EP1875837A1

EP1875837A1 - Mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting

Info

Publication number: EP1875837A1
Application number: EP05738564A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yoshiaki Takida
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-28
Filing date: 2005-04-28
Publication date: 2008-01-09
Also published as: WO2006117879A1; JPWO2006117879A1

Abstract

A lighting functional section, which lights an object which is using a mirror by facing, is mounted on a mirror main body normally used. The lighting functional section is a lighting apparatus which uses irradiating light of a light emitting diode. The light emitting diode for lighting is mounted on a mirror glass in accordance with the size of the mirror or using purpose of the mirror. The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting has the function of lighting the object facing the mirror.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention described herein is a mirror mounted with light-emitting diode lighting (hereafter referred to as "this invention"). With this invention, light-emitting diodes (hereafter referred to as "LED") are integrated into a mirror that is used in normal life, i.e., a wall mirror, a vanity mirror or a tabletop mirror.

BACKGROUND ART

LEDs are replacing conventional filament lamps and fluorescent lights in areas such as display lamps, lighting fixtures and lighting devices. For example, LEDs are now beginning to spread into a variety of areas for display or lighting purposes, e.g., they are used in lighting for large/small display units, traffic lights, lamp fixtures, medical equipment, indoor lighting fixtures and display panels for household electronics and appliances, communication devices and computers.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

There are various kinds of mirrors in our daily life. These mirrors include those installed over the washbasin, those hanging on a wall of a room or passage as well as mirrors on dressing tables and tabletops. This invention assumes the use of these mirrors in normal life.
For average households, it is commonly observed that the ceiling of the room where the washbasin is installed is equipped with a lighting fixture to light the whole room. Furthermore, it is also commonly observed that the upper part of the mirror is equipped with a lighting fixture that takes into consideration the fact that overhead lighting tends to cast a shadow over the object facing the mirror.
When a person faces the mirror in the bathroom, the light made by the lighting fixture installed in the ceiling and the lighting fixture over the washbasin tend to cast a shadow over uneven surfaces including faces or clothes due to the downward direction of the light. Furthermore, these lights tend to cause uneven lighting, which makes the intensity of light different, due in part to the oblique downward illumination of the light. To avoid uneven lighting, it is preferable to equip a mirror with light that is installed in the mirror as level to the object facing the mirror as possible while achieving a soft illumination of the area in front of the mirror.
The purpose of this invention is to light the object facing the mirror as evenly as possible by mounting the LED lighting function within the mirror itself. The benefits being that uneven lighting over any object is avoided and the area around the mirror is simplified because lighting fixtures are not required.
Small and light LEDs have a long life expectancy and use much less power. Thus, considering the lighting, integrating LEDs into a mirror is preferable to using conventional filament lamps or fluorescent lights.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 (a) illustrates the standard form of this invention when it is affixed to a wall. FIG. 1 (b), as in FIG. 1 (a), illustrates several wall-fixture forms of this invention. This figure shows several different forms of the LED lighting functional sections.
FIG. 2 (a) illustrates a sectional view of the inner structure of this invention.
FIG. 2 (b) illustrates how to conduct a processing treatment on the mirror glass of this invention. The processing treatment is made on the part of the mirror into which LEDs are to be integrated.
FIG. 2 (c) illustrates angles by which LEDs are integrated into the mirror glass.
FIG. 3 describes the necessity of setting the radiation pattern of the light emitted from LEDs, according to the size and intended usage of the mirror.
FIG. 4 (a) shows the lighting pattern by which to adjust the luminance of the LED lighting. FIG. 4 (b) shows the method of adjusting the color temperature of the light by integrating several kinds of LEDs of different color temperatures.
FIG. 5 shows the method of adjusting the color temperature of irradiating light by switching color temperature patterns. This is under the condition that several kinds of LEDs of different color temperatures are integrated and the percentage by which to light those LEDs is determined as the color temperature pattern.
FIG. 6 is a chart that shows the process of calculating the number of each LED to actually be lit, In this process, the calculation is executed firstly by multiplying the total number of each kind of LED to be integrated, which is different in color temperature, by the color temperature pattern that has been set with the color temperature adjustment switch, and secondly by multiplying the calculated value by the luminance pattern that has been set with the luminance adjustment switch.
FIG. 7 shows the process of calculating the number of each LED to actually be lit by assigning numeric values to each condition. The calculation is executed by multiplying the total number of each kind of LED to be integrated, which is different in color temperature, by the color temperature pattern (set with the color temperature adjustment switch) or the luminance pattern (set with the luminance adjustment switch).
FIG. 8 (a) shows all the LED integration conditions of the lighting functional section of the mirror. FIG. 8 (b) shows examples of positions to integrate LEDs to actually be lit according to the color temperature pattern (set with the color temperature adjustment switch) and the luminance pattern (set with the luminance adjustment switch).
FIG 9 shows several forms of examples of this invention.
