초록 ▼

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,

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. The dim signal output by the receiver 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.

대표청구항 ▼

A controller for an electric lamp, comprising: a) a receiver for receiving an “input signal carrying control commands”, said input signal having a fundamental period with a nominal voltage waveform, said receiver including decoding means for decoding control commands present in the input signal acco

A controller for an electric lamp, comprising: a) a receiver for receiving an “input signal carrying control commands”, said input signal having a fundamental period with a nominal voltage waveform, said receiver including decoding means for decoding control commands present in the input signal according to at least two of: (i) a first control technique wherein commands are indicated by the phase angle of a phase angle cut in the nominal waveform; (ii) a second control technique wherein commands are indicated by the number of fundamental periods between start and stop points of the command, the stop and start points being fundamental periods having a nominal voltage less than the nominal waveform; and (iii) a third control technique wherein commands are indicated by an occurrence signature of a pre-selected perturbation in the nominal waveform occurring within a control period of a pre-selected number of fundamental periods; and b) means for controlling the operation of the electric lamp in response to the decoded command.