Patent ID: 7444052

Claim:
A display device comprising: an illuminating device comprising: an optical waveguide plate for introducing light thereinto; a drive assembly having a planar array of actuators disposed in facing relation to said optical waveguide plate; a displacement transmitter assembly disposed between said optical waveguide plate and said drive assembly; and a light scattering layer disposed on said displacement transmitter assembly, wherein said actuators are selectively displaceable to bring the light scattering layer into and out of contact with said optical waveguide plate, for controlling light that leaks from said optical waveguide plate as emitted light; and an optical modulator for modulating the emitted light from said illuminating device to display an image, said optical modulator comprising a liquid crystal panel having a front panel, a rear panel, and a liquid crystal layer sandwiched between said front panel and said rear panel, wherein said illuminating device includes a light reflecting layer disposed on an upper portion of said drive assembly which confronts said optical waveguide plate.