Patent ID: 6552501
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A discharge lamp lighting circuit comprising:a lighting circuit which receives power from a power source and lights a discharge lamp; a control circuit which detects an occurrence of a failure in a discharge lamp or the lighting circuit, the control circuit stops the power supplied to the discharge lamp or operation of the lighting circuit, and lights another light source as a substitute light source for the discharge light, or notifies the occurrence of the failure; at least two switching means, one being connected to said lighting circuit for receiving power from the power source, while the other being connected to said control circuit for receiving another power from the power source, the respective switches being switched on substantially in synchronization with one another; wherein said control circuit is prohibited from stopping the power supply to the discharge lamp, or stopping the operation of the lighting circuit, or lighting the substitute light source, or notifying the occurrence of a failure until a predefined time period is elapsed from the time said switch means are switched on to cause the lighting circuit to start operating.