Light source device, optical device, and liquid-crystal display device

Claim 2

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources arranged along two directions in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and the light-entering end face of said light guide means.

Claim 3

A light source device as defined in claim 1 , wherein the external shape of the end face for receiving light from said point light source array in said light guide means is substantially the same as the external shape of the end face for emitting the light.

Claim 4

A light source device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said point light sources are light-emitting elements for emitting monochromatic light.

Claim 5

A light source device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said point light source array is a combination of light-emitting elements of various colors.

Claim 6

A light source device as defined in claim 1 , wherein substantially the same shapes are used for the external shape of the end face for emitting light in said light guide means, and the external shape of the illuminated surface of the illumination object illuminated with said emitted light.

Claim 7

A light source device as defined in claim 1 , wherein said point light sources are light-emitting diodes.

Claim 8

An optical device, comprising: a light source device as defined in claim 1 ; and a member located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide means and designed to modulate the light from said light guide means.

Claim 9

An optical device as defined in claim 7 , wherein the external surface area of the end face for emitting light in said light guide means is substantially the same as the external surface area of the illuminated surface of the member for modulating the light from said light guide means.

Claim 10

A light source device, comprising the following separate entities: a point light source array arranging a plurality of point light sources arranged along two directions in a planar configuration; and light guide means in which light from the point light source array is admitted through at least one end, mixed, guided to the other end face, and emitted, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and the light-receiving end face of said light guide means.

Claim 11

A light source device, comprising the following separate entities: a point light source array arranging a plurality of point light sources arranged along two directions in a planar configuration; and light guide means in which light from the point light source array is admitted through at least one end, mixed, guided to the other end face, and emitted, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and the light-receiving end face of said light guide means.

Claim 12

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a hollow light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein a reflecting metal surface is used as the surface of at least one end face inside the light guide means other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light in said hollow light guide body.

Claim 13

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a hollow light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein a reflecting metal surface is used as the surface of at least one end face inside the light guide means other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light in said hollow light guide body.

Claim 14

A light source device as defined in claim 10 , wherein said reflecting surface comprises a curved surface.

Claim 15

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a solid light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein the surface of at least one side face of the light guide means other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light in said solid light guide body is a reflecting metal surface or a total reflection surface with respect to the light guided into the light guide means.

Claim 16

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a solid light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein the surface of at least one side face of the light guide means other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light in said solid light guide body is a reflecting metal surface or a total reflection surface with respect to the light guided into the light guide means.

Claim 17

A light source device as defined in claim 12 , wherein said reflecting surface comprises a curved surface.

Claim 18

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a hollow light guide body or solid light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein said reflecting surface comprises a plurality of flat reflecting surfaces, and said light guide body has a polygonal prismatic shape.

Claim 19

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light guide means comprises a hollow light guide body or solid light guide body made of a transparent material, wherein said reflecting surface comprises a plurality of flat reflecting surfaces, and said light guide body has a polygonal prismatic shape.

Claim 20

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted form the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source device is so configured as to satisfy the relation L≧P/(tan θ), where L is the distance from the light-receiving side to the light-emitting side in the light guide means, P is the interval between adjacent point light sources in the point light source array, and θ is the angle with the optical axis at a position in which the intensity of light radiated by a point light source is ½ the intensity of said light along the optical axis.

Claim 21

A light source device, comprising: light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted form the other end face; and a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source device is so configured as to satisfy the relation L≧P/(tan θ), where L is the distance from the light-receiving side to the light-emitting side in the light guide means, P is the interval between adjacent point light sources in the point light source array, and θ is the angle with the optical axis at a position in which the intensity of light radiated by a point light source is ½ the intensity of said light along the optical axis.

Claim 22

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a light source device including: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide means and designed to modulate the light emitted by said light guide means.

Claim 23

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a light source device including: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide means and designed to modulate the light emitted by said light guide means.

Claim 24

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 16 , further comprising a magnifying lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light optically modulated by said liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 25

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 17 , further comprising a screen configured such that the image of said liquid-crystal display element can be projected by said magnifying lens.

Claim 26

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 16 , wherein the external surface area of the end face for emitting light in said light guide means is substantially the same as the external surface area of the display surface of said liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 27

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged along two directions in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and the light-entering end face of said light guide means.

