Lighting device and lighting control system

Abstract

To provide a lighting device and a lighting control system which have high spatial performance and construction efficiency while emitting illumination light.SOLUTION: A lighting device 100 includes a substrate 13, a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 periodically arranged on the substrate 13, an LED panel 1 having at least one white LED light sources 12 arranged on the substrate 13, and a light diffusing plate 2 arranged opposite to the LED panel 1, where each of the at least one white LED light sources 12 is disposed between four multicolor LED light sources 11 adjacent to the white LED light source 12 of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to lighting devices and lighting control systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a lighting control system that emits illumination light for illuminating surroundings and effect light for effecting surroundings. Patent Document 1 discloses a lighting control system that includes a lighting device that emits illumination light and an effect device that emits effect light.

[0003] This type of lighting control system is also used to simulate the experience of looking at the sky through a window from inside a room. This type of lighting control system is called sky lighting, skylight lighting, or blue sky lighting, and when illuminating light, an image image (image light) that imitates the sky, such as a blue sky including the sun and clouds, is also projected as dramatic light.

[0004] In this lighting control system, the lighting device and the performance device are configured as separate entities and are arranged apart from each other. It is also disclosed that the performance device uses an RGB type LED light source that emits blue, green, and red light as the LED light source. Because the performance device is equipped with such an LED light source, it can also be used as a display device that displays images. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-096414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, because the image display device is equipped with an RGB type LED light source, the displayed images are limited to images expressed using only blue, green, and red light. Therefore, the lighting control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 cannot adequately create a sense of surroundings, which means that its spatial presentation capabilities are low.

[0007] Furthermore, since the lighting device that emits illumination light is installed separately from the performance device and is spaced apart, the installation location is limited and it is difficult to install wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting control system disclosed in Patent Document 1 has low workability.

[0008] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a lighting device and lighting control system that can emit illumination light while providing high spatial presentation and ease of installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, one aspect of the lighting device according to the present disclosure comprises a substrate, a plurality of multi-color LED light sources periodically arranged on the substrate, an LED panel having at least one white LED light source arranged on the substrate, and a light diffusion plate arranged opposite the LED panel, wherein each of the at least one white LED light source is arranged between four multi-color LED light sources adjacent to the white LED light source among the plurality of multi-color LED light sources.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of the lighting device according to the present disclosure includes an LED panel having a substrate, a plurality of red LED light sources periodically arranged on the substrate, a plurality of green LED light sources periodically arranged on the substrate, a plurality of blue LED light sources periodically arranged on the substrate, and at least one white LED light source arranged on the substrate, and a light diffusion plate arranged opposite the LED panel, wherein, in a planar view of the substrate, the positions of the plurality of green LED light sources and the plurality of blue LED light sources are positions obtained by translating the positions of the plurality of red LED light sources, and each of the at least one white LED light source is arranged between two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source, among the plurality of red LED light sources, the plurality of green LED light sources, and the plurality of blue LED light sources, and the arrangement density of the plurality of red LED light sources is greater than the arrangement density of the at least one white LED light source.

[0011] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of a lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes the above-described lighting device, wherein some of the plurality of multi-color LED light sources and the at least one white LED light source are present in a first area and irradiate a first light toward a first illuminated object, and other of the plurality of multi-color LED light sources and the at least one white LED light source are present in a second area separated from the first area and irradiate a second light toward a second illuminated object, and the emission peak intensities of the at least one white LED light source and the plurality of multi-color LED light sources are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the first illuminated object irradiated with the first light and the color reproducibility of the second illuminated object irradiated with the second light.

[0012] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of a lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes the lighting device described above, wherein some of the plurality of red LED light sources, the plurality of green LED light sources, the plurality of blue LED light sources, and the at least one white LED light source are present in a third area and irradiate third light toward a third illuminated object, and other parts of the plurality of red LED light sources, the plurality of green LED light sources, the plurality of blue LED light sources, and the at least one white LED light source are present in a fourth area separated from the third area and irradiate fourth light toward a fourth illuminated object, and emission peak intensities of the plurality of red LED light sources, the plurality of green LED light sources, the plurality of blue LED light sources, and the at least one white LED light source are controlled so as to enhance color reproducibility of the third illuminated object irradiated with the third light and color reproducibility of the fourth illuminated object irradiated with the fourth light.

[0013] In addition, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one aspect of a lighting control system according to the present disclosure includes the above-mentioned lighting device, and the at least one white LED light source is lit at a predetermined brightness based on predetermined data included in a predetermined pixel address of video data indicating the video light emitted by the lighting device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a lighting device and a lighting control system that emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line II-II in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of region IV in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the multicolor LED light source according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of white LED light sources according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 are turned on. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing whether or not a subject felt discomfort when working under the lighting device according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining a region according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 are turned on. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing whether or not subjects felt discomfort when viewing the image shown in FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a region according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 are turned on. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an example of a diagram showing whether or not a subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is another example of a diagram showing whether or not a subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining a region according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 are turned on. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is an example of a diagram showing whether or not a subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is another example of a diagram showing whether or not a subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram for explaining a region according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 are turned on. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a table indicating whether or not subjects felt discomfort when viewing the image shown in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to Modification 1 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is another example of a cross-sectional view of the lighting device according to Modification 1 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 2 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 3 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 4 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of a lighting device according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a luminance distribution according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing a difference in luminance distribution according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 30] FIG. 30 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 6 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 31] FIG. 31 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 7 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 32] FIG. 32 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 8 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 33] 33 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Modification 8 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line XXXIII-XXXIII in FIG. [Figure 34] FIG. 34 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 9 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 35] 35 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device according to Modification 9 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line XXXV-XXXV in FIG. [Figure 36] FIG. 36 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a lighting control system including a lighting device according to a tenth modification of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 37] FIG. 37 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to a tenth modification of example 1 of embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 38] FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation in which light is emitted from a plurality of white LED light sources based on video data according to Modification 10 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. [Figure 39] FIG. 39 is a diagram showing pixel addresses of video data according to Modification 10 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 40] FIG. 40 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of a lighting device according to a tenth modification of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 41] FIG. 41 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control system including two lighting devices according to a tenth modification of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 42] FIG. 42 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a lighting device according to a tenth modification of example 1 of embodiment 1, and a lighting control system including the lighting device. [Figure 43] FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of a lighting device according to a tenth modification of the first example of the first embodiment. [Figure 44] FIG. 44 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 11 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 45] 45 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Modification 11 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line XLV-XLV in FIG. [Figure 46]FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the luminance distribution in the lighting device according to the eleventh modification of the example 1 of the first embodiment. [Figure 47] FIG. 47 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 12 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 48] 48 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Modification 12 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line XLVIII-XLVIII in FIG. [Figure 49] FIG. 49 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 13 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 50] 50 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Modification 13 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line XXXXX-XXXXX in FIG. [Figure 51] FIG. 51 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 14 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 52] FIG. 52 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 15 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 53] 53 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Modification 15 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 taken along line LIII-LIII in FIG. [Figure 54] FIG. 54 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 55] FIG. 55 is a diagram showing a table showing color rendering properties when the emission peak intensity of light emitted from the lighting device according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 is controlled. [Figure 56] FIG. 56 is a diagram showing an emission spectrum of light emitted from an illumination device according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In FIG. [Figure 57] FIG. 57 is a plan view of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Example 2 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 58] FIG. 58 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to Example 2 of Embodiment 1 taken along line LVIII-LVIII in FIG. [Figure 59] FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device according to Example 2 of Embodiment 1 taken along the line LIX-LIX in FIG. [Figure 60] FIG. 60 is an enlarged plan view of the region LX in FIG. [Figure 61] FIG. 61 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 1 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1. FIG. [Figure 62] FIG. 62 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 2 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 63] FIG. 63 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 3 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 64] FIG. 64 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 4 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 65] FIG. 65 is a plan view of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Example 3 of Embodiment 1. As shown in FIG. [Figure 66] FIG. 66 is a plan view of an LED panel included in the lighting device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 67] 67 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to the second embodiment taken along line LXVII-LXVII in FIG. [Figure 68] 68 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device according to the second embodiment taken along line LXVIII-LXVIII in FIG. [Figure 69] FIG. 69 is a plan view showing an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 70] FIG. 70 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel included in an illumination device according to Modification 2 of Embodiment 2. As shown in FIG. [Figure 71] FIG. 71 is a plan view showing another example of numbers indicating addresses displayed on an LED panel according to the second modification of the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that each of the embodiments described below represents a specific example of the present disclosure. The numerical values, shapes, materials, components, arrangement and connection of the components, steps, order of steps, etc. shown in the following embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0017] In this specification and drawings, the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis represent the three axes of a three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system. The x-axis and y-axis are mutually orthogonal and are both orthogonal to the z-axis. In this embodiment, the x-axis and y-axis are two axes parallel to the substrate of the LED panel, and the direction orthogonal to this substrate is the z-axis direction.

[0018] Note that each figure is a schematic diagram and is not necessarily an exact illustration. Therefore, the scales and the like do not necessarily match in each figure. Furthermore, in each figure, the same reference numerals are used for substantially the same configurations, and duplicate explanations will be omitted or simplified.

[0019] In the following embodiments, the terms "directly above" and "directly below" do not refer to the upward direction (vertically above) and downward direction (vertically below) in absolute spatial recognition. The terms "directly above" and "directly below" are applicable not only to cases where two components are arranged with a gap between them and another component is present between them, but also to cases where two components are arranged closely together and are in contact with each other. In the following embodiments, the "directly above" direction may refer to the positive direction of the z-axis, and the "directly below" direction may refer to the negative direction of the z-axis.

[0020] (Embodiment 1) Example 1 First, the configuration of a lighting device 100 according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. Examples 2 and 3 of Embodiment 1 will be described later.

[0021] Fig. 1 is a plan view of an LED panel 1 included in an illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line III-III in Fig. 1.

[0022] The lighting device 100 is installed on the ceiling of a building. Specifically, the lighting device 100 is installed on the ceiling of a building such as a house, facility, store, or station, or an underground passage or tunnel, or any other building having a ceiling. The lighting device 100 is a ceiling-embedded lighting fixture that is embedded in the ceiling and irradiates light toward the floor or the like.

[0023] The lighting device 100 not only functions as a lighting fixture that emits illumination light to illuminate the surroundings, but also functions as a display that displays images. In other words, the lighting device 100 is an image lighting device or a lighting display that can emit illumination light and image light that shows images.

[0024] In this embodiment, the image displayed by the image light emitted by the lighting device 100 is not particularly limited, but as an example, it is an image image simulating the sky, such as a blue sky including the sun, clouds, etc. In this case, the lighting device 100 is sky lighting (blue sky lighting) that allows a user to have a simulated experience of looking at the sky through a window from indoors. By irradiating the image light from the lighting device 100, an image image (pseudo image) simulating a natural sky, such as a sky with floating clouds, a blue sky, or a sunset, is displayed on the light-emitting surface of the outer casing of the lighting device 100. Therefore, by looking at the lighting device 100, the user can see the image image simulating the sky displayed on the lighting device 100.

[0025] The image displayed on lighting device 100 may be either a moving image or a still image. For example, when lighting device 100 displays an image of the sky, a moving image of moving clouds may be displayed.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lighting device 100 includes an LED panel 1, a light diffusion plate 2, a housing 3, a power supply 4, and a controller 5.

[0027] The LED panel 1 can emit both video light and illumination light. The LED panel 1 may emit only video light, only illumination light, or both video light and illumination light. For example, the LED panel 1 can simultaneously emit video light that shows an image of the sky, such as a blue sky, and illumination light. In this case, the LED panel 1 can emit illumination light to which an image of the sky, such as a blue sky, is added. The LED panel 1 is a light source module that serves as a light source for the lighting device 100. In this embodiment, the LED panel 1 is an LED module that uses an LED as a light source.

[0028] The LED panel 1 includes a substrate 13, a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 arranged on the substrate 13, and at least one white LED light source 12 arranged on the substrate 13. The LED panel 1 includes, for example, 50 multicolor LED light sources 11, but is not limited to this and may include any number of multicolor LED light sources 11. In this embodiment, the LED panel 1 includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12, more specifically, four white LED light sources 12, but is not limited to this and may include one to three or five or more white LED light sources 12. Light emitted from the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 and light emitted from the four white LED light sources 12 enters the light diffusion plate 2. In the drawing, for ease of identification, the multicolor LED light sources 11 are indicated by dark dots and the white LED light sources 12 are indicated by light dots.

[0029] Each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is an LED element capable of emitting multiple colors, and includes a red LED chip that emits red light, a green LED chip that emits green light, and a blue LED chip that emits blue light. Each of the four white LED light sources 12 is a white LED element that emits white light.

[0030] 2 and 3, the substrate 13 has a first main surface 131 and a second main surface 132. In this embodiment, the distance between the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the first main surface 131 is equal to the distance between the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the four white LED light sources 12 and the first main surface 131. In other words, the height of the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the height of the top surfaces (the surfaces on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the four white LED light sources 12 are the same.

[0031] The detailed configuration of the LED panel 1, including the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12, will be described later.

[0032] The LED panel 1 is held in a housing 3. The housing 3 holds the LED panel 1 and also holds a light diffusion plate 2. The housing 3 houses the LED panel 1, a power supply 4, and a controller 5. Note that the power supply 4 and the controller 5 do not have to be housed in the housing 3, and may be disposed outside the housing 3, for example.

[0033] The housing 3 is a flat box-shaped body having openings on the positive and negative sides of the z-axis. That is, the housing 3 has openings on both sides. Each of the two storage spaces in the housing 3 is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. One storage space in the housing 3 houses the LED panel 1, and the other storage space in the housing 3 houses the power supply 4 and the controller 5. A light diffusion plate 2 is attached to the housing 3 so as to cover the opening. The size of the opening in the housing 3 corresponds to the size of the light diffusion plate 2. The shape of the opening in the housing 3 is, for example, substantially rectangular. The shape of the opening in the housing 3 is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape, and may be a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially semicircular shape, or the like, and is not particularly limited. The housing 3 is made of a metal material or a resin material. In this embodiment, the housing 3 is made of a metal plate such as aluminum. The housing 3 is also an outer casing member of the lighting device 100.

[0034] The light diffusion plate 2 has translucency and light diffusion properties (light scattering properties). The light diffusion plate 2 is, for example, a light diffusion plate or a light diffusion panel having a plate-shaped flat portion. The light diffusion plate 2 is disposed opposite the LED panel 1, that is, disposed directly above the LED panel 1. It can also be said that the light diffusion plate 2 is disposed on the light emission side (front) of the LED panel 1. Therefore, the light diffusion plate 2 covers the front side of the LED panel 1. In other words, the light diffusion plate 2 is a light diffusion cover that covers the LED panel 1. In this embodiment, the light diffusion plate 2 is disposed at a distance from the LED panel 1.

[0035] Light (illumination light and image light) emitted from the LED panel 1 located directly below the light diffuser plate 2 is incident on the light diffuser plate 2. The light incident on the light diffuser plate 2 is diffused (scattered) by the light diffuser plate 2 and passes through the light diffuser plate 2, causing the light diffuser plate 2 to emit pseudo-light. At this time, when illumination light and image light are present, an image is displayed on the light exit surface 21, which is the outer surface of the light diffuser plate 2. That is, an image is displayed using the light exit surface 21 of the light diffuser plate 2 as the display surface, and illumination light is emitted using the light exit surface 21 of the light diffuser plate 2 as the light-emitting surface. For example, when image light showing an image imitating a sky such as a blue sky is emitted from the LED panel 1, the illumination light emitted from the LED panel 1 enters the light diffuser plate 2, causing the image imitating the sky to be displayed on the light exit surface 21 of the light diffuser plate 2, and illumination light is also emitted.

[0036] The light diffusion plate 2 can be, for example, a light diffusion panel in which a light diffusion material is dispersed. Such a light diffusion panel can be produced by resin molding a translucent resin material mixed with a light diffusion material into a predetermined shape. Examples of the light diffusion material that can be used include glass particles made of borosilicate glass or quartz glass, silica particles made of SiO2, or transparent fine particles such as titanium oxide.

[0037] The light diffusion plate 2 may be configured by forming a large number of minute irregularities on the surface (inner or outer surface) of a transparent panel, instead of dispersing a light diffusion material inside, or may be configured by forming a light diffusion film containing a light diffusion material, etc. The light diffusion plate 2 may also be configured by dispersing minute hollows (bubbles) in a translucent resin material instead of the light diffusion material, or may use a glass material as the base material instead of a translucent resin material.

[0038] Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 may be a sheet-like or film-like light diffusion sheet instead of a light diffusion panel. In this case, the light diffusion plate 2, which is a light diffusion sheet, is attached to, for example, the outer or inner surface of a light source cover that has translucency or light diffusion properties. Note that the light diffusion plate 2 may be a combination of the light source cover and the light diffusion sheet.

[0039] As described above, the height of the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is the same as the height of the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the four white LED light sources 12. Hereinafter, the distance between the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of each of the four white LED light sources 12 and the top surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of the light diffuser plate 2 may be referred to as the distance to the light diffuser plate 2. Note that, as an example, the distance to the light diffuser plate 2 is 25 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0040] The power supply 4 is composed of a power conversion circuit that converts AC power supplied from a power system (for example, a commercial power supply) into DC power, and a power supply circuit that generates power for illuminating the LED panel 1. The power supply 4 converts AC power supplied from the commercial power supply into DC power of a predetermined level by, for example, rectifying, smoothing, and stepping down the AC power, and supplies this DC power to the LED panel 1.

[0041] The controller 5 is a control device that controls the on / off of the LED panel 1 and adjusts the brightness and color (e.g., adjusts the emitted color or color temperature) of the LED panel 1 in accordance with instructions from a user (e.g., instructions from a receiving device such as a remote control or a switch). In other words, the controller 5 controls the video light and illumination light emitted by the lighting device 100. For example, the controller 5 acquires video data representing the video light or brightness data representing the illumination light stored in a storage unit (not shown) and reproduces the video light or illumination light according to this information. For example, when the controller 5 receives an instruction from a user to display an image video simulating a sky, the controller 5 acquires video data relating to the image video simulating a sky from the storage unit and controls the LED panel 1 based on the acquired video data. As a result, video light based on the image video simulating a sky is emitted from the LED panel 1, and the image video simulating a sky is displayed on the light exit surface 21 (display surface) of the light diffuser 2.

[0042] In this embodiment, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the LED panel 1 include green, red, and blue LED chips. Therefore, the controller 5 outputs control data containing information regarding the brightness of each of the green, red, and blue LED chips to the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in response to a user instruction. Based on the control data, the multicolor LED light source 11 outputs blue, green, and red light at predetermined light intensities to emit light of a predetermined color. For example, when the green, red, and blue LED chips are each driven at 100% output, white light is emitted from the multicolor LED light source 11. The controller 5 can be implemented, for example, by a control circuit.

[0043] Next, a detailed configuration of the LED panel 1 according to this embodiment will be described. As described above, the LED panel 1 includes the substrate 13, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11, and the four white LED light sources 12.

[0044] The substrate 13 is an example of a base on which the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and four white LED light sources 12 are arranged. In this embodiment, the substrate 13 is a mounting substrate for mounting the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and four white LED light sources 12. As described above, the substrate 13 is a plate-shaped base material having a first main surface 131 and a second main surface 132 facing away from the first main surface 131. The first main surface 131 is the surface opposite the second main surface 132. The first main surface 131 and the second main surface 132 are substantially parallel and perpendicular to the z-axis. The shape of the substrate 13 in a plan view is, for example, rectangular, but may also be a circle or a polygon such as a hexagon, or a shape with a portion of these shapes cut out. The substrate 13 is a rigid substrate, but may also be a flexible substrate.

[0045] The substrate 13 may be, for example, a resin substrate based on resin, a metal-based substrate based on metal, or a ceramic substrate based on ceramic. Examples of the resin substrate include a glass-epoxy substrate (CEM-3, FR-4, etc.) made of glass fiber and epoxy resin, a substrate (FR-1, etc.) made of paper phenol or paper epoxy, or a flexible substrate made of polyimide or the like. Examples of the metal-based substrate include an alloy substrate, such as an aluminum alloy substrate, an iron alloy substrate, or a copper alloy substrate, with an insulating coating on the surface. Examples of the ceramic substrate include an alumina substrate made of aluminum oxide (alumina). In this embodiment, the size of the substrate 13 is 500 mm × 500 mm.

[0046] The substrate 13 is a printed circuit board on which metal wiring such as copper is formed in a predetermined pattern. The substrate 13 also has a plurality of connection terminals for receiving power for emitting light from the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the four white LED light sources 12. The power supplied to the plurality of connection terminals is then supplied to each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the four white LED light sources 12 via the metal wiring formed on the substrate 13.

[0047] The plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. In this embodiment, the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in multiple parallel rows. The plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 according to this embodiment are arranged in an orthogonal face-centered lattice pattern. The orthogonal face-centered lattice arrangement is a repeating arrangement in which unit lattices are arranged at the four vertices of a square or rectangle, all sides of which intersect at right angles, as well as at the intersections of their diagonals, and is characterized by being repeated at equal intervals in the diagonal direction of the unit lattice. Note that in this specification, the arrangement of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in an orthogonal face-centered lattice pattern may also be described as the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 being periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0048] In this embodiment, the multicolor LED light sources 11 form multiple rows in the x-axis and y-axis directions, and also form multiple rows in the diagonal direction of the unit lattice. Each of the multiple rows is a linear row. For example, one row is formed by multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 arranged in a straight line.

[0049] Each of the diagonal rows is parallel to a line that forms an angle of 45° with the x-axis shown in FIG. 1 , more specifically, a line tilted 45° counterclockwise from the x-axis. The multicolor LED light sources 11 are preferably arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at the same pitch) in both the direction parallel to the line and the direction perpendicular to the line. In this embodiment, the multicolor LED light sources 11 are not only arranged at the same pitch in both the direction parallel to the line and the direction perpendicular to the line, but are also arranged so that the pitch in the direction parallel to the line and the pitch in the direction perpendicular to the line are the same. The pitch is, for example, 5.6 mm in the diagonal direction.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1 , the diagonal columns include a first column r1, a second column r2, and a third column r3. The first column r1, the second column r2, and the third column r3 are each enclosed by a two-dot chain line. The second column r2 and the third column r3 are adjacent to the first column r1, and the first column r1 is sandwiched between the second column r2 and the third column r3. For ease of identification, the four multicolor LED light sources 11 included in the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are referred to as four multicolor LED light sources 11a to 11d. The first column r1 is composed of two multicolor LED light sources 11c and 11d and two multicolor LED light sources 11, the second column r2 is composed of two multicolor LED light sources 11a and 11b, and the third column r3 is composed of six multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0051] The plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 will be further described with reference to FIGS.

[0052] Fig. 4 is an enlarged plan view showing a region IV in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the multicolor LED light source 11 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line VV in Fig. 4.

[0053] Each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is an LED element capable of emitting light of multiple colors, and has a plurality of LED chips that emit light of different colors.

[0054] Each of the multiple LED chips is, for example, a bare chip, and emits a single color visible light when powered by a predetermined DC power. In this embodiment, each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 includes a red LED chip 11R that emits red light, a green LED chip 11G that emits green light, and a blue LED chip 11B that emits blue light. In the figure, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are each hatched differently for ease of identification.

