Smart mirror and control method thereof
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current smart mirrors fail to effectively reconcile the need for information display and mirror functionality under varying illuminance conditions, particularly at low light levels, which hampers user experience.
Innovation Solution
A smart mirror design incorporating a rear cover with a display screen, a lighting circuit, a distance sensing circuit, and a control circuit that adjusts the display screen and lighting based on user proximity, using a combination of infrared and ultrasonic sensing to determine when to activate the lighting or display information, ensuring functionality as a mirror with improved visibility under diverse light conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the display screen is turned on to display information, then information display function is improved, but the mirror function deteriorates because the display screen blocks the reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic switching between display and mirror modes based on user presence detection. The control circuit automatically transitions the display screen between on and off states according to whether a user is detected in front of the mirror, ensuring that only one function is active at a time. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible rather than static.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs infrared sensing circuits to detect user presence and provide feedback to the control circuit. This feedback mechanism enables the system to automatically adjust its state (display or mirror mode) based on real-time detection of user proximity, ensuring optimal functionality for the current usage scenario without manual intervention.
2Illumination intensity
If the display screen is turned off to enable mirror function, then mirror visibility is improved, but information display capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between display and mirror modes based on detected user presence. When no user is detected, the display screen remains on to show information; when a user is detected, the display turns off to provide clear mirror reflection. This dynamic behavior ensures both functions are available at appropriate times.
Solution Approach 2:
Infrared sensing circuits continuously monitor for user presence and provide feedback to the control circuit, which automatically adjusts the display state accordingly. This feedback loop ensures seamless transitions between information display and mirror viewing modes based on actual usage needs.
3Reliability
If traditional mirror is used at night with low ambient light, then mirror function is maintained, but visibility deteriorates because insufficient light reflects off the user
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates illumination circuits that activate in advance when user presence is detected, particularly in low-light conditions. The lighting is prepared beforehand to ensure adequate illumination is available immediately when the user approaches, eliminating the visibility problem associated with traditional mirrors used at night.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects ambient light conditions and user presence, then self-adjusts by activating the illumination circuit when needed. The smart mirror serves itself by monitoring environmental conditions and autonomously providing appropriate lighting without requiring manual intervention from the user.
4Illumination intensity
If illumination is added to improve night visibility, then visibility is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination circuit operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when the control circuit detects user presence in front of the mirror. The lighting turns on during the user's interaction period and turns off when no user is detected, creating a periodic on-off pattern that reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining visibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
Infrared sensing circuits provide real-time feedback about user presence to the control circuit, which automatically activates or deactivates the illumination circuit based on this feedback. This feedback-driven control ensures illumination is provided only when necessary, optimizing the balance between visibility and energy consumption.
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
The smart mirror effectively adapts to user needs by providing illumination and information display according to user distance, enhancing user experience by ensuring visibility and functionality regardless of ambient light levels.
Implementation Method 1
a lighting circuit disposed on the rear cover and configured to emit illumination beam
Implementation Method 2
a distance sensing circuit disposed on the rear cover and configured to sense distance of a user in a target area
Implementation Method 3
using a combination of infrared and ultrasonic sensing to determine when to activate the lighting or display information
Implementation Method 4
the smart mirror is turned into a mirror for use by utilization of the intensity contrast between the inner side and the outer side of the mirror
Data Source
AI summary
A smart mirror and a control method thereof are provided. The smart mirror includes a rear cover; a display screen disposed on the rear cover and configured to display preset information; a lighting circuit disposed on the rear cover and configured to emit illumination beam; a distance sensing circuit disposed on the rear cover and configured to sense distance of a user in a target area; a control circuit disposed on the rear cover and electrically connected with the display screen, the lighting circuit and the distance sensing circuit, and configured to start one of the display screen and the lighting circuit according to the distance sensed by the distance sensing circuit; a display mirror surface that is disposed on the rear cover and only covers the display screen.