Patent ID: 6385139
Filing Date: 2002-05-07
Classification: G02F,G04G

Abstract:
A display device, comprising:a first polarized-light separating member that transmits a linearly polarized light component polarized in a first direction of incident light and that does not transmit a linearly polarized light component polarized perpendicularly thereto; a transmitted light polarization axis changing device that selects one of a first state of changing a transmitted light polarization axis and a second state of not changing the transmitted light polarization axis when incident linearly polarized light component is transmitted; a second polarized-light separating member that transmits a linearly polarized light component polarized in a second direction of incident linearly polarized light components and that reflects a linearly polarized light component polarized in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction; a reflecting element that reflects the linearly polarized light component transmitted by the second polarized-light separating member toward the second polarized-light separating member, the display device displaying predetermined information by first return light reflected by the reflecting element to be transmitted by the second polarized-light separating member, the transmitted light polarization axis changing device, and the first polarized-light separating member, and second return light reflected by the second polarized-light separating member to be transmitted by the transmitted light polarization axis changing device and the first polarized-light separating member of light incident on the first polarized-light separating member from an opposite side of the transmitted light polarization axis changing device; and a modified layer that emits light incident on the second polarized-light separating member by changing optical characteristics formed on at least one of a surface of the second polarized-light separating member facing the transmitted light polarization axis changing device and a back of the second polarized-light separating member facing the reflecting element.