FIG. 10 (a) describes the LED lighting device that is equipped with the color temperature adjustment function. FIG. 10 (b) shows an example of the LED lighting fixture that is equipped with the color temperature adjustment function.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

This invention, as illustrated in FIG. 1 (a), comprises the mirror glass 105, LEDs 112 that are integrated as appropriate into the mirror according to the size and intended usage of the mirror, power switch 100, luminance adjustment switch 102, color temperature adjustment switch 111 and household power source AC 100-240V power unit that is not illustrated in FIG. 1 (a).
The mirror glass 105, which has gone through the mirror processing treatment on the back side, is equipped with a number of LEDs 112 to irradiate an object facing the mirror 105, a power switch 100 for turning the light on/off, luminance adjustment switch 102 to adjust light luminance by switching the total number of LEDs to be lit, and color temperature adjustment switch 111 to determine the color temperature of the light by setting the percentage by which to light the LEDs 112, which are divided into several kinds and accordingly have different color temperatures. The total number of LEDs 112 to be integrated is determined according to the size, shape or intended usage of the mirror 105. FIG. 1 (a) illustrates the mirror 105 that has gone through a processing treatment for frosted or lenticular glass, not for mirrors, on the back side into which each LED 112 is integrated. The processing treatment is made to the minimum required size of the mirror. The purpose of the processing treatment for lenticular glass is to set the radiation pattern of the light emitted from LED 112. The irradiation angle of each LED 112 is determined according to the installation angle of each LED 112. The angle by which LEDs 112 are integrated is determined according to the size, shape or intended usage of the mirror glass 105. Basically, LEDs 112 are integrated into the left/right and upper/lower sides of the mirror glass 105. They are integrated while being directed inward toward the vertical (when installed to the left/right side of the mirror) or horizontal (when installed to the upper/lower side of the mirror) center line of the mirror. With this integration angle, an appropriate radiation pattern of LED 112, in which more efficient lighting on an object facing the mirror 105 is achieved, can be set. It is preferable to make the surface of the mirror 105 seamless without any processing on the surface of the glass, because an even surface that has not gone through any processing treatments can protect the mirror from dirt and avoid dirt from permeating the mirror surface as well as facilitate cleaning of the mirror. If the back side of the mirror glass 105 into which LEDs 112 are integrated is not coated with endermic liniment for glass processing, light passes through the mirror and tends to cause a condition where a person positioned directly facing the mirror may feel it is too bright when LED 120 lighting is switched on and the light illuminates the person. Processing the back side of the mirror glass 105, into which LEDs 112 are integrated, into frosted glass avoids the glare of the light. A similar action has been taken in conventional lighting fixtures for which a white protection cover is used. Power switch 100 is used to turn on/off LED 112. When the LED is turned on, the luminance of the light can be adjusted by switching the total number of LEDs 112 to be lit. Switching is performed by using the luminance adjustment switch 102 and is carried out in the following steps: very strong, strong, medium, weak and very weak. Color temperature adjustment switch 111 is used to adjust the color temperature of the light. The adjustment is performed on several kinds of integrated LEDs 112 of different color temperatures, and carried out by changing the percentage of LEDs to be lit. It is not necessary to integrate the same kind of LED 112 into the mirror 105. It is possible to integrate LEDs of a different luminance and radiation pattern. When the color temperature adjustment function is implemented, it is required to integrate several kinds of LEDs of different color temperatures into the mirror.
For example, equipping a vanity mirror with the color temperature adjustment switch 111 in addition to the luminance adjustment switch 102, the color temperature adjustment switch 111 works to change the color temperature of the light variably enabling switching of the lights of different color temperatures such as Daylight White Light, White Light, Fluorescent Light and Incandescent Light irradiated on the object including clothes facing the mirror. In this case, it is not necessary to integrate all kinds of LED 112 while relating each of them to the respective color temperature to be created. What is required is to integrate the minimum required kinds of LEDs to make combinations that can create lighting whose color temperature ranges from low to high. This is a method in which color temperature is created according to the percentage by which to light LEDs 112, which are divided into several kinds of color temperatures, when LEDs 112 are actually lit. The forms of switches for the luminance adjustment switch 102 and the color temperature adjustment switch 111 can be any of the following: a switch that changes the number of LEDs to be lit in several steps or a switch that changes the light seamlessly.
LED 112 can be integrated into any position on the mirror glass 105, e.g., they can be arrayed on the left and right sides of the mirror as illustrated in FIG. 1. Generally, mirrors have a variety of forms. Thus, it is not necessary to determine in advance the number and position of LEDs 112. It is preferable to integrate LEDs (112 and 122) as close as possible to the edges of mirrors 105 and 127 rather than have them close to the center of mirrors 105 and 127. Integrating like this insures a space wide enough to reflect the image of a person in the center of mirrors 105 and 127. Examples of this integration are illustrated in FIG. 1 (a) and (b), both of which are standard forms of this invention, i.e., mirrors attached to a wall that are normally used in the household. It is not necessarily required that the mirror be equipped with the luminance adjustment switch 102 and 121 and the color temperature adjustment switch 111. A method in which only power switches 100 and 120 are used for turning on/off the light can be used.
