IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING FUNCTION WHICH PERMITS LIGHT FROM OBJECT TO BE OBSERVED TO PASS THERETHROUGH

摘要

Provided is an image display device having a function which permits light from an object to be observed to pass therethrough. The image display device comprises a display element which includes a pair of transparent substrates with electrodes and a liquid crystal layer held between the pair of substrates with electrodes, said liquid crystal layer being capable of assuming a light transmission state and a light scattering state, said light transmission state being established when no voltage is applied and said light scattering state being established when a voltage is applied; a light source which irradiates light substantially parallel with a surface of the liquid crystal layer onto the liquid crystal layer; and a timing control circuit which controls the state of the display element in association with the state of emission of light from the light source under the presence of external light. The image display device includes a light non-emission frame in which only a display color corresponding to the external light is obtained by bringing the display element into the light scattering state and a light emission frame in which a display color corresponding to the color of the light of the light source is obtained by bringing the display element into the light scattering state in synchronization with the emission of colored light from the light source. The timing control circuit brings the corresponding display element into the light scattering state in association with at least a part of a non-emission period provided in the light emission frame to thereby obtain a display color corresponding to the external light.