Electronic apparatus

• US 20040082367A1
• Filed: 07/18/2003
• Published: 04/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Nakanishi, Kiyoshi, Yokose, Hazuki
• Application Number:
  US10/466,739
• Publication Number:
  US 20040082367A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/566
• CPC Class Codes: A45D 42/00 Hand, pocket, or shaving mirrors
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133536 Reflective polarizers G02F1/13362 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133553 Reflecting elements associated to illuminating devices G02F1/133605
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133562 on the viewer side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/1347 Arrangement of liquid crystal layers or cells in which the final condition of one light beam is achieved by the addition of the effects of two or more layers or cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/22 Illumination; Arrangements for improving the visibility of characters on dials
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The invention aims at providing electronic apparatus having a mirror which functions in an arbitrary operating state and electronic apparatus which attains low power consumption while serving as a mirror. A light reflective panel(12) whose reflectivity change with the value of a voltage applied is arranged on an LCD(30) of the display (10) of the electronic apparatus; the reflectivity of the light reflective panel(12) is increased and the panel is used as a mirror in a predetermined state where an LCD(30) is not used, such like a portable cell phone(100) performs a incoming call processing, while the reflectivity of the light reflective panel(12) is decreased to place the light reflective panel(12) in the transmittance state so that the LCD(30) may be used. It is thus possible to allow the display(10) provided with the light reflective panel(12) to function as a mirror.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprises:

a light reflective device provided on the whole or part of a section visible from outside the apparatus, wherein a reflectivity of said light reflective device varies with a voltage applied; and

a controller for controlling the value of a voltage applied to said light reflective device in association with an operation or a function of the apparatus.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1,

wherein, when a voltage is not applied, said light reflective device enters a light transmittance state where a light is generally transmitted, and when a predetermined voltage is applied, said light reflective device enters a mirror state where a light is generally reflected.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein said controller controls the voltage applied to said light reflective device and sets said light reflective device to a mirror state where a light is generally reflected in a predetermined state in association with an operation or a function of the apparatus.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein said controller controls the voltage applied to said light reflective device and sets said light reflective device to a transmittance state where a light is generally transmitted in a predetermined state in association with an operation or a function of the apparatus.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

a display for providing display concerning an operation or a function of the apparatus;

wherein said light reflective device is formed into the shape of a plate or a film and is provided on said display means.

6. The electronic apparatus according to claim 5,

wherein said display includes an LCD, and

wherein said controller sets said light reflective device to the mirror state where a light is generally reflected in a predetermined state in association with an operation or a function of the apparatus and turns off said LCD concurrently.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising:

image pickup means for shooting a subject;

wherein said light reflective device is formed into the shape of a plate or a film and is provided in close proximity of said display means.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising:

a light-emitting device provided inside said light reflective device;

wherein said controller sets said light reflective device to the mirror state where a light is generally reflected in a shooting mode by using said image pickup means, and sets the light reflective device to the transmittance state where a light is generally transmitted when said light-emitting device is illuminated.

9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,

wherein said light reflective device is formed into the shape of a plate or a film and is provided on at least part of an enclosure or external surface component of the apparatus.