MEDICINE CABINET ASSEMBLY

• US 20090225519A1
• Filed: 03/27/2009
• Published: 09/10/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electric Mirror LLC
• Original Assignee: Electric Mirror LLC
• Inventors: Mischel, James V. SR., Mischel, James V. JR., Erickson, Patrick Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 8,910,402 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/724
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/00 Illuminated signs; Luminous advertising G09F9/00, G09F11/00 take precedence; control of displays in general using static means to present variable information G09G
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/12 using a transparent mirror or other light reflecting surface transparent to transmitted light whereby a sign, symbol, picture or other is visible only when illuminated
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 19/14 displaying different signs depending upon the view-point of the observer
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 9/00 Indicating arrangements for variable information in which the information is built-up on a support by selection or combination of individual elements in which the variable information is permanently attached to a movable support G09F11/00; abacus G06C1/00; slide-rules G06G1/00

Abstract

An apparatus includes a first mirror platform; the first mirror platform has a first portion and a second portion. A media display device is disposed behind the first mirror platform, such that within the second portion information displayed on the media display device is visible when the media display device is on and is viewed from in front of the first mirror platform. A mounting platform is coupled to a back of the first mirror platform to form a door assembly and the mounting platform can also be a mirror platform.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first mirror platform, the first mirror platform having a first portion and a second portion;

a media display device, the media display device is disposed behind the first mirror platform, such that within the second portion information displayed on the media display device is visible when the media display device is on and is viewed from in front of the first mirror platform; and

a mounting platform, the mounting platform is coupled to a back of the first mirror platform to form a door assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a light source, the light source is disposed behind the first mirror platform and light from the light source can pass through a third portion in the first mirror platform to illuminate a user when the user is in front of the first mirror platform.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, and a light emitting film.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a display screen of the media display device is separated from the media display device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the display screen is mounted within the door assembly and at least a part of the media display device components is located outside of the door assembly.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a TV tuner is located outside of the door assembly.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the media display device can receive a signal selected from the group consisting of a television signal, a computer signal, and a digital signal and then display an image using the signal.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the media display device is connected to a network.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an electrical ballast, the electrical ballast is mounted outside of the door assembly.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a cabinet assembly, the cabinet assembly is hingedly coupled to the door assembly.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, the door assembly further comprising:

a second mirror platform, the second mirror platform is coupled to a back of the mounting platform, wherein the door assembly provides a reflection to the user from either a front side or a back side of the door assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third portion has a general shape.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the third portion is further comprised of a first and a second substantially straight portions, wherein the first substantially straight portion extends on a right side of the mirror platform and the second substantially straight portion extends on a left side of the mirror platform.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the third portion extends around a perimeter of the first mirror platform.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third portion has substantially no reflectivity.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein a glass preparation of the third portion is selected from the group consisting of frosted glass, acid etched glass, and clear glass.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a reflectivity of the second portion closely matches a reflectivity of the first portion when at least a display screen of the media display device is positioned behind the second portion and the media display device is turned off.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion appears black when the media display device is turned off.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion is partially reflective when the media display device is turned off.

20. A method comprising:

partitioning a surface area of a first mirror platform into two portions, a first portion and a second portion, the first portion has a first reflectivity and the second portion has a second reflectivity, wherein the first reflectivity is greater than or equal to the second reflectivity; and

enclosing at least a display screen of a media display device between the first mirror platform and a mounting platform to form a door assembly.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the partitioning further comprises a third portion having a third reflectivity, and the third reflectivity is less than or equal to the second reflectivity.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the enclosing further comprises a light source, the light source provides a source of light from inside the door assembly, wherein light from the source of light can pass through the third portion and illuminate a user when the user is in front of the first mirror platform.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

combining a second mirror platform to a back side of the mounting platform.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the mounting platform is a second mirror platform.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising:

configuring a cabinet assembly to be hingedly coupled with the door assembly.

26. An apparatus comprising:

a first mirror platform, the first mirror platform having a first portion, and a third portion;

a light source, the light source is disposed behind the first mirror platform, light from the light source can pass through the third portion to illuminate a user when the user is in front of the first mirror platform wherein the user'"'"'s reflection is visible in the first portion; and

a mounting platform, the mounting platform is coupled to a back of the first mirror platform to form a door assembly.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, further comprising:

a media display device, the media display device is disposed behind a second portion of the first mirror platform, such that within the second portion information displayed on the media display device, when the media display device is on, is visible from the front of the first mirror platform.

28. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the light source is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode (LED), a fluorescent lamp, and a light emitting film.

29. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the third portion is further comprised of a first and a second substantially straight portions, wherein the first substantially straight portion extends along a right side of the first mirror platform and the second substantially straight portion extends along a left side of the first mirror platform.

30. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the third portion extends around a perimeter of the first mirror platform.

31. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the third portion has substantially no reflectivity.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a glass preparation of the third portion is selected from the group consisting of frosted glass, acid etched glass, and clear glass.