Abstract: A parentally superintended remote control unit (SCU) physically engineered and electronically adapted to the special operating requirements of toddlers and preschoolers is disclosed. The parentally superintended remote control unit comprises at least one enclosure ergonomically designed to fit the hands and digits of said toddler, at least one toddler oriented button operated graphical unit interface (GUI), offering access to at least one electronic device function. In addition the remote control unit comprises at least one computerized processing means; at least one memory means adapted to store said parentally customizable specifications; and at least one communication means adapted to enable communication between said control unit and an electronic device preferably a TV. The SCU is provided with means to select T.V. channels and programs from a predetermined parentally approved list; and the GUI displays and commands at least one icon intuitively associated with the desired content.

Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a proper light source holding function in a lighting device. A backlight unit 12 according to the present invention includes cold cathode tubes 18 as light sources and lamp holders 20. Each cold cathode tube 18 includes electrodes 18b in end sections 18E. The lamp holders 20 are covers that cover the end sections 18E of the cold cathode tubes 18. Light source holddown members 25 are arranged on the lamp holders 20. Each light source holddown member 25 projects from the lamp holder 20 toward the middle of the cold cathode tube 18 and holds down the middle section 18C rather than the electrode 18b. The middle section 18C of the cold cathode tube 18 held down by the light source holddown member 25 is lower in temperature than the end section 18E including the electrode 18b.

Abstract: A light source unit base material for manufacturing a plurality of light source units includes a board base material formed in substantially a rectangular shape, and a plurality of light sources provided on the board base material in a row direction and in a column direction and connected electrically in series in the row direction and in the column direction.

Abstract: A TV stand supports a TV with a downfiring audio speaker. To reflect the sound from the speaker ninety degrees so the sound propagates away from the plane of the TV toward a viewer, the stand has a top portion with a flat or curved surface which is canted downwardly from rear to front.

Abstract: There is provided a wearable display comprising at least one Switchable Bragg Grating (SBG) device recorded in at least one Holographic Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (HPDLC) layer. Each HPDLC layer is sandwiched between first and second transparent plates to which transparent electrodes have been applied. Each SBG device is characterised in that it provides a grating in a separate switchable region and is clear elsewhere. Each SBG device has a diffracting state and a non diffracting state. The transparent plates and HPDLC layers form a laminar structure which functions as a light guide. In one embodiment of the invention the display magnifies and forms a virtual image of information provided by an external image generator. In one embodiment of the invention the display and forms a virtual image of an image of information encoded in the SBG device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a touch integrated display device which reduces a thickness of a display device and can improve touch performance. The touch integrated display device according to one embodiment of the present invention can include: a TFT positioned on a lower substrate; a pixel electrode connected to the TFT; a common electrode facing the pixel electrode to form electric field; a liquid crystal layer positioned on the common electrode; an upper substrate facing the lower substrate which is positioned at both sides of the liquid crystal layer; a driving electrode which is positioned on one side of the upper substrate adjacent to the liquid crystal layer; and a sensing electrode which is positioned on the other side of the upper substrate and faces the driving electrode.

Abstract: A variable power optical element is divided into cells which contain two liquid crystals mixed according to different proportions. The proportion of one of the liquid crystals in each cell increases on the basis of the radial distance between a central point of the optical element and said cell. An appropriate selection of the two liquid crystals results in a higher variation of the optical power between two control states of said optical element. More particularly, the optical element may consist of an ophthalmic lens which changes between a convergent lens state and a divergent lens state.

Abstract: A pixel structure electrically connected to a data line and a scan line, and including a first and a second active device, a first and a second pixel electrode, and a first and a second capacitance electrode is provided. The first pixel electrode electrically connected to the first active device includes a first and a second electrode block electrically connected to each other. The second pixel electrode electrically connected to the second active device is electrically insulated from the first pixel electrode and separates the first and the second electrode block. The first pixel electrode respectively forms a first and a second capacitor with the first and the second capacitance electrode. The second pixel electrode respectively forms a third and a fourth capacitor with the first and the second capacitance electrode. The first and the second capacitor have different capacitances. The third and the fourth capacitor have different capacitances.

