Abstract: A load control device for control of the power delivered to an electrical load from a source of AC voltage, the load control device comprising: a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled between the source of AC voltage and the electrical load; a microprocessor coupled to the controllably conductive device for controlling the power delivered to the load; a power supply adapted to draw current from the source of AC voltage through the electrical load for generating a DC voltage across an energy storage capacitor for powering the microprocessor and the LED; and a load circuit drawing current from the energy storage capacitor of the power supply; wherein the microprocessor is operable to cause the load circuit to draw less current in response to determining that the energy storage capacitor does not have enough time to charge during each half-cycle of the AC voltage.

Abstract: A ballasted lamp socket for a gas discharge lamp, such as a compact fluorescent lamp, is adapted to replace an Edison screw-in lamp socket in a ceiling mounted light fixture, or a table or floor lamp. The ballasted lamp socket comprises a lamp-receiving portion adapted to be coupled to the gas discharge lamp, an enclosure mechanically coupled to the lamp-receiving portion, a dimming ballast circuit electrically coupled to the lamp-receiving portion and housed within the enclosure, and first and second electrical connections. The ballast portion is adapted to receive an AC line voltage and to generate a high- frequency AC voltage for driving the gas discharge lamp and controlling the light intensity of the gas discharge lamp between a high-end intensity and a low-end intensity. The first and second electrical connections are operable to receive the AC line voltage and to provide the AC line voltage to the ballast circuit.

Abstract: A communication protocol for a lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link uses a polling technique to coordinate the transmission of digital messages between the control devices. When the control devices are powered up, one of the control devices is established as a “master” device. During normal operation, the master device transmits a standard poll message to each of the control devices in succession using a unique semi-permanent Poll ID for each of the control devices. The master device periodically transmits a Poll-ID-Request poll message to the control devices allow those devices that do not have a Poll ID to request a Poll ID. If a control device determines either that the master device is not transmitting poll messages to it, or that another control device has the same Poll ID, the control device drops its Poll ID and acquires another Poll ID.