Patent ID: 7999488

Claim:
An ignition controller that controls ignition of a discharge lamp discharging and emitting light between a pair of electrodes provided therein, the ignition controller comprising: an ignition device that ignites the discharge lamp, and a controller that controls a drive of the ignition device, wherein the discharge lamp includes: a light-emitting tube having a light-emitting portion in which a pair of electrodes including a first electrode and a second electrode are disposed and a discharge space is formed between the pair of electrodes; and a reflector attached on an end of the light-emitting tube to reflect the light irradiated from the light-emitting portion substantially in a same direction as an illumination optical axis of the discharge lamp, the controller includes: a pulse applying unit that applies a high pressure pulse to the pair of electrodes by the ignition device; a direct current applying unit that applies a direct current to the pair of electrodes for a first period after applying the high pressure pulse; and an alternating current applying unit that applies a first alternating current to the pair of electrodes for a second period after the first period, wherein the direct current applying unit applies the direct current to the second electrode so that the direct current flows from the second electrode to the first electrode located adjacent to the end of the light-emitting tube fixed to the reflector.