Intelligent Switch for Mirrored Glass

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Heddier electronic GmbH has launched a new ‘intelligent switch’ for mounting within mirrored glass – a breakthrough that the company believes could offer serious benefits to the touchscreen technologies used in many of today’s kiosks. The ‘Mirrormaid’ switch consists of a 0.8mm thick, 50x50mm wide stainless sensor panel attached to any invisible point on the back of the mirror. The sensor plate is connected to coin-sized sensor electronics and then to a small remote power supply unit, which reduces the 230-volt operating voltage and contains the switching relay for a light, or other electric device. The power supply unit can be installed several metres away from the mirror, making retrofitting new and existing mirrors very simple.

The entire surface of the mirror becomes a sensor that reacts when approached by various parts of the body, with various possible levels of sensitivity. Move your hand towards the mirror and the light, or other device, is switched on automatically. Move it towards the mirror again and it is switched off. The circuit is only switched on when someone moves in front of the mirror. If the person moves away again, it is switched off immediately, making it ideal to attract passing customers in a kiosk environment.

Heddier is looking for manufacturers worldwide who would be interested in integrating Mirrormaid into their products.