IES87142B2 - Touch sensitive reflective display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Accordingly, the present invention relates to a touch sensitive reflective display apparatus comprising of an at least partly reflective surface and at least one display integrated below the reflective surface and further housed within an infrared touch frame assembly consisting of at least I row of infrared sensors. A person may interact with content visible on the display through the reflective surface by means of touching the reflective surface or breaking the line of sight between at least one infrared sensor and receiver. While content is being displayed it remains visible while all areas of the reflective surface not displaying content remain at least partly reflective.

Description

Title: Touch sensitive reflective display apparatus Field of the invention: The present invention relates to a touch sensitive reflective display that can be controlled by means of touch and voice interaction.

Background: A large period of our lives will be spent looking at our reflection, weather it is in a mirror at home, in a hairdresser, beauty salon or in a dressing room or bathroom. These activities consume a large portion of our time in our routines. lt is desirable to use this time to do other tasks such as view the news or check a calendar from direct interaction with the mirror via touch SCFCCH.

Other inventions use motion sensors as seen in US 2017/0199576 or cameras in US 2002/'0080494 to interact with a reflective apparatus. however a seen there an underlying problem with regards to the privacy of the user in both cases as the devices will be connected to external appliances, primarily the internet. The use of motion sensors or cameras can also be inaccurate and may be unintentionally activated, the use of touch interfaces ensures the user can interact without error.

Summary: Accordingly, the present invention relates to a touch sensitive reflective display apparatus comprising of an at least partly reflective surface and at least one display integrated below the reflective surface and further housed within an infrared assembly consisting of at least I row of infrared sensors. Furthermore, the apparatus comprises a processor which captures the data and taken from the touch sensitive and is interpreted to register where on the display the user intended to touch. By way of explanation the infrared touch apparatus transmits multiple rays of infrared light across the reflective surface into infrared sensors on the opposite side of the apparatus, when the reflective surface is touched the line of sight between one or more sensors and emitters the data is captured and evaluated by the processor. Given that the data is captured by at least one sensor the processor determines where on the reflective surface the touch was and show the appropriate touch on the display.

The at least one display is fitted below the reflective surface in a fashion that allows the at least one display to show information through the reflective surface in such a way that allows a person in front ofthe reflective surface cannot distinguish any difference between their reflection on the display or the reflective surface when the one or more displays are switched on.

Prefcrably the touch assembly contains at least one array of infrared emitters and at least one array of infrared sensors and is contained around the reflective surface and the entire apparatus housed within a wooden, composite, plastic or metal chassis with the ability to be fitted to a wall or vertical surface.

The advantage of the invention is that it allows the user to display content on the display and have it visible through the reflected surface while all areas not displaying content continue to show reflection, the user can then, through the use of the infrared touch frame in the invention. interact with the displayed content In one embodiment the invention has at least one electroacoustic transducer allowing for the playback of media including audio from content displayed on the display through the reflective surface.

In another embodiment the device is capable of interacting with external devices through one or more ofthe following. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field communication. ZigBee or RI-‘ID In another embodiment the invention is adapted to receive a signal over wireless communication such as Wi-Fi allowing the processor to be controlled remotely from any other Wi—Fi Enabled device.

Brief description of the Drawings The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure I is an isometric view ofan embodiment showing the frame, reflective surface and structure ofthe invention.

Figure 2 shows the back side ofthe invention and its internal components and their assembly according to the invention and is the reverse of Figure 4.

Figure 3 illustrates an exploded view ofthe invention showing the layers in which the invention is assembled.

Figure 4 shows a head-on perspective illustrating what the user ofthe invention will see while interacting with the invention and is the reverse ofFigure 2.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings and initially figure 1 there is illustrated a touch sensitive reflective display apparatus according to the present invention comprising of an infrared touch frame I containing at least one infrared sensor. a reflective surface 2, and a chassis 3.

The chassis 3 is seen to house both infrared touch frame 1 and reflective surface 2. While leaving a gap within the chassis for users to be able to view the reflective surface 2 and interact with the infrared touch frame 1.

Referring to Figure 2, Figure 2 shows a reverse view ofthe invention, highlighting its internal components, in this embodiment we see it comprises ofthe chassis 3 housing two electroacoustic transducers 6, a processor 5 and the at least one display 4. The display 4 shows content on from the processor 5 which the user can interact with through the infrared touch frame I seen in figure 1. The display 4 is mounted to the chassis 3 along with the processor 5. The processor 5 is also provided with subsystems for the purpose ofidentification and communication (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi etc.) These communications, for example toothbrush via Bluetooth will trigger a corresponding action on the processor 5 which will be displayed on the display 4 and viewed through the reflective surface 2.

Referring to Figure 3, Figure 3 shows an exploded view ofthe invention and how the invention is constructed. The chassis 3 has the infrared touch frame I with the reflective surface 2 inside it mounted it. The display 4 is then attached to the reflective surface 2 and is then surrounded by the infrared touch frame 1. The Processor 5 and electroacoustic transducers 6 are later attached to the chassis 3 behind the display 4. The positioning of the display 4 behind the reflective surface 2 allows content from the display 4 to be visible through the reflective surface. The processor 5 is connected to the display 4 in order to show and process content.

Referring to figure 4, Figure 4 Shows a front-view ofthe invention and is what the user will see when interacting with the invention. The chassis 3 surrounding surrounds the reflective surface 2 and as stated in figure 3 the content from the display 4 as it appears through the reflective surface 2. The infrared touch frame I referred to in Figure 3 is not visible in this view however the reflective surface 2 is housed within it and is obstructed by the chassis 3

Claims (1)

Claims

1. A touch sensitive reflective display apparatus comprising: a chassis (3) housing: an infrared touch frame (1) with a reflective surface (2) mounted within it; and at least one display (4); wherein at least one array of infrared emitters and at least one array of infrared sensors are positioned around the touch frame (1) forming an infrared grid; wherein the infrared touch frame (1) and reflective surface (2) are placed in front of the display (4); where a gap is formed within the chassis (3) for users to be able to view the reflective surface (2) and interact with the infrared touch frame (1) and reflective surface (2); wherein the chassis (3) further houses two electroacoustic transducers (6) positioned on the internal side of the chassis (3) directly opposite to each other; wherein the electroacoustic transducers (6) allow for the playback of media including audio; wherein the chassis (3) further houses a processor (5) behind the display (4), wherein the processor processes a person’s touch on the infrared touch frame (1) and reflective surface (2); wherein the display (4) shows content from the processor (5) which the user can interact with through the infrared touch frame (1) and reflective surface (2); wherein the positioning of the display (4) behind the reflective surface (2) allows content from the display (4) to be visible through the reflective surface (2). . The touch sensitive reflective display apparatus as claimed in claim 1, capable of interacting with external devices through one or more of Wi—Fi, Bluetooth, Near Field Communication, ZigBee or RFID. . The touch sensitive reflective display apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further adapted to receive a signal over wireless communication allowing the processor (5) to be controlled remotely. . The touch sensitive reflective display apparatus as claimed in any previous claim, wherein the chassis (3) may be wooden, composite, plastic, or metal with a means of attachment to a wall or vertical surface. . The touch sensitive reflective display apparatus as claimed in any previous claims, wherein, in use: when the reflective surface (2) is touched, the line of sight between an infrared sensor and infrared emitter, and therefore the infrared grid, is broken, the processor (5) then evaluates the location of the touch on the reflective surface (2) and registers the appropriate action on the display (4) viewed through the reflective surface (2).