Mirror display devices

In some examples, a mirror display device includes a mirror comprising a surface, and a display panel to display an image that is visible through the mirror, the display panel having a display area that is less than an area of the surface of the mirror. A touch controller is to detect a touch input on the surface, and determine whether the touch input is made at a location of the surface corresponding to the display area of the display panel, or at a location of the surface that is away from the display area of the display panel.

BACKGROUND

A display device can include a display area to display images. A display device can be a touch-sensitive display device, which includes a display surface that is sensitive to touch by a user. The touch inputs on the display surface are processed by a processor as touch events that can cause respective tasks to be performed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A mirror display device is a display device that includes a mirror and a display panel that can produce images (e.g., graphics and/or text) that are visible through the mirror. Examples of display panels that can be used in mirror display devices include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, or any other type of display panel that can be actively controlled to cause display of images. The presence of a mirror allows a user of the mirror display device to see a reflection of the user in the mirror. Mirror display devices can be used as a dressing room mirror in a clothing store, a wall mirror in a bathroom or in other locations of a house, or other mirrors used in other contexts.

In some cases, a mirror display device can have a relatively large mirror surface (e.g., a mirror surface having a long length to allow a user to view substantially the reflection of the user's entire body in the mirror surface). Using a display panel that has the same display area as a large mirror surface can increase the cost of a mirror display device, since the cost of a display panel can rise exponentially with its size.

On the other hand, reducing the size of a mirror display device to reduce its cost can result in the mirror display device being too small for some use cases, such as in dressing rooms and so forth.

In accordance with some implementations of the present disclosure, a mirror display device is provided that includes a display panel having a display area (for displaying images generated by the display panel) that is smaller than the surface area of a mirror surface of the mirror display device. The mirror surface includes a first region corresponding to the display area of the display panel. Images produced by the display panel are visible through the first region of the mirror surface. In addition, the mirror surface includes a second region outside the first region, where the images produced by the display panel are not visible through the second region. In some examples, the second region can be a peripheral region around at least a portion of the first region. More generally, the second region can occupy an area of the mirror surface that is away from the first region.

The mirror display device further includes a touch sensing system that is able to detect touch inputs both in the mirror surface's first region corresponding to the display area of the display panel, and in the mirror surface's second region. A first touch input received at a location in the first region is processed using a first type of touch control process, while a second touch input received at a location in the second region is processed using a second type of touch control process that is different from the first type of touch control process.

The first type of touch control process is a touch control process for handling touch events relating to an image displayed by the display panel. For example, an operating system can control the display of an image by the display panel, where the image can include various control items (e.g., control buttons, drop-down menus, etc.) of a graphical user interface (GUI). A user can make touch selections with respect to the displayed control items to cause the operating system to perform respective tasks in response to the selections of the control items.

The second type of touch control process is a touch control process that does not depend on any control elements displayed by the display panel. In some examples, information can be displayed in the second region away from the first region corresponding to the display area of the display panel. Such displayed information can include text, an icon, or any other indicator. A user can touch the mirror surface at a location of the displayed information in the second region, and a control action can be performed in response to this touch input. For example, the displayed information can be a volume control icon (to control the audio volume that is being output by a system that includes the mirror display device), a display adjustment icon (such as to adjust the brightness or contrast of information displayed by the display panel), or any other information element that can cause a corresponding task to be performed.

FIGS. 1A-1Billustrates an example mirror display device100according to some implementations.FIG. 1Ais a front view of the mirror display device100, whileFIG. 1Bis a side view of a portion of the mirror display device100. The mirror device100includes a surface102of a mirror101. The surface102is referred to as a “mirror surface” in the ensuing discussion. The mirror surface102is the front surface of a mirror in which a reflection of an object in front of the mirror is visible. The mirror101is supported by a frame103of the mirror display device100, where the frame103extends around the periphery of the mirror101. AlthoughFIG. 1Ashows an example where the mirror101is smaller in size than the frame103, it is noted that in other examples, the mirror101can be larger than the frame103, in which case the mirror101would cover the frame103.

The mirror101can be a two-way mirror, such that a user on a front side130of the mirror101sees a reflection if no light is generated on a rear side132of the mirror101. However, if the display panel108produces light (i.e., the light of an image generated by the display panel108), then the image generated by the display panel108is visible through the mirror101.

A two-way mirror can be formed using any of various different technologies. For example, the glass of the mirror101can be partially metallized (by providing a thin and almost transparent layer of metal, such as aluminum or some other metal). In other examples, a film layer can be added to the mirror101to create the two-way mirror effect. This film can include a layer of metal, such as aluminum and so forth.

The mirror surface102includes a first region104and a second region106, where the second region106is away from the first region104, and the second region106does not include the first region104. In examples according toFIG. 1A, the second region106can be a peripheral region that surrounds the first region104. In other examples, the first and second regions104and106can have other shapes and orientations with respect to each other.

