Virtual image display device and optical unit

Abstract

The present invention provides a virtual image display device that miniaturizes the light source element and the polarization imaging optical system, and simultaneously guides the image light ML and the external light OL to the eye. [Solution] The virtual image display device comprises: a segmented OLED panel having a light-emitting region for emitting backlight and a first transparent region for transmitting ambient light; a display element having pixels that include subpixels facing the light-emitting region and transmitting backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light; a patterned half-wave plate facing the subpixels and having a first polarization region having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region; and a polarization imaging optical system facing the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, which images the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits ambient light from the patterned half-wave plate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a virtual image display device and an optical unit that enable observation of a virtual image, and particularly to a virtual image display device using a transparent OLED panel and a transmissive liquid crystal panel, etc., and an optical unit.

Background Art

[0002] As a see-through type virtual image display device that enables visual recognition of the outside world, there is known a liquid crystal panel having an image display area and a transparent display area formed so as to surround this image display area, and a light guide plate that guides backlight light incident from a light source to an end portion. The light guide plate includes a light emitting area that irradiates the image display area of the liquid crystal panel with backlight light and a light transmission area that transmits ambient light (Patent Document 1). In this virtual image display device, ambient light reaches the observer from the light transmission area of the light guide plate and the transparent display area of the liquid crystal panel, and is configured to reach the observer through the light emitting area of the light guide plate and the image display area of the liquid crystal panel during a period when the image display area is not irradiated with backlight light. With such a configuration, a see-through display in which video light and ambient light are superimposed is realized.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the above-described device, the light guide plate is processed by forming dots or applying scattering materials to the light-emitting area. As a result, ambient light passing through the image display area of ​​the liquid crystal panel passes through the processed light-emitting area, reducing the see-through transmittance near the center of the field of view corresponding to the image display area. To achieve a see-through display with high see-through transmittance near the center of the field of view, a separate optical system with high see-through transmittance is required, which leads to an increase in size. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A virtual image display device in one aspect of the present invention comprises: a segmented OLED panel having a light-emitting region for emitting backlight and a first transparent region for transmitting ambient light; a display element having pixels including subpixels facing the light-emitting region and transmitting backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light; a patterned half-wave plate facing the subpixels and having a first polarization region having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region; and a polarization imaging optical system facing the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, which images the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits ambient light from the patterned half-wave plate.

[0006] An optical unit in one aspect of the present invention comprises: a segmented OLED panel having a light-emitting region for emitting backlight and a first transparent region for transmitting ambient light; a display element having pixels including subpixels facing the light-emitting region and transmitting backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light; a patterned half-wave plate facing the subpixels and having a first polarization region having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region; and a polarization imaging optical system facing the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, which images the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits ambient light from the patterned half-wave plate. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is an external front view illustrating the mounting state of the virtual image display device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a conceptual perspective view illustrating the structure of the display optical system. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source component, the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the patterned half-wave plate. [Figure 4] This is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the display unit. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the state of light passing through the display device. [Figure 6] This is a side cross-sectional view showing the optical unit of the display optical system. [Figure 7] This is a conceptual perspective explaining the function of polarized liquid crystal lenses. [Figure 8] This is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of a light source component. [Figure 9] This is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an example of the configuration of a light source component. [Figure 10] This is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source component, the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the patterned half-wave plate. [Figure 11] This is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source component, the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the patterned half-wave plate. [Figure 12] This is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source component, the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the patterned half-wave plate. [Figure 13] This is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source component, the transmissive liquid crystal panel, and the patterned half-wave plate. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] [First Embodiment] The virtual image display device according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0009] Figure 1 is a front view illustrating the wearing state of a head-mounted display, i.e., a head-mounted display device 200. The head-mounted display device (hereinafter also referred to as HMD) 200 causes the observer or wearer US to perceive an image as a virtual image. In Figure 1, etc., X, Y, and Z are Cartesian coordinate systems, the +X direction corresponds to the lateral direction in which the binocular eyes (EY) of the observer or wearer US wearing the HMD 200 are aligned, the +Y direction corresponds to the upward direction perpendicular to the lateral direction in which the binocular eyes (EY) are aligned for the wearer US, and the +Z direction corresponds to the forward direction or front direction for the wearer US. The ±Y directions are parallel to the vertical axis or the vertical direction.

[0010] The HMD200 comprises a first virtual image display device 100A for the right eye, a second virtual image display device 100B for the left eye, a pair of temples 100C that support the virtual image display devices 100A and 100B, and a user terminal 90 which is an information terminal. The first virtual image display device 100A consists of a first display drive unit 102a located at the top and a first display optical system 103a that covers the area in front of the eyes. The second virtual image display device 100B consists of a second display drive unit 102b located at the top and a second display optical system 103b that covers the area in front of the eyes. The HMD200, which combines the first virtual image display device 100A and the second virtual image display device 100B, is also a virtual image display device in a broad sense. The pair of temples 100C are mounting members or support devices 106 that are attached to the head of the wearer US, and support the upper ends of the pair of display optical systems 103a and 103b via the display drive units 102a and 102b, which are integrated in appearance. The combination of the pair of display drive units 102a and 102b is called the drive unit 102.

[0011] Figure 2 is a conceptual perspective view illustrating the structure of the first display optical system 103a. The first display optical system 103a comprises a plate-shaped display unit 40 that forms a two-dimensional image, emits corresponding image light ML, and transmits ambient light OL, and a plate-shaped polarization imaging optical system 50 that functions as a lens for the image light ML emitted from the display unit 40 and having first linear polarization, forming a virtual image, and transmits ambient light OL having second linear polarization. In Figure 2, the spacing between components is partially enlarged to make the configuration of the first display optical system 103a easier to understand.

[0012] The display unit 40 comprises a light source member 10 that generates white light, a display element 20 that forms and emits image light ML, and a patterned half-wave plate 23. The light source member 10 emits white light as a backlight BL. The light source member 10 may include multiple light sources that each generate light of multiple colors selected so that when superimposed they form white light. For example, the light source member 10 may include a first light source that emits a first-color backlight, a second light source that emits a second-color backlight, and a third light source that emits a third-color backlight. The display unit 40 is driven and operated by a drive circuit 81 of a control device 80 incorporated in the first display drive unit 102a or drive device 102. The display element 20 of the display unit 40 is positioned close to the eye EY with a polarizing imaging optical system 50 in between, enabling observation of a virtual image by image light ML and see-through viewing of the outside world. In the first display optical system 103a, the distance between the eye EY and the polarization imaging optical system 50 in the direction of the optical axis AX is, for example, about 10 mm to 20 mm. Also, the distance between the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 of the display unit 40 and the polarization imaging optical system 50 in the direction of the optical axis AX is, for example, about 5 mm to 25 mm.

