JP2003186111A - Illuminator, projector and driving method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an illuminator to be used for a projector which can present superior effects in the aspect of video expression ability or adaptability to environments for uses by changing the quantity of light incident on an optical modulation means without changing the light output intensity of a lamp. <P>SOLUTION: An illuminator 1 is provided with a light source 2, two fly-eye lenses 3 and 4 comprising a uniform illumination means and a shading plate 5 having openings 5a capable of approximately transmitting a plurality of light source images (partial light flux) acquired by the uniform illumination means. By moving or rotating the shading plate 5 on the basis of information from the outside, the quantity of light transmitted through the shading plate 5 can be controlled. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lighting device, a projector, and a method of driving the same, and more particularly to a projector which is excellent in image expressive power and which can obtain an image having a brightness suitable for a use environment or a user's preference and an illumination used for the projector. It relates to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the development of information equipment has been remarkable, and the demand for thin, high-resolution, low-power-consumption display devices has been increasing, and research and development have been advanced. Among them, the liquid crystal display device is expected as a display device that can electrically control the alignment of liquid crystal molecules to change the optical characteristics and can meet the above needs. As one form of such a liquid crystal display device, a projector (liquid crystal projector) that enlarges and projects an image emitted from an image source including an optical system using a liquid crystal light valve onto a screen through a projection lens is known.

[0003]

A liquid crystal projector uses a liquid crystal light valve as a light modulating means. In addition to the liquid crystal light valve, the projector includes a digital mirror device (hereinafter referred to as D).
An optical modulation means (abbreviated as MD) has been put into practical use. However, this type of conventional projector has the following problems.

(1) Sufficient contrast cannot be obtained due to light leakage or stray light that occurs in various optical elements constituting the optical system. Therefore, the gradation range (dynamic range) that can be displayed is narrow, and compared with the existing TV receiver using a cathode ray tube, it is inferior in terms of image quality and power.

(2) Even if an attempt is made to improve image quality by various kinds of image signal processing, a sufficient effect cannot be exerted because the dynamic range is fixed.

As a solution to such a problem of the projector, that is, a method of expanding the dynamic range, it is conceivable to change the amount of light incident on the light modulating means (light valve) according to the image signal. The simplest way to achieve this is to change the light output intensity of the lamp. A method of controlling the output light of a metal halide lamp in a projector is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-179886.

However, high-pressure mercury lamps are currently the mainstream of lamps used in projectors, and it is extremely difficult to control the light output intensity with high-pressure mercury lamps. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique capable of changing the amount of light incident on the light modulator according to the image signal without changing the light output intensity itself of the lamp.

In addition to the above-mentioned problems, since the brightness of the light source is fixed in the current projector, the screen becomes too bright, for example, in a dark viewing environment, and the projection distance and the projection lens are zoomed. Therefore, when the size of the projection screen is changed, the brightness of the screen changes accordingly. Although this type of problem is common to projectors, it is a particularly prominent problem when a liquid crystal element having insufficient contrast is used as the light modulating means.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and can change the amount of light incident on the light modulating means without changing the light output intensity of the lamp, and the image expressing power and It is an object of the present invention to provide a projector that can exhibit an excellent effect in terms of adaptability to a use environment and a lighting device used for the projector.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, a first illuminating device of the present invention is an illuminating device used for illuminating a light modulating means of a projector,
A light source, a uniform illuminating means for substantially equalizing the illuminance distribution of the illumination light in the illuminated region through a process of dividing the light incident from the light source into a plurality of partial light fluxes, and a light transmitting portion capable of substantially transmitting the plurality of partial light fluxes And a dimming unit movably or rotatably installed, and the amount of light flux passing through the dimming unit can be adjusted by moving or rotating the dimming unit based on information from the outside. Is characterized by.

As a means for adjusting the amount of light incident on the illuminated area according to the image without changing the light output intensity of the light source, the inventors of the present invention have provided an external device to the conventional illumination device. It has been found that it is sufficient to add a dimming unit capable of changing the amount of light transmission by moving or rotating itself based on the information from. In addition, the above-mentioned "information from the outside" includes, for example, information based on a video signal supplied to the light modulation means, information based on a projection magnification rate, information based on a situation of brightness in a use environment, and a user's information. Information based on preference can be exemplified.

That is, according to the illuminating device of the present invention, it is provided with the light control means having the light transmitting portion which can substantially transmit a plurality of partial light fluxes, and the light control means moves or rotates based on information from the outside. Since it has a configuration, when used in a projector, for example, when the information from the outside is information based on a video signal, if the video scene at that time is a bright scene, the amount of transmitted light in the light control means increases, In a dark scene, the amount of light flux that passes through the light control unit can be adjusted so that the amount of transmitted light is reduced, and the amount of illumination light flux that reaches the illuminated region (for example, the light modulation unit such as a liquid crystal light valve) can be adjusted. . If the image information is processed and displayed by the light modulating means according to the dimming amount of the illumination light flux entering the light modulating means, it contributes to the expansion of the dynamic range of the projector even if the light output intensity of the light source remains constant. be able to.
Similarly, it is possible to obtain the light having the brightness according to the projection magnification rate, the situation of the brightness under the use environment, the preference of the user, and the like.

Specifically, it is possible to further include a polarization converting means for converting a polarization by making a plurality of partial light beams incident, and it is possible to adjust the amount of the light beam incident on the polarization converting means by the light adjusting means.

As a concrete structure of the light control means, for example, a light shielding plate having a plurality of openings can be used. According to this structure, it is possible to easily manufacture the light control means having the above-described action.

Further, the light shielding plate may include a light shielding portion having light reflectivity. According to this configuration, the unnecessary illumination light flux reflected by the light shielding plate returns to the light source, is reflected by the reflector, and is emitted again as a usable illumination light flux from the light source. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the illumination light flux is improved. You can

The shape of each opening may be, for example, a shape corresponding to the outer shape of an individual partial light beam, or a shape including the outer shape of a plurality of partial light beams arranged in one direction. At this time, by designing the uniform illumination means, a plurality of partial light fluxes are arranged in a matrix when viewed from the illumination optical axis side,
It is possible to arrange them radially around the illumination optical axis.

In particular, when a plurality of partial light beams are arranged in a matrix, each opening can have a shape extending in the column direction or the row direction of the plurality of partial light beams. Further, when a plurality of partial light fluxes are radially arranged with the illumination optical axis as the center, each opening can have a shape extending in the radial direction of the plurality of partial light fluxes.

