Patent ID: 6028649
Filing Date: 2000-02-22
Classification: G02B,G02F,G03B,G06F,H04N

Abstract:
An image display system having direct and projection viewing modes, comprising:light producing structure for producing light during said direct and projection viewing modes;an electro-optical panel having a first optical state during which light is transmitted therethrough with substantial scattering and a second optical state during which light is transmitted therethrough without substantial scattering;a spatial light modulation structure for spatially modulating the intensity of light produced from said light producing structure during said direct viewing mode and during said projection viewing mode; andan optical state selector for selecting the first optical state of said electro-optical panel during said direct viewing mode, and the second optical state of said electro-optical panel during said projection viewing mode;wherein during said direct viewing mode, light produced from said light producing structure is scattered by said electro-optical panel and spatial intensity modulated by said spatial light modulation structure to form a first image for direct viewing; andwherein during said projection viewing mode, light produced from said light producing structure is transmitted through said electro-optical panel without substantial scattering and spatial intensity modulated by said spatial light modulation structure to form a second image for projection onto a projection display surface for projection viewing.