Abstract:
An illuminated mirror includes a central reflective mirror portion and a surrounding transmissive portion supported to a housing. Spacing between an outer diameter of the transmissive portion and the housing allows airflow to exit from the housing. A chamber behind the mirror surface may comprise a dish reflector surface. In one form, the dish reflector comprises a white enamel surface. Lamps, which may comprise LEDs, are mounted to the reflector surface. The LED lamps may be placed in a pattern on the reflector surface. Circuitry may be provided to illuminate either all or selected ones of the LEDs. Lamps of selected colors may be provided. Preselected combinations of lamp illumination vary the level and composite color of illumination. In order to enhance the comfort of a user, a fan may be positioned in the housing behind the reflector. A cooling device may cool airflow from the fan.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present utility application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/129,201 entitled “Illuminated Mirror With Comfort Augmentation” and filed on Jun. 11, 2008. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present subject matter relates generally to illuminated mirrors, often referred to as makeup mirrors, and more particularly to such assemblies capable of enhancing user comfort. 
     2. Related Art 
     A widely used form of mirror comprises a specular surface surrounded by a light source which illuminates a user. In one common prior art form, a circular mirror is surrounded by a transparent or translucent ring. Various forms of illumination have been provided to transmit light through the ring. 
     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,048,406 discloses a mirror device having one or more light devices disposed behind a mirror. A chamber is placed behind a mirror surface with a surrounding transmissive ring. This is referred to as a backlighted mirror. The light source may comprise incandescent lamps or light emitting diodes (LEDs). 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,149 discloses a reversible, backlit grooming mirror with a planar mirror and a concave mirror mounted back-to-back in a reflector unit having a space between the mirrors. A light source is disposed in the space between the mirrors. The reflector unit is rotatable to present the planar mirror or the concave mirror to a user. The light source may comprise a halogen lamp. While halogen lamps provide strong illumination, they also generate more heat than other forms of lamps. This is a common cause of discomfort to users of makeup mirrors. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,533,433 discloses an illuminated mirror that includes a light that can be dimmed as desired by operating a dimmer switch on a base unit. This adjustment is primarily directed to incandescent lighting. While LEDs can be dimmed, the requisite circuitry is expensive. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,604,836 to Carlucci, et al. discloses an illuminated mirror that has a first light source of a first color and a second light source of a second color, a reflective surface adapted to be illuminated by the light sources, and a switch. The switch selectively energizes selected bulbs or all bulbs to simulate home light, office light or daylight. Versatility of color adjustment is limited since the incandescent lamps are located in corners of a box-like frame. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter comprises an illuminated mirror in which a specular surface is supported to a housing and is circumscribed by a transmissive portion. Spacing peripheral to an outer perimeter of the transmissive portion, and limited by the housing, allows airflow to exit from the housing. The specular surface may be planar or concave (a convex surface could be provided but would be of lesser utility). The specular portion may be circular, and the surrounding transmissive portion may be annular and concentric with the central specular portion. A chamber behind the specular surface may comprise a reflector surface. In one form, the reflector surface comprises a white enamel surface. Lighting units may be mounted to the reflector surface. 
     In one form, the lighting unit is an LED illuminator which is substantially flat and comprises a plurality of individual LEDs in a row or other relative disposition. The LED illuminators may be placed in a pattern on the reflector surface. Circuitry may be provided to illuminate either all or selected ones of the LEDs. Preselected combinations of lamps may be illuminated or made to vary the level and composite color of illumination. In order to enhance the comfort of a user, a fan may be positioned in the housing behind the specular or reflector surfaces, whereby air is discharged from said spacing peripherally relative to said specular surface. A cooling device may be utilized to cool airflow from the fan. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the subject matter are more particularly described with reference to the following drawings taken in connection with the following description. 
         FIGS. 1A ,  1 B and  2  are respectively a perspective, front, and side views of an embodiment of the present subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a housing taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B . 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front elevations of a reflector including alternative illumination schemes. 
         FIG. 5  is a view of one form of LED device suitable for use in the present embodiment. 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of one form of LED arrangement for providing variable light intensity and color. 
         FIG. 7  is a rear elevation of a reflector. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a perspective and rear view of a cooling fan mounted to a rear surface of a reflector of  FIG. 7  in one embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional illustration of the mirror of  FIG. 1B  illustrating airflow. 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of a further embodiment comprising a cooling device used in conjunction with the cooling fan. 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a control circuit. 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of a battery-operated embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2  are respectively a perspective, front and side view of an illuminated mirror  1  constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present subject matter.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1B . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2 , a frame  10  contains reflective and specular surfaces and subassemblies further described below. The frame  10  is mounted to a stand  14 . Many different forms of stand  14  could be provided. In the present illustration, the stand  14  comprises a traditional base  16  and vertical column  18 . The vertical column  18  may support a yoke  20 . The yoke  20  may include first  22  and second  24  pivot mounts to which the frame  10  is gimbaled. Alternatively, the stand  14  could comprise a bonding assembly to secure the frame  10  to an art object such as a door or a counter rather than supporting the frame  10  to base  16  on a surface. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  2 , the frame  10  may comprise a housing  30  which encloses components further described below. For purposes of orientation, an end of the housing  30  which will likely face a user (for instance as depicted in  FIG. 1B ) is referred to as a front end  32 . The housing  30  has a rear end  34  displaced from the front-end  32 . The dimension from front end  32  to rear end  34  (i.e., a horizontal direction in  FIG. 2 ), is referred to as the longitudinal dimension. The dimensions across the front end  32 (i.e., the horizontal and vertical directions in  FIG. 1B ), are referred to as the transverse and vertical dimensions. The housing  30  defines longitudinal, vertical, and transversal volume which is open faced at the front end  32 . 