The method of moving the light control means is (1)
There are three possible ways: moving in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis, (2) rotating about the illumination optical axis as a center, and (3) moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination optical axis. Of course, when rotating the light control means, the rotation axis can be set at a place other than the illumination light axis. In this case, the angular distribution of the illumination light flux changes asymmetrically in accordance with the rotation, but when the display characteristics of the light modulation means have an incident angle dependence of the illumination light,
Optimizing the combination of the incident angle dependency and this asymmetrical change may improve the display characteristics. There are preferable combinations of how to move these light control means depending on the shape of the opening.

For example, when the opening has a shape corresponding to the outer shape of each partial light flux, the above (1), (2),
All of (3) are possible.

Also in the case where the partial light fluxes are arranged in a matrix and the opening has a shape extending in the column direction or the row direction of the plurality of partial light fluxes, the above (1), (2) and (3) are also provided.
All of are possible. In particular, in the case of the rotation of (2), the partial light flux (source image by) passing through the peripheral portion distant from the illumination optical axis precedes the partial light flux (source image by) when rotated by a certain angle. It can be set to be shielded from light. In a light modulation means such as a liquid crystal light valve, the display characteristics often have an incident angle dependence on the illumination light, and the partial light flux passing through the peripheral portion away from the illumination light axis forms a large angle with the light modulation means. Since it is incident along with it, it becomes a factor of lowering the contrast in the projector. Therefore, this structure is preferable in that the contrast is easily improved. Further, in the case of moving in the direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination optical axis of (3), it is preferable to move in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the opening so that light can be reliably shielded even with a small moving distance.

Next, the second illuminating device of the present invention comprises a light source and a uniform illuminating means having a rod-shaped or tubular light guide for making the illuminance distribution of the light incident from the light source substantially uniform in the illuminated area. A light transmitting portion having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the light beam incident on the light guide body and capable of substantially transmitting the light beam,
A dimming unit is provided between the light source and the uniform illuminating unit so as to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis or a direction substantially perpendicular to the illumination optical axis, and the dimming unit is based on information from the outside. By moving the light diffusing means in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis or a direction substantially perpendicular to the illumination optical axis, or by rotating the dimming means about a rotation axis set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination optical axis. It is characterized in that the amount of light flux passing through the means can be adjusted.

In the first illuminating device of the present invention, a plurality of partial luminous fluxes formed by the uniform illuminating means are dimmed by the dimming means, whereas the second illuminating device of the present invention is Uniform illumination means having a rod-shaped or tubular light guide,
In a uniform illumination system using a so-called rod lens, the light control means having a light transmitting portion having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the light beam incident on the rod lens is moved in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis. Also in this configuration, since the light control means has the light transmission part having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the incident light beam, the light control means is moved by moving the light control means in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis. The amount of light can be adjusted, and similarly to the first lighting device of the present invention, it is possible to obtain light having brightness according to information from the outside in the illuminated region even when the light output intensity of the light source remains constant.

In this case, as a concrete structure of the light control means, for example, a light-shielding plate having an opening portion may be provided, and the light-shielding plate may be provided with a light-shielding portion having light reflectivity. According to this configuration, the unnecessary illumination light flux reflected by the light shielding plate returns to the light source, is reflected by the reflector, and is emitted again as a usable illumination light flux from the light source. Therefore, the utilization efficiency of the illumination light flux is improved. You can

Next, the third illuminating device of the present invention comprises a light source, a light beam splitting for splitting the light incident from the light source into a plurality of partial light beams, and a movement for performing polarization conversion by making a plurality of partial light beams incident. The polarization conversion means that is installed as possible and the polarization selection means that is disposed on the incident side of the illuminated area are provided, and the polarization conversion means is moved based on information from the outside so that the light emitted from the polarization conversion means is moved. It is characterized in that the polarization state is controllable.

The inventors of the present invention not only adjust the amount of light transmitted from the light source by providing the light control means as in the configuration of the first and second illumination devices of the present invention, but also include the polarization conversion means. In the illuminating device, the polarization selecting means (for example, a polarizer) can also be used by moving the polarization converting means according to information from the outside and changing the polarization state of the light emitted from the polarization converting means.
When using a liquid crystal light valve provided with the above as a light modulating means, it was thought that the amount of light reaching the liquid crystal cell could be adjusted as a result.

For example, when the polarization converting means is composed of a polarization beam splitter array, and the light is set to be emitted from the polarization beam splitter array in the P-polarized state, the polarization beam splitter array is moved in the polarization separation direction. By doing so, a part or all of the polarized light can be emitted in the S-polarized state. That is,
By moving the polarization beam splitter array in the polarization splitting direction, it is possible to obtain light in the polarization direction rotated by 90 ° with respect to the desired polarization direction. If the transmission axis direction is set so that the polarizer provided in the light modulator transmits P-polarized light, this light is emitted in the state where the polarization beam splitter array moves to emit S-polarized light. It cannot pass through the polarizer and will not reach the liquid crystal light valve. In this way, also in the third lighting device of the present invention, the amount of illumination light in the illuminated area (light modulation means) can be adjusted based on external information.

The projector according to the present invention comprises an illumination means, and a light modulation means for modulating the light emitted from the illumination means.
A projector having projection means for projecting the light modulated by the light modulation means, characterized in that the lighting device of the present invention is provided as the lighting means.

According to this structure, since the illuminating device that can obtain the light of the desired brightness in the illuminated area is provided even when the light output intensity of the light source remains constant, the dynamic range of the display image in the projector is expanded. Therefore, it is possible to realize a projector having excellent image expression ability and adaptability to the usage environment.

As the driving means of the projector of the present invention, the control signal determining means for determining the control signal for controlling the dimming means on the basis of the image signal per frame forming the image and the adjusting signal on the basis of the control signal. It is desirable to include dimming control means for controlling the movement or rotation of the light means, and video signal expansion means for expanding the video signal based on the control signal.

According to this configuration, the control signal for controlling the dimming means is first determined by the control signal determining means on the basis of the video signal for one frame forming an image, and the dimming control means uses this control signal. While controlling the degree of movement or rotation of the dimming means based on, the light whose brightness changes according to the image is supplied to the light modulating means.
The video signal expansion means expands the video signal based on the control signal. By this operation, the dynamic range of the display image in the projector can be expanded, and a projector excellent in image expression power and adaptability to the usage environment can be realized.

