Patent ID: 7277079
Filing Date: 2007-10-02
Classification: G02B,G02F,G09G

Abstract:
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.