Claim 28

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged along two directions in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and the light-entering end face of said light guide means.

Claim 29

A light source device as defined in claim 20 , wherein said light guide block has a cylindrical shape in which said inner walls are composed of curved surfaces.

Claim 30

A light source device as defined in claim 20 , wherein said point light sources are light-emitting diodes.

Claim 31

An optical device, comprising: a light source device as defined in claim 20 ; and a member located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide block and designed to modulate the light from said light guide block.

Claim 32

An optical device as defined in claim 23 , wherein the external surface area of the end face for emitting light in said light guide block is substantially the same as the external surface area of the illuminated surface of the member for modulating the light from said light guide block.

Claim 33

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein said light guide block has a polygonal prismatic shape in which said inner walls are composed of a plurality of flat reflecting surfaces.

Claim 34

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein said light guide block has a polygonal prismatic shape in which said inner walls are composed of a plurality of flat reflecting surfaces.

Claim 35

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein said light guide block has a quadrangular prismatic shape comprising an end face on the side where said point light source array is disposed, an end face for emitting light opposite the end face where said point light source array is disposed, and four lateral surfaces corresponding to light-reflecting inner walls.

Claim 36

A light source device, comprising: a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block, wherein said light guide block has a quadrangular prismatic shape comprising an end face on the side where said point light source array is disposed, an end face for emitting light opposite the end face where said point light source array is disposed, and four lateral surfaces corresponding to light-reflecting inner walls.

Claim 37

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising a light source device comprising: (a) a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and (b) a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide block and configured to allow the light emitted by the light guide block to be modulated, wherein images can be viewed directly from the light emission side of the liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 38

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising a light source device comprising: (a) a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and (b) a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide block and configured to allow the light emitted by the light guide block to be modulated, wherein images can be viewed directly from the light emission side of the liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 39

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising a light source device comprising: (a) a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and (b) a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block; a liquid-crystal display element disposed facing the other end face of said light guide block and configured such that light emitted by the light guide block can be modulated; and a magnifying lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light optically modulated by said liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 40

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising a light source device comprising: (a) a light guide block as a light guide means provided with an inner wall capable of reflecting light, and shaped as a hollow component to form a light guide; and (b) a point light source array composed of a plurality of point light sources that are capable of emitting light into said light guide and that are arranged in a planar configuration opposite one end face of the light guide block; a liquid-crystal display element disposed facing the other end face of said light guide block and configured such that light emitted by the light guide block can be modulated; and a magnifying lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light optically modulated by said liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 41

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 28 , further comprising a screen configured such that the image on said liquid-crystal display element can be projected by said magnifying lens.

Claim 42

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of light source devices comprising: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source devices are so configured as to emit light within the wavelength region of each primary color, color synthesis means which comprise, in accordance with each primary color, prescribed color modulation units comprising said light source devices and liquid-crystal display elements that are disposed facing the end face through which light is emitted by said light guide means and that are configured such that light emitted by said light guide can be modulated, and in which light emitted by the prescribed color modulation units can be synthesized; and a projection lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light synthesized by the color synthesis means.

Claim 43

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of light source devices comprising: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source devices are so configured as to emit light within the wavelength region of each primary color, color synthesis means which comprise, in accordance with each primary color, prescribed color modulation units comprising said light source devices and liquid-crystal display elements that are disposed facing the end face through which light is emitted by said light guide means and that are configured such that light emitted by said light guide can be modulated, and in which light emitted by the prescribed color modulation units can be synthesized; and a projection lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light synthesized by the color synthesis means.

Claim 44

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 30 , wherein said color synthesis means is a dichroic prism.

Claim 45

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a light source device as defined in claim 31 ; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide means and designed to modulate light from the light guide body.

Claim 46

A liquid-crystal display device as defined in claim 32 , comprising a projection lens located on the opposite side from the light guide body with respect to said liquid-crystal display element.

Claim 47

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of light source devices comprising: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source devices emit white light, color synthesis means which comprise, in accordance with each primary color, prescribed color modulation units comprising said light source devices, liquid-crystal display elements that are disposed facing the end face through which light is emitted by said light guide means and that are designed to modulate the light emitted by said light guide, and filters so configured as to be able to transmit light within the wavelength region of each primary color, and in which light emitted by the prescribed color modulation units can be synthesized; and a projection lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light synthesized by the color synthesis means.