As shown inFIG. 1B, a display panel108is positioned adjacent a rear surface110of the mirror101. In examples according toFIG. 1B, the front display area109of the display panel108is in contact with the rear surface110of the mirror101. In other examples, at least one intervening transparent layer can be provided between the front display area109of the display panel108and the rear surface110of the mirror101. An image111(FIG. 1A) generated by the display panel108is visible in the front display area109and can be viewed through the mirror101, as indicated generally by an arrow112inFIG. 1B. More specifically, the image111generated by the display panel108is visible in the first region104in the mirror surface102.

The overall area of the mirror surface102is larger than the front display area109of the display panel108. In some examples, the first region104generally has the same area as the front display area109of the display panel108.

The second region106includes the remainder of the mirror surface102that does not include the first region104. The second region106can display information that is distinct from the image generated by the display panel108. For example, an information element116can be displayed in the second region106. The information element116is displayed by a display element120that is separate from the display panel108. In examples according toFIG. 1A, the information element116includes an arrow. A touch input made by a user on the information element116can be detected by the mirror display device100to cause a control task to be performed, such as to control a volume, control a characteristic (e.g., brightness, contrast) of the display panel108, or another control task. Although just one information element116is shown inFIG. 1A, it is noted that multiple information elements can be displayed in the second region106that can be touched by a user to cause respective control tasks to be performed. In such examples, multiple display elements (similar to display element120) can be arranged adjacent the rear surface110of the mirror101to display respective different information elements in the second region106.

As with the display panel108, the front surface of the display element120can be contacted to the rear surface110of the mirror101, or alternatively, at least one intervening layer (which can be transparent) can be provided between the front surface of the display element120and the rear surface110of the mirror101.

The mirror display device100further includes a touch controller114that is able to detect touch inputs on the mirror surface102. The touch controller114is illustrated in dashed profile to indicate that the touch controller114is housed within an outer housing of the mirror display device100. The touch controller114is able to determine whether the touch input is made at a location of the mirror surface102that corresponds to the display area of the display panel (i.e., the touch input is made at a location in the first region108), or at a location of the mirror surface102that is away from the display area of the display panel (i.e., the touch input is made at a location in the second region106).

The touch controller114can include a hardware processing circuit, such as a microprocessor, a core of a multi-core microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, a programmable integrated circuit, or another type of a hardware processing circuit. In other examples, the touch controller114can include a combination of a hardware processing circuit and machine-readable instructions executable on the hardware processing circuit.

FIG. 2Ashows a side view of the display element120according to some examples. The display element120can include a light source202and a mask layer204that is positioned in front of the light source202. The light source202can include a light emitting element, such as a light emitting diode (LED) or other type of element that can emit light. In some examples, the light source202can include one light emitting element. In other examples, the light source202can include multiple light emitting elements, such as light emitting elements of different colors.

The mask layer204includes a pattern to define an information element (e.g., the information element116ofFIG. 1A) that is to be displayed by the display element120. For example, as shown inFIG. 2B, which is a front view of the mask layer204, an arrow symbol206is provided by the mask layer204. Light can pass through the arrow symbol206, but cannot pass through the remainder of the mask layer204. The region that defines the arrow symbol206is transparent or translucent, while the remainder of the mask layer is opaque. In other examples, instead of an arrow symbol, the mask layer204can provide a different pattern to be displayed.

In further examples, the display element120can be a small LCD panel or other type of display element.

FIG. 3Ais a block diagram of a mirror display device300according to further examples. The mirror display device300includes a touch sensing system302to detect touch inputs (made by a user) on the mirror surface102. Note that the touch sensing system302and the touch controller114are shown as blocks of the mirror display device300for discussion purposes. The touch sensing system302and the touch controller114are components that are housed within the housing of the mirror display device300. In response to detecting a touch on the mirror surface102, the touch sensing system302communicates an indication of the detected touch to the touch controller114.

Although the touch controller114and the touch sensing system302are depicted as being separate components, it is noted that in other examples, the touch controller114and the touch sensing system302can be integrated into one component, such as in an integrated circuit chip or on a circuit board.

The touch sensing system302can be an infrared (IR)-based touch sensing system, such as an IR-based touch sensing system that uses frustrated total internal reflection (FTIR). The touch sensing system302includes IR emitters304to emit IR light into a glass layer of the mirror101(in which case the glass layer becomes a light guide for the IR light signals emitted by the IR emitters), or alternatively, the IR emitters304can emit light signals above the mirror surface102(such that the IR light signals propagate slightly above the mirror surface102). For example, as shown inFIG. 3B, an IR emitter304emits IR light308into a glass layer310of the mirror101. The propagated IR light308can be detected by a respective IR detector306.

The IR light308can propagate along the glass layer310by being reflected between a top surface and a bottom surface of the glass layer310, as shown inFIG. 3B. With FTIR, when a user's finger comes into contact with a point on the top surface of the glass layer310, a reflection of an IR light ray is changed (referred to as being “frustrated” using the FTIR technique). Note that the top surface of the glass layer310is an interface between the glass layer310and the air above the glass layer. Total reflection of an IR light ray from the top surface of the glass layer310can occur if no user touch is made to the top surface. However, if a user touches a point on the top surface of the glass layer310, then the reflection of the IR light ray is affected (i.e., frustrated), such that total reflection of this IR light ray does not occur. The changed reflection of the IR light ray can be detected by the respective IR detector306.

