Plush toy with non-rigid sensor for detecting deformation

The plush toy of claim 2, wherein the electrical components further include a speaker, a memory component, and a plurality of audio files stored in the memory component, wherein the microprocessor initiates playback of an audio file upon detection of a change in resistance across the hug sensor, and wherein the different responses based on the different detected degrees of compression of the hug sensor includes playing different audio files from the plurality of audio files stored in the memory component.

The plush toy of claim 3, wherein the microprocessor detecting changes in resistance across the hug sensor as a result of changes in degrees of compression includes monitoring changes in voltage levels across the hug sensor, wherein the microprocessor initiates playback of a first audio file upon detection of a first voltage level, and wherein the microprocessor initiates playback of a second audio file upon detection of a second voltage level.

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, the hug sensor having an electrically conductive and compressible material, wherein the hug sensor is movable from a rest, non-compressed position towards a compressed position, via application of an external force, wherein 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, wherein the microprocessor detects changes in resistance across the hug sensor as a result of changes in degrees of compression, and wherein the microprocessor initiates different responses based on the different detected degrees of compression of the hug sensor.