[0013] The display element 20 is a plate-like member extending along the XY plane perpendicular to the optical axis AX, and includes, in order from the outside, a first polarizing plate 21A, a transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and a second polarizing plate 21B. The display element 20 has a structure in which the polarizing plates 21A and 21B and the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 are laminated and integrated by a frame body not shown. Here, the first polarizing plate 21A and the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 are arranged in the vicinity at a predetermined interval or less. Also, the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 and the second polarizing plate 21B are arranged in the vicinity at a predetermined interval or less. The transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 is an imager that simultaneously forms a first video light of a first color component, a second video light of a second color component, and a third video light of a third color component that constitute the video light ML. Note that the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix along the XY plane. Each of the plurality of pixels includes a first sub-pixel, a second sub-pixel, and a third sub-pixel that respectively form the first video light, the second video light, and the third video light that constitute the video light ML, and a transparent region that transmits the external light OL.

[0014] The patterned half-wave plate 23 includes at least two types of polarization regions having different polarization characteristics. The video light ML transmitted through the first polarization region among them is emitted in a first polarization state, and the external light OL transmitted through the second polarization region among them is emitted in a second polarization state. Among the patterned half-wave plate 23, the first polarization region is arranged to face the first sub-pixel, the second sub-pixel, and the third sub-pixel included in each of the plurality of pixels included in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. Also, among the patterned half-wave plate 23, the second polarization region is arranged to face the transparent region included in each of the plurality of pixels included in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. As an example, the first polarization region has a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions with respect to linearly polarized light having a polarization direction parallel to a first axial direction included in the XY plane, and the video light ML that has passed through the first polarization region becomes linearly polarized light in the first polarization direction. The second polarization region has a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region, and the external light OL that has passed through the second polarization region becomes linearly polarized light in a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction. The second polarization region may have a second polarization characteristic that selectively functions with respect to linearly polarized light included in the XY plane and orthogonal to the first axial direction.

[0015] The polarization imaging optical system 50 is disposed on the face side, i.e., the -Z side, with respect to the display 40 or the display element 20 to cover the front of the eyes. The polarization imaging optical system 50 is a plate-like member extending along the XY plane. The polarization imaging optical system 50 is an optical element that performs different actions of functioning as a lens or transmitting light according to the polarization state of the incident light. More specifically, the polarization imaging optical system 50 functions as a lens with respect to the video light ML having the first polarization state and emitted from the display element 20. That is, the polarization imaging optical system 50 comprehensively images the video light ML emitted from the plurality of pixels included in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and enables the video formed on the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 to be observed as a virtual image. On the other hand, the polarization imaging optical system 50 functions as a parallel plate with respect to the external light OL having the second polarization state and passing through the display element 20. That is, the external light OL is observed as a direct-view image by passing straight through the display element 20. Here, the virtual image formed by the polarization imaging optical system 50 of the video light ML and the direct-view image formed by the external light OL passing through the polarization imaging optical system 50 are simultaneously observed by the eye EY.

[0016] The second display optical system 103b is optically identical to the first display optical system 103a or is obtained by horizontally inverting the first display optical system 103a, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0017] In the first virtual image display device 100A, the optical device excluding the control device 80 is referred to as an optical unit 100. Also, in the second virtual image display device 100B, the optical device excluding the control device 80 is referred to as an optical unit 100.

[0018] Figure 3 is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship between the light source member 10, the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and the patterned half-wave plate 23. The light source member 10 comprises a segmented OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel having a light-emitting region 10A that emits backlight BL and a transparent region 10T that transmits ambient light OL. The light source member 10 may include a plurality of light-emitting regions 10A and a plurality of transparent regions 10T. The light-emitting regions 10A and transparent regions 10T are arranged alternately one by one adjacent to each other in a first arrangement direction included in the XY plane. Each light-emitting region 10A and each transparent region 10T extends in a second arrangement direction that is included in the XY plane and is orthogonal to the first arrangement direction. As shown in the example in Figure 3, each light-emitting region 10A and each transparent region 10T may extend in a band shape across the entire light source member 10 in the second arrangement direction, or the light-emitting regions 10A and transparent regions 10T may be arranged alternately one by one in the first arrangement direction. In the example shown in Figure 3, the first arrangement direction is parallel to the X direction and the second arrangement direction is parallel to the Y direction, but this embodiment is not limited to this example.

[0019] The transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 has multiple pixels PX, each pixel PX comprising a first-color subpixel PXs(R), a second-color subpixel PXs(G), a third-color subpixel PXs(B), and a transparent region PXs(T) that transmits ambient light OL. In each pixel PX, the first-color subpixel PXs(R), the second-color subpixel PXs(G), the third-color subpixel PXs(B), and the transparent region PXs(T) are arranged adjacent to each other in the first arrangement direction. The order in which the first-color subpixel PXs(R), the second-color subpixel PXs(G), the third-color subpixel PXs(B), and the transparent region PXs(T) are arranged in the first arrangement direction is not limited. In each pixel PX, the subpixels PXs(R) of the first color, the subpixels PXs(G) of the second color, the subpixels PXs(B) of the third color, and the transparent region PXs(T) that transmits ambient light OL extend in the second arrangement direction. The transparent region PXs(T) may extend in a band shape across multiple adjacent pixels PX in the second arrangement direction, or it may be integrated. In the example configuration shown in Figure 3, the widths of the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and the transparent region PXs(T) included in each pixel PX are the same in the first arrangement direction, but this is merely an example and does not limit this embodiment. For example, the ratio of the width of the transparent region PXs(T) in the first arrangement direction to the width of the pixel PX in the first arrangement direction may be arbitrarily changed. Also, the ratios of the widths of the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) in the first arrangement direction to the width of the pixel PX in the first arrangement direction may be arbitrarily changed. However, in all cases, the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) are positioned opposite the transparent region PXs(T) so that the backlight BL from the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 does not enter the transparent region PXs(T) but enters the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B). Also, the transparent region PXs(T) is positioned opposite the transparent region 10T so that the ambient light OL from the transparent region 10T of the light source member 10 does not enter the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) but enters the transparent region PXs(T).

