Apparatuses and methods for combining mirrors with electronics in medicine cabinets

• US 20120081620A1
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Published: 04/05/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Electric Mirror LLC
• Original Assignee: Electric Mirror LLC
• Inventors: Mischel, James V. Jr., Mischel, James V. Sr.
• Granted Patent: US 9,407,261 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/836
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/78 using opto-electronic devices, i.e. light-emitting and photoelectric devices electrically- or optically-coupled
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 17/962 Capacitive touch switches
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/960705 Safety of capacitive touch and proximity switches, e.g. increasing reliability, fail-safe
• CPC Class Codes: H03K 2217/96077 comprising an electrode which is floating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49105 Switch making

Abstract

An apparatus includes a medicine cabinet door. The medicine cabinet door has an outer glass layer, the outer glass layer has a front side and a back side, an information display is mounted on the back side of the outer glass layer, such that a user can view an image displayed on the information display while looking at the front side of the outer glass layer. A method includes placing an information display behind an outer glass layer of a medicine cabinet door and within a volume of the medicine cabinet door.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a medicine cabinet door, the medicine cabinet door has an outer glass layer, the outer glass layer has a front side and a back side; and

an information display, the information display is mounted on the back side of the outer glass layer, such that a user can view an image displayed on the information display while looking at the front side of the outer glass layer.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer glass layer has a mirror portion and the user can see a reflection in the mirror portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a defogger, the defogger is attached to the back side of the outer glass layer.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

an inner glass layer, the inner glass layer is attached to an inside surface of the medicine cabinet door, the inner glass layer has a mirror portion and the user can see a reflection in the mirror portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein a thickness of the medicine cabinet door is less than 1.5 inch.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a transducer, the transducer is attached to the back side of the outer glass layer, wherein the transducer vibrates in response to an input signal and an audible sound is created thereby.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the input signal is related to an image displayed on the information display.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising:

an information display control, the information display control is mounted to the outer glass layer.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the information display control uses a wireless signal to control the information display.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a frequency of the wireless signal is part of the Infrared Spectrum.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a frequency of the wireless signal is part of the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information display displays a signal received from a television tuner.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information display displays a signal received from a video play back device.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information display displays a television signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information display displays a signal that came from the Internet.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a backlight assembly, comprising;

a first area in the outer glass layer, the first area scatters light; and

a light source, the light source is positioned on the back side of the outer glass layer, such that light emitted from the light source can pass through the first area.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the light source is positioned directly behind the first area such that direct backlight is provided in the first area.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the light source is positioned to a side of the first area such that indirect backlight is provided in the first area.

19. An apparatus, comprising:

a glass layer, the glass layer has a front side, a back side, a first area that scatters light, and a second area that reflects light; and

a backlight assembly for a medicine cabinet door, comprising;

a light source, the light source is positioned on the back side of the glass layer.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first area is frosted.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first area is sandblasted.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein an acid etch is used to frost the first area.

23. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a diffuser, the diffuser is positioned behind the first area.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the diffuser is made from acrylic plastic.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein at least one side of the diffuser is a color selected to enhance reflection of light.

26. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the diffuser is a composite of at least two materials.

27. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the diffuser is made from a single material.

28. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

a metal reflector, the metal reflector is positioned behind the first area.

29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the light source is a distributed linear light source.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the distributed linear light source is comprised of an array of light emitting diodes (LEDS).

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the distributed linear light source is comprised of an array of incandescent bulbs.

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the distributed linear light source is comprised of a fluorescent tube.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the distributed linear light source is positioned at an angle relative to the glass layer in order to decrease a height of the distributed linear light source above the glass layer.

34. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the light source develops a light intensity sufficient to illuminate a user without secondary lighting.

35. The apparatus of claim 34, wherein a thickness of the medicine cabinet door is less than 1.5 inch.

36. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the light source is positioned directly behind the first area such that direct backlight is provided in the first area.

37. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the light source is positioned to a side of the first area such that indirect backlight is provided in the first area.

38. An apparatus comprising:

a medicine cabinet door, the medicine cabinet door has an outer glass layer, the outer glass layer has a front side and a back side; and

a transducer, the transducer is coupled to the back side of the outer glass layer, wherein the transducer vibrates the outer glass layer in response to an audio portion of an input signal and an audible sound is created thereby.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:

an information display, the information display is mounted on the back side of the outer glass layer, such that a user can view an image displayed on the information display while looking at the front side of the outer glass layer, wherein a video portion of the input signal is used to display the image on the information display.

40. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the input signal came from a television tuner.

41. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the input signal came from a video play back device.

42. The apparatus of claim 39, wherein the input signal came from the Internet.

43. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:

a first area of the outer glass layer, the first area scatters light;

a second area of the outer glass layer, the second area reflects light; and

a light source, the light source is positioned behind the first area.

44. The apparatus of claim 38, further comprising:

a diffuser, the diffuser is positioned on the back side over the first area.

45. A method comprising:

placing an information display behind an outer glass layer of a medicine cabinet door and within a volume of the medicine cabinet door.