Mirror

• US 10,448,762 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2017
• Issued: 10/22/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kohler Company
• Original Assignee: Kohler Company
• Inventors: Murphy, Roger, Mueller, Jeffrey, LeTourneau, Alex, Lemel, Jesse, Diemel, Jr., Doug
• Primary Examiner(s): Alunkal, Thomas D
• Application Number:
  US15/706,214
• Publication Number:
  US 20190087788A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 1/02 Mirrors used as equipment hand, pocket, or shaving mirrors A45D42/00; optical viewing means for vehicles B60R1/00
• CPC Class Codes: A47K 13/105 Toilet seat or toilet cover handles
• CPC Class Codes: E03C 1/057 touchless, i.e. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 5/105 touchless, e.g. using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E03D 9/002 Automatic cleaning devices
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/20 Administration of product repair or maintenance
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00403 Voice input means, e.g. voice commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus

Abstract

A mirror assembly includes a mirror substrate, a sensor, and a controller. The mirror substrate is configured to provide a reflection of objects including a user. The sensor is configured to collect sensor data from the user. The controller is configured to analyze the sensor data and select an auxiliary command for an auxiliary device coordinated with the mirror assembly. The auxiliary command is selected for the user.

Claims

1. A mirror assembly comprising:

a mirror substrate configured to provide a reflection of objects including a user;

a sensor configured to collect sensor data from the user; and

a controller configured to analyze the sensor data and select an auxiliary command for controlling an auxiliary device, the auxiliary device spaced apart from and coordinated with the mirror assembly, the auxiliary command selected for the user based on the sensor data.

2. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a communication interface configured to send the auxiliary command to the auxiliary device or receive a status of the auxiliary device.

3. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the auxiliary device comprises a toilet, a sink, a shower, a bathtub, a floor tile, or a light guide.

4. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a cabinet coupled to the mirror substrate and including a storage space.

5. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive an instruction from the user or display data to the user.

6. The mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the mirror assembly comprises the user interface.

7. The mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the auxiliary command for the auxiliary device is based on the instruction from the user received at the user interface.

8. The mirror assembly of claim 5, wherein the data displayed at the user interface includes status data for the auxiliary device, settings data for the auxiliary device, configuration data for the user, or type data for the auxiliary device.

9. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one speaker configured to provide audio comprising status data for the auxiliary device, settings data for the auxiliary device, configuration data for the user, or type data for the auxiliary device.

10. The mirror assembly of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises an image collection device, a relative distance collection device, a temperature mapping device, an audio sensor, an environment sensor, or a remote sensor.

11. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a tactile switch including a capacitive sensor.

12. The mirror assembly of claim 11, wherein the tactile switch is configured to provide the auxiliary command for the auxiliary device.

13. The mirror assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a light controllable in association with the auxiliary device.

14. The mirror assembly of claim 13, wherein the controller is configured to determine an angle or position for the light based on the auxiliary command selected for the user.

15. A method for coordinating at least one auxiliary device with a mirror assembly, the method comprising:

receiving sensor data for a user at the mirror assembly;

performing an analysis on the sensor data; and

selecting, based on the analysis, an auxiliary command for controlling an auxiliary device coordinated with the mirror assembly and spaced apart from the mirror assembly, the auxiliary command selected for the user.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the auxiliary device comprises a toilet, a sink, a shower, a bathtub, a floor tile, or a light guide.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the sensor data is collected at a camera integrated with the mirror assembly.

18. An apparatus comprising:

a controller for a mirror assembly, the controller configured to analyze sensor data received from a sensor and select an auxiliary command for controlling an auxiliary device, the auxiliary device being spaced apart from and coordinated with the mirror assembly, the auxiliary command selected for the user based on the sensor data; and

a communication interface configured to send the auxiliary command to the auxiliary device.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a user interface configured to receive an instruction from the user or display data to the user.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the auxiliary command for the auxiliary device is based on the instruction from the user received at the user interface and the data displayed at the user interface includes status data for the auxiliary device, settings data for the auxiliary device, configuration data for the user, or type data for the auxiliary device.