[0020] The patterned half-wave plate 23 comprises a first polarization region 23A and a second polarization region 23T with different polarization characteristics. The patterned half-wave plate 23 may include a plurality of first polarization regions 23A and a plurality of second polarization regions 23T. The first polarization regions 23A and the second polarization regions 23T are arranged alternately adjacent to each other, one by one, in a first arrangement direction included in the XY plane. Each first polarization region 23A and each second polarization region 23T extends in a second arrangement direction. Each first polarization region 23A and each second polarization region 23T may extend in a band-like manner across the entire patterned half-wave plate 23 in the second arrangement direction. The pattern showing the positional relationship between the first polarization regions 23A and the second polarization regions 23T in the patterned half-wave plate 23 is not limited to the regular pattern shown in the example in Figure 3. However, in all cases, the first polarization region 23A is positioned opposite the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) so that the first, second, and third image light emitted by the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) do not enter the second polarization region 23T but enter the first polarization region 23A. Also, the second polarization region 23T is positioned opposite the transparent region PXs(T) so that the ambient light OL transmitted through the transparent region PXs(T) does not enter the first polarization region 23A but enters the second polarization region 23T.

[0021] The light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 and the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 are arranged facing each other. Furthermore, the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 and the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23 are arranged facing each other. The subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 are illuminated by the backlight BL emitted from the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10, and emit image light ML. The image light ML becomes a first polarization state by passing through the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23. For example, the image light ML in the first polarization state may have linear polarization parallel to a predetermined first polarization direction included in the XY plane.

[0022] The transparent region 10T of the light source member 10 and the transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 are arranged facing each other. Also, the transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 and the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23 are arranged facing each other. The ambient light OL passes through the transparent region 10T of the light source member 10 and the transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and then passes through the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23, thereby becoming a second polarization state. The ambient light OL in the second polarization state may have linear polarization whose polarization direction is included in the XY plane, is perpendicular to the first polarization direction, and is parallel to the second polarization direction.

[0023] Figure 4 is a conceptual enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of the display unit 40. Referring to Figure 4, the light source member 10 simultaneously generates three color backlights BLR, BLG, and BLB (see Figure 8), thereby supplying white light as backlight BL to the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 of the display element 20.

[0024] The display element 20 is positioned on the face side, or -Z side, opposite the light source member 10 and the first polarizing plate 21A. The display element 20 has a transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 and a pair of polarizing plates 21A and 21B that sandwich the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. In this case, the display element 20 is a modulation element made of, for example, an IPS (in-plane switching) type liquid crystal, and operates in units of pixels PX. Each pixel PX includes a first-color subpixel PXs(R), a second-color subpixel PXs(G), a third-color subpixel PXs(B), and a transparent region PXs(T). The first-color subpixel PXs(R) has a first-color color filter 41r, the second-color subpixel PXs(G) has a second-color color filter 41g, and the third-color subpixel PXs(B) has a third-color color filter 41b. The transparent region PXs(T) does not have a color filter and is colorless. The display element 20 does not rotate the polarization direction of incident light when no electric field is applied, but rotates the polarization direction of incident light when an electric field is applied. In this case, the pair of polarizers 21A and 21B are absorption-type polarizers and are arranged so that their polarization directions intersect, or more specifically, are orthogonal. The display element 20 can switch ON and OFF in units of pixels PX according to a drive signal from the drive circuit 81, and can partially pass incident light through at any intermediate grayscale between ON and OFF. For this reason, the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 has not only a liquid crystal layer 31, a common electrode 32, a pixel electrode 33, and a black matrix 35, but also scan lines, signal lines, switch elements, etc., although these are not shown in the figure. However, the pixel electrode 33 can be omitted for the transparent regions PXs(T), and by omitting the pixel electrode 33, the transmittance of the transparent regions PXs(T) to external light OL can be improved. For high resolution, the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 is preferably manufactured as an HTPS (High-Temperature Poly-Silicon) panel.

[0025] The first color filter 41r selectively transmits the first color of light from the backlight BL. Similarly, the second color filter 41g selectively transmits the second color of light from the backlight BL. Furthermore, the third color filter 41b selectively transmits the third color of light from the backlight BL. For example, the first color is red (r: red) with a wavelength in the range of approximately 620 nm (nanometers) to approximately 750 nm, the second color is green (g: green) with a wavelength in the range of approximately 495 nm to approximately 570 nm, and the third color is blue (b: blue) with a wavelength in the range of approximately 450 nm to approximately 495 nm. Hereafter, for any given light, the portion whose wavelength falls within the range of the first color will be called the wavelength component of the first color of the light, the portion whose wavelength falls within the range of the second color will be called the wavelength component of the second color of the light, and the portion whose wavelength falls within the range of the third color will be called the wavelength component of the third color of the light.

[0026] The first color subpixels PXs(R) apply an intensity controlled by the control device 80 to the first color light, which is the wavelength component of the first color contained in the backlight BL, and emit it as the first image light, which is the wavelength component of the first color that constitutes the image light ML, thereby displaying the first image, which represents the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the first color in the image represented by the image light ML. Similarly, the second color subpixels PXs(G) apply an intensity controlled by the control device 80 to the second color light, which is the wavelength component of the second color contained in the backlight BL, and emit it as the second image light, which is the wavelength component of the second color that constitutes the image light ML, thereby displaying the second image, which represents the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the second color in the image represented by the image light ML. Furthermore, the third-color subpixels PXs(B) impart an intensity controlled by the control device 80 to the third-color light, which is the wavelength component of the third color contained in the backlight BL, and emit it as the third image light, which is the wavelength component of the third color that constitutes the image light ML. This displays a third image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the third color in the image represented by the image light ML. Each pixel PX enables the expression of a variety of colors through the combination of the first image light emitted by the first-color subpixels PXs(R), the second image light emitted by the second-color subpixels PXs(G), and the third image light emitted by the third-color subpixels PXs(B).

[0027] The display element 20 or the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 may rotate the polarization direction of incident light when no electric field is applied, but not when an electric field is applied. In this case, the pair of polarizing plates 21A and 21B are arranged so that their polarization directions are parallel to each other.

[0028] In the patterned half-wave plate 23, the first polarization region 23A has its principal axis in the first direction in the XY plane and converts the polarization state of the image light ML (see Figure 2) from linearly polarized P1 to linearly polarized P3. In addition, the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23 has its principal axis in the second direction in the XY plane and converts the polarization state of the ambient light OL from linearly polarized P2 to linearly polarized P4. The principal axes of the first polarization region 23A and the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23 are set so that the polarization directions of the linearly polarized P3 and P4 of the image light ML and ambient light OL emitted from the patterned half-wave plate 23 to the eye EY are orthogonal.

