Patent ID: 8004199

Claim:
Control circuit for a gas discharge lamp circuit, comprising: a first terminal configured to be connected to a first electrode of a gas discharge lamp; a second terminal configured to be connected to a second electrode of a gas discharge lamp; a controllable switch, comprising a closed status providing a conductive path between the first and second terminal, and an open status interrupting the conductive path between the first and second terminal; an electronic circuit, coupled to the first terminal and the second terminal, for operating the switch; a chargeable and dischargeable power buffer, coupled to the electronic circuit, for powering the electronic circuit; wherein: the electronic circuit is configured to intermittently operate the switch during a pre-heating period of the gas discharge lamp between: the open status for enabling the power buffer to be charged by a voltage applied across the first terminal and the second terminal; the closed status for enabling a pre-heating current to flow through at least an electrode of the lamp.