Abstract: A control circuit and system for controlling operation of a device is provided. The control circuit includes a storage means for storing a group identifier associated with a group of devices to be controlled. The control circuit further includes a control communication interface circuit for communicating with at least one other control circuit thereby enabling one or more the control circuits to be programmed as belonging to the group. The system comprises a master control circuit for transmitting a control command, and a slave control circuit for receiving the control command. The slave control circuit is coupled to the device for controlling the device in accordance with the control command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control unit (108) for a lighting system (100) comprising at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is connectable to the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) and configured to control the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is further configured to control a first lighting system configuration comprising the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) so as to cause it to emit a first illumination pattern (120) provided jointly by the at least two light sources (102, 104) of the first lighting system configuration, detect and store an initial set of illumination parameters being indicative of the first illumination pattern (120), determine a subsequent set of illumination parameters being indicative of a second illumination pattern (122) provided by a second lighting system configuration comprising individually cont

Abstract: An electro magnetic ballast (110) for a gas discharge lamp (2) comprises: input terminals (3), for receiving a mains voltage; lamp connector terminals (4), for receiving a lamp; a controllable semiconductor switch (26) coupled in parallel to the lamp connector terminals; a current sensor (127) connected in series with the controllable switch (26); and a control circuit (28) for controlling the controllable switch (26) and responsive to the current sensor (127). When operating in a normal mode, the control circuit (28) is responsive to a current sense signal received from the current sensor to switch the controllable switch (26) ON if said current sense signal indicates a current flowing in the controllable switch (26) and to switch the controllable switch (26) OFF if said current sense signal indicates that no current is flowing in the controllable switch (26).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control unit (108) for a lighting system (100) comprising at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is connectable to the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) and configured to control the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104), wherein the control unit (108) is further configured to control a first lighting system configuration comprising the at least two individually controllable light sources (102, 104) so as to cause it to emit a first illumination pattern (120) provided jointly by the at least two light sources (102, 104) of the first lighting system configuration, detect and store an initial set of illumination parameters being indicative of the first illumination pattern (120), determine a subsequent set of illumination parameters being indicative of a second illumination pattern (122) provided by a second lighting system configuration comprising individually cont

Abstract: In a method of driving a lamp using a lamp control circuit, the lamp control circuit comprises a communication circuit and a lamp driving circuit. The lamp driving circuit is configured to drive a lamp in accordance with a number of lamp operating parameters. The method comprises providing a lamp operating parameter to a memory of the communication circuit; providing a supply voltage to the lamp driving circuit; and supplying the lamp operating parameter from the memory to the lamp driving circuit. Then, driving the lamp by the lamp driving circuit corresponding to the supplied lamp operating parameter In the lamp control circuit, the communication circuit comprises a memory and is configured to supply the lamp operating parameter to the lamp driving circuit, when the lamp driving circuit is supplied with a supply voltage. In an embodiment, the lamp operating parameter may be supplied to the memory when no supply voltage is supplied to the lamp control circuit.

Abstract: An electro magnetic ballast (110) for a gas discharge lamp (2) comprises: input terminals (3), for receiving a mains voltage; lamp connector terminals (4), for receiving a lamp; a controllable semiconductor switch (26) coupled in parallel to the lamp connector terminals; a current sensor (127) connected in series with the controllable switch (26); and a control circuit (28) for controlling the controllable switch (26) and responsive to the current sensor (127). When operating in a normal mode, the control circuit (28) is responsive to a current sense signal received from the current sensor to switch the controllable switch (26) ON if said current sense signal indicates a current flowing in the controllable switch (26) and to switch the controllable switch (26) OFF if said current sense signal indicates that no current is flowing in the controllable switch (26).

Abstract: The method according to the present invention relates to controlling a gas discharge lamp during a pre-heating period of said lamp, wherein a first terminal of a control circuit is connected with a first electrode of the lamp and a second terminal of a control circuit is connected with a second electrode of the lamp, and wherein means are provided, suitable for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal with each other, thus providing a conducting path, and suitable for disconnecting the first terminal and the second terminal. Furthermore the method comprises the use of a chargeable and dischargeable power buffer, for powering control circuitry for operating the switching means.

Abstract: An electronic starter (100) comprises a housing (130) with a bottom face (133) and main input connector terminals (131, 132) projecting externally from the bottom face (133); an electronic switching circuit (150) arranged in the housing (130), the electronic switching circuit (150) comprising: a controllable switch (170), and a control device (180) having a control output terminal (181) coupled to a control input of the switch (170). The control device (180) further has programming input terminals (182). The housing (130) further is provided with a communication connector (140) having a plurality of communication terminals (141) connected to the programming input terminals (182) of the control device (180).

Abstract: An electro magnetic ballast (110; 210) for a gas discharge lamp (2) comprises: input terminals (3), for receiving a mains voltage; lamp connector terminals (4), for receiving a lamp; an impedance connected in series with the lamp connector terminals, the impedance comprising at least an inductor (L) and preferably comprising a series arrangement of a capacitor (C) and an inductor (L); and an electronic switching circuit (120; 220) having input terminals (22, 23) connected in parallel to the lamp connector terminals. The electronic switching circuit comprises:—rectifier (21) connected to the input terminals (22, 23) and having a positive output terminal (24) and a negative output terminal (25); switchable voltage clamping and energy dissipating means (126, 127; 26, 27, 227, 230) connected between said positive output terminal (24) and said negative output terminal (25);—and a control circuit (28) for controlling the voltage clamping and energy dissipating means.