The projector driving method of the present invention is the projector driving method of the present invention, wherein the control signal for controlling the light control means is determined based on a video signal for one frame forming a video, By controlling the movement or rotation of the light control means based on the control signal, the light amount of the light illuminating the light modulation means is adjusted, and the video signal is expanded based on the control signal, and the expanded video signal is optically modulated. The image is generated by supplying the image to the means.

With this configuration, the dynamic range of the display image on the projector can be expanded,
It is possible to obtain images with high image expressiveness.

[0033]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [Projector] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a liquid crystal projector, which is an example of a projector including the lighting device of the present invention, will be described with reference to FIGS. The liquid crystal projector 30 of the present embodiment has an R
This is a three-plate type color liquid crystal projector provided with a transmissive liquid crystal light valve for each of different colors (red), G (green), and B (blue). FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the liquid crystal projector 30, in which reference numeral 1 is an illuminating device, 2 is a light source,
Reference numerals 3 and 4 denote first and second fly-eye lenses, 5 a light shielding plate (light control means), 6 a polarization beam splitter array (polarization conversion means, hereinafter abbreviated as PBS array), and 7 1 /
Two-wave plate array, 13 and 14 are dichroic mirrors,
Reference numerals 15, 16, 17 denote reflection mirrors, 22, 23, 24 liquid crystal light valves (light modulation means), 25 a cross dichroic prism, and 26 a projection lens (projection means).

The illumination device 1 according to the present embodiment has a liquid crystal light valve 2 which is an illuminated area in which the illuminance distribution of the light source light is distributed.
The first fly-eye lens 3, the second fly-eye lens 4, and the superimposing lens 8 are provided from the light source 2 side as a uniform illuminating means for making the light uniform in 2, 23, and 24.
A PBS array 6 and a half-wave plate array on its exit side are provided as polarization converting means for converting the indefinite polarized light beam emitted from the light source 2 into a polarized light beam having a substantially uniform polarization direction. The detailed structure of the PBS array 6 is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-304739. The configuration of the lighting device will be described in detail later.

The configuration of the latter stage of the illumination device 1 will be described below together with the operation of each component. The blue light / green light reflecting dichroic mirror 13 transmits the red light LR of the light flux from the light source 2 and reflects the blue light LB and the green light LG. The red light LR transmitted through the dichroic mirror 13 is reflected by the reflection mirror 17, passes through the collimating lens 9, and the liquid crystal light valve for red light 2
Incident on 2. On the other hand, of the colored light reflected by the dichroic mirror 13, the green light LG is reflected by the dichroic mirror 14 for reflecting green light, and enters the liquid crystal light valve 23 for green light through the collimating lens 9. on the other hand,
The blue light LB also passes through the dichroic mirror 14, and enters the blue light liquid crystal light valve 24 via the relay system 21 including the condenser lens 18, the reflection mirror 15, the relay lens 19, the reflection mirror 16 and the collimating lens 9.

In each of the liquid crystal light valves 22, 23 and 24, light modulation is performed based on image information from the outside (not shown) and each color light contains image information. The three color lights modulated by each liquid crystal light valve 22, 23, 24 are
It is incident on the cross dichroic prism 25. This prism is formed by laminating four right-angle prisms, and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects red light and a dielectric multilayer film that reflects blue light are formed in a cross shape on the inner surface thereof. These dielectric multilayer films combine the three color lights to form light representing a color image. The combined light is projected on the screen 27 by the projection lens 26 which is a projection optical system, and an enlarged image is displayed.

Next, the liquid crystal projector 3 of the present embodiment
A driving method of 0 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the drive circuit of the liquid crystal projector 30 of the present embodiment. In the case of a conventional liquid crystal projector that does not have a dimming function, the input video signal undergoes appropriate correction processing,
Although it is supplied to the liquid crystal panel driver as it is, in the case of the present embodiment which has a dimming function and controls it based on a video signal, the basic configuration is a digital signal processing block as described below. DSP (1) to DS
A circuit such as P (3) is required.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, a video signal input as an analog signal passes through an AD converter 31 and a first digital signal processing circuit 32 (hereinafter, D).
The signal is input to a control signal determining means (abbreviated as SP (1)). The DSP (1) 32 determines the brightness control signal from the video signal. Next, when the brightness control signal is input to the second digital signal processing circuit 33 (hereinafter referred to as a DSP (2) abbreviated dimming control unit), the DSP (2) 33 is based on the brightness control signal. To control the dimmer driver 34,
Finally, the light control element driver 34 actually drives the light control element 35 (the light shielding plate 5 in the case of the present embodiment).

On the other hand, the brightness control signal determined by the DSP (1) 32 is also input to the third digital signal processing circuit 36 (hereinafter, referred to as DSP (3), video signal expansion means) together with the video signal. To be done. The DSP (3) 36 expands the video signal into an appropriate gradation range based on the brightness control signal. The video signal expanded by the DSP (3) 36 is converted into an analog signal again by the DA converter 37, and then input to the panel driver 38. From the panel driver 38, the red light liquid crystal light valve 22 (see FIG. R panel in 1), liquid crystal light valve for green light 23
(Same as G panel), liquid crystal light valve for blue light 24
(The same, B panel).

Here, regarding the control method of the illumination device 1, [1] display image adaptive control, [2] control by projection magnification ratio, [3] control from the outside, etc. can be considered. Each method will be described below. [1] Display video adaptive control First, consider the case of performing display video adaptive control, that is, the brightness control adapted to the display video such that the light amount increases in a bright video scene and decreases in the dark scene. . In this case, as described above, the brightness control signal based on the video signal is determined by the DSP (1) 32, and the following three methods are possible, for example.

(A) A method in which, of the pixel data included in the frame of interest, the number of gradations having the maximum brightness is used as the brightness control signal. For example, it is assumed that a video signal whose gradation number represented by 8 bits is 0 to 255. When attention is paid to an arbitrary one frame forming a continuous image, it is assumed that the appearance number distribution (histogram) for each gradation number of the pixel data included in the frame is as shown in FIG. in this case,
The video signal having the number of gradations (190) on the brightest side of the histogram is used as the brightness control signal. This method is a method capable of expressing brightness most faithfully with respect to an input video signal.

(B) Appearance distribution (histogram) for each gradation number of pixel data included in the frame of interest
In the method, the maximum brightness is used as a reference, and the number of gradations from which a certain ratio (for example, 10%) is used as the brightness control signal. For example, assuming that the distribution of the number of appearances of the video signal is as shown in FIG. 4 and the number of gradations is 230 when the area of 10% in the area of the histogram is excluded from the number of gradations showing the maximum brightness, the present method is Then, the video signal having the number of gradations of 230 is used as the brightness control signal. When there is a sudden peak in the vicinity of the number of gradations 255 as in the histogram shown in FIG. 4, when the method (a) is adopted, the video signal of the number of gradations 255 becomes the brightness control signal. . However, this sudden peak portion does not make much sense as information on the entire screen. On the other hand, the number of gradations is 230
This method of using the video signal as the brightness control signal can be said to be a method of determining based on a region having meaning as information in the entire screen. In addition, you may change the said ratio in the range of about 2-50%.

