Patent ID: 7378802

Claim:
A discharge lamp lighting circuit comprising: a transformer for transmitting power to a discharge lamp and for supplying a starting signal to the discharge lamp; a direct current-alternating current converting circuit for supplying an output of the transformer to the discharge lamp by receiving a direct current input voltage and converting the direct current input voltage into an alternating current voltage; and a starting circuit for applying the starting signal to the discharge lamp, wherein a primary side of the transformer has a first capacitor, a circuit portion including a rectifying element, and a switching element, and when a terminal voltage of the first capacitor rises and the switching element is brought into a conductive state, a signal generated at a primary winding of the transformer is applied to the discharge lamp as the starting signal after having been boosted by the transformer; and wherein the transformer has an auxiliary winding for supplying a voltage for generating the starting signal to the starting circuit, and wherein a second capacitor is interposed between the auxiliary winding and the circuit portion.