Patent ID: 6111622
Filing Date: 2000-08-29
Classification: G02F

Abstract:
In a liquid crystal display which includes a matrix array of rows and columns of liquid crystal picture elements, said matrix array having a viewing side and a rear side, and wherein said display further includes means for generating light to be passed through said matrix array which includes a first light source and a second light source, said first and second light sources being located rearward of said rear side of said matrix array thereby to create a pair of backlit light sources for said array, said means for generating light further including means for selecting from which light source said light shall be emitted, the improvement comprising:as said first light source, at least two, spaced apart light emitting members of substantially the same size so as to define a gap therebetween, said two spaced apart light emitting members each having an inner diameter defining an inner periphery and an outer diameter defining an outer periphery thereof, wherein said gap is defined as the distance between said inner peripheries of said two spaced apart light emitting members, said gap being of substantially the same width as each of said inner diameters of said spaced apart light emitting members;wherein said second light source is located rearward of said first light source with respect to said matrix array, and is further so located with respect to said first light source such that a substantial portion of the light emitted from said second light source directly projects into and through said gap between the inner peripheries of said two spaced apart light emitting members of said first light source;and wherein said display further includes image-splitting means for providing two, similar images of one of said first and second light sources when said one light source emits light therefrom, said image-splitting means being located between said matrix array and said light sources and being spaced from said light sources such that when said first light source emits light the split, similar images thereof formed by said image-splitting means are cojoined to create a substantially uniform generation of light for impingement upon the rear side of the matrix array, and such that when said second light source emits light, the split-images thereof formed by said image-splitting means are cojoined to create a substantially uniform generation of light for impingement upon the rear side of said matrix array.