Abstract: An active matrix substrate includes a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix, a plurality of capacitor lines (11b) extending in one of directions in which the pixels are aligned and in parallel to each other, a plurality of TFTs (5), one for each of the pixels, a protective film (16a) covering the TFTs (5), a plurality of pixel electrodes (18a) arranged in a matrix on the protective film (16a) and connected to the respective corresponding TFTs (5), and a plurality of auxiliary capacitors (6), one for each of the pixels. Each of the auxiliary capacitors (6) includes the corresponding capacitor line (11b), the corresponding pixel electrode (18a), and the protective film (16a) between the corresponding capacitor line (11b) and the corresponding pixel electrode (18a).

Abstract: A display substrate includes a first switching element, a second switching element, a first pixel electrode, a second pixel electrode, a main storage electrode and a sub-storage electrode. The first switching element is connected to a data line and a first gate line. The second switching element is connected to the data line and a second gate line adjacent to the first gate line. The first pixel electrode is electrically connected to the first switching element. The second pixel electrode is electrically connected to the second switching element. The main storage electrode is disposed in an area between the first pixel electrode and the second electrode to overlap with first ends of the first and second pixel electrodes. The sub-storage electrode is spaced apart from the first and second gate lines.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transflective LCD comprises pixels each comprising a first polarizing layer; a second polarizing layer; a first substrate layer and a second substrate layer opposite the first substrate layer; the first and second substrate layers are between the first polarizing layer and the second polarizing layer; a liquid crystal material between the first and second substrate layers; an over-coating layer adjacent to the first substrate layer; the over-coating layer comprises at least one opening for a transmissive part; a remainder of the over-coating layer forms in part a reflective part; a patterned in-cell retarder adjacent to the first substrate layer; the patterned in-cell retarder covers at least a portion of the reflective part; a reflective layer between the over-coating layer and the second substrate layer; the reflective layer substantially covers the reflective part; the patterned in-cell retarder is between the reflective layer and the first substrate layer.

Abstract: An array substrate for a fringe field switching mode liquid crystal display device includes a plurality of gate lines on a substrate; a gate insulating layer on the plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines crossing the plurality of gate lines to define a plurality of pixel regions; a thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate and data lines in each pixel region; a pixel electrode having a plate shape in each pixel region, and connected to a portion of the thin film transistor; a first passivation layer on the pixel electrode and over the thin film transistor; and a common electrode on the first passivation layer and having a plurality of openings of a bar shape in each pixel region, wherein a center portion of each opening overlaps the pixel electrode, and both ends along a major axis of each opening protrude beyond the pixel electrode.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display unit structure and the manufacturing method thereof are provided. The liquid crystal display unit structure comprises a patterned first metal layer with a first data line segment and a gate line on a substrate; a patterned dielectric layer covering the first data line and the gate line having a plurality of first openings and a second opening therein, a patterned etch stop layer having a first portion located above the first data line segment and a second portion; a patterned second metal layer including a common electrode line, a second data line segment, a source electrode and a drain electrode, wherein the first portion of the patterned etch stop layer is between the first data line segment and the common line; a patterned passivation layer and a patterned transparent conductive layer.

Abstract: An image display apparatus includes: an image display section that displays a two-dimensional image; and a variable lens array that includes a first substrate having a first electrode, a second substrate having a second electrode, and a liquid crystal layer which is disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. The value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed by a voltage which is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode. The variable lens array is disposed to be opposed to the image display section. Wall-shaped or columnar spacers are provided in a place, in which an orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is unchanged when the value of the refractive power of each lens line thereof is changed, between the first substrate and the second substrate of the variable lens array.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display module including an in-plane switching mode liquid crystal panel; a first cover covering a rear side of the liquid crystal display module; a second cover covering a front side of the liquid crystal display module and including a transparent conductive layer; and a discharging path connecting the transparent conductive layer to the in-plane switching mode liquid crystal panel, wherein the transparent conductive layer is attached to the liquid crystal display module.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid crystal display device having a liquid crystal display panel of which the outer shape in a plane has at least one corner that is not 90° (dotted line A), and is characterized in that cushion tapes (CT3, CT4) are placed along the sides of the outer shape of the liquid crystal display panel between the liquid crystal display panel LCP and a frame for supporting the liquid crystal display panel, and the cushion tapes along the two sides connected to the above-described corner that is not 90° are made to make contact with each other, and the width of an end of the cushion tape along at least one side is smaller than the width of the cushion tape along the middle of the side.

