Patent ID: 8093832

Claim:
A backlight unit comprising: a plurality of lamps sequentially turned on; and an inverter providing the lamps with current, the inverter gradually reducing the current provided to the lamps to turn off the lamps; and an inverter control part outputting a lighting control signal for sequentially lighting the lamps: wherein the inverter comprises: a transformer boosting a voltage applied to the transformer to generate a boosted voltage, and providing the lamps with the boosted voltage; a switching device part converting a direct-current input voltage into an alternating-current output voltage provided to the transformer; and a current controller receiving the lighting control signal and providing the switching device part with a logic signal to control the switching device, and wherein the lighting control signal comprises: a main pulse providing the lamps with maximum currents; a sub-pulse generated at a time point of extinguishing the lamps, the sub-pulse gradually decreasing current provided to the lamps; and a silent period disposed between the main pulse and the sub-pulse.