Two way mirror with dual functions of rear view mirror and video displayer

• US 5,956,181 A
• Filed: 07/18/1997
• Issued: 09/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/18/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MediaView Technologies Corporation, Mobiletron Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: William Lin
• Inventors: Lin, William
• Primary Examiner(s): Epps, Georgia
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACK, RICKY LEVERN
• Application Number:
  US08/896,488
• Time in Patent Office: 795 Days
• Field of Search: 359/630, 359/631, 359/632, 348/148, 348/151
• US Class Current: 359/630
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 1/12 Mirror assemblies combined with other articles, e.g. clocks
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2001/1253 with cameras, video cameras or video screens
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/20 characterised by the type of display used
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8026 in addition to a rear-view mirror system
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 2300/8066 for monitoring rearward traffic

Abstract

The present invention discloses a two way, rear view mirror suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image. A preferred two way mirror of the invention comprises a flat transparent plate coated with or glued with a reflective film mounted within a casing which provides supports for the mirror and a mounting space for at least one video display monitor with a built-in light source mounted in said casing and positioned directly behind said reflective film to receive and display image received from a variety of information sources.

Claims

1. A two way mirror suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both an ordinary center rear view mirror image and a video image, said two way mirror comprising, in combination

(a) a flat transparent plate;

(b) a reflective film placed upon a backside of said flat transparent plate;

(c) a casing mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to hold said two way mirror; and

(d) at least one video display monitor with a built-in light source mounted in and enclosed entirely inside said casing and positioned directly behind said reflective film to receive and display image received from a variety of information sources;

whereby said two way mirror functions as an ordinary mirror when said video display monitor is inactivated to turn off the built-in light source while the same functions as an image display when said video display monitor is activated to turn on the built-in light source.

2. The two way mirror of claim 1 wherein said flat transparent plate can be either a glass plate or a plastic plate.

3. The two way mirror of claim 1 wherein said information sources consist of a plurality of input/output devices selected from the group of television, satellite transmission including global positioning system, video cassette recorder, video camera, computer, wireless network, and audio devices.

4. A two way mirror suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both an ordinary center rear view mirror image and a video image, said two way mirror comprising, in combination

(a) a flat transparent plate;

(b) a reflective film placed upon a front side of said flat transparent plate;

(c) a casing mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to hold said two way mirror; and

(d) at least one video display monitor with a built-in light source mounted in and enclosed entirely inside said casing and positioned directly behind said flat transparent plate to receive and display image received from a variety of information sources;

whereby said two way mirror functions as an ordinary mirror when said video display monitor is inactivated to turn off the built-in light source while the same functions as a image display when said video display monitor is activated to turn on the built-in light source.

5. The two way mirror of claim 4 wherein said flat transparent plate can be either a glass plate or a plastic plate.

6. The two way mirror of claim 4 wherein said information sources consist of a plurality of input/output devices selected from the group of television, satellite transmission including global positioning system, video cassette recorder, video camera, computer, wireless network, and audio devices.

7. A two way mirror suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both an ordinary center rear view mirror image and a video image, said two way mirror comprising, in combination

(a) a flat translucent plate;

(b) a casing mounted to a backside of said flat translucent plate to hold said two way mirror; and

(c) at least one video display monitor with a built-in light source mounted in and enclosed entirely inside said casing and positioned directly behind said flat translucent plate to receive and display image received from a variety of information sources;

whereby said two way mirror functions as an ordinary mirror when said video display monitor is inactivated to turn off the built-in light source while the same functions as a image display when said video display monitor is activated to turn on the built-in light source.

8. The two way mirror of claim 7 wherein said flat translucent plate can be either a tinted glass plate or a tinted plastic plate.

9. The two way mirror of claim 7 wherein said information sources consist of a plurality of input/output devices selected from the group of television, satellite transmission including global positioning system, video cassette recorder, video camera, computer, wireless network, and audio devices.

10. A two way mirror suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both an ordinary center rear view mirror image and a video image, said two way mirror comprising, in combination

(a) a flat transparent plate;

(b) a reflective film placed upon a backside of said flat transparent plate;

(c) a casing mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to hold said two way mirror; and

(d) at least one video display monitor with a built-in light source mounted in said casing and positioned directly behind said reflective film to receive and display image received from a variety of information sources;

whereby said two way mirror functions as an ordinary mirror when said video display monitor is inactivated to run off the built-in light source while the same functions as a image display when said video display monitor is activated to turn on the built-in light source.