Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring chain health of a chain having multiple links in a closed loop, as the chain cycles. The system includes: a camera statically positioned with respect to the chain, the camera configured to generate a frame to include a link from among the multiple links; and a controller module operationally coupled to the camera and programmed to repeat the steps of: receiving the frame; converting the frame to a black and white frame with a high-contrast; identifying a link type of the link in the black and white frame based on referencing a plurality of predefined skyline templates; and, storing the link with the link type and a respective temporal marker in a cache, storing a sequence. The system continues until discovering that the chain has cycled back to the starting link, identifies a type of chain for the chain, and fingerprints the chain.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring chain health of a chain having multiple links in a closed loop, as the chain cycles. The system includes: a camera statically positioned with respect to the chain, the camera configured to generate a frame to include a link from among the multiple links; and a controller module operationally coupled to the camera and programmed to repeat the steps of: receiving the frame; converting the frame to a black and white frame with a high-contrast; identifying a link type of the link in the black and white frame based on referencing a plurality of predefined skyline templates; and, storing the link with the link type and a respective temporal marker in a cache, storing a sequence. The system continues until discovering that the chain has cycled back to the starting link, identifies a type of chain for the chain, and fingerprints the chain.

Abstract: Lighting control techniques and corresponding drivers and ballasts are disclosed. In some embodiments, the driver or ballast receives multiple dimming inputs and has multiple dimming interfaces that produce initial dimming signals or levels. The initial dimming signals are manipulated by a controller to produce a final output dimming signal or level that is based on the dimming signals received and dims the attached light sources accordingly. The manipulations performed by the controller may include various operations, such as comparisons and calculating the product of the initial dimming signals. In some embodiments, the techniques can be applied to light-emitting diode (LED) drivers or ballasts for fluorescent and other discharge light sources and can be used in smart grid and peak power shaping applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an incorrect load and preventing powering of that load, until a load change is detected, are disclosed. An incorrect load can be removed and a newly attached valid load can be operated without requiring a reset. A power supply or driver system for a lighting system including one or more solid state light sources includes the systems and methods. The power supply or driver system includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to detect whether a load is operable or non-operable while still being responsive to a new load being attached at any time, and to prevent the system from checking the same load more than once. These may be used in conjunction with features like auto-recovery, restart after faults, and load-hot-plug capability, while perhaps simultaneously reducing cyclical flashing of light output.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing or otherwise reducing cyclic light output caused by failure modes are disclosed, which shut off a power supply to a lighting system susceptible to output cycling (also known as flashing, flickering, or strobing) in a non-latching fashion. A power supply and/or driver system includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to track failures and prevent cyclical behavior when detected. The processor can be implemented, for example, with an existing microcontroller already present in the power supply, or as a dedicated processor. Once a failure mode that exhibits cyclic behavior above a certain frequency is detected, the power supply can be turned off or otherwise prevented from attempting to source power to the lighting system.

Abstract: Lighting control techniques and corresponding drivers and ballasts are disclosed. In some embodiments, the driver or ballast receives multiple dimming inputs and has multiple dimming interfaces that produce initial dimming signals or levels. The initial dimming signals are manipulated by a controller to produce a final output dimming signal or level that is based on the dimming signals received and dims the attached light sources accordingly. The manipulations performed by the controller may include various operations, such as comparisons and calculating the product of the initial dimming signals. In some embodiments, the techniques can be applied to light-emitting diode (LED) drivers or ballasts for fluorescent and other discharge light sources and can be used in smart grid and peak power shaping applications.

Abstract: Systems and methods for preventing or otherwise reducing cyclic light output caused by failure modes are disclosed, which shut off a power supply to a lighting system susceptible to output cycling (also known as flashing, flickering, or strobing) in a non-latching fashion. A power supply and/or driver system includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to track failures and prevent cyclical behavior when detected. The processor can be implemented, for example, with an existing microcontroller already present in the power supply, or as a dedicated processor. Once a failure mode that exhibits cyclic behavior above a certain frequency is detected, the power supply can be turned off or otherwise prevented from attempting to source power to the lighting system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting an incorrect load and preventing powering of that load, until a load change is detected, are disclosed. An incorrect load can be removed and a newly attached valid load can be operated without requiring a reset. A power supply or driver system for a lighting system including one or more solid state light sources includes the systems and methods. The power supply or driver system includes a processor and memory arrangement configured to detect whether a load is operable or non-operable while still being responsive to a new load being attached at any time, and to prevent the system from checking the same load more than once. These may be used in conjunction with features like auto-recovery, restart after faults, and load-hot-plug capability, while perhaps simultaneously reducing cyclical flashing of light output.