Smart handbag

Abstract

A handbag includes interior pockets or audible compartments that, when touched, provide an audible identification of contents, enabling objects to be easily retrieved despite the number of objects stored in the handbag and in a dark environment. The audible content identification may additionally be combined with a variety of additional smart or convenience features, such as audible reminders of items on a checklist input through a smartphone interface or memo pad or suggestions for hairstyles based on a weather report.

Claims

1. A handbag, comprising: a main body including a base and sidewalls, or a base, sidewalls, and endwalls, configured to form an interior space into which a plurality of objects are placed by a user; a strap to enable the handbag to be carried by the user, at least one internal compartment arranged on an inside of one of the sidewalls or endwalls and configured to hold at least one type of object of said plurality of objects; a sensor for detecting when the at least one internal compartment is touched by the user, a processor configured to receive the sensor signal and retrieve, based on the received sensor signal, a stored indication of said at least one type of object that the at least one internal compartment is configured to hold, where said processor is further configured to generate a voice signal corresponding to the stored indication of the at least one type of object; and a speaker connected to the processor and configured to convert the voice signal into an audible indication of the at least one type object held in the at least one internal compartment when the sensor is touched.

2. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein a number of said at least one internal compartment is greater than one, each of the internal compartments includes a touch sensor, and a memory is provided to store indications of the types of object to be stored in respective compartments, together with an identifier of the corresponding sensors included in the respective compartments.

3. A handbag as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a microphone, wherein the stored indication of object type for a respective compartment is input by the user through the microphone.

4. A handbag as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a smartphone interface, wherein the stored indication of object type for a respective compartment is input by the user through a smartphone app.

5. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the handbag comprises a plate member that extends from the main body and has a decorative shape, and wherein the plate member further includes movable appendages that extend when the handbag is opened.

6. A handbag as claimed in claim 5, wherein the decorative shape represents a bird, and the movable appendages are positioned to resemble wings that extend when the purse is opened.

7. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to provide signals to the speaker that cause the speaker to output audible reminders at predetermined times and/or dates, the reminders corresponding to list entries input by the user.

8. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to provide signals to the speaker that cause the speaker to output audible hairstyle suggestions based on temperature and humidity determined by an app executed by or in communication with the processor.

9. A handbag as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one of the following additional features: an umbrella pouch, a camera, a GPS chip, an extendable strap, a childproof lock, a smartphone dock, and a USB port.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a side view showing an interior panel of a handbag with audible content indication, arranged in accordance with principles of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a programming method for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

(3) FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an alternative programming method for the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of a handbag with a decorative extension plate having movable appendages in accordance with a variation of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(5) FIG. 1 illustrates an interior of one sidewall 1 of a handbag 2 having an audible content indicating feature according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The handbag may be a purse of the type that generally includes, as shown for example in FIG. 4, the sidewalls 1, a base 1a, endwalls 1b, and a carrying strap 1c, although the shape and configuration of the handbag may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention, and may include purse, pocketbook, tote bag, valet, or any article used to carry small items such as, by way of example and not limitation, keys, cosmetics, personal grooming items, coupons, medicines, money, credit cards, eyeglasses, smoking items, smartphones, and other personal articles.

(6) Fixed to the interior of panel 1 are a plurality of pockets 3. The pockets 3 may be made of a variety of materials, including cloth, leather, mesh, and so forth, and may have a variety of shapes and sizes. In addition, the pockets may be open at the top or may include, by way of example and not limitation, a closure such as a flap, zipper, flap and zipper (not shown), or any other arrangement for preventing contents of the pocket from falling out of the pocket. The exact material, size, and configuration of the pockets forms no part of the invention, and may be adapted according to the type of item or article to be stored in the pocket, which may include keys, coins, electronic devices, or any other item or article that is carried within a handbag.

(7) Each of the pockets 3, which may be included on one or both sidewalls or endwalls of the handbag, includes at least one touch or proximity sensor 4. Sensors 4 may include any sensor capable of outputting an electrical signal when touched or when a human hand or finger is in close proximity to the sensor. An example of such a sensor is a capacitive sensor whose electrical impedance changes when a finger contacts the sensor. Each of the sensors 4 is connected to a controller, and outputs a different signal, or is connected so that the controller 5 can determine which of the sensors 4, and therefore which of the pockets 3, has been touched. The controller 5 is configured to associate the respective pocket 3 with a content indicator, for example by using a look-up table that relates the pocket with the content. The controller 5 then causes a speech generator 6 to output a voice signal to the speaker 7, which causes the speaker 7 to provide an audible indication of the contents of the pocket that has been touched.

