JP2011227143A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To extend the service life of a display device.SOLUTION: The display device is provided with multiple light sources, a switching part which selects a mode of permission for activation of the multiple light sources, and a control part that regulates the switching part. The light sources are set to activate in turns. As a result, the service life of all the light sources can be extended and then the service life of the display device can be extended.

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device that performs display using light emitted from a light source.

  In recent years, display devices thinner than CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) have become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Among them, liquid crystal display devices are particularly popular because they have advantages such as thinness and low power consumption.

  A liquid crystal panel that is provided in a liquid crystal display device and displays an image transmits and blocks incident light (for example, light emitted from a light source included in the display device or light incident on the display device from the outside) for each pixel. Images are displayed by selective control. A liquid crystal display device mainly including a light source is applied to a television or the like in which brightness of a displayed image and good color development are required (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Such a liquid crystal display device displays an image using light emitted from a light source. For this reason, if problems such as the light source being unable to emit light or the light emitted from the light source being weak occur, it becomes difficult for the liquid crystal display device to perform display. Further, the life of the light source is shortened, so that the product life of the liquid crystal display device is shortened, and the product life is often shorter than that of the CRT.

JP 2006-284974 A JP 2006-154025 A

  If the light source can be easily replaced, the product life of the liquid crystal display device can be extended. However, replacing the light source of the liquid crystal display device is difficult for a general user who does not have specialized knowledge, technology, and equipment. In addition, when requesting replacement of a light source to a specialty store or the like, various problems arise, such as high costs and the inability to use the liquid crystal display device until the replacement of the light source is completed.

  The user often purchases a new liquid crystal display device without replacing the light source due to the various problems described above, and discards the liquid crystal display device that has no problem other than the light source. If a user simply discards a liquid crystal display device that has no problem other than the light source, the product life of the liquid crystal display device cannot be extended, and the amount of waste that is discarded increases. Can be.

  In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a display device having a long life.

  In order to achieve the above object, the display device of the present invention is a display device that includes a light source that emits light when driven, and performs display using light emitted from the light source. An initial light source that is set to be driven during the first operation of the display device, and a spare light source that is set not to be driven during the first operation of the display device. When it is confirmed that the condition 1 is satisfied, a setting is switched so that the initial light source is not driven thereafter, and a drive switching unit that switches the setting so that the spare light source is driven thereafter is provided.

  In the following embodiments, a control unit and a switching unit are described as examples of the drive switching unit.

  In the display device having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the first condition is that a cumulative time during which the initial light source is driven exceeds a predetermined time.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to switch automatically the setting of the drive of an initial light source and a backup light source. The predetermined time may be a time when the initial light source is expected to be normally driven, or may be a predetermined proportion of the time.

  In the display device having the above configuration, the display device further includes an operation unit that is operated by a user to input an instruction of the user to the display device, and the first condition indicates that the light source to be driven is switched. It is preferable that the instruction is input to the display device via the operation unit.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible to switch the drive setting of an initial light source and a reserve light source at the timing which a user instruct | indicates.

  In the display device having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the operation unit is directly provided on the display device. Further, in the display device having the above-described configuration, the operation unit is separate from the display device and emits electromagnetic waves when operated by a user, and is provided directly on the display device, and the remote controller And a receiving unit that receives the electromagnetic wave emitted from the device.

  Further, in the display device having the above-described configuration, the display device further includes an input unit that receives a signal from the outside of the display device wirelessly or by wire, and the switching signal indicating that the first condition switches the light source to be driven, It is preferable that the input is made to the display device via the input unit.

  With this configuration, for example, an administrator of the display device can easily switch the driving settings of the initial light source and the standby light source. Specifically, for example, when the display device is installed in a place where it is difficult to operate or there are a plurality of display devices, it is preferable to switch the setting of the driving of the initial light source and the spare light source by the switching signal.