     As depicted in the  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B, and  3 , a specular surface  40  is usually mounted adjacent the front end  32 . A lens  42  generally circumscribes the specular surface  40 . The lens  42  may be translucent or transparent. The lens  42  may be optically flat. In other words, it is not necessary for the lens  42  to provide a focusing function. The specular surface  40  and associated lens  42  may be included in a unitary plate  46 . The plate  46  may be flat or contoured. The specular surface  40  may comprise a central, portion of the plate  46 . The lens  42  may comprise a peripheral portion of the plate  46 , as best depicted by  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The outer perimeter of the plate  46  is preferably parallel to the transverse-vertical plane of a front end  32  of the housing  30 , and maybe coplanar therewith, as best seen in  FIG. 3 . Subject thereto, the plate  46  is affixed to the reflector  60  relative to the housing  30  whereby the plate  46  is preferably suspended within the housing  30 . 
     The housing  30  and internal assemblies depicted in  FIG. 3  are discussed further below in Connection with  FIGS. 7 and 9  through  11 . A power cord  52  may extend through the housing  30  or to the housing  30  through the base  16  and column  18 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 , to communicate from circuitry inside the housing  30  to an external source of power. In an alternative embodiment, further described below, a battery may be provided. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are front views of a reflector  60  positioned in the housing  30  in alternative illumination schemes. The reflector  60 , the plate  46  and the housing  30  may be concentric on an axis  62  as depicted in  FIG. 3 . The reflector  60  is typically positioned longitudinally intermediate the front end  32  and the rear end  34 . In one form, the reflector surface  60  generally defines a void or volume  64  longitudinally extending from the rear of the plate  46  to the fan  90 . The volume  64  may be normal to the back of plate  46 . Alternatively, the volume  64  may be conical or bowl-like. 
     As depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 7 , the reflector  60  is defined by a bowl shape with a portion  66  that may be substantially flat. In other words, the flat rear portion  66  is longitudinally displaced from and joined to the plate  46  (as best illustrated in  FIG. 3 ) by a curved wall  68 , which may define a bowl shape (best illustrated by viewing  FIGS. 3 and 7  in combination). Subject thereto, volume  64  need not necessarily be of any particular shape. In many applications, simply by making the surface of the reflector  60  reflective, sufficiently efficient operation will be provided. More specifically, light from nominal sources, further described below, will provide sufficient illumination for specular surface  40  viewing while not requiring a level of illumination to generate excessive heat or require excessive power. If desired, however, the volume  64  may be formed in a particular shape. For example, the rear panel  66  and wall  68  may be unitary and comprise a parabolic reflector  60 . Lamps  76 ,  76 A depicted in  FIGS. 4A and 4B  and further described with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6  below, may be mounted directly to the reflector  60 . 
       FIG. 5  is a view of one form of light source  70  suitable for use in the present embodiment, although other types of light sources may also work. An efficient form of light source  70  is an LED. In the present illustration, the light source  70  comprises an LED strip device  72  comprising a plurality of individual LEDs  74 . The strip device  72  allows for flexibility in design. The LED strip device  72  may be truncated to provide a particular number of LEDs  74 . The illuminating device comprising the preselected number of LEDs  74  cut from the strip device  72  is referred to as the lamp  76 , 76 A. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B and  5 , and given further context by  FIG. 3  a plurality of lamps  76 ,  76 A are mounted in a preselected pattern, adjacent of the reflector  60 (preferably within the volume  64  as depicted in  FIG. 3 ). In the present illustration, the lamps  76 ,  76 A are equiangularly displaced within a circular pattern on the rear panel  66 . The lamps  76 ,  76 A may be secured to the reflector  60  in a number of different ways. In the present illustration, the lamps  72  are secured to the reflector  60  by an adhesive. In one alternative, the lamps  76 ,  76 A may be secured by fasteners (not shown). In another form, a holder (not shown) may be secured to the reflector  60 , and each lamp  76 ,  76 A may be snapped into or out of the holder. The lamps  76 ,  76 A may be connected so that particular LEDs  74  within each lamp  76 ,  76 A may be illuminated independently. The numbers of LEDs  74  that are illuminated may be varied to adjust the level of illumination. Also, lamps  76 ,  76 A on one portion of the reflector  60  may be lit while lamps  76 ,  76 A on another portion of the reflector  60  are deenergized. This arrangement will provide uneven illumination when it is desired to provide emphasis on one portion of an object to be viewed in the mirror  40 . 