(C) The screen is divided into a plurality of blocks, and the average value of the gradation numbers of the pixels included in each block is calculated.
A method in which the maximum of those average values is used as the brightness control signal. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the screen is divided into m × n blocks, and each block A11, ..., A
The average value of the brightness (the number of gradations) for each mn is calculated, and the maximum value is used as the brightness control signal. It is desirable that the number of screen divisions is about 6 to 200. This method is a method that can control the brightness without damaging the atmosphere of the entire screen. Regarding the above methods (a) to (c), the brightness control signal may be determined for the entire display area, or the method may be applied only to a specific portion such as the central portion of the display area. it can. In this case, it is possible to perform a control method in which the brightness is determined from the part the viewer is paying attention to.

Next, in the DSP (2) 33, the light control element driver 34 is controlled based on the brightness control signal determined by the above method. For this method, for example, the following three ways are possible.

(A) A method of controlling in real time according to the output brightness control signal. In this case, DSP (1)
Since the brightness control signal output from 32 may be directly supplied to the dimming element driver 34, the DSP (2) 33
Signal processing in is unnecessary. This method is ideal in that it completely follows the brightness of the image, but the brightness of the screen may change in a short period depending on the content of the image, which may cause stress during viewing. There is.

(B) LPF is added to the output brightness control signal.
(Low-pass filter) is applied and the output is controlled. For example, the LPF cuts the change of the brightness control signal for 1 to 30 seconds or less, and controls by the output.
According to this method, since minute changes in time are cut off, it is possible to avoid changes in brightness and darkness in a short cycle as described above.

(C) A method of detecting a switching edge of the brightness control signal. The dimming element 35 is controlled only when the brightness control signal changes by a predetermined magnitude or more (for example, 60 gradations or more). According to this method, it is possible to perform control according to scene switching and the like.

In this way, for example, when a video signal with a gradation number of 190 is determined as the brightness control signal, if the light amount of the maximum brightness (the gradation number of 255) is 100%, then 190 /
The light control element 35 is driven so that the light amount of 255 = 75% is obtained. In the case of the present embodiment, since the light control element 35 is specifically the light blocking plate 5, the light transmittance is 75% (the light blocking rate is 2%).
The light shielding plate 5 is moved so as to be 5%). Similarly, when the video signal with the number of gradations 230 is the brightness control signal, 2
The light control element 35 is driven so that a light amount of 30/255 = 90% is obtained.

On the other hand, in the DSP (3) 36, the DSP
(1) The video signal is expanded to an appropriate gradation range based on the brightness control signal and the video signal determined in 32. For example, when expanding to the maximum gray scale range that can be displayed, the maximum gray scale number that can be displayed is 255 in the above example. Therefore, in the example of FIG. If
A video signal with gradation levels 0 to 190 is expanded to gradation levels 0 to 255 as shown in FIG. By controlling the amount of illumination light and expanding the image signal, it is possible to expand the dynamic range of the image and realize smooth gradation expression.

[2] Control Based on Projection Magnification Ratio Control is performed in accordance with zooming of the projection lens 26. Normally, the amount of light per unit area in the liquid crystal light valve (illuminated area) is constant, so the screen becomes darker as the enlargement ratio increases. Therefore, to correct this,
The light control element 35 is arranged so that the light amount increases when the enlargement ratio is increased, and the light amount is decreased when the enlargement ratio is decreased.
Can be controlled.

[3] External control Allows the user to control the light control element 35 according to his / her preference. For example, the light control element 35 is controlled so that the light amount is small in a dark viewing environment and the light amount is large in a bright viewing environment. In this case, the configuration may be adjusted by the user using a controller or the like, or by directly operating the dimming element, or may be configured to be automatically controlled by providing a brightness sensor or the like. However, these
When controlling [2] and [3], a circuit configuration other than that shown in FIG. 2 is required.

[Illumination Device-1] Next, regarding the illumination device of the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 to FIG. 11 and FIG. 14 to FIG.
5 will be described. In the present embodiment, an example of an illuminating device in which a light shielding plate is inserted between a fly-eye lens and a PBS array that form a uniform illuminating means is shown. FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the lighting device of the present embodiment, FIG. 8 is a (a) horizontal sectional view showing a portion of the light shielding plate, and (b) a front view.

As shown in FIG. 6, the illuminating device 1 of the present embodiment has a light source 2, two fly-eye lenses 3 and 4, a light blocking plate 5, a PBS array 6, a half-wave plate array 7, and a superimposing lens. 8, a parallelizing lens 9 and the like.
The light source 2 includes a lamp 10 such as a high-pressure mercury lamp and a reflector 11 that reflects the light from the lamp 10. A first fly-eye lens 3 and a second fly-eye lens 4 are sequentially installed from the side closer to the light source 2. Each of the fly-eye lenses 3 and 4 is formed by arranging a plurality of lenses and serves as a uniform illuminating means for making the illuminance distribution of the light emitted from the light source 2 uniform in the liquid crystal light valve which is the illuminated area. Function.

In the case of the present embodiment, as a dimming means for adjusting the light quantity of the light emitted from the light source 2, FIG.
As shown in (b), a light shielding plate 5 having a plurality of rectangular openings 5a (light transmitting portions) is movably installed between the second fly-eye lens 4 and the PBS array 6. There is. A half-wave plate array 7 is installed on the exit side of the PBS array 6, and a superimposing lens 8 and a collimating lens 9 are sequentially installed in the subsequent stage.

The light beam emitted from the light source 2 is divided into a plurality of partial light beams by the fly-eye lens 3 (light beam splitting device) constituting the uniform illuminating device, and the light beams are condensed. For example, as shown in FIG. The light source image 100 (partial light flux) is formed substantially in a matrix and discretely. Therefore, in the vicinity of the position where the light source image is formed, the cross-sectional dimension of the partial light flux becomes approximately the minimum. On the other hand, in the case of the present embodiment, each opening 5a of the light shielding plate 5 has the same shape as in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 10, the light source images 100 arranged in the column direction (the y direction in FIGS. 10 and 11) are formed so as to be substantially transparent. Here, the opening 5 elongated in the y direction is formed.
The reason for arranging a in the x direction is that the polarized light is separated in the PBS array 6 (as shown in FIG. 6, two polarized light beams are generated from one indefinite polarized light beam and P is separated in the x direction.
This is because it corresponds to the direction of (emitted from the BS array). The width of the opening 5a in the x direction is preferably set to be equal to or larger than the arrangement interval between the polarization separation film 51 and the reflection film 52 on the incident end surface of the PBS array 6. With this setting, the light incident on the PBS array 6 is not unnecessarily blocked. Of course, it is also possible to use a light-shielding plate in which the openings 5a elongated in the x direction are arranged in the y direction. However, in that case,
It is desirable to determine the width of the opening in consideration of the arrangement interval of the light source images in the y direction.

Here, the outer shape of the light shielding plate 5 may be any shape. Further, the light-shielding plate 5 may have a transparent portion in an optically opaque substrate other than the one having a physical opening in the opaque substrate.
Further, all or at least a part of the opaque portion of the light shielding plate 5 may have light reflectivity. The unnecessary illumination light flux reflected by the light shielding plate 5 returns to the light source 2 through the first fly-eye lens 3, is reflected by the reflector 11, and is emitted again from the light source 2 as a usable illumination light flux. There is a merit that the utilization efficiency of the luminous flux can be improved. In particular, when a parabolic reflector is used, the light flux reflected by the light shielding plate 5 through the peripheral portion distant from the illumination optical axis L passes through the side close to the illumination optical axis when it is emitted from the light source 2 again. It becomes a luminous flux. A light flux passing through the side close to the illumination optical axis has a small illumination angle when illuminating the illuminated area (liquid crystal light valve). Therefore, if the display characteristics have an incident angle dependence on the illumination light, such an illumination angle There is a possibility that the contrast of the displayed image can be improved by increasing the ratio of the small illumination light flux. For example, assuming that the display image is a video image, the video image is often a dark image as a general tendency. Therefore, if importance is attached to the contrast of the display image, it is preferable to use the illumination light amount always reduced. Here, considering the use of a dimmable light source that does not have real-time characteristics, the power of the light source can be reduced as much as the illumination efficiency is improved by reusing the illumination light flux, so that the power consumption can be reduced and The life of the device including the light source can be expected to be extended. Further, if the light-shielding plate has a light-reflecting property, it is possible to prevent the heat-shielding of the light-shielding plate and improve the heat resistance.

The shape of the opening 5a provided in the light shielding plate 5 is not limited to the elongated rectangular shape described above. For example, it may have a shape that matches the shape of the individual light source images 100 shown in FIG. 14 (the outer shape of the partial light flux) (see FIG. 15). Alternatively, depending on the design of the fly-eye lenses 3 and 4 of the uniform illuminating means, a plurality of light source images 100 can be arranged radially around the illumination optical axis L. In that case, each opening 5a has a plurality of light source images. The shape may extend in the radial direction of 100.

The method of moving the light shielding plate 5 is (1)
There are three possible ways: moving in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis L, (2) rotating about the illumination optical axis L as a center, and (3) moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination optical axis L. There are preferable combinations of how to move the light shielding plate 5 depending on the shape of the opening 5a.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the light source image 1
A plurality of light source images 100 having openings 5a corresponding to the arrangement of
Column direction (the same applies to the row direction, which is the y direction and the x direction)
In the case of the shape extending in the direction of the arrow, as shown by an arrow A1 in FIG. 9, it is possible to adopt a configuration of moving in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis L of the above (1). If the light shielding plate 5 is moved to the light source 2 side, the outer dimension of the partial light flux becomes relatively large with respect to the opening 5a, so that a part of the light traveling from the light source 2 toward the PBS array 6 is shielded, and the PBS array. The amount of light flux incident on 6 decreases. On the contrary, if the light shielding plate 5 is moved to the PBS array 6 side, the outer dimension of the partial light flux becomes relatively small with respect to the opening 5a.
The light that goes to is no longer blocked and the PBS array 6
The amount of light flux incident on is not reduced. In this case, since the light shielding method of the light source image has symmetry with respect to the movement of the light shielding plate 5, the illuminance distribution in the illuminated area is hard to change, and there is an advantage that uneven illumination is unlikely to occur when adjusting the illumination light intensity.

Alternatively, as shown by an arrow A4 in FIG. 11, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the illumination optical axis L of (2) is rotated about the center. By rotating the light shielding plate 5, the light source image 100 (partial light flux forming the light source image) and the opening 5a are formed.
Since the degree of overlap with the above changes, the amount of light flux incident on the PBS array 6 can be controlled by controlling the rotation angle of the light shielding plate 5. By the way, since the illumination light flux from the light source image 100 in the peripheral portion distant from the illumination light axis L has a large illumination angle when illuminating the illuminated area (liquid crystal light valve), the display characteristic depends on the incident angle to the illumination light. In a projector using a liquid crystal light valve having a property, the light is a factor that lowers the contrast of the projected image. Especially, in the case of the rotation of (2), the light from the illumination optical axis L when rotated by a certain angle. Light source image of the peripheral area 1
00 is more likely to be shielded before the light source image 100 in the central portion closer to the illumination optical axis L, and thus this configuration is preferable in that the contrast of the projected image can be improved while adjusting the illumination light intensity.

Further, as shown by arrows A2 and A3 in FIG. 10, it is also possible to adopt a configuration of moving in a direction substantially orthogonal to the illumination optical axis of (3). Also in this case, as in the case of the above (2), by controlling the degree of overlap between the light source image 100 (the partial light flux forming the light source image) and the opening 5a of the light shielding plate 5, the light flux amount incident on the PBS array 6 is controlled. Can be controlled. In this case, if the optimum movement direction is selected, the illumination light intensity can be significantly adjusted with a slight movement amount of the light shielding plate 5 with respect to the above two movement modes. Therefore, it is preferable to move in a direction (direction of arrow A2) substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the opening so that a large amount of light can be secured even with a small moving distance.

On the other hand, when the light source images are radially arranged and the openings 5a are radially formed accordingly, the light shielding plate 5 is moved substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis in (1) above. It is most desirable to move in any direction and rotate about the illumination optical axis in (2) above. Further, the opening 5a
When the shape is adjusted to the shape of the individual light source image, all of the above (1), (2), and (3) are possible.

