IP Library Patent Application 15541830
Patent Application
App. No. 15/541,830

OPTICAL DEVICE, DISPLAY UNIT, AND ELECTRONIC APPARATUS

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US None
App. No.
15/541,830
Abstract

A display unit of the present invention includes a display section ( 10 ) that outputs a first linearly-polarized light as image light, and a display switching section ( 20 ) that performs switching between an image display mode and an external light reflection mode. The display section ( 10 ) includes a first absorption-type polarization member ( 11 ) that allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs second linearly-polarized light. The display switching section ( 20 ) includes a reflection-type polarization member ( 21 ), a switchable transmission polarization axis member ( 22 ), and a second absorption-type polarization member ( 23 ). The reflection-type polarization member ( 21 ) allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and reflects the second linearly-polarized light. The switchable transmission polarization axis member ( 22 ) performs switching between a first mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is converted into the second linearly-polarized light and a second mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is not converted into the second linearly-polarized light. The second absorption-type polarization member ( 23 ) allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs the second linearly-polarized light. The second absorption-type polarization member ( 23 ) has a hue b* value that is equal to or smaller than a hue b* value of the first absorption-type polarization member ( 11 ).

Claims (75)

1 . A display unit comprising:

a display section that outputs a first linearly-polarized light as image light, the first linearly-polarized light having a first polarization axis; and

a display switching section that is disposed to face the display section, and performs switching between an image display mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is allowed to pass through and an external light reflection mode in which external light is reflected, wherein

the display section includes a first absorption-type polarization member that allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs second linearly-polarized light having a second polarization axis that intersects the first polarization axis,

the display switching section includes a reflection-type polarization member, a switchable transmission polarization axis member, and a second absorption-type polarization member that are disposed in order in a direction being away from the display section,

the reflection-type polarization member allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and reflects the second linearly-polarized light,

the switchable transmission polarization axis member performs switching between a first mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is converted into the second linearly-polarized light to pass through and a second mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is allowed to pass through without being converted into the second linearly-polarized light,

the second absorption-type polarization member allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs the second linearly-polarized light, and

the second absorption-type polarization member has a hue b* value that is equal to or smaller than a hue b* value of the first absorption-type polarization member.

2 . The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the polarization conversion member is a liquid crystal device that is one of a TN (Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal device, an STN (Super Twisted Nematic) liquid crystal device, a VA (Vertical Alignment) liquid crystal device, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal device, and a ferroelectric liquid crystal device.

3 . The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the polarization conversion member is a bistable liquid crystal display device or a tristable liquid crystal display device.

4 . The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the second absorption-type polarization member is provided inside the liquid crystal device.

5 . The display unit according to claim 1 , further comprising

a glass substrate disposed between the first absorption-type polarization member and the reflection-type polarization member, wherein

the display section further includes a display panel on opposite side of the first absorption-type polarization member to the display switching section.

6 . The display unit according to claim 1 , further comprising

a first resin layer that attaches the reflection-type polarization member and the switchable transmission polarization axis member to each other, wherein

the first resin layer has a thickness that is equal to or smaller than 25 μm.

7 . The display unit according to claim 1 , further comprising

a second resin layer that attaches the second absorption-type polarization member and the switchable transmission polarization axis member to each other, wherein

the second resin layer has a thickness that is equal to or smaller than 25 μm.

8 . The display unit according to claim 1 , further comprising

a third resin layer that attaches the reflection-type polarization member and the display section to each other, wherein

the third resin layer has a thickness that is equal to or smaller than 25 μm.

9 . The display unit according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable transmission polarization axis member also performs switching to a third mode in which only part of the first linearly-polarized light is converted into the second linearly-polarized light to pass through and rest of the first linearly-polarized light is allowed to pass through without being converted into the second linearly-polarized light.