In some examples, a first array of IR emitters304can be arranged along a first side of the mirror101to emit IR light rays along respective rows, which can be detected by a first array of IR detectors306, and a second array of IR emitters304can be arranged along a second side of the mirror101to emit IR light rays along respective columns, which can be detected by a second array of IR detectors306. A user touch on the mirror surface102can cause a pair of light rays (a first light ray along a respective row and a second light ray along a respective column) to be frustrated. These frustrated light rays are detected by respective IR detectors306, which can be used to pinpoint the location of the user touch on the mirror surface102.

FIG. 3Cshows an alternative arrangement, in which an IR emitter304can emit an IR light ray312above the top surface of the glass layer310. The IR light ray312is received by an IR detector306. Multiple IR emitters304can emit IR light rays along respective rows and columns. A user finger touching the top surface of the glass layer310will cause some IR light rays to be blocked to interrupt detection of IR light rays by respective IR detectors306. This can be used to determine the point of touch on the top surface of the glass layer310.

FIG. 4shows a mirror display device400according to additional implementations. The mirror display device400includes a different type of a touch sensing system402, which includes capacitance detectors404. A grid of electrodes, formed with a transparent material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), can be formed in one or multiple layers in the mirror101. A capacitance can be formed with each pair of electrodes in the grid of electrodes. When a user touches a point on the mirror surface102, the capacitance of one or multiple intersections of the electrodes can be changed, which can be detected by the capacitance detectors404for determining the location of the touch input.

FIG. 5is a block diagram of an example of a system500that includes a mirror display device502, such as any of the mirror devices shown inFIGS. 1A-1B, 3A, and 4. The system500can be a computer system. A touch sensing system504(which can be the IR-based touch sensing system302ofFIG. 3Aor the capacitance-based touch sensing system402ofFIG. 4, for example) can detect a touch on a mirror surface of the mirror display device502. In response to the touch, the touch sensing system302sends a touch input event506to the touch controller114. The touch input event506can include information that allows the touch controller114to determine a location of the touch input.

The touch controller114determines whether the touch input is made in the first region104or the second region106of the mirror surface102(FIG. 1A, 3A, or4). In response to determining that the touch input occurred in the first region104, the touch controller114sends a touch indication508to a first touch control process510, where the first touch control process510is to handle the touch input.

Alternatively, if the touch controller114determines that the touch input is made to a location in the second region106, then the touch controller114outputs a touch indication512to a second touch control process514for handling the touch input.

In some examples, the first touch control process510can be performed by a first control program516, while the second touch control process514can be performed by a second control program518. As examples, the first control program516can be an operating system of the system500, while the second control program518can include a program that is distinct from the operating system. In such examples, a touch input made in the first region104(which corresponds to the display area of the display panel108) is handled by the operating system for processing a touch input to a control element displayed by the display panel108. On the other hand, the second control program518is used to handle a touch input away from the first region104that corresponds to the display area of the display panel108. In such examples, the operating system of the system500would not have to be notified to handle touch inputs on the mirror surface102away from the first region104.

The first and second control programs516and518include machine-readable instructions that are executable on a processor (or multiple processors)520.

In further examples, the same control program (such as the operating system) can be used to perform both the first touch control process510and the second touch control process514. In such examples, the operating system is modified to be able to handle both touch inputs made to the first region104and the second region106of the mirror surface102.

FIG. 6is a block diagram of a non-transitory machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium600that stores machine-readable instructions that upon execution cause a system, such as the system500ofFIG. 5, to perform various tasks. The machine-readable instructions can include image generating instructions602to cause a display panel to generate an image visible through a first region of a mirror surface of a mirror. The machine-readable instructions further include first touch input receiving instructions604to receive a first touch input made in the first region of the mirror surface. First touch input processing instructions606process the first touch input using a first type of touch control process (e.g.,510inFIG. 5) for touch inputs made in the first region. Second touch input receiving instructions608receive a second touch input made in a second region of the mirror surface, where the second region is outside the first region and displays information of a display element that is separate from the display panel. Second touch input processing instructions610process the second touch input using a second type of touch control process (e.g.,514inFIG. 5) for touch inputs made to the mirror surface away from the first region.

FIG. 7is a flow diagram of a process of forming a mirror display device according to some examples. The process includes placing (at702) a display panel adjacent a two-way mirror to allow an image displayed by the display panel to be visible through a first region of a mirror surface of the two-way mirror, where an area of the mirror surface is greater than a display area of the display panel. The process further includes arranging (at704) a display element separate from the display panel adjacent the two-way mirror to cause display of information in a second region of the mirror surface, the second region away from the first region. The process further includes arranging (at706) a touch sensing system to detect a first touch input at a location in the first region of the mirror surface, and to detect a second touch input at a location in the second region of the mirror surface.