FLUORESCENT TUBE, LIFE DETECTING METHOD THEREFOR, LIFE DETECTING DEVICE THEREFOR, FLUORESCENT TUBE LIGHTING DEVICE, DISPLAY DEVICE, AND INFORMATION PROCESSING DEVICE

摘要

The invention relates to a fluorescent tube used for a light source for back-light for liquid crystal display devices, or the like, and its object is to increase the accuracy of detection of the terminal period of life thereof. To achieve such object, a fluorescent tube is provided with a life detecting section for detecting the terminal period of life thereof, and the life information on the fluorescent tube is derived from the life detecting section. The life information is the pressure in the tube detected by a pressure detector, the brightness or chromaticity detected by an optical sensor, or the like. And an arrangement is included for utilizing the life information obtained from the fluorescent tube, deciding the terminal period of life of the fluorescent tube, and stopping the continued lighting of the fluorescent tube that has reached its terminal period of life.