A transflector is described which increases efficiency and brightness under both
ambient and supplemental lighting conditions in visual display applications. In
one embodiment, the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element that
reflects one polarization of light and transmits the other. In an alternate embodiment,
the transflector includes a reflective polarizing element and a diffusing element
such that the transflector diffusely reflects light of one polarization and transmits
the other. The transflector is useful for both reflective and transflective liquid
crystal displays.
