Device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, and an instrument disposed therewith
First Claim
1. A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising:
- an image display portion that emits image light for displaying a desired image; and
a mirror function portion that is superposed on the image display portion and is capable of being switched between an image transmittance state that transmits the image light and a mirror status that reflects outside light,the mirror function portion comprising reflective polarization selection means, transmission polarization axis variable means, and absorbing polarization selection means successively disposed from the image display portion side, with the reflective polarization selection means transmitting a first polarization of a predetermined polarization axis and reflecting a second polarization whose polarization axis intersects that of the first polarization, the transmission polarization axis variable means being capable of switching between a state that transmits by changing the incident first polarization to the second polarization and a state that transmits without changing the polarization axis of the incident light, and the absorbing polarization selection means transmitting one of the first polarization and the second polarization and absorbing the other, andthe image display portion comprising a lighting system, a liquid crystal display panel and an image light-use polarization selection means disposed proximate to the liquid crystal display panel, wherein;
the image light-use polarization selection means transmits light of the desired image of the first polarization and absorbs light of the second polarization, andthe image display portion emits the desired image, as the image light, light of the first polarization transmitted through the image light-use polarization selection means.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a device capable of switching between a state that displays a high-quality image and a mirror status in which is obtained an easy-to-view reflection image suitable for a person to view his/her own face or figure. An image display portion 1000 that emits image light 3001, reflective polarization selection means 300 that transmits a first linear polarization component emitted from the image display portion 1000 and reflects a second linear polarization component, whose polarization axis is orthogonal to that of the first linear polarization component, a transmission polarization axis variable portion 400 capable of selecting between one of a state that changes the polarization axis of incident linearly polarized light and a state that does not change the polarization axis of incident linearly polarized light, and a polarization selection member 500 which, of the incident light, absorbs the first linear polarization component and transmits the second linear polarization component, whose polarization axis is orthogonal to that of the first linear polarization component, are disposed in this order. In this case, absorbing polarization selection means 208 is disposed at the image display portion 1000, and the first linear polarization is emitted as the image light.
-
Citations
13 Claims
-
1. A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising:
-
an image display portion that emits image light for displaying a desired image; and a mirror function portion that is superposed on the image display portion and is capable of being switched between an image transmittance state that transmits the image light and a mirror status that reflects outside light, the mirror function portion comprising reflective polarization selection means, transmission polarization axis variable means, and absorbing polarization selection means successively disposed from the image display portion side, with the reflective polarization selection means transmitting a first polarization of a predetermined polarization axis and reflecting a second polarization whose polarization axis intersects that of the first polarization, the transmission polarization axis variable means being capable of switching between a state that transmits by changing the incident first polarization to the second polarization and a state that transmits without changing the polarization axis of the incident light, and the absorbing polarization selection means transmitting one of the first polarization and the second polarization and absorbing the other, and the image display portion comprising a lighting system, a liquid crystal display panel and an image light-use polarization selection means disposed proximate to the liquid crystal display panel, wherein; the image light-use polarization selection means transmits light of the desired image of the first polarization and absorbs light of the second polarization, and the image display portion emits the desired image, as the image light, light of the first polarization transmitted through the image light-use polarization selection means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising the following elements arranged in the following order:
-
a) an absorbing polarization selection member with an absorption polarization axis in a first direction and a transmission polarization axis in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular; b) a transmissive polarization axis variable portion, wherein the polarization axis of transmitted light is not changed when no voltage is applied, and is either changed from the first direction to the second direction or from the second direction to the first direction when voltage is applied; c) a reflective polarization selection member with a reflective polarization axis in the second direction and a transmission polarization axis in the first direction, wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a mirror for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is applied to element b), and wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a window for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is not applied to element b); d) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction and an absorption polarization axis in the second direction; e) a liquid crystal panel; and f) a lighting system, wherein elements d), e), and f) act as an image display portion for image light with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction when the lighting system and the liquid crystal panel are powered.
-
-
13. A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising the following elements arranged in the following order:
-
a) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in a first direction and an absorption polarization axis in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular; b) a transmissive polarization axis variable portion, wherein the polarization axis of transmitted light is not changed when no voltage is applied, and is either changed from the first direction to the second direction or from the second direction to the first direction when voltage is applied; c) a reflective polarization selection member with a reflective polarization axis in the second direction and a transmission polarization axis in the first direction, wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a mirror for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is not applied to element b), and wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a window for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is applied to element b); d) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction and an absorption polarization axis in the second direction; e) a liquid crystal panel; and f) a lighting system, wherein elements d), e), and f) act as an image display portion for image light with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction when the lighting system and the liquid crystal panel are powered.
-
Specification