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:
Nov. 13, 2012
Filed:
Aug. 18, 2010
Akira Nakajo, Kyoto, JP;
Hiroshi Kido, Hirakata, JP;
Ryusuke Ura, Osaka, JP;
Hidenori Kakehashi, Takatsuki, JP;
Kohji Hiramatsu, Hirakata, JP;
Katsuyoshi Goto, Hirakata, JP;
Akira Nakajo, Kyoto, JP;
Hiroshi Kido, Hirakata, JP;
Ryusuke Ura, Osaka, JP;
Hidenori Kakehashi, Takatsuki, JP;
Kohji Hiramatsu, Hirakata, JP;
Katsuyoshi Goto, Hirakata, JP;
Panasonic Corporation, Osaka, JP;
Abstract
A lighting apparatus includes a lighting circuit unit, a timer unit, a life judgment unit, a timing adjustment unit, and an indication unit. The lighting circuit unit is configured to activate a light source. The timer unit is configured to measure accumulated operation time of the lighting circuit unit. The life judgment unit is configured to store a first judgment time and a second judgment time longer than the first judgment time. The life judgment unit is configured to compare the accumulated operation time with the first judgment time and output a first judgment signal when the accumulated operation time becomes equal to the first judgment time. The life judgment unit is configured to compare the accumulated operation time with the second judgment time and output a second judgment signal when the accumulated operation time becomes equal to the second judgment time. The timing adjustment unit is configured to vary timing at which the life judgment unit outputs the first judgment signal. The timing adjustment unit is configured to vary timing at which the life judgment unit outputs the second judgment signal. The indication unit is configured to indicate, upon receiving the first judgment signal from the life judgment unit, a first level of the end of life with the light source kept turned on. The indication unit is configured to indicate, upon receiving the second judgment signal from the life judgment unit, a second level of the end of life. The second level of the end of life is later than the first level of the end of life.