Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling the energy usage of an installation including lighting fixtures, motors, compressors, and other electrical appliances by monitoring the operating status of the electrical appliances, switching the electrical appliances on and/or off as mandated by operating conditions, intended use(s) of the installation, ambient conditions, energy consumption limits, and other factors, reporting the operating status of the electrical appliances to a system coordinator, storing information as to the operating status of each electrical appliance in the network to the memory of the system coordinator in a look-up table for subsequent retrieval as needed for operation of the installation, and transmitting a signal from the system coordinator that is operative to switch the electrical appliances on and/or off in accordance with the information stored in the look-up table.

Abstract: A light fixture having a construction enabling on/off operation with a wall-mounted switch in a circuit by itself or with other fixtures and to be upgraded in “plug and play” fashion to operate independently of other fixtures in the circuit or for stepped dimming. Modular construction provides safety and ease of maintenance in that ballasts are replaced without exposure to internal wiring and provides temperature management by isolating temperature-sensitive components from high temperatures while placing the lamps in an enclosure in which temperature is contained to operate efficiently. If passive thermal management is not enough to maximize operating efficiency and/or service life, the fixture is upgradeable in plug and play fashion to active thermal management. Ballast modules can be equipped with a microcontroller for collecting operational data that is harvested and used to optimize switching to evenly age lamps and electronics or determine energy consumption.

Abstract: A modular light fixture having a construction that enables the same fixture to be used for standard on/off operation under control of a wall-mounted switch in a circuit by itself and/or with other fixtures and to be upgraded in “plug and play” fashion to operate independently of other fixtures in the same circuit and/or for stepped dimming. The modular construction of the fixture also allows for safety and ease of maintenance in that ballasts can be replaced without quickly and conveniently without exposing an electrician or maintenance worker to the internal wires of the fixture. The construction of the fixture also provides temperature management by isolating the temperature-sensitive components of the fixture from high temperatures while placing the lamps of the fixture in an enclosure, or shroud, in which temperature is contained so that the lamps operate efficiently.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for monitoring and controlling the energy usage of an installation including lighting fixtures, motors, compressors, and other electrical appliances by monitoring the operating status of the electrical appliances, switching the electrical appliances on and/or off as mandated by operating conditions, intended use(s) of the installation, ambient conditions, energy consumption limits, and other factors, reporting the operating status of the electrical appliances to a system coordinator, storing information as to the operating status of each electrical appliance in the installation to the memory of the system coordinator in a look-up table for subsequent retrieval as needed for operation of the installation, and transmitting a signal from the system coordinator that is operative to switch the electrical appliances on and/or off in accordance with the information stored in the look-up table.

Abstract: A modular light fixture having a construction that enables the same fixture to be used for standard on/off operation under control of a wall-mounted switch in a circuit by itself and/or with other fixtures and to be upgraded in “plug and play” fashion to operate independently of other fixtures in the same circuit and/or for stepped dimming. The modular construction of the fixture also allows for safety and ease of maintenance in that ballasts can be replaced without quickly and conveniently without exposing an electrician or maintenance worker to the internal wires of the fixture. The construction of the fixture also provides temperature management by isolating the temperature-sensitive components of the fixture from high temperatures while placing the lamps of the fixture in an enclosure, or shroud, in which temperature is contained so that the lamps operate efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for targeted, remote switching of electrical appliances. The system includes a transmitter for selectively producing a directional output signal and a receiver for detecting the directional output signal from the transmitter. The receiver produces an output signal when the directional output signal from the transmitter is detected that is received by a microcontroller that is incorporated into a switch controller. The microcontroller produces an output that switches the electrical appliance to which the switch controller is connected on and/or off. A coordinator is provided for communicating functional information to and from the switch controller(s) of a plurality of electrical appliances for increased flexibility of operation and control.

Abstract: A system and method for targeted, remote switching of electrical appliances. The system includes a transmitter for selectively producing a directional output signal and a receiver for detecting the directional output signal from the transmitter. The receiver produces an output signal when the directional output signal from the transmitter is detected that is received by a microcontroller that is incorporated into a switch controller. The microcontroller produces an output that switches the electrical appliance to which the switch controller is connected on and/or off. Although not limited to this use, the system and method of the present invention are particularly adapted for controlling individual light fixtures, even though several fixtures are wired into a single circuit, allowing the individual fixtures to be switched on and/or off as needed and, in the case of light fixtures with multiple bulbs, the dimming of the fixture by switching individual bulbs in the fixture off.