MXPA06009165A - Multiple-input electronic ballast with processor - Google Patents

Abstract

A ballast having a microprocessor embedded therein is controlled via four inputs. The ballast includes a high-voltage phase-controlled signal provided by a dimmer and an infrared (IR) receiver through which the ballast can receive data signals from an IR transmitter. The ballast can also receive commands from other ballasts or a master control on the serial digital communication link, such as a DALI protocol link. The fourth input is an analog signal, which is simply a DC signal that linearly ranges in value from a predetermined lower limit to a predetermined upper limit, corresponding to the 0%to 100%dimming range of the load. The output stage of the ballast includes one or more FETs, which are used to control the current flow to the lamp. Based on these inputs, the microprocessor makes a decision on the intensity levels of the load and directly drives the FETs in the output stage.

Description

MULTI-ENTRY ELECTRONIC BALLAST WITH PROCESSOR CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUESTS The request submits a priority claim to the Provisional Application of E.U.A. No. 60 / 544,479, filed on February 13, 2004, entitled "Electronic Multiple Input Ballast with Processor" which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to electronic ballasts, and more particularly to ballasts that have processors therein to control a gas discharge lamp in response to a plurality of flutes.

BACKGROUND A conventional bulletproof system, as a system that conforms to the standard of Digital Directional Illumination (DALI) as defined in the International Electrotechnical Commission Document, IEC 60929, includes a hardware controller to control the ballasts in the system. Typically, the helicopter is coupled to the ballasts in the system through an in-line digital series, where the damage is transferred according to the DALI protocol. A disadvantage of this individual interface is that the bandwidth of the filter limits the amount of message traffic that can reasonably flow between the controller and the ballasts. Esío can also create delays in response time to commands. In addition, a typical DALI comparative balaser control system is limited to 64 ballasts in a communication link. This also creates a disadvantage in that additional controllers are required to accommodate systems that have more than 64 ballasts. Even another disadvantage of a ballast control system having an individual controller is that the controller is an individual point failure. That is, if the controller fails, the entire system falls down. This is especially heavy in lighting systems insulated in remote locations. Typically, these -systems are configured in an obtained configuration that requires a ballast to first receive a transmission from the controller before the ballast can transmit. This can cause reverberations in response time, especially in large systems. Also, these systems do not allow the bullets to be directed by devices other than the compatible interface of DALÍ, thus limiting the flexibility and size of the system of conírol. In addition, many conventional ballast control systems, such as non-DALY systems, do not allow separate control of individual ballasts or a group of ballasts within the system. The systems that provide this capability typically require separate control lines for each zone, a dedicated computer, and complicated software to carry out the initial configuration or division into open areas of the system. Many conventional bullets include significant analog circuit for receiving and interpreting conirol inputs, for managing the operation of the power circuit and for detecting and responding to fault conditions. This analog circuit requires a large number of paries that increase coss and reduce reliability. In addition, the individual functions performed by this circuit are often independent. This lack of dependence makes the circuits difficult to design, analyze, modify and test. This also increases the development cost for each bullet design. This prior art system lacks a simple solution or device to control bullets and lamps. In that way, an elec- tronic balaser circuit provides fewer feeds to reduce sewing and increase reliability, provides growth flexibility, and does not require a dedicated controller to control a compiled system if desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A multiple input ballast having a processor for controlling a gas discharge lamp in accordance with the present invention includes a processor, such as a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP), to receive multiple inputs and control a discharge lamp in response to the inputs. The lamps include gas discharge lamps, compact and conventional. The multiprocessor input terminals are all concurrently active. The bullet processor uses these inputs together with feedback signals that indicate internal bullet conditions to determine the desired intensity level of the lamp. The input signals provided to the processor include analog voltage level signals (such as the conventional analog 0-10 V signal for example), although it is understood that other voltage ranges or an electrical current signal may also be used. of digital communications that you include, but are not limited to those that make up the Digital Directional Lighting Interface (DALI) standard, phase control signals, infrared sensor signals, optical sensor signals, temperature sensor signals, perception derived from external devices by cables and / or wireless, and perception signals that provide information pertaining to electrical parameters such as current and voltage of the AC power supply (e.g., line) and the lamp. The bullet can also receive commands from other ballasters or a master center in a digital communication link, such as a DALI propocolo link. This communication link is preferably bi-directional, which allows the ballast to send command information regarding the ballast configurations, and retro-feed from diagnostic to other devices in the communication link. The multi-threaded balaser does not need a dedicated external controller to control the lamp. A multi-input ballast system can be configured as a distributed system, which does not need a controller, and thus does not create an individual punch failure as a core driver's system. However, a multiple input ballast system can be configured to include a controller if desired. Each bullet processor contains memory. The memory of ballasts is used, enire other things, to store and retrieve established point algorithms, or procedures, to control the lamps according to priorities and scripts received through the bulletproof signals. The multipath bullet comprises an inverter circuit which directs one or more output interrupters, such as field effect transistors (FETs), which controls the current rate at the load (lamp). The ballast processor controls the ininess of the lighting load by directly controlling the switch (s) in the inverter circuit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features and advantages of the present invention will be better understood when considering the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific and instrumentally described methods. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a multipath bullet having a processor according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a block diagram showing various illustrative signals provided to the processor through processor terminals according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3A is a simplified inverter circuit diagram coupled to the processor according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3B is a simplified schematic of the inverter circuit coupled to the processor according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating various processor-controlled ballast states according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a diagram of a discharged bullet system according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method for controlling a gas discharge lamp with a processor controlled ballast using established point algorithms selected in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a diagram of a processor-controlled ballast system configured for a two-room application according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a flowchart of a procedure according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a time diagram for an analog to digital sample method according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 10A and 10B are a flow diagram of a method for controlling input sampling according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE MODALITIES Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a multiple strand balaser 12 having a processor 30 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the ballast 12 comprises recirculation circuit 14, valley fill circuit 16, inverter circuit 18, output circuit 20, jack ear circuit 24, optional sensing circuitry 22, 26, 28, 29, and processor 30. Bullet 12 controls the gas discharge lamp 32 through the bullet output signal 52 according to bullet bullet signals 34 and the various perception signals 38, 42, 46, 47. Although illustrated as an individual lamp 32 in Figure 1, the ballast 12 is also capable of controlling a plurality of lamps. For a better understanding of the ballast 12, a review of the ballast 12 is provided in more detail with reference to FIG. 1. A more detailed description of portions of ballasts is provided in the published patent application, No. US 2003/0107332, Patent Application. No. 10 / 006,036, filed on December 5, 2001 entitled "Bulletin of the Elecronic Luminosity of Individual Innerrupor," assigned to the attorney in charge of the application, and published patent application, No. US 2003/0001516, Requested by the Client. No. 09 / 887,848, filed on June 22, 2001, entitled "Electronic Ballast", also assigned to the agent of the present application, both applications incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as if they were filed here. As shown in the illustrative embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the rectification circuit 14 of the ballast 12 is capable of coupling to an AC (alternating current) power supply. Typically the AC power supply provides AC line voltage at a specific line frequency of 50 Hz or 60 Hz, although ballast applications 12 are not limited to these. The recirculation circuit 14 converts the AC line voltage to a full wave rectified voltage signal 54. The full wave rectified voltage signal 54 is provided to the valley fill circuit 16. It is to be understood that at any time it is provide, connect, connect, couple in relation to circuit, the signal or be connectable with another device, the signal can be coupled indirectly, for example, through wireless media (as in the case of an IR or RF link), directly connected by a cable, or connected through a device such as, but not limited to, a resistor, diode, and / or a conirably conductive device, configured in series and / or parallel. It must be understood that a message (for example, information represented in a signal) may be in the form of a digital command, analog level, a waveform pwm (modulated pulse width), or the like. The valley filling circuit 16 selectively charges and discharges an energy storage device to create a valley filled voltage signal 56. The valley filled voltage signal 56 is provided to the inverter circuit 18. The inverter circuit 18 converts the signal Voltage-filled voltage 56 to a frequency AC voltage signal 58. As described in more detail below, the reverse circuit 18 performs this conversion in accordance with information provided through the processor output signal 62. The Voltage signal of aliased AC 58 is provided to the output circuit 20. The output circuit 20 filters the high frequency AC voltage signal 58, provides voltage gain, and increases output impedance, which results in output signal of ballast 52. The ballast output signal 52 is capable of providing an electric current (e.g., lamp current) to an output load such as a lamp. Gas discharge 32. The loop ear circuit 24 is coupled to the complete wave recflied vol- ume signal 54. The loop ear circuit 24 provides auxiliary power to the processor 30 through the gaio ear signal 50 and facilitates the boarding of the electric current waveform presented for the signal energy wave 60 provided to the valley fill circuit 16 to reduce the harmonic harmonic distortion of the ballast draft current. Several circuits of perception, 22, 26, 28, 29, perceive electrical parameters through perception circuit input signals 36, 40, 44, 45, respectively, as current and / or voltage, and provide signals indicative of the perceived parameters to the processor 30. Other sensing circuits not shown in Figure 1 are applicable, for example an imaging circuit for sensing the temperature of the ballast 12 and providing a temperature perception signal indicative of the ballast temperature to the processor 30. The application of specific perception circuits is optional. In one embodiment: (1) the sensing circuit 22 is a current perception circuit for sensing current values of the signal 60 or the full wave rectified voltage signal 54 and providing a perception signal 38 indicating the current values perceived to the processor 30; (2) sensing circuit 26 is a voltage sensing circuit for sensing voltage values of the valley filled voltage signal 56 and providing a sense signal 42 indicative of the perceived voltage values to the processor 30; and (3) sensing circuit 28 in a current sensing circuit for sensing current values from the ballast output signal 52 and providing perception signal 46 indicative of the values of perceived currents to the processor 30; (4) perception circuit 29 is a voltage sensing circuit for sensing vol- ation values of the ballast output signal 52 and providing a signal of perception 47 indicative of perceived vol- ation values to the processor 30. It is understood that the specific configuration of the perception circuits illustrated in Figure 1 and described above is illusive, and bullet 12 is not limited thereto. The processor 30 may comprise any appropriate processor such as a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a general-purpose processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a dedicated processor, specialized hardware, routines of general software, specialized software, a combination of them. An illustrative embodiment of a microprocessor comprises an electronic circuit, such as an embedded large-scale embedded semiconductor circuit capable of executing calculations and / or logical algorithms according to binary instructions contained with a stored program that resides either in internal memory devices or external. The microprocessor can run in the form of a general-purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a DSP (digital signal processor), a microprocessor or a staging machine that is embedded in an ASIC or field programmable device, or another form of fixed elecronic logic. or configurable and memory. In addition, a program in memory that resides within the microprocessor in external memory coupled to the microprocessor, or a combination thereof, may be stored. The program may comprise a sequence of binary words or the like which are recognizable by the microprocessor as instructions for performing specific logic operations. In one embodiment, the processor 30 performs functions in response to the condition of the ballast 12. The condition of the ballast 12 refers to the current condition of the ballast 12, which includes but is not limited to, on / off condition, hours of operation , hours of operation of the last lamp change, level of attenuation, operation time, certain fault conditions including the time which the fault condition persisted, energy level, and failure conditions. The processor 30 comprises memory, which includes non-volatile storage, for storage and data access, and software used to control the lamp 32 and facilitate operation of the ballast 12. The processor 30 receives ballast input signals 34 and various perception signals (eg. example, perception signals 38, 42, 46, 47) through respective processor terminals on the processor 30 (terminals not shown in Figure 1). The processor 30 processes the received signals, and provides processor output signal 62 to the inverter circuit 18 to control the gas discharge lamp 32. In one embodiment, the ballaster input signals 34 and the perception signals are always negative, in that way they allow the ballast input signals 34 and the perception signals to be received by the processor 30 in real time. The processor 30 can use a combination of present and past values of perception signals and calculation results to defer the current operating condition of the balaser. However, the processor 30 is configured to allow only the selected processor terminals to be active. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing several illustrative signals provided to the processor 30 through processor wheels in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. For clarity search, some circuit shown in Figure 1 is represented collectively as ballast circuit 51 in Figure 2. For clarity search, only a subset of the processor terminals (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) corresponding to the ballast inlet signals 34 shown in Figure 1. The ballast inlet signals 34 may comprise any of the appropriate signals for controlling the lamp 32. As shown in Figure 2, the illustrative ballast inlet signals comprise a clocked phase input signal coupled to the processor terminal 34a, a communication signal is coupled to the processor terminal 34b, an analogue voltage signal coupled to the processor terminal 34c, and an electrical signal from an infrared receiver (IR) ) coupled to the processor terminal 34d. It is emphasized that the ballast input signals shown in Figure 2 are illustrative. Other types and number of bullet signal signals are applicable, for example, the processor can be coupled to multiple IR signals, multiple analog voltage or current signals, power line carrier signals, and two status signals that They include, but are not limited to, a shut-off signal from an occupancy sensor. The phase conirol signal can be provided, for example, by a light dimmer for output light level brightness attenuation of the lamp 32. In an illustrative embodiment, the phase control signal phase of a light output 3-wire phase control. The communication signal may include, for example, a digital communication signal, a similar communication signal, a serial communications signal, a parallel communications signal, a combination thereof. In an illusive embodiment, the communication signal is provided by a bidirectional digital serial data interface. The bi-directional interface allows the processor 30 to send and receive messages, such as ballast control information, system control information, status requests, and status reports, for example. The analog signal processor terminal (e.g., 34c) is capable of receiving an analogous signal. This analogous signal can be derived from any of the sensors described above. In addition, the analog terminal can be coupled to several sensors or multiple analogue terminals can be coupled to combinations of sensors. For example, the analogue station 34c can be coupled to the sensor 68 to receive the optical perception signal 70, and the analogue signal (not shown in Figure 2) can be coupled to the sensor 64 to receive the signal of perception of time. 66, or combination thereof. The ferminal IR (for example 34d) can be coupled to an infrared signal to receive serially coded inscriptions of a portable IR remote transmitter. The ballast 12 may contain means for conducting the infrared light beam transmitted by the portable remote transmitter to an infrared trace of the ballast and the infrared detector is coupled to the IR terminal 34d of the processor 30. Alternately, these means may be attached to the The datagram represented by the modulation of the IR beam is extracted by the infrared detector and is thereby provided to the processor 30. The processor 30 decodes the pattern for use in a separate module that is wired to the ballast 12. extracting coded information in the data stream, such as commands for lamp light level, operation parameters, and address information, for example. The processor 30 is capable of receiving perception signals. The perception signals may comprise any signal suitable for controlling the lamp 32 and / or facilitating the operation of the ballast 12. Examples of perception signals include perception signals indicative of electrical parameters of the ballast 12 (e.g., 38, 42, 46, 47), signals of perception of temperature, such as perception signal 66 provided by the imaging sensor 64, optical perception signal 70 provided by photosensor 68, or a combination thereof. In an illustrative embodiment, the interface circuit (not shown in Figure 2) is used to process signals provided to the processor 30. The interface circuit can perform functions including change of voltage level, attenuation, filter, electrical isolation, condition of signal, amorliguamienío, or a combination thereof. In Figure 3A is a simplified scheme of the inverse circuit 18 coupled to the processor 30 in accordance with an illusive embodiment of the present invention. The processor 30 receives control and perception input signals and provides a processor output signal 62 for controlling coniralable conductive device 74 (e.g., switch) in the reverse circuit 18 to finally control at least one gas discharge lamp. Exemplary embodiments of coniralable conductive devices 74 include, but are not limited to, energy MOSFETs, diaphragms, bipolar junctional transducers, isolated input bipolar transistors, and other electrical devices, in which the conductance between two current transduction electrodes they can be controlled by means of a signal on a third electrode. Electric power is provided to the inverter circuit 18 through the rectifier circuit 14 and valley fill circuit 18. The inverter circuit 18 converts the voltage provided by the valley circuit 16 to a high frequency AC voltage. The inverter circuit 18 includes a transformer 76, interrupter 74, and diode 78. The transformer 76 comprises at least two windings. For clarity search, the transformer 18 is illustrated in FIG. 3A as having 3 windings 80, 82, 84. The illusion of winding 86 in FIG. 3A is actually an inductance of magneitism and not a physical winding (more detailed description). The switch 74 allows the conversion of the valley-filled voltage signal 56 to a high-frequency AC voltage signal 58. The high-frequency AC voltage signal 58 is provided to the output circuit 20 to conduct a lamp current through the signal. of at least one gas discharge lamp. In operation, the processor 30 provides control information through the processor output signal 62 to control the conductive states of the switch 74. With the interrupter 74 closed (in a conductive pulse), the volyaje signal filled with valley 56 is provides the winding 82 of the transformer 76. For clarity, the magnetism inductance of the transformer 76 is shown as a separate winding 86, although it is not physically a separate winding. The voltage applied to the winding 82 allows the current to flow through the winding 82 which resulted in charging the magnetism inductance 86. With the interrupter 74 closed, the winding applied to the winding 82 is induced in the winding 84 in accordance with the turns. This would result in a voltage having a first polarity being provided to the output circuit 20. Also, with the interrupter 74 being closed, a voltage is induced in the winding 80. However, the diode 78 is inversely deflected during this step due to the convention of the transformer winding 76 as indicated by the punching convention in Figure 3A. The switch 74 remains in a conductive (closed) state until the processor 30 through the output signal of the processor 62 commands a change of state of the switch 74. In a second state, the interrupter 74 is commanded for (non-conductive) by the processor 30 through the processor output signal 62. When this happens, the current flow through the winding 82 is disabled. However, the current flow through the magnetism inductance 86 can not stop the flow instantaneously, instead the current flow is modified according to the speed of the current flow change through the winding 82 (ie, V = L dl / dt). This forces the magnetic inductance 86 to become a voltage source driving transformer. 