Method of and circuit for driving cathodoluminescence type lighting device.

摘要

A lighting device emits light by releasing electrons to an anode from a Joule-heated cathode and causes the electrons to collide against a phosphor on the anode side. A method of driving the lighting device repeats, at a predetermined lighting cycle, a heating period (th) in which the cathode is heated by conduction, a lighting period (ton) in which the cathode is caused only to release electrons without conduction so that light is emitted, and a dummy period (td) in which no conduction or emission of light occurs at the cathode. To variably adjust the lighting period (ton), adjustments are absorbed by the dummy period (td) to maintain the heating period (th) constant at all times. With respect to the timing control of each period, the lighting period (ton) is controlled at a timing independent of the heating period (th), whereas the heating period (th) is controlled at a timing dependent on the lighting period (ton). This is preferred to facilitate the timing control of the lighting period (ton).