diff --git a/Documentation/ABI/stable/sysfs-class-backlight b/Documentation/ABI/stable/sysfs-class-backlight
index 4d637e1..70302f3 100644
--- a/Documentation/ABI/stable/sysfs-class-backlight
+++ b/Documentation/ABI/stable/sysfs-class-backlight
@@ -34,3 +34,23 @@
 Description:
 		Maximum brightness for <backlight>.
 Users:		HAL
+
+What:		/sys/class/backlight/<backlight>/type
+Date:		September 2010
+KernelVersion:	2.6.37
+Contact:	Matthew Garrett <mjg@redhat.com>
+Description:
+		The type of interface controlled by <backlight>.
+		"firmware": The driver uses a standard firmware interface
+		"platform": The driver uses a platform-specific interface
+		"raw": The driver controls hardware registers directly
+
+		In the general case, when multiple backlight
+		interfaces are available for a single device, firmware
+		control should be preferred to platform control should
+		be preferred to raw control. Using a firmware
+		interface reduces the probability of confusion with
+		the hardware and the OS independently updating the
+		backlight state. Platform interfaces are mostly a
+		holdover from pre-standardisation of firmware
+		interfaces.
diff --git a/drivers/acpi/video.c b/drivers/acpi/video.c
index 90f8f76..a9eec8c 100644
--- a/drivers/acpi/video.c
+++ b/drivers/acpi/video.c
@@ -795,6 +795,7 @@
 		count++;
 
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_FIRMWARE;
 		props.max_brightness = device->brightness->count - 3;
 		device->backlight = backlight_device_register(name, NULL, device,
 							      &acpi_backlight_ops,
diff --git a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_backlight.c b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_backlight.c
index d3a9c6e..18d7bcc 100644
--- a/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/gpu/drm/nouveau/nouveau_backlight.c
@@ -98,6 +98,7 @@
 		return 0;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 31;
 	bd = backlight_device_register("nv_backlight", &dev->pdev->dev, dev,
 				       &nv40_bl_ops, &props);
@@ -121,6 +122,7 @@
 		return 0;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 1025;
 	bd = backlight_device_register("nv_backlight", &dev->pdev->dev, dev,
 				       &nv50_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/hid/hid-picolcd.c b/drivers/hid/hid-picolcd.c
index de9cf21b..657da5a 100644
--- a/drivers/hid/hid-picolcd.c
+++ b/drivers/hid/hid-picolcd.c
@@ -944,6 +944,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(props));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 0xff;
 	bdev = backlight_device_register(dev_name(dev), dev, data,
 			&picolcd_blops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/macintosh/via-pmu-backlight.c b/drivers/macintosh/via-pmu-backlight.c
index ade1e65..b1d9117 100644
--- a/drivers/macintosh/via-pmu-backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/macintosh/via-pmu-backlight.c
@@ -163,6 +163,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "pmubl");
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, NULL, NULL, &pmu_backlight_data,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.c
index ad3d099..c978470 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/acer-wmi.c
@@ -1031,6 +1031,7 @@
 	struct backlight_device *bd;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = max_brightness;
 	bd = backlight_device_register("acer-wmi", dev, NULL, &acer_bl_ops,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/asus-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/asus-laptop.c
index f3aa6a7..5a6f7d7 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/asus-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/asus-laptop.c
@@ -667,6 +667,7 @@
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
 	props.max_brightness = 15;
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 
 	bd = backlight_device_register(ASUS_LAPTOP_FILE,
 				       &asus->platform_device->dev, asus,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/asus_acpi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/asus_acpi.c
index fe49593..f503607 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/asus_acpi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/asus_acpi.c
@@ -1507,6 +1507,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = 15;
 	asus_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("asus", NULL, NULL,
 							  &asus_backlight_data,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/classmate-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/classmate-laptop.c
index 9111354..94f93b6 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/classmate-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/classmate-laptop.c
@@ -564,6 +564,7 @@
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = 7;
 	ipml->bd = backlight_device_register("cmpc_bl", &acpi->dev,
 					     acpi->handle, &cmpc_bl_ops,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/compal-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/compal-laptop.c
index 034572b..eb95878 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/compal-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/compal-laptop.c
@@ -970,6 +970,7 @@
 	if (!acpi_video_backlight_support()) {
 		struct backlight_properties props;
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = BACKLIGHT_LEVEL_MAX;
 		compalbl_device = backlight_device_register(DRIVER_NAME,
 							    NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
index ad24ef3..de301aa8 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/dell-laptop.c
@@ -671,6 +671,7 @@
 	if (max_intensity) {
 		struct backlight_properties props;
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = max_intensity;
 		dell_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("dell_backlight",
 								  &platform_device->dev,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-laptop.c
index 49d9ad7..6605bea 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/eeepc-laptop.c
@@ -1147,6 +1147,7 @@
 	struct backlight_device *bd;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = 15;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(EEEPC_LAPTOP_FILE,
 				       &eeepc->platform_device->dev, eeepc,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/fujitsu-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/fujitsu-laptop.c
index 95e3b09..493054c 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/fujitsu-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/fujitsu-laptop.c
@@ -1128,6 +1128,7 @@
 