For the power source of each integrated LED 112, a household power source AC 100-240V-power unit or dry cells, which are installed with a dry cell holder, are used. (These power sources are not illustrated in the figure.) When a household power source AC 100-240V is used, equip the back side of mirrors 105 and 127 with a household power unit or equip them with a cable to use an AC adapter (100-240V) for voltage conversion. Dry cells are installed with a dry cell holder in the mirror. Because LED 112 consumes less power, dry cells can work well as a power source unless they are used continuously for a long time.
FIG 1 (b) illustrates wall-mounted types of this invention. These types are in addition to the one illustrated in FIG. 1 (a) and are equipped with mirror glass 127, LED integration part 122, power switch 120, luminance adjustment switch 121 and a power unit that is not illustrated in the figure.
Like the mirror glass 105 in FIG 1(a), mirror glass 127 illustrated in FIG. 1 (b) has an even surface as well as being made of flat glass. The back of mirror glass 129 is equipped with LED 122 whose type and quantity correspond to the size or intended usage of mirror glass 127. The back of mirror glass 127, whose left and right sides are implemented with LED 122, has gone through a processing treatment for frosted glass on its surface. The treatment is done to a few centimeters width at each point.
FIG. 2 (a) illustrates a sectional view of the inner structure of this invention. This figure shows mirror glass 220, part processed for LED integration into mirror glass 222, endermic liniment for glass processing 221, LED 210, LED terminal 211, integration board for LED 230 and back board of this invention 240. Mirror glass 220 is made of flat glass as in the case of conventional mirrors. The back side of mirror glass 220 works as a mirror by being coated with endermic liniment for glass processing 221. For the part into which LED 210 is integrated, endermic liniment coating for glass processing 221 is not done. At this time, the uncoated part is kept as small as possible. The uncoated part makes the mirror pass light through itself with the light irradiated with LED 210. Surface treatment for the back side or the front surface is done as appropriate depending on the intended usage. For mirror glass 220, a part in which LED is integrated is processed with treatment for frosted glass 222 or treatments for lenticular glass 223 and 224 as illustrated in FIG. 2 (b) to set the radiation pattern of the light emitted from LED 210. The processing treatment for frosted glass 222 is to process the back side of mirror glass 220 into frosted glass. The processing treatments for lenticular glass 223 and 224 are to polish the 223 surface of flat glass (mirror glass 220) according to the intended usage of the mirror in order to determine the radiation pattern of the light emitted from LED 210 that passes through the mirror glass 220.
The size of mirror glass 220 and the number of LED 210 to be integrated are different depending on the intended usage of the mirror. The irradiation angle of LED 210 is determined by setting the installation angle of LED 210 on each installation position of the mirror 220. As illustrated in FIG. 2 (c), LEDs 210 are integrated into the left and right sides of the mirror while being directed inward toward the vertical center line of the mirror. The angles by which LEDs 210 are integrated into the mirror glass 220 are determined at each integration point so that more efficient lighting on the object facing the mirror can be achieved. The angles are determined while considering the distance between the mirror and the object. For the upper and lower sides of the mirror 220, LEDs are integrated while being directed inward toward the horizontal center line of the mirror. The integration angles are determined at each integration point so that more efficient lighting can be achieved without causing the lighting to be diffused into an area not reflected by the mirror 220.
FIG. 2 (b) shows methods of setting the radiation pattern of the light emitted from LED 210. The radiation pattern of the light can be set by polishing the mirror glass to make lenticular glass (this method is illustrated as 223), or by affixing a transparent and colorless lens made of plastic or glass, which are formed to have a radiation pattern that corresponds to the intended usage of the mirror 220, to the mirror (this method is illustrated as 224). As illustrated in FIG. 2 (b), for both methods, lens processing (223 and 224) of mirror glass 220 is made after the integration angle of each LED 210 to the mirror glass 220 is determined at each integration position.
The luminance of LED 210 is different depending on the type of the product. Furthermore, there are a variety of radiation patterns to be set for LED 210 according to the type of the product (i.e., a radiation pattern of 15, 20, 30, 40, 50, 70, 80 or 110 degrees). Based on these facts, the luminance and radiation pattern are selected or formed depending on the intended usage of the mirror. The radiation pattern of the light emitted from LED 210 can be set by using the original radiation pattern of the product. There are a variety of color temperatures for the conventional filament lamp or fluorescent light depending on the manufacturer or the type of the product (i.e., Daylight Light, Daylight White Light, White Light, Warm White Light, Incandescent Light). The same is true for LED 210. The color temperature of the LED 210 irradiation light is different depending on the manufacturer or the type of the product. It is required to select or create the most appropriate LED 210 product according to the intended usage of the mirror and then integrate it into the mirror.