[0055] Therefore, each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 can emit green light, red light, and blue light (i.e., the three primary colors of light). In other words, one multicolor LED light source 11 corresponds to one pixel of the display, and can emit light of various colors by adjusting the brightness of the green light, red light, and blue light. This allows the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 to generate image light that simulates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Note that image light may also be generated by both the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and at least one white LED light source 12.

[0056] Each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is a packaged LED element in which an LED is packaged. As shown in Fig. 5, each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 has a concave case 115 as a package. The red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are disposed in the case 115. Specifically, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are mounted on the bottom surface of the case 115.

[0057] The case 115 is, for example, a resin or ceramic container having a recess surrounded by a peripheral wall 116. At least the inner surface of the case 115 is light-reflective. In this embodiment, the case 115 is white, and the entire surface is light-reflective. That is, the case 115 is light-reflective not only on the inner surface but also on the outer surface. The white case 115 is made of, for example, a white resin material or a white ceramic material. The outer shape of the case 115 in a planar view is, for example, approximately rectangular. Note that the term "approximately rectangular" does not necessarily mean a perfect rectangle, but also includes shapes that have chamfered corners or irregularities on some sides, and are considered to be rectangular overall. Note that the outer shape of the case 115 in a planar view is not limited to an approximately rectangular shape, but may also be a shape with multiple sides (such as a polygon). In the case 115 having an approximately rectangular outer shape, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged so that the four sides of the approximately rectangular shape are parallel to the x-axis or y-axis directions.

[0058] Each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 has a sealing resin 114 as a sealing member that seals the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B. The surface of the sealing resin 114 (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) serves as the light-emitting surface of the multicolor LED light source 11. In other words, the surface of the sealing resin 114 serves as the light-emitting surface of the multicolor LED light source 11. In this embodiment, the surface of the sealing resin 114 is flush with the upper surface of the case 115.

[0059] The sealing resin 114 is filled in the recesses of the case 115 in which the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are disposed. The sealing resin 114 is transparent and is made of a transparent resin material such as silicone resin. Note that the sealing resin 114 does not have to be transparent as long as it is translucent. A light diffusing material such as transparent silica particles or white metal particles may be dispersed inside the sealing resin 114. Note that using transparent silica particles as the light diffusing material allows the light emitted from each of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B to be scattered and emitted from the case 115 without significantly reducing the transmittance of the sealing resin 114.

[0060] In this embodiment, each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is a surface-mounted device (SMD) type LED element that is surface-mounted on the substrate 13. Each multicolor LED light source 11 has multiple electrode terminals provided on the back surface of the case 115. The multiple electrode terminals are, for example, lead frames partially embedded in the case 115 and are electrically connected to the multiple LED chips (red LED chip 11R, green LED chip 11G, and blue LED chip 11B) arranged in the case 115. Each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is solder-mounted on the substrate 13, for example, by reflow soldering. As a result, the multiple electrode terminals of the multicolor LED light source 11 and the metal wiring of the substrate 13 are joined by solder and electrically and physically connected.

[0061] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 includes a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip, but is not limited to this. Each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 may include at least two types of LED chips selected from the group consisting of red LED chips, green LED chips, and blue LED chips.

[0062] Next, the four white LED light sources 12 will be described.

[0063] The four white LED light sources 12 are arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. Each of the four white LED light sources 12 is arranged between the four multicolor LED light sources 11 adjacent to that white LED light source 12, among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. In other words, as shown in FIG. 1 , the white LED light source 12 is surrounded by the four multicolor LED light sources 11 adjacent to that white LED light source 12.

[0064] For example, the white LED light source 12a, which is an example of the white LED light source 12, is adjacent to each of the four multicolor LED light sources 11a to 11d. In other words, the white LED light source 12a is surrounded by the four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11a to 11d. More specifically, in a plan view, the distances between the center of the white LED light source 12a and the centers of the four multicolor LED light sources 11a to 11d are equal to each other. In other words, it can be said that the white LED light source 12a is disposed at the center of the four multicolor LED light sources 11a to 11d.

[0065] Each of the four white LED light sources 12 is an LED element that emits white light. At least one white LED light source 12 can emit, for example, illumination light that illuminates the surroundings. Note that illumination light may also be emitted by both the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0066] Here, each of the four white LED light sources 12 is a packaged LED element having a blue LED chip that emits blue light and a fluorescent member containing a phosphor. The fluorescent member is, for example, a phosphor that receives blue light and emits yellow light, and is in the form of, for example, fine particles. The blue light emitted by the blue LED chip and the yellow light emitted by the fluorescent member are combined to produce white light from the white LED light source 12. The phosphor may be contained in a light-transmitting member made of an inorganic material on the blue LED chip, or in a sealing member that seals the blue LED chip.

[0067] Similarly to each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11, each of the four white LED light sources 12 in this embodiment is a surface-mounted (SMD) type LED element that is surface-mounted on the substrate 13.

[0068] In this way, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the lighting device 100 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image (image light) with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0069] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 100 can be improved.

[0070] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 100. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the Background Art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 100 is easy to install.

[0071] In summary, the lighting device 100 is realized which emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation.

[0072] Here, we will further explain the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. For simplicity, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in the multicolor LED light source 11 may be referred to as the arrangement order of the multicolor LED light source 11.

[0073] In this embodiment, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are aligned in a straight line, more specifically, along the y-axis direction.

[0074] Furthermore, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B is the same for each column (here, diagonal columns). That is, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 constituting one column is the same. For example, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second column r2 is the same, that is, the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R, from the positive side of the y-axis. Note that in this embodiment, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third column r3 is also the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R, from the positive side of the y-axis. That is, in this embodiment, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second column r2 is the same as the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third column r3.

[0075] Furthermore, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first row r1 is different from the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in each of the second row r2 and the third row r3. The arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first row r1 is, in order from the positive side of the y-axis, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B. In other words, the arrangement order is different between two adjacent rows, more specifically, the arrangement order is reversed between the two adjacent rows. In other words, the arrangement order alternates between the two adjacent rows.

[0076] As shown in FIG. 5, in the multicolor LED light source 11 in the third row r3, the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R are arranged in this order toward the positive side of the y-axis. In the high-angle direction from the front direction, of the light emitted from the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B, the light emitted from the LED chips located closest to the peripheral wall 116 is blocked by the peripheral wall 116 of the case 115. The high-angle direction refers to the direction that forms a large angle with the z-axis direction. Therefore, in the multicolor LED light source 11 shown in FIG. 5, when the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R each emit light at 100% output, color-shifted white light with a strong blue color (weak red color) is emitted toward the high-angle direction toward the positive side of the y-axis, and color-shifted white light with a weak blue color is emitted toward the high-angle direction toward the negative side of the y-axis. On the other hand, in the x-axis direction, the distance to the surrounding wall is uniform, so such color shift does not occur.

[0077] In contrast, in the multicolor LED light source 11 in the first row r1, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are arranged in this order toward the positive side of the y-axis. Therefore, in this multicolor LED light source 11, when the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R each emit light at 100% output, color-shifted white light with a weak blue color is emitted in the high-angle direction toward the positive side of the y-axis, and color-shifted white light with a weak red color is emitted in the high-angle direction toward the negative side of the y-axis.

[0078] As described above, since the arrangement order alternates between two adjacent rows, color shifts in the high-angle directions on the positive or negative y-axis side of the lighting device 100 as a whole are almost cancelled out.

[0079] Therefore, there is little color shift between when the video light and illumination light emitted from lighting device 100 are viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the positive side of the y-axis and when they are viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the negative side of the y-axis. For example, when a user standing on the floor views lighting device 100 installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, in other words, when the user views lighting device 100 at a small angle of elevation, there is little color shift between the illumination light and video light.

[0080] Next, the luminance distribution of the white LED light source 12 will be described first with reference to FIG.

[0081] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of white LED light sources 12 according to a sixth modification of the first example of the present embodiment, which will be described later, are turned on (see FIG. 30 and the like for the sixth modification of the first example of the present embodiment).

[0082] In Fig. 6, the LED panel 1 has four or more white LED light sources 12, each of which is arranged at a location indicated by a rectangular dashed line and is illuminated with the same luminous flux. The four or more white LED light sources 12 shown in Fig. 6 are arranged at a pitch of 32 mm. Here, attention is focused on two adjacent white LED light sources 12 among the four or more white LED light sources 12. When these two adjacent white LED light sources 12 are illuminated with the same luminous flux (this is referred to as a first state), the luminance distribution of an area A1 connecting positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent white LED light sources 12 is measured.

[0083] The brightness is a value measured from directly above the light diffusion plate 2, and is the front brightness.

[0084] In the luminance distribution of the area A1, the ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is defined as the luminance ratio (hereinafter referred to as the luminance ratio of the area A1).

[0085] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing whether or not a subject felt discomfort when working under the illumination device 100f according to Variation 6 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. More specifically, the vertical axis of Fig. 7 represents the luminance ratio of the area A1, and the horizontal axis of Fig. 7 represents the distance to the light diffuser plate 2.

[0086] As described above, the distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is the distance between the upper surface of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the upper surface of each of the four or more white LED light sources 12 and the upper surface of the light diffusion plate 2.

[0087] Here, the conditions for checking whether or not there is a sense of incongruity shown in FIG. 7 will be described.

[0088] A 15-degree light diffuser with a diffusion angle of 15 degrees or a 20-degree light diffuser with a diffusion angle of 20 degrees is used as the light diffuser 2. The diffusion angle refers to the angle between the direction in which the illuminance of the diffused light is half of the illuminance in the center direction of the light when a thin beam of light is incident on the light diffuser 2 and diffused.

[0089] The distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is changed from 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0090] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the area A1 is measured in the first state, and the luminance ratio of the area A1 is calculated.

[0091] Under each condition, one subject worked for 30 minutes under the lighting conditions shown in FIG. 6 at a distance of 4 m from the lighting device 100f, and the subject judged whether or not they felt uncomfortable. 20 subjects made the same judgment under the same conditions. If more than half of the 20 subjects judged that they felt uncomfortable, the condition was judged to be one that caused discomfort.

[0092] As shown in Fig. 6, white light from four or more white LED light sources 12 may give subjects the impression that the light has an unnatural appearance, such as a dotted appearance. However, as shown in Fig. 7, illumination device 100f, in which the luminance ratio in region A1 is between 0.1 and 1.0, is less likely to cause an unnatural appearance. Furthermore, illumination device 100f, in which the luminance ratio in region A1 is between 0.3 and 1.0, was judged by more than 80% of the 20 subjects to have no unnatural appearance, and is even less likely to cause an unnatural appearance.

[0093] Next, the luminance distribution of the multicolor LED light source 11 will be described first with reference to FIG.

[0094] Fig. 8 is a diagram for explaining the region A2 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 8 is an enlarged plan view of the region IV in Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 4.

[0095] 8, some of the multicolor LED light sources 11 are lit with the same luminous flux, while the other multicolor LED light sources 11 are turned off. It is preferable that some of the multicolor LED light sources 11 are lit with the same color (i.e., the same chromaticity).

[0096] Here, attention is focused on two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 (more specifically, two multicolor LED light sources 11c and 11d) among some of the multicolor LED light sources 11 that are lit with the same luminous flux. When these two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are lit with the same luminous flux (this state is referred to as the second state), the luminance distribution of an area A2 connecting positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 is measured.

[0097] The brightness is a value measured from directly above the light diffusion plate 2, and is the front brightness.

[0098] In the luminance distribution of the area A2, the ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is defined as the luminance ratio (hereinafter referred to as the luminance ratio of the area A2).

[0099] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment are lit. More specifically, FIG. 9 is an image in which some of the multicolor LED light sources 11 are lit with the same luminous flux so as to display the character "zi". Further, in FIG. 9, the region A2 shown in FIG. 8 is shown. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing whether there is a sense of discomfort when a subject views the image shown in FIG. 9. More specifically, the vertical axis of FIG. 10 indicates the luminance ratio in the region A2, and the horizontal axis of FIG. 10 indicates the distance to the light diffusing plate 2.

[0100] Here, the conditions for investigating whether there is a sense of discomfort shown in FIG. 10 will be described.

[0101] As the light diffusing plate 2, a 10-degree light diffusing plate having a diffusion angle of 10 degrees or a 15-degree light diffusing plate having a diffusion angle of 15 degrees is used.

[0102] The distance to the light diffusing plate 2 is changed from 10 mm to 40 mm.

[0103] Furthermore, in each condition, the luminance distribution in the region A2 is measured in the second state, and the luminance ratio in the region A2 is calculated.

[0104] In each condition, when the distance between the subject and the lighting device 100 is 4 m and the subject views the image shown in FIG. 9 for 1 second, the subject determines whether there is a sense of discomfort with respect to "the luminance of the lines of the characters being uniform". That is, the case where there is a sense of discomfort is when the subject feels that "the luminance of the lines of the characters is not uniform", and the case where there is no sense of discomfort is when the subject feels that "the luminance of the lines of the characters is uniform". Twenty subjects make the same judgment under the same conditions. When more than half of the 20 subjects judge that there is a sense of discomfort, it is judged that the condition is one with a sense of discomfort.

[0105] 10, lighting devices 100 with a luminance ratio in region A2 of 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less are less likely to cause discomfort. In other words, character recognition is easier with such lighting devices 100. Furthermore, lighting devices 100 with a luminance ratio in region A2 of 0.96 or more and 1.0 or less were judged by more than 80% of the 20 subjects to not cause discomfort, and are even less likely to cause discomfort.

[0106] Furthermore, the luminance distribution of the multicolor LED light source 11 will be explained first with reference to FIG.

[0107] Fig. 11 is a diagram for explaining the region A3 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 11 is an enlarged plan view of the region IV in Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 4.

[0108] In Fig. 11, the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first column r1 among the multiple columns are off. Also, the multicolor LED light sources 11 in each of the second column r2 and the third column r3 among the multiple columns are on with the same color and the same luminous flux. As described above, the first column r1 is adjacent to each of the second column r2 and the third column r3, and is sandwiched between the second column r2 and the third column r3. For the sake of identification, one multicolor LED light source 11 in the third column r3 is referred to as multicolor LED light source 11e.

[0109] Here, attention is focused on the two multicolor LED light sources 11 that are closest to each other in the second row r2 and the third row r3. The two multicolor LED light sources 11 that are closest to each other are, for example, the multicolor LED light source 11a in the second row r2 and the multicolor LED light source 11e in the third row r3 that is closest to each other. The luminance distribution is measured in an area A3 that connects the positions directly above the centers of the multicolor LED light source 11a in the second row r2 and the multicolor LED light source 11e in the third row r3 that are closest to each other. At this time, the multicolor LED light source 11c sandwiched between the multicolor LED light source 11a and the multicolor LED light source 11e is turned off.

[0110] That is, here, when the multicolor LED light source 11c in the first column r1 is turned off, and the multicolor LED light sources 11a and 11e in each of the second column r2 and the third column r3 are turned on with the same color and the same luminous flux (this state is referred to as the third state), the luminance distribution in the region A3 is measured.

[0111] Note that the luminance is a value measured directly above the light diffusing plate 2 and is the front luminance.

[0112] In the luminance distribution of the region A3, the ratio obtained by dividing the minimum value of the luminance by the maximum value of the luminance is defined as the luminance ratio (hereinafter referred to as the luminance ratio of the region A3).

[0113] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment are turned on. More specifically, FIG. 12 is an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are turned on with the same color and the same luminous flux so as to display the character "字". In addition, FIG. 12 shows the region A3 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is an example of a diagram showing whether or not the subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. 12. FIG. 14 is another example of a diagram showing whether or not the subject can recognize the image shown in FIG. 12. More specifically, the vertical axis of FIGS. 13 and 14 indicates the luminance ratio in the region A3, the horizontal axis of FIG. 13 indicates the diffusion angle of the light diffusing plate 2, and the horizontal axis of FIG. 14 indicates the distance to the light diffusing plate 2.

[0114] Here, the conditions for investigating whether or not the subject can recognize the images shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 will be described.

[0115] The conditions shown in FIG. 13 are as follows.

[0116] As the light diffusing plate 2, a 15-degree light diffusing plate, a 20-degree light diffusing plate, a 40-degree light diffusing plate, a 60-degree light diffusing plate, or an 80-degree light diffusing plate having diffusion angles of 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees, or 80 degrees respectively is used.

[0117] The distance to the light diffusing plate 2 is 30 mm or 40 mm.

[0118] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the area A3 is measured in the third state, and the luminance ratio of the area A3 is calculated.

[0119] Moreover, under the conditions shown in FIG. 14, a 40-degree light diffuser plate or a 60-degree light diffuser plate is used as the light diffuser plate 2.

[0120] The distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is changed from 25 mm to 50 mm.

[0121] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the area A3 is measured in the third state, and the luminance ratio of the area A3 is calculated.

[0122] Under each condition, the distance between the subject and the lighting device 100 is set to 4 m, and the subject looks at the image shown in FIG. 12 for 1 second. The test determines whether the subject can recognize that "one multicolor LED light source 11 (more specifically, one multicolor LED light source 11c) is off." In other words, a case where the subject can recognize the image is when the subject feels that "there is an unlit area between the lines of the characters," and a case where the subject cannot recognize the image is when the subject feels that "there is no unlit area between the lines of the characters." Twenty subjects make the same judgment under the same conditions. If more than half of the 20 subjects judge that they can recognize the image, the condition is determined to be recognizable (recognizable).

[0123] As described above, in the lighting device 100, even when one multi-color LED light source 11c is turned off and the two multi-color LED light sources 11a and 11e adjacent to the one multi-color LED light source 11c are turned on, it is easy to recognize that the one multi-color LED light source 11c is turned off. In other words, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 , the lighting device 100 in which the luminance ratio of the region A3 is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less allows the user to recognize that one multi-color LED light source 11c is turned off. In other words, such a lighting device 100 facilitates character recognition. Furthermore, the lighting device 100 in which the luminance ratio of the region A3 is 0.1 or more and 0.8 or less was judged to be recognizable by more than 80% of the 20 subjects, further facilitating character recognition.

[0124] Furthermore, the luminance distribution of the multicolor LED light source 11 will be explained first with reference to FIG.

[0125] Fig. 15 is a diagram for explaining the region A4 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 15 is an enlarged plan view of the region IV in Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 4.

[0126] 15, only the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in one of the plurality of columns are lit. More specifically, only the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first column r1 are lit. That is, for example, the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second column r2 and the third column r3 are turned off.

[0127] Here, we focus on one lit multicolor LED light source 11 (more specifically, multicolor LED light source 11c) in the first row r1. The luminance distribution is measured in a region A4 that passes directly above the center of the multicolor LED light source 11c and is perpendicular to one row (the first row r1). That is, when only the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first row r1 are lit (this state is referred to as a fourth state), the luminance distribution in the region A4 is measured. The direction perpendicular to the first row r1 refers to a direction that forms an angle of 45° with the x-axis, more specifically, a direction tilted 45° clockwise from the x-axis. Region A4 is, for example, a region connecting the positions directly above the center of the multicolor LED light source 11c and the center of the multicolor LED light source 11e. The multicolor LED light source 11e is an example of a multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to the multicolor LED light source 11c in the direction perpendicular to the first row r1.

[0128] The brightness is a value measured from directly above the light diffusion plate 2, and is the front brightness.

[0129] In the luminance distribution of the area A4, the ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is defined as the luminance ratio (hereinafter referred to as the luminance ratio of the area A4).

[0130] Furthermore, the first half width L1 and the interval D1 will be explained.

[0131] First, the first half-width L1 will be described. In the luminance distribution of the region A4, the distance between the position where the luminance becomes 1 / 2 with respect to the luminance directly above one lit multi-color LED light source 11c and the position directly above the center of one multi-color LED light source 11c is the first half-width (that is, L1).

[0132] Next, the interval D1 will be described. The interval D1 is the interval (pitch) between a plurality of columns. That is, the interval D1 is the distance between one column (for example, the first column r1) and the column adjacent to the one column (for example, the third column r3).

[0133] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multi-color LED light sources 11 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment are lit. More specifically, FIG. 16 is an image in which a plurality of multi-color LED light sources 11 are lit so as to display the character "Zi". In addition, the region A4 shown in FIG. 15 is shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 17 is an example of a diagram showing whether or not the image shown in FIG. 16 can be recognized when viewed by a subject. FIG. 18 is another example of a diagram showing whether or not the image shown in FIG. 16 can be recognized when viewed by a subject. More specifically, the vertical axis of FIGS. 17 and 18 shows the luminance ratio in the region A4, and the horizontal axis of FIGS. 17 and 18 shows L1 / D1, which is the value obtained by dividing the first half-width L1 by the interval D1.

[0134] Here, the conditions for investigating whether or not the recognition shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 can be achieved will be described.

[0135] In the conditions shown in FIG. 17, it is as follows.

[0136] As the light diffusion plate 2, a 5-degree diffusion plate, a 10-degree diffusion plate, a 15-degree light diffusion plate, a 20-degree light diffusion plate, a 40-degree light diffusion plate, a 60-degree light diffusion plate, or an 80-degree light diffusion plate having diffusion angles of 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 60 degrees, or 80 degrees, respectively, is used.

[0137] The distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is 30 mm or 40 mm.

[0138] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the area A4 is measured in the fourth state, and the luminance ratio of the area A4 and L1 / D1 are calculated.

[0139] 18, a 40-degree light diffuser plate or a 60-degree light diffuser plate is used as the light diffuser plate 2. In the condition shown in FIG.

[0140] The distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is changed from 25 mm to 50 mm.

[0141] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the area A4 is measured in the fourth state, and the luminance ratio of the area A4 and L1 / D1 are calculated.

[0142] Under each condition, the distance between the subject and the lighting device 100 is set to 4 m, and the subject looks at the image shown in FIG. 16 for one second, and judges whether the subject can recognize it or not in terms of "easily readable and recognizable." In other words, when the subject can recognize it, the subject feels that it is "easily readable and recognizable," and when the subject cannot recognize it, the subject feels that it is "not easily readable and recognizable." Twenty subjects make the same judgment under the same conditions. When more than half of the 20 subjects judge that they can recognize it, it is judged that the condition is one in which it is recognizable (recognizable).

[0143] 17 and 18, character recognition is facilitated in lighting device 100 where L1 / D1 is between 0 and 3. Furthermore, lighting device 100 where L1 / D1 is 1.5 or less was judged to be recognizable by 80% or more of the 20 subjects, making character recognition even easier.

[0144] Furthermore, the luminance distribution of the multicolor LED light source 11 will be explained first with reference to FIG.

[0145] Fig. 19 is a diagram for explaining region A5 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 19 is an enlarged plan view of region IV in Fig. 1, similar to Fig. 4.

[0146] 19, only one multicolor LED light source 11 is turned on among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. More specifically, only one multicolor LED light source 11c in the first row r1 is turned on. In other words, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 except for the multicolor LED light source 11c are turned off.

[0147] The luminance distribution of an area A5 passing directly above the center of one multicolor LED light source 11c is measured. That is, when only one of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 (here, multicolor LED light source 11c) is turned on (this state is referred to as the fifth state), the luminance distribution of the area A5 is measured. Note that area A5 is, for example, an area connecting the position directly above the center of multicolor LED light source 11c and the position directly above the center of multicolor LED light source 11d. Multicolor LED light source 11d is an example of a multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to multicolor LED light source 11c in a direction parallel to the first row r1.

