mirror system

Abstract

The invention relates to a mirror system, in particular a sanitary mirror system, comprising at least one slidably and / or pivotably mounted mirror element, a movement mechanism for moving and / or pivoting the mirror element, at least one first environmental sensor which is configured to detect an environment of the mirror system, and a mirror control connected to the movement mechanism and the first environmental sensor, which is configured to determine a position parameter of a mirror user on the basis of data detected by the first environmental sensor and to control the movement mechanism depending on the determined position parameter.

Description

The invention relates to a mirror system, in particular a sanitary mirror system, with at least one mirror element that is slidably and / or pivotably mounted and a movement mechanism for moving and / or pivoting the mirror element. A known mirror system of this type features a manually adjustable or manually operated mechanism to move and / or swivel a mirror element within the system. For users with limited mobility, operating such a mirror system can be difficult or even impossible. The invention is based on the objective of increasing the ease of use of a mirror system, especially for mirror users with mobility limitations. To solve the problem, a mirror system with the features of claim 1 is provided. The mirror system according to the invention comprises at least one slidably and / or pivotably mounted mirror element, a movement mechanism for displacing and / or pivoting the mirror element, at least one first environmental sensor configured to detect the environment of the mirror system, and a mirror control unit connected to the movement mechanism and the first environmental sensor, which is configured to determine a position parameter of a mirror user based on data acquired by the first environmental sensor and to control the movement mechanism depending on the determined position parameter. In particular, the mirror control unit can be configured to control the movement mechanism such that the mirror element is moved into a displacement and / or pivot position corresponding to the position parameter. In other words, the invention is based on the idea of ​​using at least one environmental sensor to determine a position parameter of a mirror user and to control the movement mechanism accordingly, i.e., to move and / or pivot the mirror element as needed. This sensor-based control of the movement mechanism enables automatic adjustment of the mirror element's position to the specific needs of the mirror user. In particular, it ensures that the mirror user has an optimal view of their reflection without having to manually operate the movement mechanism or change their own position. This significantly increases the ease of use of the mirror system for the user, especially if the user has limited mobility. The mirror system is also particularly suitable for barrier-free sanitary facilities.The mirror system according to the invention can be a sanitary mirror system. To control the motion mechanism, the mirror controller can, for example, access a list containing various possible position parameters or ranges for a position parameter and their associated displacement and / or swivel positions for the mirror element. This list can be stored externally or in a memory element of the mirror system, particularly in the mirror controller. The mirror controller can then compare the determined position parameter with the position parameters or ranges stored in the list and select the corresponding displacement and / or swivel position from the list to control the motion mechanism accordingly and, if necessary, reposition the mirror element.Alternatively or additionally, the mirror control can interpolate between the position parameters stored in the list and assigned displacement and / or swivel positions in order to assign an interpolated displacement and / or swivel position to the determined position parameter for controlling the motion mechanism. If the mirror element is already in the displacement and / or pivot position associated with the determined position parameter, it is conceivable that the movement mechanism is either not controlled at all or is controlled only in such a way as to maintain the current position of the mirror element. Alternatively or additionally, the mirror control can be designed to move to a holding position each time the mirror system is switched off and, upon or after each time the mirror system is switched on, to determine the position parameter and control the movement mechanism to move the mirror element into the displacement and / or pivot position associated with the position parameter. The position parameter can include, for example, body height, head position, eye position, or chin position. In this context, the term environment refers to a space located in front of a mirror surface of the mirror element. The mirror control unit can communicate wirelessly or via a wired signal connection with the motion mechanism and the first environmental sensor. The mirror control unit can, for example, comprise a processor, a control board, a microcontroller, an FPGA, or a remote server. At least the mirror control and the motion mechanism can be housed in a single enclosure. Preferably, at least the mirror element, the motion mechanism, the mirror control, and the first environmental sensor are combined into a single unit to provide a compact design for the mirror system. Alternatively, it is also conceivable that components of the mirror system, such as several first environmental sensors, are distributed throughout the space, which improves the sensor-based control of the motion mechanism, as, for example, the position parameter can be determined more accurately. The mirror system can include a bracket coupled to the movement mechanism, by means of which the mirror element can be mounted on a wall. According to another embodiment, the mirror element is pivotably mounted about an axis of inclination. For example, the axis of inclination can be horizontally oriented. Alternatively or additionally, the mirror element can be mounted so as to be slidably in the vertical direction. According to one embodiment, the position parameter includes the user's height. The mirror element can thus be moved into a displacement and / or pivot position corresponding to the user's height. In other words, the mirror system can adapt to the user's height. According to another embodiment, the movement mechanism includes at least one electrically operated actuator. According to another embodiment, the mirror element is mounted in steps or continuously movable. According to another embodiment, the mirror element is mounted to pivot in steps or continuously. According to a further embodiment, the first environmental sensor comprises a laser sensor. Such a laser sensor can include a pixel matrix, for example, with pixels arranged in 8 rows and 8 columns. The position of the mirror user relative to the mirror element can be determined from the time of flight of light pulses emitted and received after reflection from a mirror user. Alternatively or additionally, the first environmental sensor can also include a camera, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a radar sensor, or a LiDAR sensor. According to a further embodiment, the mirror system comprises at least one lighting element connected to the mirror control and adjustable in at least one lighting characteristic for illuminating the surroundings. The at least one lighting characteristic can include brightness, e.g., determined as luminous flux (e.g., measured in lumens), illuminance, luminous intensity, and / or color temperature. Preferably, the brightness, illuminance, luminous intensity, and / or color temperature of the lighting element are continuously adjustable, in the case of the color temperature value, e.g., within a color temperature range between 3000 K and 6500 K. According to a further embodiment, the mirror system also includes at least a second environmental sensor for detecting the environment of the mirror system. The mirror control unit is connected to the second environmental sensor and is configured to determine an ambient light parameter based on data acquired by the second environmental sensor and to control the lighting element depending on this determined parameter. In other words, the mirror system can combine both sensor-based control of the movement mechanism and sensor-based control of the lighting element. This allows the mirror system to automatically adapt not only to the user's height but also to the ambient light conditions, thus providing optimal user comfort. For