[0029] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the state of light passing through the display unit 40. The light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 emits light in response to the control signal from the control device 80 shown in Figure 2, and the backlight BL is emitted toward the display element 20. The backlight BL illuminates the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 as second linearly polarized light P2, which is transversely polarized or horizontally polarized, via the first polarizing plate 21A of the display element 20. In other words, among the pixels PX that make up the display element 20, the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) that face the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 are illuminated. The image light ML that has passed through the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 is obtained by rotating the polarization plane of the backlight BL in response to the drive signal, and only the first linearly polarized light P1, which is vertically polarized or perpendicularly polarized, is emitted via the second polarizing plate 21B. The image light ML emitted from the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) contained in each pixel PX of the display element 20 is converted from first linearly polarized light P1 to third linearly polarized light P3 via the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23. As an example, the third linearly polarized light P3 is linearly polarized light whose polarization direction is parallel to the first direction included in the XY plane.

[0030] External light OL passes through the transparent region 10T of the light source member 10 and is incident on the display element 20. At this time, the transparent region PXs(T) contained in each pixel PX of the display element 20 is transparent to the external light OL, and the second linearly polarized light P2 of the external light OL incident on the transparent region PXs(T) contained in each pixel PX of the display element 20 travels in a straight line through the first polarizer 21A, the transparent region PXs(T), and the second polarizer 21B contained in the display element 20 and is converted to the first linearly polarized light P1. The external light OL emitted from the display element 20 passes through the patterned half-wave plate 23 and is converted from the first linearly polarized light P1 to the fourth linearly polarized light P4. As an example, the fourth linearly polarized light P4 is linearly polarized with a polarization direction parallel to the second direction contained in the XY plane, and the second polarization direction of the fourth linearly polarized light P4 is perpendicular to the first polarization direction of the third linearly polarized light P3.

[0031] Figure 6 is a lateral cross-sectional view showing the optical units 100 of the display optical systems 103a and 103b. The optical unit 100 comprises a display unit 40 that emits image light ML and transmits ambient light OL, a polarization imaging optical system 50 that functions as a positive lens or collimator with positive power to the image light ML and transmits ambient light OL, and a support member 101 that relatively fixes these together.

[0032] In the polarization imaging optical system 50, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 functions independently as a positive lens when linearly polarized light with a predetermined polarization direction is incident on it. Furthermore, when linearly polarized light with a different polarization direction is incident on it, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 transmits that linearly polarized light.

[0033] Figure 7 is a conceptual perspective view illustrating the function of the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51. In Figure 7, the first region CR1 and the second region CR2 show an example of the operation of the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 when light rays L1 and L2 of the first linearly polarized P1 in the first polarization direction are incident on it. In Figure 7, the third region CR3 shows an example of the operation of the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 when light rays L3 of the second linearly polarized P2 in the second polarization direction are incident on it.

[0034] As shown in the first region CR1 of Figure 7, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 has the function of converting a collimated first linearly polarized light P1, such as the light ray L1 shown by the solid line on the left side of the drawing, into a third linearly polarized light P3 and focusing it at the focal point FP. Furthermore, as shown in the second region CR2 of Figure 7, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 has the function of converting a first linearly polarized light P1 diverging from the focal point FP' on the left side of the drawing, such as the light ray L2 shown by the dashed line, into a third linearly polarized light P3 and collimating it. In other words, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 functions like a positive lens with a predetermined focal length for the first linearly polarized light P1 while changing the direction of linear polarization. However, the polarization direction of the changed third linearly polarized light P3 may be the same as the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized light P1 before the change.

[0035] As shown in the third region CR3 of Figure 7, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 has the function of converting collimated second linearly polarized light P2, such as the light ray L3 shown by the solid line on the left side of the drawing, into fourth linearly polarized light P4 and emitting it while remaining collimated. In other words, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 transmits the second linearly polarized light P2 without converging or diverging, while changing the direction of the linear polarization of the ambient light OL. However, the polarization direction of the fourth linearly polarized light P4 after the change may be the same as the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized light P2 before the change.

[0036] Although not shown in the diagram, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 is formed by creating a thin film of liquid crystal-containing material on a transparent substrate, and is in the form of a thin plate overall. The liquid crystal-containing material layer contains a predetermined liquid crystal material, and the orientation axes of the liquid crystal molecules are aligned so that a desired geometric phase is formed. As a method for manufacturing the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51, for example, a liquid crystal-containing material film, which is a mixture of liquid crystal material and an ultraviolet-curable organic material layer, is applied to a substrate, and the organic material layer is cured while adjusting the orientation axes of the liquid crystal molecules by scanning the liquid crystal-containing material film two-dimensionally with UV laser light in a predetermined polarization state. This makes it possible to control and fix the orientation axes of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal-containing material layer in three dimensions, and a liquid crystal compound layer is obtained in which the rotation angle of the orientation axis increases as it moves away from the optical axis AX as described above. Such a polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 itself is a known technology, for example, as a polarization-dependent liquid crystal Fresnel lens (see, for example, Kohei Noda, et al. Applied Optics, February 10 2017, Vol. 56, No. 5: 1302).

[0037] The focal length of the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 can be increased or decreased depending on the manufacturing method and liquid crystal material. When passing through the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51, the loss of linearly polarized light rays L1, L2, and L3 is close to zero, and the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 exhibits almost 100% transmittance.

[0038] Returning to Figure 6, in the polarization imaging optical system 50, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 is the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 shown in Figure 7. When the image light ML incident from the display 40 is first linearly polarized P1, it functions as an optical element with positive power to the image light ML, reducing the divergence of the image light ML and changing the direction of linear polarization to third linearly polarized P3. Also, when the ambient light OL incident from the display 40 is second linearly polarized P2, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 transmits the ambient light OL without converging or diverging it, and changes the direction of linear polarization of the ambient light OL to fourth linearly polarized P4. However, the polarization direction of the changed third linearly polarized P3 may be the same as the polarization direction of the first linearly polarized P1 before the change, and the polarization direction of the changed fourth linearly polarized P4 may be the same as the polarization direction of the second linearly polarized P2 before the change.

[0039] As described above, the polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 simultaneously performs different functions depending on the polarization direction of the linearly polarized incident light, converging the image light ML while transmitting the ambient light OL without converging or diverging. In other words, the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B or the display optical systems 103a, 103b that perform such displays enable see-through displays in which the image light ML and ambient light OL are simultaneously superimposed.

[0040] (Variation of light source component) In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the light source member 10 comprises a light-emitting region 10A that emits white light as a backlight BL and a segmented OLED panel that transmits ambient light OL. In this configuration, the light-emitting region 10A may include a first light source 10R that emits a first-color backlight BLR, a second light source 10G that emits a second-color backlight BLG, and a third light source 10B that emits a third-color backlight BLB, as shown in Figure 8.