[0148] The brightness is a value measured from directly above the light diffusion plate 2, and is the front brightness.

[0149] In the luminance distribution of the area A5, the ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is defined as the luminance ratio (hereinafter referred to as the luminance ratio of the area A5).

[0150] Furthermore, the second half width L2 and the interval D2 will be explained.

[0151] First, the second half width L2 will be explained.

[0152] In the brightness distribution of area A5, the distance between the position where the brightness is half of the brightness directly above one lit multi-color LED light source 11c and the position directly above the center of one multi-color LED light source 11c is the second half-width (i.e., L2).

[0153] Next, the interval D2 will be described. The interval D2 is the interval (pitch) between the centers of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. In other words, the interval D2 is the distance between one multicolor LED light source 11 and the multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to that one multicolor LED light source 11.

[0154] Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an image in which a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 according to Example 1 of the present embodiment are lit. More specifically, Fig. 20(a) is a diagram showing a cloud image, Fig. 20(b) is a diagram showing a fish image, and Fig. 20(c) is a diagram showing a stained glass image. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing a table indicating whether or not subjects felt discomfort when viewing the images shown in Fig. 20.

[0155] Here, the conditions for checking whether or not there is a sense of incongruity shown in FIG. 21 will be described.

[0156] As the light diffusion plate 2, a 20-degree light diffusion plate with a diffusion angle of 20 degrees is used.

[0157] The distance to the light diffusion plate 2 is changed from 20 mm to 70 mm.

[0158] Furthermore, under each condition, the luminance distribution of the region A5 is measured in the fifth state, and L2 / D2, which is the value obtained by dividing the second half width L2 by the interval D2, is calculated.

[0159] Under each condition, the subject is positioned 4 m away from the lighting device 100 and views the image shown in FIG. 20. The subject judges whether or not the "blurred image" feels strange. In other words, a sense of strangeness is when the subject feels that the "image is blurred," and a sense of strangeness is when the subject feels that the "image is not blurred." Twenty subjects make the same judgment under the same conditions. If more than half of the 20 subjects judge that the image feels strange, the condition is judged to be one in which strangeness occurs.

[0160] 21, in the illumination device 100 in which L2 / D2 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 1.5, there is little blurring in the image shown by the image light for any image, and such illumination device 100 has a high spatial rendering ability. Furthermore, in the illumination device 100 in which L2 / D2 is equal to or less than 1.9, there is little blurring in the image shown by the image light for the cloud image, and such illumination device 100 has a high spatial rendering ability for the cloud image.

[0161] Furthermore, the following describes modifications of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. In all of the modifications of the lighting devices according to Example 1, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0162] [Variation 1] The configuration of a lighting device 100a according to Modification 1 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0163] Fig. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 100a according to Modification 1 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 23 is another example of a cross-sectional view of the lighting device 100a according to Modification 1 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Figs. 22 and 23 correspond to Figs. 2 and 3 shown in Example 1, respectively.

[0164] The lighting device 100a according to this modified example has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1, except that it mainly has a light diffusion plate 2a instead of the light diffusion plate 2 and a housing 3a instead of the housing 3.

[0165] The light diffusion plate 2a has a different shape from the light diffusion plate 2.

[0166] The light diffuser plate 2a is a flat box having an opening on the negative side of the z-axis. The accommodation space of the light diffuser plate 2a is, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped. The accommodation space of the light diffuser plate 2a accommodates the LED panel 1. The size of the opening of the light diffuser plate 2a corresponds to the size of the LED panel 1. The shape of the opening of the light diffuser plate 2a is, for example, substantially rectangular. Note that the shape of the opening of the light diffuser plate 2a is not limited to a substantially rectangular shape and may be a substantially circular shape, a substantially polygonal shape, a substantially semicircular shape, or the like, and is not particularly limited.

[0167] The light diffusion plate 2a is attached to the housing 3a so as to cover the opening of the light diffusion plate 2a. The light diffusion plate 2a is fitted into a groove in the housing 3a or attached to the housing 3a with screws.

[0168] The housing 3a is a flat box having an internal storage space in which the controller 5 and the power supply 4 are housed.

[0169] [Variation 2] The configuration of a lighting device 100b according to Modification 2 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0170] Fig. 24 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of an LED panel 1b included in an illumination device 100b according to Modification 2 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 24 corresponds to Fig. 4 shown in Example 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0171] The lighting device 100b according to this modification has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1, except for one main point below. Specifically, the one point is that the order in which the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B are arranged in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is different.

[0172] In this modification, the arrangement order of the adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is such that the orientations thereof are alternately different.

[0173] Two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are two multicolor LED light sources 11 that are arranged at the closest distance. Here, two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are referred to as one set. For example, a first set s1 and a second set s2 are shown in Fig. 24. The first set s1 and the second set s2 are each shown surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

[0174] The first set s1 is two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11a and 11b, and the arrangement orders of the multicolor LED light sources 11a and 11b are different from each other, more specifically, they are oriented in opposite directions.

[0175] The second set s2 is made up of two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11d and 11, and the arrangement orders of the multicolor LED light sources 11d and 11 are different from each other, more specifically, they are arranged in opposite directions.

[0176] In this manner, in this modified example, the arrangement order of the adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is such that the orientations thereof are alternately different.

[0177] Even in this case, as described in FIGS. 4 and 5, the illumination device 100b as a whole is prevented from emitting white light with a weak blue or red color, which is light that is color-shifted in the high-angle direction toward the positive or negative y-axis.

[0178] Therefore, for example, when a user standing on the floor views lighting device 100b installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, that is, when the user views lighting device 100b at a small elevation angle, the color shift between the illumination light and the image light is small.

[0179] [Modification 3 and Modification 4] The configurations of the illumination device 100c and the illumination device 100d according to Modification 3 and Modification 4 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 25 and 26. FIG.

[0180] Fig. 25 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1c included in an illumination device 100c according to Modification 3 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 26 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1d included in an illumination device 100d according to Modification 4 of Example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0181] The lighting device 100c according to the third modification and the lighting device 100d according to the fourth modification have the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that they are equipped with LED panels 1c and 1d, respectively, instead of the LED panel 1.

[0182] The LED panels 1c and 1d have the same configuration as the LED panel 1, mainly except for the number of multicolor LED light sources 11. In the third and fourth modifications, the multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0183] In the third modification, the lighting device 100c includes 40 multicolor LED light sources 11, and the circumscribing polygon P1 that surrounds all of the multicolor LED light sources 11 in a plan view of the substrate 13 is an octagon.

[0184] In the fourth modification, the lighting device 100d includes 52 multicolor LED light sources 11, and the circumscribing polygon P2 that surrounds all of the multicolor LED light sources 11 in a plan view of the substrate 13 is a substantially regular octagon.

[0185] 1, in the lighting device 100 according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1, the circumscribing polygon that surrounds all of the multicolor LED light sources 11 in plan view is a hexagon. Thus, the lighting device 100c and the lighting device 100d each have a different arrangement of the multicolor LED light sources 11 from the lighting device 100.

[0186] Here, the vertical and horizontal directions of the checkerboard arrangement of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 will be described. As described above, the outer diameter of the case 115 of each of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 is approximately rectangular, and the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged so that the four sides of this approximately rectangular shape are parallel to the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction. It can also be said that the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 arranged in a checkerboard pattern are arranged along each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Therefore, here, the vertical direction of the checkerboard pattern is one of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the horizontal direction is the other of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In the following, the horizontal direction of the checkerboard pattern is the x-axis direction, and the vertical direction is the y-axis direction.

[0187] Here, one side of each of the circumscribing polygons P1 and P2 is parallel to the horizontal or vertical direction of the checkerboard pattern. More specifically, side E1, which is one side of the octagonal circumscribing polygon P1, is parallel to the x-axis direction, i.e., parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0188] Similarly, side E2, which is one side of circumscribing polygon P2, which is a regular octagon, is parallel to the x-axis direction, that is, parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0189] When a user looks at lighting device 100c having such a configuration, the image appears to have the same length and width as the screen, creating a natural impression as a video device, and the lighting device appears to have rounded corners, creating a soft impression. Furthermore, when a user looks at lighting device 100d, although the shape is unfamiliar as a video device, the lighting device appears to have an eight-fold rotational symmetry shape that is close to a circle, creating a natural impression as a lighting device.

[0190] [Variation 5] The configuration of a lighting device 100e according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0191] 27 is a cross-sectional view of an illumination device 100e according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Note that Fig. 27 corresponds to Fig. 3 shown in Example 1.

[0192] The illumination device 100e according to this modification has the same configuration as the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the first embodiment, except that it includes a light diffusion plate 2e instead of the light diffusion plate 2.

[0193] The light diffusion plate 2e is made up of an inner light diffusion plate 21e and an outer light diffusion plate 22e.

[0194] The inner light diffuser plate 21e and the outer light diffuser plate 22e are each a light diffuser plate or a light diffuser panel having a plate-shaped flat portion similar to the light diffuser plate 2, and have the same optical properties (translucency, light diffusion, etc.) as the light diffuser plate 2, and are made of the same constituent material as the light diffuser plate 2. Note that, although a 20-degree light diffuser plate is used for both the inner light diffuser plate 21e and the outer light diffuser plate 22e, the present invention is not limited to this, and a member having different optical properties may be used.

[0195] The inner light diffusion plate 21e is a member disposed directly above the LED panel 1. The outer light diffusion plate 22e is a member disposed directly above the inner light diffusion plate 21e. The inner light diffusion plate 21e is disposed at a distance from the LED panel 1, and the outer light diffusion plate 22e is disposed at a distance from the inner light diffusion plate 21e.

[0196] Light emitted from the LED panel 1 is incident on the inner light diffusion plate 21e. The light that has entered the inner light diffusion plate 21e is diffused (scattered) by the inner light diffusion plate 21e and then passes through the inner light diffusion plate 21e. The light that has passed through the inner light diffusion plate 21e is incident on the outer light diffusion plate 22e. The light that has entered the outer light diffusion plate 22e is diffused (scattered) by the outer light diffusion plate 22e and then passes through the outer light diffusion plate 22e, causing the outer light diffusion plate 22e to emit pseudo-light.

[0197] Here, the distance L3 and the distance L4 shown in FIG. 27 will be described.

[0198] Distance L3 is the distance between the inner light diffuser plate 21e and the white LED light source 12. More specifically, distance L3 is the distance between the upper surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of the inner light diffuser plate 21e and the upper surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of the white LED light source 12.

[0199] Distance L4 is the distance between the outer light diffusion plate 22e and the white LED light source 12. More specifically, distance L4 is the distance between the upper surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of the outer light diffusion plate 22e and the upper surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis) of the white LED light source 12.

[0200] Furthermore, the influence of the distance L3 and the distance L4 on the luminance distribution of the white LED light source 12 will be described first with reference to FIG.

[0201] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a luminance distribution according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0202] 28 shows the results of measuring the luminance distribution in a region connecting the position directly above the center of the single white LED light source 12 and the position directly above a point 20 mm away from the center in a predetermined direction (for example, the x-axis direction) when only one white LED light source 12 is emitting light. The luminance distributions shown here are for the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of Embodiment 1, which includes a light diffuser plate 2, and the illumination device 100e according to Variation 5 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1, which includes a light diffuser plate 2e.

[0203] The brightness is a value measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2 and the light diffuser plate 2e, and is the front brightness. The brightness shown in FIG. 28 is normalized by the brightness directly above (0 mm) the center of one white LED light source 12. Here, the light diffuser plate 2 is a 22.5-degree light diffuser plate with a diffusion angle of 22.5 degrees, and the distance to the light diffuser plate 2 is 40 mm. The inner light diffuser plate 21e and the outer light diffuser plate 22e are each a 20-degree light diffuser plate with a diffusion angle of 20 degrees, and the distance L3 is 20 mm and the distance L4 is 40 mm. In other words, the distance L3 is 50% of the distance L4.

[0204] 28, illumination device 100 and illumination device 100e exhibit the same brightness at a distance of approximately 0 mm to 10 mm from directly above the center of one white LED light source 12. The distance of approximately 10 mm is a position where the brightness is approximately half of the brightness directly above the center of one white LED light source 12 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as center brightness).

[0205] Furthermore, it was found that at a position approximately 15 mm away from the center of one white LED light source 12, the illumination device 100e exhibited higher luminance than the illumination device 100. In other words, it was found that at a position where the luminance was half or less of the central luminance, the illumination device 100e exhibited higher luminance than the illumination device 100.

[0206] Fig. 29 is a diagram showing the difference in luminance distribution according to Modification 5 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 29 shows the difference in luminance between illumination device 100 and illumination device 100e in the luminance distribution shown in Fig. 28. Fig. 29 also shows the cases where distance L3 is 25% of distance L4 (L3 / L4=25%), where distance L3 is 50% of distance L4 (L3 / L4=50%), and where distance L3 is 75% of distance L4 (L3 / L4=75%). In all cases, distance L4 is 40 mm.

[0207] As shown in Figure 29, when the distance L3 is 50% and 75% of the distance L4, it was found that the lighting device 100e exhibited higher brightness than the lighting device 100 at a position approximately 15 mm away from directly above the center of one white LED light source 12.

[0208] In summary, it has become clear that when the illumination device 100e is provided with the light diffuser plate 2e and the distance L3 is between 50% and 100% of the distance L4, the illumination device 100e exhibits higher luminance at positions where the luminance is half or less of the central luminance than the illumination device 100. By exhibiting higher luminance at positions where the luminance is half or less of the central luminance, character recognition as shown in Fig. 9 and other figures becomes easier, and since the two light diffusers (the inner light diffuser plate 21e and the outer light diffuser plate 22e) are provided and the light is sufficiently scattered, the white light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is less likely to have an unnatural dotted appearance or the like.

[0209] [Modifications 6 and 7] The configurations of an illumination device 100f and an illumination device 100g according to Modification 6 and Modification 7 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0210] Fig. 30 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1f included in an illumination device 100f according to Modification 6 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 31 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1g included in an illumination device 100g according to Modification 7 of Example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0211] The lighting device 100f according to the sixth modification and the lighting device 100g according to the seventh modification have the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that they are equipped with LED panels 1f and 1g, respectively, instead of the LED panel 1.

[0212] Each of the LED panels 1f and 1g has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number and arrangement of white LED light sources 12 are different. Note that in the sixth and seventh modifications, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0213] In the sixth modification, the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0214] In the seventh modification, the direction of the rows of the multicolor LED light sources 11 does not coincide with the direction of the rows of the white LED light sources 12, but the white LED light sources 12 are periodically arranged in parallel rows. A plurality of white LED light sources 12 constitutes each of the rows. Each of the rows is a linear row. For example, one row is made up of a plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in a straight line. In FIG. 31, some of the rows are exemplarily shown surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

[0215] Here, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is set to d1, and the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is set to d2.

[0216] The spacing will be explained using the white LED light source 12 in Modification 6. For example, the spacing is the distance between one white LED light source 12 and another white LED light source 12 that is arranged closest to that one white LED light source 12. The average spacing d2 is the average value of the spacings for all of the white LED light sources 12 included in the LED panel 1f. The same applies to the multicolor LED light source 11. The same applies to the spacing in Modification 7.

[0217] Furthermore, in the sixth and seventh modifications, the average interval d1 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d1 2 >1 / d2 2 In other words, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower than the arrangement density of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0218] This will be explained in more detail in Modification 6.

[0219] The number of multicolor LED light sources 11 is 288. Each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 has a combined output of red, green, and blue light of 1 cd and a drive current of 5 mA to 15 mA. Therefore, the total output of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is 288 cd. The average spacing d1 is 5.7 mm.

[0220] The number of white LED light sources 12 is 18. Each of the white LED light sources 12 has an output of 25 cd and a drive current of 140 mA. Therefore, the total output of the white LED light sources 12 is 450 cd. The average spacing d2 is 22.8 mm.

[0221] As described above, the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is greater than the total output of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 .

[0222] For example, there are cases where the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be made the same when a large number of low-output white LED light sources 12 are provided and when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided. In general, when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, there is a high possibility that the total cost related to the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be reduced.

[0223] Therefore, the average interval d1 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d1 2 >1 / d2 2 By satisfying the above condition, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be lowered, that is, a smaller number of white LED light sources 12 can be provided. Therefore, the cost of the illumination device 100f and the illumination device 100g according to the sixth and seventh modifications can be reduced.

[0224] [Modification 8 and Modification 9] The configurations of the illumination device 100h and the illumination device 100i according to Modification 8 and Modification 9 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0225] Fig. 32 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1h included in an illumination device 100h according to Modification 8 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 33 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100h according to Modification 8 of Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line XXXIII-XXXIII in Fig. 32.

[0226] Fig. 34 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1i included in an illumination device 100i according to Modification 9 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 35 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100i according to Modification 9 of Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line XXXV-XXXV in Fig. 34.

[0227] The lighting device 100h according to the eighth modification has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that it mainly includes a light diffusion plate 2h instead of the light diffusion plate 2 and an LED panel 1h instead of the LED panel 1.

[0228] The lighting device 100i according to the modified example 9 has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the example 1 of the embodiment 1, except that it mainly includes a light diffusion plate 2i instead of the light diffusion plate 2 and an LED panel 1i instead of the LED panel 1.

[0229] The LED panels 1h and 1i in Modifications 8 and 9 have the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that they mainly differ in the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number of white LED light sources 12. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern, just like the LED panel 1. The LED panels 1h and 1i have the same configuration.

[0230] The light diffusion plates 2h and 2i each have translucency and light diffusion properties (light scattering properties). The light diffusion plates 2h and 2i each are, for example, light diffusion plates or light diffusion panels having a plate-shaped flat portion. The light diffusion plates 2h and 2i are each disposed on the light emission side (front) of the LED panels 1h and 1i, respectively. In this modification, the light diffusion plates 2h and 2i are each disposed spaced apart from the LED panels 1h and 1i, respectively.

[0231] Here, the degree of light diffusion will be described using Modification 8.

[0232] In the light diffusion plate 2h, the degree of light diffusion 22h directly above one white LED light source 12 is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h directly above one multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 among the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11.

[0233] The degree of light diffusion refers to the degree to which the light emitted from each of the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12 is diffused (scattered) by the light diffusion plate 2h. The greater the degree of light diffusion, the more the light is diffused (scattered).

[0234] For example, here, the degree of light diffusion 22h directly above one white LED light source 12 is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 that is adjacent to the white LED light source 12 on the positive side of the x-axis. Therefore, the light emitted from one white LED light source 12 is more likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions than the light emitted from one multicolor LED light source 11 that is adjacent to the white LED light source 12 on the positive side of the x-axis.

[0235] The same applies to Modification 9. That is, in the light diffusion plate 2i, the degree of light diffusion 22i directly above one white LED light source 12 is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21i directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0236] Each of the light diffusion plates 2h and 2i is made up of a transparent panel having a large number of minute irregularities formed on its surface (inner or outer surface). More specifically, each of the light diffusion plates 2h and 2i is made up of a transparent panel having a large number of minute irregularities formed on its outer surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis).

[0237] In the eighth modification, the pitch of the minute concaves and convexes of the light diffusion plate 2h immediately above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the pitch of the minute concaves and convexes of the light diffusion plate 2h immediately above the adjacent one multicolor LED light source 11. As a result, the degree of light diffusion 22h is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h.

[0238] As an example, the pitch of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plate 2h directly above one white LED light source 12 is 10 μm on average, and the pitch of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plate 2h directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is 20 μm on average. The height of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plates 2h directly above one white LED light source 12 and directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is also 10 μm on average. In this case, the diffusion angle of the light diffusion plate 2h directly above one white LED light source 12 is 30 degrees, and the diffusion angle of the light diffusion plate 2h directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is 20 degrees.

[0239] In the 9th modification, the height (length in the z-axis direction) of the minute irregularities on the light diffusion plate 2i directly above one white LED light source 12 is greater than the height (length in the z-axis direction) of the minute irregularities on the light diffusion plate 2i directly above the adjacent one multicolor LED light source 11. As a result, the degree of light diffusion 22i is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21i.

[0240] As an example, the height of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plate 2i directly above one white LED light source 12 is 20 μm on average, and the height of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plate 2i directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is 10 μm on average. The pitch of the minute asperities on the light diffusion plates 2i directly above one white LED light source 12 and directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is 10 μm on average. In this case, the diffusion angle of the light diffusion plate 2i directly above one white LED light source 12 is 30 degrees, and the diffusion angle of the light diffusion plate 2i directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 is 20 degrees.

[0241] In the light diffusion plate 2h according to the eighth modification, the degree of light diffusion 22h directly above each of the two white LED light sources 12 is preferably greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h directly above each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0242] In the light diffusion plate 2i according to the ninth modification, the degree of light diffusion 22i directly above each of the two white LED light sources 12 is preferably greater than the degree of light diffusion 21i directly above each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0243] As described above, in Modification 8, the degree of light diffusion 22h is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h, and in Modification 9, the degree of light diffusion 22i is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21i. Therefore, the light emitted from white LED light source 12 is easily scattered (diffused), and the light emitted from white LED light source 12 is prevented from becoming unnatural light such as dotted light.

[0244] In particular, in the illumination device 100f according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment, as in the eighth and ninth modifications, it is preferable that the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one white LED light source 12 is greater than the degree of light diffusion directly above the multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to the at least one white LED light source 12. This particularly prevents the light emitted from the white LED light source 12 from becoming unnatural light with a dotted appearance or the like when a small number of white LED light sources 12 are provided as in the illumination device 100f according to the sixth modification of the first embodiment.

[0245] [Variation 10] The configuration of a lighting device 100j according to a tenth modification of example 1 of embodiment 1 and a lighting control system 500 including the lighting device 100j will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0246] Fig. 36 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a lighting control system 500 including a lighting device 100j according to a tenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 37 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel 1j included in a lighting device 100j according to a tenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0247] The lighting control system 500 includes a storage device 600 and a lighting device 100j.

[0248] In the lighting control system 500, the lighting device 100j emits imaging light and illumination light based on the image data and brightness data stored in the storage device 600.

[0249] The storage device 600 is a device including a control unit 601 , a storage unit 602 , and a converter 603 .

[0250] Control unit 601 is a functional unit that, in response to a user instruction (for example, an instruction from a receiving device such as a remote control or a switch), causes lighting device 100j to output the video data and brightness data stored in storage unit 602 and indicated by the instruction. Control unit 601 is realized, for example, by a microcomputer, but may also be realized by a processor.

[0251] At least one of video data and luminance data is preferably stored in the storage unit 602. Here, both video data and luminance data are stored in the storage unit 602. The storage unit 602 is realized by an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), but may also be realized by a semiconductor memory or the like.

[0252] Converter 603 is a device that converts the signal format of the video data and luminance data output from storage unit 602. Here, the video data and luminance data output from storage unit 602 are in HDMI (registered trademark) (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) signal format, and are converted by converter 603 into HD-SDI (High-Definition-Serial Digital Interface) signal format. Here, when storage device 600 acquires an instruction from the receiving device, control unit 601 causes converter 603 to convert the video data and luminance data in accordance with the instruction, and outputs the converted video data and luminance data to lighting device 100j. Furthermore, the video data is data specified in the 720P video standard.