example, the brightness and / or color temperature of the lighting element can be adjusted.For example, the lighting element can be controlled in such a way as to simulate daylight conditions. The second environmental sensor can be an ambient light sensor. For example, the second environmental sensor may include a brightness sensor, a photodiode, a phototransistor, a colorimeter, and / or a spectrophotometer. According to a further embodiment, the lighting element is integrated into the mirror element. For example, the lighting element can be arranged in an edge region of a mirror surface of the mirror element or in or on a frame that at least partially surrounds the mirror surface. Preferably, the lighting element comprises a plurality of lighting means, in particular LEDs, wherein the lighting means can be arranged in at least one row and / or along an edge of the mirror element. According to a further embodiment, the first and / or the second environmental sensor are integrated into the mirror element. For example, the first and / or the second environmental sensor can be arranged in an edge region of a mirror surface of the mirror element or in or on a frame that at least partially surrounds the mirror surface. For example, the first and / or the second environmental sensor can be arranged centrally in a lower edge region of the mirror element. Furthermore, the first and second environmental sensors can be housed in a common casing. According to a further embodiment, the mirror system comprises a user interface for receiving user input, wherein the user input specifies a displacement and / or pivoting position of the mirror element and / or an adjustment of the lighting properties of the lighting element, and the mirror control is configured to control the movement mechanism and / or the at least one lighting element depending on the received user input. This allows the mirror system to be specifically adjusted by the user according to their needs and preferences. User input can override or take precedence over the automatic sensor-based control of the movement mechanism and / or the lighting element for a certain period of time, for example until further user input is received indicating that the sensor-based control should be reactivated, or until the next time the mirror system is switched off and on again. The user interface can be provided, for example, by a mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, or remote control, and / or by a camera, microphone, control element such as a touchpad, button, and / or rotary knob located on or near the mirror element. User input can take the form of a gesture, voice command, rotation of a rotary knob, button press, touch, numerical input, or text input. It is understood that the user interface can be connected to the mirror control system, particularly via a wired or wireless signal connection. For example, the mirror user can also trigger the automatic control of the movement mechanism and / or the lighting element described above by user input via the user interface. According to another embodiment, user input can be stored by the mirror control as a setting preferred by the mirror user. The invention is described below by way of example with reference to one possible embodiment and the accompanying drawing. The drawing shows: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of a mirror system in front view; Fig. 2 a side view of the mirror system of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a circuit diagram of the mirror system of Fig. 1. The mirror system 100, schematically depicted in Fig. 1, comprises a mirror element 10 which is pivotably mounted about a horizontally oriented axis of inclination z. In this case, the mirror element 10 has a rectangular base shape, and the axis of inclination z runs parallel to a lower edge of the mirror element 10. It is understood that the mirror element 10 can also have a different shape and, for example, be round or elliptical. The mirror system 100 further comprises a first environmental sensor 22 and a second environmental sensor 24, which are housed in a first sensor box 20. The sensor box 20 is integrated into the mirror element 10. In particular, the sensor box 20 is arranged in a lower edge region of a mirror surface 11 of the mirror element 10. The first environmental sensor 22 and the second environmental sensor 24 are configured to detect the environment of the mirror system 100. The first environmental sensor 22 is a laser-based position sensor, and the second environmental sensor 24 is an ambient light sensor. To illuminate the area in front of the mirror element 10, and in particular a user of the mirror (not shown) located in front of the mirror element 10, the mirror system 100 in Fig. 1 comprises at least one first light bar 32 adjustable in at least one lighting characteristic and at least one second light bar 34 adjustable in at least one lighting characteristic, each comprising a plurality of lighting means, in particular LEDs. The light bars 32, 34 are integrated into the mirror element 10 and arranged in opposite edge regions of the mirror surface 11, each extending parallel to the vertical edges of the mirror element 10. The mirror system 100 also includes a user interface 40 for receiving user input. The user interface 40 is provided by at least one control element, here in the form of a touchpad, which is integrated into the mirror element 10. Additionally, a user interface installed on a mobile device of the mirror user can be provided. The mirror system 100 further comprises a movement mechanism 46 for pivoting the mirror element 10 (Fig. 2), which includes an electrically operated actuator 48 (Fig. 3). The mirror system 100 further comprises a mirror control unit 50, which is connected to the actuator 48, the first ambient sensor 22, the second ambient sensor 24, the first light strip 32, and the second light strip 34. The mirror control unit 50 is configured to determine a position parameter of a mirror user based on data acquired by the first ambient sensor 22 and an ambient light parameter based on data acquired by the second ambient sensor 24. Furthermore, the mirror control unit 50 is configured, depending on the determined position parameter, to actuate the actuator 48 of the movement mechanism and to move the mirror element 10 into a pivot position corresponding to the position parameter. Depending on the determined ambient light parameter, the mirror control unit 50 is also configured to actuate the first and second light strips 32 and 34 and to adjust their lighting properties, specifically their brightness and color temperature. Through this sensor-based control of the movement mechanism 46 and the light strips 32, 34, the mirror system 100 can automatically adapt to the body size of the respective mirror user as well as to the ambient light conditions. Additionally, a mirror user can use the user interface 40 to set a desired swivel position of the mirror element 10 and / or a desired lighting characteristic of the first and second light strips 32, 34. This allows the mirror user to adapt the mirror system 100 even better to their needs and preferences. The user input overrides the sensor-based control of the actuator 48 of the movement mechanism and the light strips 32, 34 and can be saved by the mirror control unit 50 as the user's preferred setting. Fig. 3 shows a circuit diagram of the mirror system 100 from Fig. 1. The mirror control 50 comprises a microcontroller 52, a first bridge circuit 53 (e.g., an H-bridge), and a second bridge circuit 55 (e.g., an H-bridge). The microcontroller 52 is connected to the first light strip 32 and the second light strip 34 via the first bridge circuit 53. The microcontroller 52 is also connected to the actuator 48 of the motion mechanism 46 via the second bridge circuit 55, which provides current measurement and feedback to the microcontroller 52. The microcontroller 52, the first bridge circuit 53, and the second bridge circuit 55 are housed together with a power supply 51 in a common enclosure 57. The microcontroller 52 is further connected to the sensor box 20 and the first and second environmental sensors 22, 24 located therein. The sensor box 20 is located outside the housing 57. The microcontroller 52 is also connected to the user interface 40, which is located outside the housing 57. Reference symbol list 10 Mirror element 11 Mirror surface 20 First sensor box 22 First ambient sensor 24 Second ambient sensor 32 First light strip 34 Second light strip 40 User interface 46 Motion mechanism 48 Actuator 50 Mirror control 51 Power supply 52 Microcontroller 53 First bridge circuit 55 Second bridge circuit 57 Housing 100 Mirror system

