FLUORESCENT LIGHTING APPARATUS

• US 3,794,882 A
• Filed: 07/10/1972
• Issued: 02/26/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1967
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Tatsushi Kitanosono
• Original Assignee: Tatsushi Kitanosono
• Inventors: Kitanosono, Tatsushi
• Primary Examiner(s): Lawrence, James W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Willis, Davis L.
• Application Number:
  US05/270,206
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 250/71R,78,65,71.5,461 315/100 313/109
• US Class Current: 315/100
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 9/243 visually, e.g. by comparing in a viewer the written signature with a reference on the pass

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for identification of a concealed sign, such as a signature, on a card or the like and comprises a fluorescent member, a light source for stimulating the fluorescent member, a retaining member for holding the card carrying the concealed sign during the identification process and an infrared ray source. The apparatus of this invention may further include an optical system for directly comparing the visualize image of the concealed sign with a second sign and an instantly lighting circuit for the light source.

Claims

1. A fluorescent lighting apparatus comprising a fluorescent lamp having a pair of opposed filaments, and a lighting circuit for said lamp, said lighting circuit including an electric source circuit connected to apply a voltage to one terminal of each of the filaments of said lamp to cause discharge between said filaments, a filament preheating circuit interconnecting the other terminals of said filaments and having a switch which is closed during preheating and which is opened to light said lamp, and a filament current controlling circuit connected across the two terminals of at least one filament of said lamp, said controlling circuit including a non-linear element.

2. A fluorescent lighting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said non-linear element is a varister.