Show HN: Make a programmable mirror • Hacker News Board

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#91

Post by lazaroclapp » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:38 PM UTC

Does the device's camera work from behind the one-way-mirror? Specifically, does the device camera work well enough from behind the one-way-mirror to do accurate face recognition? (the idea being that it can display different information for different users and have at least a soft "biometric" privacy lock).

Also, would color images be displayable through the one-way mirror or only white will make it intact?

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#92

Post by jonknee » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 10:54 PM UTC

Years ago I stayed in a hotel once that had mirrors like this by the elevators. They were displaying the current weather and day's forecast I believe. I've wanted one ever since!

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#93

Post by javajosh » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:08 PM UTC

icebraining wrote: post #84

robertfw wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think if this is considered a major quality of life improvement, you might be measuring the wrong metrics

Or maybe they already have the important stuff covered?

Even so, this would count as a minor life improvement for most people, at best.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#94

Post by zten » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:15 PM UTC

toby wrote: post #81

brunorsini wrote: post #42

Any suggestions for stores similar to Canal Plastic Center in San Francisco?

You could try TAP on South Van Ness, they have two-way acrylic mirrors on their website: http://www.tapplastics.com/product/plastics/cut_to_size_plas...

I'd suggest finding glass instead of plastic if you can deal with the weight in order to avoid having a distorted reflection. It should also be cheaper -- it looks like they're charging $33 per square foot for 3/16" plastic.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#95

Post by seangarita » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:21 PM UTC

This is really cool!

I built one of these with Facial Recognition for my Capstone project. http://lookingglass.co

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#96

Post by devonoel » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:21 PM UTC

Really cool idea, but more importantly, why do some people call a one-way mirror a two-way mirror? Its only a mirror on one size.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#97

Post by giancarlostoro » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:29 PM UTC

lazaroclapp wrote: post #91

Does the device's camera work from behind the one-way-mirror? Specifically, does the device camera work well enough from behind the one-way-mirror to do accurate face recognition? (the idea being that it can display different information for different users and have at least a soft "biometric" privacy lock). Also, would color images be displayable through the one-way mirror or only white will make it intact?

I believe the device is on the side that you only see your own reflection, but I could be entirely wrong. I base my assumption on the premise you can see the contents of the tablet from your side.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#98

Post by g10r » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:33 PM UTC

very awesome!

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#99

Post by kevan » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:40 PM UTC

hannahmitt wrote: post #17

joshgachnang wrote: post #5

I'm guessing this is based off [1] which uses a normal monitor and a Raspberry Pi. This one looks much quicker and simpler than [1], but what if you need to do anything to the tablet (updates, new app, etc)? Remove it and re-adhesive? Personally, I've been working on doing the same with an RPi and Hover so I can wave my hand in front of the mirror to swipe to new screens/info. [1] https://www.raspberrypi.org/blog/mag…

The other end of the USB cable and tinkering through that is usually enough. But definitely nice to have non-permanent adhesive.

You can find adhesive velcro at craft stores, it would probably be a pretty good option if you need to remove it occasionally.

Re: Show HN: Make a programmable mirror

#100

Post by lazaroclapp » Fri, Sep 11, 2015, 11:41 PM UTC

giancarlostoro wrote: post #97

lazaroclapp wrote: post #91

Does the device's camera work from behind the one-way-mirror? Specifically, does the device camera work well enough from behind the one-way-mirror to do accurate face recognition? (the idea being that it can display different information for different users and have at least a soft "biometric" privacy lock). Also, would color images be displayable through the one-way mirror or only white will make it intact?

I believe the device is on the side that you only see your own reflection, but I could be entirely wrong. I base my assumption on the premise you can see the contents of the tablet from your side.

As I understand it, one-way mirrors let light pass in both directions. To be used as a "one-way" mirror it relies on the light differential between the two sides. Namely, it will always look like a mirror to the brighter side and like a window from the darker side into the brighter side. So, technically, the "mirror" side is facing you wherever the screen is dark on the other side. When the screen is bright, then the mirror works as a window. The problem is that I am not sure how bright is bright, i.e. would a normal color photograph, displayed against the mirror panel from the other side, be too dark to be seen through?

Also, I am not sure of is if it distorts the image in some way to have the mirror panel in between the device's camera and the outside.