Mirror Display Auxiliary Illumination for Dark Visibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Mirror displays face challenges in achieving sufficient visibility of reflected images in dark environments due to the visibility of auxiliary illumination units and limited brightness, which affects design aesthetics and commercial value.
Innovation Solution
The integration of an auxiliary illumination unit with a light source built into the mirror display, controlled separately from the display device, and arranged to ensure the light source is not visible from the viewing side, with a brightness greater than the display device in white mode, addresses the visibility and aesthetics issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If an auxiliary illumination unit is added to improve visibility of reflected images in mirror mode in dark environments, then visibility is improved, but the light source becomes visible which deteriorates design aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
A light guide plate is introduced as an intermediary component between the auxiliary light source and the viewing side. The light guide plate conducts light from the auxiliary light source (arranged on the rear side) to illuminate the mirror region while keeping the light source itself hidden. This mediator allows the light to reach the front surface without exposing the light source, thus improving visibility while maintaining design aesthetics.
2Illumination intensity
If the auxiliary illumination unit brightness is increased to sufficiently improve visibility in mirror mode, then visibility is improved, but the auxiliary illumination unit becomes more visible which deteriorates design aesthetics
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate serves as a mediator that distributes light from the auxiliary light source across the mirror region. By using the light guide plate, the system can increase the brightness of reflected images without making the auxiliary illumination unit itself more visible, as the light is conducted and distributed rather than emitted directly from a visible source.
3Illumination intensity
If a completely separate electric lamp is used as the auxiliary illumination unit, then visibility of reflected images is improved, but additional mounting location and power supply are required which increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The auxiliary illumination unit is merged with the existing mirror display structure. The auxiliary light source is arranged on the rear side of the half mirror plate, utilizing the same space and power supply infrastructure as the display device. This integration eliminates the need for separate mounting locations and additional power supply connections, reducing device complexity while maintaining improved visibility.
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 configuration significantly improves visibility of reflected images in mirror mode in dark environments while maintaining improved design aesthetics and commercial value.
Implementation Method 1
the region from which the display device is not emitting display light functions as a mirror due to the reflection of external light off of that region
Implementation Method 2
the auxiliary illumination unit ... emits light towards the viewing side when the mirror display is in the mirror mode
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a mirror display that has improved design aesthetics and makes it possible to sufficiently improve visibility in mirror mode in dark environments. The mirror display according to the present invention includes a half mirror plate having a half mirror layer, a display device, a case, and an auxiliary illumination unit that includes an auxiliary light source. The case supports at least the half mirror plate and the display device and includes an outer frame that covers an edge of a front surface of the half mirror plate when viewed in a plan view from a viewing side. The display device is arranged on a rear side of the half mirror plate. The auxiliary light source is arranged on the rear side of the half mirror plate, the display device, or the outer frame. The auxiliary illumination unit is controlled separately from the display device and emits light towards the viewing side when the mirror display is in mirror mode. As measured on the viewing side, a brightness of the light emitted from the auxiliary illumination unit is greater than a brightness of the display device when the display device is in a white display state.