[0041] In the example shown in Figure 8, the first light source 10R, the first adhesive layer 1081, the second light source 10G, the second adhesive layer 1082, the third light source 10B, and the cover member 109 of the light source member 10 are stacked in this order in the -Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system. The first light source 10R includes a first transmissive OLED element that emits a first backlight BLR as light of a first color. The first transparent substrate 101R, the first transparent anode 102R, the first hole transport layer 103R, the first light-emitting layer 104R, the first electron transport layer 105R, the first transparent cathode 106R, and the first sealing layer 107R of the first transmissive OLED element are stacked in this order in the -Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0042] When an appropriate voltage is applied between the first transparent anode 102R and the first transparent cathode 106R of the first transmissive OLED element, the first light-emitting layer 104R emits light of a first color as a first backlight BLR. The first wavelength of the first backlight BLR corresponds to, for example, red and may be in the range of 600 nm to 640 nm, and more preferably in the range of 610 nm to 630 nm.

[0043] Similarly, the second light source 10G includes a second transmissive OLED element that emits a second backlight BLG as a second color of light. The second transparent substrate 101G, second transparent anode 102G, second hole transport layer 103G, second light-emitting layer 104G, second electron transport layer 105G, second transparent cathode 106G, and second sealing layer 107G of the second transmissive OLED element are stacked in this order in the -Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0044] When an appropriate voltage is applied between the second transparent anode 102G and the second transparent cathode 106G of the second transmissive OLED element, the second light-emitting layer 104G emits a second color of light as a second backlight BLG. The second wavelength of the second backlight BLG corresponds to, for example, green and may be in the range of 500 nm to 550 nm, and more preferably in the range of 520 nm to 540 nm.

[0045] Furthermore, the third light source 10B includes a third transmissive OLED element that emits a third backlight BLB as a third color of light. The third transparent substrate 101B, third transparent anode 102B, third hole transport layer 103B, third light-emitting layer 104B, third electron transport layer 105B, third transparent cathode 106B, and third sealing layer 107B of the third transmissive OLED element are stacked in this order in the -Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0046] When an appropriate voltage is applied between the third transparent anode 102B and the third transparent cathode 106B, the third transmissive OLED element emits a third color of light from the third light-emitting layer 104B as a third backlight BLB. The third wavelength of the third backlight BLB corresponds to, for example, blue and may be in the range of 450 nm to 480 nm, and more preferably in the range of 450 nm to 460 nm.

[0047] In the example shown in Figure 8, the first light source 10R, the second light source 10G, and the third light source 10B simultaneously emit the first backlight BLR, the second backlight BLG, and the third backlight BLB, respectively, under the control of the control device 80, causing the light-emitting area 10A of the light source member 10 to emit white backlight BL.

[0048] As another example, the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 may be provided with a fourth light source 10RG, which integrates the first light source 10R and the second light source 10G of Figure 8, as shown in Figure 9. The cross-sectional view in Figure 9 is the same as the cross-sectional view in Figure 8, but with the following modifications: the first light source 10R and the first adhesive layer 1081 are removed, and the second light source 10G is replaced with the fourth light source 10RG. The fourth transparent substrate 101RG, the fourth transparent anode 102RG, the fourth hole transport layer 103RG, the first light-emitting layer 104R, the second light-emitting layer 104G, the fourth electron transport layer 105RG, the fourth transparent cathode 106RG, and the fourth sealing layer 107RG of the fourth light source 10RG are stacked in this order in the -Z direction in the Cartesian coordinate system.

[0049] In the fourth light source 10RG, when an appropriate voltage is applied between the fourth transparent anode 102RG and the fourth transparent cathode 106RG, the first light-emitting layer 104R emits a first-color backlight BLR, and the second light-emitting layer 104G emits a second-color backlight BLG.

[0050] The other configurations and operations of the light source member 10 are the same as those of the third embodiment shown in Figure 8. According to this modification, the light source member 10 can be further miniaturized compared to the configuration in Figure 8.

[0051] (Modified example of a patterned half-wave plate) As explained with reference to Figure 3, the image light ML emitted by the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 becomes linearly polarized in the first polarization direction by the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23. In addition, the ambient light OL transmitted through the transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 becomes linearly polarized in the second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction by the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23. Here, as an example, the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23 may have a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis direction included in the XY plane, and the second polarization region 23T may have a second polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction perpendicular to the first axis direction included in the XY plane. As another example, in the patterned half-wave plate 23, the first polarization region 23A may have polarization characteristics that selectively function for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis direction included in the XY plane, while the second polarization region 23T may transmit ambient light OL without changing its polarization state.

[0052] (Variations in the positional relationship of the transmissive liquid crystal panel) In the configuration example shown in Figure 3, the case where the arrangement of sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and transparent regions PXs(T) of each of the multiple pixels PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 is the same for all pixels PX. As a modification of this configuration, as shown in Figure 10, the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and transparent regions PXs(T) may be arranged such that the transparent regions PXs(T) of two adjacent pixels PX in the first arrangement direction are adjacent in the first arrangement direction. In this modification, the two transparent regions PXs(T) adjacent in the first arrangement direction can be integrated, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing accuracy of the transparent regions PXs(T).

[0053] In the configuration example shown in Figure 10, the arrangement of the light-emitting region 10A and the transparent region 10T in the light source member 10 is changed in accordance with the arrangement of the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and the transparent region PXs(T) in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, compared to the configuration example shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the light-emitting region 10A is positioned opposite the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B), and the transparent region 10T is positioned opposite the transparent region PXs(T). As a result, adjacent light-emitting regions 10A in the first arrangement direction can be integrated, and adjacent transparent regions PXs(T) in the first arrangement direction can be integrated, thus improving the manufacturing accuracy of the light-emitting region 10A and the transparent region 10T.

[0054] Similarly, in the configuration example of Figure 10, compared to the configuration example of Figure 3, the arrangement of the first polarization region 23A and the second polarization region 23T in the patterned half-wave plate 23 is changed according to the arrangement of the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and the transparent region PXs(T) in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. That is, the first polarization region 23A is positioned opposite the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B), and the second polarization region 23T is positioned opposite the transparent region PXs(T). As a result, the first polarization region 23A adjacent to the first arrangement direction in the patterned half-wave plate 23 can be integrated, and the second polarization region 23T adjacent to the first arrangement direction can also be integrated, thus improving the manufacturing accuracy of the first polarization region 23A and the second polarization region 23T.

[0055] The virtual image display device 100A, 100B, or optical unit 100 according to the first embodiment described above comprises a segmented OLED panel as a light source member 10 having a light-emitting region 10A that emits a backlight BL and a first transparent region 10T that transmits ambient light OL, and a pixel PX having subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) facing the light-emitting region 10A that transmit the backlight BL and emit image light ML, and a second transparent region PXs(T) facing the first transparent region 10T that transmits ambient light OL. The system comprises a display element 20, a patterned half-wave plate 23 having a first polarization region 23A facing the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) and having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region 23T facing the second transparent region PXs(T) and having a second polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region 23A, and a polarization imaging optical system 50 facing the display element 20 across the patterned half-wave plate 23, which images the image light ML and transmits at least a portion of the ambient light OL.

