Image display viewing system, optical modulator and image display device

An optical modulator comprising:

• a liquid crystal layer on which light corresponding to images, having a predetermined polarization direction, is periodically output from an image display device and external light having random polarization are incident, wherein the images comprise multiple different images that are each output at least twice consecutively,
• wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a pair of transparent electrodes on a front surface and a rear surface of the liquid crystal layer;
• and
• a polarizing plate on which light emitted from the liquid crystal layer is incident and which has a polarization axis in a predetermined direction,
• wherein when no voltage is applied to the pair of transparent electrodes, the external light remains in the random polarization state after passing through the liquid crystal layer, and the polarization direction of the light that is output from the image display device is rotated such that the light emitted from the liquid crystal layer is transmitted through the polarizing plate.

An image display device comprising:

• a signal control portion configured to receive input of an image signal and output a signal that causes each of multiple different images to be displayed at least twice consecutively;
• a display panel configured to receive the signal output from the signal control portion and alternately display each of the multiple different images;
• and
• a first ¼ λ wavelength plate configured to convert polarized light of the multiple different images to circularly polarized light,
• wherein the image display device outputs the multiple different images to an optical modulator that comprises, on a front surface of a liquid crystal layer, a second ¼ λ wavelength plate converting the circularly polarized light to a predetermine d polarization direction and performs a shutter operation by the liquid crystal layer, and
• wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a pair of transparent electrodes on a front surface and a rear surface of the liquid crystal layer,
• wherein when no voltage is applied to the pair of transparent electrodes, external light from an external light source remains in a random polarization state after passing through the liquid crystal layer, and the polarization direction of light output from the image display device is rotated such that the light emitted from the liquid crystal layer is transmitted through the polarizing plate.