Abstract: An electronic ballast with dimming circuit including an electronic ballast dimming circuit receiving an analog dimming signal, the electronic ballast dimming circuit including an input dimming circuit (210) operable to receive the analog dimming signal (252) at an analog dimming signal input (212); and an output dimming circuit (220) operably connected to the input dimming circuit (210), the output dimming circuit (220) being operable to receive a fixed frequency signal (222) having a variable duty cycle and to generate an analog dimming control signal (224) in response to the analog dimming signal (252). Output voltage at the analog dimming signal input (212) is a function of the variable duty cycle of the fixed frequency signal (222) when the analog dimming signal (252) is not present at the analog dimming signal input (212).

Abstract: An electronic ballast with dimming circuit including an electronic ballast dimming circuit receiving an analog dimming signal, the electronic ballast dimming circuit including an input dimming circuit (210) operable to receive the analog dimming signal (252) at an analog dimming signal input (212); and an output dimming circuit (220) operably connected to the input dimming circuit (210), the output dimming circuit (220) being operable to receive a fixed frequency signal (222) having a variable duty cycle and to generate an analog dimming control signal (224) in response to the analog dimming signal (252). Output voltage at the analog dimming signal input (212) is a function of the variable duty cycle of the fixed frequency signal (222) when the analog dimming signal (252) is not present at the analog dimming signal input (212).

Abstract: The system provides a method and apparatus for scheduling and routing. The system provides a database of locations, paths, and estimated time limits for a plurality of locations at a destination. A visitor provides input as to desired locations as well as a time limit for the overall visit. The system also includes information about weather, total expected visitors, visitors who have selected certain locations, start time of visit, and other factors that may affect traffic flow and accessibility of locations by visitors. Using this data, the system provides a schedule and a route for the visitor designed to satisfy the visitors desire to visit certain locations within a certain time frame.

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) assembly and module including a substrate (48) having opposing first and second sides (50, 52); a capacitor (32) having first and second electrically-conductive plates (44, 46) respectively disposed proximate the first and second sides (50, 52) of the substrate (48); and an anti-parallel LED structure (34) electrically connected to the first electrically-conductive plate (44) and thermally coupled to the substrate (48).

Abstract: A light emitting diode (LED) assembly and module including a substrate (48) having opposing first and second sides (50, 52); a capacitor (32) having first and second electrically-conductive plates (44, 46) respectively disposed proximate the first and second sides (50, 52) of the substrate (48); and an anti-parallel LED structure (34) electrically connected to the first electrically-conductive plate (44) and thermally coupled to the substrate (48).

Abstract: A lamp power circuit sensing system includes a unidirectional stage (22) having a unidirectional current, a bidirectional stage (24) operably connected to the unidirectional stage (22), and a power sensor (32, 34) operably connected to monitor the unidirectional current and to generate an indicated lamp signal (33, 35). The lamp power circuit sensing system further includes a power regulation circuit (19) having a lamp output (17) providing bidirectional lamp voltage (42), and a lamp voltage sensing circuit (26) operably connected across the lamp output (17) to generate indicated lamp voltage (46) in response to the bidirectional lamp voltage (42).

Abstract: A dual mode lighting device including a processor (86), a bus monitor (90) operably connected to receive a received wired signal (96) and to provide a bus signal (100) to the processor (86), and an antenna (88) operably connected to receive a received wireless signal (92) and to provide an antenna signal (102) to the processor (86), wherein the received wired signal (96) and the received wireless signal (92) conform to compatible communications protocols.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic ballast for a fluorescent-lamp (20), including a fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), an arc detection circuit (40) electrically connected to the fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30), and a lamp cutoff device (50) in series with the fluorescent (20) and electrically coupled to the arc detection circuit (40). The fluorescent-lamp ballast circuit (30) provides power to the fluorescent lamp (20). The lamp cutoff device (50) is opened when arcing is detected by the arc detection circuit (40).

Abstract: A lighting system having multiple network levels implements various addresses schemes to communicate messages among various devices. A master controller (10) or a slave translator (21) transmits a master message (MM) to a slave device (30, 31) at a lower network level, wherein the master message (MM) includes an address associated with that particular lower network level and assigned to that particular slave device (30, 31). In the case where the slave device is a slave translator (21, 31), the slave translator (21, 31) will translate the master message (MM) into a translated message (TM) and transmit the translated message (TM) to a slave device (30, 40) at a lower network level, wherein the translated message (TM) includes an address associated with that particular lower network and assigned to slave device (30, 40).

Abstract: A system and method for open loop bi-level ballast control providing multiple levels of illumination from a ballast-driven lamp. Power to a lamp is adjusted in response to a lamp control signal by adjusting the frequency driving the ballast powering the lamp. Line voltage feeds an AC/DC converter, which supplies DC voltage to a high frequency (HF) ballast. A frequency control circuit responds to a lamp control signal and supplies a ballast frequency signal to the HF ballast, which responds to the ballast frequency signal and adjusts the current supplied to the lamp accordingly. In one embodiment, the lamp control signal can be a bi-level signal providing bi-level illumination.

