WO2015042713A1

WO2015042713A1 - Bag with device access and camera aperture

Info

Publication number: WO2015042713A1
Application number: PCT/CA2014/050923
Authority: WO
Inventors: Amy Martin; Jessica WATERMAN
Original assignee: Fft Labs Inc.
Priority date: 2013-09-27
Filing date: 2014-09-26
Publication date: 2015-04-02

Abstract

A bag having a device compartment and a content compartment. A device access opening defined on one side of the bag allows access to a device carried in the device compartment. A camera aperture on an opposing side of the bag is configured to align with a camera lens of the device in the device compartment. The content compartment is configured to accommodate a line of sign from the device compartment to the camera aperture, to allow the camera of the device to be used when the device is in the device compartment.

Description

BAG WITH DEVICE ACCESS AND CAMERA APERTURE Cross-Reference to Related Application

[0001] The present disclosure claims priority from U .S. provisional patent application no. 61/883,295, filed September 27, 2013, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a bag providing access to an electronic device contained therein. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a bag with a camera aperture, for carrying an electronic device as well as other bag contents.

Background

[0003] Conventional handbags and purses typically are not designed to accommodate a user's interactions with a handheld electronic device, such as a camera, a smartphone or a tablet, carried in the bag. In order for the user to use the device, it is typically necessary for the user to at least partially remove the device from the bag, which may be inconvenient. In particular, where the electronic device has camera capabilities, it is typically necessary for the user to remove the device from the bag in order to expose the camera lens and capture an image. Further, a bag that may be desirable for its aesthetic appearance, such as a slim clutch, typically is not sized to accommodate a handheld electronic device.

[0004] Protective cases designed to hold a handheld electronic device are typically designed to hold only the device, or at most intended to provide only minimal space for holding, for example, small slips of paper and/or identification and bank cards. Such cases are typically intended to be themselves carried in a bag, together with other bag contents. Further, such protective cases are typically designed for function and not aesthetic appearance. [0005] It would be useful to provide a bag that can serve to both carry a handheld electronic device and carry other bag contents, while providing the ability to access and/or operate at least some functions of the device.

Summary

[0006] In some example embodiments, the present disclosure provides a bag, which may include: a body; a device compartment defined in the body for receiving an electronic device having a camera lens; a content compartment defined in the body for receiving other bag content and accessible via a content opening ; the body defining a device access opening on a first side, the device access opening providing access to the device compartment from an exterior of the bag ; the body defining a camera aperture on a second side opposing the first side, the camera aperture being configured to align with a camera lens of the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the device compartment; and the content compartment being configured to accommodate a line of sight from the device compartment to the camera aperture.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007] Reference will now be made to the drawings, which show by way of example embodiments of the present disclosure, and in which :

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of an example bag with the cover opened;

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a perspective front view of an example bag, with the cover closed ;

[0010] FIG. 3 shows a back view of an example bag;

[0011] FIG. 4 shows a front view of an example bag, with the electronic device removed;

[0012] FIG. 5A shows a back view of an example bag with the cover opened ; [0013] FIG. 5B shows a front view of an example bag inverted, with the cover in the semi-closed configuration ;

[0014] FIG. 6 shows a front view of an inner shell of an example bag;

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a side view of an inner shell of an example bag;

[0016] FIG. 8 shows a back view of an inner shell of an example bag;

[0017] FIG. 9 shows a detailed cutaway view of the camera aperture of an example bag;

[0018] FIG. 10 shows a top-down view of the content compartment of an example bag;

[0019] FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a liner for the content compartment of an example bag;

[0020] FIG. 12 shows a front view of an example bag having a strap, with the cover closed;

[0021] FIG. 13 shows a front view of an example bag having a strap, with the cover opened ; and

[0022] FIG. 14 shows a back view of an example bag having a strap, with the cover in the semi-closed configuration.

[0023] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference nu merals.

