Mirror with display function

Abstract

To provide a mirror with a display function, capable of achieving both of protection of privacy and improvement of convenience.SOLUTION: A mirror 10 with a display function includes an imaging part 40, a connection part 50, a mirror part 20, and a display part 30. The imaging part 40 acquires imaging data. The connection part 50 permits only an input of data from a connected external apparatus E. The display part 30 displays imaging information based on the imaging data by the imaging part 40 and external input information based on external input data to be input from an outside via the connection part 50, in at least a partial area of the mirror part 20.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mirror with a display function. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a display device. This display device outputs an image of a user and health data acquired by a camera to a monitor. The image output to the monitor is reflected by a half mirror and is visible to the user. The monitor can also display various information such as news and weather forecasts acquired from the Internet via a PC. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-183315 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the case of Patent Document 1, the image captured by the camera is output to a monitor via a personal computer. The computer is connected to the Internet to obtain information such as news. In this case, there is a risk that the image captured by the camera and personal information such as health data may be leaked onto the Internet.

[0005] The present disclosure has as its object to provide a mirror with a display function that can achieve both privacy protection and improved convenience. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The mirror with display function disclosed herein comprises an imaging unit that acquires imaging data, a connection unit that only allows input of data from a connected external device, a mirror unit, and a display unit that displays, in at least a portion of the mirror unit, imaging information based on the imaging data and external input information based on external input data input from the outside through the connection unit. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view showing a bathroom vanity equipped with a mirror with a display function according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a schematic example of the electrical configuration of the mirror with a display function. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a diagram (part 1) schematically illustrating a display example on a display unit. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram (part 2) schematically illustrating a display example on the display unit. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 3) schematically illustrating a display example on the display unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment 1> A first embodiment of a mirror with a display function according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In this embodiment, a mirror with a display function 10 (hereinafter simply referred to as mirror 10) is provided in a mirror cabinet 130 of a bathroom vanity 100 serving as a dressing table.

[0009] In the following description, the up and down directions are defined as the directions when the bathroom vanity 100 is installed. The left and right directions are defined as the directions as seen by a user facing the installed bathroom vanity 100. The left and right directions and the width direction are used synonymously.

[0010] 1 and 2, the bathroom vanity 100 has a washbasin counter 110, a lower cabinet 120, and a mirror cabinet 130. The washbasin counter 110 has a washbasin 111 that is open at the top and has a recess for receiving water, a counter portion 112 on which the washbasin 111 is placed, and a faucet 113. The lower cabinet 120 is placed below the washbasin counter 110. The lower cabinet 120 houses piping extending from the faucet 113.

[0011] The mirror cabinet 130 is a storage unit with a mirror that is located at the rear of the washbasin 111 in the bathroom vanity 100 and above the washbasin 111. As shown in FIG. 1, the mirror cabinet 130 has a cabinet main body 131 and a mirror with a display function 10. The cabinet main body 131 forms a storage space inside. The mirror with a display function 10 is attached to the cabinet main body 131 so as to be able to open and close freely, and functions as a mirror door. The mirror 10 has a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front.

[0012] The mirror cabinet 130 has a second mirror 132 and a third mirror 133 in addition to the mirror 10 with a display function. Like the mirror 10, the mirrors 132 and 133 are attached to the cabinet main body 131 so as to be able to open and close freely, and function as mirror doors. The mirrors 10, 132, and 133 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction on the front of the cabinet main body 131, and can be used as a three-way mirror. The mirrors 132 and 133 have a generally rectangular shape that is long in the vertical direction when viewed from the front. The vertical length of each of the mirrors 132 and 133 is generally equal to the vertical length of the mirror 10. The central second mirror 132 is longer in the left-right direction than the mirrors 10 and the third mirror 133 located on the left and right of the second mirror 132. The mirrors 10 and the third mirror 133 are each formed to have approximately the same width in the left-right direction.

[0013] 1, the display-equipped mirror 10 includes a mirror unit 20, a display unit 30, and an imaging unit 40. The mirror unit 20 is a rectangular plate extending over substantially the entire size of the rectangular mirror 10 when viewed from the front. The mirror unit 20 is a half mirror.