Abstract: In a method of dimming a gas discharge lamp, a controllable switch is provided which is connected between terminals of the lamp receiving an alternating power supply voltage. The opening and closing of the switch is controlled. The switch is closed at least during a first closing time period and a subsequent second closing time period within a half period of the power supply voltage. The second closing time period is longer than the first closing time period. The switch may be closed during a plurality of closing time periods within a half period of the power supply voltage, each closing time period after the first closing time period being longer than a previous closing time period. The first closing time period is started after a delay time period after a first reignition of the lamp after a voltage zero-crossing of the power supply voltage.

Abstract: A control circuit for controlling operation of a device is provided. The control circuit is configured to be comprised in a group of control circuits. The group is identified by a group identifier which is stored in the control circuit. An identifier communication interface is configured to receive a group identifier. A control communication interface circuit is provided for communicating with at least one other control circuit comprised in said group. Thus, the control circuit may easily be programmed to be comprised in a group. Further, a system for controlling operation of a device is provided. The system comprises a master control circuit for transmitting a control command; and a slave control circuit for receiving the control command. The slave control circuit is coupled to the device for controlling the device in accordance with the control command.

Abstract: A communication network includes a plurality of devices and a control unit for generating control signals to control the operation of the devices. Each device includes: a device operating circuit, a communication interface for receiving command signals for controlling operation of the devices, a control circuit coupled between the device operating circuit and the communication interface for controlling the operation of the device operating circuit part in dependency of said command signals, and a master integral to the device for receiving the control signals, for generating the command signals in response to the received control signals, and for transferring the command signals to the communication interfaces of the plurality of devices. The communication network activates one of the masters as an active master, and in case the active master fails, then it activates another master to take over as the active master.

Abstract: The method according to the present invention relates to controlling a gas discharge lamp during a pre-heating period of said lamp, wherein a first terminal of a control circuit is connected with a first electrode of the lamp and a second terminal of a control circuit is connected with a second electrode of the lamp, and wherein means are provided, suitable for connecting the first terminal and the second terminal with each other, thus providing a conducting path, and suitable for disconnecting the first terminal and the second terminal. Furthermore the method comprises the use of a chargeable and dischargeable power buffer, for powering control circuitry for operating the switching means.

Abstract: A method for bonding a lighting device to a first lighting system, in which the first system comprises a master controller, which is remote from the lighting device and which may control a slave controller of the lighting device if the slave controller has stored therein an identification (ID) of the system. Upon powering up, if the slave controller contains such an ID, it tries to communicate with a master controller of the system. If the slave controller does not succeed in establishing such a communication it enters a state in which it can change it settings, in particular clearing said ID, upon receiving, during a time window with reduced communication security level, a message for allowing such changing of its settings.

Abstract: In a method of driving a lamp using a lamp control circuit, the lamp control circuit comprises a communication circuit and a lamp driving circuit. The lamp driving circuit is configured to drive a lamp in accordance with a number of lamp operating parameters. The method comprises providing a lamp operating parameter to a memory of the communication circuit; providing a supply voltage to the lamp driving circuit; and supplying the lamp operating parameter from the memory to the lamp driving circuit. Then, driving the lamp by the lamp driving circuit corresponding to the supplied lamp operating parameter In the lamp control circuit, the communication circuit comprises a memory and is configured to supply the lamp operating parameter to the lamp driving circuit, when the lamp driving circuit is supplied with a supply voltage. In an embodiment, the lamp operating parameter may be supplied to the memory when no supply voltage is supplied to the lamp control circuit.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a lighting control system suitable for small system configurations such as in offices and conference rooms. One or more luminaires are communicatively connected in an addressable digital bus system as well as to a unit including a processing means. In connection with installation of the device, the processing means is programmed to automatically assign a digital address to each luminaire and further to automatically identify a spatial position of each luminaire by use of light measuring cells. A relationship between the digital address and the spatial position of each luminaire is thereby provided. Furthermore, the device supports the functionality of installing pre-programmed lighting scenes suitable for the determined configuration of the luminaires as well as other factors such as the position of a window.

Abstract: A method for bonding a lighting device to a first lighting system, in which the first system comprises a master controller, which is remote from the lighting device and which may control a slave controller of the lighting device if the slave controller has stored therein an identification (ID) of the system. Upon powering up, if the slave controller contains such an ID, it tries to communicate with a master controller of the system. If the slave controller does not succeed in establishing such a communication it enters a state in which it can change it settings, in particular clearing said ID, upon receiving, during a time window with reduced communication security level, a message for allowing such changing of its settings.

Abstract: The present invention deals with wireless control of a lamp such as a fluorescent lamp controlled by a ballast with a wireless control interface for RF communication. The receiver input and the transmitter output of the control interface module are connected to one or more mains wires by means of (a) coupling capacitor(s) or a Lecher line transformer. During operation the one or more mains wires serve as the lamp antenna.

Abstract: In an electronic ballast circuit equipped with lamp presence detection means that generate a current flowing through one of the lamp electrodes the detection means are periodically switched off. The power dissipated by the lamp presence detection means is thereby reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power control device for controlling the output power supplied to a discharge lamp operated by an electrical power supply, comprising power level determining means for determining the actual lamp power level, error determining means for determining the error between the determined lamp power level and a specified reference power level, and output power determining means for maintaining the output power level supplied by the electrical power supply to the lamp if the error falls within a specified window and for adjusting the output power level supplied by the electrical power supply to the lamp towards said reference power level if the error falls outside the specified window.