Detailed Description

[0024] FIGS. 1-5B show an example bag 100 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The bag 100 may be designed to carry a handheld electronic device 1000, such as a camera, a smartphone, a tablet, a cellular phone or a mobile communication device; as well as other bag content(s) 1050, such as a wallet, keys, credit cards, lipstick or other such items. The bag 100 shown in this example may be sized relatively small, to be held in a single hand in the manner of a clutch purse.

[0025] The bag 100 may include a body 2, having a content compartment 6 in which bag content(s) 1050 may be carried, and a device compartment 10 in which the device 1000 may be carried . The body 2 may have a content opening 4, which may be provided at or near the top of the bag 100, for accessing the content compartment 6. The body 2 may also have a device access opening 8, may be provided on a side of the bag 100, for accessing the device 1000 being carried in the device compartment 10. The device 1000 may be placed into the device compartment 10 via the content opening 4, via the device access opening 8 or via another opening (not shown).

[0026] The device access opening 8 may provide access to the device 1000 from the exterior of the bag 100, while the device 1000 is still in the device compartment 10, without having to go through the content opening 4. The device compartment 10 may accommodate the device 1000 in a position that allows one or more input devices of the device 1000 (e.g., a front-facing touchscreen and front-mounted input buttons or keypad) and/or one or more displays of the device 1000 (e.g., a front- facing touchscreen display) to be accessible and/or viewable via the device access opening 8 while the device 1000 is in the device compartment 10. In the example shown, the front-facing touchscreen of the device 1000 is substantially entirely accessible when the device 1000 is in the device compartment 10. In addition, one or more ports and/or input mechanisms (e.g., buttons) may be accessible when the device 1000 is in the device compartment 10. Thus, the user may be able to use most or all the functions of the device 1000 (e.g., for texting, talking, listening to music, watching videos and capturing images) without removing the device 1000 from the bag 100.

[0027] The content opening 4 and the content compartment 6 may be sized to accommodate typical bag content(s) 1050. For example, the content compartment 6 may have non-zero width W, length L and depth D suitable for holding more than cards or slips of paper. The size and volume of the content compartment 6 may be substantial, in order to hold a wallet, for example, and larger than slots that may be provided on conventional device cases.

[0028] The bag 100 may also have a cover 12 that can be closed over the content opening 4 and/or the device access opening 8. The cover 12 may have a closed configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, in which both the content opening 4 and the device access opening 8 are covered . The cover 12 may be partially opened to a semi-closed configuration (not shown) where the content opening 4 is still covered but the device access opening 6 is uncovered. The cover 12 may be fully opened to an opened configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, in which both the content opening 4 and the device access opening 8 are uncovered . When in the closed configuration, the cover 12 may help to protect the device 1000 against damage, such as scratches to a display.

[0029] The cover 12 may be fastened in the closed or semi-closed configuration by any suitable mechanism. For example, one or more magnets 26 provided on the cover 12 (e.g., at an edge and/or corner) may cooperate with respective magnet(s) 26 on the body 2 to magnetically fasten the cover 12. In this example, magnets 26 may be sewn or embossed into the cover 12. Other fastening mechanisms may include, for example, snaps, zippers, clasps, buckles and buttons, among others. The cover 12 may be fastened in the closed configuration by fastening mechanisms positioned at the outer edges and/or corners of the cover 12. Fastening mechanisms positioned at other locations of the cover 12 (e.g., the magnets 26b shown in FIG. 5) may be used to close the cover 12 over the content opening 4 when the cover 12 is in the semi- closed configuration (e.g., in cooperation with complementary mechanisms, such as complementary magnets 26, located at or near the edge of the content opening 4).