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
 		max_brightness = fujitsu->max_brightness;
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = max_brightness - 1;
 		fujitsu->bl_device = backlight_device_register("fujitsu-laptop",
 							       NULL, NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/msi-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/msi-laptop.c
index 7e9bb6d..142d385 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/msi-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/msi-laptop.c
@@ -804,6 +804,7 @@
 	} else {
 		struct backlight_properties props;
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = MSI_LCD_LEVEL_MAX - 1;
 		msibl_device = backlight_device_register("msi-laptop-bl", NULL,
 							 NULL, &msibl_ops,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/msi-wmi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/msi-wmi.c
index 35278ad..d5419c9 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/msi-wmi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/msi-wmi.c
@@ -254,6 +254,7 @@
 	if (!acpi_video_backlight_support()) {
 		struct backlight_properties props;
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = ARRAY_SIZE(backlight_map) - 1;
 		backlight = backlight_device_register(DRV_NAME, NULL, NULL,
 						      &msi_backlight_ops,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/panasonic-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/panasonic-laptop.c
index cc1e0ba..05be30e 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/panasonic-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/panasonic-laptop.c
@@ -602,6 +602,7 @@
 	}
 	/* initialize backlight */
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = pcc->sinf[SINF_AC_MAX_BRIGHT];
 	pcc->backlight = backlight_device_register("panasonic", NULL, pcc,
 						   &pcc_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/sony-laptop.c b/drivers/platform/x86/sony-laptop.c
index 5e83370..13d8d63 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/sony-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/sony-laptop.c
@@ -1305,8 +1305,9 @@
 		       "controlled by ACPI video driver\n");
 	} else if (ACPI_SUCCESS(acpi_get_handle(sony_nc_acpi_handle, "GBRT",
 						&handle))) {
-							struct backlight_properties props;
+		struct backlight_properties props;
 		memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 		props.max_brightness = SONY_MAX_BRIGHTNESS - 1;
 		sony_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("sony", NULL,
 								  NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
index eb99223..947bdca 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/thinkpad_acpi.c
@@ -6307,6 +6307,7 @@
 		return 1;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = bright_maxlvl;
 	props.brightness = b & TP_EC_BACKLIGHT_LVLMSK;
 	ibm_backlight_device = backlight_device_register(TPACPI_BACKLIGHT_DEV_NAME,
diff --git a/drivers/platform/x86/toshiba_acpi.c b/drivers/platform/x86/toshiba_acpi.c
index 209cced..63f42a2 100644
--- a/drivers/platform/x86/toshiba_acpi.c
+++ b/drivers/platform/x86/toshiba_acpi.c
@@ -1018,6 +1018,7 @@
 		create_toshiba_proc_entries();
 	}
 
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = HCI_LCD_BRIGHTNESS_LEVELS - 1;
 	toshiba_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("toshiba",
 							     &toshiba_acpi.p_dev->dev,
diff --git a/drivers/staging/olpc_dcon/olpc_dcon.c b/drivers/staging/olpc_dcon/olpc_dcon.c
index b90c2cf..750fe50 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/olpc_dcon/olpc_dcon.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/olpc_dcon/olpc_dcon.c
@@ -574,6 +574,7 @@
 
 static struct backlight_properties dcon_bl_props = {
 	.max_brightness = 15,
+	.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW,
 	.power = FB_BLANK_UNBLANK,
 };
 
diff --git a/drivers/staging/samsung-laptop/samsung-laptop.c b/drivers/staging/samsung-laptop/samsung-laptop.c
index 6607a89..2529446 100644
--- a/drivers/staging/samsung-laptop/samsung-laptop.c
+++ b/drivers/staging/samsung-laptop/samsung-laptop.c
@@ -781,6 +781,7 @@
 