  The display device having the above configuration further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of the light source that is set to be driven, and the first condition is that the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the initial light source. This is preferable.

  With this configuration, when an abnormality is detected in the initial light source that is set to be driven, it is possible to automatically switch the setting of the driving of the initial light source and the spare light source. It is preferable that the abnormality detection unit detects abnormality of the light source by monitoring at least one of the power supplied to the light source set to be driven and the light emission amount of the light source.

  The display device having the above-described configuration further includes a notification unit that notifies the user, and the notification unit notifies the user when the drive switching unit switches the driving setting of the initial light source and the auxiliary light source. Preferably it is done.

  If comprised in this way, it will become possible for the user to grasp | ascertain that the setting of the drive of the initial light source and the backup light source was switched. In particular, when the setting of driving of the initial light source and the standby light source is automatically switched, it is preferable that the notification unit notifies the user.

  Further, in the display device having the above configuration, when a certain auxiliary light source is set to be driven, when the drive switching unit confirms that the second condition is satisfied, it is set to drive until then. Preferably, the setting is switched so that the certain spare light source that has been driven is not driven thereafter, and the setting is switched so that the other spare light source or the initial light source that has been set not to be driven until then is driven.

  With this configuration, after the setting is switched to drive a certain spare light source, the setting can be switched to drive a light source other than the spare light source (another spare light source or initial light source). Therefore, it is possible to further increase the life of the entire light source by increasing the number of light sources that can be driven or by setting the light source to drive without excess.

  In the display device having the above-described configuration, it is preferable that the second condition is that a cumulative time during which the certain auxiliary light source is driven has passed a predetermined time. The display device having the above configuration further includes an operation unit that inputs a user instruction to the display device when operated by the user, and the second condition indicates that the light source to be driven is switched. It is preferable that the instruction is input to the display device via the operation unit. In the display device having the above-described configuration, the display device further includes an input unit for inputting a signal from the outside of the display device wirelessly or by wire, and the switching signal indicating that the second condition switches the light source to be driven, It is preferable that the input is made to the display device via the input unit. The display device having the above configuration further includes an abnormality detection unit that detects an abnormality of a light source that is set to be driven, and the second condition is that the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormality of the certain preliminary light source. This is preferable.

  In the display device having the above-described configuration, the display device further includes a notification unit that notifies a user, and when the drive switching unit switches the drive setting between the certain spare light source and the other spare light source or the initial light source, It is preferable that the notification unit notifies the user.

  With this configuration, the user knows that the setting of driving between one auxiliary light source and another auxiliary light source or initial light source has been switched, or the initial light source that has been switched to drive has been driven previously. It becomes possible to grasp that it is a thing.

  According to the present invention, the display device includes a plurality of light sources (initial light source and spare light source), and the initial light source and the spare light source are set to be driven in order. Therefore, the lifetime of the entire light source can be increased, and the lifetime of the display device can be increased. Furthermore, since the disposal of the display device is suppressed, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of environmental problems.

  The significance or effect of the present invention will be further clarified by the following description of embodiments. However, the following embodiment is merely one of the embodiments of the present invention, and the meaning of the terminology of the present invention or each constituent element is limited to those described in the following embodiments. is not.

These are exploded perspective views showing a schematic configuration example of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. These are block diagrams which show the structural example of a drive light source setting part. These are the flowcharts which show the operation example of the drive light source setting part shown in FIG. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first modification of the backlight. These are perspective views which show the 2nd modification of a backlight. These are figures which show the light source with which the 3rd modification of a backlight is equipped.

<Liquid crystal display device>
Hereinafter, as an embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device will be described as an example. First, a schematic configuration example of a liquid crystal display device will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a schematic configuration example of a liquid crystal display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a backlight 10 that emits light and a liquid crystal panel 20 that displays an image using light emitted from the backlight. For convenience of explanation, the direction in which the liquid crystal panel 20 is located when viewed from the backlight 10 is the upward direction.

