherein when the hug sensor comprises the closed circuit, the microprocessor initiates different responses based on the different detected degrees of compression of the hug sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. 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, the hug sensor having an electrically conductive and compressible material, wherein the hug sensor comprises an open circuit when in a rest, non-compressed position, and is movable towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, wherein the hug sensor comprises a closed circuit when in the compressed position such that the hug sensor has a resistance there across, wherein resistance across the hug sensor is variable based a degree of compression of the hug sensor, the degree of compression corresponding to an amount of surface area connection between a first inwardly facing surface and a second inwardly facing surface of the hug sensor, wherein the microprocessor detects changes in resistance across the hug sensor as a result of changes in degrees of compression, and wherein when the hug sensor comprises the closed circuit, the microprocessor initiates different responses based on the different detected degrees of compression of the hug sensor. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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Specification