Patent ID: 8242710

Claim:
A driver device for a load provided by a current from a current source, said driver device comprising: a shunting switch connected parallel to the load for shunting the load when switched on, a control unit for controlling the shunting switch, an energy storage element for supplying energy to at least the control unit, a recharge control circuitry arranged in series with the energy storage element, the series connection of energy storage element and recharge control circuitry being provided parallel to the shunting switch, wherein said control unit is configured i) to activate said recharge control circuitry and to switch said shunting switch off, when said energy storage element is to be recharged by said current from said current source, and ii) to deactivate said recharge control circuitry and to switch said shunting switch on after a predetermined time period and/or when the voltage across the energy storage element reaches a predetermined value.