  The backlight 10 includes a plurality of light sources 11a and 11b made of a linear light source such as a cold cathode tube, and light emitted from the light source 11a or the light source 11b is incident from a side surface (a surface substantially perpendicular to the upper surface and the lower surface). From the upper surface of the light guide plate 12, the light guide plate 12 that is changed into a planar shape and emitted from the upper surface and the lower surface, the reflection plate 13 that reflects the light emitted from the lower surface of the light guide plate 12 and enters the lower surface of the light guide plate 12 And a diffusing plate 14 for making the emitted light uniform and emitting it upward.

  The light sources 11a and 11b emit light when driven by being supplied with electric power. The light guide plate 12 reflects the linear light emitted from the light source 11a or the light source 11b to make it uniform and emits it into a planar light. The light emitted from the lower surface of the light guide plate 12 is reflected by the reflection plate 13 and returns into the light guide plate 12. Thereby, light is efficiently emitted from the upper surface of the light guide plate 12. The planar light emitted from the upper surface of the light guide plate 12 is further uniformed by being diffused by the diffusion plate 14 and emitted toward the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel 20.

  The liquid crystal panel 20 includes a polarizing plate 21 that is provided below and selectively transmits light that vibrates in a specific direction, a substrate 22 that is provided above the polarizing plate 21 and in which liquid crystal is sealed, and above the substrate 22. And a polarizing plate 23 that selectively transmits light that vibrates substantially perpendicularly to the polarizing plate 21.

  Light emitted from the backlight 10 enters the deflection plate 21. The deflecting plate 21 transmits light that vibrates in a specific direction from incident light and emits the light to the substrate 22. The substrate 22 controls the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the deflecting plate 21 and emits it to the polarizing plate 23. For example, the substrate 22 controls the direction of the liquid crystal for each pixel by controlling the voltage applied to the liquid crystal, and controls the polarization direction of the light transmitted through the substrate 22 for each pixel. The light transmitted through the pixel whose deflection direction is changed by 90 degrees (or 270 degrees) by the substrate 22 is transmitted through the polarizing plate 23. That is, the pixel is recognized by the user as a bright pixel (a pixel that shows a predetermined color by passing through a color filter (not shown)). In addition, light that passes through the pixels whose deflection direction has not been changed by the substrate 22 and light that passes through the pixels that have been changed to have an angle other than the above angle are blocked by the polarizing plate 23. That is, the pixel is recognized by the user as a dark pixel (a pixel indicating black).

<Drive light source setting unit>
As shown in FIG. 1, the backlight 10 of the liquid crystal display device 1 includes a plurality of light sources 11a and 11b, and is set so that one of them is driven to emit light. The drive light source setting unit sets whether to permit or not drive the light sources 11a and 11b. The drive light source setting unit will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the drive light source setting unit.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the drive light source setting unit 30 controls the operation of each unit and measures the drive time of the light sources 11a and 11b, and the recording unit that records the drive time measured by the control unit 31. 32, a main body operation unit 33 that is provided directly on the liquid crystal display device 1 and is operated by the user to input a user instruction to the control unit 31, and is separate from the liquid crystal display device 1 and is operated by the user. Thus, the remote controller 34 that emits a user instruction as an electromagnetic wave signal, and the electromagnetic wave signal that is directly provided in the liquid crystal display device 1 and emitted from the remote controller 34, receive the user instruction to the control unit 31. An input receiving unit 35, a communication unit 36 that mediates communication between the communication device M or the network N and the control unit 31, and an abnormality in the light sources 11a and 11b are detected and the control unit 31 is detected. An abnormality detection unit 37 to be transmitted, a switching unit 38 that is controlled by the control unit 31 to switch setting of permission of driving of the light sources 11a and 11b, and a notification unit 39 that is controlled by the control unit 31 and notifies the user. .

