Patent Application
20090225519
1. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to medicine cabinet assemblies, and more specifically to lighting and media display systems.
2. Art Background
In today's fast-paced world, people often have a television in their bathroom so that they may watch the news or other television shows while they are getting ready in the morning, cleaning up at night, etc. Currently available mirror and television devices typically include a television mounted to the back of a mirror. This arrangement is a convenient, space-saving device, as it embeds a television in the existing space occupied by a mirror. Although the mirror/television assembly conserves space in most bathrooms, very small bathrooms often require a mirrored medicine cabinet for extra storage space. Thus, a television cannot be secured behind the mirror without interfering with the storage area in the medicine cabinet. This may present a problem. Moreover, if the ceiling in a bathroom is low, the medicine cabinet must often be decreased in size to allow for a suitable light fixture to be secured above the medicine cabinet. This may present a problem.
The invention may best be understood by referring to the following description and accompanying drawings that are used to illustrate embodiments of the invention. The invention is illustrated by way of example in the embodiments and is not limited in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements.
In the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which is shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of skill in the art to practice the invention. In other instances, well-known circuits, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the understanding of this description. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the invention is defined only by the appended claims.
Apparatuses and methods are described, which provide an integration of lighting and media display within a part of a medicine cabinet. Within this description of embodiments, the terms “invention” and “present invention” are synonymous with “present disclosure.”
A medicine cabinet assembly 10, constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, is best understood by referring to
The first mirror platform 22 further includes one or more translucent backlit portions 30 that have substantially no reflectivity (e.g., frosted glass, acid etched glass, or clear glass). The backlit portions 30 are translucent, allowing light emitted from one or more light sources 34 disposed within the door assembly 14 to pass through the first mirror platform 22. The number, configuration, and arrangement of backlit portions 30 can be varied to achieve different lighting effects. As a non-limiting example, the backlit portion 30 may be configured as two parallel, substantially straight portions formed along each side of the first mirror platform 22 or, instead, as a single, continuous portion extending around the perimeter of the first mirror platform 22.
The first mirror platform 22 further includes a media display device viewing portion 38 through which a media display device 42 located behind the first mirror platform 22 can be viewed. The media display device viewing portion 38 is both reflective and transmissive. Any suitable mirror technology may be used to allow the media display device viewing portion 38 to operate at maximum reflectivity when the media display device 42 is turned off, and to allow light from the media display device 42 to be transmitted therethrough when the media display device 42 is turned on. More specifically, the reflectivity of the media display device viewing portion 38 closely matches the rest of the first reflective surface 26 when the media display device 42 is turned off, causing the media display device viewing portion 38 to blend in with the rest of the first reflective surface 26. However, the user can view the images on the media display device 42 when the media display device 42 is turned on. In another embodiment, the media display device viewing portion 38 blends with the first reflective surface 26, and appears black when the media display device is turned off. In another embodiment, the media display device viewing portion 38 blends with the first reflective surface 26 rendering the media display device viewing portion 38 partially reflective when the media display device is turned off.
The media display device 42, light sources 34, and any other electrical components, such as an electrical ballast 46, are positioned behind the first mirror platform 22 and secured to a mounting platform 50 substantially identical in shape and size to the first mirror platform 22. Alternatively, the electrical ballast 46 can be located in or behind the cabinet 18. The mounting platform 50 is formed from a suitable material, such as wood, metal, plastic, etc. to allow the electrical components to be mounted directly thereto. Preferably, each light source 34 is mounted to the mounting platform 50 such that it is positioned directly behind each translucent backlit portion 30. Alternatively, the light sources 34 can be mounted such that they are offset from portion 30; thus, in such an embodiment, the light sources 34 are not directly behind portion 30. Moreover, the media display device 42 is positioned on the mounting platform 50 such that the screen of the media display device 42 aligns with the media display device viewing portion 38 of the first mirror platform 22. In one embodiment, the mounting platform 50 can be a mirror platform itself or include a mirror platform, thereby providing a mirrored surface on either side of the door assembly 14.
Any suitable electrical components may be used. For instance, the light source 34 may be a fluorescent lamp, a light-emitting diode (LED) strip assembly, light emitting film, etc. Moreover, a media display device 42 may be any media display device suitable for receiving television signals, computer signals, VGA connections, digital signals, etc., and displaying a corresponding image. In various embodiments, the media display device can be constructed using a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), or other flat display technology. In one embodiment a media display device 42 is located within a door assembly 14. In another embodiment, a display screen of a media display device is located within the door assembly 14 behind the first mirror platform 22 and the rest of the media display electronics, such as for example, TV tuner, power supply, etc., are separate from the display screen and are located within the interior chassis 54 of the door assembly 14. In yet another embodiment, a display screen of a media display device is located within the door assembly 14, and the rest of the media display electronics, such as for example, TV tuner, power supply, etc., are outside of the door assembly 14, located in or behind the cabinet 18.