76 in a polarity opposite to that which existed when the inerruptor 74 was closed (conducive). Lastly, when the interrupter 74 is open, the reversal polarity of the winding in the winding 82 by the magneal inductance 86 leads to a similar reversal in the windings 80 and 84. With this reverse polarity, the winding 84 provides the output 20 with a high frequency AC voltage signal 58 having an opposite polarity voltage when compared to the conductive state (closed inrush 74). The reverse polarity of the second stage (open switch 74) now drives the winding 80 with a polarity vol- ume capable of directing the deviation of the diode 78. If the winding value in the winding 80 is greater than the vol- ume value of the signal of volíaje filled with valley 56, then diode 78 goes diverted. With diode 78 biased forward, the winding in winding 80 was limited to the volume value of the valley-filled signal 56. Winding 80 at the same time acted as a clamp winding for transformer 76. The voltage limit in the winding 80 has a corresponding limiting effect on all the coils of the transformer 76. The voltage limit on the winding 82 of the transformer 76 has the advantageous effect of loosely limiting the voltage of the switch 74 during its second state. The limit of the winding in the winding 84 has the necessary effect of applying a well-defined voltage to the output circuit 20 during this second state. The reverse circuit 18 returns to the conductive state after completing the non-conductive state, and the volyage applied to the output circuit 20 is limited and defined in both states. An alternate embodiment of the inverter and its connection to the output circuit is shown in FIG. 3B, where the output of the common tap inverter flows through the inrush 74 and the winding 82 is directly connected to an inductor terminal 85 comprising an integral part. of output circuit. The load of the magnetism inductance 86 when the interrupter 74 is commanded to be closed is the same as described above. Also the clamping action of the winding 80 and the diode 78 proceeds in the same manner as described above. In one embodiment of the invention, the processor 30 directly controls the inverter 18 by providing a digital signal that co-operates with the on / off phase of the inverter interrupter (s). The work cycle and frequency of this signal are substantially the same as the work cycle and frequency resulting from the inverter. It is understood, however, that this does not imply that the control device directs the inrush (s) in the inverter. It is common to have a driver conductivist between the disposition of conírol and the unwitting. One purpose of the driver is to provide amplification and / or level change. In an illusory mode, the investor does not significantly alter the work cycle or frequency. When the inverter interrupter 74 closes and the magnetism current begins to increase linearly, it is desired to open the interrupter 74 and to interrupt the current flow therethrough when the current reaches a specific threshold level. However, because there are components through the inverter switch 74 differing to one for measuring, it is not always possible to measure the current of magnetism by directly measuring the current through the switch 74. In one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 30 modulates the pulse width of the signal of the processor 62 to coniol the opening and closing of the inverter inverter 74 which uses a calculation model of the magneal inductance to determine when the desired threshold level is obtained. The magnetism current value is calculated and the estimated time at which the calculated magneal current will reach the threshold value is predicted. The processor 30 receives an indication of the insanitary vol- ume value of the full wave recirculated vol- ume signal 54 (or alternatively the signal power signal 60) via the perception signal 38. The processor 30 uses this instantaneous voltage value. (or a value proportional to actual instantaneous voltage value) in conjunction with the calculation model described above to calculate the time at which the current through switch 74 will reach the desired threshold. In an illustrative embodiment of the invention, this calculation was implemented as follows. Each time the processor calculates a correction term, and (n) in the lamp current control turn, it will calculate another term according to the equation: PW (n) = K * and (n) VVF where PW ( n) is to provide the pulse width or task ratio of the inverter switch, K is a scale constant, VVF is the value of the voltage of the common valley fill conductor, and n is an index that indicates one of many sequential values of Y and the associated value of PW. The interrupter 74 is controlled by the processor 30 at a frequency derived from the clock oscillator frequency of the processor 30 and by a task relationship as set by the ballast control cycle. The processor 30 performs several functions in addition to controlling the inverter switch 74 to control the output light level of the at least one gas discharge lamp. Some of these functions include: sampling signaling signals, filtering input signals, monitoring ballast operations and facilitating transitions of ballast status, determining balastic failure conditions, responding to fault conditions, receiving and decoding data provided through the bidirectional communications interface, and encoding and transmitting data through the bidirectional communications inIerfase. The processor 30 also outputs lamp current levels in accordance with respective commanded levels in each of the ballast input signals provided to the control input terminals, the relative priority of the ballast input signals, and the activation sequence. of the ballast input signals. The signal signals, such as the ballast input signals 34, are sampled and filtered as necessary to achieve a desired response of the ballast control circuit through a digifal filter (s) implemented in the processor 30. Each The digital filter approximates the performance of analog filters that proved to provide gas discharge lamp operations at the required operating conditions. The use of digital filters provides the ability to tailor the performance of the ballast control turn for different operating conditions and loads. The key filter parameters are controlled by numerical coefficients that are stored in memory in the processor 30. These filter coefficients are alterable, which allows the modification of filter characteristics. For example, in one embodiment the analog phase control ballast input signal is sampled to provide a digital signal. This digital signal representation of the analog phase control signal is digitally filtered using a second digital order filter that has performance characteristics similar to analog filters used to perform comparable functions. In one embodiment of the present invention, the processor 30 receives data from the IR signal in the form of a digital current. Bit streams are conditioned by inrush circuits and / or processor 30 to have amplitudes of voltages and levels that are compatible with the input requirements of processor 30. Processor 30 processes encoded data in the IR ballaster input signal . The encoded data includes commands such as: turn on the lamp, turn off the lamp, decrease the light output level of the lamp, and select a pre-set output light level. Examples of systems employing IR ballast reception signals in the US Pat. Nos. 5,637,964, 5,987,205, 6,037,721, 6,310,440, and 6,667,578, the totalities of which are incorporated herein by reference, and all are assigned to the attorney in charge of the present request. The processor 30 receives and transmits data through the communication interface in the form of digital bitstreams, which in a mode illustrative make up the Digital Directional Lighting Interface (DALI) standard. The DALI standard is an industry-standard digital interface system that uses an 8-bit digital code to communicate lighting alanuation and operational inslrucciones. It should be understood that the non-standard extensions of the DALÍ protocol and / or other serial digital formats can also be used. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating several coils of a battery powered by a processor according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The ballast monitoring functions are performed by the processor 30 by operating a portion of the software resident in the processor called the "ballast state machine". The bullet cycle machine program controls the heating sequence of the gas charging lamp filaments (pre-hot state) which increases the voltage applied to the lamps in a programmed interval (ramp status) to hit an arc (state of blow). The processor 30 operating the ballast status machine program determines whether the lamp starts through the perception signal 46 of the current sensing circuit 28. After properly hitting an arc, the ballast is in the normal operating state. During the normal operating state, the machine program of the ballast state of the processor 30 determines whether the lamps and control circuits operate correctly or whether there is a fault condition through perception signals of the various sensors implemented (e.g. perception signals 38, 42, 46, 47). If it is determined that a fault condition exists, the ballast status machine program determines an appropriate action depending on the type of fault. Illustrative fault conditions monitored by processor 30 include: very low lamp voltage, very low lamp voltage, very large lamp current DC component, very low lamp return current for applied voltage, very high supply voltage ally, very low supply voltage, and infernal inefficiency of the bullet very alia. Figure 5 is a diagram of a dissipated bullet system 500 according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention. The system 500 includes at least two ballasts 12 having respective processors 30 therein. For clarity, only ballast # 1 is labeled with identification numbers. Each ballast 12 and each processor 30 are described above. The plurality of processors 30 is coupled through the communication interface also as described above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication interface is a digital serial communication link capable of transferring data in accordance with the DALI standard. The serial digital communications (link) interface is bidirectional, and an incoming signal may comprise a command for a ballast to transmit damps through the digital serial communication interface over the current state or history of the ballast operation. The ballast can also use the digital serial communication interface to transmit information or commands to other bullets that are connected to that ballast. By using the ballast capability to initiate commands to other ballasts, multiple balasers can be coupled in a distributed configuration. For example, ballast # 1 can receive a command from an IR transmitter 33 through the IR interface of ballast # 1 to turn off all lamps in system 500. This command is transmitted to other ballasts in system 500 through of the communications interface. In another embodiment the ballast of the system 500 can be coupled in a master-slave configuration, where the master ballast receives one or more signals from a central controller or from a local control device, and sends a command or commands to other loads of lighting to control the operation of other lighting loads, or synchronize the operation of the light loads with itself. The master bullet can also send commands and / or information that pertains to its configuration to other condi - tional devices, such as local advisors or local con - rolers. For example, a master ballast can send a message containing its configuration to other controllers and / or ballasters that indicate that it reduced its light output power by 50%. The recipients of this message (for example, slave devices, local controllers, cenírales coníroladores) could decide independently to reduce their energy of light respecíiva to 50%. The phrase "lighting charges" include bulletproof, controllable light sources, and conirable light sources such as motorized window shades. Ballasts and other controllable sources of light control the amount of artificial light in a space as the weather conditions of conirable events conírolate the nature of light in a space. The central controller can undo a dedicated lighting control or it can also comprise a construction management system, controller of A / V HVAC system, peak demand controller and power converter. In an illusory mode of system 500, each bullet is assigned with a unique address, which allows other bullets and / or controller to issue commands to specific ballasts. The infrared capable terminals in each processor of each ballast can be used to receive a numerical address that is directly loaded into the ballast, or it can serve as a means to "notify" a bullet that must be acquired and read an address that is received in a digiíal puerío. Generally, a port includes interface hardware that allows an external device to "connect" to the processor. A port may include, but is not limited to, digital line conductors, opioelectronic couplers, IR receivers / transmitters, RF receivers / transmitters. As is known in the art, an IR receiver is a device capable of receiving infrared radiation (typically in the form of a modulated beam of light), which defined the infrared radiation of struck, extracting a signal from the infrared radiation of hit voltage. , and transmit that signal to another device. Also, as is known in the art, an RF receiver can include an electronic electrostatic device such as when exposed to a modulated radio frequency signal of at least a certain energy level, it can respond to that received signal by extracting the modulation or signal information and transmit it through an electrical connection to another device and circuit. As described above, each of the multiple control checkpoints of each processor 30 is able to independently control operating parameters for the ballast 12 in which the processor 30 is confected, and for other ballasts in the system 500. In one embodiment , the processor 30 implements a software router, referred to as an established point algorithm, to use the information received through each of the input terminals, their respective priorities, and the sequence in which the commands are received. Several predicted point algorithms are envisaged. Figure 6 is a flow diagram of a method for controlling a gas discharge lamp with a processor controlled ballast using established puncture algorithms selected in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The ballast input signals are received by the ballast processor in step 612. The received signals are processed in a known manner (eg, sampled, quantized, digitized) in step 614. If a point method is established (algorithm ) was not previously selected, one is selected in step 616. If an established punch procedure was selected, then step 616 directs the procedure to the selected set point procedure. The selected screened puncture procedure is adhered to a step 618 and the balaser and the lamp are controlled according to the skeletal spot procedure selected in step 620. Illustrative set puncture algorithms include (1) multiply the commanded levels received at through each ballast input signal together to obtain the target level (desired lamp light level); (2) choose the lowest commanded levels received through the ballast input signals as the target level; (3), choose the ballast input signal most recently changed as the one with the higher priority to establish the target level; (4) allocating a specific processor terminal with the higher priority, such as signals received through the communication interface, and processing the remaining inputs according to one of the established point algorithms described above. The processor 30 can be programmed with other combinations of priority sequences. In one embodiment of the present invention, multiple point-set algorithms are stored in the memory of the processor 30. One of multiple staging algorithms is selected at the time of manufacture, sale, installation, and / or during operation. Figure 1 is a diagram of a processor-powered ballast system 700 configured for a two-room application according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. System 700 illustrates two rooms for clarity; however the 700 system is applicable to any number of rooms. The system 700 comprises eight ballasts, each ballast comprises a processor. The ballasts and enclosures are coupled one to the other through the communications interface 712. The optional controller 714 is also coupled to the ballasts through the communications interface 712. As described above, each ballast can respond to local commands (command for the specific ballast), global commands (commands for all ballasts), group commands, (commands for all ballasts in a group), or a combination thereof. Each room has a wall light reducer 718 and a 722 photosensor. Each ballast has an infrared detector 720. The individual ballasts are controllable by the IR 716 transmitter through the IR 720 signal. The ballasts and thus the lamps can be controlled by the optional heater, by the signals of the individual bullets, or a combination thereof. In an illusory mode, each room is individually controlled by its respective wall light reducer 718, and when the rooms are coupled together, conirred by the optional heater. In another mode, the optional driver is representative of a construction management system coupled to the processor-controlled ballast system through a DALI 712 compatible communications interface to control all rooms in a construction. For example, the construction management system can issue commands related to load spreading and / or scenes after hours. An installation of several ballasts and audible lighting loads can be made as a digital link without a dedicated central controller on that link. Any ballast that receives a sensor or control input can temporarily become a "master" of the digital common conductor and emit command (s) that coniol (for example, synchronizes) the outputs of all the ballasts and other loads of link illuminations. To ensure reliable communications, well-known data collision detection and retention techniques can be used. Figure 8 is a flow diagram of a point procedure established in accordance with an illusive embodiment of the present invention. As described above, the lamps are controlled in accordance with selected procedures (referred to as setpoint algorithms) that incorporate the priorities and sequence of the information in the ballast input signals. In step 812, the processor determines whether the command indicated by the communications input signal changed. If the indicated change is from lamp to lamp turned off, then in step 814, the ballast will go to the sleeping state and the lamp will turn off until a command change is indicated by the IR signal or the signal from the alarm. phase of step 816. However,, if the commands to the IR signal or the phase conirol signal indicate that the lamp will turn off (step 818), this change is ignored in step 820, because in this puncture, the lamp was already off. Returning to step 812, if the indicated command change is from lamp off to lamp turned on, then in step 822, the lamp level is adjusted to the level indicated by the analog input signal times at the level indicated by the command change more resienie by the IR input signal or the phase control input signal. In an illustrative scenario, the system 700 is placed in a mode of hours later during portions of a day (for example, between 6:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.). When in hours mode later, the ballast processor can receive commands through the communication interface to turn off the lamps. Subsequently, the lamps can be switched on and adjusted with the IR-shifted transmitter with the IR-signal with the wall-light reducer through the phase-shifting signal even if the command provided by the communications signal indicates that the lamps are going to turn off. The lamps remain at the level set by the most recently changed phase control or IR input signals until one or the other changes. Or had a command emitted by the communications signal differentiate the lamps off. In an illusive operation mode (other than after hours mode), the most recently received command level, through the communication interface, increases the upper limit of the lamp arc current. Changes in the commanded level of communication interface therefore classify the level of light. If the IR input signal was used to set lamps at different levels, those lamps maintain their relative differences as the levels are classified by the communication interface commands. A ballast / lamp (s) combination, ie, repair, can be dimmed or lumped with the IR input. A subsequent change in the phase control input signal exceeds the commanded level of the IR input signal, and all the composites in the fourth go to the level commanded by the phase control input signal classified by the upper limit indicated by communication signal and analog input. The photo sensor (e.g., 722) coupled to the analog input signal processor terminal controls the light level at the set point of the sensor photo unless the commanded level of communication interface in combination with the input signal Phase control or IR input signal set the light at a level so that the analog input signal can not bring it to the set point of the photo sensor. In that case, the analog input signal is set at its upper limit, and the level can be controlled by the other input signals. The multiple input ballast having a processor thereon for controlling a gas discharge lamp according to the present invention combines the system level control and the personal level control of the ballast. Esío allows the lamp composition installations to be designed so that the global and local confrol, personal control, lighting is combined in the ballast. This reduces response latency and provides ready-made control swings and increased system design flexibility. The multipath bullet processor uses software / firmware routines to configure the lamp arc current level as a function of multiple and variant commands provided by the multi-input signals. Routines determine a controlled point of the lamp arc current by combining the signals in each of the processor's terminals. This programmable approach allows flexibility when designing established point algorithms and implemented complexity. This programmable approach also allows for growth to include larger groups of skewed point algorithms. As well, the program can be designed to react dynamically to failures and perform constructions in test and diagnostic reviews. In addition, established punch algorithms can be altered and / or selected in the field. Different established point algorithms can be optimal for different applications. For example, a given control input in an application can be used for local or personal control, and the same control input in a different application can be used for construction width or wide area control. By means of unique commands in one of the inputs, the parameters or flags can be set in the processor memory to select the appropriate set point algorithm. Alternately, the digital serial interface can be used to load the program required for each application. In a bullet of the typical electronic device of the type which contains a front end of active energy factor correction, the voltage applied to the inverter circuit is substantially DC. As a result, the conirol circuitry that surrounds the inverter can relatively decrease while it only needs to compensate for the variation in components and changes in lamp dynamics due to factors such as temperature and age. In illustrative mode of the present invention, the valley fill circuit 16 provides a valley filled voltage signal 56 to the inverter circuit 18. It is not common for the valley filled voltage signal 56 to have a significant AC wave. To control the inverter 18, the processor 30 varies the driving time of the conirably conductive signal 74 to compensate for the significant wave of the vol- ume signal filled with valleys 56. To compensate for the wave, the processor samples the vol- ume filled signal from valley to through the perception circuit 26 is fast enough so that the error between the sample being used and the actual volume is relatively small. In an illusive mode, a sampling rate of approximately 10kHz is used. In an illusive embodiment of the bullet 12, the processor 30 comprises an individual analog for the digital converter (ADC) .F An example of such a processor is the Microchip PIC18F1320 microcontroller manufactured by Microchip Technology Inc. of Chandler, AZ. The PIC18F1320 has an ADC construction that is used to display analog inputs. According to the known theory for displaying a signal, such as the filled voltage signal 56 for example, at a sample rate of 10kHz. Preferably one sample is taken every 100 s. In addition to the sample the valley-filled common voltage 56 through a perception circuit 26 and the perception signal 42, several other perception signals are also sampled (e.g., perception signals 38, 46, 47) and the ballast input signals 34. Some of these signals are digital and can be applied to the general purpose PIC 18F1320, however several of the signals are analogue, an ADC is used. The PIC 18F1320 has multiple digital inputs, but it has an analog to digital converter that is compared for all the inputs. As a result, only one analogous enamel can be displayed at a time. As is known in the art, digital-like convergers require a finite amount of time to sample an analogous voltage and provide a digital representation of the voltage. The PIC 18F1320 has approximately 32 s to perform a conversion. Maximum PIC 18F1320 can sample 3 analogous surveys in approximately 100 s. This means that it is not possible to sample all desired analog signals within the 100 s sampling period. Figure 9 is a time diagram that illustrates the sampling of signals according to an illusive embodiment of the present invention. The sample period of the time diagram shown in Fig. 9 is 104 s. As shown, both the lamp current perception signal 46 and the valley filled voltage signal 56 across the perception signal 42 is displayed during a sampling period. This only leaves one sampling point to be shared between the other analog signals. In an illustrative embodiment, this third point demonstrated alternate between sampling the lamp voltage perception signal 47 and the analog ballast input signal 34c. In this embodiment, the valley filled voltage signal 56 via the perception signal 42 and the lamp current perception signal 46 are sampled at approximately 10kHz and the lamp volition perception signal 47 and the signal signal Analogously 34c are displayed at approximately 5kHz. Of course it would be possible to add additional signals in the rooting in the fermenting puncture of sampling. If all the rotated signals appear only once in the run, the sampling rate for these signals would be 10kHz divided by the number of signals rotated. Of course, there is no reason why a rotated signal should appear only once in the rotation. For example, the three signals given A, B and C, the rotation could be ABAC so that signal A is sampled twice at the speed of signals B or C. In the mode shown in Figure 9 the actual sampling period It's 104 s. This period is sufficient to allow samples from analog to digital per period. In addition, this sampling period is convenient for receiving DALY commands since the half-term period of the DALÍ pro-code is 416 s. Sampling the port of DALÍ once per sampling period of 104 s gives a total of 4 samples per half and thus 8 samples per bit. Multiple samples per bit are advantageous because the DALÍ communication link and the ballast control turn are not synchronized.