  Whether the light sources 11a and 11b are driven or not is set by the control unit 31 and the switching unit 38. In particular, one of the light sources 11a and 11b is set to be driven and the other is set not to be driven. For example, if the light source 11a (initial light source) is set to be driven during the initial operation of the liquid crystal display device 1 (ie, the initial state), the light source 11b (preliminary light source) is set not to be driven. . In addition, when the control unit 31 confirms that the predetermined condition is satisfied, the control unit 31 controls the switching unit 38 to switch the permission / prohibition setting of the driving of the light sources 11a and 11b (details will be described later).

  The control unit 31 measures the time that the light sources 11a and 11b are driven. The time measured by the control unit 31 is recorded in the recording unit 32. Further, the control unit 31 can check the total of the times when the light sources 11a and 11b are driven (hereinafter referred to as the total driving time) by referring to the recording unit 32.

  The main body operation unit 33 includes, for example, buttons installed so as to be integrated with the liquid crystal display device 1. The user inputs an instruction to the control unit 31 by operating the main body operation unit 33 (for example, pressing a button). Thereby, a user instruction is input to the liquid crystal display device 1. The control unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the liquid crystal display device 1 in accordance with the input instruction. One of the instructions input to the control unit 31 via the main body operation unit 33 includes an instruction to switch the light sources 11a and 11b to be driven (hereinafter referred to as a switching instruction).

  The remote controller 34 includes, for example, various buttons, and emits contents operated by the user (for example, information indicating the pressed button) as an electromagnetic wave (for example, infrared) signal. The receiving unit 35 is installed so as to be integrated with the liquid crystal display device 1, for example, and inputs a user instruction indicated by the received electromagnetic wave signal to the control unit 31. Thereby, a user instruction is input to the liquid crystal display device 1. The control unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the liquid crystal display device 1 in accordance with the input instruction. Similarly to the main body operation unit 33, one of the instructions input to the control unit 31 via the remote controller 34 and the reception unit 35 includes a switching instruction.

  The communication unit 36 mediates communication between the control unit 31 and the communication device M or the network N outside the liquid crystal display device 1. In particular, the communication unit 36 receives a signal input to the liquid crystal display device 1 from an external communication device M or a network N (particularly a communication device connected to the network N) and inputs the signal to the control unit 31. The control unit 31 controls the operation of each unit of the liquid crystal display device 1 according to the input signal. One of the signals received by the communication unit 36 and input to the control unit 31 includes a signal for switching the light sources 11a and 11b to be driven (hereinafter referred to as a switching signal). The control unit 31 sends signals (for example, signals indicating the states of the light sources 11a and 11b) to the external communication device M and the network N (particularly, communication devices connected to the network N) via the communication unit 36. ) Can be transmitted.

  The switching instruction is input by, for example, a general user who owns and uses the liquid crystal display device 1. The switching signal is input by an administrator who manages the liquid crystal display device 1 (for example, a device installed in a place where operation is difficult or a plurality of devices) installed in a street or a store, for example. . These are merely examples, and the liquid crystal display device 1 may be used in any manner, and any person may input a switching instruction or a switching signal.

  For example, the abnormality detection unit 37 monitors the power supplied to the light sources 11a and 11b set to be driven (for example, a range in which at least one of the supplied current and voltage cannot be obtained during normal operation). The light sources 11a and 11b are detected abnormally by monitoring whether or not the value of the light source 11 is reached) or by monitoring the light emission amount. When the abnormality detection unit 37 detects an abnormality of the light source that is set to be driven, the abnormality detection unit 37 inputs a signal indicating that the light source is abnormal (hereinafter referred to as a light source abnormality signal) to the control unit 31.

