Patent ID: 6095656
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: G02F,G09F

Abstract:
A backlighting apparatus for radiating light to a flat surface to be illuminated, the apparatus comprising:a light source having a linear light emitting portion;light shield means, provided along an outer periphery of the light source on the side of said to-be-illuminated surface, for shielding light traveling directly from the light source toward the to-be-illuminated surface; anda first optical element located parallel to the light source such that the first optical element faces the light source, the first optical element having a reflection surface for reflecting light emitted from the light source toward the to-be-illuminated surface,wherein a cross-sectional shape of the reflection surface in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the light source is determined such that light reflected by the reflection surface of the first optical element has a substantially uniform illuminance distribution on the to-be-illuminated surface.