Abstract: A meter includes a liquid crystal display having a liquid crystal display surface and a case housing the liquid crystal display surface, an analogue meter device including a dial portion having a plurality of translucent indicators, a light source configured to illuminate the dial portion from a back side of the dial portion, and an illumination light-passing section formed in a lateral edge portion of the case, configured to pass light from the light source toward the translucent indicator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the liquid crystal display device includes a transmissive type liquid crystal display panel. A backlight unit is arranged on a back side of the liquid crystal display panel, and includes a light source portion for radiating the liquid crystal display panel with plane light. An optical sheet is arranged between the liquid crystal display panel and the back light unit. A rear bezel having a counter surface portion is arranged opposing at least a portion of a back side of the light source portion. An elastic sheet having a plurality of slits is arranged between the back side of the back light unit and the counter surface portion for elastically supporting the back light unit.

Abstract: A display device includes a substrate; a display element; a thin film transistor, and having a first semiconductor oxide film including a source region and a drain region, the first semiconductor oxide film having first low resistance areas each of whose oxygen concentration is lower than that of the channel region in parts of the source region and the drain region in a depth direction from upper surfaces thereof; a second semiconductor oxide film having a second low resistance area whose oxygen concentration is lower than that of the channel region in a part in the depth direction from the upper surface; and a high resistance film covering the thin film transistor, the second semiconductor oxide film, and the substrate, made of a metallic oxide, having a first translucent area in an area contacting the first low resistance area, and having a second translucent area.

Abstract: A red phosphor of high efficiency and a method for producing it are provided. A white light source and an illumination device that allow illumination with the pure white color using the red phosphor are also provided. In addition, a liquid crystal display device using the red phosphor and exhibiting good color reproducing performance is provided. The red phosphor contains an element A, europium (Eu), silicon (Si), carbon (C), oxygen (O) and nitrogen (N) in the ratios of the numbers of atoms of the following compositional formula (1): [Chemical Formula 1] [A(m?x)Eux][Si(9?y)Cy]OnN[12?2(n?m)/3]??compositional formula (1) where the element A is at least one of magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), strontium (Sr) and barium (Ba), and where m, x and n in the compositional formula (1) satisfy the relationships of 3<m<5, 0<x<1, 0<y<2 and 0<n<10 (FIG. 5A).

Abstract: A first retardation plate arranged on a front side causes light received through the a first polarizing plate from the front side to become close to circularly polarized light rotating in a first direction. Second and third retardation plates arranged on a back side cause light received through a second polarizing plate from the back side to become close to circularly polarized light rotating in a second direction opposite to the first direction while passing through both of the second and third retardation plates and the liquid crystal layer in black display period. With this structure, good image quality can be obtained even when used in outdoor.

Abstract: An optically controlled deformable reflective/refractive assembly includes a deformable membrane structure (10) having a reflecting/refractive, electrically conductive surface (10?), which is associated with a rigid photoconductive substrate (14) having an electrically conductive layer (14?) on one side. An electric biasing arrangement applies a potential difference (V0) across the membrane structure (10). A controlling light source (20) illuminates the photoconductive substrate (14) in correspondence of an active region, wherein the light source is arranged for selectively illuminating the substrate (14) by emitting at least an optical beam (B) adapted to generate in an area of the substrate (14) a local electrical charge density proportional to the spatial light intensity of the beam (B) and responsible for a local deformation of the membrane structure (10).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, which can prevent a Mura from forming at the time of physical impact or vibration for improving a display quality. The liquid crystal display panel can include an upper substrate having a plurality of column lines formed thereon, a lower substrate having a plurality of row lines formed thereon perpendicular to the plurality of column lines, a pixel region formed at each crossed region of the plurality of column lines and the plurality of row lines, and column spacers each formed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate for maintaining a cell gap between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, wherein the column spacers formed at a first region of a display region adjacent to a liquid crystal injection have dot shapes.