  The notification unit 39 includes, for example, an OSD (On Screen Display) function of the liquid crystal panel 20 and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) provided in the liquid crystal display device 1. The notification unit 36 notifies the user according to the control of the control unit 31. For example, when the switching unit 38 is controlled by the control unit 31 and the setting of whether to permit driving of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched, notification is performed as necessary. Note that the notification unit 39 is not limited to the one that appeals to the user's vision as described above, as long as it can notify the user, and may be one that appeals to hearing (for example, a speaker). A combination of these may also be used.

  Next, an operation example of the drive light source setting unit 30 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the drive light source setting unit shown in FIG. In the following description, it is assumed that the light source 11a is set to be driven and the light source 11b is set not to be driven for the sake of concrete description. In particular, it is assumed that the light source 11a (initial light source) is set to be driven during the initial operation of the liquid crystal display device 1, and the light source 11b (preliminary light source) is not driven during the initial operation of the liquid crystal display device 1. It is assumed that it is set to.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the drive light source setting unit 30 waits until the liquid crystal display device 1 is turned on (STEP 1, NO). When the power source of the liquid crystal display device 1 is turned on (STEP 1, YES), the drive light source setting unit 30 operates.

  First, the control unit 31 starts measuring the driving time of the light source 11a (STEP 2). The control unit 31 can check the cumulative drive time of the light source 11a by referring to the recording unit 32. Further, the control unit 31 checks whether or not the cumulative driving time of the light source 11a has exceeded a preset scheduled life time (STEP 3). The scheduled life time may be, for example, a time during which the light source is expected to be driven normally, or may be a predetermined proportion of the time.

  When the control unit 31 confirms that the cumulative driving time of the light source 11a does not exceed the planned lifetime (STEP 3, NO), the control unit 31 switches through the main body operation unit 33 or the remote controller 34 and the reception unit 35. It is confirmed whether or not an instruction is input (STEP 4).

  When it is confirmed that the switching instruction has not been input (STEP 4, NO), the control unit 31 confirms whether the switching signal has been input via the communication unit 36 (STEP 5).

  When it is confirmed that the switching signal is not input (STEP 5, NO), the control unit 31 checks whether or not the light source abnormality signal is input from the abnormality detection unit 37 (STEP 6).

  When the control unit 31 confirms that the light source abnormality signal is not input (STEP 6, NO), the setting of driving the light sources 11a and 11b is not switched (STEP 7). That is, the control unit 31 controls the switching unit 38 to maintain the current setting so that the light source 11a is driven thereafter and the light source 11b is not driven thereafter.

  Here, when the power supply of the liquid crystal display device 1 is not turned off (STEP 8, NO), the process returns to STEP 3, and the control unit 31 confirms whether or not each of the conditions of STEP 3 to STEP 6 is satisfied. On the other hand, when the power supply of the liquid crystal display device 1 is turned off, the control unit 31 ends the measurement of the driving time of the light source 11a (STEP 9) and ends the operation of the driving light source setting unit 30. The control unit 31 records the measured driving time of the light source 11a in the recording unit 32. The control unit 31 may record the driving time of the light source 11a in the recording unit 32 when turning off the power supply of the liquid crystal display device 1. The recording unit 32 sequentially records the measured driving time of the light source 11a. You may make it record to.

  By the way, when the control unit 31 confirms that the cumulative drive time of the light source 11a exceeds the planned lifetime (STEP 3, YES), the control unit 31 notifies the user by controlling the notification unit 39 (STEP 10). The setting for driving the light sources 11a and 11b is switched (STEP 11). That is, the control unit 31 controls the switching unit 38 to switch the setting so that the light source 11a is not driven thereafter, and switches the setting so that the light source 11b is driven thereafter. Note that the notification by the notification unit 39 in STEP 10 may be performed after the setting of the driving of the light sources 11a and 11b in STEP 11 is switched.

  Further, the control unit 31 confirms that a switching instruction is input (STEP 4, YES), a switching signal is input (STEP 5, YES), or a light source abnormality signal is input (STEP 6, YES). Also in this case, the driving setting of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched (STEP 11). In this case, in FIG. 3, notification by the notification unit 39 of STEP 10 is not performed, but notification by the notification unit 39 is performed before or after STEP 11, as in the above-described case (STEP 3, YES). It doesn't matter.