[0253] The lighting device 100j includes two LED panels 1j, two light diffusion plates, two housings, two power supplies 4, and one controller 5. Each of the two light diffusion plates is a light diffusion plate 2, each of the two housings is a housing 3, and each of the two power supplies 4 supplies DC power to the two LED panels 1j and the one controller 5.

[0254] The one LED panel 1j, one light diffusion plate, one housing, one power supply 4, and one controller 5 included in the lighting device 100j are in the same positional relationship as in the lighting device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3. In addition, another one LED panel 1j, another light diffusion plate, another housing, and another power supply 4 included in the lighting device 100j are in the same positional relationship as in the lighting device 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3, except for the controller 5.

[0255] The lighting device 100j according to the tenth modification has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that the LED panel 1 is replaced with an LED panel 1j.

[0256] The LED panel 1j has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that it mainly differs in the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and white LED light sources 12. Note that in the modification 10, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0257] The controller 5 controls the image light and illumination light emitted by the lighting device 100j in accordance with the image data and brightness data output from the storage device 600 based on an instruction from a user. Note that the light based on the image data is the image light, and the light based on the brightness data is the illumination light.

[0258] In the lighting device 100j, the controller 5 thins out the video data so as to correspond to the positions (addresses) where the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged.

[0259] Addresses are shown in Figure 37. More specifically, numbers indicating addresses are assigned in a matrix along the x-axis and y-axis directions. In the following, addresses may be written as (numbers along the x-axis, numbers along the y-axis).

[0260] For example, addresses where multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged include (2, 1), (4, 1), (1, 2), (1, 4), etc., and multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged at addresses (odd, even) and (even, odd), which forms a checkerboard arrangement.

[0261] For example, addresses where multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged include (2, 2), (10, 2), (2, 10), (10, 10), etc., and multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged at some addresses (even numbers, even numbers).

[0262] In this modification, an address where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged is referred to as a first pixel address, and an address where multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged is referred to as a second pixel address. Furthermore, an address where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and multiple white LED light sources 12 are not arranged is referred to as a third pixel address.

[0263] As described above, Fig. 37 is a plan view showing a portion of one LED panel 1j. In this modification, the numbers indicating addresses along the x-axis direction range from 1 to 128, and the numbers indicating addresses along the y-axis direction range from 1 to 64. The LED panel 1j includes 4096 multicolor LED light sources 11 arranged in 64 rows of 64 first pixel addresses that are slightly shifted from one another, and 128 white LED light sources 12 arranged in 8 rows of 16 second pixel addresses.

[0264] The following describes how the lighting device 100j emits image light based on image data.

[0265] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0266] The controller 5 extracts video data corresponding to a 128×128 pixel video from the acquired video data. This video data is video data for the two LED panels 1j.

[0267] Next, the controller 5 extracts video data corresponding to the 64 x 64 checkerboard-shaped multicolor LED light sources 11, in which the data corresponding to the second and third pixel addresses have been thinned out, from the video data corresponding to the 128 x 64 pixel video displayed on one LED panel 1j. In other words, since the video data is thinned out here, the amount of data is halved.

[0268] Furthermore, the controller 5 assigns the extracted thinned-out data (i.e., thinned-out video data) to first pixel addresses, which are addresses at which the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged, and controls the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 in accordance with this thinned-out video data. The controller 5 also performs similar processing on the other LED panel 1j. Therefore, in this modified example, one LED panel 1j displays an image equivalent to 128×64 pixels, and the other LED panel 1j displays an image equivalent to 128×64 pixels, so that the entire lighting device 100j can display an image equivalent to 128×128 pixels.

[0269] The processing for the luminance data is as follows.

[0270] The controller 5 obtains the luminance data output from the storage device 600.

[0271] The controller 5 extracts, from the acquired brightness data, brightness data to be displayed on each of the two LED panels 1j.

[0272] Furthermore, the controller 5 assigns the extracted brightness data to a second pixel address, which is an address where the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged, and controls the plurality of white LED light sources 12 according to this brightness data. The controller 5 also performs the same process for the other LED panel 1.

[0273] When data including both video data and luminance data is acquired, both the above-described processes relating to the video data and the luminance data are performed.

[0274] With the above configuration of lighting control system 500, it is possible to switch between video light and illumination light and irradiate the image from lighting device 100j included in lighting control system 500 based on an instruction from a user. Furthermore, thinning out the video data reduces the amount of data and alleviates the load on data communication.

[0275] In the above-described lighting control system 500, the lighting device 100j emits image light based on an instruction from the reception device. However, a different example will be described with reference to FIG.

[0276] FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation in which light is emitted from a plurality of white LED light sources 12 based on video data according to the tenth modification of the first example of the present embodiment.

[0277] As described above, the video data acquired by the controller 5 is video data conforming to the 720P video standard. When predetermined data is contained in a predetermined pixel address of this video data, the controller 5 lights up the plurality of white LED light sources at a predetermined brightness.

[0278] As shown in FIG. 38, the controller 5 determines whether or not predetermined data is included at a predetermined pixel address in the acquired video data (S10).

[0279] Here, the predetermined pixel address of the video data will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0280] Fig. 39 is a diagram showing pixel addresses of video data according to Modification 10 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 39, numbers indicating pixel addresses of video data are assigned in a matrix along two orthogonal directions (horizontal and vertical directions). Hereinafter, pixel addresses of video data may be written as (horizontal numbers, vertical numbers).

[0281] Here, among the pixel addresses of the video data, the predetermined pixel addresses are (1,1), (2,1), (3,1), and (4,1), but are not limited to these. The presence of predetermined data at a predetermined pixel address means that (1,1) and (1,3) do not contain data for turning on the multicolor LED light source 11, and (2,1) and (4,1) contain data for turning on the multicolor LED light source 11. In FIG. 39, "0" is written at (1,1) and (1,3), indicating that no data for turning on the multicolor LED light source 11 is present, while "1" is written at (2,1) and (4,1), indicating that data for turning on the multicolor LED light source 11 is present.

[0282] If it is determined that the acquired video data contains predetermined data at a predetermined pixel address (Yes in S10), the controller 5 generates predetermined brightness data (S20). For example, the predetermined brightness data is data indicating that all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 emit light at 50% output.

[0283] Furthermore, the controller 5 controls the LED panel 1j based on the generated predetermined brightness data (S30). More specifically, the controller 5 controls all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 to emit light at 50% output, as indicated by the generated predetermined brightness data. In other words, all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are lit at the predetermined brightness.

[0284] Furthermore, if it is determined that the predetermined data is not included in the predetermined pixel address of the acquired video data (No in S10), the controller 5 controls the LED panel 1j based on the acquired video data (S40). More specifically, the controller 5 controls the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 based on the video data.

[0285] This allows the controller 5 to control the plurality of white LED light sources 12, for example, without acquiring brightness data from the storage device 600. In other words, the controller 5 can control the plurality of white LED light sources 12 even without the storage device 600 acquiring an instruction to output brightness data from a user (reception device). This simplifies the operation by the user.

[0286] Furthermore, the detailed configuration of lighting device 100j in lighting control system 500 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0287] 40 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of an illumination device 100j according to Modification 10 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. The illumination device 100j further includes two first lighting circuits 7 and two second lighting circuits 8. For simplicity, the two light diffusion plates, two housings, two power supplies, and the like included in the illumination device 100j are not shown.

[0288] In this modification, each of the two LED panels 1j has one first lighting circuit 7 and one second lighting circuit 8.

[0289] The first lighting circuit 7 is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5, and lights up the 64 x 64 multicolor LED light sources 11 based on the video data thinned out by the controller 5. The first lighting circuit 7 supplies a direct current of 5 mA or more and 15 mA or less to one multicolor LED light source 11, thereby lighting up that one multicolor LED light source 11.

[0290] The second lighting circuit 8 is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5, and lights up 16 x 8 white LED light sources 12 based on brightness data acquired by the controller 5. The second lighting circuit 8 supplies a direct current of 140 mA to one white LED light source 12, thereby lighting that one white LED light source 12. In this way, it is possible to supply a current value to one white LED light source 12 that is 10 times or more that of one multicolor LED light source 11. The first lighting circuit 7 and the second lighting circuit 8 are different circuits.

[0291] Each of the first lighting circuit 7 and the second lighting circuit 8 is a circuit in which a plurality of electronic components are mounted on a substrate.

[0292] One first lighting circuit 7 lights up the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the LED panel 1j that has that one first lighting circuit 7. Similarly, one second lighting circuit 8 lights up the multiple white LED light sources 12 in the LED panel 1j that has that one second lighting circuit 8.

[0293] 40, the lighting device 100j (more specifically, the LED panel 1j) includes a first lighting circuit 7 and a second lighting circuit 8. That is, different lighting circuits are provided for the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12. This allows the DC current value supplied to the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the DC current value supplied to the multiple white LED light sources 12 to be significantly different. This makes it easy to increase the total luminous flux of the light emitted from the multiple white LED light sources 12.

[0294] 36 includes one lighting device 100j, but is not limited to this. In FIGS. 41 and 42, lighting control systems 501 and 502 which are different from lighting control system 500 will be described.

[0295] Fig. 41 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting control system 501 including two lighting devices 100j according to a tenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 42 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a lighting control system 502 including a lighting device 100j according to a tenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment and a lighting device 100jx.

[0296] Lighting control system 501 shown in Fig. 41 has the same configuration as lighting control system 500, except that lighting control system 501 mainly includes two lighting devices 100j. Lighting control system 502 shown in Fig. 42 has the same configuration as lighting control system 500, except that lighting control system 501 mainly includes lighting device 100j and lighting device 100jx.

[0297] First, the lighting control system 501 will be described.

[0298] Of the two lighting devices 100j, the controller 5 included in one lighting device 100j (hereinafter referred to as one controller 5) acquires video data and brightness data directly from the storage device 600. The controller 5 included in the other lighting device 100j (hereinafter referred to as the other controller 5) acquires video data and brightness data from the storage device 600 via the one controller 5.

[0299] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0300] On the other hand, the controller 5 extracts, from the acquired video data, video data corresponding to a 128×128 pixel video to be displayed on each of the two LED panels 1j of the single lighting device 100j.

[0301] Furthermore, one of the controllers 5 extracts two sets of thinned-out video data as explained with reference to FIG. 36 etc., and controls the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in accordance with each of the thinned-out video data.

[0302] Furthermore, one controller 5 outputs the acquired video data to the other controller 5.

[0303] The other controller, like the one controller 5, extracts from the acquired video data video data corresponding to a 128 x 128 pixel video to be displayed on each of the two LED panels 1j of the other lighting device 100j.

[0304] Furthermore, the other controller 5 extracts two sets of thinned-out video data as explained with reference to FIG. 36 etc., and controls the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 in accordance with each of the thinned-out video data.

[0305] Next, the lighting control system 502 will be described.

[0306] The lighting device 100jx has the same configuration as the lighting device 100j, except that the lighting device 100jx does not include the controller 5.

[0307] Each of the two LED panels 1j included in the lighting device 100jx acquires video data and brightness data from each of the two LED panels 1j included in the lighting device 100j. In other words, each of the two LED panels 1j included in the lighting device 100jx and each of the two LED panels 1j included in the lighting device 100j are daisy-chain connected.

[0308] The following describes how the illumination devices 100j and 100jx emit image light based on image data.

[0309] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0310] The controller 5 extracts, from the acquired video data, video data corresponding to a 256×128 pixel video to be displayed on the four LED panels 1j (i.e., the four LED panels 1j provided in the lighting device 100j and the lighting device 100jx). In other words, in this example, the controller 5 extracts video data to be displayed on the four LED panels 1j.

[0311] Next, the controller 5 extracts video data corresponding to 128 x 64 multi-color LED light sources 11 in a checkerboard pattern, with the data corresponding to the second pixel address and the third pixel address thinned out, from video data corresponding to a 256 x 64 pixel video displayed on one LED panel 1j of the two LED panels 1j provided in the lighting device 100j and one LED panel 1j of the two LED panels 1j provided in the lighting device 100jx.

[0312] Furthermore, the controller 5 controls the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 according to the extracted thinned data (i.e., thinned video data). More specifically, the controller 5 applies video data corresponding to the 64×64 multicolor LED light sources 11, which is a part of the thinned video data, to addresses (first pixel addresses) at which the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 of the one LED panel 1j of the lighting device 100j are arranged, and controls the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 of the one LED panel 1j.

[0313] The controller 5 also applies the other part of the thinned-out video data, which corresponds to 64×64 LEDs, to an address (first pixel address) at which the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 of the single LED panel 1j of the lighting device 100jx are arranged, thereby controlling the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 of the single LED panel 1j. The controller 5 also performs similar processing for the other single LED panel 1j of the lighting device 100j and the other single LED panel 1j of the lighting device 100jx.

[0314] A configuration in which multiple lighting devices are connected may be adopted, as in lighting control systems 501 and 502 shown in Figures 41 and 42. In lighting control systems 501 and 502, each LED panel 1j displays an image equivalent to 128 x 64 pixels, and four LED panels 1j are provided. Therefore, lighting control systems 501 and 502 as a whole can display an image equivalent to 256 x 128 pixels. Furthermore, as in lighting control system 502, multiple LED panels 1j may be daisy-chain connected.

[0315] Although the lighting device 100j shown in Fig. 40 includes two second lighting circuits 8, this is not limitative. Fig. 43 will describe a lighting device 100jxx that includes one second lighting circuit 8.

[0316] FIG. 43 is a block diagram showing a detailed functional configuration of an illumination device 100jxx according to Modification 10 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Here, the illumination device 100jxx has the same configuration as the illumination device 100j, except that it includes one LED panel 1j and one LED panel 1jxx instead of the two LED panels 1j. More specifically, the illumination device 100jxx has the same configuration as the illumination device 100j shown in FIG. 40, except that it includes one second lighting circuit 8. That is, the illumination device 100jxx has a plurality of first lighting circuits 7 and one second lighting circuit 8. For simplicity, the two light diffusion plates, two housings, two power supplies, and the like included in the illumination device 100jxx are not shown.

[0317] The LED panel 1jxx has the same configuration as the LED panel 1j, except that it does not have the second lighting circuit 8. Here, the second lighting circuit 8 included in the LED panel 1j lights up the multiple white LED light sources 12 included in the LED panel 1jxx based on the luminance data acquired by the controller 5.

[0318] 43, the lighting device 100jxx includes a plurality of first lighting circuits 7 (two first lighting circuits 7 in this case) and one second lighting circuit 8. Even if the lighting device 100jxx includes a plurality of LED panels (one LED panel 1j and one LED panel 1jxx in this case), it is sufficient that the lighting device 100jxx includes one second lighting circuit 8 that lights up at least one white LED light source 12. Therefore, the number of second lighting circuits 8 included in the lighting device 100jxx can be reduced, and the cost of the lighting device 100jxx can be reduced.

[0319] [Variation 11] The configuration of an illumination device 100k according to Modification 11 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0320] Fig. 44 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1k included in an illumination device 100k according to Modification 11 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 45 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100k according to Modification 11 of Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line XLV-XLV in Fig. 44.

[0321] The lighting device 100k according to the modification 11 has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the example 1 of the embodiment 1, except that it mainly includes an LED panel 1k instead of the LED panel 1, and further includes at least one focusing lens 28k.

[0322] The LED panel 1k in the modification 11 has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that it mainly differs in the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number of white LED light sources 12. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern, just like the LED panel 1.

[0323] As shown in FIG. 44, the lighting device 100k has a plurality of condenser lenses 28k, more specifically, three condenser lenses 28k, which is the same number as the white LED light sources 12.

[0324] Condenser lenses 28k are disposed between the fluorescent members of each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 and the light diffusion plate 2. That is, condenser lenses 28k are disposed directly above one white LED light source 12, between that one white LED light source 12 and the light diffusion plate 2. Condenser lenses 28k are disposed at a distance from the white LED light sources 12. The number of condenser lenses 28k is the same as the number of white LED light sources 12, and they are disposed so that one condenser lens 28k corresponds to one white LED light source 12. Note that condenser lenses 28k are fixed and disposed directly above the white LED light sources 12 by a support member (not shown).

[0325] Each of the plurality of condenser lenses 28k condenses light emitted from the fluorescent member (i.e., white light emitted from one white LED light source 12). The condensed light is incident on the light diffusion plate 2. The light incident on the light diffusion plate 2 is diffused (scattered) by the light diffusion plate 2 and passes through the light diffusion plate 2, causing the light diffusion plate 2 to emit pseudo-light.

[0326] The condenser lens 28k is translucent. The condenser lens 28k may be made of a translucent resin or glass material. As shown in FIG. 45, the condenser lens 28k has a hemispherical lens shape, but is not limited to this. In this modification, when the spacing between the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the x-axis and y-axis directions is 8 mm, the diameter of the condenser lens is 4 mm.

[0327] Furthermore, the influence on brightness due to the provision of the condenser lens 28k will be described with reference to FIG.

[0328] FIG. 46 is a diagram showing the luminance distribution in the illumination device 100k according to the eleventh modification of the example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0329] 46 shows the results of measuring the luminance distribution in a linear region (e.g., a region along the x-axis direction) passing directly above the center of one white LED light source 12 when only one white LED light source 12 is emitting light. Note that, in this example, the emitting white LED light source 12 is positioned at a distance of 0 mm.

[0330] 46 also shows the luminance distribution "with condensing lens" and the luminance distribution "without condensing lens." The luminance distribution "with condensing lens" shows the luminance distribution in lighting device 100k, and the luminance distribution "without condensing lens" shows the luminance distribution in a lighting device in which all of condensing lenses 28k have been removed from lighting device 100k.

[0331] As shown in Figure 46, the luminance distribution "with condensing lens" is more than twice as bright as the luminance distribution "without condensing lens" directly above the center of white LED light source 12. In other words, because condensing lens 28k condenses the white light emitted from white LED light source 12, lighting device 100k can emit strong white light in the positive direction of the z-axis. For example, when lighting device 100k is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0332] Here, white LED light sources 12 are located in three locations from the upper left to the lower right, and by, for example, lighting only the upper left white LED light source at a first time, lighting only the central white LED light source at a second time, and lighting only the lower right white LED light source at a third time, an image can be displayed in which light (white light) simulating the sun moves, as in Example 14 described below. Note that the second time is a time later than the first time, and the third time is a time later than the second time.

[0333] [Modifications 12 and 13] The configurations of the illumination device 100m and the illumination device 100n according to Modifications 12 and 13 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0334] Fig. 47 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1m included in an illumination device 100m according to a twelfth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 48 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100m according to a twelfth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line XLVIII-XLVIII in Fig. 47.

[0335] Fig. 49 is a plan view showing an LED panel in included in an illumination device 100n according to a thirteenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 50 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100n according to the thirteenth modification of example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line XXXXX-XXXXX in Fig. 49.

[0336] The lighting device 100m according to the modification 12 has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the example 1 of the embodiment 1, except that it mainly includes a light diffusion plate 2m instead of the light diffusion plate 2 and an LED panel 1m instead of the LED panel 1.

[0337] The lighting device 100n according to the modification 13 has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the example 1 of the embodiment 1, except that it mainly has a light diffusion plate 2n instead of the light diffusion plate 2 and an LED panel 1n instead of the LED panel 1.

[0338] Each of the LED panels 1m and 1n in Modifications 12 and 13 has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that they mainly differ in the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number of white LED light sources 12. More specifically, each of the LED panels 1m and 1n in Modifications 12 and 13 has the same configuration as the LED panel 1k according to Modification 11. Furthermore, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in each of the LED panels 1m and 1n are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern, just like the LED panel 1.

[0339] Each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n has translucency and light diffusion properties (light scattering properties). Each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n is, for example, a light diffusion plate or a light diffusion panel having a plate-shaped flat portion. Each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n is disposed on the light emission side (front) of each of the LED panels 1m and 1n. In this modification, each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n is disposed spaced apart from each of the LED panels 1m and 1n.

[0340] Here, the degree of light diffusion will be described using Modification 12.

[0341] In the light diffusion plate 2m, the degree of light diffusion directly above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0342] The degree of light diffusion refers to the degree to which light emitted from each of the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12 is diffused (scattered) by the light diffusion plate 2m. The smaller the degree of light diffusion, the less the light is diffused (scattered).

[0343] For example, in Modifications 12 and 13, the degree of light diffusion directly above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above one multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 on the positive side of the x-axis. Therefore, light emitted from one white LED light source 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel toward the positive side of the z-axis than light emitted from one multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 on the positive side of the x-axis.

[0344] Each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n is made up of a transparent panel having a large number of minute irregularities formed on its surface (inner or outer surface). More specifically, each of the light diffusion plates 2m and 2n is made up of a transparent panel having a large number of minute irregularities formed on its outer surface (the surface on the positive side of the z-axis).

[0345] In Modification 12, the light diffuser plate 2m has at least one smoothing film 24m. As shown in Figures 47 and 48, the light diffuser plate 2m has a plurality of smoothing films 24m, more specifically, three smoothing films 24m, which is the same number as the number of white LED light sources 12. In Figure 47, a two-dot chain circle indicates the position where the smoothing film 24m is to be disposed.

[0346] The smoothing film 24m is disposed directly above one white LED light source 12. The smoothing film 24m is disposed so as to fill in the minute irregularities formed on the light diffuser plate 2m. In this modified example, when the spacing between the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the x-axis and y-axis directions is 8 mm, the diameter of the smoothing film is 4 mm. The smoothing film 24m is preferably made of a light-transmitting material, and more preferably made of the same material as the light diffuser plate 2m. At the position where such a smoothing film 24m is disposed, light scattering due to the minute irregularities formed on the light diffuser plate 2m is suppressed.

[0347] Furthermore, the number of smoothing films 24m is the same as the number of white LED light sources 12, and they are arranged so that one smoothing film 24m corresponds to one white LED light source 12. Therefore, white light emitted from each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 enters the smoothing film 24m and is emitted from the smoothing film 24m. Since the fine irregularities of the white light emitted from each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are filled by the smoothing film 24m, the white light passes through the light diffuser plate 2 with light scattering suppressed.

[0348] With this configuration, in Modification 12, the degree of light diffusion directly above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to the white LED light source 12 on the positive side of the x-axis. Therefore, compared to light emitted from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11, the white light emitted from multiple white LED light sources 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel on the positive side of the z-axis. In other words, the lighting device 100m according to Modification 12 can emit strong white light on the positive side of the z-axis. For example, if the lighting device 100m is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0349] In Modification 13, the light diffusion plate 2n has at least one smoothing region 24n. As shown in Fig. 49 and Fig. 50, the light diffusion plate 2n has a plurality of smoothing regions 24n, more specifically, three smoothing regions 24n, which is the same number as the number of white LED light sources 12. In Fig. 49, a two-dot chain circle is shown at the position where the smoothing region 24n is to be disposed.

[0350] The smoothing region 24n is disposed directly above one white LED light source 12. The smoothing region 24n is formed by polishing the minute irregularities formed on the light diffusion plate 2n. In other words, the smoothing region 24n has no minute irregularities. At the position where such a smoothing region 24n is provided, light scattering due to the minute irregularities formed on the light diffusion plate 2n is suppressed. In this modification, when the spacing between the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the x-axis and y-axis directions is 8 mm, the diameter of the smoothing region is 4 mm.