[0056] The above-described virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, or optical unit 100 can also achieve both high transmittance to ambient light OL and good display of image light ML by miniaturizing the light source member 10 and the polarization imaging optical system 50. Furthermore, the above-described virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, or optical unit 100 use a polarization imaging optical system 50 having a polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 that images image light ML having first linear polarization P1 with positive power and transmits ambient light OL having second linear polarization P2, thereby guiding both image light ML and ambient light OL to the eye EY simultaneously without time-division control which may result in reduced visibility.

[0057] [Second Embodiment] The virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, etc. of the second embodiment will be described below. Note that the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the second embodiment are partially modified versions of the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the first embodiment, and the parts common to the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B) and transparent regions PXs(T) contained in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 according to this embodiment are arranged in a matrix of two in the first arrangement direction and two in the second arrangement direction. For example, in each pixel PX, the subpixels PXs(R) of the first color and the subpixels PXs(B) of the third color are adjacent in the first arrangement direction, and the subpixels PXs(G) of the second color and the transparent region PXs(T) are adjacent in the first arrangement direction. Also, in each pixel PX, the subpixels PXs(R) of the first color and the subpixels PXs(G) of the second color are adjacent in the second arrangement direction, and the subpixels PXs(B) of the third color and the transparent region PXs(T) are adjacent in the second arrangement direction. However, these positional relationships are merely examples and do not limit this embodiment.

[0059] In this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the light-emitting region 10A and the transparent region 10T in the light source member 10 are obtained by making the following changes to the configuration example in Figure 3, as shown in Figure 11. Specifically, the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 is arranged in a shape that faces the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) included in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and the transparent region 10T is arranged in a shape that faces the transparent region PXs(T) included in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22.

[0060] Similarly, in this embodiment, the shape and arrangement of the first polarization region 23A and the second polarization region 23T in the patterned half-wave plate 23 are obtained by making the following changes to the configuration example in Figure 3, as shown in Figure 11. That is, in the patterned half-wave plate 23, the first polarization region 23A is arranged in a shape that faces the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) contained in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and the second polarization region 23T is arranged in a shape that faces the transparent region PXs(T) contained in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22.

[0061] In the configuration according to this embodiment shown in Figure 11, as in the first embodiment, the light source member 10 and the polarization imaging optical system 50 can be miniaturized, achieving both high transmittance to ambient light OL and good display of image light ML. Furthermore, both image light ML and ambient light OL can be simultaneously guided to the eye EY without time-division control, which may result in reduced visibility.

[0062] (Variations in the positional relationship of the transmissive liquid crystal panel) In the configuration example shown in Figure 11, the case was described in which the arrangement of sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and transparent regions PXs(T) of each of the multiple pixels PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 is the same for all pixels PX. As a variation of this configuration, as shown in Figure 12, the sub-pixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and transparent regions PXs(T) may be arranged such that the transparent regions PXs(T) of four pixels PX that are adjacent in a matrix in the first and second arrangement directions are adjacent in either the first or second arrangement direction. As an example, the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the first pixel PX and the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the second pixel PX adjacent to the first pixel PX in the first arrangement direction are adjacent in the first arrangement direction, the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the first pixel PX and the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the third pixel PX adjacent to the first pixel PX in the second arrangement direction are adjacent in the second arrangement direction, the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the third pixel PX and the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the fourth pixel PX adjacent to the third pixel PX in the first arrangement direction and adjacent to the second pixel PX in the second arrangement direction are adjacent in the first arrangement direction, and the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the second pixel PX and the transparent regions PXs(T) contained in the fourth pixel PX are adjacent in the second arrangement direction. In this case, as shown in Figure 12, the four transparent regions PXs(T) included in the first pixel PX, second pixel PX, third pixel PX, and fourth pixel PX can be integrated, which is advantageous in terms of manufacturing accuracy of the transparent regions PXs(T).

[0063] [Third Embodiment] The following describes the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, etc., of the third embodiment. Note that the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the second embodiment are partially modified versions of the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the first embodiment, and the parts common to the virtual image display devices 100A, 100B of the first embodiment will not be described.

[0064] As shown in Figure 13, the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and transparent regions PXs(T) included in each pixel PX of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 according to this embodiment have a configuration that combines the first embodiment shown in Figure 3 and the second embodiment shown in Figure 11. That is, each pixel PX comprises subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and a first transparent region PXs(T) adjacent in the first and second arrangement directions, and a second transparent region PXs(U) adjacent to the first transparent region PXs(T) in the first arrangement direction. Here, the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and the first transparent region PXs(T) according to this embodiment shown in Figure 13 have a width in the first arrangement direction that is reduced by the amount of the second transparent region PXs(U) compared to the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), PXs(B), and the first transparent region PXs(T) according to the second embodiment shown in Figure 11. Furthermore, the second transparent region PXs(U), like the first transparent region PXs(T), transmits ambient light OL. The first transparent region PXs(T) and the second transparent region PXs(U) may be adjacent to each other in the first orientation direction, or they may be integrated.

[0065] In this embodiment, the light source member 10 is obtained by making the following changes to the configuration example in Figure 11. Specifically, the light-emitting region 10A of the light source member 10 is arranged in a shape that faces the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, the transparent region 10T of the light source member 10 is arranged as the first transparent region 10T in a shape that faces the first transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and a second transparent region 10U is added which is arranged in a shape that faces the second transparent region PXs(U) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. The second transparent region 10U transmits ambient light OL, similar to the first transparent region 10T. Furthermore, the first transparent region 10T and the second transparent region 10U may be adjacent in the first arrangement direction or may be integrated.

[0066] Similarly, in this embodiment, the patterned half-wave plate 23 is obtained by making the following changes to the configuration example in Figure 11. Specifically, the first polarization region 23A of the patterned half-wave plate 23 is arranged in a shape facing the subpixels PXs(R), PXs(G), and PXs(B) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, the second polarization region 23T of the patterned half-wave plate 23 is arranged in a shape facing the first transparent region PXs(T) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22, and a third polarization region 23U is added which is arranged in a shape facing the second transparent region PXs(U) of the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22. The third polarization region 23U, like the second polarization region 23T, sets the polarization state of the ambient light OL to the second linear polarization P2. Furthermore, the second polarization region 23T and the third polarization region 23U may be integrated.