Each LED 210 is fixed to the integration board for LED 230 while its electrodes (LED terminals 211) are connected to the power unit that provides preset voltage and current. Connecting is done through power source wiring or printed circuit board wiring. The backboard 240 of this invention is made of material that has the required intensity and durability and does not absorb moisture. It is tightly sealed with glue or shielding material. The amount of heat generated when LED 210 is turned on is dependent on what type of product the LED is. For this reason, some LEDs generate heat easily but others do not. When the LED is turned on, it may be the case that the heat intensifies during the creation of color temperature according to the number of LEDs to be lit. In this case, measures must be taken to avoid heat concentration in this invention by maintaining enough space between the integration board for LED 230 and the backboard of this invention 240 and then equipping the top/bottom part of this invention with proper ventilation. The quality of LED 210 will gradually improve. In the future, LEDs that have a higher luminance, consume less power and generate less heat will be developed. But there might be some cases in which the amount of heat generated cannot be controlled by any means because LEDs are integrated into a large size mirror and therefore are required in a large number. This problem can be managed by equipping the backboard 240 of this invention with a cooling fan.
FIG. 3 shows the radiation pattern of the lights 330 and 340 that are emitted from LED. The figure illustrates mirror 311 showing the state in which a person 320 facing the mirror is illuminated from the left and right sides. The light from the left side 331 in relation to the person is emitted from the LED irradiation light of the left side 330, and the light from the right side 341 is emitted from the LED irradiation light of the right side 340. There are a variety of sizes, shapes and uses of the mirror. The mirror 311 may be used several meters away from the object with the whole object reflected in the mirror. A wall mirror, a tabletop mirror and a portable mirror may also be used while at some distance from the object. Thus, it is required to adjust the luminance of the light of LED 112 as well as setting the radiation pattern of it according to the usage for each mirror. It is required to select the LED 210 most suitable as the LED irradiation lights of the left side 330 and those of the right side 340 by assuming in advance the distance at which the object is most commonly positioned from mirror 311. It is necessary to make lights 331 and 341 work most efficiently by setting the appropriate angles with which LED 210 are integrated into the mirror and, if necessary, by doing a processing treatment for frosted glass 222 or lenticular glass corresponding to each radiation pattern 223 and 224 over parts of mirror glass 220 into which LEDs are integrated.
The integration angle of each LED 210 and the method by which the mirror glass is processed, 222, 223 and 224, are determined according to the size and intended usage of the mirror as well as the position of the LED 210 on the mirror surface.
FIG. 4 through 8 show methods of adjusting luminance and color temperature of LED by using said luminance adjustment switch 102 and said color temperature switch 111. In those figures, the lighting performance for each method is also shown.
Adjusting the light luminance is made by switching the total number of LEDs to be lit. In FIG. 4 (a), an example in which a total of 15 LEDs 112 are integrated into the mirror is used for the convenience of explanation. This figure shows the number of LEDs to be lit in five luminance patterns where 5 is the brightest and 1 is the dimmest. According to the luminance patterns, luminance is gradually changed with the luminance adjustment switch 102.
The luminance patterns 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 correspond to very strong, strong, medium, weak and very weak, respectively. When adjusted to luminance pattern 5, all of the 15 LEDs 112 (LEDs No.1 through No.15) are lit. In this case, 100% of the integrated LEDs are lit. When adjusted to luminance pattern 4, LEDs No.1 through No.3, No. 5 through No.7, No.9 through No.11, and No.13 through No.15 are lit. In this case, 80% of the integrated LEDs are lit. When adjusted to luminance pattern 3, LEDs No.1 and No.2, No.4 and No.5, No.7 and No.8, No.10 and No.11, and No.13 are lit. In this case, 60% of the integrated LEDs are lit. When adjusted to luminance pattern 2, LEDs No.1, No.3, No.5, No.7, No.9, No.11 and No.13 are lit. In this case, 40% of the integrated LEDs are lit. When adjusted to luminance pattern 1, LEDs No.1, No.6 and No.11 are lit. In this case, 20% of the integrated LEDs are lit. The light luminance is adjusted by changing luminance patterns with the luminance adjustment switch 102. For each luminance pattern, the proportion of each kind of LED that is lit in relation to the total number of LEDs integrated is determined in advance. For the convenience of explanation, the example in which a total of 15 LEDs 112 are integrated into the mirror was taken up here. In actuality, a total of several tens or hundreds of LEDs 112 may be used depending on the size of the mirror 105.
FIG. 4 (b) shows the method of switching the color temperature of the light. There are a variety of color temperatures (e.g., Daylight Light, Daylight White Light, White Light, Warm White Light and Incandescent Light) for the filament lamp or fluorescent light that has been used as the light source for conventional lighting fixtures and produced by different manufacturers. The same is true for LED, i.e., LEDs of different color temperatures, differing depending on the manufacturer, are produced and made available. The figure shows an example in which the mirror is equipped with LEDs 210 that are composed of Daylight White Light (α), White Light (β) and Incandescent Light (r) with the color temperature 7000-5700K, 5000-3900K and 3900-2600K, respectively (K means Kelvin). In this example, only color temperature is switched while the total number of LEDs 112 to be lit is fixed.