[0030] In some examples, the cover 12 may include a substantially rigid portion 12b. In this example, the portion 12b corresponds to a flap that covers the device access opening 8 when the cover 12 is in the closed configuration, however other configurations may be suitable. The rigidity of the portion 12b may be provided by the use of reinforced leather or embedded plastic, for example. In some examples, the cover 12 may be made of hinged rigid (e.g ., plastic) panels, and the portion 12b may be formed of one or more rigid panels. In other examples, the cover 12 may be formed of a rigid plastic panel, for the portion 12b, attached to a more flexible (e.g., fabric or leather) portion. The cover 12 may be used, in the opened or semi-closed configuration, as a base for the bag 100. For example, when the cover 12 is in the semi-closed configuration, the portion 12b may be folded back and the bag 100 may be inverted (see FIG. 5B), so that the portion 12b may serve as a support for propping up the inverted bag 100. This may allow the bag 100 to be stabilized on a surface (e.g., a table or the ground) for capturing images with the device 1000 or for watching videos on the device 1000, for example. The portion 12b may be foldable (e.g., hinged, such as by having two plastic panels attached to a flexible base) such that, in the semi-closed configuration, the portion 12b covers the content opening 4 and any extra length extending beyond the content opening 4 may be folded back against the body 2. One or more magnets 26 may be used to hold the extra length of the portion 12b against the body 2.

[0031] In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the cover 12 may be a separate piece that is attached (e.g ., sewn) onto the body 2. In other examples, the cover 12 may be integrally formed as a single piece with the body 2. In some examples, the bag 100 may be mostly or substantially entirely made of a plastic material, with a hinged plastic portion forming the cover 12.

[0032] A camera aperture 14 may be defined on a side of the bag 100 opposite to the device access opening 8. For example, where the device access opening 8 is provided on a front side of the bag 100, the camera aperture 14 may be provided on the rear side of the bag 100. The camera aperture 14 may be configured to align with a camera lens (e.g ., a rear- facing camera) of the device 1000 when the device 1000 is being carried in the device compartment 10. The bag 100 may be designed to accommodate a line of sight from the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14. This may allow the rear-facing camera of the device 1000 to be used to capture images while the device 1000 is still in the device compartment 10. In some examples, the camera aperture 14 may also be configured to expose a flash component (e.g., a flash LED positioned near the read-facing camera lens) of the device 1000.

[0033] The content compartment 6 may be configured to avoid obstruction of the line of sight from the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14. For example, the content compartment 6 may have a capacity less than the total volume of the bag 100 (e.g., the content compartment 6 may have a lesser depth or length, at least in a portion, compared to the depth and length of the bag 100), such that the line of sight from the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14 is not obstructed by the content compartment 6 or by content(s) 1050 carried in the content compartment 6.

[0034] A recess 16 may be defined surrounding the camera aperture 14, to avoid obstructing the angle of view of the camera lens of the device 1000. For example, the recess 16 may be shaped like a cone in order to accommodate a wide-angle lens. The recess 16 may also be shaped to allow light from a flash component to reach the camera target.

[0035] The cover 12 may be configured to avoid obstructing the camera aperture 14 and the recess 16 when the cover 12 is folded back in the semi-closed configuration. For example, any extra length of the cover 12 that extends beyond the content opening 4, when the content opening 4 is covered in the semi-closed configuration, may be short enough to avoid obstructing the camera aperture 14 and the recess 16 when the extra length of the cover 12 is folded back against the body 2.

[0036] A protective cover (not shown) may be provided over the access opening 8 and/or the camera aperture 14. The protective cover may be relatively flexible and/or transparent, to allow for interaction with the device 1000 and capture of images through the access opening 8 and/or the camera aperture 14. [0037] FIGS. 6-8 show an example inner shell 50 for the bag 100. The body 2 may comprise the inner shell 50, covered with one or more inner and/or outer layers, as described further below. The inner shell 50 may be made of a substantially rigid material, such as a rigid plastic material, and may help to maintain the shape of the bag 100. The inner shell 50 may help to define the content compartment 6 and/or the device compartment 10. The inner shell 50 may help to keep the camera aperture 4 aligned with the camera lens of the device 1000 and may help to prevent obstruction of the line of sight from the camera lens to the camera aperture 4. The rigidity of the inner shell 50 may prevent collapse or deformation of the bag 100, which would otherwise obstruct the line of sight from the camera lens to the camera aperture 4. The recess 16 may also be defined by the inner shell 50.

