Adjustable segmented dual function mirror with video display
First Claim
1. An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient light condition, said ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional matrix connection of a number of traditional mirror segments and at least one dual function mirror segments wherein each of said dual function mirror segments being mechanically connected to the rest of said ASDFM through a rotationally adjustable means, each said dual function mirror segment further comprising:
- (a) a flat transparent plate;
(b) a translucent reflective film being placed upon said flat transparent plate;
(c) an optional casing being mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to enclose said dual function mirror segment; and
(d) a video display device having a built-in light source and being mounted within said optional casing and positioned directly behind said dual function mirror segment to receive and display images received from a variety of information sources whereby (e) each of said number of traditional mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror;
(f) each of said dual function mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror when said video display device is deactivated to turn off the built-in light source;
(g) each said dual function mirror segment functions as an image display when said video display device is activated to turn on the built-in light source producing a visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast Cia, defined as the ratio between a fraction of a transmitted display image light intensity from each said dual function mirror segment, Idt, and a reflected ambient object light intensity from each said dual function mirror segment, Iar, and (h) an angular orientation, with respect to a user of the ASDFM, of each said dual function mirror segment, regardless of the variation of direction and intensity of a surrounding ambient light, being correspondingly adjusted through said rotationally adjustable means to achieve an optimal Cia for viewing.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient lighting condition is disclosed. The ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional connection of traditional mirror segments and dual function mirror segments. Each dual function mirror segment can be rotationally and adjustably connected to the rest of the ASDFM to achieve an optimal visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast for viewing. Alternatively, a position adjustable variable transmissivity screen, a controllable variable transmissivity film or a controllable variable reflectivity film can be included in a dual function mirror segment that is rigidly connected to the rest of the ASDFM for the same purpose. Numerous mechanical, fluid dynamical and electrical implementations are described.
13 Citations
35 Claims
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1. An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient light condition, said ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional matrix connection of a number of traditional mirror segments and at least one dual function mirror segments wherein each of said dual function mirror segments being mechanically connected to the rest of said ASDFM through a rotationally adjustable means, each said dual function mirror segment further comprising:
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(a) a flat transparent plate;
(b) a translucent reflective film being placed upon said flat transparent plate;
(c) an optional casing being mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to enclose said dual function mirror segment; and
(d) a video display device having a built-in light source and being mounted within said optional casing and positioned directly behind said dual function mirror segment to receive and display images received from a variety of information sources whereby (e) each of said number of traditional mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror;
(f) each of said dual function mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror when said video display device is deactivated to turn off the built-in light source;
(g) each said dual function mirror segment functions as an image display when said video display device is activated to turn on the built-in light source producing a visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast Cia, defined as the ratio between a fraction of a transmitted display image light intensity from each said dual function mirror segment, Idt, and a reflected ambient object light intensity from each said dual function mirror segment, Iar, and (h) an angular orientation, with respect to a user of the ASDFM, of each said dual function mirror segment, regardless of the variation of direction and intensity of a surrounding ambient light, being correspondingly adjusted through said rotationally adjustable means to achieve an optimal Cia for viewing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient light condition, said ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional mechanical matrix connection of a number of traditional mirror segments and at least one dual function mirror segments, each said dual function mirror segment further comprising:
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(a) a flat transparent plate;
(b) a translucent reflective film being placed upon said flat transparent plate;
(c) a optional casing being mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to enclose said dual function mirror segment;
(d) a video display device having a built-in light source and being mounted within said optional casing and positioned directly behind said dual function mirror segment to receive and display images received from a variety of information sources; and
(e) a variable transmissivity means being movably interposed between said flat transparent plate and said video display device whereby (f) each of said number of traditional mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror;
(g) each of said dual function mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror when said video display device is deactivated to turn off the built-in light source;
(h) each said dual function mirror segment functions as an image display when said video display device is activated to turn on the built-in light source producing a visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast Cia; and
(i) said variable transmissivity means, regardless of the variation of direction and intensity of a surrounding ambient light, being correspondingly adjusted lineally with respect to the rest of said each dual function mirror segment to achieve an optimal Cia for viewing. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient light condition, said ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional mechanical matrix connection of a number of traditional mirror segments and at least one dual function mirror segments, each said dual function mirror segment further comprising:
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(a) a flat transparent plate;
(b) a controllable variable transmissivity film means being placed upon said flat transparent plate;
(c) an optional casing being mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to enclose said dual function mirror segment; and
(d) a video display device having a built-in light source and being mounted within said optional casing and positioned directly behind said dual function mirror segment to receive and display images received from a variety of information sources whereby (e) each of said number of traditional mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror;
(f) each of said dual function mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror when said video display device is deactivated to turn off the built-in light source;
(g) each said dual function mirror segment functions as an image display when said video display device is activated to turn on the built-in light source producing a visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast Cia; and
(h) said controllable variable transmissivity film means, regardless of the variation of direction and intensity of a surrounding ambient light, being correspondingly adjusted to achieve an optimal Cia for viewing. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An Adjustable Segmented Dual Function Mirror with video display (ASDFM) suitable for providing alternatively or simultaneously both a conventional reflected image and a video image under a wide range of ambient light condition, said ASDFM comprises a two-dimensional mechanical matrix connection of a number of traditional mirror segments and at least one dual function mirror segments, each said dual function mirror segment further comprising:
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(a) a flat transparent plate;
(b) a controllable variable reflectivity film means being placed upon said flat transparent plate;
(c) an optional casing being mounted to a backside of said flat transparent plate to enclose said dual function mirror segment; and
(d) a video display device having a built-in light source and being mounted within said optional casing and positioned directly behind said dual function mirror segment to receive and display images received from a variety of information sources whereby (e) each of said number of traditional mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror;
(f) each of said dual function mirror segments functions as an ordinary reflective mirror when said video display device is deactivated to turn off the built-in light source;
(g) each said dual function mirror segment functions as an image display when said video display device is activated to turn on the built-in light source producing a visually relevant image-to-ambient contrast Cia; and
(h) said controllable variable reflectivity film means, regardless of the variation of direction and intensity of a surrounding ambient light, being correspondingly adjusted to achieve an optimal Cia for viewing. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification