Digital electronic ballast control apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An electronic ballast control for controlling a power switch in an electronic ballast to switch power to a load, comprising:
- a storage device for storing parameters to operate ballast control components;
a control device coupled to the storage device for reading parameters from the storage device and providing the parameters to ballast control components;
an oscillator coupled to the control device for receiving parameters from the control device and providing an oscillation signal based on the received parameters;
an output section coupled to the oscillator and operable to receive the oscillation signal and produce signals for operating the power switch.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ballast control may include a digitally controlled oscillator to provide a precise and consistent oscillation frequency for switching a half-bridge circuit in the electronic ballast. The ballast control may include a digital memory device for storing ballast control operational parameters. A controller can access the digital memory to retrieve parameter values and apply them to various ballast control components. A counter in the ballast control counts a number of events, such as an over current event, and provides a signal when a predetermined count is reached to contribute to identifying fault conditions. The controller may contain one or more timers to time durations related to events in the electronic ballast, such as the initiation of an ignition current. The digital nature of the ballast control permits a wide degree of flexibility in providing operational set points and reacting to conditions in the electronic ballast and simplifies the ballast control.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. An electronic ballast control for controlling a power switch in an electronic ballast to switch power to a load, comprising:
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a storage device for storing parameters to operate ballast control components;
a control device coupled to the storage device for reading parameters from the storage device and providing the parameters to ballast control components;
an oscillator coupled to the control device for receiving parameters from the control device and providing an oscillation signal based on the received parameters;
an output section coupled to the oscillator and operable to receive the oscillation signal and produce signals for operating the power switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of operating an electronic ballast, comprising:
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storing data in a storage device related to ballast control parameters;
reading data from the storage device to obtain parameters for operating the ballast control; and
applying the parameters to ballast control components to obtain selected operating points for the components, whereby the ballast control outputs a control signal based on a selection of parameters applied to the components. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A ballast control IC, comprising:
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a digital memory for storing control parameters;
a digital controller coupled to the memory for reading parameters from the memory;
a digital oscillator coupled to the controller for receiving a digital oscillation set point and providing an oscillation signal based on the set point. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification