Lighting apparatus and projection type display, and driving method therefor

• US 8,684,541 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2008
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Original Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation (Seiko Group)
• Inventors: Iisaka, Hidehito, Uchiyama, Shoichi
• Primary Examiner(s): Amadiz, Rodney
• Application Number:
  US12/219,369
• Publication Number:
  US 20090002313A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,080 Days
• Field of Search: 345/63, 345/101, 345/108, 345/109, 345/690, 359/2, 359/5, 359/6, 359/20, 359/200, 359/578, 359/594, 353/31, 353/38, 353/84, 353 88- 97, 349/5, 349/7
• US Class Current: 353/97
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 11/18 movable, e.g. flaps, slides
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 14/08 by movement of the screens or filters
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133607 the light controlling member including light directing or refracting elements, e.g. prisms or lenses
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 9/315 Modulator illumination systems general applications of lighting devices F21V; general optical systems G02B; lamp houses for projectors not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B21/20

Abstract

A lighting apparatus used for a projection type display is provided, which can change the incident ray volume to an optical modulation device without changing the optical output intensity of the lamp, and can exhibit excellent effects in expressive power of an image and adaptability to the use environment. The lighting apparatus of the present invention comprises; a light source, two fly-eye lenses constituting a uniform lighting device, and a shading plate arranged between these fly-eye lenses and constituting a dimming device for adjusting the amount of light of the outgoing light from the light source. The angle of inclination of the shading plate is controlled based on an image signal supplied to the optical modulation device, thereby enabling adjustment of the amount of light.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a first fly-eye lens;

a second fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate being arranged between the first fly-eye lens and the second fly-eye lens, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate.

2. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate is arranged in the vicinity of a focal point of each lens constituting the first fly-eye lens.

3. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate being arranged on the outgoing side of the second fly-eye lens.

4. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate performs shading in linear symmetry with respect to each of beams of the light emitted from the first fly-eye lenses.

5. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate performs shading centrosymmetrically with respect to each of beams of the light emitted from the first fly-eye lenses.

6. The lighting apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

another shading plate, wherein

two shading plates are arranged between adjacent beams of the light emitted from the fly-eye lenses, each of the shading plates has a slit opening provided perpendicularly to an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source.

7. The lighting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the two shading plates are movable in a direction parallel with each principal plane and in an opposite direction to each other, and the amount of light is adjusted by a shift amount of the shading plates.

8. The lighting apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

the two shading plates are rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in a parallel direction with a principal plane thereof, and the amount of light is adjusted by a rotation angle of the shading plate.

9. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate performs shading in linear symmetry with respect to the center of a group of beams of the light emitted from the first fly-eye lenses.

10. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate performs shading centrosymmetrically with respect to the center of a group of beams of the light emitted from the first fly-eye lenses.

11. The lighting apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

at least three shading plates, the at least three shading plates being provided perpendicularly to an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source, one of the at least three shading plates being fixed in position, and the remaining shading plates located at a position of linear symmetry with respect to the center of the group of beams emitted from the fly-eye lenses being movable in an opposite direction to each other.

12. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate is arranged between the first fly-eye lens and the light source.

13. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one shading plate, wherein

the shading plates are arranged along a plane perpendicular to an optical axis of the light emitted from the light source.

14. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of shading plates, wherein

the size of each of the shading plates or the pitch of the shading plates are different depending on the location.

15. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

at least the surface on the side irradiated by the light, of the shading plate, has optical absorptivity.

16. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

at least the surface on the side irradiated by the light, of the shading plate, has optical reflectivity.

17. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a light absorbing material for absorbing the light that is reflected by the shading plate, the light absorbing material being provided at a position where the reflected light from the shading plate reaches.

18. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate is movable in a direction parallel with a principal plane thereof, and the amount of light is adjusted by a shift amount of the shading plate.

19. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the shading plate is rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in a parallel direction with a principal plane thereof, and the amount of light is adjusted by a rotation angle of the shading plate.

20. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the shading plate has an edge with an irregular shape.

21. The lighting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein

the irregular shape is corrugated.

22. The lighting apparatus according to claim 20, wherein

the shading plate has a first edge with irregular shape, and a second edge with irregular shape and opposing to the first edge.

23. The lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first lens and the second lens are adjacent each other.

24. The lighting apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.

25. A projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a first fly-eye lens;

a second fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate being arranged between the first fly-eye lens and the second fly-eye lens;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate.

26. The projection type display according to claim 25, further comprising:

a control signal determination device for determining a control signal which controls the shading plate based on an image signal;

a dimming control device for controlling the shading plate based on the control signal;

a dimming control device for controlling the shading plate based on the control signal; and

an image signal extension device for extending the image signal based on the control signal.

27. The driving method for a projection type display according to claim 26, wherein

the control signal for controlling the shading plate is determined based on an image signal, and the shading plate is controlled based on the control signal, to thereby adjust the amount of light which illuminates the optical modulation device, and to extend the image signal based on the control signal, and the extended image signal is supplied to the optical modulation device to thereby generate an image.

28. The projection type display according to claim 25, wherein

the shading plate is movable in a direction parallel with a principal plane thereof, and the amount of light is adjusted by a shift amount of the shading plate.

29. The projection type display according to claim 25, wherein

the shading plate is rotatable about a rotation shaft extending in a parallel direction with a principal plane thereof, and the amount of light is adjusted by a rotation angle of the shading plate.

30. The projection type display according to claim 25, wherein the shading plate has an edge with an irregular shape.

31. The projection type display according to claim 30, wherein

the irregular shape is corrugated.

32. The projection type display according to claim 30, wherein the shading plate has a first edge with irregular shape, and a second edge with irregular shape and opposing to the first edge.

33. The projection type display according to claim 25, wherein the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other.

34. The projection type display according to claim 33, wherein the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.

35. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate.

36. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens, the first lens and the second lens are adjacent each other; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate,

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate, and

the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.

37. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens;

a convolution lens; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate being arranged between the fly-eye lens and the convolution lens, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens.

38. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens.

39. A lighting apparatus used for lighting an optical modulation device in a projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens, the first lens and the second lens are adjacent each other; and

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate,

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens, and

the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.

40. A projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light,

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate.

41. A projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens, the first lens and the second lens are adjacent each other;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate,

an area of the first lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate is different from an area of the second lens that is shaded by the movable shading plate, and

the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.

42. A projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens;

a convolution lens;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate being arranged between the fly-eye lens and the convolution lens;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens.

43. A projection type display. comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate, and

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens.

44. A projection type display, comprising:

a light source emitting light;

a fly-eye lens comprising a plurality of lenses which include a first lens and a second lens, the first lens and the second lens are adjacent each other;

a movable shading plate for adjusting an amount of the light emitted to the optical modulation device by cutting off at least a portion of the light emitted from the light source, the movable shading plate having an edge with an irregular shape;

an optical modulation device for modulating the light emitted from the light source; and

a projection device for projecting the light modulated by the optical modulation device, wherein

the amount of light emitted to the optical modulation device varies in accordance with a movement of the shading plate,

the movable shading plate cuts off light passing through the first lens differently from light passing through the second lens, and

the first lens and the second lens are adjacent to each other along a direction perpendicular to a moving direction of the shading plate.