Device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, and an instrument disposed therewith

A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising the following elements arranged in the following order:

• a) an absorbing polarization selection member with an absorption polarization axis in a first direction and a transmission polarization axis in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular;
• b) a transmissive polarization axis variable portion, wherein the polarization axis of transmitted light is not changed when no voltage is applied, and is either changed from the first direction to the second direction or from the second direction to the first direction when voltage is applied;
• c) a reflective polarization selection member with a reflective polarization axis in the second direction and a transmission polarization axis in the first direction,
• wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a mirror for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is applied to element b), and
• wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a window for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is not applied to element b);
• d) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction and an absorption polarization axis in the second direction;
• e) a liquid crystal panel;
• and
• f) a lighting system,
• wherein elements d), e), and f) act as an image display portion for image light with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction when the lighting system and the liquid crystal panel are powered.

A device capable of switching between an image display status and a mirror status, the device comprising the following elements arranged in the following order:

• a) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in a first direction and an absorption polarization axis in a second direction, wherein the first direction and the second direction are approximately perpendicular;
• b) a transmissive polarization axis variable portion, wherein the polarization axis of transmitted light is not changed when no voltage is applied, and is either changed from the first direction to the second direction or from the second direction to the first direction when voltage is applied;
• c) a reflective polarization selection member with a reflective polarization axis in the second direction and a transmission polarization axis in the first direction,
• wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a mirror for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is not applied to element b), and
• wherein elements a), b), and c) act as a window for outside light with the second polarization axis when voltage is applied to element b);
• d) an absorbing polarization selection member with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction and an absorption polarization axis in the second direction;
• e) a liquid crystal panel;
• and
• f) a lighting system,
• wherein elements d), e), and f) act as an image display portion for image light with a transmission polarization axis in the first direction when the lighting system and the liquid crystal panel are powered.