This figure is based on the premise that a total of 15 LEDs 210 that are composed of 5 Daylight White Lights (α), 5 White Lights (β) and 5 Incandescent Lights (γ), each of which is a different color temperature, are integrated and 5 of them are selected to be lit. This figure shows the method in which the percentage of LEDs of each kind is changed to switch the color temperature of the light. The percentage of LEDs of each kind to be integrated in relation to the total number of LEDs enables the adjustment of color temperature with color temperature patterns No. 1 through No. 21. In an actual situation, the color temperature of LED 210 is determined according to the manufacturer or the type of the product. Thus, it is required to adjust the light by determining the number of each kind of LED 210 (Daylight White Light (α), White Light (β) and Incandescent Light (γ)) that is necessary to create the color temperature of the light while measuring the color temperature with the LEDs actually lit, rather than by determining the proportion of each kind of LED in the combination by simply using the specification data. Among the LEDs that are lit, as the number of LEDs of high color temperature increases, the color temperature of the light becomes higher.
FIG. 5 shows color temperature patterns that have been set by determining in advance the proportion of each kind of LEDs (Daylight White Light (α), White Light (β) and Incandescent Light (γ)) to be lit to the total number of LEDs 112 that are equipped with these kinds of LEDs. When the LEDs are lit in actuality, the color temperature of the light is created based on the settings here by using the color temperature adjustment switch. Here, color temperature patterns consist of 21 steps (No. 1 through No. 21) and create the color temperature lighting.
FIG. 6 is a chart that shows the processes for adjusting color temperature and luminance. Firstly, S601, the number of each kind of LED 112, is calculated through the formula X α, X β, X γ.
Secondly, S620 (Yα , Yβ and Yγ ) is calculated by multiplying the total number of LEDs 112 (Xα, X β and Xγ ) by the color temperature pattern, i.e., the proportion of α, β and γ, each of which is different in color temperature, to the total number of LEDs 112. Here, the color temperature patterns are the ones that are set with the color temperature adjustment switch 111 and correspond to color temperature patterns No. 1 through No. 21 as shown in FIG. 5. After the number of each kind of LED, which is relative to the total number of LEDs, for creating color temperature is calculated, the number of each kind of LED to be lit in order to create the luminance of a light that is set with the luminance adjustment switch 102. FIG. 6 shows a case in which the luminance can be adjusted in 5 steps (100%, 80%, 60%, 40% and 20%) by using the luminance adjustment switch 102. Luminance can also be finely and gradually adjusted in units of several percentages. S630, which determines the number of each kind of LED 112 to be lit during actual operation, is calculated by multiplying by 100°r6, 80%. 60%, 40% or 20% according to the luminance adjustment pattern set with the luminance adjustment switch 102. S640 is calculated as Z α, Z β and Z γ, which are the numbers of each kind of LED 210 (α , β and γ) to be lit during actual operation.
FIG. 7 shows the process of calculating the number of each LED to actually be lit (Z α, Z β and Z γ) in relation to the total number of integrated LEDs (X α, X β and X γ) by using the color temperature adjustment switch and the luminance adjustment switch. In this figure, 49 is assigned to X α, X β and X γ as an example. Here, X α, X β and X γ represents the total number of LEDs 210 that are composed of α, β and r , each of which is different in color temperature. In this figure, an example in which 9 is set for the color temperature pattern (details on "9" are described in FIG. 5) and 1 is set for the luminance pattern is used for the convenience of explanation. When the color temperature pattern number is 9, the proportion of each LED 112 is as follows: Y α =19.6 (X α =49 is multiplied by 40%), Y β=19.6 (X β =49 is multiplied by 40%), and Y γ=9,8 (X γ =49 is multiplied by 20%). Percentages mentioned here are shown in the color temperature pattern table shown in FIG. 5. Next, when luminance adjustment pattern 1 is set with the luminance adjustment switch 111, Z α, Z β and Z r are calculated to be 3.92, 3.92 and 1.96, respectively. Each calculation is made based on luminance pattern 1 (20%). The numbers calculated here are rounded up, and finally Z α =4, Z β =4 and Z γ =2 are obtained.
FIG. 8 shows the LED 112 integration conditions in the lighting functional section of the mirror 105. Based on the settings set with the said luminance adjustment switch 102 and said color temperature adjustment switch 111 mentioned above, the number of each LED to be lit (Z α - Z β · Z r) in relation to the total number of integrated LEDs 210 (Xα·Xβ - Xr), which are different in color temperature, is calculated. LEDs 112 (Xα, Xβ and Xγ), which are different in color temperature, are integrated into the mirror as shown in FIG. 8 (a). The number of LEDs that are actually lit is different depending on the size, shape and intended usage of the mirror. It is necessary to integrate LED 210 by assuming in advance which position to light in correspondence with the numbers Zα. Zβ and Zγ.
