Dual-purpose layered optical structure

An optical structure comprising:

• a first protective layer with a first surface and a second surface;
• an optical compensation layer with a first surface and a second surface;
• a transflective layer with a first surface and a second surface;
• and
• a second protective layer with a first surface wherein:
• the second surface of the first protective layer is bonded to the first surface of the optical compensation layer,
• the second surface of the optical compensation layer is bonded to the first surface of the transflective layer,
• the second surface of the transflective layer is bonded to the first surface of the second protective layer,
• the optical structure is configured to receive external light directed from an external environment through the second protective layer,
• the transflective layer is configured to reflect a component of the external light, as linearly polarized light of a first orientation, back through the second protective layer and out of the optical structure toward the external environment,
• the optical structure is configured to receive circularly polarized light from a display through the first protective layer,
• the compensation layer is configured to convert the circularly polarized light into linearly polarized light of a second orientation, and
• the transflective layer is configured to transmit the linearly polarized light of the second orientation through the second protective layer and out of the optical structure toward the external environment.