Claims

Mirror system (100), in particular a sanitary mirror system, comprising at least one mirror element (10) that is slidably and / or pivotably mounted; a movement mechanism (46) for moving and / or pivoting the mirror element (10); at least one first environmental sensor (22) which is configured to detect an environment of the mirror system (100); and a mirror control (50) connected to the movement mechanism (46) and the first environmental sensor (22), which is configured to determine a position parameter of a mirror user based on data detected by the first environmental sensor (22) and to control the movement mechanism (46) depending on the determined position parameter. Mirror system (100) according to claim 1, wherein the mirror element (10) is pivotably mounted about an axis of inclination (z), in particular about a horizontally oriented axis of inclination (z). Mirror system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mirror element (10) is mounted so as to be displaceable in the vertical direction. Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the mirror element (10) is mounted in steps or continuously pivotable or displaceable. Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the movement mechanism (46) comprises at least one electrically operated actuator (48). Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the position parameter comprises a body height of the mirror user. Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first environmental sensor (22) comprises a laser sensor. Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one lighting element (32, 34) connected to the mirror control (50) and adjustable in at least one lighting characteristic for illuminating the surroundings. Mirror system (100) according to claim 8, further comprising at least a second environmental sensor (24) for detecting the environment of the mirror system (100), wherein the mirror control (50) is connected to the second environmental sensor (24) and is configured to determine an ambient light parameter based on data detected by the second environmental sensor (24) and to control the lighting element (32, 34) depending on the determined ambient light parameter. Mirror system (100) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one illumination property comprises brightness, illuminance, luminous intensity and / or color temperature. Mirror system (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the lighting element (32, 34) is integrated into the mirror element (10). Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first environmental sensor (22) and / or the second environmental sensor (24) are / are integrated into the mirror element (10). Mirror system (100) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a user interface (40) for receiving a user input, wherein the user input specifies a displacement and / or pivot position of the mirror element (10) and / or a setting of the lighting property of the lighting element (32, 34) and the mirror control (50) is configured to control the movement mechanism (46) and / or the at least one lighting element (32, 34) depending on the user input received. Mirror system (100) according to claim 13, wherein the user input can be stored as a setting preferred by the mirror user in the mirror control (50).

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