 	/* create a backlight device to talk to this one */
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = sabi_config->max_brightness;
 	backlight_device = backlight_device_register("samsung", &sdev->dev,
 						     NULL, &backlight_ops,
diff --git a/drivers/usb/misc/appledisplay.c b/drivers/usb/misc/appledisplay.c
index 1fa6ce3..68ab460 100644
--- a/drivers/usb/misc/appledisplay.c
+++ b/drivers/usb/misc/appledisplay.c
@@ -282,6 +282,7 @@
 	snprintf(bl_name, sizeof(bl_name), "appledisplay%d",
 		atomic_inc_return(&count_displays) - 1);
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 0xff;
 	pdata->bd = backlight_device_register(bl_name, NULL, pdata,
 					      &appledisplay_bl_data, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/atmel_lcdfb.c b/drivers/video/atmel_lcdfb.c
index bac16345..4b4e8da 100644
--- a/drivers/video/atmel_lcdfb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/atmel_lcdfb.c
@@ -127,6 +127,7 @@
 		return;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 0xff;
 	bl = backlight_device_register("backlight", &sinfo->pdev->dev, sinfo,
 				       &atmel_lcdc_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/aty/aty128fb.c b/drivers/video/aty/aty128fb.c
index 4cb6a57..b0b2ac3 100644
--- a/drivers/video/aty/aty128fb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/aty/aty128fb.c
@@ -1818,6 +1818,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "aty128bl%d", info->node);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, info->dev, par, &aty128_bl_data,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/aty/atyfb_base.c b/drivers/video/aty/atyfb_base.c
index 94e293f..d437b3d 100644
--- a/drivers/video/aty/atyfb_base.c
+++ b/drivers/video/aty/atyfb_base.c
@@ -2241,6 +2241,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "atybl%d", info->node);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, info->dev, par, &aty_bl_data,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/aty/radeon_backlight.c b/drivers/video/aty/radeon_backlight.c
index 9b811dd..db572df 100644
--- a/drivers/video/aty/radeon_backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/video/aty/radeon_backlight.c
@@ -158,6 +158,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "radeonbl%d", rinfo->info->node);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, rinfo->info->dev, pdata,
 				       &radeon_bl_data, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/88pm860x_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/88pm860x_bl.c
index b224396..e59623a 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/88pm860x_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/88pm860x_bl.c
@@ -227,6 +227,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(name, &pdev->dev, data,
 					&pm860x_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/adp5520_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/adp5520_bl.c
index 9f436e0..af31197 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/adp5520_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/adp5520_bl.c
@@ -303,6 +303,7 @@
 	mutex_init(&data->lock);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = ADP5020_MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(pdev->name, data->master, data,
 				       &adp5520_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/adp8860_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/adp8860_bl.c
index 734c650..d2a96a4 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/adp8860_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/adp8860_bl.c
@@ -709,6 +709,7 @@
 	i2c_set_clientdata(client, data);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(props));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = ADP8860_MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
 
 	mutex_init(&data->lock);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/adx_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/adx_bl.c
index fe9af12..c861c41 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/adx_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/adx_bl.c
@@ -104,6 +104,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 0xff;
 	bldev = backlight_device_register(dev_name(&pdev->dev), &pdev->dev,
 					  bl, &adx_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/atmel-pwm-bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/atmel-pwm-bl.c
index e6a66da..0443a4f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/atmel-pwm-bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/atmel-pwm-bl.c
@@ -168,6 +168,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = pdata->pwm_duty_max - pdata->pwm_duty_min;
 	bldev = backlight_device_register("atmel-pwm-bl", &pdev->dev, pwmbl,
 					  &atmel_pwm_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/backlight.c b/drivers/video/backlight/backlight.c
index 0870329..80d292f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/backlight.c
@@ -19,6 +19,12 @@
 #include <asm/backlight.h>
 #endif
 