  Further, when the setting of driving of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched in STEP 11, the control unit 31 ends the measurement of the driving time of the light source 11a and starts measuring the driving time of the light source 11b (STEP 12). Then, the drive light source setting unit 30 operates in the same manner as when the light source 11a is set to be driven (as if 11a and 11b in the above description are appropriately replaced). In STEP 12, the driving time of the light source 11a that has been set so far may be deleted from the recording unit 32, or recorded in the recording unit 32 and used as a driving history of the light source 11a. 31 may be referred to.

  If comprised as mentioned above, while setting the liquid crystal display device 1 with several light sources 11a and 11b, the said light sources 11a and 11b drive in order. Therefore, the lifetime of the light sources 11a and 11b as a whole can be extended, and the lifetime of the liquid crystal display device 1 can be extended. Furthermore, since the disposal of the liquid crystal display device is suppressed, it is possible to suppress the deterioration of environmental problems.

  In addition, when the cumulative drive time of the light sources 11a and 11b has exceeded the expected lifetime, the drive settings of the light sources 11a and 11b are switched, so that the drive settings of the light sources 11a and 11b can be automatically switched. It becomes.

  Further, since the driving setting of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched when a switching instruction is input, it is possible to switch the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b at the timing instructed by the user.

  In addition, when the switching signal is input, the driving setting of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched. For example, the administrator of the liquid crystal display device 1 can easily switch the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b. It becomes. In particular, when the liquid crystal display device 1 is installed in a place where it is difficult to operate or there are a plurality of liquid crystal display devices 1, it is preferable to switch the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b by the switching signal.

  In addition, when a light source abnormality signal is input, the driving setting of the light sources 11a and 11b is switched. Therefore, when an abnormality is detected in the light sources 11a and 11b set to be driven, the light source 11a is automatically detected. , 11b can be switched.

  In addition, when the control unit 31 and the switching unit 38 switch the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b, the notification unit 39 notifies the user, so that the user switches the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b. It becomes possible to grasp that. In particular, when the driving settings of the light sources 11a and 11b are automatically switched (for example, when the cumulative driving time exceeds the planned lifetime or when a light source abnormality signal is input), the notification unit 39 notifies the user. It is preferable to notify it.

  Note that after switching the setting to drive the light source 11b in the first STEP 11, the setting may be switched to drive the light source 11a when the second STEP 11 is reached.

  If comprised in this way, after changing a setting to drive the light source 11b, it becomes possible to change a setting to drive the light source 11a. For this reason, it is possible to drive the light sources 11a and 11b without leaving the entire light source, and it is possible to further extend the life of the entire light source.

  Further, after the setting is switched so that the light source 11b is driven in the first STEP 11, the setting is not switched when the second STEP 11 is reached (for example, the notification unit 39 is driven instead of STEP 11). It is also possible to notify that there is no light source whose setting can be switched.

  In addition, when the second STEP 11 is reached, the light source 11a that has been switched to be driven by the notification unit 39 has been previously driven while the setting is switched to drive the light source 11a. May be notified.

  Further, the measurement of the driving time of the light source 11b (STEP 12) and the comparison of the cumulative driving time and the expected life time of the light source 11b (STEP 3) may not be performed. That is, when the light source 11b is set to be driven, when a switching instruction, a switching signal, or a light source abnormality signal is input (YES in STEP 4 to 5), the light source 11a is driven in STEP 11. The setting may be switched.

  In FIG. 2, the switching unit 38 is conceptually illustrated, and thus illustrated as a physical switch that switches circuits. However, the switching method of the switching unit 38 is not limited to this. For example, the permission / prohibition of driving of the light sources 11a and 11b may be switched in accordance with the state of the control signal output from the switching unit 38 to each of the light sources 11a and 11b.