[0067] In the configuration according to this embodiment shown in Figure 13, as in the first and second embodiments, the light source member 10 and the polarizing imaging optical system 50 can be miniaturized, achieving both high transmittance to ambient light OL and good display of image light ML. Furthermore, both image light ML and ambient light OL can be simultaneously guided to the eye EY without time-division control, which may result in reduced visibility. Moreover, compared to the second embodiment, the ratio of the area that transmits ambient light OL to the area that emits image light ML in the transmissive liquid crystal panel 22 can be increased with a greater degree of freedom.

[0068] A virtual image display device in a specific embodiment includes: a segmented OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel having a light-emitting region for emitting backlight and a first transparent region for transmitting ambient light; a display element having pixels that include subpixels facing the light-emitting region and transmitting backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light; a patterned half-wave plate facing the subpixels and having a first polarization region having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region; and a polarization imaging optical system facing the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, which images the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits ambient light from the patterned half-wave plate.

[0069] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, the polarization imaging optical system performs different actions depending on the polarization state of the incident light, such as functioning as a lens or transmitting it.

[0070] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, the polarization imaging optical system includes a polarizing liquid crystal lens that has positive power for image light having first linear polarization in a first polarization direction and transmits external light having second linear polarization in a second polarization direction orthogonal to the first polarization direction. The patterned half-wave plate emits image light from subpixels as first linear polarization through the first polarization region and emits external light from the second transparent region as second linear polarization through the second polarization region.

[0071] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, the second polarization region has a second polarization characteristic that functions selectively with respect to linearly polarized light orthogonal to the first axis direction.

[0072] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, the second polarization region transmits ambient light.

[0073] In the above-described virtual image display device, the light source member 10 and the polarization imaging optical system 50 can be miniaturized to achieve both high transmittance to ambient light OL and good display of image light ML. Furthermore, in the above-described virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, or optical unit 100, by using a polarization imaging optical system 50 having a polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 that images image light ML having first linear polarization with positive power and transmits ambient light OL having second linear polarization, image light ML and ambient light OL can be simultaneously guided to the eye EY without time-division control which may result in reduced visibility.

[0074] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, the display element comprises a transmissive liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, each of the plurality of pixels comprising: a first subpixel facing the light-emitting region and displaying a first image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the first color in the image of the image light; a second subpixel facing the light-emitting region and displaying a second image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the second color in the image of the image light; a third subpixel facing the light-emitting region and displaying a third image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the third color in the image of the image light; and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light.

[0075] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, a first subpixel includes a first color filter that selectively transmits light of a first color, a second subpixel includes a second color filter that selectively transmits light of a second color, and a third subpixel includes a third color filter that selectively transmits light of a third color.

[0076] The above virtual image display device can employ a single transmissive liquid crystal panel equipped with three color filters as the display element.

[0077] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, in each of the multiple pixels, the first subpixel, the second subpixel, the third subpixel, and the second transparent region are arranged in a line in the first arrangement direction, and in the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the second arrangement direction which is orthogonal to the first arrangement direction, the first subpixel, second subpixel, third subpixel, and second transparent region of the first pixel and the first subpixel, second subpixel, third subpixel, and second transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent to each other in the second arrangement direction.

[0078] In the virtual image display device described above, the subpixels of each color and the second transparent region extend in the second arrangement direction, which is advantageous for manufacturing precision.

[0079] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, among a plurality of pixels, the second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the third pixel are adjacent in the first arrangement direction to the first pixel.

[0080] In the above-described virtual image display device, the width of the second transparent region in the first arrangement direction is relatively large, which is advantageous for manufacturing precision.

[0081] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, in each of the multiple pixels, the first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacent to one of the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction orthogonal to the first arrangement direction, the third subpixel and the second transparent region are adjacent to one of the arrangement directions, the first subpixel and the third subpixel are adjacent to the other of the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction, and the second subpixel and the second transparent region are adjacent to the other arrangement direction.

[0082] In the virtual image display device described above, the minimum size of the subpixels is relatively large, which is advantageous for manufacturing precision.

[0083] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, among a plurality of pixels, the second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent to the first pixel in the first arrangement direction, the second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the third pixel are adjacent to the first pixel in the second arrangement direction, the second transparent region of the second pixel and the second transparent region of the fourth pixel are adjacent to the second arrangement direction, and the second transparent region of the third pixel and the second transparent region of the fourth pixel are adjacent to each other in the first arrangement direction.

[0084] In the above-mentioned virtual image display device, the minimum dimensions of the second transparent region are relatively large, which is advantageous for manufacturing precision.

[0085] In a specific embodiment of the virtual image display device, each of the multiple pixels further includes a third transparent region adjacent to a second transparent region that transmits ambient light, the segmented OLED panel further includes a fourth transparent region opposite to the third transparent region that transmits ambient light, and the patterned half-wave plate further includes a fifth transparent region opposite to the third transparent region that transmits ambient light.

[0086] In a specific embodiment of a virtual image display device, in each of a plurality of pixels, the second transparent region and the third transparent region are adjacent in one of the first and second arrangement directions, and in the plurality of pixels, in the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the other arrangement direction of the first and second arrangement directions, the third transparent region of the first pixel and the third transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent in the other arrangement direction.

[0087] In the above-described virtual image display device, the ratio of the area that transmits ambient light to the area that emits image light in the transmissive liquid crystal panel can be increased with a greater degree of freedom.

[0088] In a specific embodiment, the optical unit comprises: a segmented OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel having a light-emitting region for emitting backlight and a first transparent region for transmitting ambient light; a display element having pixels that include subpixels facing the light-emitting region and transmitting backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting ambient light; a patterned half-wave plate facing the subpixels and having a first polarization region having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region; and a polarization imaging optical system facing the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, which images the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits ambient light from the patterned half-wave plate.