In an illusive embodiment, the sampled sampling period for the IR ballast input signal (e.g., signal 34d) is 572 s. However, 572 s is not an integer multiple for the conirol turn sample period of 104 s. One approach is to sample the IR ballast input signal al- ternatively every fifth or sixth by passing the conirol turn sample time. This resulted in an average sampling time of 572 s. Figure 1 OA and Figure 10B is a flow module of an interrupt service routine according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A stopwatch in the PIC18F1320 is set to signal an interruption every 104 seconds. When interruption occurs, it is called an inrruption service routine. Figure 10A and Figure 10B will show a flow chart of this inrush service routine. In an illustrative embodiment, this service routine controls the sampling shown in Figure 9 and also controls the sending and receiving of DALÍ bits through the communications signal (port 34b) and the IR signal (port 34d). The router point is in step 210. In step 212, the processor searches and stores the last sample for the analog to digital converter (ADC). This sample is a sample of the current perception signal 46. After searching for this signal, the processor configures and initiates the ADC to read the valley filled voltage signal through the perception signal 42.

As previously described, this sample will not be available for approximately 32 seconds for the processor to have the time for other tasks. In the next step 214, the processor updates the lamp current feedback rotation using the last samples for the current sense signal 46 and the valley filled voltage sensing signal 42. This control rotation simply uses methods of well known digital coniols. In step 216, the processor updates the phase control input filter. This filter is implemented as a digital underpass filter. The output of this filter represents the task cycle of the phase control input. The input of the phase control input filter is determined as follows. Each time that the 104-second break-in routine raises an ADC value also reads the state of the phase conirol 34a. It will be either a 1 or a 0. The first time it is displayed is shown during the 104 s interruption, a weight of 47 will be given, while the next two muesiras receive a weight of 40. These weights are based on how much time It happened since the port was read for the last time. At the end of a first step through the 104-second interruption, the sum of the heavy sample states is between 0 and 127. At the end of a second step, after the 104-second interruption, the sum of all the heavy samples of the run and after 104 seconds of uninterruption it will be between 0 and 254. This is the sum that was provided to the phase control input filter. In step 218 the processor checks to see if there is a DALY message in the procedure to be sent. If so, the processor goes to step 220 where it determines the proper status of the DALI outpost. In step 224 the processor checks to see if the last sample ADC is crippled. If the sample is not ready, the processor proceeds to step 222, where it executes one of a sequence of lower priority tasks. After completing a lower priority area, go back to step 224 to review the ADC status again. While the ADC is not disabled, the processor continues the cycle of executing one of a sequence of low priority tasks in step 222 then revisits the ADC in step 224. Once it is determined that an ADC sample is ready, the processor moves to step 226 where it looks for a new sample and stores it as the last sample of the volume filled signal of valley 42. The processor then configures and then initiates the next ADC sample. As previously described, this next sample can be one of a rotation of enira. In an illusive mode, this sample point alternates between a sample of the lamp volition perception signal 47 and the analogue signal signal 34c. After initiating this conversion, the processor proceeds to step 228 where it reviews the faults in the DALÍ port. Then in step 230 the processor reads and stores the current status of the DALY input port. Then he uses this June sample with previous samples to recognize enigma messages. In step 232, the processor checks to see if it is time to sample the IR input signal 34d.

