Abstract: A method of bulk encoding tags may include obtaining tag identification information from a tag associated with a product, scanning a product label to obtain product identification information of the product, associating product identification information and the tag identification information in a database, reading electronic product code (EPC) information associated with the tag to determine the tag identification information, confirming the association between the tag identification information and corresponding product identification information in the database, and overwriting the EPC information with a combination of the tag identification information and the product identification information.

Abstract: A communication method particularly suited for lighting control employs encoding of perturbations in a voltage signal having a fundamental period with a nominal waveform. A control period includes a pre-selected number of fundamental periods of the voltage signal. Different control commands are indicated by imposing a selected perturbation, such as a phase cut, on the nominal waveform with a respective occurrence signature within the control period. The control commands are decoded from the voltage signal by detecting the occurrence signature of the perturbations within each control period. Decoding is accomplished by differentiating the nominal waveform to detect encoded perturbations.

Abstract: A ballast includes safety circuitry which senses lamp status through various phases of ballast operation. According to one feature, the ballast is prevented from supplying an output voltage upon initial energization of the ballast when a lamp is not present at the output terminals. The presence of a filament is sensed via a DC path extending through the filament heater windings of an output transformer. When the DC path is not complete, a control input, for example the power supply input of the ballast controller, is not provided with a voltage to start ballast operation. The DC path is also used to restart the ballast if a defective lamp is replaced with a good one. Over-voltage and capacitive mode detection is also disclosed to shut down ballast output upon lamp failure/removal.

Abstract: A lamp controller includes an interface circuit, or receiver, which receives an input signal and decodes control signals supplied from a transmitting device, such as a power line wall controller, according to at least two of the following communication techniques: phase angle control, step control, and coded control. The receiver tests the input signal and identifies which type of control technique is employed by the wall controller connected to the lamp controller. The receiver then decodes the control command from the input signal. In a disclosed embodiment, the lamp controller is gas discharge lamp dimming ballast having a two wire input for connection to the hot dimmed and neutral leads of the power line controller. The ballast has an improved topology in which a pre-conditioner supplies a substantially constant DC voltage to a ballast stage including an inverter, a resonant tank output and a control circuit.

Abstract: A ballast includes safety circuitry which senses lamp status through various phases of ballast operation. According to one feature, the ballast is prevented from supplying an output voltage upon initial energization of the ballast when a lamp is not present at the output terminals. The presence of a filament is sensed via a DC path extending through the filament heater windings of an output transformer. When the DC path is not complete, a control input, for example the power supply input of the ballast controller, is not provided with a voltage to start ballast operation. The DC path is also used to restart the ballast if a defective lamp is replaced with a good one. Over-voltage and capacitive mode detection is also disclosed to shut down ballast output upon lamp failure/removal.

Abstract: A dimming ballast for use with a phase control dimmer, and particularly a triac dimmer, includes an EMI filter selected with a high impedance to avoid excessive voltage and peak currents in the filter due to resonance with the phase controlled AC waveform at low conduction angles, when the load presented by the lamp is low. The EMI filter includes a filter capacitor connected at the output of a rectifier. The ballast also includes circuitry to sense the rectified DC voltage and to discharge the filter capacitor when the rectified voltage is at or near zero, to thereby keep the EMI filter loaded and prevent misfiring of the triac dimmer. In a favorable embodiment, the sensing and discharge function is carried out by a pre-conditioner of the switched-mode type.

Abstract: A gas discharge lamp dimming ballast has a two wire input for connection to the hot dimmed and neutral leads of a phase control dimmer. The ballast has an improved topology in which a pre-conditioner supplies a substantially constant DC voltage to a ballast stage including an inverter, a resonant tank output and a control circuit. A dimming interface circuit derives a dimming signal having a voltage equal to the average value of the rectified output voltage of a full-bridge rectifier feeding the pre-conditioner circuit. The dim signal is independent of the DC rail voltage and, in combination with the maintenance of a substantially constant DC rail voltage, permits of improved dimming control while providing the ease of installation of a two wire ballast. The response time of the interface circuit relative to the pre-conditioner is selected to avoid power imbalances.

Abstract: A combined lateral MOS/bipolar transistor includes an intermediate semiconductor layer of the same conductivity type as the channel region which extends laterally from the channel region to beneath the drain contact region of the device. Additionally, a floating semiconductor layer of opposite conductivity type to that of the channel region is provided between the intermediate layer and the substrate of the device. Both the intermediate layer and the substrate are relatively lightly doped, to effectively isolate the floating layer from above and below. This structure substantially improves the operating chartacteristics of the device, thus permitting operation in both the source-follower and common-source modes, while also providing a compact structure which features a relatively low normalized "on" resistance.