As shown in FIG. 8 (b), prior to the lighting of LEDs, it is necessary to determine in advance the positions for lighting the LEDs as the lighting position pattern. The lighting position pattern is determined in correspondence with the number of LEDs to be lit shown in FIG. 7. In the lighting position pattern, an overlap of those positions is avoided. When the LEDs are lit, Zα, Zβ and Zγ are lit according to this lighting position pattern. The total number of LEDs 112 to be integrated into the mirror (X α, X β and X γ) shown in FIG. 8 (a) and the integration positions for LEDs that are actually lit (Zα, Zβ and 2γ) shown in FIG 8 (b) are set in advance according to the size, shape or intended usage of the mirror 105.
As explained in FIG. 4 through FIG. 8, it is necessary to integrate more than one kind of LED 210, including LEDs with a high color temperature and LEDs with a low color temperature, in order to make the color temperature adjustment function work. As the kind of color temperature of integrated LED 210 increases, the color temperature can be adjusted more seamlessly and naturally. When a wider area can be allocated for the lighting functional section in the mirror glass 105, it is possible to achieve light luminance while being unaffected by the increase in the number of LEDs 112 to be integrated. When a smaller area can be allocated for the lighting functional section, reducing the number of integrated LEDs 112 seems to work well in achieving the luminance. It is necessary that at minimum two kinds of LEDs 112 be integrated into the mirror.
FIG 9 (a) illustrates a vanity mirror that is mounted with the LED lighting function 911 on the left and right sides of the mirror. A vanity mirror may be positioned several meters away from the object facing the mirror. Thus, for this type of mirror, it is necessary to provide high luminance and a long radiation pattern for the LED lighting.
FIG. 9 (b) illustrates wall mirrors formed in round and square shapes. The mirrors are equipped with LED lighting push- button switches 922 and 932 that turn on the LED lighting functions 920 and 930. When a predetermined period of time elapses after the LED lighting functions 920 and 930 are turned on, the LED lighting functions 920 and 930 are automatically turned off. For the method of setting a time interval between turning the light on and off with the LED lighting push- button switches 922 and 932, it is preferable to adopt a method in which the lighting interval is set with the lighting time interval setting switch that is installed on the back board of this invention 240. With this switch, the lighting interval is set variably, e.g., lighting while the push-button switch is on, lighting duration of 10 seconds, lighting duration of 30 seconds or lighting duration of one minute. Switches can be made in either of the following two forms: a multistage switch that is used to switch between a number of lighting time intervals that are set in advance using the basic interval of several tens of seconds, or the lighting time interval setting switch that is used to arbitrarily set the lighting time interval. For the power unit, it is preferable to use dry cells because they are work with a dry cell holder that can be installed without any installation area limitations , i.e., the installation area of the dry cell holder is not limited to the area near an electrical socket of the household power source.
FIG. 9 (c) illustrates a tabletop mirror equipped with LED lighting 940. For the power unit, a household power source AC 100-240V or dry cells, which are installed with a dry cell holder, are used.
FIG. 9 (d) illustrates a portable mirror equipped with the LED lighting function 957. The light is turned on and off with the push-button switch 975 that is installed on the side of the mirror body. For the power source, dry cells are used.
FIG. 10 (a) and (b) illustrate the LED lighting functional sections 1010 and 1111, both of which are equipped with the luminance adjustment function and the color temperature adjustment function. FIG. 10 (a) illustrates the LED lighting device 1010 that is installed at the top of a wall mirror. Several kinds of LEDs 1011 of different color temperatures are integrated into this fixture. Power switch 1100, luminance adjustment switch 1101, color temperature adjustment switch 1102 and AC 100-240V power unit (not illustrated in the figure) are installed on the mirror.