[0351] The number of smoothing regions 24n is the same as the number of white LED light sources 12, and they are arranged so that one smoothing region 24n corresponds to one white LED light source 12. Therefore, white light emitted from each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 enters the smoothing region 24n and is emitted from the smoothing region 24n. Because the white light emitted from each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 passes through the smoothing region 24n, which does not have minute irregularities, it passes through the light diffuser plate 2 with light scattering suppressed.

[0352] With this configuration, in Modification 13, the degree of light diffusion directly above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 adjacent to the white LED light source 12 on the positive x-axis side. Therefore, compared to light emitted from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11, the white light emitted from multiple white LED light sources 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel on the positive z-axis side. In other words, the lighting device 100n according to Modification 12 can emit strong white light on the positive z-axis side. For example, if the lighting device 100n is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0353] [Variation 14] The configuration of a lighting device 100p according to Modification 14 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0354] FIG. 51 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1p included in an illumination device 100p according to a fourteenth modification of the first example of the present embodiment.

[0355] The illumination device 100p according to the fourteenth modification has the same configuration as the illumination device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that the illumination device 100p includes an LED panel 1p instead of the LED panel 1.

[0356] The LED panel 1p has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number and arrangement of white LED light sources 12 are different. Note that in the modification 14, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern.

[0357] In this modification, the LED panel 1p includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12. The LED panel 1p also has a white LED light source group area A6 in which the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is higher when the substrate 13 is seen in plan view.

[0358] As shown in Fig. 51, the LED panel 1p has a plurality of white LED light source group regions A6, more specifically, two white LED light source group regions A6. In Fig. 51, a dashed circle indicates the white LED light source group region A6, and the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is higher within the dashed circle (in the white LED light source group region A6). The arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower outside the dashed circle, that is, the LED panel 1p also has regions where the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower.

[0359] When the lighting device 100p is a sky light, the white light emitted from all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in each white LED light source group area A6 can be used as light simulating the sun.

[0360] The plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A6 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A6 may emit light simultaneously, or only one of them may emit light.

[0361] For example, at a first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A6 are turned on, and at a second time different from the first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A6 are turned on.

[0362] One white LED light source group area A6 is a white LED light source group area A6 located on the negative side of the x-axis and the negative side of the y-axis shown in Figure 51, and the other white LED light source group area A6 is a white LED light source group area A6 located on the positive side of the x-axis and the positive side of the y-axis shown in Figure 51.

[0363] Furthermore, if the second time is later than the first time, then after only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A6 is turned on, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A6 is turned on. As a result, when the illumination device 100p is a sky illumination, an image can be displayed in which light simulating the sun (white light) moves in the direction of the dashed arrow shown in Fig. 51.

[0364] The illumination device 100p according to Modification 14 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 may include the condenser lens 28k described in Modification 11. Alternatively, as described in Modifications 12 and 13, the illumination device 100p may be configured such that the degree of light diffusion directly above one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above one multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to that one white LED light source 12 among the plurality of multi-color LED light sources 11. With these configurations, in the illumination device 100p, the white light emitted from all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in the white LED light source group region A6 becomes stronger and can be used as light simulating the sun.

[0365] Here, an example of the size of one white LED light source group area A6 will be described.

[0366] The apparent diameter of the sun on Earth is approximately 0.5 degrees. For example, assume that the distance between the user and the lighting device 100p is 4 meters. In this case, if the size of one white LED light source group area A6 is 35 mm, the apparent diameter of one white LED light source group area A6 as seen by the user will be approximately 0.5 degrees. In other words, as an example, if the size of one white LED light source group area A6 is 35 mm, the white light emitted from one white LED light source group area A6 will appear to the user as light simulating the sun.

[0367] [Variation 15] The configuration of an illumination device 100q according to Modification 15 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0368] Fig. 52 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1q included in an illumination device 100q according to Modification 15 of Example 1 of the present embodiment. Fig. 53 is a cross-sectional view of the illumination device 100q according to Modification 15 of Example 1 of the present embodiment taken along line LIII-LIII in Fig. 52.

[0369] The lighting device 100q according to the fifteenth modification has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that the lighting device 100q includes an LED panel 1q instead of the LED panel 1.

[0370] The LED panel 1q in the modification 15 has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, mainly except that the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 is different and that the LED panel 1q includes at least one other-color LED light source 17. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the LED panel 1q are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern, similar to the LED panel 1. In the drawing, for identification purposes, the at least one other-color LED light source 17 is hatched differently from the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12.

[0371] Here, the LED panel 1q includes a plurality of multi-color LED light sources 17.

[0372] Each of the multiple other-color LED light sources 17 is disposed between adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. More specifically, each of the multiple other-color LED light sources 17 is disposed between four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the multiple other-color LED light sources 17. In other words, as shown in FIG. 52 , the multiple other-color LED light source 17 is surrounded by the four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0373] The multi-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source having a peak emission wavelength in the infrared region, or an LED light source having a peak emission wavelength in another region (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an LED light source of a predetermined light). The LED light source of a predetermined light has a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelength of the white LED light source 12. Furthermore, the LED light source of a predetermined light has a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the multi-color LED light source 11. Because the multi-color LED light source 11 has a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip, the peak emission wavelengths of the multi-color LED light source 11 are wavelengths in the red region, the green region, and the blue region.

[0374] When the other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source, the other-color LED light source 17 has an infrared LED chip that emits infrared light. When the other-color LED light source 17 is an LED light source of a predetermined light, the other-color LED light source 17 has an LED chip that emits light corresponding to the emission peak wavelength of the light emitted by the LED light source of the predetermined light.

[0375] When the other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source, the other-color LED light source 17 emits infrared light, and therefore the lighting device 100q can heat the area that is the target of the irradiation. Furthermore, when the other-color LED light source 17 is an LED light source of a predetermined light, the other-color LED light source 17 can emit light having a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the light emitted by the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12. This allows the lighting device 100q to emit light with higher color rendering properties, which means that the lighting device 100q can have a high spatial rendering effect.

[0376] [Variation 16] First, the configuration of a lighting device 100t according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 and a lighting control system including the lighting device 100t will be described with reference to FIG.

[0377] FIG. 54 is a plan view showing an LED panel 1t included in an illumination device 100t according to a sixteenth modification of the example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0378] The lighting control system according to this modification is a system including a lighting device 100t, and for example, a controller 5 included in the lighting device 100t receives instructions from a user via a reception device included in the lighting control system according to this modification. In accordance with this instruction, the LED panel 1t included in the lighting device 100t turns on or off. Here, the lighting device 100t is installed on the ceiling of a commercial facility such as a food store, and as shown in FIG. 54, light emitted from the lighting device 100t reaches the "meat counter" or the "vegetable counter" and illuminates the meat in the "meat counter" or the vegetables in the "vegetable counter."

[0379] The illumination device 100t according to the sixteenth modification has the same configuration as the illumination device 100 according to the first example of the first embodiment, except that the illumination device 100t includes an LED panel 1t instead of the LED panel 1.

[0380] The LED panel 1t has the same configuration as the LED panel 1f.

[0381] In this modification, a lighting device 100t (more specifically, an LED panel 1t) has a first region F1 and a second region F2, as shown in Fig. 54. The first region F1 and the second region F2 are rectangular regions in a plan view of the substrate 13, but are not limited to this, and the second region F2 is separated from the first region F1, that is, is a region different from the first region F1. In Fig. 54, the first region F1 and the second region F2 are each shown as a rectangle with a two-dot chain line.

[0382] The first area F1 includes some of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12 in the first area F1 irradiate the first light mainly toward a first illuminated object. In this modification, the first illuminated object is meat in the "meat counter."

[0383] The second area F2 contains the other of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12 present in the second area F2 irradiate the second light mainly toward a second illuminated object. In this modification, the second illuminated object is vegetables in the "vegetable section."

[0384] Here, the light (first light and second light) emitted from the lighting device 100t will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0385] Fig. 55 is a diagram showing a table illustrating color rendering properties when the emission peak intensity of light emitted from the illumination device 100t according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of the present embodiment is controlled. Fig. 56 is a diagram showing the emission spectrum of light emitted from the illumination device 100t according to Modification 16 of Example 1 of the present embodiment.

[0386] As shown in Figure 55, by controlling the respective peak light emission intensities of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12, the CIE (International Commission on Illumination) chromaticity (X value and Y value on the CIE chromaticity diagram), average color rendering index (Ra), and specific color rendering index (R9, R14) change.

[0387] More specifically, the emission peak intensities of blue, green, and red light are controlled in the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. The white LED light source 12 is made up of a blue LED and a yellow phosphor, and the peak of the emission spectrum is in the blue region.

[0388] In Fig. 55, the CIE chromaticity, general color rendering index, and special color rendering index are calculated under seven conditions, case 1 to case 7. Under these seven conditions, the emission peak intensity of any of white light, blue light, green light, and red light is normalized as 1.00, and the emission peak intensity ratios of the other lights are calculated.

[0389] In this modification, the emission peak intensities of white light, blue light, green light, and red light are at 450 nm±5 nm, 470 nm±5 nm, 520 nm±5 nm, and 630 nm±10 nm, respectively.

[0390] Note that case 1 is a case where only the white LED light source 12 emits light. Cases 3, 5, and 7 are cases where the emission peak intensities of blue light, green light, and red light are controlled when the white LED light source 12 and the multicolor LED light source 11 emit light. In cases 3, 5, and 7, the emission peak intensities are controlled so that the average color rendering index, the special color rendering index (R9), and the special color rendering index (R14) are respectively high. Cases 2, 4, and 6 are cases where the emission peak intensities of blue light, green light, and red light are controlled when the multicolor LED light source 11 emits light. In cases 2, 4, and 6, the emission peak intensities are controlled so that the average color rendering index, the special color rendering index (R9), and the special color rendering index (R14) are respectively high.

[0391] 56 also shows the emission spectra for cases 1, 5, and 7. More specifically, (a) of FIG. 56 shows the emission spectrum when the white LED light source 12 emits light (case 1). (b) of FIG. 56 shows the emission spectrum for case 5. (c) of FIG. 56 shows the emission spectrum for case 7.

[0392] In this modification, the emission peak intensities of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 and the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the first irradiated object (meat) irradiated with the first light. Also, the emission peak intensities of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 and the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the second irradiated object (vegetables) irradiated with the second light.

[0393] Color reproducibility refers to the degree to which the color of an illuminated object illuminated with light from the lighting device 100t is reproduced from the color of the illuminated object illuminated with natural light. High color reproducibility refers to the color of an illuminated object illuminated with light from the lighting device 100t being close to the color of the illuminated object illuminated with natural light.

[0394] More specifically, color reproducibility is a characteristic that indicates the degree to which the inherent colors of the first and second irradiated objects are reproduced. For example, when the first irradiated object is meat, high color reproducibility means that the red color inherent to meat appears vivid. When the second irradiated object is vegetables, high color reproducibility means that the green color inherent to vegetables appears vivid.

[0395] Therefore, here, it is preferable to use, as the first light, light whose special color rendering index (R9), which is an index of light that makes red objects appear accurately, is greater than the special color rendering index (R14), which is an index of light that makes the color of leaves appear accurately, for example, light having an emission spectrum shown in (b) of Figure 56.

[0396] Furthermore, it is preferable to use light having R14 greater than R9 as the second light, and for example, light having an emission spectrum shown in FIG. 56(c).

[0397] In this modification, the lighting control system includes the lighting device 100t having the above-described configuration, and therefore can control the emission spectrum of light emitted from the lighting device 100t in accordance with the objects to be illuminated, such as the first illuminated object and the second illuminated object. In other words, the lighting control system according to this modification can adjust the color rendering to be high in accordance with the object to be illuminated. Therefore, the lighting control system according to this modification has a high spatial rendering capability.

[0398] <Example 2> Furthermore, the configuration of the illumination device 200 according to Example 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0399] Fig. 57 is a plan view of an LED panel 201 included in an illumination device 200 according to Example 2 of the present embodiment. Fig. 58 is a cross-sectional view of illumination device 200 according to Example 2 of the present embodiment taken along line LVIII-LVIII in Fig. 57. Fig. 59 is a cross-sectional view of illumination device 200 according to Example 2 of the present embodiment taken along line LIX-LIX in Fig. 57.

[0400] The illumination device 200 according to Example 2 has the same configuration as the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the first embodiment, except that it includes an LED panel 201 instead of the LED panel 1.

[0401] The LED panel 201 in the second embodiment has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that the number and arrangement of the multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number of the white LED light sources 12 are different.

[0402] The LED panel 201 includes a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11, more specifically, 25 multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0403] Furthermore, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 according to this embodiment are periodically arranged on the substrate 13. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 according to this embodiment are arranged in an array on the substrate 13. More specifically, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged in a matrix on the first main surface 131 of the substrate 13. That is, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, which are orthogonal to each other. The multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are preferably arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at the same pitch) in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 on the substrate 13 are not only arranged at the same pitch in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, but also at the same pitch in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction.

[0404] In this embodiment, the multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in parallel rows. Each row is made up of a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11. Each row is a linear row.

[0405] Each of the multiple columns is parallel to the x-axis direction shown in FIG.

[0406] As shown in FIG. 57, the multiple columns include a first column r4, a second column r5, and a third column r6. The first column r4, the second column r5, and the third column r6 are each enclosed by a two-dot chain line. The second column r5 and the third column r6 are adjacent to the first column r4, and the first column r4 is sandwiched between the second column r5 and the third column r6. For ease of identification, the four multicolor LED light sources 11 included in the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are referred to as four multicolor LED light sources 11f-11i. The first column r4 is composed of two multicolor LED light sources 11h and 11i and one multicolor LED light source 11; the second column r5 is composed of two multicolor LED light sources 11f and 11g and one multicolor LED light source 11; and the third column r6 is composed of three multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0407] Next, the two white LED light sources 12 will be described.

[0408] The two white LED light sources 12 are arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. Each of the two white LED light sources 12 is arranged between four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. In other words, as shown in Fig. 57, the white LED light source 12 is surrounded by the four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0409] For example, white LED light source 12b, which is an example of white LED light source 12, is adjacent to each of the four multicolor LED light sources 11f-11i. In other words, white LED light source 12b is surrounded by the four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11f-11i. More specifically, in a plan view, the distances between the center of white LED light source 12b and the centers of the four multicolor LED light sources 11f-11i are equal to each other. In other words, it can be said that white LED light source 12b is disposed at the center of the four multicolor LED light sources 11f-11i.

[0410] In this embodiment as well, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the illumination device 200 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0411] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 200 can be controlled.

[0412] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 200. Therefore, unlike the cited document 1 shown in the background art, there is no need to arrange multiple devices, so there is no restriction on the installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 200 is easy to install.

[0413] Furthermore, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0414] Fig. 60 is an enlarged plan view of region LX in Fig. 57. As shown in Fig. 60, in this embodiment as well, each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 includes a red LED chip 11R that emits red light, a green LED chip 11G that emits green light, and a blue LED chip 11B that emits blue light.

[0415] 60, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 will be described. For simplicity, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in the multicolor LED light source 11 may be referred to as the arrangement order of the multicolor LED light source 11.

[0416] In this embodiment, the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are aligned in a straight line, more specifically, along the y-axis direction.

[0417] Furthermore, the arrangement order of the red LED chips 11R, green LED chips 11G, and blue LED chips 11B is the same for each column. That is, the arrangement order of the red LED chips 11R, green LED chips 11G, and blue LED chips 11B of each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 constituting one column is the same. For example, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second column r5 is the same, that is, the order of the red LED chips 11R, green LED chips 11G, and blue LED chips 11B toward the positive side of the y-axis. Note that in this embodiment, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third column r6 is also the order of the red LED chips 11R, green LED chips 11G, and blue LED chips 11B toward the positive side of the y-axis. That is, in this embodiment, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second column r5 is the same as the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third column r6.

[0418] Furthermore, the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first row r4 is different from the arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in each of the second row r5 and the third row r6. The arrangement order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the first row r4 is, in the order of the blue LED chip 11B, the green LED chip 11G, and the red LED chip 11R, toward the positive side of the y-axis. In other words, the arrangement order is different between two adjacent rows, more specifically, the arrangement order is reversed between the two adjacent rows. In other words, the arrangement order alternates between the two adjacent rows.

[0419] As explained in Figures 4 and 5 etc. in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, the arrangement order of the two adjacent rows is alternated, so that the illumination device 200 as a whole is prevented from emitting white light with a weak blue or red color, which is light that is color-shifted in the high-angle direction toward the positive or negative side of the y axis.

[0420] Therefore, there is little color shift between when the video light and illumination light emitted from lighting device 200 are viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the positive side of the y-axis and when they are viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the negative side of the y-axis. For example, when a user standing on the floor views lighting device 200 installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, in other words, when the user views lighting device 200 at a small angle of elevation, there is little color shift between the illumination light and video light.

[0421] Furthermore, the following describes modifications of Example 2 of Embodiment 1. In any of the modifications of the lighting devices according to Example 2, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in a matrix.

[0422] [Variation 1] The configuration of an illumination device 200a according to Modification 1 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0423] Fig. 61 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of an LED panel 201a included in an illumination device 200a according to Modification 1 of Example 2 of the present embodiment. Fig. 61 corresponds to Fig. 60 shown in Example 2 of Embodiment 1.

[0424] The lighting device 200a according to this modification has the same configuration as the lighting device 200 according to Example 2 of Embodiment 1, except for the following one point: Specifically, the arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is different.

[0425] In this modification, the arrangement order of the adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is such that the orientations thereof are alternately different.

[0426] Two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are two multicolor LED light sources 11 that are arranged at the closest distance. Here, two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are referred to as one set. For example, a first set s3 and a second set s4 are shown in Fig. 61. The first set s3 and the second set s4 are each shown surrounded by a two-dot chain line.

[0427] The first set s3 is made up of two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11f and 11g, and the arrangement orders of the multicolor LED light sources 11f and 11g are different from each other, more specifically, they are oriented in opposite directions.

[0428] The second set s4 is two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11f and 11h, and the arrangement orders of the multicolor LED light sources 11f and 11h are different from each other, more specifically, they are oriented in opposite directions.

[0429] In this manner, in this modified example, the arrangement order of the adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is such that the orientations thereof are alternately different.

[0430] As explained in Example 1 of Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 etc., the illumination device 200a as a whole suppresses emission of white light with weak blue or red, which is light that is color-shifted in the high-angle direction toward the positive or negative y-axis.

[0431] Therefore, for example, when a user standing on the floor views the lighting device 200a installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, that is, when the user views the lighting device 200a at a small elevation angle, the color shift between the illumination light and the image light is small.

[0432] [Variation 2] The configuration of an illumination device 200b according to Modification 2 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0433] FIG. 62 is a plan view showing an LED panel 201b included in an illumination device 200b according to Modification 2 of Example 2 of the present embodiment.

[0434] The illumination device 200b according to the second modification has the same configuration as the illumination device 200 according to the second example of the first embodiment, except that the illumination device 200b includes an LED panel 201b instead of the LED panel 201.

[0435] The LED panel 201b has the same configuration as the LED panel 201, except that the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number and arrangement of white LED light sources 12 are different. In the second modification, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a matrix. In the second modification, the multiple white LED light sources 12 are also periodically arranged in a matrix.

[0436] Here, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is set to d1, and the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is set to d2.

[0437] The spacing will be explained using the white LED light source 12. For example, the spacing is the distance between one white LED light source 12 and another white LED light source 12 that is arranged closest to the one white LED light source 12. The average spacing d2 is the average value of the spacings for all of the white LED light sources 12 included in the LED panel 201b. The same applies to the spacing for the multicolor LED light source 11.

[0438] Furthermore, in the second modification, the average interval d1 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d1 2 >1 / d2 2 In other words, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower than the arrangement density of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0439] As explained in Modifications 6 and 7 of Example 1, for example, when a large number of low-output white LED light sources 12 are provided and when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 may sometimes be the same. However, in general, when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, there is a higher possibility that the cost related to the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be reduced.

[0440] Therefore, the average interval d1 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d1 2 >1 / d2 2 By satisfying the above condition, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be lowered, that is, a smaller number of white LED light sources 12 can be provided. Therefore, the cost of the illumination device 200b according to the second modification of the second embodiment can be reduced.

[0441] [Variation 3] Here, a description will be given of a lighting control system according to Variation 3 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1, which is a lighting control system different from lighting control system 500 according to Variation 10 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. More specifically, the configuration of lighting device 200c according to Variation 3 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1, which is a lighting device provided in the lighting control system according to this variation, will be described with reference to Fig. 63 .

[0442] FIG. 63 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel 201c included in an illumination device 200c according to Modification 3 of Example 2 of the present embodiment.

[0443] The lighting control system of variant example 3 has the same configuration as the lighting control system 500 of variant example 10 of example 1 of embodiment 1, except that it mainly includes lighting device 200c instead of lighting device 100j of variant example 10 of example 1 of embodiment 1.

[0444] That is, the lighting control system according to the third modification includes a storage device 600 and a lighting device 200c.

[0445] In the illumination control system according to the third modification, the illumination device 200c emits image light and illumination light based on the image data and brightness data stored in the storage device 600.

[0446] The illumination device 200c according to the third modification of the second example has the same configuration as the illumination device 200 according to the second example of the first embodiment, except that the illumination device 200c includes an LED panel 201c instead of the LED panel 201.

[0447] The LED panel 201c has the same configuration as the LED panel 201, mainly except for the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and white LED light sources 12. In the third modification of the second embodiment, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a matrix.

[0448] In the lighting device 200c, the controller 5 thins out the video data so as to correspond to the positions (addresses) where the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged.

[0449] Addresses are shown in Figure 63. More specifically, numbers indicating addresses are assigned in a matrix along the x-axis and y-axis directions. In the following, addresses may be written as (numbers along the x-axis, numbers along the y-axis).

[0450] For example, addresses where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged include (1, 1), (3, 1), (1, 3), (1, 5), etc., and multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged at (odd number, odd number) addresses.

[0451] For example, addresses where multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged include (2, 2), (10, 2), (2, 10), (10, 10), etc., and multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged at some addresses (even numbers, even numbers).

[0452] In this modification, an address where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged is referred to as a first pixel address, and an address where multiple white LED light sources 12 are arranged is referred to as a second pixel address. Furthermore, an address where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and multiple white LED light sources 12 are not arranged is referred to as a third pixel address.

[0453] As described above, Fig. 63 is a plan view showing a portion of one LED panel 201c. In this modification, the numbers indicating addresses along the x-axis direction range from 1 to 128, and the numbers indicating addresses along the y-axis direction range from 1 to 64, and the LED panel 201c includes 2048 multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0454] The plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged to form 64×32 pixels.

[0455] The following describes how the illumination device 200c emits image light based on image data.

[0456] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0457] The controller 5 extracts, from the acquired video data, video data corresponding to a 128×64 pixel video to be displayed on the LED panel 201c.

[0458] Next, the controller 5 extracts data in which the data corresponding to the second pixel address and the third pixel address are thinned out from the video data corresponding to the 128 x 64 pixel video to be displayed on the LED panel 201c. In other words, the video data is thinned out so that the video data corresponds to 64 x 32 multi-color LED light sources 11. As a result, the amount of data is reduced to one-fourth.