As previously described, the IR port does not read every step through the sample period of 104s, but instead alternately reads every 5th or 6th time this step reaches. If it is time to sample the enira, a sample is emitted and stored in the memory. In step 236, the processor checks to see if the latest ADC sample is ready. If the sample is ready, it moves to step 238. If the sample is not ready proceed to step 234 and the system operates in the same sequence type as described for steps 224 and 222 where lower priority tasks between revisions are executed of the state of the ADC sample. In step 238 the last ADC sample is searched and stored in a memory location corresponding to the stream entry in the brook. The ADC is then configured and started to sample the current signal 46. The sample will be searched in step 212 in the next step through the interrupt service path. In step 240, the desired scan slice in step 238 is processed and then the processor goes to the shutdown service in step 242. The multi-input ballast having a processor therein provides bidirectional communication between the processor and the processor. ballast and other devices, such as ballasts, other lighting loads, and controllers. This allows the ballast to initiate unsolicited transmissions to the other devices. In addition, the ballast processor through the communications terminal is compatible with existing systems that use the DALÍ communication protocol, allowing the ballast to assume the role of master or slave. Also, the multipath ballast is steerable from the IR, or other processor overhead terminal. Although certain specific embodiments are illustrated with reference, the present invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the details shown. More than that, various modifications can be made in details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.