FIG. 10 (b) illustrates a LED lighting fixture in which the removable LED lighting functional section 1111 is installed. This implement is equipped with the luminance adjustment function and the color temperature adjustment function. One kind of LED 1115 or several kinds of LEDs 1115 of different color temperatures are integrated into the LED lighting functional section 1111. Power switch 1105, luminance adjustment switch 1109, color temperature adjustment switch 1110 and household power source AC 100-240V power unit (not illustrated in the figure) are installed in the lighting fixture into which the LED lighting functional section 1111 is installed. The LED lighting functional section 1111 is equipped with the power connecting terminals 1220 and 1221 that can be attached to a lighting fixture that has a socket the same shape as the 1221. This type of socket has been attached to the conventional filament lamp. Examples of forms of this functional section are the ones that are attached to lighting fixtures including the tabletop lighting fixture as illustrated in FIG. 10 (b). In this form, power is supplied through a power unit that is installed in the lighting fixture to the power connecting terminals 1220 and 1221. In addition to the power connecting terminals 1220 and 1221, terminals for receiving luminance adjustment signals and color temperature adjustment signals, which are represented as 1225 and 1227, respectively, are provided with the socket part. This makes it possible to adjust the luminance and color temperature in correspondence with the luminance and color temperature adjustment operations that are performed by using the luminance adjustment switch 1109 and the color temperature adjustment switch 1110 that are installed in the lighting fixture. One kind or several kinds of LEDs 1115 of different color temperatures are integrated into the LED lighting functional section 1111 to provide the said luminance adjustment function or luminance and color temperature adjustment functions respectively. Control signals transmitted from the lighting apparatus through the terminal for receiving the luminance adjustment signal 1225 and the terminal for receiving the color temperature adjustment signal 1227 are based on the luminance patterns 1 through 5 or the color temperature patterns 1 through 21 (as shown in FIG 4 and FIG 5) that are set with the luminance adjustment switch 1109 or the color temperature adjustment switch 1110 which are installed in the lighting fixture. There are a variety of LEDs 1115 that differ in number, shape and kind according to the size of the LED lighting functional section 1111 that receives control signals transmitted from the lighting fixture. For these differences, various adjustments can be made depending on the settings made to the control signal receiver installed in the LED lighting functional section 1111. For example, a standard that converts signals at a certain rate, e.g., in the condition mentioned above, converts 50 phases to 5 for luminance adjustment signals and 210 phases to 21 for color temperature adjustment signals, can be determined. This makes it possible to deal with the following conditions: switching is performed in steps or seamlessly, many LEDs 1115 or few LEDs 1115 are used, many kinds of LED 1115 color temperatures or a few kinds of LED 115 color temperatures are used.
When the monochromatic LED lighting functional section 1111, which integrates LEDs 1115 that are composed of one kind of color temperature including a color for conventional filament lamps or fluorescent lights, is installed in a lighting fixture that is equipped with the luminance adjustment function and the luminance adjustment switch 1109, the luminance adjustment function is operational. When the LED lighting functional section 1111, which integrates several kinds of LEDs 1115 of different color temperatures, is installed in a lighting fixture that is equipped with the color temperature adjustment function and the color temperature adjustment switch 1111, the color temperature adjustment function is operational. When the LED lighting functional section 1111 is installed in a lighting fixture that is not equipped with the luminance adjustment switch 1109 or the color temperature adjustment switch 1111, all of the LEDs are lit. When the LED lighting functional section 1111 that receives control signals is installed in a lighting fixture, operations are performed by determining whether or not the control signals are transmitted through the terminal for receiving luminance adjustment signal 1225 and the terminal for receiving color temperature adjustment signal 1227.
The LED lighting functional section 1111, equipped with the LEDs 1115, enables the luminance and color temperature adjustment functions. This functional section is used in the same manner as conventional mounted fluorescent tube filament lamp sockets. For example, forming the LED lighting functional section 1111 while alternately putting two kinds of LEDs 1115, Daylight White Lights (high color temperature) and Incandescent Lights (low color temperature), in it as shown in FIG. 8 (a) enables a single LED lighting functional section 1111 that has a shape corresponding to a filament lamp to create the color of fluorescent light, a light color and intermediate color that are made by changing the percentage by which to light the LEDs as mentioned above. The surface of the LED lighting functional section 1111 is formed with the filament lamp-shaped protective cover 1117 in order to protect the integrated LEDs 1115 and to make the handling of the LED lighting functional section 1111 more convenient. Glass or acrylic resin whose color is transparent or white can be used as material for the filament lamp-shaped protective cover 1117 that forms the surface. Conventionally, there have been various forms of filament lamps or mounted fluorescent tube filament lamp sockets. The same is true for the LED lighting functional section 1111, i.e., it can be formed in various shapes including round, elongated and flat shapes, because its light source are small LEDs 1116. And accordingly, the LED lighting functional section 1111 can adjust the luminance and color temperature.
It is necessary to arrange the lighting fixture to which the LED lighting functional section 1111 is installed so that its socket parts and connecting terminals correspond to the power connecting terminals 1220 and 1221 as well as the terminal for receiving the luminance adjustment signal 1225 and the terminal for receiving the color temperature adjustment signal 1227.
For the power unit of this invention, a household power source AC 100-240V power unit is appropriate for a fixed mirror that is large and accordingly has a large number of LEDs integrated into it. It is preferable to use rechargeable dry cells when the mirror 105 is small and accordingly has a small number of LEDs integrated into it and when the mirror used is portable.
Examples of this invention have been described heretofore. Additionally, a variety of other forms of a mirror that mounts the LED lighting function can be applied just like conventional mirrors have been made in a variety of forms.

NDUSTRIALAPPLICABILITY

Recently, from year to year, LEDs have improved to obtain high quality, high luminance, low power consumption, longer operating life and low heat generation. With this improvement, LEDs are replacing conventional filament lamps and fluorescent lights that have been used in display lamps and lighting fixtures. The applicability of LEDs is now extended to various areas.