[0459] Furthermore, the controller 5 assigns the extracted thinned data (i.e., thinned video data) to a first pixel address, which is an address where multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged, and controls the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 according to this thinned video data.

[0460] The processing for the luminance data is as follows.

[0461] The controller 5 obtains the luminance data output from the storage device 600.

[0462] The controller 5 extracts the luminance data to be displayed on the LED panel 201c from the acquired luminance data.

[0463] Furthermore, the controller 5 applies the extracted luminance data to second pixel addresses, which are addresses where the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged, and controls the plurality of white LED light sources 12 according to this luminance data.

[0464] When data including both video data and luminance data is acquired, both the above-described processes relating to the video data and the luminance data are performed.

[0465] The lighting control system according to the third modification of the second example of the first embodiment has the above configuration, and can switch between irradiating video light and illumination light from the lighting device 200c included in the lighting control system based on an instruction from a user. Furthermore, thinning out the video data reduces the amount of data and reduces the load on data communication.

[0466] [Variation 4] The configuration of an illumination device 200d according to Modification 4 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0467] FIG. 64 is a plan view showing an LED panel 201d included in an illumination device 200d according to Modification 4 of Example 2 of the present embodiment.

[0468] The illumination device 200d according to the fourth modification has the same configuration as the illumination device 200 according to the second example of the first embodiment, except that the LED panel 201 is replaced with an LED panel 201d.

[0469] The LED panel 201d has the same configuration as the LED panel 201, except that the number of multicolor LED light sources 11 and the number and arrangement of white LED light sources 12 are different. Note that in the fourth modification, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are also periodically arranged in a matrix.

[0470] In this modification, the LED panel 201d includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12. The LED panel 201d also includes a white LED light source group area A7 in which the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is higher when the substrate 13 is seen in plan view.

[0471] As shown in Fig. 64, the LED panel 201d has a plurality of white LED light source group regions A7, more specifically, two white LED light source group regions A7. In Fig. 64, the dashed circle indicates the white LED light source group region A7, and the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is higher within the dashed circle (inside the white LED light source group region A7). In other words, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower outside the dashed circle. When the lighting device 200d is a sky light, the white light emitted from all of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in each white LED light source group region A7 can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0472] The plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A7 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A7 may emit light simultaneously, or only one of them may emit light.

[0473] For example, at a first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A7 are turned on, and at a second time different from the first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A7 are turned on.

[0474] One white LED light source group area A7 is a white LED light source group area A7 located on the negative side of the x-axis and the negative side of the y-axis shown in Figure 64, and the other white LED light source group area A7 is a white LED light source group area A7 located on the positive side of the x-axis and the positive side of the y-axis shown in Figure 64.

[0475] Furthermore, if the second time is later than the first time, then after only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one white LED light source group area A7 is turned on, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another white LED light source group area A7 is turned on. As a result, when the illumination device 200d is a sky illumination, an image can be displayed in which light simulating the sun (white light) moves in the direction of the dashed arrow shown in Fig. 64.

[0476] Example 3 Furthermore, the configuration of the illumination device 300 according to Example 3 of Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0477] FIG. 65 is a plan view of an LED panel 301 included in an illumination device 300 according to Example 3 of this embodiment.

[0478] The illumination device 300 according to Example 3 has the same configuration as the illumination device 100 according to Example 1 of the first embodiment, except that it includes an LED panel 301 instead of the LED panel 1.

[0479] The LED panel 301 in the third embodiment has the same configuration as the LED panel 1, except that the number and arrangement of the multicolor LED light sources 11 are different.

[0480] The LED panel 301 includes a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11, more specifically, 37 multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0481] Furthermore, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 according to this embodiment are arranged in a regular hexagonal shape on the substrate 13. More specifically, all of the multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged on the first main surface 131 of the substrate 13 at positions corresponding to the vertices and centers of the multiple regular hexagons that form the honeycomb structure. For ease of identification, the ten multicolor LED light sources 11 included in the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are referred to as ten multicolor LED light sources 11j to 11t.

[0482] First, the six multicolor LED light sources 11j, 11k, 11m, 11n, 11o, and 11p are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of a regular hexagon. Furthermore, each of the two multicolor LED light sources 11k and 11p and each of the other four multicolor LED light sources 11q, 11r, 11s, and 11t are arranged at positions corresponding to the vertices of another regular hexagon. Furthermore, the multicolor LED light source 11q is arranged at the center of the six multicolor LED light sources 11j, 11k, 11m, 11n, 11o, and 11p.

[0483] Next, the plurality of white LED light sources 12 will be described.

[0484] The plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. Each of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is arranged between four of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12. In other words, as shown in FIG. 65 , the white LED light source 12 is surrounded by the four multicolor LED light sources 11 that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12.

[0485] For example, the white LED light source 12c, which is an example of the white LED light source 12, is adjacent to each of the four multicolor LED light sources 11j, 11n, 11o, and 11q. In other words, the white LED light source 12c is surrounded by the four adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11j, 11n, 11o, and 11q. More specifically, in a plan view, the distances between the center of the white LED light source 12c and the centers of the two multicolor LED light sources 11j and 11o are equal, and the distances between the center of the white LED light source 12c and the centers of the two multicolor LED light sources 11n and 11q are equal. In other words, it can be said that the white LED light source 12c is disposed at the center of the four multicolor LED light sources 11j, 11n, 11o, and 11q.

[0486] In this embodiment as well, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the illumination device 300 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0487] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 300 can be controlled.

[0488] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 300. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the Background Art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 300 is easy to install.

[0489] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the circumscribing polygon P3 that surrounds all of the multicolor LED light sources 11 in a plan view of the substrate 13 is a hexagon, more specifically, a regular hexagon.

[0490] As described above, the outer diameter of the case 115 of each of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 is approximately rectangular. Furthermore, as described in Modifications 3 and 4 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1, the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are arranged so that the four sides of this approximately rectangle are parallel to the x-axis direction or the y-axis direction. The multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 arranged in a regular hexagon can also be said to be arranged along each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. Hereinafter, the vertical direction of the regular hexagon is one of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, and the horizontal direction of the regular hexagon is the other of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In the following, the vertical direction of the regular hexagon is the y-axis direction, and the horizontal direction of the regular hexagon is the x-axis direction.

[0491] Here, one of the six sides of the circumscribing polygon P3 is parallel to the horizontal or vertical direction of the regular hexagon. More specifically, side E3, which is one side of the circumscribing polygon P3, which is a regular hexagon, is parallel to the x-axis direction, that is, parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0492] In the lighting device 300 having such a configuration, if a linear axis passing through the center of the LED panel 301 in a plan view and parallel to the z-axis direction is taken as the rotation axis, the lighting device 300 has a six-fold rotational symmetry structure. Therefore, even when viewed by a user from multiple high-angle directions, the horizontal angle dependency of the illumination light emitted from the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 provided in the lighting device 300 is less than that of the rectangular lighting device 100.

[0493] <Summary etc.> The first embodiment will be summarized below.

[0494] The lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment includes an LED panel 1 having a substrate 13, a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 periodically arranged on the substrate 13, and at least one white LED light source 12 arranged on the substrate 13, and a light diffusion plate 2 arranged opposite the LED panel 1. Each of the at least one white LED light source 12 is arranged between four multicolor LED light sources 11 adjacent to the white LED light source 12, among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11.

[0495] In the lighting device 100, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the lighting device 100 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image (image light) with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0496] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 100 can be improved.

[0497] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 100. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the Background Art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 100 is easy to install.

[0498] In summary, the lighting device 100 is realized which emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation.

[0499] In the first embodiment, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in multiple parallel rows, and each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 includes a red LED chip 11R, a green LED chip 11G, and a blue LED chip 11B. The red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged in the same order for each row. The order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in a first row r1 is different from the order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in a second row r2 and a third row r3 adjacent to the first row r1. The order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second row r2 is the same as the order of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third row r3.

[0500] As a result, the arrangement order of the two adjacent rows alternates, and the lighting device 100 as a whole is prevented from emitting white light with a weak blue or red color, which is light that is color-shifted in the high-angle direction toward the positive or negative side of the y axis.

[0501] Therefore, there is little color shift between the image light and illumination light emitted from lighting device 100 when viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the positive side of the y-axis and when viewed by a user from a high-angle direction on the negative side of the y-axis. For example, when a user standing on the floor views lighting device 100 installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, that is, when the user views lighting device 100 at a small elevation angle, there is little color shift between the illumination light and image light. Such lighting device 100 has a higher spatial effect.

[0502] In the second modification of the first embodiment, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 include a red LED chip 11R, a green LED chip 11G, and a blue LED chip 11B. The arrangement order of the red LED chip 11R, the green LED chip 11G, and the blue LED chip 11B in each of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 is such that the orientations of adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 are alternately different.

[0503] 4 and 5, the illumination device 100b as a whole is also prevented from emitting white light with weak blue or red, which is light that is color-shifted in the high-angle direction toward the positive or negative y-axis. Therefore, for example, when a user standing on the floor views the illumination device 100b installed on the ceiling from a position close to the ceiling or from a distance, that is, when the user views the illumination device 100b at a small elevation angle, the color shift between the illumination light and the image light is small. This type of illumination device 100b has a stronger spatial effect.

[0504] In the third modification of the first embodiment, the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern, and in a plan view of the substrate 13, one side of a circumscribed polygon P1 that surrounds all of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 is parallel to the horizontal or vertical direction of the checkerboard pattern.

[0505] When a user views the illumination device 100c having such a configuration from high-angle directions on the positive and negative x-axis sides and high-angle directions on the positive and negative y-axis sides, the arrangement of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 appears the same. In other words, if a linear axis passing through the center of the LED panel 1c in a plan view and parallel to the z-axis direction is taken as the rotation axis, the illumination device 100c has a four-fold rotational symmetry structure. Therefore, even when viewed by a user from the four high-angle directions, there is little color shift between the illumination light and the image light emitted from the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 included in each of the illumination device 100c. This illumination device 100c has a higher spatial effect.

[0506] In the first embodiment, the lighting device 100 includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12 (for example, four or more white LED light sources 12). Two adjacent white LED light sources 12 among the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are turned on with the same luminous flux. In this case, in the luminance distribution of an area A1 connecting positions directly above the centers of two adjacent white LED light sources 12 measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, the luminance ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0507] As shown in Fig. 6, white light from four or more white LED light sources 12 may give the subject the impression that the light has an unnatural dotted appearance. However, as shown in Fig. 7, an illumination device 100 in which the luminance ratio of region A1 is between 0.1 and 1.0 is less likely to give the subject an unnatural appearance. Such an illumination device 100 has a stronger spatial effect.

[0508] In the first embodiment, two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 are lit with the same luminous flux. In this case, in the luminance distribution of an area A2 connecting the positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent multicolor LED light sources 11 measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, the luminance ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0509] As shown in Fig. 10, lighting devices 100 with a luminance ratio in region A2 of 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less are less likely to cause discomfort. In other words, such lighting devices 100 facilitate character recognition. Furthermore, lighting devices 100 with a luminance ratio in region A2 of 0.96 or more and 1.0 or less were judged by more than 80% of 20 subjects to not cause discomfort, and are even less likely to cause discomfort. Such lighting devices 100 have better spatial presentation capabilities.

[0510] In the first embodiment, the multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged in multiple parallel rows. The multicolor LED light sources 11 in a first row r1 are turned off, and the multicolor LED light sources 11 in a second row r2 and a third row r3 adjacent to the first row r1 are turned on with the same color and the same luminous flux. In this case, the luminance ratio, calculated by dividing the minimum luminance by the maximum luminance, in a luminance distribution area A3 connecting the positions directly above the centers of the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the second row r2 and the multicolor LED light sources 11 in the third row r3, which are closest to each other, measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less.

[0511] 13 and 14, the illumination device 100 in which the luminance ratio of the area A3 is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less allows the user to recognize that one multicolor LED light source 11 is turned off. In other words, such an illumination device 100 makes character recognition easy.

[0512] In Example 1, the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged in multiple parallel rows. Only the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in one of the multiple rows are turned on. In this case, in the luminance distribution of an area A4 measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, which passes directly above the center of one of the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 in one row and is perpendicular to the row, L1 / D1 is between 0 and 3. Note that L1 is the first half-width, which is the distance between the position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above one multicolor LED light source 11 and the position directly above the center of one multicolor LED light source 11. The spacing between the multiple rows is D1.

[0513] As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, in lighting device 100 where L1 / D1 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 3, character recognition becomes easy.

[0514] In Example 1, only one of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 is turned on. At this time, in the luminance distribution of an area A5 that passes directly above the center of one multi-color LED light source 11, measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, L2 / D2 is 0 or more and 1.5 or less. Note that L2 is the second half-width, which is the distance between the position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above one multi-color LED light source 11 and the position directly above the center of one multi-color LED light source 11. D2 is the distance between the centers of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11.

[0515] As shown in FIG. 21, in the illumination device 100 in which L2 / D2 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 1.5, the image displayed by the image light is less blurred, and such an illumination device 100 has a higher spatial rendering capability.

[0516] In the fifth modification of the first embodiment, the light diffusion plate 2e includes an inner light diffusion plate 21e and an outer light diffusion plate 22e disposed directly above the inner light diffusion plate 21e. The distance between the inner light diffusion plate 21e and the at least one white LED light source 12 is 50% or more and 100% or less of the distance between the outer light diffusion plate 22e and the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0517] This revealed that illumination device 100e exhibits higher brightness than illumination device 100 at positions where the brightness is half or less of the central brightness. By exhibiting higher brightness at positions where the brightness is half or less of the central brightness, character recognition becomes easier as shown in Fig. 9 and other figures, and since two light scattering plates (inner light diffusion plate 21e and outer light diffusion plate 22e) are provided and light is sufficiently scattered, the white light emitted from white LED light source 12 is less likely to have an unnatural dotted appearance or other unnatural effects. Such illumination device 100e has a greater spatial effect.

[0518] In the sixth variation of the first embodiment, the lighting device 100f includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12. The plurality of white LED light sources 12 are periodically arranged. When the average distance between the centers of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11 is d1 and the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is d2, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is 1 / d1. 2 >1 / d2 2 is.

[0519] For example, there are cases where the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be made the same when a large number of low-output white LED light sources 12 are provided and when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided. However, in general, when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, there is a higher possibility that the cost related to the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be reduced.

[0520] Therefore, the average interval d1 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d1 2 >1 / d2 2By satisfying the above condition, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be lowered, that is, a smaller number of white LED light sources 12 can be provided. Therefore, the cost of the illumination device 100f according to the sixth modification can be reduced.

[0521] In variant 8 of Example 1, in the light diffusion plate 2h, the degree of light diffusion 22h directly above at least one white LED light source 12 is greater than the degree of light diffusion 21h directly above the multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to at least one white LED light source 12 among the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11.

[0522] This makes it easier for the light emitted from white LED light source 12 to be scattered (diffused), and prevents the light emitted from white LED light source 12 from becoming unnatural light with a dotted appearance, etc. Such lighting device 100h has a higher spatial rendering capability.

[0523] In a tenth modification of the first embodiment, the lighting device 100j includes a controller 5 that controls illumination light and image light representing an image illuminated by the lighting device 100j. An address where multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 are arranged is defined as a first pixel address, an address where at least one white LED light source 12 is arranged is defined as a second pixel address, and an address where neither the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 nor the at least one white LED light source 12 is arranged is defined as a third pixel address. The controller 5 assigns, to the first pixel address, data obtained by thinning out data corresponding to the second and third pixel addresses from image data representing the image light, thereby controlling the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11. The controller 5 also assigns brightness data representing the illumination light to the second pixel address, thereby controlling the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0524] This allows the lighting device 100j to switch between emitting video light and illuminating light based on a user's instruction. This lighting device 100j has a stronger spatial presentation. Furthermore, thinning out the video data reduces the amount of data, thereby easing the data communication load.

[0525] In Modification 10 of Example 1, the lighting device 100j includes a controller 5 that controls illumination light and image light that indicates an image irradiated by the lighting device 100j, a first lighting circuit 7, and a second lighting circuit 8. The first lighting circuit 7 is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5 and turns on a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11. The second lighting circuit 8 is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5 and turns on at least one white LED light source 12 (e.g., a plurality of white LED light sources 12). The first lighting circuit 7 and the second lighting circuit 8 are different circuits.

[0526] As a result, different lighting circuits are provided for the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the multiple white LED light sources 12. This allows the DC current value supplied to the multiple multicolor LED light sources 11 and the DC current value supplied to the multiple white LED light sources 12 to be greatly different. This makes it easy to increase the total luminous flux of light emitted from the multiple white LED light sources 12.

[0527] In the tenth modification of the first embodiment, the lighting device 100jxx includes a plurality of first lighting circuits 7 and one second lighting circuit 8.

[0528] In this way, even if the lighting device 100jxx includes multiple LED panels (here, one LED panel 1j and one LED panel 1jxx), it is sufficient to include one second lighting circuit 8 that lights at least one white LED light source 12. This allows the number of second lighting circuits 8 included in the lighting device 100jxx to be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the lighting device 100jxx.

[0529] In Modification 11 of Example 1, each of the at least one white LED light source 12 includes a fluorescent member. The illumination device 100k includes a condenser lens 28k disposed between the at least one fluorescent member and the light diffusion plate 2, and configured to condense light emitted from the at least one fluorescent member.

[0530] As shown in Figure 46, the luminance distribution "with condensing lens" is more than twice as bright as the luminance distribution "without condensing lens" directly above the center of the white LED light source 12. In other words, because the white light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is condensed by the condensing lens 28k, the lighting device 100k can emit strong white light in the positive direction of the z-axis. For example, when the lighting device 100k is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight. Such a lighting device 100k has a higher spatial effect.

[0531] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 400. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the background art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 400 is easy to install.

[0532] In variant 12 of Example 1, the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one white LED light source 12 (e.g., multiple white LED light sources 12) on the light diffusion plate 2m is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above the multi-color LED light source 11 adjacent to the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0533] As a result, compared to light emitted from multiple multicolor LED light sources 11, the white light emitted from multiple white LED light sources 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel toward the positive side of the z-axis. In other words, the lighting device 100m according to modification 12 can emit strong white light toward the positive side of the z-axis. For example, when the lighting device 100m is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate light from the sun. Such a lighting device 100m has a stronger spatial effect.

[0534] In the fourteenth modification of the first embodiment, the lighting device 100p includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12. The lighting device 100p has a white LED light source group area A6 in which the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is higher when the substrate 13 is seen in plan view.

[0535] As a result, when the illumination device 100p is used as a sky light, the white light emitted from all of the white LED light sources 12 arranged in each white LED light source group area A6 can be used as light that imitates the sun. Such an illumination device 100p has a higher spatial effect.

[0536] In Modification 14 of Example 1, the lighting device 100p has a plurality of white LED light source group regions A6. At a first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in one of the plurality of white LED light source group regions A6 are turned on. At a second time different from the first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources 12 arranged in another of the plurality of white LED light source group regions A6 are turned on.

[0537] As a result, when the lighting device 100p is a sky light, an image can be displayed in which light (white light) simulating the sun moves in the direction of the dashed arrow shown in Figure 51, and such lighting device 100p has a greater spatial effect.

[0538] In Modification 15 of Example 1, the LED panel 1q further includes at least one other-color LED light source 17 arranged on the substrate 13. Each of the at least one other-color LED light source 17 is arranged between the other-color LED light source 17 and the adjacent multi-color LED light source 11 among the plurality of multi-color LED light sources 11. Each of the at least one other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source having a peak emission wavelength in the infrared region, or an LED light source having a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the at least one white LED light source 12 and the plurality of multi-color LED light sources 11.

[0539] As a result, when the other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source, the other-color LED light source 17 emits infrared light, and the lighting device 100q can heat the area that is the target of the irradiation. Furthermore, when the other-color LED light source 17 is an LED light source of a predetermined light, the other-color LED light source 17 can emit light having a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the light emitted by the multicolor LED light source 11 and the white LED light source 12. As a result, the lighting device 100q can emit light with higher color rendering properties, which means that the lighting device 100q can have a high spatial rendering effect.

[0540] In a sixteenth modification of the first embodiment, the lighting control system includes a lighting device 100t. Some of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 and at least one white LED light source 12 are present in a first region F1 and irradiate a first light toward a first illuminated object. Others of the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 and at least one white LED light source 12 are present in a second region F2 separated from the first region F1 and irradiate a second light toward a second illuminated object. The emission peak intensities of the at least one white LED light source 12 and the multiple multi-color LED light sources 11 are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the first illuminated object irradiated with the first light and the color reproducibility of the second illuminated object irradiated with the second light.

[0541] This makes it possible to control the emission spectrum of light emitted from the lighting device 100t depending on the illumination target object, such as the first illumination target object and the second illumination target object. That is, the lighting control system according to the modification 16 of the first embodiment can adjust the color rendering to be high depending on the illumination target object. Therefore, the lighting control system according to the modification 16 of the first embodiment has a high spatial rendering ability.

[0542] Furthermore, illumination light and video light can be emitted from a single lighting device 100t. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the Background Art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there are no restrictions on installation locations or difficulties in installing wiring, etc. A lighting control system equipped with such lighting device 100t emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation.

[0543] In a tenth modification of the first embodiment, the lighting control system 500 includes a lighting device 100j. At least one white LED light source 12 (e.g., a plurality of white LED light sources 12) is turned on at a predetermined brightness based on predetermined data included in a predetermined pixel address of video data indicating video light emitted by the lighting device 100j.

[0544] This allows the controller 5 to control the plurality of white LED light sources 12, for example, without acquiring brightness data from the storage device 600. In other words, the controller 5 can control the plurality of white LED light sources 12 even without the storage device 600 acquiring an instruction to output brightness data from a user (reception device). This simplifies user operations in the lighting control system 500.

[0545] (Embodiment 2) Next, the configuration of the illumination device 400 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0546] Fig. 66 is a plan view of LED panel 401 included in lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment. Fig. 67 is a cross-sectional view of lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment taken along line LXVII-LXVII in Fig. 66. Fig. 68 is a cross-sectional view of lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment taken along line LXVIII-LXVIII in Fig. 66.

[0547] The illumination device 400 not only functions as a lighting fixture that emits illumination light to illuminate the surroundings, but also functions as a display that displays images. In other words, the illumination device 400 is an image illumination device or an illumination display that can emit illumination light and image light that shows images.

[0548] The lighting device 400 has the same configuration as the lighting device 100 according to the first embodiment, except that it includes an LED panel 401 instead of the LED panel 1.

[0549] As shown in FIGS. 66 to 68, the lighting device 400 includes an LED panel 401, a light diffusion plate 2, a housing 3, a power source 4, and a controller 5.

[0550] The LED panel 401 can emit video light and illumination light. The LED panel 401 may emit only video light, only illumination light, or both video light and illumination light. For example, the LED panel 401 can simultaneously emit video light that shows an image image that imitates the sky, such as a blue sky, and illumination light. In this case, the LED panel 401 can emit illumination light to which an image image that imitates the sky, such as a blue sky, is added. The LED panel 401 is a light source module that serves as a light source for the lighting device 400. In this embodiment, the LED panel 401 is an LED module that uses an LED as a light source.

