Mirror system having a mirror, light source and software module or app that communicates instructions to adjust lighting based on a sensed condition

• US 10,702,043 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2018
• Issued: 07/07/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 03/06/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Original Assignee: Simplehuman LLC
• Inventors: Yang, Frank, Wei, Tzu-Hao, Cohen, Guy, Sandor, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): May, Robert J
• Application Number:
  US16/103,363
• Publication Number:
  US 20190000219A1
• Time in Patent Office: 693 Days
• Field of Search: 362135-144
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 42/10 illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 42/18 Manifold reflecting mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/04 Multi-part mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 10/02 changing colors F21S10/002 - F21S10/007, F21S10/04 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/004 Sanitary equipment, e.g. mirrors, showers, toilet seats or paper dispensers
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 5/0263 with positional variation of the diffusing properties, e.g. gradient or patterned diffuser

Abstract

A mirror assembly can include a housing, a mirror, and a light source. In some embodiments, the mirror comprises one or more adjustable sections. In certain embodiments, the mirror includes a light column configured to emit a substantially constant amount of light along a periphery of a mirror section. In some embodiments, the light column can produce various color temperatures. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly comprises a capacitive touch sensor that allows control of one or more features of the light emitted from the light source. In some embodiments, the mirror assembly includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly can be configured control on/off settings and other features of the emitted light.

Claims

1. A mirror system comprising:

a mirror assembly comprising;

a mirror;

a light source; and

a processor configured to adjust relative light intensity of the light source;

a software module or app configured to be installed on an electronic device, separate from the mirror assembly, comprising non-transitory, computer-readable media storing computer-executable instructions, that, when executed by the software module or app, cause the software module or app to;

receive lighting information associated with a measured lighting environment provided from a sensing device; and

communicate instructions to the mirror assembly to adjust the light intensity of the light source to approximate the measured lighting environment; and

an information display configured to change based upon input from a user through a sensor.

2. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises at least a first light emitting diode and a second light emitting diode.

3. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the sensing device is configured to provide lighting information captured by the user.

4. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the lighting information is gathered from a picture.

5. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the software module or app is configured to receive the lighting information from the sensing device by way of the electronic device.

6. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a computer.

7. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the electronic device is a mobile device.

8. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the mirror system is integrated with a learning device comprising the sensing device.

9. A combination including the mirror system of claim 1 and the electronic device.

10. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a capacitive touch sensor and the information display is configured to be activated by a user movement that the mirror assembly is programmed to recognize.

11. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display a clock.

12. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display an upcoming event.

13. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display a text message panel.

14. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display an email panel.

15. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display traffic conditions.

16. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the mirror system is configured to receive information about the weather.

17. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is positioned behind a portion of a surface of the mirror and becomes visible to the user upon illumination of the information display.

18. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the mirror system is configured to display a timer.

19. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the mirror system is configured to receive information on the user'"'"'s past behavior.

20. The mirror system of claim 19, wherein the mirror system is configured to display information based on the user'"'"'s past behavior.

21. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the information display is configured to display a product for purchase.

22. The mirror system of claim 1, wherein the mirror assembly comprises:

the mirror is a first mirror; and

a second mirror disposed laterally adjacent to the first mirror and in mechanical communication with the first mirror via a hinge, the hinge configured to allow movement of the second mirror with respect to the first mirror such that a reflective face of the first mirror and a reflective face of the second mirror are configured to form a plurality of angles α

relative to each another, the hinge comprises a cam configured to reduce the distance between the first mirror and the second mirror during opening of the hinge;

the light source disposed on or in the mirror assembly such that the light source is configured to emit light at a user in a manner that causes the light to be reflected back to the first or second mirror; and

a sensor comprising a transmitter and a receiver, wherein the sensor is configured to relay information to the processor.

23. The mirror assembly of claim 22, wherein the hinge is recessed from the reflective face of the first mirror.

24. The mirror assembly of claim 22, wherein during opening of the hinge, the second mirror moves laterally.

25. The mirror assembly of claim 22, further comprising a third mirror laterally adjacent to the first mirror and on a side of the first mirror opposite the second mirror, wherein the third mirror is in communication with the first mirror via a second hinge, the second hinge configured to allow movement of the third mirror with respect to the first mirror such that the reflective face of the first mirror and a reflective face of the third mirror are able to form angles α

′

relative to one another.