Abstract: A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display element including a first alignment film and a second alignment film and a liquid crystal layer that is provided between the first alignment film and the second alignment film, wherein the first alignment film includes a compound in which a polymer compound that includes a cross-linked functional group or a polymerized functional group as a side chain is cross-linked or polymerized, the second alignment film includes the same compound as the compound that configures the first alignment film, and the formation and processing of the second alignment film is different from the formation and processing of the first alignment film and when a pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules which is conferred by the first alignment film is ?1 and a pretilt angle of the liquid crystal molecules which is conferred by the second alignment film is ?2, ?1>?2.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display including: a first substrate and an opposing second substrate; a liquid crystal layer interposed between the first substrate and the second substrate; a light blocking member disposed on the first substrate or the second substrate; a first field generating electrode disposed on the first substrate; a second field generating electrode disposed on the first substrate and including branch electrodes overlapping the first field generating electrode; and a gate line disposed on the first substrate and extending in a first direction. A branch electrode of the branch electrodes includes a central portion and a first edge portion disposed at one end of the central portion. A first angle formed between the first edge portion and a second direction is greater than a second angle formed between the second direction and the central portion, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A display device that has a display panel having a front substrate, an image forming unit, and a back substrate rendered together in layers, and a wiring board layered on the back surface of the back substrate. A plurality of input/output pins are formed on the front surface of the back substrate, and a plurality of connection pins that are electrically connected to the input/output pins by respective conductor members are formed on the back surface of the wiring board.

Abstract: A display including a supporting layer, a flexible layer and a display structure is provided. The display structure has a top side and a bottom side which are opposite to each other. One of the supporting layer and the flexible layer is disposed at the bottom side of the display structure, and the other one of the supporting layer and the flexible layer is disposed at the top side or the bottom side of the display structure. When the supporting layer and the flexible layer are both disposed at the bottom side of the display structure, the flexible layer is located between the supporting layer and the display structure.

Abstract: An eyeglass is provided that can comprise a frame, a lens, and at least one retention component that can secure the lens relative to the frame. The frame can be configured to support at least one lens in a field of view of a wearer. The frame can include a first ear stem and a second ear stem that allows the frame to be worn on the wearer's head. The at least one retention component can be supported by the frame and/or the lens and can be movable or fixed relative to the frame and/or the lens. The retention component can engage an engagement portion of the frame and/or the lens for preventing the lens from separating from the frame in response to a ballistic event.

Abstract: Bar for spectacles, which comprises an elongated member (1) having a rear end (1a) suitable for being arranged on the ear of a user and a front end (1b) suitable for being connected to the front portion of spectacles, wherein the front end (1b) of the elongated member (1) is prolonged by one or more additional members (2, 3, 4) by means of at least one longitudinal pin (5) which is inserted in a longitudinal hole made in the front end (1b) of the elongated member (1) and in the additional members (2, 3, 4). The present invention also relates to spectacles comprising said bar.

Abstract: The present invention describes spectacles of the type that remain securely in place without the need for a frame that has arms, providing the corresponding optical features required in each case and being able to be formed by a single, continuous element in the preferred embodiment thereof, or by a number of pieces, the securing thereof being achieved by means of a system for adaptation to the users anatomy based on the clip effect.

Abstract: Eyewear is provided having a frame that can releasably engage a lens. The frame can have an engagement mechanism that includes an active restraint member and a passive restraint member. The active restraint member can have a first component and a second component that are operatively coupled together such that the first and second components rotate together between open and closed positions. The second component can also be configured to slide relative to the first component to engage a portion the frame when the first and second components are in the closed position to maintain the lens fitted against the frame.

Abstract: This invention discloses a media substrate for incorporation into ophthalmic lenses that has been formed by the stacking of multiple functionalized layers. Additionally, methods and apparatus for providing a stacked functional layer insert for incorporation into an ophthalmic lens are also provided. In some embodiments, an ophthalmic lens is cast molded from a silicone hydrogel and the lens includes at least one stacked functional layer insert portion.

