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Illumination device and liquid crystal display device using the same

  • US 7,277,079 B2
  • Filed: 10/29/2003
  • Issued: 10/02/2007
  • Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. An illumination device for illuminating a display area of an active matrix type liquid crystal display device, comprising:

  • at least one light source capable of changing light emission brightness;

    at least one light-emitting area for emitting light from the light source;

    a light source power supply circuit for switching between a maximum lighting state in which the light source is made to emit light at a specified maximum brightness and an intermediate lighting state in which the light source is made to emit light at a specified intermediate brightness lower than the maximum brightness;

    a first light source unit including a first light guide plate and a first light source disposed at an end thereof, for mainly illuminating a first light-emitting area and supplying part of light to an adjacent second light-emitting area; and

    a second light source unit laminated on the first light source unit and including a second light guide plate and a second light source disposed at an end thereof, for mainly illuminating the second light-emitting area and supplying part of light to the adjacent first light-emitting area,wherein the second light guide plate is disposed in the first and the second light-emitting areas, and the first light guide plate is disposed in only the first light-emitting area.

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