Gradient LED Mirror Illumination for Shadow-Reducing Dressing Rooms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dressing room lighting, typically using overhead fluorescent or halogen bulbs, creates harsh and unflattering conditions that lead to unfavorable self-perception, affecting customer experience and sales, as uniform illumination can result in undesirable shadowing and distorted images.

Innovation Solution

A gradient illumination system with a light source featuring linear arrays of light emitting elements and a power regulation system that adjusts intensity along the height of the mirror, providing higher intensity at the head and torso area with a gradual decrease to the lower body, ensuring adequate illumination without harsh shadows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If uniform overhead lighting is used, then the entire area is illuminated, but harsh shadows and distorted images are created

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuniform illuminationVSAvoidharsh shadows

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by varying the illumination intensity across different vertical zones of the mirror. The lighting system provides higher intensity at head and torso levels and lower intensity at lower body levels, creating locally optimized lighting conditions that eliminate harsh shadows while maintaining adequate illumination throughout the space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The lighting system is segmented into multiple vertical zones with different intensity levels. By dividing the illumination into distinct segments (head/torso zone with higher intensity, lower body zone with lower intensity), the system achieves differentiated lighting that prevents harsh shadow formation while maintaining overall illumination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Illumination intensity

If side-lit mirrors with conventional bulbs are used, then illumination is provided, but the system generates substantial heat and requires high maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemirror illuminationVSAvoidheat generation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of light source technology from conventional incandescent or fluorescent bulbs to LED technology. This parameter change dramatically reduces energy loss as heat while maintaining adequate illumination intensity, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing mirror illumination and minimizing heat generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional sconces are placed alongside the mirror, then some illumination is provided, but the light output is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimple lighting arrangementVSAvoidlight output

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mirror structure with the lighting system by integrating LED arrays directly into the mirror assembly. This combination allows the system to maintain the simplicity of a single unit while achieving superior illumination output that conventional separate sconces cannot provide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces conventional bulb-based mechanical lighting systems with LED technology integrated into the mirror structure. This substitution enables higher light output from a more compact, efficient source while maintaining ease of installation and manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances customer perception by reducing harsh shadows and providing a more flattering view, potentially increasing customer satisfaction and sales by optimizing lighting conditions in dressing rooms.

Implementation Method 1

a light source including a linear array of light emitting elements

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emitting diode: Light Emitting Diode

Implementation Method 2

light emitting elements emit light in accordance with a tapered gradient intensity profile

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Data Source

PatentUS10091853B2System and method for providing gradient intensity illumination for lighted mirrors for dressing rooms and other applications

Publication Date: 2018.10.02 ELLIS MARY L

AI summary

An illumination system comprising a light source with a linear array of light emitting elements and an arrangement for regulating power to the array whereby the light emitting elements emit light in accordance with a tapered gradient intensity profile. In the illustrative embodiment, the light source includes first and second linear arrays of light emitting elements and a mirror is mounted there between. The tapered profile begins at the waist of a user when a user is standing near and in front of the mirror. In the digital embodiment, a camera is included along with software for detecting the user's waist (or detecting the user's height and inferring therefrom said user's waist) and adjusting the profile based on the detection of the user's height or waist. Any intensity profile, e.g. ramp, Gaussian, etc., may be implemented and one or more such arrays may be used and mounted horizontally, vertically or both. Each array may have a different intensity or luminous profile. In addition, or as an alternative, to the intensity profile, other optical qualities, such as color, may be changed across one or more of the arrays.