Abstract: A light modulation device having an image forming area in which a plurality of pixels is arranged, and adapted to modulate incident light, and an illumination device adapted to illuminate the image forming area are provided, and the illumination device has an effective dimming area in which a plurality of dimming parts each capable of individually controlling a light intensity of the light for illuminating the image forming area is arranged, illumination areas illuminated by the light emitted from the dimming parts adjacent to each other out of the plurality of dimming parts partially overlap each other, and the light enters the light modulation device, and the position of the peak of the intensity distribution of the light emitted from the dimming part located on the outermost side of the effective dimming area is located on the outer edge of the image forming area or outside the image forming area.

Abstract: A light modulation device having an image forming area in which a plurality of pixels is arranged, and adapted to modulate incident light, and an illumination device adapted to illuminate the image forming area are provided, and the illumination device has an effective dimming area in which a plurality of dimming parts each capable of individually controlling a light intensity of the light for illuminating the image forming area is arranged, illumination areas illuminated by the light emitted from the dimming parts adjacent to each other out of the plurality of dimming parts partially overlap each other, and the light enters the light modulation device, and the position of the peak of the intensity distribution of the light emitted from the dimming part located on the outermost side of the effective dimming area is located on the outer edge of the image forming area or outside the image forming area.

Abstract: A relay system (formed of a plurality of optical systems) that generates a spherical aberration allows each light ray flux to be so adjusted that the cross section thereof has a moderate size (moderate degree of spread) on an image panel surface of each color modulation light valve, that is, the light ray flux is not brought into complete focus but is blurred. Further, as the aberrations to be generated, the amount of spherical aberration is set to be much greater than those of the other third-order aberrations, whereby generated spots are allowed to have the same shape irrespective of the field position.

Abstract: Two light modulators, a first light modulator and a second light modulator, suffice for four light sources, a first light source, a second light source, a third light source, and a fourth light source, whereby the cost can be lowered as compared with a configuration in which three light modulators are required. As a result, cost reduction is achieved. Further, since two light modulators suffice, the size of the projector can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which three light modulators are required.

Abstract: Two light modulators, a first light modulator and a second light modulator, suffice for four light sources, a first light source, a second light source, a third light source, and a fourth light source, whereby the cost can be lowered as compared with a configuration in which three light modulators are required. As a result, cost reduction is achieved. Further, since two light modulators suffice, the size of the projector can be reduced as compared with the configuration in which three light modulators are required.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a projector that can readily correct for chromatic aberration caused by, for example, a projecting lens without having to give a cross dichroic prism, for example, a special preliminary process. Illumination-light components modulated by corresponding liquid-crystal light valves are synthesized in a cross dichroic prism (27) to form image light. The image light enters a projecting lens (29) from which the image light is projected onto a screen, which is not shown in the drawings. In the cross dichroic prism (27) used to synthesize light components, a first prism element (P1) has a refractive index higher than that of remaining prism elements (P2, P3 and P4). This allows a width of a red projection-image component to be made larger than widths of projection-image components of remaining colors, whereby the chromatic aberration in the projecting lens can be readily corrected.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the invention provide a projector that can readily correct for chromatic aberration caused by, for example, a projecting lens without having to give a cross dichroic prism, for example, a special preliminary process. Illumination-light components modulated by corresponding liquid-crystal light valves are synthesized in a cross dichroic prism 27 to form image light. The image light enters a projecting lens 29 from which the image light is projected onto a screen, which is not shown in the drawings. In the cross dichroic prism 27 used to synthesize light components, a first prism element P1 has a refractive index higher than that of remaining prism elements P2, P3, P4. This allows a width of a red projection-image component to be made larger than widths of projection-image components of remaining colors, whereby the chromatic aberration in the projecting lens can be readily corrected.