Claim 48

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a plurality of light source devices comprising: (a) light guide means that is provided with mutually opposite end faces and that has a light guide function whereby light entering through one end face is guided to and emitted from the other end face; and (b) a point light source array that is a separate entity from said light guide means and that is obtained by arranging a plurality of point light sources in a planar configuration along one of the end faces of the light guide means, wherein said light source devices emit white light, color synthesis means which comprise, in accordance with each primary color, prescribed color modulation units comprising said light source devices, liquid-crystal display elements that are disposed facing the end face through which light is emitted by said light guide means and that are designed to modulate the light emitted by said light guide, and filters so configured as to be able to transmit light within the wavelength region of each primary color, and in which light emitted by the prescribed color modulation units can be synthesized; and a projection lens disposed in the optical path of the emitted light synthesized by the color synthesis means.

Claim 49

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and said light guide means.

Claim 50

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and said light guide means.

Claim 51

A light source device as defined in claim 35 , comprising a circuit for simultaneously or sequentially lighting up the light-emitting elements for emitting each color.

Claim 52

A light source device as defined in claim 35 , wherein said light-emitting elements are light-emitting diodes.

Claim 53

An optical device, comprising: a light source device as defined in claim 35 ; and a member located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide means and designed to modulate the light from said light guide means.

Claim 54

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along two directions for emitting monochromatic light; and a light guide body in which light from the point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face; further comprising a luminescent film located opposite the light-receiving surface or light-emitting surface of the light guide body and designed to convert said monochromatic light to white light, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and said light guide means.

Claim 55

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements arranged along two directions for emitting monochromatic light; and a light guide body in which light from the point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face; further comprising a luminescent film located opposite the light-receiving surface or light-emitting surface of the light guide body and designed to convert said monochromatic light to white light, wherein an air layer is interposed between said point light source array and said light guide means.

Claim 56

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light guide body is hollow, and a reflecting metal surface is used as the surface of at least one end face inside said light guide body other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light.

Claim 57

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light guide body is hollow, and a reflecting metal surface is used as the surface of at least one end face inside said light guide body other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light.

Claim 58

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light guide body is solid, and the surface of at least on side face of said light guide body other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light is a reflecting metal surface or a total reflection surface with respect to the light guided into said light guide body.

Claim 59

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light guide body is solid, and the surface of at least on side face of said light guide body other than the end face for receiving light from said point light source array or the end face for emitting light is a reflecting metal surface or a total reflection surface with respect to the light guided into said light guide body.

Claim 60

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light source device is so configured as to satisfy the relation L≧P/(tan θ), where L is the distance from the light-receiving side to the light-emitting side in the light guide means, P is the interval between adjacent point light sources in the point light source array, and θ is the angle with the optical axis at a position in which the intensity of light radiated by each light-emitting element is ½ the intensity of said light along the optical axis.

Claim 61

A light source device, comprising: a point light source array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors; and a light guide body which is a separate entity from said point light source array and in which light from said point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face, wherein said light source device is so configured as to satisfy the relation L≧P/(tan θ), where L is the distance from the light-receiving side to the light-emitting side in the light guide means, P is the interval between adjacent point light sources in the point light source array, and θ is the angle with the optical axis at a position in which the intensity of light radiated by each light-emitting element is ½ the intensity of said light along the optical axis.

Claim 62

An optical device as defined in claim 42 , wherein the external surface area of the end face for emitting light in said light guide means is substantially the same as the external surface area of the illuminated surface of the member for modulating the light from said light guide means.

Claim 63

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a light source device comprising a point light source-array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors, and a light guide body in which light from the point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide body, said liquid-crystal display element modulating the light of each color and forming an image on the basis of image signals separated into individual colors in synchronism with the sequential lighting of said light-emitting elements of each color.

Claim 64

A liquid-crystal display device, comprising: a light source device comprising a point light source-array obtained by forming a planar configuration from a plurality of light-emitting elements for emitting light of the three primary colors, and a light guide body in which light from the point light source array is admitted through one end face and is guided to the other end face; and a liquid-crystal display element located opposite the end face for emitting the light of said light guide body, said liquid-crystal display element modulating the light of each color and forming an image on the basis of image signals separated into individual colors in synchronism with the sequential lighting of said light-emitting elements of each color.