Patent ID: 6519209
Filing Date: 2003-02-11
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
A display device comprising:a first polarization separator which transmits a linearly polarized light component, of an incident light ray, aligned in a first direction, and which does not transmit a linearly polarized light component aligned in a direction perpendicular to the first direction, a polarization changing element which selects one of a first state which varies a polarization axis of an incident linearly polarized light component when the incident linearly polarized light component is transmitted therethrough and a second state which does not vary the polarization axis when the incident linearly polarized light component is transmitted therethrough, a second polarization separator which transmits a linearly polarized light component of an incident light ray aligned in a second direction, and which specularly reflects a linearly polarized light component aligned in a third direction perpendicular to the second direction, and a specular reflecting element which specularly reflects a linearly polarized light component transmitted through the second polarization separator toward the second polarization separator, the first polarization separator, the polarization changing element, the second polarization separator, and the specular reflecting element being arranged in order, and the display device displaying predetermined information using a first returning light ray which is specularly reflected from the specular reflecting element and transmitted through the second polarization separator, the polarization changing element, and the first polarization separator, and a second light ray which is specularly reflected from the second polarization separator and transmitted through the polarization changing element and the first polarization separator, out of light rays which come in on the first polarization separator from a side of the first polarization separator diametrically opposite to the polarization changing element.