(8) Power to the controller, speaker, and any other electronic devices or items may be provided by non-rechargeable or rechargeable batteries, including batteries that are chargeable through an optional USB charging input (not shown).

(9) There are a variety of ways to associate pockets with a particular contents and therefore make possible the audible indications output by the speaker 7. One of the ways is to pre-designate particular pockets with corresponding contents. For example, one of the pockets 3 may be designated as a pocket for holding keys, another for holding make-up, and another for cash and/or credit cards.

(10) An alternative method for designating the pockets and associating them with corresponding audible indicators is illustrated in FIG. 2. According to this method, which is implemented by the controller 5 and a microphone 8 connected thereto, the user initially selects a programming mode (step 100), either by voice activation or by manipulating a button or switch (not shown). Upon entry into the programming mode, the user selects one of the pockets 3 by touching the selected pocket, so that the sensor 4 outputs a touch signal (step 110). The user is then prompted to say a content identifier, such as keys or coins (step 120). When the user says the content identifier, it is picked up by the microphone 8, associated with the last-touched pocket 3, and stored by the controller 5 in a memory 9 (step 130). The user then confirms the selection by again pressing the program mode initiation button or providing an oral confirmation (step 140), at which time the controller 5 exits the programming mode.

(11) Another alternative method for designating pockets and associating them with corresponding audible indicators is illustrated in FIG. 3. This method utilizes a smartphone 10, which may either be plugged into a receptacle or connector 14 on an exterior of the handbag, or in communication with the handbag via Bluetooth or another wireless connection. The method begins by displaying on the smartphone a map of the available pockets 3 (step 150). The user then selects one of the pockets by touching it (step 160), and then associates the pocket with a particular audible indicator (step 170) by either speaking into the microphone of the smartphone 10, selecting from a pop-up menu of different content possibilities, or typing in a content label, which may then be converted into an audible indicator by a text-to-voice converter. Once the content label is selected, the program ends, and the appropriate audible indication will be played whenever the corresponding sensor 4 indicates that a respective pocket 3 containing the sensor 4 has been touched.

(12) It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the strap 1c may also be constructed to be extendable or adjustable to accommodate the expansion and permit the strap or straps to extend around the user's neck rather than just over the user's shoulder to enable the handbag to more easily be carried without placing too much weight on the shoulder joint.

(13) Optionally, as shown in FIG. 3, the handbag may be modified to include a decorative plate 22 having a shape that enhances the appearance of the handbag. To add visual interest, the plate may include movable appendages 23, whose motion is responsive to opening of the handbag. For example, the illustrated plate 22 is in the shape of a hummingbird and the appendages may be shaped and positioned to resemble wings that extend as the handbag is opened. Although a particular shape is illustrated, however, it will be appreciated that the plate 22 and appendages 23 are not to be limited to any particular bird shape, or even to an animal shape, but can take a variety of forms.

(14) In order to implement the audible content indication feature of the present invention, the handbag of the preferred embodiments includes at least the controller 5, memory 9, and a user interface, as discussed above. However, instead of or in addition to a Bluetooth of physical connection to a smartphone app, the user interface may be provided by a built-in data input 13, shown in FIG. 5, which may include a keypad, memo pad, touchscreen, or the like. Furthermore, the controller or process 5 may be utilized to implement such additional smart or convenience features as GPS location, both to assist the user in navigation and also to locate a lost handbag; control of a bar code reader useable to keep track of items in a shopping cart or purchases; and security or safety features such as an anti-theft alarm.

(15) The handbag can also include a variety of additional functions that make use of the display, processing, and speaker capabilities, including the ability to input lists for later playback of reminders concerning individual items on the list at predetermined times through the speaker, and the ability to provide useful information such a recommended hairstyles based on forecast temperature and humidity.

(16) Still further, the handbag of any of the preferred embodiments may include non-electronic convenience features such as an umbrella holder, extendable strap, compartments with childproof locks for medications, and so forth.

(17) Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by the details of the illustrated embodiments, but rather is intended to encompass any modifications or variations that may occur to those skilled in the art based on the above description, and therefore is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.