Interactive plush character system

Abstract

A smart toy platform including a plush character configured to receive a computing device having a display screen, such as a tablet computer or smartphone. The plush includes a pocket configured to receive the computing device. The plush can also include one or more display openings associated with the pocket such that, when the computing device is properly positioned within the pocket, at least a portion of the display screen of the computing device is visible from an exterior of the plush through the display opening(s). The plush can include one or more limbs or other appendages (e.g., arm or leg). One or more of the appendages can include one or more sensors that can communicate with the computing device to allow interaction between the user and the plush/computing device.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method implemented by a user device of one or more processors, the method comprising:
 executing, via the user device, an application, the application being configured to detect information indicative of the user device being inserted into a plush toy, and based on detection of the information the application is configured to cause presentation, by the user device, of a user interface;   obtaining information identifying one or more accessories positioned proximate to the user device, the accessories comprising respective wireless tags or visual identifiers;   monitoring sensor information obtained from one or more sensors included in at least one appendage of the plush toy; and   updating, based on the identifying accessories and the sensor information, the user interface.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user interface comprises a first visual portion, the first visual portion representing a face, rendered by the application, associated with the plush toy. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein an accessory comprises a costume, and wherein the face is updated to reflect the costume being included on, or around, the plush toy. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the sensor information indicates movement of the plush toy, and wherein a visual characteristic of the face is updated to reflect movement of the plush toy. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the user interface comprises a second visual portion presenting information related to a function of the application. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein an accessory comprises a token configured for placement in a portion of the plush toy, wherein the sensor information reflects movement of the appendage, and wherein the user interface is updated to indicate successful placement of the token. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user interface comprises a first visual portion, the first visual portion representing a face, rendered by the application, associated with the plush toy, and a second visual portion indicating information related to use of the plush toy by a user of the plush toy, wherein the user device obtains global navigation satellite system (GNSS) location information, and wherein the method further comprises:
 determining that the GNSS location information indicates the plush toy is within a threshold proximity of a beacon, the beacon being specified by a different user; and   updating the second visual portion to reflect the determination.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the user interface comprises a first visual portion and a second visual portion, and wherein the plush toy includes an occluding portion configured to separate the user interface into the first visual portion and the second visual portion. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the application is configured to separately update the first visual portion and the second visual portion. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the application presents a face, and wherein the first visual portion presents a portion of the face and the second visual portion presents a remaining portion of the face. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the sensor information is reflective of movement by a user of the plush toy, and wherein the sensor information is configured for control gameplay presented via the user device. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the application records summary information associated with use of the plush toy, and wherein the summary information is stored in user profile information associated with a user. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the application receives information from a server causing presentation of information in the user interface, the information requesting an action for a user of the plush toy to perform, and the information being associated with content being presented via a separate device proximate to the plush toy, and wherein upon performance of the action, the application transmits a response to the server. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 33 , wherein the user device is in communication with a smart TV platform being presented via the separate device. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the accessory is identified via the user device or via a particular sensor of the one or more sensors. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the application presents a user interface associated with a digital storybook, and wherein interaction with the at least one appendage causes changing of a page of the digital storybook. 
     
     
         37 . Non-transitory computer storage media storing instructions that when executed by a user device of one or more processors, cause the user device to perform operations comprising:
 executing, via the user device, an application, the application being configured to detect information indicative of the user device being inserted into a plush toy, and based on detection of the information the application is configured to cause presentation, by the user device, of a user interface;   obtaining information identifying one or more accessories positioned proximate to the user device, the accessories comprising respective wireless tags or visual identifiers;   monitoring sensor information obtained from one or more sensors included in at least one appendage of the plush toy; and   updating, based on the identifying accessories and the sensor information, the user interface.   
     
     
         38 . The computer storage media of  claim 37 , wherein the user interface comprises a first visual portion and a second visual portion, wherein the plush toy includes an occluding portion configured to separate the user interface into the first visual portion and the second visual portion, and wherein the application is configured to separately update the first visual portion and the second visual portion.. 
     
     
         39 . The computer storage media of  claim 38 , wherein the application presents a face, and wherein the first visual portion presents a portion of the face and the second visual portion presents a remaining portion of the face. 
     
     
         40 . The computer storage media of  claim 38 , wherein the user interface comprises a first visual portion, the first visual portion representing a face, rendered by the application, associated with the plush toy, and wherein an accessory comprises a costume, and wherein the face is updated to reflect the costume being included on, or around, the plush toy.