[0551] The LED panel 401 has the same configuration as the LED panel 1 according to embodiment 1, except that it has a plurality of red LED light sources 14, a plurality of green LED light sources 15, and a plurality of blue LED light sources 16 instead of a plurality of multicolor LED light sources 11, and the number of white LED light sources 12 is different.

[0552] The LED panel 401 includes a substrate 13, a plurality of red LED light sources 14, a plurality of green LED light sources 15, and a plurality of blue LED light sources 16 arranged on the substrate 13, and at least one white LED light source 12 arranged on the substrate 13. In this embodiment, the number of red LED light sources 14, the number of green LED light sources 15, and the number of blue LED light sources 16 are the same. In this embodiment, the LED panel 401 includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12, more specifically, two white LED light sources 12, but is not limited to this and may include one or three or more white LED light sources 12. Light emitted from the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, as well as light emitted from the two white LED light sources 12, enters the light diffuser plate 2. Note that in the drawing, the red LED light source 14, the green LED light source 15, the blue LED light source 16, and the white LED light source 12 are each hatched differently for identification purposes.

[0553] Each of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 is a red LED element that emits red light. Each of the plurality of green LED light sources 15 is a green LED element that emits green light. Each of the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 is a blue LED element that emits blue light.

[0554] In this embodiment, in response to an instruction from a user, the controller 5 outputs control data including information regarding the brightness of each of the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 to the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16. Upon receiving the control data, the multicolor LED light source 11 outputs blue light, green light, and red light at predetermined light intensities based on the control data, thereby emitting light of a predetermined emitted color. For example, when the green LED chip, the red LED chip, and the blue LED chip are each driven at 100% output, white light is emitted from the multicolor LED light source 11. The controller 5 can be realized, for example, by a control circuit.

[0555] A plurality of red LED light sources 14 , a plurality of green LED light sources 15 and a plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are periodically arranged on the substrate 13 .

[0556] More specifically, it is as follows.

[0557] The plurality of red LED light sources 14 are periodically arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. In this embodiment, the plurality of red LED light sources 14 are arranged in an array on the substrate 13. Specifically, the plurality of red LED light sources 14 are arranged in a matrix on the first main surface 131 of the substrate 13. That is, the plurality of red LED light sources 14 are arranged along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, which are orthogonal to each other. The plurality of red LED light sources 14 are preferably arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at the same pitch) in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of red LED light sources 14 on the substrate 13 are arranged not only at the same pitch in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, but also at the same pitch in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. For example, the distance between the center of one red LED light source 14 and the center of another red LED light source 14 adjacent to the one red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the x-axis is 8.0 mm, but is not limited to this. Furthermore, for example, the distance between the center of one red LED light source 14 and the center of another red LED light source 14 adjacent to the one red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the y-axis is 8.0 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0558] In addition, in a plan view of the substrate 13, the positions of the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are positions obtained by translating the positions of the plurality of red LED light sources 14.

[0559] That is, the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are periodically arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. In this embodiment, the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are arranged in an array on the substrate 13. Specifically, the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are arranged in a matrix on the first main surface 131 of the substrate 13. That is, the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are arranged along the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, which are orthogonal to each other. The plurality of green LED light sources 15 are preferably arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at the same pitch) in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. In this embodiment, the plurality of green LED light sources 15 on the substrate 13 are not only arranged at the same pitch in each of the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction, but also at the same pitch in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. For example, the distance between the center of one red LED light source 14 and the center of one green LED light source 15 adjacent to the red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the x-axis is 4.0 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0560] The positions of the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are positions obtained by translating the positions of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 .

[0561] That is, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are periodically arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. In this embodiment, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are arranged in an array on the substrate 13. Specifically, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are arranged in a matrix on the first main surface 131 of the substrate 13. That is, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are arranged along the x-axis and y-axis directions, which are orthogonal to each other. The plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are preferably arranged at equal intervals (i.e., at the same pitch) in each of the x-axis and y-axis directions. In this embodiment, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 on the substrate 13 are not only arranged at the same pitch in each of the x-axis and y-axis directions, but also at the same pitch in the x-axis and y-axis directions. For example, the distance between the center of one red LED light source 14 and the center of another blue LED light source 16 adjacent to the red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the y-axis is 4.0 mm, but is not limited to this.

[0562] Each of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 is an LED element that emits red light.

[0563] Here, each of the multiple red LED light sources 14 has a red LED chip that emits red light. Each of the multiple red LED light sources 14 is a packaged LED element in which an LED is packaged. Like each of the multiple white LED light sources 12, each of the multiple red LED light sources 14 has a concave case as a package. The red LED chip is disposed within the case. Each of the multiple red LED light sources 14 has a sealing resin as a sealing member that seals the red LED chip.

[0564] Each of the plurality of green LED light sources 15 is an LED element that emits green light.

[0565] Here, each of the multiple green LED light sources 15 has a green LED chip that emits green light. Each of the multiple green LED light sources 15 is a packaged LED element in which an LED is packaged. Like each of the multiple white LED light sources 12, each of the multiple green LED light sources 15 has a concave case as a package. The green LED chip is disposed within the case. Each of the multiple green LED light sources 15 has a sealing resin as a sealing member that seals the green LED chip.

[0566] Here, each of the multiple blue LED light sources 16 has a blue LED chip that emits blue light. Each of the multiple blue LED light sources 16 is a packaged LED element in which an LED is packaged. Like each of the multiple white LED light sources 12, each of the multiple blue LED light sources 16 has a concave case as a package. The blue LED chip is disposed within the case. Each of the multiple blue LED light sources 16 has a sealing resin as a sealing member that seals the blue LED chip.

[0567] Therefore, each of the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 can emit green light, red light, and blue light (i.e., the three primary colors of light). In other words, each of the red LED light source 14, the multiple green LED light source 15, and the multiple blue LED light source 16 corresponds to one pixel of the display, and various colors of light can be emitted by adjusting the brightness of the green light, red light, and blue light. As a result, the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 can generate video light that simulates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Note that video light may also be generated by all of the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, the multiple blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12.

[0568] In this embodiment, each of the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 is a surface-mounted (SMD) type LED element that is surface-mounted on the substrate 13.

[0569] Next, the two white LED light sources 12 will be described.

[0570] The two white LED light sources 12 are arranged on the substrate 13, more specifically, on the first main surface 131. Each of the two white LED light sources 12 is arranged between two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12, among the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16. The two LED light sources of the same color are two LED light sources that emit light of the same color, more specifically, two LED light sources that emit light of the same emission spectrum. In this example, the two LED light sources of the same color are two red LED light sources 14, two green LED light sources 15, or two blue LED light sources 16.

[0571] For the sake of distinction, the two green LED light sources 15 included in the plurality of green LED light sources 15 are referred to as two green LED light sources 15a and 15b, and the two blue LED light sources 16 included in the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are referred to as two blue LED light sources 16a and 16b. For example, in FIG. 66, one white LED light source 12 is disposed between two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12 (e.g., two green LED light sources 15a and 15b). Alternatively, in FIG. 66, one white LED light source 12 is disposed between two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12 (e.g., two blue LED light sources 16a and 16b). In other words, as shown in FIG. 66, the white LED light source 12 is sandwiched between the two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12.

[0572] More specifically, in a plan view, the distances between the center of white LED light source 12 and the centers of the two adjacent LED light sources of the same color are equal to each other. In other words, it can be said that white LED light source 12 is disposed at the center of the two adjacent LED light sources of the same color.

[0573] Furthermore, the arrangement density of the multiple red LED light sources 14 is greater than the arrangement density of the two white LED light sources 12. That is, in the lighting device 400, the number of red LED light sources 14 is greater than the number of white LED light sources 12.

[0574] In this way, the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings, for example. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the illumination device 400 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0575] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple red LED light sources 14, multiple green LED light sources 15, and multiple blue LED light sources 16 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 400 can be controlled.

[0576] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 400. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the background art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 400 is easy to install.

[0577] [Variation 1] The configuration of an illumination device 400a according to Modification 1 of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0578] FIG. 69 is a plan view showing an LED panel 401a included in an illumination device 400a according to the first modification of the present embodiment.

[0579] Illumination device 400a according to Modification 1 has the same configuration as illumination device 400 according to Embodiment 2, except that illumination device 400a includes LED panel 401a instead of LED panel 401.

[0580] The LED panel 401a has the same configuration as the LED panel 401, except that the numbers of red LED light sources 14, green LED light sources 15, and blue LED light sources 16 and the number and arrangement of white LED light sources 12 are different. In the first modification, the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are also periodically arranged in a matrix.

[0581] Here, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 is d3, and the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is d2.

[0582] The spacing will be explained using the white LED light source 12. For example, the spacing is the distance between one white LED light source 12 and another white LED light source 12 that is arranged closest to the one white LED light source 12. The average spacing d2 is the average value of the spacings for all of the white LED light sources 12 included in the LED panel 401a. The same applies to the red LED light source 14.

[0583] Furthermore, in the first modification, the average interval d3 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d3 2 >1 / d2 2 In other words, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is lower than the arrangement density of the plurality of red LED light sources 14.

[0584] As explained in Modification 2 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1, for example, when a large number of low-output white LED light sources 12 are provided and when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 may sometimes be the same. However, in general, when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, there is a higher possibility that the cost related to the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be reduced.

[0585] Therefore, the average interval d3 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d3 2 >1 / d2 2 By satisfying the above condition, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be lowered, that is, a smaller number of white LED light sources 12 can be provided. Therefore, the cost of the illumination device 400a according to the first modification can be reduced.

[0586] In addition, in this modified example, it is preferable that the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one white LED light source 12 in the light diffusion plate provided in the lighting device 400a is greater than the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one red LED light source 14 adjacent to the white LED light source 12 among the multiple red LED light sources 14.

[0587] In this case, the light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is more likely to be scattered (diffused) than the light emitted from the red LED light source 14. This prevents the light emitted from the white LED light source 12 from becoming unnatural light with a dotted appearance or the like.

[0588] As explained in Modification 2 of Example 2 of Embodiment 1, this particularly prevents the light emitted from the white LED light sources 12 from becoming unnatural light with a dotted appearance or the like when a small number of white LED light sources 12 are provided, as in the lighting device 400a of this modification.

[0589] [Variation 2] Here, a description will be given of a lighting control system according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 2, which is a lighting control system different from lighting control system 500 according to Variation 10 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. More specifically, the configuration of lighting device 400b according to Variation 2 of Embodiment 2, which is a lighting device included in the lighting control system according to this variation, will be described with reference to Fig. 70 .

[0590] FIG. 70 is a plan view showing a part of an LED panel 401b included in an illumination device 400b according to the second modification of the present embodiment.

[0591] The lighting control system of variant example 2 has the same configuration as lighting control system 500 of variant example 10 of example 1 of embodiment 1, except that it mainly includes lighting device 400b instead of lighting device 100j of variant example 10 of example 1 of embodiment 1.

[0592] That is, the lighting control system according to the second modification includes a storage device 600 and a lighting device 400b.

[0593] In the illumination control system according to the second modification, the illumination device 400b emits image light and illumination light based on the image data and brightness data stored in the storage device 600.

[0594] Illumination device 400b according to Modification 2 has the same configuration as illumination device 400 according to Embodiment 2, except that illumination device 400b includes LED panel 401b instead of LED panel 401.

[0595] The LED panel 401b has the same configuration as the LED panel 401, except that the numbers of red LED light sources 14, green LED light sources 15, blue LED light sources 16, and white LED light sources 12 are different.

[0596] In the lighting device 400b, the controller 5 thins out the video data so as to correspond to the positions (addresses) where the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged.

[0597] Addresses are shown in Figure 70. More specifically, numbers indicating addresses are assigned in a matrix along the x-axis and y-axis directions. In the following, addresses may be written as (numbers along the x-axis, numbers along the y-axis).

[0598] For example, addresses where red LED light sources 14 are arranged include (1, 1), (3, 1), (1, 3), (1, 5), etc., and multiple red LED light sources 14 are arranged at (odd number, odd number) addresses.

[0599] For example, addresses where green LED light sources 15 are arranged include (2, 1), (4, 1), (2, 3), (2, 5), etc., and multiple green LED light sources 15 are arranged at (even-numbered, odd-numbered) addresses.

[0600] Furthermore, for example, addresses where blue LED light sources 16 are arranged include (1, 2), (3, 2), (5, 2), (1, 4), etc., and multiple blue LED light sources 16 are arranged at (odd, even) addresses.

[0601] Furthermore, for example, addresses where a plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged include (2, 2), (6, 6), etc., and a plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged at some addresses (even number, even number).

[0602] In this modification, the address where the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are arranged is referred to as a fourth pixel address, and the address where the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged is referred to as a fifth pixel address. Also, the address where the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are not arranged is referred to as a sixth pixel address.

[0603] 70 is a plan view showing a portion of one LED panel 401b. In this modification, the numbers indicating addresses along the x-axis direction range from 1 to 128, and the numbers indicating addresses along the y-axis direction range from 1 to 64. LED panel 401b includes 2048 red LED light sources 14, 2048 green LED light sources 15, and 2048 blue LED light sources 16.

[0604] The plurality of red LED light sources 14 are arranged in a line so that the fourth pixel addresses are 64 x 32. The same is true for the plurality of green LED light sources 15 and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16.

[0605] The following describes how illumination device 400b emits image light based on image data.

[0606] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0607] The controller 5 extracts, from the acquired video data, video data corresponding to a 128×64 pixel video to be displayed on the LED panel 401b.

[0608] Next, the controller 5 extracts video data corresponding to 64x32 red LED light sources 14, 64x32 green LED light sources 15, and 64x32 blue LED light sources 16, with the data corresponding to the fifth and sixth pixel addresses thinned out, from the video data corresponding to the 128x64 pixel video to be displayed on the LED panel 401b. In other words, because the video data is thinned out, the amount of data is reduced to one-fourth. Furthermore, the video data is thinned out evenly in the x-axis and y-axis directions.

[0609] Furthermore, the controller 5 assigns the generated thinned data (i.e., thinned video data) to the fourth pixel address, and controls the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 in accordance with this thinned video data.

[0610] The processing for the luminance data is as follows.

[0611] The controller 5 obtains the luminance data output from the storage device 600.

[0612] The controller 5 extracts the luminance data to be displayed on the LED panel 401b from the acquired luminance data.

[0613] Furthermore, the controller 5 applies the extracted luminance data to a fifth pixel address, which is an address where the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged, and controls the plurality of white LED light sources 12 according to this luminance data.

[0614] When data including both video data and luminance data is acquired, both the above-described processes relating to the video data and the luminance data are performed.

[0615] An example in which addresses are indicated using numbers different from those shown in FIG. 70 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0616] FIG. 71 is a plan view showing another example of numbers indicating addresses displayed on an LED panel 401b according to the second modification of the present embodiment.

[0617] Addresses are shown in Figure 71. More specifically, numbers indicating addresses are assigned in a matrix along the x-axis and y-axis directions. In the following, addresses may be written as (numbers along the x-axis, numbers along the y-axis).

[0618] Here, the address of the red LED light source 14, the address of the green LED light source 15 adjacent to the red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the x-axis, and the address of the blue LED light source 16 adjacent to the red LED light source 14 on the positive side of the y-axis are the same.

[0619] For example, addresses where red LED light sources 14 are arranged include (1, 1), (2, 1), etc., and multiple red LED light sources 14 are arranged at addresses of (natural number, natural number). The same applies to multiple green LED light sources 15 and multiple blue LED light sources 16.

[0620] Furthermore, for example, addresses where a plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged include (1, 1), (3, 3), etc., and a plurality of white LED light sources 12 are arranged at some addresses of (natural number, natural number).

[0621] 71 is a plan view showing a portion of one LED panel 401b. In this modification, the numbers indicating addresses along the x-axis direction range from 1 to 64, and the numbers indicating addresses along the y-axis direction range from 1 to 32.

[0622] The following describes how the illumination device 400b shown in FIG. 71 emits image light based on image data.

[0623] First, the controller 5 acquires the video data output from the storage device 600.

[0624] The controller 5 extracts, from the acquired video data, video data corresponding to a 64×32 pixel video to be displayed on the LED panel 401b.

[0625] Furthermore, the controller 5 assigns the unthinned data (i.e., the raw image data) to the fourth pixel address, and controls the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 according to this raw image data.

[0626] The lighting control system according to the second modification of the second embodiment has the above configuration, and lighting device 400b included in the lighting control system can switch between emitting video light and illuminating light based on an instruction from a user. When lighting device 400b shown in Fig. 70 is used, video data is thinned out, thereby reducing the amount of data and the load on data communication. When lighting device 400b shown in Fig. 71 is used, the process of thinning out video data does not need to be performed.

[0627] In the following, another example according to this embodiment will be described.

[0628] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0629] As in the fifteenth modification of the first example of the first embodiment, the lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may include at least one other-color LED light source 17.

[0630] In this case, each of at least one other-color LED light source 17 is arranged between two adjacent LED light sources of the same color as the other-color LED light source 17, among the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16.

[0631] The other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source having an emission peak wavelength in the infrared region, or an LED light source having an emission peak wavelength in another region (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as an LED light source of a predetermined light).

[0632] The LED light source of the predetermined light has a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelength of the white LED light source 12. Furthermore, the LED light source of the predetermined light has a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the red LED light source 14, the green LED light source 15, and the blue LED light source 16.

[0633] In such lighting device 400, if the other-color LED light source 17 is an infrared LED light source, the other-color LED light source 17 emits infrared light, and therefore the lighting device 400 can heat the area that it is irradiating. Also, if the other-color LED light source 17 is an LED light source of a predetermined light, the other-color LED light source 17 can emit light having a peak emission wavelength different from the peak emission wavelengths of the light emitted by each of the white LED light source 12, the red LED light source 14, the green LED light source 15, and the blue LED light source 16. This allows the lighting device 400 to emit light with higher color rendering properties, which means that the lighting device 400 can have a high spatial rendering effect.

[0634] Furthermore, the lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration different from that described above.

[0635] As in the explanation of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, in illumination device 400 according to this embodiment, the luminance ratio of region A1 is preferably 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0636] That is, in the lighting device 400, two adjacent white LED light sources 12 among the plurality of white LED light sources 12 are turned on with the same luminous flux. At this time, in the luminance distribution of an area A1 connecting the positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent white LED light sources 12 measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, the luminance ratio is 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0637] Illumination device 400 in which the luminance ratio of region A1 is 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less is less likely to give an unnatural feeling (such as a dotted appearance due to the white light emitted from white LED light source 12), as explained in FIG.

[0638] Furthermore, similarly to the explanation of FIGS. 8 to 10 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, in illumination device 400 according to this embodiment, it is also preferable that the luminance ratio of region A2 is 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0639] Here, instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 shown in Figures 8 to 10 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, any one of a red LED light source 14, a green LED light source 15, and a blue LED light source 16 is used to define region A2. For example, if the red LED light source 14 is used instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 and region A2 is defined as follows.

[0640] That is, in the lighting device 400, two adjacent red LED light sources 14 among the multiple red LED light sources 14 are turned on with the same luminous flux. At this time, in the luminance distribution of an area A2 connecting the positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent red LED light sources 14 measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, the luminance ratio is 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less.

[0641] Illumination device 400 in which the luminance ratio of region A2 is 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less is less likely to cause discomfort, as explained in FIG. 10, and such illumination device 400 makes character recognition easier.

[0642] Furthermore, similarly to the explanation of FIGS. 11 to 14 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, in illumination device 400 according to the present embodiment, it is also preferable that the luminance ratio of region A3 is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less.

[0643] Here, instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 shown in Figures 11 to 14 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, any one of a red LED light source 14, a green LED light source 15, and a blue LED light source 16 is used to define the area A3. For example, if the red LED light source 14 is used instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 and the area A3 is defined as follows:

[0644] That is, in the lighting device 400, the multiple red LED light sources 14 are arranged in multiple parallel rows. The multiple red LED light sources 14 in a first row of the multiple rows are turned off, and the multiple red LED light sources 14 in each of the second and third rows adjacent to the first row are turned on with the same color and the same luminous flux. In this case, in the luminance distribution of an area A3 connecting the positions directly above the centers of the red LED light sources 14 in the second row and the red LED light sources 14 in the third row, which are closest to each other, measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, the luminance ratio is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less.

[0645] The illumination device 400 in which the luminance ratio of the region A3 is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less allows the user to recognize that one red LED light source 14 is turned off, as explained in Figures 13 and 14. In other words, such an illumination device 400 makes character recognition easy.

[0646] Furthermore, similarly to the explanation of FIGS. 15 to 18 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, it is preferable that L1 / D1 is 0 or more and 3 or less in illumination device 400 according to this embodiment as well.

[0647] Here, instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 shown in Figures 15 to 18 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, any one of the red LED light source 14, green LED light source 15, and blue LED light source 16 is used, and L1 / D1 is defined as follows. For example, when the red LED light source 14 is used instead of the multicolor LED light source 11, L1 / D1 is defined as follows:

[0648] That is, in the lighting device 400, the multiple red LED light sources 14 are arranged in multiple parallel rows. When only the multiple red LED light sources 14 in one of the rows are turned on, the luminance distribution in region A4, measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2, in a direction perpendicular to the row, passing directly above the center of one of the multiple red LED light sources 14 in the row, will be described below. In the luminance distribution in region A4, L1 is the first half-width, which is the distance between the position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above one red LED light source 14 and the position directly above the center of one red LED light source 14, and D1 is the interval between the multiple rows. Here, L1 / D1 is between 0 and 3.

[0649] In the illumination device 400 where L1 / D1 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 3, character recognition becomes easy, as in the description of FIGS.

[0650] Furthermore, similarly to the explanation of FIGS. 19 to 21 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, it is preferable that L2 / D2 is 0 or more and 1.5 or less in illumination device 400 according to this embodiment as well.

[0651] Here, instead of the multicolor LED light source 11 shown in Figures 19 to 21 in Example 1 of Embodiment 1, any one of the red LED light source 14, green LED light source 15, and blue LED light source 16 is used, and L2 / D2 is defined as follows. For example, when the red LED light source 14 is used instead of the multicolor LED light source 11, L2 / D2 is defined as follows:

[0652] That is, the following describes the luminance distribution of region A5, which passes directly above the center of one red LED light source 14, measured from directly above the light diffuser plate 2 when only one of the multiple red LED light sources 14 in the lighting device 400 is turned on. In the luminance distribution of region A5, L2 is the second half-width, which is the distance between the position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above the single red LED light source 14 and the position directly above the center of the single red LED light source 14, and D2 is the distance between the centers of the multiple red LED light sources 14. In this case, L2 / D2 is between 0 and 1.5.

[0653] In the illumination device 400 in which L2 / D2 is equal to or greater than 0 and equal to or less than 1.5, the image displayed by the image light has little blur, as explained in FIG. 21, and such illumination device 400 has a high spatial rendering ability.

[0654] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0655] As in the fifth modification of the first example of the first embodiment, the lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment may include a light diffusion plate 2e instead of the light diffusion plate 2.

[0656] In this case, the distance (distance L3) between the inner light diffusion plate 21e that constitutes the light diffusion plate 2e and at least one white LED light source 12 is 50% or more and 100% or less of the distance (distance L4) between the outer light diffusion plate 22e that constitutes the light diffusion plate 2e and at least one white LED light source 12.

