Ever wanted to look into the mirror and see something other than...a reflection? Now you can. Hitachi's new "Miragraphy" is a "mirror-type display" that involves a mirror, PC, projector, and some data. When you look into the mirror, you of course see a normal reflection, but also whatever the projector is displaying. Could be useful!

Hitachi Mfg. Corporation will release the "Miragraphy" mirror-type display, which can repeatedly display characters and images o­n a mirror, o­n September 30th. The company forsees it being used as a commercial-level piece of equipment at storefronts, or at airports.

Behind (as in, the non-mirrored side) the "Miragraphy" lies a PC with images that can be outputted to a projector. Then, the projector will use the reverse of the mirror (which is a half-mirror that has diffusion film pasted o­n it) as a screen.

When projecting light from the projector o­nto the diffusion film, the surface of the mirror will still appear to be mirrored -- but the mirror will also be displaying information and images o­n it. A basic set consists of a PC, projector, and mirror screen, which features a "slideshow" function to display still images with added effects and even Flash movies.

As an option, a network connection package is available, to display homepages and such. Other options include a TV tuner for displaying TV, MPEG video playback, and even cooperation with a camera (translator's note: nevermind using that silly "two mirror" approach to seeing the back of your head while getting a haircut). The system can also take advantage of the mu-Chip, FeliCa cards, barcodes, and so o­n.

Hitachi has given the examples of establishing atmosphere at restaurants, bars, hotels, using the space for advertisements in train stations, airports and other transportation facilities, or as a show window at storefronts. Another example they gave was in fitting rooms and at accessory shops, in conjunction with merchandise tags; when a piece of clothing is brought close to the mirror, it can display matching accessories and related products. When used with an internal camera, the system could display pictures from after customers finished trying o­n their clothes.

The system measures 600 x 430 x 1775mm (W x D x H). It weighs 120kg. The image display area, however, is not the entire mirror -- from the floor, it is at a height of 1160mm and measures 375 x 500mm (W x H). It has a power consumption of 320W.

Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20050719/hitachi.htm

Press Release:
http://www.hitachi.co.jp/Prod/elv/jp/tosi/solution/c_tosi_solu_mirror.html