In one embodiment, to form a portion of the door assembly 14, the first mirror platform 22 and mounting platform 50 are each secured to opposite sides of an interior chassis or frame 54 with the first reflective surface 26 of the first mirror platform 22 facing away from the chassis 54. Preferably, interior chassis or frame 54 is substantially identical in shape and size to both the first mirror platform 22 and the mounting platform 50 such that the exterior edges of the interior chassis 54, the first mirror platform 22, and the mounting platform 50 are substantially flush with each other. The interior chassis 54 includes a substantially large opening to house the electrical components disposed between the mounting platform 50 and the first mirror platform 22. The first mirror platform 22 and the mounting platform 50 are secured to the interior chassis 54 in any suitable manner, such as with fasteners or with an adhesive. In another embodiment, the mounting platform 50 provides the functionality of the interior chassis 54; thereby eliminating the need for a separate interior chassis.
In one embodiment, to complete the door assembly 14, a second mirror platform 58 is secured to the back side of the mounting platform 50 opposite the electrical components. The second mirror platform 58 includes a second reflective surface (not shown) formed on one side of the second mirror platform 58 and a second non-reflective surface 62 formed on the opposite side of the second mirror platform 58. The second mirror platform 58 is secured to the back side of the mounting platform 50 with the second non-reflective surface 62 adjacent to the back side of the mounting platform 50. Note that the second reflective surface can be formed on either side of the second mirror platform 58.
The door assembly 14 is hingedly connected to the cabinet 18 in any suitable manner well known in the art, allowing the door assembly 14 to be moved between open and closed positions. For instance, piano hinges, scissor-style hinges, or any other suitable hinges (not shown) may be used. The door assembly 14 includes a first reflective surface 26 on the front of the door assembly 14 and a second reflective surface formed on the back of the door assembly 14. Thus, a reflective surface is provided for the user when the door assembly 14 is in either the open or closed position.
The cabinet 18 may be of any suitable design well known in the art, such as a surface mount cabinet or a recessed cabinet. The cabinet 18 preferably includes a storage portion 64 having a plurality of shelves disposed therein for storing items thereon such as medicine bottles, toiletries, hair products, etc. The cabinet 18 may further include a frame 68 disposed around the exterior of the storage portion 64. In one embodiment, the frame 68 may be substantially similar in shape to the door assembly 14 yet larger in size such that the frame 68 is visible behind the door assembly 14 when the door assembly 14 is in the closed position. In another embodiment, the frame 68 is not visible behind the door assembly 14 when the door assembly 14 is in the closed position.
Preferably, the storage portion 64 includes an opening sized to receive an electrical outlet O therein. Moreover, the mounting platform 50 and the second mirror platform 58 preferably include first and second aligned openings 72 and 76 that define an electrical passageway for routing electrical cabling and wiring of the electrical components therethrough. Preferably, first and second openings 72 and 76 are positioned on the mounting platform 50 and the second mirror platform 58 such that are substantially aligned with the opening defined in the storage portion 64 for the electrical outlet O. As such, the electrical components of the medicine cabinet assembly 10 may be easily placed into communication with the electrical outlet O. Moreover, the first and second openings 72 and 76 are preferably formed near the edges of the mounting platform 50 and second mirror platform 58 adjacent the hinge (not shown) of the door assembly 14 such that the electrical cabling and wiring does not interfere with the opening of the door assembly 14.
Connection with a network, such as an intranet or the Internet is obtained via 372 and communication 370, as is recognized by those of skill in the art, which enables the media display device 300 to communicate with other data processing devices in remote locations as well as to receive and display television broadcasts with the TV tuner 316. Communication 370 can provide wireless connectivity utilizing protocols such as IEEE 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n as well as protocols not yet developed. Alternatively, communications 370 can provide a hardwire connection.
The media display device 300 can be configured as a desktop computer, work station, or with a remote slim profile form factor for mounting in or behind a medicine cabinet. The media display device 300 can be configured to run for example a WINDOWS® compatible operating systems such as WINDOWS® XP Home or WINDOWS® XP, WINDOWS® XP Professional, WINDOWS® VISTA Professional Linux, etc. or the media display device 300 can be implemented with a computer from APPLE COMPUTER, Inc. running operating systems such as OS X, etc.
In certain applications where it is desired to minimize volume, a display 312 can be mounted in a door assembly of a cabinet (such as in the door assembly 14 of the cabinet 18 in
For purposes of discussing and understanding the embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that various terms are used by those knowledgeable in the art to describe techniques and approaches. Furthermore, in the description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As used in this description, “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” or similar phrases means that the feature(s) being described are included in at least one embodiment of the invention. References to “one embodiment” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment; however, neither are such embodiments mutually exclusive. Nor does “one embodiment” imply that there is but a single embodiment of the invention. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in “one embodiment” may also be included in other embodiments. Thus, the invention may include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein.
While the invention has been described in terms of several embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.
This patent application claims priority from commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/040,586 filed on Mar. 28, 2008, This patent application is a continuation-in-part of commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,119, filed on Nov. 24, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/739,156, filed on Nov. 23, 2005; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,119 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/739,399, filed on Nov. 23, 2005; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,119 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/794,209, filed on Apr. 21, 2006. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/040,586 filed on Mar. 28, 2008, is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/563,119, filed on Nov. 24, 2006; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/739,156, filed Nov. 23, 2005; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/739,399, filed on Nov. 23, 2005; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/794,209, filed on Apr. 21, 2006 are hereby incorporated by reference into the present application.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60794209 | Apr 2006 | US | |
| 60739399 | Nov 2005 | US | |
| 60739156 | Nov 2005 | US | |
| 61040586 | Mar 2008 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11563119 | Nov 2006 | US |
| Child | 12383624 | US |
