A control circuit of a DC/DC converter is provided for supplying a driving
voltage to a light emitting element. A hysteresis comparator compares a
detection voltage that corresponds to the output voltage of the DC/DC
converter with two threshold voltages. If the detection voltage is
smaller than the lower threshold voltage, the hysteresis comparator
outputs a comparison signal at the low level. Otherwise, the comparison
signal is set to the high level. The switching control unit uses the
comparison signal as a reference. The switching control unit instructs
the switching transistor of the DC/DC converter to perform the switching
operation during a period when the comparison signal is at the low level.
Otherwise, the switching operation is suspended. The control circuit
inhibits light emission of the light emitting element during a period
when the comparison signal is at the low level. Otherwise, the control
circuit permits the light emission.