[0657] 28 and 29, etc., it is expected that, at positions where the brightness is half or less of the central brightness, the illumination device 400 including the light diffuser plate 2e will exhibit higher brightness than, for example, the illumination device 400 including the light diffuser plate 2. By exhibiting higher brightness at positions where the brightness is half or less of the central brightness, character recognition will be easier as shown in Fig. 9, etc., and since the two light diffusers (the inner light diffuser plate 21e and the outer light diffuser plate 22e) are provided and light is sufficiently scattered, the white light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is less likely to produce unnatural light with a dotted appearance or the like.

[0658] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0659] Similar to the tenth modification of Example 1 of Embodiment 1, the lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may include a second lighting circuit 8. Furthermore, the lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may include a third lighting circuit, which is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5 and which lights up the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16. That is, the lighting device 400 includes a third lighting circuit instead of the first lighting circuit 7 included in the lighting device 100j according to the tenth modification of Example 1 of Embodiment 1. Furthermore, the third lighting circuit and the second lighting circuit 8 are different circuits.

[0660] As described above, the lighting device 400 includes the third lighting circuit and the second lighting circuit 8. That is, different lighting circuits are provided for the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and the plurality of white LED light sources 12, respectively. This allows the value of the direct current supplied to the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 to be significantly different from the value of the direct current supplied to the plurality of white LED light sources 12. This makes it easy to increase the total luminous flux of the light emitted from the plurality of white LED light sources 12.

[0661] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0662] As with the lighting device 100jxx shown in FIG. 43, when the lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment includes two LED panels 401, it is preferable that the lighting device 400 include a plurality of third lighting circuits and one second lighting circuit 8.

[0663] In this way, even if the lighting device 400 includes a plurality of LED panels 401, it is sufficient to provide one second lighting circuit 8 that lights up at least one white LED light source 12. This allows the number of second lighting circuits 8 included in the lighting device 400 to be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the lighting device 400.

[0664] The illumination device 400 according to this embodiment may be controlled according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 38. That is, in the illumination device 400, at least one white LED light source 12 is turned on at a predetermined brightness based on predetermined data included in a predetermined pixel address of the video data indicating the video light emitted by the illumination device 400.

[0665] This allows the controller 5 to control the plurality of white LED light sources 12, for example, without acquiring brightness data from the storage device 600. In other words, the controller 5 can control the plurality of white LED light sources 12 even without the storage device 600 acquiring an instruction to output brightness data from a user (reception device). This simplifies the operation by the user.

[0666] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0667] As in Variation 11 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1, lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may include at least one condenser lens 28k. Here, each of at least one white LED light source 12 has a fluorescent member, and lighting device 400 includes condenser lens 28k that is disposed between at least one fluorescent member and light diffuser plate 2 and condenses light emitted from each of the at least one fluorescent member. In this case, too, the number of condenser lenses 28k is the same as the number of white LED light sources 12, and each condenser lens 28k is disposed to correspond to one white LED light source 12.

[0668] 46 etc., the white light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is condensed by the condenser lens 28k, and the illumination device 400 can emit strong white light in the positive direction of the z axis. For example, when the illumination device 400 is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0669] The lighting device 400 according to this embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0670] In the light diffusion plate 2 included in the lighting device 400, the degree of light diffusion directly above the at least one white LED light source 12 is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above the at least one red LED light source 14 adjacent to the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0671] Therefore, the light emitted from one white LED light source 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions than the light emitted from one red LED light source 14 adjacent to that white LED light source 12, and is more likely to travel toward the positive side of the z-axis.

[0672] In this case, the light diffusion plate 2 included in the lighting device 400 may have the smoothing film 24m shown in the twelfth modification or the smoothing region 24n shown in the thirteenth modification.

[0673] In this lighting device 400, the white light emitted from the multiple white LED light sources 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel toward the positive side of the z-axis than the light emitted from the multiple red LED light sources 14. In other words, this lighting device 400 can irradiate strong white light toward the positive side of the z-axis. For example, when the lighting device 400 is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight.

[0674] Here, a lighting control system including lighting device 400 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0675] In this lighting control system, a controller 5 included in lighting device 400 receives instructions from a user via a reception device included in the lighting control system. In accordance with this instruction, an LED panel 401 included in lighting device 400 turns on or off. Here, lighting device 400 is installed on the ceiling of a commercial facility such as a food store, similar to lighting device 100t, and light emitted from lighting device 100t reaches the "meat counter" or the "vegetable counter" as shown in Fig. 54, illuminating the meat in the "meat counter" or the vegetables in the "vegetable counter."

[0676] In this case, the lighting device 400 according to the present embodiment may have the following configuration.

[0677] Just as the illumination device 100t according to Variation 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1 emits two lights (first light and second light), the illumination device 400 may emit two lights (third light and fourth light).

[0678] The illumination device 400 irradiates a third light toward a third illumination target object, and irradiates a fourth light toward a fourth illumination target object.

[0679] The illumination device 400 has a third region and a fourth region. The fourth region is separated from the fourth region, that is, is a region different from the third region. The third region and the fourth region correspond to the first region F1 and the second region F2 shown in Modification 16 of Example 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0680] The third region includes some of the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12. The plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 present in the third region irradiate a third light toward a third illuminated object.

[0681] The fourth region includes the remaining red LED light sources 14, the remaining green LED light sources 15, the remaining blue LED light sources 16, and the remaining at least one white LED light source 12. The remaining red LED light sources 14, the remaining green LED light sources 15, the remaining blue LED light sources 16, and the remaining at least one white LED light source 12 in the fourth region irradiate a fourth light toward a fourth illuminated object.

[0682] Here, the emission peak intensities of the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, the multiple blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 are controlled. That is, the emission peak intensities of the red light, green light, blue light, and white light emitted by the red LED light source 14, the green LED light source 15, the blue LED light source 16, and the white LED light source 12, respectively, are controlled.

[0683] As shown in Figures 55 and 56, the emission peak intensities of red light, green light, blue light, and white light are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the third irradiated object irradiated with the third light, and the color reproducibility of the fourth irradiated object irradiated with the fourth light.

[0684] Here, since the lighting control system includes the lighting device 400 having the above-described configuration, it is possible to control the emission spectrum of light emitted from the lighting device 400 in accordance with the illumination target objects, such as the third illumination target object and the fourth illumination target object. In other words, this lighting control system can adjust the color rendering index to be high in accordance with the illumination target object. Therefore, this lighting control system has a high spatial rendering capability.

[0685] <Summary etc.> The second embodiment will be summarized below.

[0686] In the second embodiment, the lighting device 400 includes a substrate 13, an LED panel 401 having a plurality of red LED light sources 14 periodically arranged on the substrate 13, a plurality of green LED light sources 15 periodically arranged on the substrate 13, a plurality of blue LED light sources 16 periodically arranged on the substrate 13, and at least one white LED light source 12 arranged on the substrate 13, and a light diffuser plate 2 arranged opposite the LED panel 401. In a plan view of the substrate 13, the positions of the plurality of green LED light sources 15 and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are positions obtained by translating the position of the plurality of red LED light sources 14. Each of the at least one white LED light source 12 is arranged between two LED light sources of the same color that are adjacent to the white LED light source 12, among the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16. The arrangement density of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 is greater than the arrangement density of the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0687] In the illumination device 400, the multiple red LED light sources 14, the multiple green LED light sources 15, and the multiple blue LED light sources 16 can generate image light that imitates, for example, a blue sky, a cloudy sky, or a sunset. Furthermore, at least one white LED light source 12 can emit illumination light that illuminates the surroundings, for example. Furthermore, the light diffusion plate 2 can blur the image represented by the image light. In other words, the illumination device 400 according to this embodiment can combine a blurred image with white illumination light, thereby providing a high level of spatial presentation.

[0688] Furthermore, by adding red light, green light, and blue light from multiple red LED light sources 14, multiple green LED light sources 15, and multiple blue LED light sources 16 to the white illumination light emitted by at least one white LED light source 12, the color rendering properties of the light emitted by the lighting device 400 can be controlled.

[0689] Furthermore, illumination light and image light can be emitted from a single device, the lighting device 400. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the background art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there is no restriction on installation location or difficulty in installing wiring, etc. In other words, the lighting device 400 is easy to install.

[0690] In summary, the lighting device 400 is realized which emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation.

[0691] In the first modification, the illumination device 400a includes a plurality of white LED light sources 12. The plurality of white LED light sources 12 are periodically arranged. When the average distance between the centers of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 is d3 and the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is d2, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of red LED light sources 14 and the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is d2, the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 is 1 / d3. 2 >1 / d2 2 is.

[0692] For example, there are cases where the total output of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be made the same when a large number of low-output white LED light sources 12 are provided and when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided. However, in general, when a small number of high-output white LED light sources 12 are provided, there is a higher possibility that the cost related to the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be reduced.

[0693] Therefore, the average interval d3 and the average interval d2 are 1 / d3 2 >1 / d2 2 By satisfying the above condition, the arrangement density of the plurality of white LED light sources 12 can be lowered, that is, a smaller number of white LED light sources 12 can be provided. Therefore, the cost of the illumination device 400a according to the first modification can be reduced.

[0694] In the first modification, the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one white LED light source 12 in the light diffusion plate is greater than the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one red LED light source 14 adjacent to the white LED light source 12 among the plurality of red LED light sources 14.

[0695] As a result, the light emitted from the white LED light source 12 is more easily scattered (diffused) than the light emitted from the red LED light source 14. This prevents the light emitted from the white LED light source 12 from becoming unnatural light with a dotted appearance or the like. Such an illumination device 400a has a higher spatial rendering effect.

[0696] In the second modification, the lighting device 400b includes a controller 5 that drives the illumination light and the video light representing the video image illuminated by the lighting device 400b. An address where the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 are arranged is defined as a fourth pixel address, an address where at least one white LED light source 12 is arranged is defined as a fifth pixel address, and an address where the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 are not arranged is defined as a sixth pixel address. The controller 5 applies video data representing the video light directly to the fourth pixel address, or data obtained by thinning out data corresponding to the fifth and sixth pixel addresses from the video data, to control the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16. The controller 5 also applies brightness data representing the illumination light to the fifth pixel address to control the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0697] This allows the lighting device 400b to switch between emitting video light and illuminating light based on an instruction from a user. Such lighting device 400b has a higher spatial presentation capability. Furthermore, when the lighting device 400b shown in FIG. 70 is used, the video data is thinned out, thereby reducing the amount of data and the load on data communication. Furthermore, when the lighting device 400b shown in FIG. 71 is used, the process of thinning out the video data does not need to be performed.

[0698] Furthermore, the lighting device 400 may have a controller 5 that controls illumination light and image light that indicates an image irradiated by the lighting device 400, a third lighting circuit, and a second lighting circuit 8. The third lighting circuit is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5, and lights up a plurality of red LED light sources 14, a plurality of green LED light sources 15, and a plurality of blue LED light sources 16. The second lighting circuit 8 is a lighting circuit connected to the controller 5, and lights up at least one white LED light source 12 (for example, a plurality of white LED light sources 12). The third lighting circuit and the second lighting circuit are different circuits.

[0699] As a result, different lighting circuits are provided for the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, the plurality of blue LED light sources 16, and the plurality of white LED light sources 12. This allows the value of DC current supplied to the plurality of red LED light sources 14, the plurality of green LED light sources 15, and the plurality of blue LED light sources 16 to be significantly different from the value of DC current supplied to the plurality of white LED light sources 12. This makes it easy to increase the total luminous flux of light emitted from the plurality of white LED light sources 12.

[0700] Furthermore, the lighting device 400 may have a plurality of third lighting circuits and one second lighting circuit 8.

[0701] In this way, even if the lighting device 400 includes a plurality of LED panels 401, it is sufficient to provide one second lighting circuit 8 that lights up at least one white LED light source 12. This allows the number of second lighting circuits 8 included in the lighting device 400 to be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the lighting device 400.

[0702] Furthermore, in the lighting device 400, the degree of light diffusion directly above at least one white LED light source 12 (e.g., multiple white LED light sources 12) on the light diffusion plate 2 may be smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above the red LED light source 14 adjacent to the at least one white LED light source 12.

[0703] As a result, compared to light emitted from multiple red LED light sources 14, white light emitted from multiple white LED light sources 12 is less likely to spread in the x-axis and y-axis directions and more likely to travel toward the positive z-axis. In other words, such lighting device 400 can irradiate strong white light toward the positive z-axis. For example, when lighting device 400 is used as a sky light, this strong white light can be used to simulate sunlight. Such lighting device 400 has a stronger spatial effect.

[0704] In this embodiment, the lighting control system includes lighting device 400. Some of the multiple red LED light sources 14, multiple green LED light sources 15, multiple blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 are present in a third region and irradiate a third light toward a third illuminated object. The other of the multiple red LED light sources 14, multiple green LED light sources 15, multiple blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 are present in a fourth region separated from the third region and irradiate a fourth light toward a fourth illuminated object. The emission peak intensities of the multiple red LED light sources 14, multiple green LED light sources 15, multiple blue LED light sources 16, and at least one white LED light source 12 are controlled so as to improve the color reproducibility of the third illuminated object irradiated with the third light and the color reproducibility of the fourth illuminated object irradiated with the fourth light.

[0705] This makes it possible to control the emission spectrum of light emitted from the lighting device 400 in accordance with the objects to be illuminated, such as the third illuminated object and the fourth illuminated object. In other words, this lighting control system can adjust the color rendering to be high in accordance with the objects to be illuminated. Therefore, this lighting control system has a high spatial rendering capability.

[0706] Furthermore, illumination light and video light can be emitted from a single device, the illumination device 400. Therefore, unlike Cited Document 1 shown in the Background Art, there is no need to install multiple devices, so there are no restrictions on installation locations or difficulties in installing wiring, etc. A lighting control system equipped with such an illumination device 400 emits illumination light while providing excellent spatial presentation and ease of installation.

[0707] (Other embodiments) While the lighting device and lighting control system according to the present disclosure have been described above based on embodiments, examples, and modifications, the present disclosure is not limited to these embodiments, examples, and modifications. As long as they do not deviate from the gist of the present disclosure, various modifications that would occur to a person skilled in the art to the embodiments, and other forms constructed by combining some of the components in the embodiments, examples, and modifications, are also included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0708] Furthermore, the above-described embodiments can be modified, replaced, added, omitted, and the like in various ways within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0709] The present disclosure can be used in a variety of products, such as lighting devices and lighting control systems. [Explanation of symbols]

[0710] 1, 1b, 1c, 1d, 1f, 1g, 1h, 1i, 1j, 1jxx, 1k, 1m, 1n, 1p, 1q, 1t, 201, 201a, 201b, 201c, 201d, 301, 401, 401a, 401b LED Panel 2, 2a, 2e, 2h, 2i, 2m, 2n light diffuser plate 3, 3a housing 4 Power supply 5 Controller 7 First lighting circuit 8 Second lighting circuit 11, 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f, 11g, 11h, 11i, 11j, 11k, 11m, 11n, 11o, 11p, 11q, 11r, 11s, 11t multicolor LED light source 11G green LED chip 11R red LED chip 11B Blue LED chip 12, 12a, 12b, 12c white LED light source 13 PCB 14 red LED light source 15, 15a, 15b Green LED Light Source 16, 16a, 16b Cyan LED light source 17 Other Color LED Light Sources 21 Light exit surface 21e Inner Light Spreading Plate 21h, 21i, 22h, 22i Degree of light dispersion 22e Outer light diffuser plate 24m smoothing film 24n smoothing domain 28k Jiguang レンズ 100, 100a, 100b, 100c, 100d, 100e, 100f, 100g, 100h, 100i, 100j, 100jx, 100jxx, 10 0k, 100m, 100n, 100p, 100q, 100t, 200, 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 300, 400, 400a, 400b lighting fixtures 114 Sealing Resin 115 ケース 116 Zhou Xianbi 131 Main side 1 132 2nd main side 500, 501, 502 lighting control system 600 memory devices 601 Control Department 602 Memory Department 603 Converter A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 fields A6 and A7 White LED Light Source Clusters E1, E2, E3 F1 First Zone F2 Second Field L3, L4 distance Circumscribed polygons P1, P2, and P3 r1, r4, column 1 r2, r5, second column r3, r6, 3rd column s1, s3 Group 1 s2, s4 Group 2

Claims

1. an LED panel having a substrate, a plurality of multicolor LED light sources periodically arranged on the substrate, and at least one white LED light source arranged on the substrate; a light diffusion plate disposed opposite the LED panel, Each of the at least one white LED light source is disposed between four adjacent multicolor LED light sources among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources. Lighting equipment.

2. the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are periodically arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources includes a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip; the red LED chips, the green LED chips, and the blue LED chips in each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are arranged in the same order and in the same direction for each of the rows; the arrangement order of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in a first column among the plurality of columns is different from the arrangement order of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in a second column and a third column adjacent to the first column among the plurality of columns, The arrangement order of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in the second row is the same as the arrangement order of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in the third row.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1.

3. the plurality of multicolor LED light sources include a red LED chip, a green LED chip, and a blue LED chip; The arrangement order of the red LED chip, the green LED chip, and the blue LED chip in each of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources is alternately different between adjacent multicolor LED light sources among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources.

10. The lighting device according to claim 1.

4. the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are periodically arranged in a checkerboard pattern; In a plan view of the substrate, one side of a circumscribing polygon that surrounds all of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources is parallel to the horizontal or vertical direction of the checkerboard pattern. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a plurality of the white LED light sources; When two adjacent white LED light sources among the plurality of white LED light sources are lit with the same luminous flux, In the luminance distribution of the region connecting the positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent white LED light sources, measured from directly above the light diffusion plate, The luminance ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is 0.1 or more and 1.0 or less. The lighting device according to claim 1 .

6. When two adjacent multicolor LED light sources among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are lit with the same luminous flux, In the luminance distribution of the area connecting the positions directly above the centers of the two adjacent multicolor LED light sources measured from directly above the light diffusion plate, The luminance ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is 0.9 or more and 1.0 or less. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. The plurality of multicolor LED light sources are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, When the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in a first column among the plurality of columns are turned off, and the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in second and third columns adjacent to the first column among the plurality of columns are turned on with the same color and with the same luminous flux, In the luminance distribution of a region connecting positions directly above the centers of the multicolor LED light sources in the second row and the multicolor LED light sources in the third row that are closest to each other, measured from directly above the light diffusion plate, The luminance ratio obtained by dividing the minimum luminance value by the maximum luminance value is 0.1 or more and 0.9 or less. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6.

8. The plurality of multicolor LED light sources are arranged in a plurality of parallel rows, When only the plurality of multicolor LED light sources in one of the plurality of rows are lit, In the luminance distribution of a region measured from directly above the light diffusion plate in a direction that passes directly above the center of one of the multi-color LED light sources in the one row and is perpendicular to the one row, a first half-width, which is the distance between a position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above the one multi-color LED light source and a position directly above the center of the one multi-color LED light source, is defined as L1; When the interval between the plurality of rows is D1, L1 / D1 is 0 or more and 3 or less The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 and 7.

9. When only one of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources is turned on, In the luminance distribution of the area passing directly above the center of the one multicolor LED light source, measured from directly above the light diffusion plate, a second half-width, which is the distance between a position where the luminance is half of the luminance directly above the one multi-color LED light source and a position directly above the center of the one multi-color LED light source, is defined as L2; When the distance between the centers of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources is D2, L2 / D2 is 0 or more and 1.5 or less The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 8.

10. the light diffusion plate includes an inner light diffusion plate and an outer light diffusion plate disposed directly above the inner light diffusion plate, The distance between the inner light diffusion plate and the at least one white LED light source is 50% or more and 100% or less of the distance between the outer light diffusion plate and the at least one white LED light source. The lighting device according to claim 1 .

11. a plurality of the white LED light sources; the plurality of white LED light sources are periodically arranged, The average distance between the centers of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources is defined as d1, When the average distance between the centers of the plurality of white LED light sources is d2, 1 / d1 ２ > 1 / d2 ２ is The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6 to 9.

12. In the light diffusion plate, The degree of light diffusion directly above the at least one white LED light source is greater than the degree of light diffusion directly above the multicolor LED light source adjacent to the at least one white LED light source among the plurality of multicolor LED light sources.

12. The lighting device according to claim 11.

13. a controller for controlling the image light and the illumination light that indicate the image projected by the illumination device; When an address where the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are arranged is defined as a first pixel address, an address where the at least one white LED light source is arranged is defined as a second pixel address, and an address where the plurality of multicolor LED light sources and the at least one white LED light source are not arranged is defined as a third pixel address, The controller data obtained by thinning out data corresponding to the second pixel address and the third pixel address from the video data representing the video light, and applying the data to the first pixel address to control the plurality of multicolor LED light sources; and controlling the at least one white LED light source by applying brightness data representing the illumination light to a second pixel address. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 9, 11 and 12.

14. a controller for controlling an image light and an illumination light showing an image irradiated by the illumination device; a first lighting circuit connected to the controller, the first lighting circuit turning on the plurality of multicolor LED light sources; a second lighting circuit connected to the controller for lighting the at least one white LED light source; The first lighting circuit and the second lighting circuit are different circuits. The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 9, and 11 to 13.

15. A plurality of the first lighting circuits and one of the second lighting circuits are included.

15. The lighting device of claim 14.

16. each of the at least one white LED light source has a fluorescent member; The lighting device includes a condenser lens disposed between at least one of the fluorescent members and the light diffusion plate, the condenser lens condensing light emitted from each of the at least one fluorescent member. The lighting device according to claim 1 .

17. In the light diffusion plate, The degree of light diffusion directly above the at least one white LED light source is smaller than the degree of light diffusion directly above the multicolor LED light source adjacent to the at least one white LED light source. The lighting device according to claim 1 .

18. a plurality of the white LED light sources; a white LED light source group region in which the plurality of white LED light sources are arranged at a higher density in a plan view of the substrate; 18. The lighting device according to claim 16 or 17.

19. a plurality of white LED light source group regions; At a first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources arranged in one of the plurality of white LED light source group regions are turned on, At a second time different from the first time, only the plurality of white LED light sources arranged in another one of the plurality of white LED light source group regions are turned on.

20. The lighting device of claim 18.

20. The LED panel further includes at least one other-color LED light source disposed on the substrate; Each of the at least one other-color LED light source comprises: Among the plurality of multi-color LED light sources, the other-color LED light source is disposed between the adjacent multi-color LED light sources, an infrared LED light source having an emission peak wavelength in the infrared region, or an LED light source having an emission peak wavelength different from the emission peak wavelengths of the at least one white LED light source and the plurality of multicolor LED light sources; The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, 6 to 9, and 11 to 15.

21. The lighting device according to claim 1, a first region of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources and the at least one white LED light source, the ... at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at least one white LED light source, the at the other of the plurality of multicolor LED light sources and the at least one white LED light source is present in a second area separated from the first area, and irradiates a second light toward a second illuminated object; The light emission peak intensities of the at least one white LED light source and the plurality of multicolor LED light sources are controlled so that the color reproducibility of the first irradiated object irradiated with the first light and the color reproducibility of the second irradiated object irradiated with the second light are improved. Lighting control system.

22. A lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, The at least one white LED light source is illuminated at a predetermined brightness based on predetermined data included in a predetermined pixel address of video data indicating video light emitted by the lighting device. Lighting control system.

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