Abstract: A RF wireless sensor interface (20) interfaces one or more of a variety of sensors (12, 13) to a RF wireless network (11). A power converter (30) of the interface (20) converts a primary power (PPRM) into a DC power (PDC) that is supplied to the sensor(s) (12, 13). A microcontroller (60) of the interface (20) receives sensor detection information (SDI) from the sensor(s) (12, 13) in response to the sensor(s) (12, 13) receiving the DC power (PDC) from the power converter (30). A RF transmitter/transceiver (50) of the interface (20) executes a sensor detection information RF transmission (SDIRF) and/or a sensor control signal RF transmission (SCSRF) to the RF wireless network (11) in response to the microcontroller (60) receiving the sensor detection information (SDI). The power converter (30), the microcontroller (60) and the RF transmitter/transceiver (50) are located within a modular housing (80).

Abstract: A lighting commissioning device and method including a lighting commissioning device for commissioning of a lighting device in a lighting system, the lighting commissioning device including an indication detector 142 responsive to indication from the lighting device and generating a lighting device indication signal 148, a change detector 144 responsive to the lighting device indication signal 148 and generating an indication detected signal 150, and a control unit 146 receiving the indication detected signal 150 and being operably connected to the lighting system.

Abstract: A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cell 28 responsive to control light 46 from the light source and generating control charging power 44; a capacitor storing the control charging power 44 and generating control supply power 42; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 powered by control supply power 42 and generating a communications signal 40 to the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 monitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control light 46 when the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.

Abstract: The electronic ballast with lamp type determination for an electronic ballast providing power to a lamp filament 208 includes a filament current sensing circuit 220 operably connected to the lamp filament 208 and generating a sensed filament current signal, and a microprocessor U2 receiving the sensed filament current signal and operably connected to control the power to the lamp filament 208. The microprocessor U2 is programmed to heat the lamp filament by applying the power at a first frequency, measure the filament characteristics, and determine lamp type from the measured filament characteristics. The microprocessor U2 can also be programmed to update operating parameters for the electronic ballast to suit the determined lamp type.

Abstract: An electronic ballast with transformer interface communicating between an external control system and the electronic ballast comprises an outboard circuit (160) operably connected to the external control system and communicating with the external control system by an external signal (140); a transformer (162) being operably connected to the outboard circuit (160) and communicating with the outboard circuit (160) by an outboard signal (166); and an inboard circuit (164) being operably connected to the transformer (162), communicating with the transformer (162) by an inboard signal (168), and communicating with a micro-processor (128) by an internal signal (150). The external signal (140) can use the Digital Addressable Lighting Interface (DALI) protocol. The in board signal (168) can have a lower duty cycle and a higher duty cycle on the primary winding to generate a lower voltage and a higher voltage, respectively, for the outboard signal (166) on the secondary winding.

Abstract: A network (20) employs a wireless network topology (30), a wireless network manager (40). Network (20) further employs a wireless device (70) and wireless device manager (80) pairing and/or a wireless system (90) and a wireless system manager (100) pairing. Managers (40, 80) cooperatively control an operating profile and monitor an operational status of the device (70). Managers (40, 100) cooperatively control an operating profile and monitor an operational status of system (90). Manager (40) can be installed on a computer (150, 170) and wirelessly communicate within network (20) via a wireless control device (160, 180) employing a port connector (161, 181) that can be plugged into a port (151, 171) of the computer (150, 170). Device (70) or system (90) can implement a digital ballast (120) that determines an average power consumption of the digital ballast (120) drawn by a power interface (121) of digital ballast (120).

