Mirror Display: Its Structure and Uses
Mirror Display, as the name suggests, is a mirror surface that is used to display content. As impossible as it sounds, it has been one of the latest and most trending innovations in the market of display screens. The display is an ordinary one except the addition of a mirror film to give the mirror glass effect. The displays used to show information can vary but mostly Liquid Crystal Display is used.
Structure of Mirror LCD Display
Mirror LCD Displays are made up of five layers; the first is a coating membrane, followed by a layer of upper polarizer, an LCD panel, another polarizer and then a backlight at the end. The light is emitted though the backlight layer and it penetrates the LCD panel but is classified by the polarizing layers before and after.
The LCD panel also has properties of emitting light. The mirror film is usually attached to the upper polarizing layer so that the properties of mirror can be best used to create a mirror display. Some of the light is reflected on the mirror surface, creating the mirror effect; while the rest is allowed to penetrate so that the display can be formed. This penetration is allowed due to the properties of the upper polarizer which is made up of three layers; Tri-Acetyl-Cellulose (TAC), Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), and the mirror film.
Uses of Mirror Display
Clothing Stores
Mirror displays are vey creatively used and have great potential for marketing companies. They are quite often used in clothing stores of large brands. They allow the customer to try clothes virtually, without actually physically putting them on! They can check the fittings and the complete look before making a decision to buy the clothes or not. They can also be used to take pictures and make suggestions to the customers.
Homes
Flat Screen Mirrors are used in homes as well. They give an aesthetic touch to the surroundings and show content when used for displaying purpose. Mirror screens are also used to display lifestyle information and daily routine schedules while being plain decorative items when not in use. This helps to eliminate the look of a LCD screen in a room where it would look out of place otherwise.
Fashion and Beauty
Mirror Displays also have uses in the fields of beauty and fashion where they can be used to market products and create an appeal for the brand at publicity events and ventures. Many projects like ‘Cyberture’ Mirror and ‘Intelligent Personal-Care Environment Project’ have been used to campaign for products and causes. One of the latest feathers in the hat of mirror media is the ‘Magic Mirror’ created by LG U+ which provides information on the user’s skin and fitness by taking pictures. The mechanism is similar to a visit to the dermatologist as the analysis and diagnosis is done in the same manner.
Other
Mirror Displays also have applications in home and office interior designing, home theatre, socializing and public gathering places like bars, health clubs, cafes, hotels, restaurants, etc.