[0038] In some examples, the inner shell 50 may include a substantially rigid tunnel (not shown) connecting the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14, to help ensure an unobstructed line of sight from the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14. Such a tunnel may traverse the content compartment 6, from the device compartment 10 across to the camera aperture 14, which may help to ensure that the line of sight from the device compartment 10 to the camera aperture 14 is not obstructed by the content compartment 6 and/or other bag content(s) 1050 in the content compartment 6.

[0039] The inner shell 50 may help provide rigidity to the content opening 4 and the content compartment 6, so that the non-zero width W, length L and/or depth D of the content compartment 6 are maintained. The inner shell 50 may also help to keep the shape and aesthetic appearance of the bag 50. In an example, the inner shell 50 may have a length in the range of about 100 mm to about 300 mm, for example about 172.5 mm; a depth in the range of about 50 mm to about 200 mm, for example about 116.5 mm; and a width in the range of about 20 mm to about 100 mm, for example about 53 mm; which dimensions may help to define the length L, width W and depth D of the bag 100. [0040] The inner shell 50 may also help to keep the shape of the device access opening 8 so that access to the device 1000 is not inadvertently obstructed by collapse or deformation of the bag 100. The rigidity of the inner shell 50 may also facilitate use of the device 1000 when carried in the device compartment 10. The inner shell 50 may provide rigidity to the bag 100 to enable the user to easily hold and interact with the device 1000 (e.g., compose text messages, hold a telephone conversation or navigate a menu) without removing the device 1000 from the bag 100. For example, the inner shell 50 may be sized to allow a user to access all areas of the touchscreen of the device 1000 using the user's thumbs, while holding the bag 100 with the device 1000 in the landscape or portrait orientation with both hands. The rigidity of the inner shell 50 may make the bag 100 easier to hold and prevent slippage or crushing of other bag content(s) 1050 when the user is interacting the device 1000 in the device compartment 10.

[0041] The inner shell 50 may include one or more retaining walls 18 for retaining the device 1000 in the device compartment 10. The retaining wall(s) 18 may also help to align the camera lens of the device 1000 with the camera aperture 14 and may help to prevent movement (e.g., sliding) of the device 1000 in the device compartment 10. The retaining wall(s) 18 may hold the device 1000 in a relatively fixed position in the device compartment 10. For example, the retaining wall(s) 18 may fasten onto the device 1000 via a snap fit or an interference fit. In some examples, the retaining wall(s) 18 may be resilient, such that the retaining wall(s) 18 may be deformed by a deforming force (e.g., opened up by the user, away from the device compartment 10) to allow the device 1000 to be placed into the device compartment 10 and be biased towards the device 1000 to hold the device 1000 with in the device compartment 10 when the deforming force is removed.

[0042] The inner shell 50 may include features to enable fastening of the cover 12. For example, there may be one or more openings or recesses 20 for receiving one or more magnets 26 complementary to respective magnet(s) 26 on the cover 12, to allow for magnetic fastening of the cover 12. In some examples, the magnet(s) 26 may be provided embedded and/or glued to the inner shell 50, to cooperate with complementary magnet(s) 26 on the cover 12.

[0043] The inner shell 50 may define one or more access cutouts 22 that may provide access to one or more buttons and/or ports (e.g., audio output port, power on/off button, wake/sleep button and/or volume buttons) provided on the side of the device 1000, for example. The inner shell 50 may also be configured such that a portion of the device 1000 is still accessible even when the cover 12 is in the closed configuration. For example, the inner shell 50 may be configured to allow access to one or more buttons and/or ports (e.g., headphone jack located on a side of the device 1000) when the device 1000 is in the device compartment 10, even when the cover 12 is covering the device compartment 10.

