Back illuminated LCD apparatus with light attenuating means for even light distribution and method of manufacture

Abstract

An improved illuminated LCD apparatus of the type comprising a PCB (7;10) upon which are mounted a liquid crystal display (1), at least one light source (3), a light guide (2) disposed between the liquid crystal display and the substrate for distributing light from the light source over an area of the liquid crystal display, and light attenuating means (5;18,20) disposed between the light guide and the substrate and comprising a pattern of areas of differing optical reflectance for reducing the intensity of the light reaching portions of the liquid crystal display nearest to the light source. The improvement comprises the light attenuating pattern being printed directly onto the substrate, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy with which the pattern is applied. The light attenuating pattern may include elements formed as part of the usual PCB production process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.