Abstract: A projector includes a first lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a second lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a light valve that modulates an output light beam from the second lens plate, and a light source apparatus. The light-source apparatus has a light-source lamp including an emission tube, a reflective mirror that reflects a divergent light beam from the light-source lamp to output a parallel light beam, the reflecting mirror having a reflective surface, a lamp housing that supports the reflective mirror, and an electrode lead. The electrode lead is led out of an end of the emission tube that is projected forward out of the reflective surface and is connected to an external connection terminal board which is positioned to a rear side of the reflective surface. The electrode lead is routed via the portion of the reflective mirror other than an effective area of the reflective mirror.

Abstract: The invention provides a zoom lens device that can include lens groups. A third lens group (compensator lens group) can be disposed between two lens groups (a second and a fourth lens groups) forming a variator lens group. The two lens groups (the second and fourth lens groups) forming the variator lens group can be retained by a common variator-lens frame and moved together. Accordingly, a zoom lens device, an optical apparatus, and a projector can be provided in which, even when a plurality of lens groups are assembled, degradation of optical characteristics due to decentering between the lens groups can be prevented.

Abstract: The invention provides a liquid crystal light valve that makes it possible to increase the life of a polarizer at a light-exiting-surface side of the liquid crystal light valve by reducing the burden thereon, and a projection display device that incorporates the liquid crystal light valve. In liquid crystal light valves that modulate incident light in accordance with image information, at least two corresponding polarizers are provided respectively at the light-exiting-surface sides of liquid crystal panels.

Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus of the invention aiming at solving the problem of heat generation caused by absorption of light by a polarizing means of a liquid crystal light valve. To overcome this problem, the projection-type display apparatus of the invention includes a light source, a light valve for modulating the light from the light source, and a projection optical means for projecting the light modulated by the light valve, with the light valve including a liquid crystal panel and a polarizing means, provided on the light source side of the liquid crystal panel, and the polarizing means being formed of a multi-layered film which primarily transmits one of two types of polarization axis component light beams and primarily reflects the other of the two types of polarization axis component light beams.

Abstract: A projector includes a first lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a second lens plate having a plurality of lenses, a light valve that modulates an output light beam from the second lens plate, and a light source apparatus. The light-source apparatus has a light-source lamp including an emission tube, a reflective mirror that reflects a divergent light beam from the light-source lamp to output a parallel light beam, the reflecting mirror having a reflective surface, a lamp housing that supports the reflective mirror, and an electrode lead. The electrode lead is led out of an end of the emission tube that is projected forward out of the reflective surface and is connected to an external connection terminal board which is positioned to a rear side of the reflective surface. The electrode lead is routed via the portion of the reflective mirror other than an effective area of the reflective mirror.

Abstract: A light-source lamp unit includes a light-source lamp unit detachably mounted, and a CPU constituting a drive and controller for the light-source lamp unit. The CPU senses lamp information obtained by a lamp-information storing block in the light-source lamp unit, pertaining to a lamp power rating, lamp life and whether a lamp is new or not, and starts counting operation time when the lamp is lit. The CPU compares the lamp life sensed and the operation time count, and forces the lamp to extinguish when the life of the light-source lamp expires. Prior to this action, the CPU gives a warning display before the life expiration of the lamp by a fixed duration of time, to warn that lamp replacement is needed. Because the lamp-information storing block in the light-source lamp unit stores the information about the lamp type and characteristics of the lamp, the light-source device can properly drive the lamp to light it and determine the lamp life even when a light-source lamp unit of a different type is used.

Abstract: The invention provides a dichroic prism capable of reducing displacements of projection pixels of colors caused by chromatic aberration of magnification. A dichroic prism is formed in the shape of a quadrangular prism as a whole by joining four rectangular prisms together. A red reflecting dichroic plane and a blue reflecting dichroic plane intersect to form substantially an X shape along junction surfaces of the prisms. The red reflecting dichroic plane is convex-shaped by partly changing the thickness of an adhesive layer for connecting the rectangular prisms together. Accordingly, since a red beam can be guided to a projection optical system while being enlarged, it is possible to reduce a projection image of the red beam to be projected onto a projection plane via the projection optical system. This makes it possible to reduce relative displacements of projection pixels of color beams caused by chromatic aberration of magnification.

