Mirror having a portion in the form of an information provider

• US 7,455,412 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2001
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mirror Image AG
• Original Assignee: Mirror Image AG
• Inventors: Rottcher, Oliver
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee; Diane I.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cruz; Magda
• Application Number:
  US09/883,729
• Publication Number:
  US 20020015226A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,717 Days
• Field of Search: 359/449, 359/460, 359/445, 359/443, 359800-830, 359/35, 359/1, 359/119, 359/74, 359838-839, 409/00, 345/24, 345/76, 348/748
• US Class Current: 359/839
• 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 15/00 Boards, hoardings, pillars, or like structures for notices, placards, posters, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 40/90 Mirror that has changing effect

Abstract

In a mirror with a non-reflective portion provided within its reflective mirror surface as an information provider the portion is transparent and is backed by a display. The display has a moving image or has a colored image representation. Preferably at least one loudspeaker is connected to the display behind the mirror surface. That loudspeaker can also be connected to an input device.

Claims

1. A wall mirror with a non-reflective portion provided within a reflective surface of the mirror as an information provider, and a frame having a flat frame structure,

wherein at least a portion of the mirror surface is clear as glass or totally transparent and is backed by a flat screen or a color display, the flat screen or the display being provided with a moving image, the flat screen or the display being attached to the frame, and

wherein

the mirror surface is part of a mirror insert which is associated with the frame to form a closed mirror interior, or

the mirror surface is part of a mirror attachment which is fitted onto the frame to form a closed mirror interior.

2. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein the flat screen or the display employs TFT or plasma or hologram technologies.

3. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein behind the mirror surface at least one loudspeaker is connected to the flat screen or the display.

4. The mirror according to claim 3 wherein the loudspeaker is associated with a perforated region of the frame.

5. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein behind the mirror surface at least one loudspeaker is connected to an input device.

6. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein the flat screen or the display is connected to an input device.

7. The mirror according to claim 6 wherein the input device is optionally an external input device.

8. The mirror according to claim 1 wherein the flat screen or the display is secured to strut means which are associated with the frame.

9. The mirror according to claim 1 further with a radio receiver module for the moving image.

10. The mirror according to claim 1 further with an integrated remote operating means for volume control.

11. The mirror according to claim 10 wherein the integrated remote operating means is an infrared operating means.