[0044] The inner shell 50 may also provide some level of protection for the device 1000. For example, the rigidity of the inner shell 50 may protect against damage to the device 1000 and other bag content(s) 1050 when the bag 100 is dropped or bumped. The inner shell 50 may also include reinforced corners 24 or a reinforced base (e.g., made of a thicker and/or more rigid plastic material), to further protect the device 1000 and other bag content(s) 1050 when the bag 100 is dropped or bumped.

[0045] The bag 100 may include an outer covering, such as a fabric, leather or polymer material, over at least a portion of the body 2. FIG. 9 shows an example of how an outer covering 28 may be attached to the inner shell 50. The outer covering 28 may be attached (e.g., embossed, fused or sewn) directly to the inner shell 50, or there may be an intermediate layer (e.g., an adhesive layer) provided to help attach the outer covering to the inner shell 50.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 9, the recess 16 may be provided as a separate piece that is fitted onto a base of the inner shell 50. One or more interface features (e.g., protrusions 30) may be used to help align and attach the recess 16 on the inner shell 50. In some examples, the recess 16 may serve as an interface or intermediate layer to help attach the outer covering 28 to the inner shell 50.

[0047] The outer covering 28 may provide a pleasing appearance to the bag. Additional functional and/or decorative elements (e.g ., metallic or fabric decorative accents) may be provided on the outer covering 28. For example, additional side pouches (not shown) may be sewn onto the outer covering 28. Logos or decorative patterns may also be provided on the outer covering 28.

[0048] The bag 100 may be provided with electronic components and may be responsive to signals from the device 1000. For example, the bag 100 may include visual elements, such as LED components (not shown), such as LED lights, fabrics and/or threads, that change appearance depending on signals from the device 1000. For example, when the device 1000 is carried in the device compartment 10, the device 1000 may provide signals to the bag 100 (e.g ., via wireless communication or wired communication via a port in the device compartment 10). The device 1000 may communicate, for example, a notification (e.g., to notify of receipt of a new electronic message, occurrence of a scheduled event or receipt of an incoming call) to cause a change in appearance (e.g ., color or activation of a LED light) in the bag 100. This may allow the user to be aware of notifications from the device 1000 even when the device 1000 is covered by the cover 12. In some examples, the outer covering 28 may be made of a LED fabric or may include LED threads, in which the covering 28 itself may change in visual appearance in response to a signal from the device 1000.

[0049] As shown in the top-down view of FIG. 10, an edge of the content opening 4 may be provided with one or more magnets 26, to cooperate with respective complementary magnet(s) 26 on the cover 12, in order to fasten the cover 12 over the content opening 4 in the closed or semi- closed configuration. For example, magnet(s) 26 may be sewn into the edge along the content opening 4, in order to magnetically fasten the cover 12 over the content opening 4 when the device access opening 8 is uncovered. [0050] A liner, which may be made of a relatively soft material such as a fabric material, may be provided to line the content compartment 6 and/or the device compartment 10. The dimensions and capacity of the content compartment 6 and/or the device compartment 10 may at least partially be defined by the respective liner. A liner for the device compartment 10 may be relatively soft and/or lint free, to avoid damage to the device 1000.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 11, a suede pouch may be provided as a liner 32 to line the content compartment 6. Additional functional and/or decorative elements may be provided on the liner 32. For example, credit card holders and/or inner mesh pockets 34 may be provided on the liner 32 of the content compartment 6. In some examples, the liner 32 may provide securing members (e.g., elastics or hook-and-loop members) for securing bag content(s) 1050 (including accessories for the device 1000, such as headphones).

[0052] The content compartment 6 and the device compartment 10 may at least partially overlap and/or stack along an axis extending between the front and rear sides of the bag 100. This may help to reduce the overall size of the bag 100. In such an arrangement, the content compartment 6 may have a variable depth D, in order to avoid obstructing the line of sight from the camera aperture 14 to the device compartment 10. For example, the content compartment 6 may have a shallower depth D' in one portion where the content compartment 6 would otherwise obstruct the line of sight from the camera aperture 14 to the device compartment 10.