Abstract: A projection-type display apparatus in accordance with the invention reduces the margin formed around the image forming range of the light valves, and forms a bright projected image. Emitted light from a light source lamp unit of a projection-type display apparatus illuminates liquid crystal light valves of each color via an integrator optical system. First and second lens plates of an integrator optical system that serves as a uniform illuminating optical system are disposed such that the attachment position thereof is capable of fine adjustment in a direction vertical to the optical axis. By performing fine adjustment of the attachment position of these, the forming position of the illumination range B can be adjusted to include the image forming range A of the liquid crystal light valves. Accordingly, there is no need to provide a wide margin around the image forming range A, taking shifting of the forming position of the illumination range B into consideration.

Abstract: Two polarization conversion element arrays are disclosed. Each polarization conversion element array is composed of a plurality of polarization conversion elements for converting light incident upon the polarization conversion element array to a linearly polarized light beam with a predetermined polarization direction. The plurality of polarization conversion elements are disposed opposite to each other with a predetermined space provided between at about the center of the light-outgoing surface of a lens array in the direction of arrangement. Of the light beams (s-polarized+p-polarized light beams) gathered by the lens array, light beam that is not incident upon the polarization conversion element and passes through the predetermined space is a light beam including a predetermined polarized light beam (s-polarized light beam) that is primarily made to leave the array 320a and an ineffective polarized light beam (p-polarized light beam).

Abstract: An output light from an a light source lamp unit 8 in a projection-type display apparatus projector illuminates liquid-crystal light valves 925R, 925G and 925B for three colors via an integrator optical system 923. A superimposing lens 930 that is a component of the integrator optical system 923 as a uniform illumination optical system is arranged such that the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930 is fine-adjustable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis 1a. By fine-adjusting the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930, the position of an illumination area B is adjusted such that the illumination area includes the image forming area A of the liquid-crystal light valve. It is not necessary to assure a wide margin around the image forming area A to cover the offset of the position of the illumination area B. As a result, the utilization of illumination light is heightened and a bright projected image results.

Abstract: At least one of four rectangular prisms in a dichroic prism is made longer than the other rectangular prisms. Parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms partially protrude from the rectangular surfaces of the other rectangular prisms in the longitudinal direction. The protruding parts of the rectangular surfaces of the long rectangular prisms are not provided with a dichroic film. Such a construction makes it possible to prevent return light, which returns from the light emitting surface side of the dichroic prism and the dichroic prism, from emitting again from the light emitting surface.

Abstract: Two polarization conversion element arrays are disclosed. Each polarization conversion element array is composed of a plurality of polarization conversion elements for converting light incident upon the polarization conversion element array to a linearly polarized light beam with a predetermined polarization direction. The plurality of polarization conversion elements are disposed opposite to each other with a predetermined space provided between at about the center of the light-outgoing surface of a lens array in the direction of arrangement. Of the light beams (s-polarized+p-polarized light beams) gathered by the lens array, light beam that is not incident upon the polarization conversion element and passes through the predetermined space is a light beam including a predetermined polarized light beam (s-polarized light beam) that is primarily made to leave the array 320a and an ineffective polarized light beam (p-polarized light beam).

Abstract: An output light from an a light source lamp unit 8 in a projection-type display apparatus illuminates liquid-crystal light valves 925R, 925G and 925B for three colors via an integrator optical system 923. A superimposing lens 930 that is a component of the integrator optical system 923 as a uniform illumination optical system is arranged such that the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930 is fine-adjustable in a direction orthogonal to an optical axis 1a. By fine-adjusting the mounting position of the superimposing lens 930, the position of an illumination area B is adjusted such that the illumination area includes the image forming area A of the liquid-crystal light valve. It is not necessary to assure a wide margin around the image forming area A to cover the offset of the position of the illumination area B. As a result, the utilization of illumination light is heightened and a bright projected image results.