As a concrete means for moving the light shielding plate 5, for example, a ball screw is connected to the light shielding plate 5, and the light shielding plate 5 is moved by rotating the ball screw by a driving means such as a stepping motor. Can be made. Further, it is possible to rotate the shading plate 5 by providing a rotation shaft on the shading plate 5 and rotating the shaft by driving means such as a stepping motor. For example, in the configuration shown in FIG. 11, if the rotation axis is set to the illumination optical axis L and the outer peripheral portion of the circular light shielding plate is rotated by a stepping motor or the like via a gear, the moment when rotating is reduced. Since it can be suppressed, high-speed response can be easily realized. In any case, any configuration may be used as long as the light blocking plate 5 can be moved or rotated with high speed response.

In the illuminating device 1 of the present embodiment, the second fly-eye lens 4 and the PB constituting the uniform illuminating means are arranged.
A movable or rotatable light shield plate 5 is provided between the S array 6 and this light shield plate 5 is driven at high speed based on an image signal, so that, for example, a scene where the image scene of a projector is bright. If so, the amount of incident light on the PBS array 6 is adjusted to be large, and in a dark scene, the amount of incident light is adjusted to be small. As a result, when the video scene is dark, the maximum light amount that passes through the liquid crystal light valve is reduced by decreasing the illumination light flux amount to the liquid crystal light valve and increasing the transmittance of the liquid crystal light valve according to the reduction amount. Since it is possible to finely control the amount of transmitted light while keeping the value substantially constant, it is possible to enhance the gradation expression in the liquid crystal light valve. Accordingly, even if the light source 2 including a high-pressure mercury lamp or the like whose light output intensity is difficult to control is used, it is possible to obtain the illumination light having the brightness according to the image in the liquid crystal light valve. Effectively utilizing the dynamic range in key expression,
It can contribute to the expansion of the dynamic range of the projected image in the projector.

In this embodiment, two fly-eye lenses are used as the uniform illuminating means, but rod lenses (rod-shaped or tubular light guides) can also be used. The rod lens has a function as a light beam splitting unit that splits the incident light beam into a plurality of partial light beams according to the incident angle and emits the partial light beams. FIG. 7 shows an example of the configuration in that case, and the illumination device 1B includes a light source 2, a rod lens 12, a condenser lens 40, a relay lens 41,
The light shielding plate 5 (light control means), the PBS array 6, the half-wave plate array 7, the superimposing lens 42, the collimating lens 43, and the like are provided. Even when the rod lens 12 is used as the uniform illuminating means, a plurality of light source images are formed. Therefore, similar to the illumination device 1, by disposing the light shielding plate 5 in the vicinity of the position where the light source images are formed, a desired light shielding plate 5 is provided. Dimming can be done. Of course, the light-shielding plate 5 may have a transparent portion in an optically opaque substrate other than the one having a physical opening in the opaque substrate.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the light shielding plate 5 is set to PB.
Although the configuration arranged immediately before the S array 6 is shown, the light blocking plate 5
May be arranged immediately before the second fly-eye lens 4 and the relay lens 41. In short, the location of the light shielding plate 5 is not limited as long as it is on the incident side of the PBS array 6. However, the size of the light source image 100, that is, the light source image 10
Since it is possible to increase the dimming range of the illumination light by disposing the light shielding plate 5 at a position where the cross-sectional dimension of the partial light flux forming 0 is substantially minimum, the configuration arranged immediately before the PBS array 6 is suitable. Further, in the present embodiment, the PB is used as the polarization conversion means.
An example in which the S array 6 is provided has been shown, but also for an illuminating device using a uniform illuminating means without a polarization converting means,
By arranging the same light shielding plate, the same effect as described above can be obtained. In that case, it is desirable to set the size of the opening 5a according to the maximum size of the formed light source image. In short, in the case of an illumination device having a process of forming a plurality of light source images, by disposing a light shielding plate controllable by information from the outside in the vicinity of the position where those light source images are formed, The same effect can be realized.

[Illumination Device-2] Next, an illumination device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The illumination device of the present embodiment has a configuration that is particularly effective when a rod lens is used as the uniform illumination means.

As shown in FIG. 12, the illumination device 45 of the present embodiment has a light shielding plate 44 installed between the light source 2 and the rod lens 12 (a rod-shaped or tubular light guide). The light shielding plate 44 has an opening 44a (light transmitting portion) having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the light beam incident on the rod lens 12, and is in the direction along the illumination optical axis L (arrow A in FIG. 12).
It is configured to be able to move to 1).

That is, in the illuminating device of the first embodiment, the light-shielding plate shields a plurality of light source images (partial light beams forming the same) formed by the uniform illuminating means. The illumination device 45 according to the embodiment includes the rod lens 12 that is a stage before forming a plurality of partial light beams.
One light flux incident on is blocked by a light blocking plate. If the light shielding plate 44 is moved to the light source 2 side, the opening 4
Since the outer size of the light flux is relatively large with respect to 4a, the light that enters the rod lens 12 from the light source 2 at a large angle is blocked, and the amount of light flux that enters the rod lens 12 decreases. On the contrary, if the light shielding plate 44 is moved to the rod lens 12 side, the outer dimension of the light flux becomes relatively small with respect to the opening 44a, so that the light incident on the rod lens 12 from the light source 2 may be blocked. Lost, rod lens 1
The amount of light flux incident on 2 does not decrease. Also in this configuration, the amount of light transmitted through the light shielding plate 44 can be adjusted by moving the light shielding plate 44 in the direction along the illumination optical axis L in accordance with information from the outside, and thus the first lighting device of the present invention. Similarly, even if the light output intensity from the light source 2 remains constant,
It is possible to control the amount of illumination light flux incident on the illuminated area (liquid crystal light valve).

The light shielding plate 44 may be moved not only in the direction along the illumination optical axis L but also in the direction perpendicular to the illumination optical axis L. Alternatively, the light blocking plate 44 may be rotated as indicated by an arrow A5 about an axis Ly (for example, the y axis) orthogonal to the illumination optical axis L and passing through the substantial center of the opening 44a. In the latter case, by rotating the light blocking plate 44, the substantial opening cross-sectional area of the opening 44a in the xy plane orthogonal to the illumination optical axis L is reduced, so the amount of light flux passing through the light blocking plate 44 is reduced. To be made. In this case, another light shielding plate 44 is newly arranged along the illumination optical axis L, and the rotation axes thereof are orthogonal to each other (for example, x-axis and y-axis).
(Axis) and drive in synchronization with the rotation angle is advantageous in that it is easy to maintain the illuminance distribution of the illumination light during dimming. In short, in any case, the amount of light transmitted through the light shield plate 44 can be adjusted.