[0014] The display unit 30 displays information such as images, videos, and text in a partial area of ​​the mirror unit 20. The information displayed on the display unit 30 includes imaging information based on imaging data such as images and videos acquired by the imaging unit 40 (described later), and external input information based on external input data input from an external network such as the Internet via the connection unit 50 (described later). The display unit 30 is configured with a display device 31. The display device 31 can be, for example, a known display device such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the display device 31 is provided adjacent to the rear side of the mirror unit 20. Specifically, the display device 31 is disposed at a position corresponding to the center of the mirror unit 20 in the vertical and horizontal directions when viewed from the front. The display device 31 has a display surface that is rectangular when viewed from the front, with the vertical direction as the longitudinal direction. The display device 31 can display information under the control of the control unit 60, which will be described later. The display on the display device 31 is visible from the front of the mirror 10 through the mirror unit 20, which is composed of a half mirror. The display unit 30 displays information from the display device 31 when the display device 31 is activated. When the display device 31 is not activated (when the power is off) or when the brightness of the display surface is reduced (for example, when the backlight is turned off) when the display devices 31 and 32 are activated, the display unit 30 displays a reflected image on the mirror unit 20 and functions as a mirror. The display state of the display device 30 can be switched by operating the operation unit 70, which will be described later.

[0016] The imaging unit 40 acquires imaging data to be displayed on the display unit 30. The display unit 30 displays imaging information based on the imaging data acquired by the imaging unit 40. The imaging unit 40 is configured with an imaging device such as a digital camera. As shown in FIG. 1 , the imaging unit 40 is disposed behind the mirror unit 20 above the display device 31, and acquires imaging data of an image captured in front of the mirror unit 20.

[0017] 3, the mirror 10 with a display function is electrically configured to include a display unit 30, an imaging unit 40, a connection unit 50, a control unit 60, and an operation unit 70. The display unit 30, the imaging unit 40, the connection unit 50, and the operation unit 70 of the mirror 10 are each connected to the control unit 60. The mirror 10 is configured such that the operation of each unit and the display shown on the display unit 30 are controlled by the control unit 60.

[0018] The connection unit 50 is an interface for connecting an external device E. The connection unit 50 acquires external input data from the connected external device E. The mirror with display function 10 can be connected to an external network such as the Internet or a LAN via the external device E connected to the connection unit 50. The connection unit 50 is disposed, for example, on the rear surface (back surface) or outer peripheral surface of the mirror 10. The external input data input from outside through the connection unit 50 is the data that is the source of the external input information displayed on the display unit 30.

[0019] The connection unit 50 only allows data input from the connected external device E. The connection unit 50 cannot output data to the external device E. The mirror 10 with display function is equipped with only the connection unit 50 as an input / output interface. The connection unit 50 detachably connects the external device E via a terminal. The external device E can be, for example, a so-called media streaming terminal for connecting to a video distribution service or a PC (Personal Computer). The external device E can also be, for example, various communication devices, such as wireless or wired. The mirror 10 may be connected to other devices, such as a PC, smartphone, tablet, home game console, or smart speaker, via a communication device serving as the external device E connected to the connection unit 50. The connection unit 50 receives data from the outside according to a standardized communication method. Specifically, the connection unit 50 receives signals conforming to the HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) communication standard from the outside. The connection unit 50 is an input-only interface configured with an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal or the like.

[0020] The control unit 60 controls the operation of each of the display unit 30, the imaging unit 40, the connection unit 50, and the operation unit 70, which are connected to the control unit 60, and controls the switching of information to be output to the display unit 30. The control unit 60 is mainly configured, for example, with a microcomputer, and has an arithmetic unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) or a RAM (Random Access Memory), an A / D converter, etc., and is mounted on an electric board (not shown).

[0021] The control unit 60 receives input of imaging data acquired by the imaging unit 40 and external input data from an external device E via the connection unit 50. The control unit 60 generates imaging information based on the imaging data input from the imaging unit 40. The control unit 60 has a decoding function that decodes a signal conforming to the HDMI (registered trademark) standard that is input from the connection unit 50 as external input data. The control unit 60 decodes the external input data to generate external input information. The control unit 60 outputs either the generated imaging information or the external input information to the display unit 30.

[0022] The control unit 60 outputs only one of the generated imaging information and the external input information to switch the display on the display unit 30. As a result, the display unit 30 displays only one of the imaging information and the external input information, and the other information is not displayed during that time. Switching the type of information displayed on the display unit 30 can be performed by operating the operation unit 70, similar to switching the display state of the display unit 30.