10 . An electronic apparatus comprising:

a display unit; and

a controlling section that controls the display unit, wherein

the display unit includes

a display section that outputs a first linearly-polarized light as image light, the first linearly-polarized light having a first polarization axis; and

a display switching section that is disposed to face the display section, and performs switching between an image display mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is allowed to pass through and an external light reflection mode in which external light is reflected,

the display section includes a first absorption-type polarization member that allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs second linearly-polarized light having a second polarization axis that intersects the first polarization axis,

the display switching section includes a reflection-type polarization member, a switchable transmission polarization axis member, and a second absorption-type polarization member that are disposed in order in a direction being away from the display section,

the reflection-type polarization member allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and reflects the second linearly-polarized light,

the switchable transmission polarization axis member performs switching between a first mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is converted into the second linearly-polarized light to pass through and a second mode in which the first linearly-polarized light is allowed to pass through without being converted into the second linearly-polarized light,

the second absorption-type polarization member allows the first linearly-polarized light to pass through and absorbs the second linearly-polarized light, and

the second absorption-type polarization member has a hue b* value that is equal to or smaller than a hue b* value of the first absorption-type polarization member.

11 . An optical device comprising:

a polarization control layer that controls polarization on a basis of a control from outside;

a polarization layer that is disposed on one surface side of the polarization control layer; and

a first reflection layer and a second reflection layer that are disposed on other surface side of the polarization control layer, wherein

the first reflection layer is a reflective polarization layer, and

the second reflection layer has one or a plurality of openings.

12 . The optical device according to claim 11 , wherein the first reflection layer has a polarization axis that is parallel or orthogonal to a polarization axis of the polarization layer.

13 . The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein

the polarization control layer includes a liquid crystal layer and a pair of or a plurality of pairs of light transmissive electrodes that sandwich the liquid crystal layer, and

the pair or the plurality of pairs of light transmissive electrodes are sheet-shaped electrodes with which an electric field is applied to the entire liquid crystal layer.

14 . The optical device according to claim 13 , wherein the second reflection layer has a reflection surface at a position that surrounds the one or the plurality of openings.

15 . The optical device according to claim 14 , wherein

the second reflection layer has the one opening, and

the reflection surface is a circular reflection surface that is provided on a periphery of the one opening and along an outer edge of the first reflection layer.

16 . The optical device according to claim 15 , wherein the one opening is smaller than the first reflection layer.

17 . The optical device according to claim 12 , wherein the first reflection layer is disposed between the polarization control layer and the second reflection layer.

18 . The optical device according to claim 17 , wherein the second reflection layer is a metallic reflection layer, a multi-layered reflection layer, or a reflective polarization layer having a polarization axis that is orthogonal to the polarization axis of the first reflection layer.

19 . A display unit comprising:

a display switching section;

a display section that has an output surface that outputs linearly-polarized light as image light; and

a controlling section that performs a control on the display switching section, wherein

the display switching section includes

a polarization control layer that controls polarization on a basis of the control performed by the controlling section,

a polarization layer that is disposed at a position on opposite side to the display section in a relationship with the polarization control layer, and

a first reflection layer and a second reflection layer that are disposed at respective positions on the side of the display section in a relationship with the polarization control layer,

the first reflection layer is a reflective polarization layer, and

the second reflection layer has one or a plurality of openings.

20 . A display unit comprising:

a display switching section;

a display section that has an output surface that outputs linearly-polarized light as image light; and

a controlling section that performs a control on the display switching section, wherein

the display switching section includes

a polarization control layer that controls polarization on a basis of the control performed by the controlling section,

a polarization layer that is disposed at a position on opposite side to the display section in a relationship with the polarization control layer, and

a reflection layer that is disposed at a position on side of the display section in a relationship with the polarization control layer,

the display section has a bezel having an opening at a position that faces the output surface,

the reflection layer is a reflective polarization layer, and

the bezel includes a circular mirror surface on a periphery of the opening.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 8, 2020
From: SONY CORPORATION
To: SATURN LICENSING LLC
Reel/Frame 053712/0226 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2019
From: SHIBAHARA, SEIJI; HAYASHIMOTO, SEIJI; SHIMA, KOTARO; KAMESHIMA, KAZUAKI
To: SONY CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 049910/0449 →