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes open circuit voltage regulation comprises an filament current sensing circuit 224 operably connected to an output of the electronic ballast and generating a sensed output voltage signal, and a regulating pulse width modulator U3 receiving the sensed output voltage signal and operably connected to control voltage at the output of the electronic ballast, the regulating pulse width modulator U3 having an output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 limits the voltage at the output of the electronic ballast when the sensed output voltage signal exceeds the output voltage threshold limit. The regulating pulse width modulator U3 can limit the output voltage by limiting the pulse width to the high voltage driver and the resonant half bridge. The filament current sensing circuit 224 can sense the output voltage indirectly, such as by sensing tank current, or can sense the output voltage directly.

Abstract: A RF wireless sensor interface (20) interfaces one or more of a variety of sensors (12, 13) to a RF wireless network (11). A power converter (30) of the interface (20) converts a primary power (PPRM) into a DC power (PDC) that is supplied to the sensor(s) (12, 13). A microcontroller (60) of the interface (20) receives sensor detection information (SDI) from the sensor(s) (12, 13) in response to the sensor(s) (12, 13) receiving the DC power (PDC) from the power converter (30). A RF transmitter/transceiver (50) of the interface (20) executes a sensor detection information RF transmission (SDIRF) and/or a sensor control signal RF transmission (SCSRF) to the RF wireless network (11) in response to the microcontroller (60) receiving the sensor detection information (SDI). The power converter (30), the microcontroller (60) and the RF transmitter/transceiver (50) are located within a modular housing (80).

Abstract: A lighting system control device charging system and method including a control device charged from a light source in a lighting system, including control photovoltaic cell 28 responsive to control light 46 from the light source and generating control charging power 44; a capacitor storing the control charging power 44 and generating control supply power 42; and a control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 powered by control supply power 42 and generating a communications signal 40 to the lighting system. The control microcontroller unit (MCU)/transceiver 24 monitors charge state of the capacitor and directs the lighting system to increase the control light 46 when the charge state is below a low charge setpoint.

Abstract: A lighting commissioning device and method including a lighting commissioning device for commissioning of a lighting device in a lighting system, the lighting commissioning device including an indication detector 142 responsive to indication from the lighting device and generating a lighting device indication signal 148, a change detector 144 responsive to the lighting device indication signal 148 and generating an indication detected signal 150, and a control unit 146 receiving the indication detected signal 150 and being operably connected to the lighting system.

Abstract: The electronic ballast with lamp type determination for an electronic ballast providing power to a lamp filament 208 includes a filament current sensing circuit 220 operably connected to the lamp filament 208 and generating a sensed filament current signal, and a microprocessor U2 receiving the sensed filament current signal and operably connected to control the power to the lamp filament 208. The microprocessor U2 is programmed to heat the lamp filament by applying the power at a first frequency, measure the filament characteristics, and determine lamp type from the measured filament characteristics. The microprocessor U2 can also be programmed to update operating parameters for the electronic ballast to suit the determined lamp type.

Abstract: Gas discharge lamps may conduct current from the common rail to earthen ground through a fixture containing the lamps. A transistor is coupled in series in the current path to the common rail. When the ballast is placed in a quiescent state, the transistor is rendered non-conducting, thereby solating the lamps from the common rail and preventing flicker. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control electrode of the transistor is coupled to a source of low voltage and the transistor is rendered non-conducting when the source of low voltage is turned off. The lamps can also be isolated from the common rail by using a semiconductor switch in the rectifier section or by referencing the output of the inverter to the high voltage rail.

Abstract: Gas discharge lamps may conduct current from the common rail to earthen ground through a fixture containing the lamps. A transistor is coupled in series in the current path to the common rail. When the ballast is placed in a quiescent state, the transistor is rendered non-conducting, thereby solating the lamps from the common rail and preventing flicker. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the control electrode of the transistor is coupled to a source of low voltage and the transistor is rendered non-conducting when the source of low voltage is turned off. The lamps can also be isolated from the common rail by using a semiconductor switch in the rectifier section or by referencing the output of the inverter to the high voltage rail.