[0023] The operation unit 70 is an operation unit for turning the power of each unit on and off, making various settings, and switching the display on the display unit 30. The operation unit 70 is disposed, for example, on the outer peripheral surface or rear surface (back surface) of the mirror 10. The operation unit 70 is configured with various known switches such as push-button switches and rotary switches. The operation unit 70 may, for example, have a capacitance touch switch that allows touch operation on the surface of the display unit 30 or the mirror surface of the mirror unit 20.

[0024] A method of using the mirror 10 with a display function configured as described above will now be described. First, the operation unit 70 is operated to turn on the power and start up the display unit 30, the image capture unit 40, and the control unit 60. Then, the operation unit 70 is operated to set the display settings of the display unit 30. For example, by setting the display unit 30 to display image information captured by the image capture unit 40, the display unit 30 will display image information based on the image data acquired by the image capture unit 40. The display settings and other settings of the display unit 30 can be selected as appropriate, such as to retain the settings from the last time use was completed, or to return to default settings each time start-up is performed.

[0025] When displaying image information captured by the image capturing unit 40 on the display unit 30, the image information can be displayed at a desired magnification, for example, by displaying the vicinity of the user's face as shown in Fig. 4 or the entire body of the user as shown in Fig. 5. The display magnification can be set arbitrarily by operating the operation unit 70.

[0026] The control unit 60 can execute display control to automatically change the display magnification and display the image. For example, when the user is standing close to the bathroom counter 110 in front of the mirror 10 (see FIG. 2), the control unit 60 generates and controls the display unit 30 to display enlarged image information of the area around the user's face, as shown in FIG. 4. When the user is positioned a predetermined distance (e.g., 500 mm or more) from the bathroom counter 110 in front of the mirror 10 and the user's entire body is included in the image data captured by the image capturing unit 40, the control unit 60 generates and controls the display unit 30 to display image information including the user's entire body, as shown in FIG. 5. In this way, the control unit 60 can execute display control to automatically change and display the display magnification depending on the user's position, etc.

[0027] The imaging information displayed on the display unit 30 can be displayed with a predetermined delay (for example, about 3 seconds) after the imaging data is acquired. For example, the control unit 60 acquires imaging data of the user with their back to the mirror with display function 10 using the imaging unit 40 and temporarily stores it. By displaying imaging information generated based on this imaging data with a predetermined delay, the user can see their own back view.

[0028] The control unit 60 can freely switch the display on the display unit 30 between image capture information from the image capture unit 40 and external input information via the connection unit 50. Switching between the display of image capture information and external input information on the display unit 30 can be performed by a user's switching operation on the operation unit 70, or by detecting whether or not external input data has been input via the connection unit 50. The control unit 60 controls the switching of the information display on the display unit 30 by detecting whether or not the operation unit 70 has been operated or input.

[0029] FIG. 6 shows an example of a case where external input information via the connection unit 50 is displayed on the display unit 30. When the external device E is a media streaming terminal, the external input data input from the connection unit 50 is mainly data that is displayed in landscape orientation. The external input data input from the connection unit 50 is output to the display unit 30 as external input information whose aspect ratio has been automatically adjusted by the control unit 60. On the display unit 30, landscape information with the aspect ratio adjusted is displayed in a portrait display area. The vertical position of the landscape information displayed on the display unit 30 in the display area can be set as desired.

[0030] The mirror 10 can be connected to an external network via the connection unit 50. However, the connection unit 50 is configured to only allow data input from the connected external device E and not to output internal data to the outside. This prevents the image data acquired by the imaging unit 40 from leaking to an external network. In particular, the mirror 10 is provided in the mirror cabinet 130 of the bathroom vanity 100. The bathroom vanity 100 is intended to be installed in a highly private space, such as a bathroom dressing room. In this case, a user may use the bathroom vanity 100 while undressed before or after bathing. For this reason, it is extremely significant that the connection unit 50 of the mirror 10 is configured to only allow input from the outside.

[0031] When using the mirror with display function 10 as a normal mirror, the operation unit 70 is operated. The control unit 60 switches the display state of the display unit 30 in response to the operation of the operation unit 70, such as turning off the power to the display devices 31, 32 or lowering the brightness of the display surface when the display devices 31, 32 are activated. This allows the entire surface of the mirror with display function 10, including the display unit 30, to be used as a mirror surface. In this case, the bathroom vanity 100 can be suitably used as a three-way mirror by combining the mirror with display function 10 with the other two mirrors 132, 133 of the mirror cabinet 130.