Claims (61)

1. - A ballast for a gas discharge lamp comprising: a processor for controlling a level of a ballast output signal in response to a plurality of ballast input control signals; a plurality of feeder terminals for receiving said plurality of bulletproof signal signals, wherein: said plurality of bullet input control signals are coupled to said processor through said feeder terminals; at least one of said plurality of ballast input signals is a bidirectional signal.

2. A ballast according to claim 1, wherein said balaser output signal conir a light level of a gas discharge lamp.

3. A ballast according to claim 1, wherein said at least one bidirectional signal comprises a control signal to control at least one of another ballast.

4. A ballast according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of ballast enlightening signals comprises at least one digital control signal, an infrared signal, a serial communication signal, a 0-10 volt signal, a signal indicating a temperaure of said ballast, a ballast circuit perception signal, and a phase control signal.

5. A ballast according to claim 1, further comprising an inverter for receiving a processor output signal from said processor and providing said ballast output signal in response to said processor output signal.

6. A ballast according to claim 5, wherein said processor output signal is an interruption signal for controlling at least one interrupter in said inverter.

7. A ballast according to claim 7, wherein said processor controls said ballast output signal in response to said plurality of ballast input control signals according to a selected one and a plurality of predefer- mined conirol procedures.

8. A bullet according to claim 7, wherein said selected conirol process is selected through at least one of said plurality of bullet-proof conirol signals.

9. A balasfro according to claim 7, wherein; the parameters of said ballast output signal are determined in accordance with a sequence and priority of values of said ballasted signal conirol signals; and each conirol procedure comprises a unique priority and sequence algorithm.

10. A bullet according to claim 7, further comprising a memory portion for storing said plurality of predetermined control procedures.

11. A distributed ballast system comprising: a distributed plurality of ballasts coupled together through a bidirectional interface, each ballast comprising: a processor for controlling a level of a ballast output signal in response to a plurality of signaling signals; ballast entry control; and a plurality of input terminals for receiving said plurality of ballast signal control signals, wherein: said plurality of ballaster signal conirol signals are coupled to said processor through said input lines; and said ballasts of said plurality of ballasts are interconnected through a bi-directional injector.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein: at least one of said plurality of bullet signal conirol signals of each bullet is a bidirectional signal conveyed through said bi-directional signal.

13. A system according to claim 12, wherein said at least one bidirectional signal of each ballast is capable of comprising a control signal to control at least one of another ballast within said distributed plurality of ballasts.

14. A system according to claim 11, wherein at least one ballast output signal provided by said plurality of ballasts conirates a light level of at least one gas discharge lamp.

15. A system according to claim 11, wherein said plurality of ballast enlighten signals comprises at least one digital control signal, an infrared signal, a serial communication signal, a 0-10 volt signal, a signal indicative of an imperator of said ballast, a signal of perception of balasire circuitry, a signal of phase conírol.

16. A system according to claim 11, each ballast also comprises an inverter for receiving a processor output signal from a respective processor and providing a respective balaser output signal in response to said processor output signal.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein for each ballast, said processor output signal is an inrush signal to control at least one switch in said inverter.

18. A system according to claim 11, wherein for each ballast, said processor controls said bullet output signal in response to said plurality of ballast input conirol signals according to one selected from a plurality of procedures. of predetermined controls.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein for each ballast, said selected control procedure is selected through at least one of said plurality of ballast input conirol signals.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein: the parameters of each ballasted output signal are determined in accordance with a sequence and priority of values of ballast barrel signal signals.; and each conirol process comprises a single priority and sequence algorithm.

21. A system according to claim 18, wherein each bullet further comprises a memory portion for storing said plurality of etermined formulas.

22. A method for controlling a gas discharge lamp with a ballast having a processor therein, said method comprising: receiving a plurality of signals from the sending line by said processor, wherein at least one of said plurality of Input control signals is a bidirectional signal; determining a ballasted output signal to control said gas discharge lamp according to a efined latent puncture procedure stored in the memory of said processor.

