The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 27, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 05, 2001
Kazuaki Okubo, Takatsuki, JP;
Yoshinori Tanabe, Hirakata, JP;
Masanori Shimizu, Kyotanabe, JP;
Takeshi Arakawa, Kyoto, JP;
Yoko Shimomura, Ikoma, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Kadoma, JP;
Abstract
A fluorescent lamp includes: an emission tube for generating a luminous flux; a first filament provided at one end of the emission tube; a second filament provided at another end of the emission tube; first current regulator having a first impedance; a first electrode pin coupled to one end of the first filament via the first current regulator; a first switch coupled in parallel to the first current regulator; a second switch; a second electrode pin coupled to another end of the first filament via the second switch; and a control circuit for controlling the first switch and the second switch so as to be opened or closed. The control circuit doses the first switch and the second switch before the fluorescent lamp is lit and during a nominal lighting period after the fluorescent lamp is lit, and opens the first switch and the second switch during a power conservation lighting period following the nominal lighting period.