Abstract: Silicone hydrogel contact lenses are produced without using volatile organic solvents to extract materials from the polymerized contact lens bodies, and instead are washed with aqueous liquids. The silicone hydrogel contact lenses so produced have ophthalmically wettable lens surfaces such that less than five percent of a batch of twenty or more such silicone hydrogel contact lenses have visually identifiable non-wetting spots when the contact lenses are located on eyes of subjects.

Abstract: A progressive-power lens includes an eyeball-side surface including a distance portion and a near portion having different values of dioptric power. An intermediate portion connects the distance portion and the near portion to each other. An object-side surface of the progressive-power lens includes a first region extending along a principal meridian and having a spherical shape having first curvature, a second region facing the distance portion and having a spherical shape having second curvature equal to the first curvature, and a third region located outside the first region and below the second region and having third curvature greater than the first curvature.

Abstract: A method of making an optical element that includes a thermoplastic power portion, the method including laminating a first thermoplastic sheet to one side of a functional film, laminating a second thermoplastic sheet to a second side of the functional film, and affixing either the first thermoplastic sheet or the second thermoplastic sheet to the power portion, with the other of the first or second thermoplastic sheets being open to atmosphere.

Abstract: Method for producing a plastic film containing a compound absorbing ultraviolet radiation comprising (a) depositing an alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral on a transparent plastic support film, (b) evaporating the solvent from the alcoholic solution of polyvinyl butyral so as to form a polyvinyl butyral layer on the transparent support film, (c) printing the polyvinyl butyral layer with an ink absorbing ultraviolet radiation (UV absorber) in a pattern, (d) heating the transparent plastic support film, coated with the printed polyvinyl butyral layer so as to enable at least part of the UV absorber to pass from the polyvinyl butyral layer to the plastic support film, (e) removing the polyvinyl butyral layer, preferably by washing with a suitable solvent. The application also relates to the film obtained by this method and the use of this film for producing a photochromic element with a spatially non-uniform behaviour.

Abstract: More appropriate evaluation, design, and manufacture are made feasible by taking visual functions into consideration more appropriately. In order to achieve this object, in the present invention, provided is a spectacle lens evaluation method for evaluating spectacle lenses using a visual acuity function, characterized in that the visual acuity function includes relative accommodation power as a factor, the relative accommodation power referring to the range expressed in terms of diopter in which distinct vision is achieved while maintaining convergence of a gaze point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device comprising a shaft having at least a first portion and a second portion that can adopt a closed position in which the first and second portions are positioned adjacent each other and an open position in which the first and second portions are positioned distant from each other, one or both of the first and second portions housing or forming part of one or more of an ophthalmoscope, an otoscope, a tendon hammer, a tuning fork and a red hat pin. Also provided are improved otoscope heads and means to protect the functional heads of medical tools when not in use.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an SLO image acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of SLO images obtainable by an SLO apparatus that scans a target to be captured with signal light at various focus positions in an optical axis direction of the signal light. The image processing apparatus includes a structure acquisition unit configured to acquire a specific structure of the target to be captured. The image processing apparatus includes an object image acquisition unit configured to acquire an image of the specific structure from each of the plurality of SLO images captured at various focus positions according to the specific structure.

Abstract: An image processing device includes a first identification unit configured to identify the spatial configuration of a vessel in an object to be imaged, a second identification unit configured to identify information on a blood flow rate of the vessel based on an SLO moving image obtained by signal light that has a focus position deeper than at least a part of the area of the vessel, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire information on a blood flow of the vessel based on the identified area and the information on the blood flow rate.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an identification unit configured to identify a retinal blood vessel based on a retinal image, a measurement unit configured to measure blood flow information for the blood vessel based on the retinal image, and a display control unit configured to display the measured blood flow information by at least one selected from a depth of the identified blood vessel, a size of the identified blood vessel, and a combination of both.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus images a cross-section of the cornea of the eye to be examined based on return light from the eye illuminated with measurement light, measures a corneal thickness from a cornea cross-sectional image of the imaged eye, and corrects the corneal thickness based on the position of the cornea cross-sectional image on an imaging plane.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus includes a control unit configured to, when a manipulated value detected by a manipulated value detection unit is a first manipulated value within a predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a fine motion operation of moving the moving unit at a low speed, and when the manipulated value is a second manipulated value outside the predetermined range, control to move the moving unit by a coarse motion operation of moving the moving unit at a speed higher than that in the fine motion operation.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic apparatus comprising: an inspection unit adapted to inspect an eye to be examined; an operation member; a first member including a recess portion and a projection portion provided on part of the recess portion; a second member which is integrally provided with the operation member and is configured to move in correspondence with tilting of the operation member while contacting the first member; and a driving unit adapted to move the inspection unit based on tilting of the operation member and to coarsely move the inspection unit in a case where the second member is in contact with the projection portion.