[Illumination Device-3] Next, an illumination device according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. While the lighting devices of the first and second embodiments are provided with the light blocking plate, the lighting device of the present embodiment is not provided with the light blocking plate, and the dimming is performed by the action of the light blocking plate. It is different from the above embodiment in that there is no point. However, in the case of the present embodiment, it is indispensable to include the polarization conversion means. In FIG. 13, only the portion of the PBS array that is the polarization conversion means is shown.

The illumination device according to the present embodiment includes a light source, a light beam splitting means such as a rod lens and a fly's eye lens, and a PBS array 6 (wherein a plurality of partial light fluxes obtained by the light beam splitting means are incident and polarized. Polarization conversion means). The PBS array 6 is installed so as to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis L or a direction substantially perpendicular to the illumination optical axis L, and the PBS array 6 is moved by the movement of the PBS array 6 based on information from the outside. The polarization state of the light emitted from is controlled. Particularly, in the case of a configuration in which the PBS array 6 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the illumination optical axis L, P
Polarization separation direction of BS array 6 (arrow B1 in FIG. 13)
The direction) is configured to move in the direction.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are views for explaining the change in the polarization state when the PBS array 6 is moved in the polarization separation direction B1, for example, and reference numeral 7 in the drawings is 1 /
A two-wave plate array, 21 is a liquid crystal light valve, and 50 is an incident side polarizer (polarization selecting means) of the liquid crystal light valve 21. In a normal state (a state without dimming), FIG.
As shown in (a), most of the indefinite polarized light beam is incident on the polarization separation film 51 of the PBS array 6 and almost no light beam is incident on the mirror 52. Polarization separation film 5
The indefinite polarized light beam incident on the beam splitter 1 is split into two types of polarized light beams having different polarization directions. For example, in FIG. 13A, polarized light whose polarization direction is parallel to the paper surface (in the following description, this light is referred to as P polarized light) Is transmitted through the polarization separation film 51 as it is and emitted from the PBS array 6 as P-polarized light. On the other hand, polarized light whose polarization direction is perpendicular to the paper surface (this light will be referred to as S
Polarized light) is reflected by the polarization separation film 51, reflected again by the mirror 52, and then polarized by the half-wave plate array 7 in the polarization direction 9
It is rotated by 0 °, converted into P-polarized light, and emitted from the PBS array 6. That is, the PBS array 6 shown in FIG.
According to this configuration, most of the indefinitely polarized light beam first enters the polarization separation film 51, and most of the light beam emitted from the PBS array 6 becomes the P-polarized light beam. Since the incident side polarizer 50 of the liquid crystal light valve 21 is arranged so that the direction parallel to the paper surface is the direction of the transmission axis (indicated by the arrow P in FIG. 13), the P polarized light emitted from the PBS array 6 is This polarizer 50 can be transmitted and can contribute to the illumination of the liquid crystal light valve 21.

Next, when dimming is performed, for example, the PBS array 6 is moved in the polarization separation direction B1 by the pitch of the polarization separation film 51 and the mirror 52. Then, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (b), the light flux in the indefinite polarization state first enters the mirror 52 of the PBS array 6. Then, the light is reflected by the mirror 52 in an indefinite polarization state and is incident on the polarization separation film 51 from the lower side of the paper surface in FIG. 13B. The polarization separation film 51 transmits P-polarized light and S
Since the polarized light is reflected, the S-polarized light reflected by the polarization separation film 51 is emitted from the PBS array 6 as S-polarized light. On the other hand, the P-polarized light transmitted through the polarization separation film 51 is reflected again by the mirror 52 on the upper side of the polarization separation film 51,
The polarization direction is rotated by 90 ° by the half-wave plate array 7 to be converted into S-polarized light, and the S-polarized light is emitted from the PBS array 6. That is, when most of the indefinitely polarized light beam enters the mirror 52 first, most of the light beam emitted from the PBS array 6 becomes the S-polarized light beam. However, since the incident side polarizer 50 of the liquid crystal light valve 21 is arranged so that the direction parallel to the paper surface becomes the transmission axis direction,
The S-polarized light emitted from the BS array 6 is the incident side polarizer 50.
Cannot be transmitted and does not contribute to the illumination of the liquid crystal light valve 21. The dimming referred to here means controlling the luminous flux amount of a specific polarized luminous flux incident on the liquid crystal light valve by moving the PBS array 6.

The change of the polarization state when the PBS array 6 is moved by the pitch of the polarization separation film 51 and the mirror 52 has been described above. In this case, theoretically, there are cases of 100% transmission and 0% transmission, but by appropriately adjusting the movement amount of the PBS array 6, the light transmission amount in the incident side polarizer 50 of the liquid crystal light valve 21 is 0 to 100%. Can be set arbitrarily. Thus, in the lighting device according to the third embodiment, the dimming operation, that is, P
Since the polarization state of the illumination light flux emitted from the illumination device can be changed by moving the BS array 6, the amount of light that eventually reaches the liquid crystal light valve via the incident-side polarizer 50 is used as information from the outside. Can be adjusted based on.

Further, in general, since the PBS array 6 is arranged at a position where the light source image formed by the partial light flux has a substantially minimum size, the PBS array 6 is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis L. In the case of the configuration in which the PBS array 6 is moved to, the relative size relationship between the incident end face 51a corresponding to the polarization separation film 51 and the light source image (the sectional size of the partial light flux) changes. Therefore, most of the incident light flux (indefinitely polarized light flux) directly enters the polarization separation film 51 when the dimming is not applied, whereas part of the incident light flux directly enters the mirror 52 when the dimming is applied. Since the light enters, the polarization state of the illumination light flux emitted from the illumination device can be changed by the mechanism described above, and as a result, the amount of light reaching the liquid crystal light valve can be adjusted based on information from the outside.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the shape, number, arrangement, etc. of the openings of the light shielding plate are not limited to those in the above-described embodiment, but can be changed as appropriate. Further, in addition to the manner of performing dimming in real time according to video information, the present invention can be applied to a manner of performing non-real time dimming according to a viewing environment such as a viewer's preference and brightness. Configurations can be applied. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the example of the liquid crystal projector using the liquid crystal light valve as the light modulating means is described, but the present invention is also applicable to the projector using other electro-optical element (for example, DMD) as the light modulating means. It is possible to apply.

