Patent ID: 8310161

Claim:
A compact fluorescent lam comprising: a light source: a ballast; a base, wherein the base is operatively connectable to a power source; a housing, wherein the housing is coupled to the base and surrounds at least in part the ballast and the light source; a solid state light source end-of-life indicator, wherein the solid state light source end-of-life indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode, is located on an exterior of the housing, and emits light at the end of life of the compact fluorescent lamp; and an end-of-life detection circuit, wherein the end-of-life detection circuit detects when the compact fluorescent lamp is at an end of its life, and provides an end-of-life signal to the solid state light source end-of-life indicator: wherein the solid state light source end-of-life indicator comprises: a solid state light source end-of-life indicator, wherein the solid state light source end-of-life indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode, is located on the exterior of the housing, and emits, light upon receiving the end-of-life signal from the end-of-life detection circuit; and wherein the end-of-life detection circuit provides a near end-of-life signal to the solid state light source end-of-life indicator and provides an end-of-life signal to the solid state light source end-of-life indicator, and wherein the solid state light source end-of-life indicator emits light at or near the end of life of the compact fluorescent lamp.