Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the control of a powered utility. A circuit board, an onboard controller located on the circuit board, and a daughterboard connector also located on the circuit board are utilized. The onboard controller is configured to provide a first level of control functionality to the system. The first level of control functionality includes the ability to transfer the powered utility between an operating state and an off state. The daughterboard connector is configured to accept a daughterboard, and that daughterboard is configured to increase the control functionality of the system above the first level of control functionality to a second level of control functionality.

Abstract: Lighting devices are configured to communicate with one another and with external systems. Sensors located at such lighting devices communicate with the external systems and with others of the lighting devices. Lighting is controlled to maintain safety, to drive customer traffic within a retail facility, or to conserve energy. An application programming interface provides a common mechanism for control of various lighting device types.

Abstract: A lighting ballast is programmable as to input and output parameters. Both operational characteristics and sensed data are used to control the ballast parameters. The ballast is configured to recapture as electrical energy heat produced by the lamp. The ballast is constructed in modular fashion with a power factor correction circuit module and a ballast control circuit module that snap together to achieve a large number of input voltage and lamp type variations with a small number of separate units.