[0078]

As described above in detail, according to the lighting device of the present invention, light having a brightness corresponding to an image can be obtained in the illuminated area even if the light output intensity of the light source remains constant.
It can contribute to the expansion of the dynamic range of the projected image in the projector. By using this lighting device, it is possible to realize a projector having an excellent effect in terms of image expression power and adaptability to the usage environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a liquid crystal projector according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a drive circuit of the liquid crystal projector.

3A and 3B are diagrams for explaining a first method for determining a brightness control signal from a video signal in the liquid crystal projector, and FIG. 3B is a diagram for explaining a method for expanding a video signal. Is.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the second method of the same.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the third method of the same.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the lighting device of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a horizontal cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an illumination device when a rod lens is used.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a light-shielding plate of the lighting device, including (a) a horizontal sectional view and (b) a front view.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a moving direction of the light shielding plate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another example of the movement direction of the light shielding plate.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing still another example of the movement direction of the light shielding plate.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view for explaining the action of the PBS array in the lighting device of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a state of a light source image formed by uniform illumination means.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of another light blocking plate.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,1B, 45 Lighting device 2 light sources 3 First fly-eye lens (uniform illumination means) 4 Second fly-eye lens (uniform illumination means) 5,44 Light shield (light control means) 5a, 44a Opening (light transmitting part) 6 PBS array (polarization conversion means) 12 Rod lens (uniform illumination means) 21 Relay system 22, 23, 24 Liquid crystal light valve (light modulator) 26 Projection lens (projection means) 30 Liquid crystal projector (projector) 32 DSP (1) (control signal determining means) 33 DSP (2) (dimming control means) 35 Light control element 36 DSP (3) (video signal expansion means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) // G02F 1/13 505 F21Y 101: 00 1/13357 F21M 1/00 T F21Y 101: 00 F term (reference) ) 2H088 EA14 EA15 HA06 HA13 HA14 HA20 HA24 HA28 MA04 2H091 FA05 FA10 FA14 FA23 FA26 FA34 FA41 FD22 LA18 MA07 3K042 AA00 AA01 AC06 BE09 CB01 CB02 CB06 CB12 5C058 BA07 BA08 BA23 BA29 EA01 EA51 EA02 EA02 EA01 EA01 EA02 EA02

Claims (19)

[Claims] 1. An illumination device used for illuminating a light modulating means of a projector, comprising: a light source; and a process of splitting light incident from the light source into a plurality of partial light fluxes, the illumination light of an illumination area being illuminated. Based on information from the outside, it is provided with a uniform illuminating means for making the illuminance distribution substantially uniform, and a dimming means having a light transmitting portion capable of substantially transmitting the plurality of partial luminous fluxes and movably or rotatably installed. An illuminating device characterized in that the amount of light flux passing through the light control means can be adjusted by moving or rotating the light control means. 2. A polarization conversion means for performing polarization conversion by making the plurality of partial light fluxes incident, and the light control means is capable of adjusting the amount of light flux incident on the polarization conversion means. The illumination device according to item 1. 3. The illuminating device according to claim 1, wherein the light control unit is a light shielding plate having a plurality of openings. 4. The lighting device according to claim 3, wherein the light shielding plate includes a light shielding portion having light reflectivity. 5. The illumination device according to claim 3, wherein each of the openings has a shape corresponding to an outer shape of an individual partial light flux. 6. The illumination device according to claim 3, wherein each of the openings has a shape that substantially includes the outer shapes of a plurality of partial light beams arranged in one direction. 7. The uniform illumination means is configured to arrange the plurality of partial light fluxes in a matrix, and each of the openings is shaped to extend in the column direction or the row direction of the plurality of partial light fluxes. The lighting device according to claim 6, wherein 8. The uniform illuminating means arranges the plurality of partial light beams in a radial pattern with an illumination optical axis as a center, and each of the openings extends in a radial direction of the plurality of partial light beams. 7. The shape according to claim 6, wherein the shape is formed.
The lighting device according to. 9. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the light control unit is movable in a direction substantially parallel to an illumination optical axis. 10. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the light control means is rotatable about an illumination optical axis. 11. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the light control unit is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to an illumination optical axis. 12. The light control means according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the light control means is movable in a direction substantially orthogonal to an illumination optical axis and substantially orthogonal to a longitudinal direction of the opening. Lighting equipment. 13. A lighting device used for illuminating a light modulating means of a projector, comprising: a light source, and a rod-shaped or tubular light guide for substantially equalizing an illuminance distribution of light incident from the light source in an illuminated region. A uniform illuminating means having a body, and a light transmitting portion having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the light flux incident on the light guide body and capable of substantially transmitting the light flux, and the light source and the uniform illuminating means And a dimming unit installed so as to be movable in a direction substantially parallel to the illumination optical axis or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the illumination optical axis, and the dimming unit is provided with the dimming unit based on information from the outside. The light control means by moving the light control means in a direction substantially parallel to or in a direction substantially perpendicular to the illumination light axis, or by rotating the light control means about a rotation axis set in a direction substantially orthogonal to the light control axis. The amount of light flux that passes through the means Possible and illuminating device, characterized in that the. 14. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the light control unit is a light-shielding plate having an opening, and the light-shielding plate includes a light-shielding portion having light reflectivity. 15. A lighting device used for illuminating a light modulating means of a projector, comprising: a light source, a light beam splitting means for splitting light incident from the light source into a plurality of partial light fluxes, and the plurality of portions. It comprises a movably installed polarization conversion means for entering a light beam to perform polarization conversion, and a polarization selection means arranged on the incident side of the illuminated area, and moves the polarization conversion means based on information from the outside. By doing so, the polarization state of the light emitted from the polarization conversion means can be controlled. 16. The polarization conversion means comprises a polarization beam splitter array, and the polarization beam splitter array is moved in a polarization separation direction.
The lighting device according to. 17. A projector comprising: an illuminating means, a light modulating means for modulating light emitted from the illuminating means, and a projecting means for projecting the light modulated by the light modulating means. A projector comprising the illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 18. A control signal deciding means for deciding a control signal for controlling the dimming means on the basis of a video signal for one frame forming an image, and a movement or rotation of the dimming means on the basis of the control signal. 18. A dimming control means for controlling the image signal, and a video signal expansion means for expanding the video signal based on the control signal.
The projector described in. 19. The method for driving a projector according to claim 17, wherein a control signal for controlling the dimming unit is determined based on a video signal per frame forming an image, and based on the control signal. The light amount of the light illuminating the light modulating means is adjusted by controlling the movement or rotation of the light control means, and the video signal is expanded based on the control signal. A method for driving a projector, characterized in that an image is generated by supplying the image to a modulator.