Conventionally, when a filament lamp or a fluorescent light is used in a lighting device, the body of the device becomes larger. Thus, even when a mirror is used, it is necessary to install the lighting device separately from the mirror.
When LEDs are used in the lighting device, the LEDs can be integrated directly into the mirror because they are small and lightweight and consume less power. LEDs can work as a practicable lighting function because a suitable amount of light can be achieved even when dry cells are used as the power source.
This is a mirror mounted with the lighting function that lights the object facing the mirror. This mirror is reasonable and practical in that it is normally mounted with the lighting function when it is used.
Unlike conventional lighting fixtures that use filament lamps or fluorescent lights, a lighting device that uses LEDs can be created relatively freely in round, elongated or flat shapes because its light source is small and lightweight LEDs.
In addition, when it is used as a lighting functional section in lighting fixtures, LEDs of different color temperatures can be integrated. In this case, the color temperature is adjusted by changing the proportion of each kind of LED that is lit in relation to the total number of LEDs integrated. Unlike the conventional method, it is not necessary to provide for lighting functional sections of different color temperatures (Daylight Light and Incandescent Light) separately, i.e., a single LED lighting functional section enables lighting in Daylight Light and Incandescent Light as well as adjustments of luminance and color temperature.

Claims

A Mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting, wherein LEDs are integrated into a mirror body to illuminate a subject.
The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 1, wherein the LEDs are integrated directly into a back side of a mirror glass that has not gone through a mirror processing treatment.
The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 1, wherein each radiation pattern of a light emitted from each of the LEDs is adjusted by setting an angle by which the each of the LEDs is integrated into the mirror at each integration point and by performing a processing treatment for lenticular glass corresponding to the each radiation pattern over the each integration point.
The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 1, wherein luminance adjustments can be done by switching a number of LEDs to be lit in steps according to a total number of LEDs to be integrated into the mirror.
The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 1, wherein the color temperature adjustments can be done by switching LEDs of different color temperatures such as Daylight White Light, White Light, Fluorescent Light, and Incandescent Light by using a color temperature adjustment switch under a condition that minimum required kinds of LEDs of different color temperatures that can create desired lights are integrated into the mirror.
Color temperature adjustment function to be integrated into a mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 5, wherein the minimum required kinds of LEDs of different color temperatures are integrated to make several different combinations, in which LEDs to be lit are determined in number and kind, and the color temperature of the light is created according to which combination is selected.
The mirror mounted with light emitting diode lighting as defined in claim 1, wherein the turning on of LEDs is performed with push-button switches and the turning off of LEDs is performed automatically when a certain period of time, which is set with the lighting time interval setting switch, elapses after being turned on.
A removable LED lighting functional section, wherein the LED lighting functional section that is installed in a lighting equipment or lighting fixture is removable and socket-shaped and removable connecting terminals are installed in the socked-shaped lighting equipment as well as being provided with power connecting terminals.
The removable LED lighting functional section as defined in claim 8, wherein the LED lighting functional section that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture is removable and socket-shaped and the removable connecting terminals are installed in the socked-shaped lighting equipment as well as being provided with power connecting terminals, wherein the functional section is equipped with a terminal for receiving light luminance adjustment signals as well as a terminal for the power supply, and wherein when the terminal for receiving light luminance adjustment signals is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture, luminance adjustment can be made by the luminance adjustment switch installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture.
The removable LED lighting functional section as defined in claim 8, wherein the LED lighting functional section that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture is removable and socket-shaped and the removable connecting terminals are installed in the socked-shaped lighting equipment as well as being provided with power connecting terminals, wherein the functional section is equipped with a terminal for receiving color temperature adjustment signals as well as a terminal for the power supply, and wherein when the terminal for receiving color temperature adjustment signals is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture, color temperature adjustment can be made by the color temperature adjustment switch installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture.
The removable LED lighting functional section as defined in claim 8, wherein the LED lighting functional section that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture is removable and socket-shaped and luminance adjustment can be made with a luminance adjustment switch that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture, wherein when the luminance adjustment control signals are transmitted from the lighting equipment or lighting fixture in which the switch is installed, the functional section responds to the luminance adjustment control signals and adjusts the luminance by switching the number of integrated LEDs to be lit, and wherein which LED to light corresponding to each luminance adjustment control signal is set in advance.
The removable LED lighting functional section as defined in claim 8, wherein the LED lighting functional section that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture is removable and socket-shaped and color temperature adjustments can be made with the color temperature adjustment switch that is installed in the lighting equipment or lighting fixture, wherein when the color temperature adjustment control signals are transmitted from the lighting equipment or lighting fixture in which the switch is installed, the functional section responds to the luminance adjustment control signals and adjusts the color temperature by changing the proportion of each kind of LED to be lit, and wherein which LED to light corresponding to each color temperature adjustment control signal is set in advance.