[0089] In the above optical unit, the light source member 10 and the polarization imaging optical system 50 can be miniaturized, achieving both high transmittance to ambient light OL and good display of image light ML. Furthermore, in the above virtual image display devices 100A, 100B, or optical unit 100, by using a polarization imaging optical system 50 having a polarizing liquid crystal lens 51 that images image light ML having first linear polarization with positive power and transmits ambient light OL having second linear polarization, image light ML and ambient light OL can be simultaneously guided to the eye EY without time-division control which may result in reduced visibility. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0090] 10...Light source component, 10A...Emitting region, 10B, 10G, 10R...Light source, 10T, 10U...Transparent region, 20...Display element, 21A, 21B...Polarizing plate, 22...Transmissive liquid crystal panel, 23...Patterned half-wave plate, 23A, 23T, 23U...Polarizing region, 31...Liquid crystal layer, 32...Common electrode, 33...Pixel electrode, 35...Black matrix, 40...Display unit, 41b, 41g, 41r...Color filter, 5 0...Polarizing imaging optical system, 51...Polarizing liquid crystal lens, 80...Control device, 81...Drive circuit, 90...User terminal (information terminal), 100...Optical unit, 100A, 100B...Virtual image display device, 100C...Temple, 101...Support member, 101B, 101G, 101R, 101RG...Transparent substrate, 102...Drive device, 102a, 102b...Display drive unit, 102B, 102G, 102R, 102RG...Transparent Anode, 103a, 103b... Display optical system, 103B, 103G, 103R, 103RG... Hole transport layer, 104B, 104G, 104R... Light-emitting layer, 105B, 105G, 105R, 105RG... Electron transport layer, 106... Support device (mounting member), 106B, 106G, 106R, 106RG... Transparent cathode, 107B, 107G, 107R, 107RG... Sealing layer, 1081, 1082... Adhesive layer, 1 09…Cover component, 200…Head-mounted display device (HMD), AX…Optical axis, BL, BLB, BLG, BLR…Backlight, EY…Eye, FP, FP'…Focus, L1, L2, L3…Light ray, ML…Image light, OL…Field light, P1, P2, P3, P4…Linear polarization, PX…Pixel, PXs, PXs(B), PXs(G), PXs(R)…Subpixel, PXs(T), PXs(U)…Transparent area, US…Wearer

Claims

1. A segmented OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel having a light-emitting region that emits backlight and a first transparent region that transmits ambient light, A display element having a pixel that includes a subpixel facing the light-emitting region and transmitting the backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting the ambient light, A patterned half-wave plate having a first polarization region facing the subpixel and having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region, A polarization imaging optical system is positioned opposite the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, and forms an image of the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits the external light from the patterned half-wave plate. Equipped with, Virtual image display device.

2. The polarization imaging optical system performs different actions depending on the polarization state of the incident light, such as functioning as a lens or transmitting it. The virtual image display device according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned polarization imaging optical system is A polarizing liquid crystal lens that has positive power for the image light having a first linear polarization in a first polarization direction, and transmits the external light having a second linear polarization in a second polarization direction perpendicular to the first polarization direction. Equipped with, The patterned half-wave plate emits the image light from the subpixels as first linearly polarized light through the first polarization region, and emits the external light from the second transparent region as second linearly polarized light through the second polarization region. The virtual image display device according to claim 1.

4. The second polarization region has a second polarization characteristic that functions selectively with respect to linearly polarized light perpendicular to the first axis. The virtual image display device according to claim 1.

5. The second polarization region transmits the external light. The virtual image display device according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned display element is A transmissive liquid crystal panel including a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix. Equipped with, Each of the aforementioned plurality of pixels is A first subpixel facing the light-emitting region, which displays a first image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the first color in the image of the image light, A second subpixel facing the light-emitting region, which displays a second image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the second color in the image of the image light, A third subpixel facing the light-emitting region, which displays a third image representing the intensity distribution of the wavelength component of the third color in the image of the image light, Opposite the first transparent region is a second transparent region that transmits the external light, Equipped with, The virtual image display device according to claim 1.

7. The first subpixel includes a first color filter that selectively transmits light of the first color, The second subpixel includes a second color filter that selectively transmits light of the second color, The third subpixel includes a third color filter that selectively transmits light of the third color. The virtual image display device according to claim 6.

8. In each of the aforementioned plurality of pixels, The first subpixel, the second subpixel, the third subpixel, and the second transparent region are arranged in a line in the first arrangement direction. Among the plurality of pixels, in the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in a second arrangement direction orthogonal to the first arrangement direction, The first subpixel, second subpixel, third subpixel and second transparent region of the first pixel, and the first subpixel, second subpixel, third subpixel and second transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent to each other in the second arrangement direction. The virtual image display device according to claim 6.

9. Among the plurality of pixels, in the first pixel and the third pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the first arrangement direction, The second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the third pixel are adjacent in the first arrangement direction. The virtual image display device according to claim 8.

10. In each of the aforementioned plurality of pixels, The first subpixel and the second subpixel are adjacent to each other in one of the following arrangement directions: the first arrangement direction and the second arrangement direction which is perpendicular to the first arrangement direction. The third subpixel and the second transparent region are adjacent in the one arrangement direction, The first subpixel and the third subpixel are adjacent to each other in the arrangement direction of the first arrangement direction and the other arrangement direction of the second arrangement direction. The second subpixel and the second transparent region are adjacent in the other arrangement direction, The virtual image display device according to claim 6.

11. Among the plurality of pixels, in the first pixel, the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the first arrangement direction, the third pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the second arrangement direction, and the fourth pixel adjacent to the second pixel in the second arrangement direction and adjacent to the third pixel in the first arrangement direction, The second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent in the first arrangement direction. The second transparent region of the first pixel and the second transparent region of the third pixel are adjacent in the second arrangement direction. The second transparent region of the second pixel and the second transparent region of the fourth pixel are adjacent in the second arrangement direction. The second transparent region of the third pixel and the second transparent region of the fourth pixel are adjacent in the first arrangement direction. The virtual image display device according to claim 10.

12. Each of the plurality of pixels further includes a third transparent region adjacent to the second transparent region that transmits the external light, The segmented OLED panel further includes a fourth transparent region that transmits ambient light and is opposite to the third transparent region. The patterned half-wave plate further includes a fifth transparent region that transmits the external light opposite the third transparent region. The virtual image display device according to claim 10.

13. In each of the plurality of pixels, the second transparent region and the third transparent region are adjacent in one of the first and second arrangement directions. In the plurality of pixels, in the first pixel and the second pixel adjacent to the first pixel in the other arrangement direction of the first and second arrangement directions, the third transparent region of the first pixel and the third transparent region of the second pixel are adjacent in the other arrangement direction. The virtual image display device according to claim 12.

14. A segmented OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel having a light-emitting region that emits backlight and a first transparent region that transmits ambient light, A display element having a pixel that includes a subpixel facing the light-emitting region and transmitting the backlight to emit image light, and a second transparent region facing the first transparent region and transmitting the ambient light, A patterned half-wave plate having a first polarization region facing the subpixel and having a first polarization characteristic that selectively functions for linearly polarized light in a polarization direction parallel to the first axis, and a second polarization region facing the second transparent region and having a polarization characteristic different from that of the first polarization region, A polarization imaging optical system is positioned opposite the display element across the patterned half-wave plate, and forms an image of the image light from the patterned half-wave plate and transmits the external light from the patterned half-wave plate. Equipped with, Optical unit.

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