Smart Handbag

Abstract

A handbag ( 10 ) is provided with an integrated power source ( 20 ), an integrated conductive network and a user interface operatively associated with a multi-functional strap ( 14 ) separably associated with the handbag ( 10 ), all of which cooperating to provide means for improving the overall experience associated with managing a number of portable electronic devices ( 18 ) individually and/or simultaneously. The handbag ( 10 ) includes a body ( 12 ) that defines at least one compartment for accommodating various personal items and means suitable for accommodating any of a variety of portable electronic devices ( 18 ) so as to be operatively connected to the power source, the interface. In addition, the handbag ( 10 ) includes a separable strap ( 14 ) having the user interface ( 30, 60 ) operatively associated therewith. The strap ( 14 ) is also advantageously suitable to connect portable electronic devices ( 18 ) to remote devices and to effectuate refreshing the integrated power source ( 20 ) via an external power supply.

1 . A handbag ( 10 ) comprising:
 a body ( 12 ) defining at least one primary pocket ( 15 ) and one or more secondary pockets ( 16 ); and   a multifunctional strap ( 14 ) separably connected to said body ( 12 ),   wherein said body ( 12 ) has an integrated power source ( 20 ) and circuit ( 22 ) operatively connectable to one or more portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said secondary pockets ( 16 ).   
   
   
       2 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a control interface suitable to operatively interact with a variety of different electronic devices. 
   
   
       3 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 2 , wherein said control interface is fashioned from a conductive fiber mesh. 
   
   
       4 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a first connector suitable for operatively connecting to any of a variety of remote electronic devices. 
   
   
       5 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 4 , wherein said first connector cooperates with said circuit ( 22 ) to facilitate effective interactive communication between said portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said secondary pockets ( 16 ) and said variety of remote electronic devices. 
   
   
       6 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a second connector suitable for electrically connecting to a remote power source. 
   
   
       7 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 6 , wherein said second connector cooperates with said circuit ( 22 ) to facilitate effective electrical communication between said portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said secondary pockets ( 16 ) and said variety of remote power sources. 
   
   
       8 . A multifunctional strap ( 14 ) releasably connected to a handbag ( 10 ), said strap ( 14 ) comprising:
 first means suitable for connecting to a remote power source; and   second means suitable for connecting to one or more remote electronic devices,   wherein said strap ( 14 ) includes a control interface ( 30 ,  60 ) for controlling said remote devices.   
   
   
       9 . The strap ( 14 ) of  claim 8 , wherein said first means conductively connects said remote power source to an integrated power source ( 20 ) in said handbag ( 10 ). 
   
   
       10 . The strap ( 14 ) of  claim 8 , wherein said second means operatively connects any of said one or more remote devices to any one or more integrated devices accommodated by said handbag ( 10 ). 
   
   
       11 . The strap ( 14 ) of  claim 8 , wherein said control interface ( 30 ,  60 ) facilitates operative communication between any of said one or more remote devices to any one or more integrated devices accommodated by said handbag ( 10 ). 
   
   
       12 . The strap ( 14 ) of  claim 8 , wherein said first means is a power plug suitable for cooperative engagement with an AC power source, a DC power source, or both. 
   
   
       13 . The strap ( 14 ) of  claim 8 , wherein said second means is a USB connector. 
   
   
       14 . A method comprising the steps of:
 providing a handbag ( 10 ) with an integrated power source ( 20 ) and a conductive circuit ( 22 ) operatively connected to various portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said handbag ( 10 );   providing said handbag ( 10 ) with a separable, multifunctional strap ( 14 ) that is operatively connectable to any one or more of said portable devices ( 18 ), a remote power source, a remote device or any combination thereof; and   operatively connecting said strap ( 14 ) to any one or more of said portable devices, to said integrated power source ( 20 ), to said remote power source or any combination thereof either simultaneously or individually.   
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said handbag ( 10 ) includes at least one primary pocket ( 15 ) for accommodating 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a control interface ( 30 ,  60 ) suitable to operatively interact with a variety of different electronic devices. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a first connector suitable for operatively connecting to any of a variety of remote electronic devices. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said first connector cooperates with said circuit ( 22 ) to facilitate effective interactive communication between said portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said secondary pockets ( 16 ) and said variety of remote electronic devices. 
   
   
       19 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 1 , wherein said multifunctional strap ( 14 ) includes a second connector suitable for electrically connecting to a remote power source. 
   
   
       20 . The handbag ( 10 ) of  claim 19 , wherein said second connector cooperates with said circuit ( 22 ) to facilitate effective electrical communication between said portable electronic devices ( 18 ) accommodated by said secondary pockets ( 16 ) and said variety of remote power sources.