Abstract: A LED driver includes a high frequency inverter and an impedance circuit. The high frequency inverter operates to produce a high frequency voltage source whereby the impedance circuit directs a flow of alternating current through a LED array including one or more anti-parallel LED pairs, one or more anti-parallel LED strings, and/or one or more anti-parallel LED matrixes. A transistor can be employed to divert the flow of the alternating current from the LED array, or to vary the flow of the alternating current through LED array.

Abstract: An improved high frequency ballast is disclosed. The high frequency ballast establishes a lamp current for a gas discharge lamp during a starting operation of the gas discharge lamp wherein an operating ampere level of the lamp current facilitates a substantial achievement by the gas discharge lamp of a color specification associated with the gas discharge lamp. Thereafter, during a stable operation of the gas discharge lamp, the high frequency ballast applies a frequency modulation to an operating frequency of the lamp current and/or an amplitude modulation of the lamp current.

Abstract: A system and method for open loop bi-level ballast control providing multiple levels of illumination from a ballast-driven lamp. Power to a lamp is adjusted in response to a lamp control signal by adjusting the frequency driving the ballast powering the lamp. Line voltage feeds an AC/DC converter, which supplies DC voltage to a high frequency (HF) ballast. A frequency control circuit responds to a lamp control signal and supplies a ballast frequency signal to the HF ballast, which responds to the ballast frequency signal and adjusts the current supplied to the lamp accordingly. In one embodiment, the lamp control signal can be a bi-level signal providing bi-level illumination.

Abstract: An improved high frequency ballast is disclosed. The high frequency ballast establishes a lamp current for a gas discharge lamp during a starting operation of the gas discharge lamp wherein an operating ampere level of the lamp current facilitates a substantial achievement by the gas discharge lamp of a color specification associated with the gas discharge lamp. Thereafter, during a stable operation of the gas discharge lamp, the high frequency ballast applies a frequency modulation to an operating frequency of the lamp current and/or an amplitude modulation of the lamp current.

Abstract: A LED driver is disclosed. The LED driver includes a high frequency inverter and an impedance circuit. The high frequency inverter operates to produce a high frequency voltage source whereby the impedance circuit directs a flow of alternating current through a LED array including one or more anti-parallel LED pairs, one or more anti-parallel LED strings, and/or one or more anti-parallel LED matrixes. A transistor can be employed to divert the flow of the alternating current from the LED array, or to vary the flow of the alternating current through LED array.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for a high-intensity discharge lamp. In one embodiment, the auxiliary lighting system has an auxiliary light source, an HID lamp status circuit having an input for connection to a status signal representative of the operational state of a high-intensity discharge lamp wherein the HID lamp status circuit determines whether the status signal meets predetermined signal criteria, a switch circuit having a first state that effects application of a voltage source to the auxiliary light source, and a second state that isolates the voltage source from the auxiliary light source, and a control circuit responsive to the HID lamp status circuit for controlling the switch circuit. The control circuit has a first state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal meets the predetermined signal criteria and a second state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal does not meet the predetermined signal criteria.

Abstract: An auxiliary lighting system for a high-intensity discharge lamp. In one embodiment, the auxiliary lighting system has an auxiliary light source, an HID lamp status circuit having an input for connection to a status signal representative of the operational state of a high-intensity discharge lamp wherein the HID lamp status circuit determines whether the status signal meets predetermined signal criteria, a switch circuit having a first state that effects application of a voltage source to the auxiliary light source, and a second state that isolates the voltage source from the auxiliary light source, and a control circuit responsive to the HID lamp status circuit for controlling the switch circuit. The control circuit has a first state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal meets the predetermined signal criteria and a second state when the HID lamp status circuit determines that the status signal does not meet the predetermined signal criteria.

Abstract: Igniter circuitry for a gaseous discharge lamp includes an inductive igniting pulse generating circuit and a capacitive timing circuit. The pulse generating circuit includes a unidirectional voltage-sensitive switch which is electrically connected in series with a capacitor in the timing circuit to unidirectionally limit common current.

Abstract: A bi-level output electronic high intensity discharge (HID) ballast system includes a circuit for selectively generating a bi-level output for powering a lamp and an electronic HID ballast with a feedback loop. The system also includes an error amplifier receiving a first signal indicative of one of current and power applied to the lamp and a reference voltage and generating a control signal applied to the feedback loop to thereby control power the applied to the lamp, and a switch which controls the level of the reference voltage. Alternatively, the system includes an error amplifier receiving a feedback signal indicative of one of current and power generated by the electronic HID ballast and a reference voltage and generating a control signal applied to the feedback loop to thereby control the power applied to the lamp, and a switch which controls the level of the feedback signal.

Abstract: An electronic ballast for powering at least two rapid start, parallel connected fluorescent lamps. Associated with each lamp is a serially connected choke and capacitor combination. A train of pulses of alternating polarity having a fundamental frequency, which is generated by an inverter, is applied to each serially connected combination. Each combination is characterized by a resonant frequency which is other than an odd harmonic of and at least two times and preferably .sqroot. 5 times greater than the fundamental frequency. Reduction in filament heating, following lamp ignition, is provided through the addition of voltages applied to each filament which are substantially out of phase with each other.