     Generally, the lamps  76  are preferably connected in parallel by a conductor  80 . The conductor  80  may be connected to a transformer (further described with respect to  FIG. 10  below) or a battery (discussed further below with respect to  FIG. 12 ).  FIG. 6  is an illustration of one form of LED arrangement for providing variable light intensity and color. In this illustration, lamps  76 W,  76 R and  76 B are utilized. The lamps  76 W are white. In the present context, “white” refers to a range of spectral distributions. It is not necessary to provide a perfectly balanced R-G-B light source, i.e., a “pure” white source. The lamps  76 R may be red or have a substantial red component. The lamps  76 B may be blue or have a substantial blue component. Selected combinations of the lamps  76 W,  76 R and  76 B are illuminated in order to provide a selectable “temperature” of light to illuminate the user. Generally white tones approximate sunlight. Red tones simulate candlelight, and blue tones simulate fluorescent lighting. Other combinations of colors could be provided to produce other effects. 
     Regarding fan  90  placement:  FIG. 7  is a rear view of the reflector  60 ;  FIG. 8A  is a perspective illustration of a cooling fan  90  mounted to a rear panel  66  of a reflector  60  in one embodiment; and,  FIG. 8B  is a rear view of the reflector  60  and fan  90  assembly of  FIG. 8A .  FIGS. 3 and 9  are cross-sectional illustrations of  FIGS. 8A and 8B .  FIGS. 3  and  FIG. 9  depict the fan  90  and reflector  60  assembly, as such may be positioned within the housing  30 . The fan  90  may either be mounted flush to the flat rear portion  66  of the reflector  60 , as depicted in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , or alternatively maybe spaced therefrom. 
     Various types of fans, motors, blowers, or any other type of air-moving device, may be provided to the mirror  1 . Typically, fans (or other air-moving devices) having radial airflow at an input or output thereof and axial airflow at the other end of the fan, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , are preferable. The desired airflow and the type of fan used are factors in whether to mount the fan  90  flush with the rear panel  66  or spaced therefrom. 
     As seen in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the fan  90  may conveniently comprise a brushless DC motor  200  for driving vanes  201  while surrounded by a circular cowling  202  within a square housing  203 . This sort of fan is commonly used for cooling computers. Fans  90  are made in a number of standard sizes. Sizes are commonly denoted in terms of the length of one side of the square housing  203 . Common sizes are 1 or 3 inches. Larger cooling fans are also made, for instance a preferable fan  90  size is 4.75″ (120 mm). However, in many applications, a 3 inch fan will be a desired size. Subject thereto, the size of the fan  90  will depend on the size of the mirror  1  or the desired air discharge rate, or both. 
       FIG. 10  is an illustration of a further embodiment comprising a cooling device  96  used in conjunction with the cooling fan  90 . In the present illustration, the cooling device  96  is mounted adjacent the fan  90 , and the fan  90  blows air on the cooling device  96 . The cooling device  96  could comprise a Peltier effect device which removes heat when energized. In other words, the cooling device  96  cools air passing over it (air flow would typically be similar to that depicted in  FIG. 9  in such an embodiment). In another form, a component comprising a miniaturized refrigeration device may be utilized. One such device is the capillary pumped loop. Other cooling devices may be used. 
       FIG. 11  is circuit diagram of the present embodiment. AC input power is provided via the line cord  52  to a power supply circuit  100 . The power supply circuit  100  converts the incoming domestic AC voltage to a low direct current voltage suitable for operating the fan  90  and the lamps  76 , and optionally the cooling unit  96 . An example of the desired voltage level is  12  volts. An on-off switch  102  may be mounted in the housing  30 . The power supply  100  is coupled to a control circuit  110 . 
     As shown toward the bottom of  FIG. 11 , a user interface  114  is provided coupled to the control circuit  110  the user interface  114  may be built into a base  16  of the lamp assembly  1 , may be built into the frame  10  or may be mounted on the housing  30 . Alternatively, the user interface  114  could comprise a remote control, in which case the control circuit  110  would comprise a receiver. Controls on the user interface  114  may comprise analog or other switches capable of registering a selection. A first control  116  comprises a color selector. The control circuit  110  can be comprise a look up table in order to map a color selection Into a preselected set of lamps  76 W,  76 R and  76 B. A second control  118  is coupled to the control circuit  110  to select a desired operating status for the cooling device  96 . In addition to selecting an on-off status are, a level of cooling may also be selected.  FIG. 12  is an illustration of a battery-operated embodiment. In the present embodiment, the power supply  100  comprises a battery pack. The battery pack may include conventional cells, e.g. AA batteries  120 . Alternatively, the power supply may utilize rechargeable batteries such as NiCad batteries. 
     The user may select a lighting scheme and a cooling scheme and enter selections via user interface  114 . The frame  10  and or housing  30  may be tilted so as to enable the most comfortable airflow. The user may have an improved experience in view of the selection and lighting and cooling. 
     The previous description of some aspects is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present subject matter. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects without departing from the spirit or scope of the present subject matter. For example, one or more elements can be rearranged and/or combined, or additional elements may be added. Thus, the present subject matter is not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.