+static const char const *backlight_types[] = {
+	[BACKLIGHT_RAW] = "raw",
+	[BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM] = "platform",
+	[BACKLIGHT_FIRMWARE] = "firmware",
+};
+
 #if defined(CONFIG_FB) || (defined(CONFIG_FB_MODULE) && \
 			   defined(CONFIG_BACKLIGHT_CLASS_DEVICE_MODULE))
 /* This callback gets called when something important happens inside a
@@ -169,6 +175,14 @@
 	return rc;
 }
 
+static ssize_t backlight_show_type(struct device *dev,
+		struct device_attribute *attr, char *buf)
+{
+	struct backlight_device *bd = to_backlight_device(dev);
+
+	return sprintf(buf, "%s\n", backlight_types[bd->props.type]);
+}
+
 static ssize_t backlight_show_max_brightness(struct device *dev,
 		struct device_attribute *attr, char *buf)
 {
@@ -234,6 +248,7 @@
 	__ATTR(actual_brightness, 0444, backlight_show_actual_brightness,
 		     NULL),
 	__ATTR(max_brightness, 0444, backlight_show_max_brightness, NULL),
+	__ATTR(type, 0444, backlight_show_type, NULL),
 	__ATTR_NULL,
 };
 
@@ -292,9 +307,16 @@
 	dev_set_drvdata(&new_bd->dev, devdata);
 
 	/* Set default properties */
-	if (props)
+	if (props) {
 		memcpy(&new_bd->props, props,
 		       sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+		if (props->type <= 0 || props->type >= BACKLIGHT_TYPE_MAX) {
+			WARN(1, "%s: invalid backlight type", name);
+			new_bd->props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
+		}
+	} else {
+		new_bd->props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
+	}
 
 	rc = device_register(&new_bd->dev);
 	if (rc) {
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/corgi_lcd.c b/drivers/video/backlight/corgi_lcd.c
index 1e71c35..af60983 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/corgi_lcd.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/corgi_lcd.c
@@ -562,6 +562,7 @@
 	lcd->mode = (pdata) ? pdata->init_mode : CORGI_LCD_MODE_VGA;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = pdata->max_intensity;
 	lcd->bl_dev = backlight_device_register("corgi_bl", &spi->dev, lcd,
 						&corgi_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/cr_bllcd.c b/drivers/video/backlight/cr_bllcd.c
index 397d15e..6c8c540 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/cr_bllcd.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/cr_bllcd.c
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@
 	}
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	bdp = backlight_device_register("cr-backlight", &pdev->dev, NULL,
 					&cr_backlight_ops, &props);
 	if (IS_ERR(bdp)) {
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/da903x_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/da903x_bl.c
index 87659ed..62043f1 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/da903x_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/da903x_bl.c
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@
 		da903x_write(data->da903x_dev, DA9034_WLED_CONTROL2,
 				DA9034_WLED_ISET(pdata->output_current));
 
