An exemplary plural-view device includes a plane mirror, a display panel, a support member connected to the plane mirror or the display panel, and a camera module. The camera module is mounted to the support member and electrically connected with the display panel. The support member is adjustable relative to at least one of the plane mirror and the display panel for adjusting a field of view of the camera module.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to viewing devices, and more particularly to a device providing plural views of a person or object simultaneously.

2. Description of Related Art

Mirrors are most commonly used for personal grooming, decoration, and architecture. Typically, if a person wants to see both his front and back at the same time, he must use two or more mirrors inclined relative to one another (also called face-to-face mirrors) to generate multiple reflections. However, the typical structure or arrangement of face-to-face mirrors is bulky and inconvenient.

Therefore, what is needed is a plural-view device to overcome the above-described deficiencies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a plural-view device100according to a first embodiment is shown. The plural-view device100includes a frame10, a plane mirror20, a display panel30, a camera module40, a power supply50, and a support rod60. In this description, unless the context indicates otherwise, a “plane mirror” means a mirror that is physically substantially flat, regardless of the type of reflected image or images that the mirror is capable of displaying.

The frame10includes a first frame body101and a second frame body102. The plane mirror20and the display panel30are respectively enclosed in the first frame body101and the second frame body102. In the first embodiment, the first frame body101and the second frame body102are rectangular, and the first frame body101is pivotably connected with the second frame body102. In particular, the second frame body102is rotatable in a first direction onto the first frame body101. In this way, the first and second frame bodies101,102are sandwiched together parallel to each other, such that the plural-view device100has a collapsed configuration. Furthermore, the second frame body102can be rotated in a second direction opposite to the first direction so that the second frame body102is sandwiched together with the first frame body101at a backside of the first frame body101. In this way, the second frame body102is stowed or hidden behind the first frame body101when desired.

The display panel30is an electronic paper (e-paper), a digital frame, or other display device. In the exemplary embodiment, the display panel30is an e-paper. The e-paper typically includes a rewritable display panel and a flexible substrate. The e-paper is considered to be more convenient and comfortable to read than conventional displays. This is due to the e-paper having a stable image and a wide viewing angle, and being lightweight.

The camera module40is connected to the frame10via the support rod60. The power supply50is configured for supplying electrical power to the display panel30and the camera module40. In the exemplary embodiment, the power supply50is a battery. The support rod60can be moved toward or away from the frame10. That is, the support rod60is adjustable about either or both of the plane mirror20and the display panel30, for adjusting a field of view of the camera module40. The support rod60may be a flexible rod, or an extension rod, or a combination of a flexible rod and an extension rod. The support rod60also may be a rigid rod pivotably connected with the frame10, as illustrated.

In the illustrated embodiment, the camera module40is attached to a distal end of the support rod60. The other end of the support rod60is pivotably connected to a middle portion of one vertical side border103of the second frame body102via a fastener such as a bolt12. That is, the bolt12interconnects the support rod60and the side border103. Two grooves13are defined in the same side border103symmetrically about the bolt12. The grooves13are configured to selectively receive the camera module40when the support rod60is rotated to be parallel with the side border103.

Referring toFIG. 2, the camera module40includes an image capture module401and a processing module402. The power supply50is mounted in the support rod60. The image capture module401, the processing module402, the power supply50, and the display panel30are electrically connected to each other via a conducting wire51. The image capture module401may be a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). When a person300stands facing the mirror20, the camera module40can be positioned to take an image of the person's back by adjusting the support rod60. After being processed by the processing module402, the captured image is displayed on the display panel30. Thus, the person300can see both front and back views in the plural-view device100simultaneously. It is to be understood that the position of the support rod60on the frame10is not limited to the position described above or illustrated inFIG. 1. The support rod60may be pivotably mounted at any suitable position of the frame10. Furthermore, if the support rod60is a flexible rod, an end of the support rod60may be fixedly connected to the frame10.

In an alternative embodiment, the plane mirror20may be provided in the second frame body102, and the display panel30may be provided in the first frame body101. With such a configuration, the person300can see both front and side views in the plural-view device100simultaneously. In another alternative embodiment, the plane mirror20may instead be a nonplanar kind of mirror.

Referring toFIG. 3, a plural-view device200according to a second embodiment is shown. The plural-view device200includes a frame10a, a plane mirror20a, a display panel30a, a camera module40a, a power supply (not shown), and a support rod60a. The frame10aincludes a first frame body101aand a second frame body102a. The plane mirror20aand the display panel30aare respectively enclosed in the first frame body101aand the second frame body102a. The structure of the plural-view device200is similar to that of the plural-view device100of the first embodiment. One difference is that a slot104is defined in a top side border103aof the second frame body102a, and a block (not shown) protrudes out from the backside of one top corner of the first frame body101a. The block is movably engaged in the slot104, allowing the first frame body101ato slide relative to the second frame body102aalong the extending direction of the slot104. The second frame body102acan thus be hidden behind the first frame body101awhen desired. Another difference is that the support rod60ais pivotably connected to a middle portion of one horizontal side border103a. Thus, a person (not labeled) can see both front and top views in the plural-view device200simultaneously. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the position of the support rod60aon the frame10ais not limited to the position described above or illustrated inFIG. 3.

While preferred or exemplary embodiments have been described, the embodiments can be modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the embodiments using the general principles of the invention as claimed. Further, this disclosure is intended to cover such departures from the present embodiments as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims or equivalents thereof.