[0053] FIGS. 12- 14 show another example of the disclosed bag 100, having a strap 36. The strap 36 may be used to carry the bag 100 (e.g ., carried over the shoulder or on the wrist of the user). The strap 36 may also be referred to as a wristlet or cross-body strap, for example, depending on how the strap 36 is used to carry the bag 100. The strap 36 may be permanently attached to the body 2, or may be removably attached (e.g., fastened with a clip or clasp) to the body 2. The strap 36 may be made of the same or similar material as the outer covering 28 of the bag 100.

[0054] The strap 36 may serve as a cable (e.g., wires may be threaded into the fabric of the strap 36 and connectors may be provided on the strap 36) for connecting the device 1000 to another component (e.g., an external power source). The cable may be used as a USB cable, for example.

[0055] The cover 12 may include one or more translucent or transparent viewing windows 38. In this example, a single viewing panel 38 is shown, in the shape of a "V". The viewing window(s) 38 may allow one or more portions of the device 1000 to be viewable through the cover 12 when the device 1000 is in the device compartment 10 and the cover 12 is covering the device compartment 10. The viewing window(s) 38 may allow a user to view visual output from the device 1000 (e.g ., notifications and other indicators) without opening the cover 12. The viewing window(s) 38 may be configured to align with a portion of the display of the device 1000 where a notification is expected to be displayed. A plurality of viewing windows 38 may be provided, for viewing different portions of the device 1000 through the cover 12. The viewing window(s) 38 may be shaped and sized to allow viewing of only a portion of the device 1000, which may help to preserve the aesthetic appearance of the bag 100 and may help to protect the privacy of the user. In other examples, a major portion or all of the display of the device 1000 may be viewable through the viewing window(s) 38. In some examples, the viewing window(s) 38 may serve as an aesthetic element of the bag 100 (e.g., may be shaped as a logo or design). Since visual output from the device 1000 is viewable through the viewing window(s) 38, it may appear to the user that the logo or design is changing appearance (e.g., changing in color or flashing) as the visual output of the device 1000 changes (e.g ., as notifications are shown on the display of the device 1000).

[0056] FIG. 14 illustrates the back of the bag 100 with the cover 12 in the semi-closed configuration. This example shows how the cover 12 may be sized to avoid obstructing the camera aperture 14 and the recess 16, when the cover 12 is folded back to cover the content opening 4 and the extra length extending beyond the content opening 4 is folded back against the body 2.

[0057] The bag 100 may include one or more electronic components operative with the device 1000. For example, the bag 100 may include a speaker or a battery that may be connected to the device 1000 (e.g., via a port in the device compartment 10) when the device 1000 is carried in the device compartment 10. Such other electronic components may be permanently integrated or removably interchangeable in the bag 100. Such other electronic components may be provided in a separate compartment in the bag 100, separate from the content compartment 6 and the device compartment 10.

[0058] In some examples, one or more ports may be provided in the body 2 to allow access from the exterior of the bag 100 to a port or jack of the device 1000 when the device is in the device compartment 10. For example, a connector in the bag 100 may connect a port of the device 1000 in the device compartment 10 to an exterior port of the bag 2, such that a user may connect to the port of the device 1000 via the exterior port of the bag 2.

[0059] In some examples, a docking or mounting component (not shown) may be provided in the device compartment 10 to facilitate receiving of the device 1000 in the device compartment 10. The docking or mounting component may be designed specifically for engaging the device 1000 (e.g., may be a proprietary docking component). The docking or mounting component may be configured to snugly fit the body of the device 1000, to help retain the device 1000 in the device compartment. The docking or mounting component may also include one or more connectors connectible to respective one or more ports of the device 1000. Such connector(s) may enable connection of the device 1000 to one or more electronic components (e.g., a battery or a speaker) provided in the bag 100; and/or may connect one or more ports of the device 1000 to one or more exterior ports of the bag 2. [0060] Different embodiments of the bag 100 may be provided for different purposes. The bag 100 may be designed to be used as a handbag, a clutch, a purse or a messenger bag, for example. The bag 100 may be designed for use by different types of users, including male and female users, adults and children. The bag 100 may be sized to accommodate a variety of devices 1000, including smaller devices such as a miniature camera as well as larger devices such as a tablet or laptop. The bag 100 may be sized to match the size of the device 1000. Variations may be made to the bag 100 for aesthetic purposes, for example limited editions of the bag 100 may be made using special edition materials or designs, or according to seasonal trends.