  Further, the liquid crystal display device 1 may include respective driving units (for example, inverters) for driving the light sources 11a and 11b, or may include a common driving unit for driving the light sources 11a and 11b. I do not care.

  The liquid crystal display device 1 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 includes two light sources (initial light source and spare light source) 11a and 11b, but may include three or more light sources. For example, each light source may be arranged at an arbitrary position where the emitted light can enter the side surface of the light guide plate 12.

  When three or more light sources are provided, the light sources set to be driven may be switched in order as in the two cases described above. Further, two or more light sources may be set to be driven at the same time, and each may be switched in turn.

  If comprised in this way, after changing a setting to drive the light source 11b, it becomes possible to change a setting to drive another light source. Therefore, it is possible to increase the lifetime of the entire light source by increasing the number of light sources that can be driven.

  When three or more light sources are provided, the light source (initial light source) set to be driven at the time of the first operation when all the light sources are set to be driven once and then becomes STEP 11 The setting may be switched so as to drive. The setting may not be switched (for example, the notification unit 39 may notify that there is no light source whose setting can be switched so as to be driven instead of STEP 11). Further, for the light source set to be driven last, the measurement of the driving time (STEP 12) and the comparison of the cumulative driving time and the planned life time (STEP 3) may not be performed.

<Modified example of backlight>
The backlight 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a configuration in which linear light sources 11a and 11b are provided on a pair of opposing side surfaces of the light guide plate 12, respectively, but other configurations may be used. Various modifications of the backlight 10 will be described below with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the setting of permission / prohibition of driving is also switched as described above for the light sources in the following modifications.

(First modification)
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first modified example of the backlight, and shows portions corresponding to the light sources 11a and 11b and the light guide plate 12 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, in this example, the light sources 111 a and 111 b are arranged near the same side surface of the light guide plate 12.

  If comprised in this way, the side surface (henceforth a light-incidence side surface) of the light-guide plate 12 into which the light which the light source 111a or the light source 111b radiate | emits enters is limited to one. Therefore, it is possible to simplify the design of the light guide plate 12 (particularly how to reflect the light within the light guide plate 12).

  4 shows the case where the light sources 111a and 111b are arranged in the vertical direction along the light incident side surface of the light guide plate 12, it is arranged in the left-right direction (substantially perpendicular to the light incident side surface). You may arrange in. Moreover, you may arrange | position so that it may line up in the diagonal direction (the position to arrange | position shifts with respect to the up-down direction and the left-right direction). Further, when three or more light sources are arranged, they may be arranged similarly.

(Second modification)
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a second modification of the backlight, and shows portions that can be replaced with the light sources 11a and 11b and the light guide plate 12 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, this example includes a plurality of light sources 211 a and 211 b, but does not include the light guide plate 12, as in the backlight described so far. That is, this example does not show an example of an edge light system (light guide plate system) similar to the backlight described so far, but shows an example of a direct type. In the direct type, the light emitted from the light source 211a or the light source 211b or the light reflected by the reflection plate 13 is made uniform by the diffusion plate 14 and is incident on the liquid crystal panel 20 (see FIG. 1).

  In this example, a light source 211a composed of a plurality of line light sources and a light source 211b composed of a plurality of line light sources are alternately arranged (every other) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. Arranged side by side.

  If comprised in this way, when the light sources 211a and 211b to drive are switched, it will be suppressed that the position of the light sources 211a and 211b to drive largely fluctuates as a whole. For this reason, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the light emitted from the diffusion plate 14 to the liquid crystal panel 20 in accordance with the switching of the driving settings of the light sources 211a and 211b.

  When n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 3) light sources are arranged, the linear light sources forming the respective light sources may be arranged so as to be arranged every n-1 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the vertical direction. I do not care.

