Abstract: An incandescent lamp has incorporated a circuit board within a recess in the bulb, wherein the circuit board contains connections and circuitry to control power to the lamp filament while maintaining the attachment of the bulb to the metal base, wherein the completed lamp assembly including the circuit board and the metal base maintains the external physical dimensions to fit into standard incandescent light fixtures. The circuitry on the circuit board contains performance-modifying or performance-monitoring electronic circuitry configured to reflect the restrictive size and thermal considerations while employing designs and manufacturing processes most typically found in such products.

Abstract: An incandescent light bulb life extender circuit is designed to attach to the screw base of a conventional light bulb or incorporated in series with the AC powering the bulb. The circuit employs a bidirectional semiconductor switch that reduces the brightness of the bulb marginally while significantly extending the bulb's life. The values of the life extender are selected to operate with standard available light dimmers with no undesirable flicker or compromise of reasonable brightness control. A controller consists of the life extending circuit and a) an appropriate molded insulating housing, b) electrically conductive metallic discs for making electrical contacts to a light bulb base and corresponding socket and c) selected electronic components, connected to said discs, to facilitate the intended electrical performance.