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = max_brightness;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(pdev->name, data->da903x_dev, data,
 				       &da903x_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/ep93xx_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/ep93xx_bl.c
index b0cc491..9f1e389 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/ep93xx_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/ep93xx_bl.c
@@ -87,6 +87,7 @@
 	ep93xxbl->mmio = EP93XX_RASTER_BRIGHTNESS;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = EP93XX_MAX_BRIGHT;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(dev->name, &dev->dev, ep93xxbl,
 				       &ep93xxbl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/generic_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/generic_bl.c
index 312ca61..8c6befd 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/generic_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/generic_bl.c
@@ -91,6 +91,7 @@
 		name = machinfo->name;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = machinfo->max_intensity;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, &pdev->dev, NULL, &genericbl_ops,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/hp680_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/hp680_bl.c
index 267d23f..38aa002 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/hp680_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/hp680_bl.c
@@ -109,6 +109,7 @@
 	struct backlight_device *bd;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = HP680_MAX_INTENSITY;
 	bd = backlight_device_register("hp680-bl", &pdev->dev, NULL,
 				       &hp680bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/jornada720_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/jornada720_bl.c
index 2f177b3..40e4fa8 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/jornada720_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/jornada720_bl.c
@@ -106,6 +106,7 @@
 	struct backlight_device *bd;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = BL_MAX_BRIGHT;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(S1D_DEVICENAME, &pdev->dev, NULL,
 				       &jornada_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/kb3886_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/kb3886_bl.c
index f439a86..72dd555 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/kb3886_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/kb3886_bl.c
@@ -149,6 +149,7 @@
 		machinfo->limit_mask = -1;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = machinfo->max_intensity;
 	kb3886_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("kb3886-bl",
 							    &pdev->dev, NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/locomolcd.c b/drivers/video/backlight/locomolcd.c
index d2f5901..bbca312 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/locomolcd.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/locomolcd.c
@@ -184,6 +184,7 @@
 	local_irq_restore(flags);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 4;
 	locomolcd_bl_device = backlight_device_register("locomo-bl",
 							&ldev->dev, NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/max8925_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/max8925_bl.c
index 209acc1..07e8e27 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/max8925_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/max8925_bl.c
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@
 	data->current_brightness = 0;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(name, &pdev->dev, data,
 					&max8925_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/mbp_nvidia_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/mbp_nvidia_bl.c
index 1485f73..74c3394 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/mbp_nvidia_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/mbp_nvidia_bl.c
@@ -367,6 +367,7 @@
 		return -ENXIO;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM;
 	props.max_brightness = 15;
 	mbp_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("mbp_backlight", NULL,
 							 NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/omap1_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/omap1_bl.c
index d3bc562..08d26a7 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/omap1_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/omap1_bl.c
@@ -146,6 +146,7 @@
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = OMAPBL_MAX_INTENSITY;
 	dev = backlight_device_register("omap-bl", &pdev->dev, bl, &omapbl_ops,
 					&props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/pcf50633-backlight.c b/drivers/video/backlight/pcf50633-backlight.c
index 3c424f7..ef5628d 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/pcf50633-backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/pcf50633-backlight.c
@@ -112,6 +112,7 @@
 	if (!pcf_bl)
 		return -ENOMEM;
 
+	bl_props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	bl_props.max_brightness = 0x3f;
 	bl_props.power = FB_BLANK_UNBLANK;
 
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/progear_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/progear_bl.c
index 809278c..6af183d 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/progear_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/progear_bl.c
@@ -84,6 +84,7 @@
 	pci_write_config_byte(sb_dev, SB_MPS1, temp | 0x20);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = HW_LEVEL_MAX - HW_LEVEL_MIN;
 	progear_backlight_device = backlight_device_register("progear-bl",
 							     &pdev->dev, NULL,
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
index 21866ec..2c2a2c7 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/pwm_bl.c
@@ -108,6 +108,7 @@
 		dev_dbg(&pdev->dev, "got pwm for backlight\n");
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = data->max_brightness;
 	bl = backlight_device_register(dev_name(&pdev->dev), &pdev->dev, pb,
 				       &pwm_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/s6e63m0.c b/drivers/video/backlight/s6e63m0.c
index 5927db0..322040f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/s6e63m0.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/s6e63m0.c
@@ -778,6 +778,7 @@
 
 	bd->props.max_brightness = MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
 	bd->props.brightness = MAX_BRIGHTNESS;
+	bd->props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	lcd->bd = bd;
 
 	/*
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/tosa_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/tosa_bl.c
index 2a04b38..425a736 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/tosa_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/tosa_bl.c
@@ -102,6 +102,7 @@
 	data->i2c = client;
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 512 - 1;
 	data->bl = backlight_device_register("tosa-bl", &client->dev, data,
 					     &bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/backlight/wm831x_bl.c b/drivers/video/backlight/wm831x_bl.c
index 08fd87f..d4c6eb2 100644
--- a/drivers/video/backlight/wm831x_bl.c
+++ b/drivers/video/backlight/wm831x_bl.c
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@
 	data->current_brightness = 0;
 	data->isink_reg = isink_reg;
 