The embodiments of the present disclosure described above are intended to be examples only. The present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms. Alterations, modifications and variations to the disclosure may be made without departing from the intended scope of the present disclosure. While the systems, devices and processes disclosed and shown herein may comprise a specific number of elements/components, the systems, devices and assemblies could be modified to include additional or fewer of such elements/components. For example, while any of the elements/components disclosed may be referenced as being singular, the embodiments disclosed herein could be modified to include a plurality of such elements/components. Selected features from one or more of the above-described embodiments may be combined to create alternative embodiments not explicitly described. All values and sub-ranges within disclosed ranges are also disclosed. The subject matter described herein intends to cover and embrace all suitable changes in technology. All references mentioned are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A bag, comprising : a body; a device compartment defined in the body for receiving an electronic device having a camera lens; a content compartment defined in the body for receiving other bag content and accessible via a content opening; the body defining a device access opening on a first side, the device access opening providing access to the device compartment from an exterior of the bag; the body defining a camera aperture on a second side opposing the first side, the camera aperture being configured to align with a camera lens of the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the device compartment; and the content compartment being configured to accommodate a line of sight from the device compartment to the camera aperture.

2. The bag of claim 1 wherein the device access opening is defined in the body to enable access to a display or input device of the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the device compartment.

3. The bag of claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the content opening and the access opening are substantially rigid .

4. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 3 further comprising a cover for covering at least one of the content opening and the access opening .

5. The bag of claim 4 wherein the cover has a closed configuration in which both the content opening and the device access opening are covered, a semi-closed configuration in which the content opening is covered and the device access opening is uncovered, and an opened configuration in which both the content opening and the access opening are uncovered.

6. The bag of claim 5, wherein the cover, in the semi-closed or opened configuration, provides a base for supporting the bag.

7. The bag of any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the cover comprises at least one translucent or transparent viewing window for viewing at least a portion of the electronic device through the cover when the access opening is covered .

8. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a recess is defined about the camera aperture to accommodate a viewing angle of the camera lens.

9. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 8 further comprising a rigid inner shell defin ing at least one of the device compartment and the content compartment, and defining the camera aperture.

10. The bag of claim 9 wherein the shell comprises a tunnel connecting the device compartment to the camera aperture and allowing the line of sight from the device compartment to the camera aperture.

11. The bag of claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the inner shell is configured to enable a user's thumb to access a touchscreen of the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the device compartment and the bag is held in the user's hand .

12. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the content

compartment has a variable depth, the content compartment being shallower in one portion to accommodate the line of sight from the device compartment to the camera aperture.

13. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 12 further comprising an outer covering over at least a portion of the body.

14. The bag of claim 13 wherein the outer covering is a fabric or leather material.

15. The bag of claim 13 or claim 14 wherein the outer covering changes appearance in response to signals received from the electronic device, when the electronic device is received in the device compartment.

16. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 15 further comprising a strap for carrying the bag.

17. The bag of claim 16 wherein the strap comprises a cable connectible to the electronic device.

18. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 17 further comprising an integrated electrical component connectible to the electronic device.

19. The bag of claim 18 wherein the electrical component is one of: a speaker and a battery.

20. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 19 further comprising a port accessible from the exterior of the bag for connecting to the electronic device when the electronic device is received in the device compartment.

21. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the bag is manually portable using a single hand.

22. The bag of any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein all functions of the device are accessible to a user when the device is received in the device compartment.