23. A method according to claim 22, further comprising controlling an interrupter of an inverter of said ballast to determine said ballast output signal.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein said step of controlling said interrupter comprises icting when to open or when to close said switch.

25. A method according to claim 22, further comprising selecting said etermined set point method from a plurality of set point procedures in response to said plurality of forward control signals.

26. A method according to claim 22, wherein said step of controlling said gas discharge lamp according to a etermined established punching method comprises controlling said discharge lamp according to an assigned priority and relative sequence of said plurality received from signals of conírol de enírada.

27. An electrosurgical ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp, comprising: an inverter for producing a high frequency conduction voltage for conducting a lamp current in said gas discharge lamp; and a microprocessor electrically connected to said inverter to directly control said inverter to control the lamp current.

28. The electronic ballast according to claim 27, which also includes a door in electrical communication with said microprocessor to receive messages.

29. The electrosonic bullet according to claim 27, which also includes a port in electrical communication with said processor to send messages.

30. The electronic ballast according to claim 27, further comprising a door in electrical communication with said electronic microprocessor to send as to receive messages. 31.- The electronic ballast according to the claim 29, wherein said microprocessor has a program for determining a state of said electronic ballast and sending a message indicating a status through said port. 32. The elecralonic ballast according to claim 30, wherein said microprocessor contains a program for responding to a message received through said door by sending a message through said door. 33.- The electrosonic bullet according to the claim 32, wherein said received message comprises a request for information chosen from the group consisting of on / off condition, attenuation level, hours of operation, and lamp status. 34.- The electronic ballast according to the claim 27, wherein said microprocessor contains a program for determining a condition of said electrosurgical balaser and modulating the lamp current to indicate that a predefined condition was reached. 35.- The elecralonic bullet according to the claim 37, which further comprises a transducer in electrical communication with said processor to provide a perceptible signal to a person. 36.- The electrosonic bullet according to claim 35, wherein said signal is an audible signal. 37. An electronic ballast for driving a gas discharge lamp, comprising: an inverter for producing a high-frequency driving voltage for conducting a lamp current in said gas discharge lamp; a microprocessor electrically connected to said inverter; said microprocessor for directing said inverter to control said lamp current to a desired level; an electrically connected port to said microprocessor; said puerío to receive messages; an electrical memory connected to said processor; and a group of damages stored in that memory. 38.- The elecralonic bullet according to the claim 37, wherein a portion of said data group is exchanged by said microprocessor in response to a predetermined message received through said port. 39.- The electronic ballast according to the claim 38, wherein said portion of said group of data includes information regarding the location and / or tasks of the ballast in a system. 40. The electronic ballast according to claim 37, wherein said microprocessor contains a program for determining said desired level; said program uses said group of data to determine how a message received through said at least one puerío must be used to determine said desired level. 41. An electrosurgical ballast for driving at least one gas discharge lamp, comprising: an inverter circuit that produces an alpha frequency conduction volley to conduct a lamp current in said at least one gas discharge lamp; a microprocessor connected to said inverter; said microprocessor directing said inverter to confirm said lamp current to a desired level; at least two pigs connected to said processor, said pigs being able at least one to send and receive messages. 42.- The elecralonic bullet according to the claim 41, where at least one of said two pigs is capable of sending as well as receiving messages. 43. The electronic ballast according to claim 41, further comprising: a memory connected to said processor; and a group of data stored in said memory. 44. The electronic ballast according to claim 43, further comprising: a program stored in said microprocessor to determine said desired level; said program that uses a portion of said group of damages to determine how a message received through said at least one port is used to determine said desired level. The electronic ballast according to claim 43, wherein at least a portion of said group of data can be changed by sending a message to the microprocessor at least one of said at least two pigs. 46.- The electrosonic bullet according to the claim 43, wherein at least a portion of said dash group is exchanged by the microprocessor in response to receiving a predefined message through at least one of at least two communication ports. 47. The electrosurgical ballast for driving at least one gas discharge lamp, comprising: an inverter circuit that produces a high frequency conduction voltage for conducting a lamp current in said at least one gas discharge lamp; a microprocessor connected to said inverter; said microprocessor directly controlling said inverter to control said lamp current to a desired level; at least one pig connected to said microprocessor; said puerío able to receive a message and pass said message to the microprocessor; a memory connected to said microprocessor; and a group of data stored in said memory; said microprocessor being adapted to send a portion of said data group in response to receiving a predetermined message through said at least one port. 48. The electronic ballast according to claim 47, wherein said at least one puerío comprises an IR receiver. 49. The electronic ballast according to claim 47, wherein said at least one port comprises a digital communications port. 50. The electrosurgical balaser according to claim 47, wherein said at least one puerío comprises an RF receiver. 51.- An electrosonic bullet to drive at least one gas lamp, which comprises: a conírol circuit; a first port connected to said control circuit, said first port being adapted to receive messages; a second port connected to said control circuit, said second port being adapted to send messages; said conirol circuit being adapted to respond to a first message received from said first port by sending a second message through said second port. 52. The electronic ballast according to claim 51, wherein said control circuit comprises a microprocessor. 53. The electronic ballast according to claim 51, wherein said first message and said second message are substantially the same. 54.- A lighting system that includes: a bullet; said ballast comprising a control circuit and a first and a second port connected to said control circuit; a first lighting device connected to said first door; a second lighting device connected to said second door; with it said first device can communicate with said second device through said conirol circuit. 55.- The lighting system according to claim 54, wherein: said first lighting device is a device selected from the group consisting of a local control, a central conductor and a ballast: and said second lighting device is a device selected from the group consisting of a local conírol, a central controller and a ballast. 56. The lighting system according to claim 54, wherein a plurality of devices is connected to said first port. 57. The lighting system according to claim 56, wherein a plurality of devices is connected to said second port. 58.- The lighting system according to claim 54, wherein said control circuit comprises a microprocessor. 59. The lighting system according to claim 54, wherein said first I / O port is an IR receiver. 60. An electronic ballast for driving at least one gas discharge lamp, comprising: an inverter circuit that produces a high frequency conduction voltage to conduct a lamp current in said at least one gas discharge lamp; a microprocessor connected to said inverter; said microprocessor would address said inverter to control the said lamp current to a desired level; at least one port connected to said microprocessor; said port being adapted to send messages; a program stored in said microprocessor, said program adapted to determine a state of said electronic ballast and send a message indicative of said state through said at least one puerío. 61.- The elecralonic bullet according to the claim 60, wherein said state includes at least one of the group consisting of on / off conditions, hours of operation, hours of operation since the last lamp change, level of operation, operation time, and failure conditions.