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = max_isel;
 	bl = backlight_device_register("wm831x", &pdev->dev, data,
 				       &wm831x_backlight_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/bf54x-lq043fb.c b/drivers/video/bf54x-lq043fb.c
index e7d0f52..2464b91 100644
--- a/drivers/video/bf54x-lq043fb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/bf54x-lq043fb.c
@@ -649,6 +649,7 @@
 	}
 #ifndef NO_BL_SUPPORT
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 255;
 	bl_dev = backlight_device_register("bf54x-bl", NULL, NULL,
 					   &bfin_lq043fb_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/bfin-t350mcqb-fb.c b/drivers/video/bfin-t350mcqb-fb.c
index 3cf7767..d8de29f 100644
--- a/drivers/video/bfin-t350mcqb-fb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/bfin-t350mcqb-fb.c
@@ -545,6 +545,7 @@
 	}
 #ifndef NO_BL_SUPPORT
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = 255;
 	bl_dev = backlight_device_register("bf52x-bl", NULL, NULL,
 					   &bfin_lq043fb_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/imxfb.c b/drivers/video/imxfb.c
index 69bd4a5..ef72cb4 100644
--- a/drivers/video/imxfb.c
+++ b/drivers/video/imxfb.c
@@ -499,6 +499,7 @@
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
 	props.max_brightness = 0xff;
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	writel(fbi->pwmr, fbi->regs + LCDC_PWMR);
 
 	bl = backlight_device_register("imxfb-bl", &fbi->pdev->dev, fbi,
diff --git a/drivers/video/nvidia/nv_backlight.c b/drivers/video/nvidia/nv_backlight.c
index 6aac6d1..8471008 100644
--- a/drivers/video/nvidia/nv_backlight.c
+++ b/drivers/video/nvidia/nv_backlight.c
@@ -111,6 +111,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "nvidiabl%d", info->node);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, info->dev, par, &nvidia_bl_ops,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-acx565akm.c b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-acx565akm.c
index e773106..7e04c92 100644
--- a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-acx565akm.c
+++ b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-acx565akm.c
@@ -534,6 +534,7 @@
 
 	props.fb_blank = FB_BLANK_UNBLANK;
 	props.power = FB_BLANK_UNBLANK;
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 
 	bldev = backlight_device_register("acx565akm", &md->spi->dev,
 			md, &acx565akm_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-sharp-ls037v7dw01.c b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-sharp-ls037v7dw01.c
index 9a138f6..d2b35d2 100644
--- a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-sharp-ls037v7dw01.c
+++ b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-sharp-ls037v7dw01.c
@@ -99,6 +99,7 @@
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
 	props.max_brightness = dssdev->max_backlight_level;
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 
 	bl = backlight_device_register("sharp-ls", &dssdev->dev, dssdev,
 			&sharp_ls_bl_ops, &props);
diff --git a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-taal.c b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-taal.c
index 61026f9..c74e8b7 100644
--- a/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-taal.c
+++ b/drivers/video/omap2/displays/panel-taal.c
@@ -729,6 +729,8 @@
 		props.max_brightness = 255;
 	else
 		props.max_brightness = 127;
+
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	bldev = backlight_device_register("taal", &dssdev->dev, dssdev,
 					  &taal_bl_ops, &props);
 	if (IS_ERR(bldev)) {
diff --git a/drivers/video/riva/fbdev.c b/drivers/video/riva/fbdev.c
index da38818..d8ab7be 100644
--- a/drivers/video/riva/fbdev.c
+++ b/drivers/video/riva/fbdev.c
@@ -355,6 +355,7 @@
 	snprintf(name, sizeof(name), "rivabl%d", info->node);
 
 	memset(&props, 0, sizeof(struct backlight_properties));
+	props.type = BACKLIGHT_RAW;
 	props.max_brightness = FB_BACKLIGHT_LEVELS - 1;
 	bd = backlight_device_register(name, info->dev, par, &riva_bl_ops,
 				       &props);
diff --git a/include/linux/backlight.h b/include/linux/backlight.h
index 4a3d52e..5ffc6dd 100644
--- a/include/linux/backlight.h
+++ b/include/linux/backlight.h
@@ -32,6 +32,13 @@
 	BACKLIGHT_UPDATE_SYSFS,
 };
 
+enum backlight_type {
+	BACKLIGHT_RAW = 1,
+	BACKLIGHT_PLATFORM,
+	BACKLIGHT_FIRMWARE,
+	BACKLIGHT_TYPE_MAX,
+};
+
 struct backlight_device;
 struct fb_info;
 
@@ -62,6 +69,8 @@
 	/* FB Blanking active? (values as for power) */
 	/* Due to be removed, please use (state & BL_CORE_FBBLANK) */
 	int fb_blank;
+	/* Backlight type */
+	enum backlight_type type;
 	/* Flags used to signal drivers of state changes */
 	/* Upper 4 bits are reserved for driver internal use */
 	unsigned int state;