Abstract: A digitally controlled electronic ballast, on command, optically transmits its identification signature or other data by CW modulation of the luminosity of one or more lamps connected to the ballast. The data is transmitted by momentarily interrupting the lamp current to mark the beginning and the end of successive periods, wherein the periods represent either a logic one or a logic zero in accordance with the data to be transmitted. Each ballast has a unique identification, which is included in the transmitted digital data. A receiver monitors the luminosity of a lamp and compares instantaneous luminosity to average luminosity to detect the beginning and end of each period.

Abstract: An electronic ballast includes a zener diode in series with the bulk capacitor of the ballast to provide a charging voltage for a small capacitor that powers a power factor correction circuit within the ballast. A SCR in parallel with the zener diode shuts off the zener diode after the power factor correction circuit begins operation.

Abstract: An insulating enclosure for an electronic ballast has at least one major surface and a thermally conductive heat spreader at the major surface. The heat spreader is thermally coupled to at least one of the electronic components within the ballast and has an area greater than the area of the component as measured parallel with the major surface. The electronic components are thermally coupled to the heat spreader by a thermally conductive, deformable means such as caulk or by domes or dimples in the heat spreader that accommodate the variations in height among the electronic components. An electrically insulating layer can be located between the heat spreader and some of the components to prevent the heat spreader from electrically shorting the components.

Abstract: An ballast includes a variable frequency boost circuit and a driven half-bridge inverter having a series resonant, direct coupled, parallel output. A control circuit includes a variable frequency driver section, a multivibrator section, and a sensing section. The variable frequency driver changes frequency smoothly, i.e. without discontinuities. The multivibrator section acts as a switch that is enabled or disabled by the sensing section for controlling the frequency of the inverter. Lamp current is required for continued operation of the control circuit. The multivibrator section controls starting by causing the inverter to produce an output signal having a trapezoidal envelope. In the event of an arc, the control circuit quenches the arc and the multivibrator periodically pulses the lamp to attempt to re-start the lamp.

Abstract: An instant start ballast includes a variable frequency boost circuit and a driven half-bridge inverter having a series resonant, direct coupled, parallel output. A control circuit includes a variable frequency driver section, a multivibrator section, and a sensing section. The variable frequency driver changes frequency smoothly, i.e. without discontinuities. The multivibrator section acts as a switch that is enabled or disabled by the sensing section for controlling the frequency of the inverter. Lamp current is required for continued operation of the control circuit. The multivibrator section controls starting by causing the inverter to produce an output signal having a trapezoidal envelope. In the event of an arc, the control circuit quenches the arc and the multivibrator periodically pulses the lamp to attempt to re-start the lamp.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for a gas discharge lamp includes an AC to DC converter for changing alternating current at power line voltage to direct current and an inverter powered by the converter and having a series resonant, direct coupled output coupled to the lamp. The inverter includes an AC switch having a diode bridge defining an AC diagonal and a DC diagonal and a transistor connected across the DC diagonal. The primary winding of a filament transformer is connected across the AC diagonal of the bridge and the transistor is coupled to the microprocessor for controlling current through the primary winding. The microprocessor is programmed to close the AC switch while the lamp is starting and to open the switch after the lamp is started, thereby cutting off the filaments from a source of power and reducing the power consumed by the ballast during normal operation. A resistor in series with the transistor is used to detect filament resistance and provide an indication of lamp type.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled, electronic ballast operates a lamp at nominal settings and shifts the operation of the ballast away from nominal settings to reduce interference. The shift is randomized by a test--flip--?shift! routine that prevents all ballasts from attempting the same correction at the same time. On DC input voltage, the frequency of the boost controller is varied to reduce EMI. The ballast operates in bands according to the input voltage. Some bands correspond to full brightness, some to a fixed amount of dimming, and some to a variable amount of dimming. In the event of an abrupt change in load, the microprocessor changes the frequency of the inverter, thereby reducing output power and gradually unloading the boost circuit and maintaining power to the microprocessor.