Abstract: An ophthalmic apparatus in which a tilt angle of an operating rod corresponds to a position of an inspection unit adapted to inspect an eye to be examined, and a movable range of the inspection unit is wider than a tilt able range of the operating rod, the apparatus comprising: a detection unit adapted to detect the tilt angle of the operating rod by detecting an electrical signal generated by tilting the operating rod; a calculation unit adapted to calculate a position of the inspection unit which corresponds to the tilt angle; a moving unit adapted to move the inspection unit to a position calculated by the calculation unit; and a switching unit adapted to switch between interruption and resumption of calculation processing performed by the calculation unit.

Abstract: A projection display device includes: a light source unit including light sources emitting light in a plurality of colors, condenser lenses and a color combining optical element; a total reflection prism that totally reflects a combined light flux from the color combining optical element so as to be guided to an image forming unit; and a projection lens. At least one of; an entry surface of the color combining optical element through which substantially parallel light fluxes from the condenser lenses enter, an exit surface of the color combining optical element through which the combined light flux exists, and an entry surface of the total reflection prism through which the combined light flux enters, is formed as a free curved surface where a shape of a section of the combined light flux is altered so as to be matched with a shape of an outline of the display area.

Abstract: A projecting unit projects a focus adjustment pattern onto a screen. An image capturing unit captures an image of the focus adjustment pattern and obtains the image as a captured image. A captured image analyzing unit calculates contrast data serving as an evaluation value indicating a degree of achievement in focusing the captured image. Based on the calculated contrast data, a control unit adjusts focus of the projecting unit so as to bring projected image light into a focus on the projection surface. The focus adjustment pattern has a first region and a second region different from each other in brightness. The control unit adjusts configurations of the first region and the second region in the focus adjustment pattern such that at least one of resolution of brightness and contrast becomes uniform in the captured image.

Abstract: A method for correcting keystone distortion is provided. The method is applied on a projector capable of correcting keystone distortion. The apparatus includes an angle detecting unit and a storage unit. The angle detecting unit detects an inclined angle and outputs a voltage value corresponding to the detected inclined angle. The storage unit stores a relationship between the inclined angles and the voltage values. The method includes determining the inclining angle according to the voltage value and the stored relationship; calculating the ratio of the length of the upper side of the projection area of a source image projected onto a projection surface to the length of the lower side of the projection area of a source image projected onto the projection surface, and inversing the ratio to determine a correction coefficient; and modifying the source image to display the source image onto the projection surface.

Abstract: There is disclosed a laser projector and a method of processing a signal thereof. The laser projector includes a plurality of laser sources configured to generate lasers, a controller configured to control each of the generated lasers to be incident on a specific region of a screen with a time difference, and a scanner configured to scan each of the lasers on the screen.

Abstract: The present invention provides a high pressure discharge lamp with a start-up assist member, a lamp unit, and a lamp system that reduce breakdown voltage and provide high design flexibility by reducing restriction on a position of an adjacent conductor. In a high pressure discharge lamp 10 of a lamp unit 1, a dielectric member 20 is on the outer surface of a first sealing part 101A. The dielectric member 20 made of a titanium compound has relative permittivity higher than that of fused quartz. An upstream end of a metal wire 21 is connected to an external lead wire 102B projecting from a second sealing part 101B. A downstream end 21a is in contact with the dielectric member 20. Upon lighting of the lamp, a corona discharge occurs at the point where the end 21a is in contact with the dielectric member 20 so that breakdown voltage is reduced.