Lighting device

Claim 2

A lighting device comprising: an electrodeless discharge tube adapted to emit light by a high frequency electromagnetic field being applied thereto from outside; an electrode provided in contact with or in proximity to an outer wall of said discharge tube; and high frequency wave applying means for applying high frequency power to said electrode, said high frequency wave applying means having means for applying to said electrode, preparatory to causing a substantially complete discharge in said discharge tube, high frequency power of lower level than that applied during the use of said lighting device, for heating said discharge tube.

Claim 3

A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said high frequency wave applying means outputs a voltage lower than that during the use of said lighting device before said lighting device is used.

Claim 4

A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said high frequency wave applying means outputs a current lower than that during the use of said lighting device before said lighting device is used.

Claim 5

A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said discharge tube is of an elongated shape.

Claim 6

A lighting device according to claim 4, wherein said lighting device is an exposure source for slit-exposing an original used in an original reading apparatus.

Claim 7

A lighting device according to claim 1, wherein said high frequency wave has a frequency in a range of 10 6 -10 8 Hz.

Claim 8

A lighting device according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said electrodes are provided along the lengthwise direction of said discharge tube.

Claim 9

A lighting device comprising: an electrodeless discharge tube adapted to emit light by a high frequency electromagnetic field being applied thereto from outside; an electrode provided in contact with or in proximity to an outer wall of said discharge tube; and high frequency wave applying means for applying high frequency power to said electrode, said high frequency wave applying means applying to said electrode high frequency power of such a level that said discharge tube does not discharge, while said lighting device is in a standby state.

Claim 10

A lighting device comprising: an electrodeless discharge tube adapted to emit light by a high frequency electromagnetic field being applied thereto from outside; an electrode provided in contact with or in proximity to an outer wall of said discharge tube; and high frequency wave applying means for applying high frequency power to said electrode, said high frequency wave applying means applying to said electrode high frequency power of such a level that said discharge tube does not discharge, while said lighting device is in a standby state.

Claim 11

A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein said discharge tube is of an elongated shape.

Claim 12

A lighting device according to claim 9, wherein said lighting device is an exposure source for slit-exposing an original used in an original reading apparatus.

Claim 13

A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein said high frequency wave applying means applies to said electrode a voltage of such a level that said discharge tube does not discharge during the standby of said lighting device.

Claim 14

A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein said high frequency wave applying means applies to said electrode a current of such a level that said discharge tube does not discharge during the standby of said lighting device.

Claim 15

A lighting device according to claim 8, wherein said high frequency wave has a frequency in a range of 10 6- 10 8 Hz.

Claim 16

A lighting device comprising: an electrodeless tube adapted to emit light by a high frequency electromagnetic field being applied thereto from outside; an electrode provided in contact with or near said discharge tube; and high frequency wave applying means for applying high frequency power to said discharge tube, said high frequency wave applying means applying a first high frequency power to said electrode while said lighting device is in a standby state, applying a second high frequency power to said electrode at an initial stage of a use of said lighting device, and thereafter applying a third high frequency power to said electrode, the second high frequency powers the second high frequency power being greater than the third high frequency power and the third high frequency power being greater than the first high frequency power, the first high frequency power heating said discharge tube without essentially discharging, and the second and third high frequency powers discharging said discharge tube.

Claim 17

A lighting device comprising: an electrodeless tube adapted to emit light by a high frequency electromagnetic field being applied thereto from outside; an electrode provided in contact with or near said discharge tube; and high frequency wave applying means for applying high frequency power to said discharge tube, said high frequency wave applying means applying a first high frequency power to said electrode while said lighting device is in a standby state, applying a second high frequency power to said electrode at an initial stage of a use of said lighting device, and thereafter applying a third high frequency power to said electrode, the second high frequency powers the second high frequency power being greater than the third high frequency power and the third high frequency power being greater than the first high frequency power, the first high frequency power heating said discharge tube without essentially discharging, and the second and third high frequency powers discharging said discharge tube.

Claim 18

A lighting device according to claim 14, wherein said high frequency wave applying means is variable in voltage, and first, second and third high frequency voltages are in the relation that the second high frequency voltage is greater than the third high frequency voltage which is greater than the first high frequency voltage.

Claim 19

A lighting device according to claim 14, wherein said high frequency wave applying means is variable in current, and first, second and third high frequency current are in the relation that the second high frequency current is greater than the third high frequency current which is greater than the first high frequency current.

Claim 20

A lighting device according to claim 14, wherein said high frequency wave applying means is variable in duty ratio, and the duty ratios of the first, second and third high frequency powers are in the relation that the duty ratio of the second high frequency power is greater than the duty ratio of the third high frequency lower which is greater than the duty ratio of the first high frequency power.

Claim 21

A lighting device according to claim 14, wherein said high frequency wave has a frequency in a range of 10 6 -10 8 Hz.

Claim 22

A lighting device according to claim 14 wherein said discharge tube is of an elongated shape.

Claim 23

A lighting device according to claim 19, wherein said lighting device is an exposure source for slit-exposing an original used in an original reading apparatus.

Claim 24

A lighting device according to claim 14, wherein the second high frequency power is 1.5 to 3 times as great as the third high frequency power.