Patent ID: 6181074
Filing Date: 2001-01-30
Classification: H05B

Abstract:
A circuit for operating a load, in particular a discharge lamp, having an operating state storage device (SP) with a voltage supply terminal for storing a variable (Srepresenting an operating state of the load, and having a changeover device (U) for switching over between a plurality of operating states of the load, said operating state storage device (SP) is activated in the case of each relatively short interruption of power to the operating circuit, and switches over into an operating state other than that represented by the stored variable (SPA), defined by a timer circuit (C1,Ra,Rb) separate from the operating state storage device (SP) and coupled to the voltage supply terminal of the operating state storage device, for defining a specific time (ts) for distinguishing relatively long interruptions of power from the relatively short ones, the changeover device (U) being activated by relatively long interruptions so as to switch into a fixed initial operating state.