[0032] The effects of the display-equipped mirror 10 configured as described above will now be explained. The display-equipped mirror 10 comprises a mirror unit 20, a display unit 30, an imaging unit 40, and a connection unit 50. The imaging unit 40 acquires imaging data. The connection unit 50 only allows data input from a connected external device E. The display unit 30 displays, in a partial area of ​​the mirror unit 20, imaging information based on the imaging data captured by the imaging unit 40, and external input information based on external input data input from the outside via the connection unit 50.

[0033] Display-capable mirror 10 is highly convenient because it can display on display unit 30 image information, such as an image of the user of display-capable mirror 10 captured by image capture unit 40, as well as various information obtained from the outside via connection unit 50. Connection unit 50 only allows input of data from connected external device E, so internal data, such as highly private data captured by image capture unit 40, is not output to the outside. Therefore, display-capable mirror 10 can achieve both privacy protection and improved convenience.

[0034] The mirror with display function 10 is equipped with a control unit 60 that receives image data captured by the image capturing unit 40 and external input data via the connection unit 50, and generates image information based on the input image data and external input information based on the external input data via the connection unit 50, and outputs these to the display unit 30. This allows the display unit 30 to suitably display the image information captured by the image capturing unit 40 and the external input information based on data acquired from the outside via the connection unit 50.

[0035] The control unit 60 outputs either the image capture information from the imaging unit 40 or the external input information from the external device E to switch the display on the display unit 30. This allows the display unit 30 to display clear, easy-to-read information.

[0036] The connection unit 50 has a terminal for detachably connecting the external device E. Therefore, the display-equipped mirror 10 allows the external device connected to the connection unit 50 to be easily replaced according to the user's preferences and purpose, further improving convenience.

[0037] External input data is input via the HDMI (registered trademark) standard, which is a standardized communication method, to the connection unit 50. This allows the display-capable mirror 10 to achieve reliable privacy protection using the highly versatile HDMI (registered trademark) communication method.

[0038] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope.

[0039] (1) The display unit may be configured to display information on the entire mirror unit.

[0040] (2) When the connection unit is configured to have a terminal, the terminal may be a terminal other than an HDMI (registered trademark) terminal, such as a USB terminal.

[0041] (3) The connection unit may be configured to receive external input data according to a standardized communication method other than HDMI (registered trademark), or external input data according to a non-standardized proprietary communication method.

[0042] (4) If a mirror with a display function is provided on a dressing table, the dressing table may not be provided with washbasin equipment such as a faucet or a washbasin.

[0043] (5) It is not essential that the display mirror constitute a three-way mirror. When a three-way mirror is constituted, the display mirror may be applied to, for example, the left mirror or the center mirror. When a three-way mirror is constituted, the display mirror may be applied to, for example, two or more of the three mirrors.

[0044] (6) The display-equipped mirror is not limited to being applied to a mirror cabinet of a bathroom vanity. For example, the display-equipped mirror may be applied to a standalone mirror cabinet that is not provided on a vanity. For example, the display-equipped mirror may be attached independently to a fixed surface such as a wall of a house. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10...mirror with display function, 20...mirror unit, 30...display unit, 40...imaging unit, 50...connection unit, 60...control unit, E...external device

Claims

1. an imaging unit that acquires imaging data; a connection section that only allows input of data from a connected external device; A mirror part and a display unit that displays, in at least a partial area of ​​the mirror unit, imaging information based on the imaging data and external input information based on external input data input from the outside through the connection unit; It is equipped with The connection unit is an input-only interface, and the mirror with display function is configured so that internal data is not output to the outside.

2. 2. The mirror with display function according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that receives the imaging data and the external input data, generates imaging information based on the input imaging data, and input information based on the input external input data, and outputs the information to the display unit.

3. The mirror with display function according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit outputs either the image capture information or the external input information to switch the display on the display unit.

4. The mirror with a display function according to claim 1 , wherein the connection portion has a terminal for detachably connecting the external device.

5. The mirror with a display function according to claim 1 , wherein the external input data is input to the connection unit in accordance with a standardized communication method.

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