(Third Modification)
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a light source provided in a third modification of the backlight. In this example, a point light source is used instead of the line light source described so far. Hereinafter, for the sake of concrete description, a case where an LED is applied as a point light source will be described as an example.

  In this example, a light source 311a formed by connecting a plurality of point light sources in series and a light source 311b formed by connecting a plurality of point light sources in series are in a predetermined direction (for example, FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG. 5). Are arranged so that the point light sources constituting them are arranged alternately (every other).

  If comprised in this way, when the light sources 311a and 311b to drive will be switched, it will be suppressed that the position of the light sources 311a and 311b to drive largely fluctuates as a whole. For this reason, it is possible to suppress fluctuations in the light emitted from the diffusion plate 14 to the liquid crystal panel 20 in accordance with the switching of the driving settings of the light sources 311a and 311b.

  Note that a plurality of rows of point light sources forming a plurality of light sources as shown in FIG. 6 may be provided. Each of the plurality of point light source columns may include a point light source forming a plurality of light sources, or the point light sources forming one light source may form one column.

  Further, when the point light sources forming n light sources (n is an integer of 3 or more) are arranged in the same column, the point light sources forming the respective light sources may be arranged so that every n−1 light sources are arranged. .

<Modification>
Note that although a liquid crystal display device has been described as an example of an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is applicable to other types of display devices as long as the display device performs display using light emitted from a light source. Can be applied.

  Moreover, about the liquid crystal display device 1 which is one Embodiment of this invention, control apparatuses, such as a microprocessor, may perform part or all operation | movement of the control part 31, the switching part 38, etc. Further, all or part of the functions realized by such a control device is described as a program, and the program is executed on a program execution device (for example, a computer) to realize all or part of the functions. It doesn't matter if you do.

  The drive light source setting unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 is not limited to the above-described case, and can be realized by hardware or a combination of hardware and software. When a part of the drive light source setting unit is configured using software, a block for a part realized by software represents a functional block of the part.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment in this invention was described, the range of this invention is not limited to this, It can add and implement various changes in the range which does not deviate from the main point of invention.

  The present invention can be used in a display device that performs display using light emitted from a light source. In particular, it is suitable for use in a liquid crystal display device including a liquid crystal panel that displays an image using light emitted from a backlight.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal display device 10 Backlight 11a, 11b Light source 12 Light guide plate 30 Drive light source setting part 31 Control part 32 Recording part 33 Main body operation part 34 Remote controller 35 Reception part 36 Communication part 37 Abnormality detection part 38 Switching part 39 Notification part

Claims (6)

A display device comprising a light source that emits light by driving, and performing display using light emitted from the light source,
The light source includes an initial light source that is set to be driven during the initial operation of the display device, and a spare light source that is set not to be driven during the initial operation of the display device,
When it is confirmed that the first condition is satisfied after the first operation of the display device, the drive switching unit switches the setting so that the initial light source is not driven thereafter, and switches the setting so that the spare light source is driven thereafter A display device comprising:   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that a cumulative time during which the initial light source is driven exceeds a predetermined time. It further includes an operation unit that is operated by the user to input the user's instruction to the display device,
3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that a switching instruction indicating that the light source to be driven is switched is input to the display device via the operation unit. Display device. It further comprises an input unit for inputting a signal from the outside of the display device by wireless or wired,
4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first condition is that a switching signal indicating that the light source to be driven is switched is input to the display device via the input unit. A display device according to any one of the above. It further includes a notification unit that notifies the user,
The display according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the notification unit notifies the user when the drive switching unit switches the setting of driving of the initial light source and the auxiliary light source. apparatus.   When a certain spare light source is set to be driven, when the drive switching unit confirms that the second condition is satisfied, the certain spare light source that has been set to be driven is then driven. The setting is switched so as not to be driven, and the setting is switched so that another preliminary light source or the initial light source that has been set so as not to be driven thereafter is driven thereafter. The display device described in 1.

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