Method of Confirming that a Control Device Complies with a Predefined Protocol Standard
First Claim
1. A control device comprising:
- a communication circuit adapted to be coupled to an electronic ballast via a communication link; and
a controller coupled to the communication circuit for transmitting and receiving digital messages via the communication link according to a predefined protocol standard;
wherein the controller is operable to determine whether the ballast is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard, and to adapt how the communication circuit transmits or receives digital messages in response to determining that the ballast is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control device, such as a digital ballast controller, is adapted to be coupled to an electronic ballast, such as a DALI ballast, via a communication link, and is operable to determine whether the ballast is operating within the specifications of a predefined protocol standard, e.g., the DALI standard. For example, the control device may measure the bit times of a digital message received from the ballast and to determine if the bit times fall within the limits set by the standard. The control device may also determine the minimum delay time required between two digital messages received by the ballast and determine if the minimum delay time falls within the limit set by the standard. The control device may adapt its normal operation (e.g., how digital messages are received and transmitted) or may provide feedback (e.g., by flashing a lamp) in response to determining that the ballast is operating outside of the specifications of the standard.
75 Citations
65 Claims
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1. A control device comprising:
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a communication circuit adapted to be coupled to an electronic ballast via a communication link; and a controller coupled to the communication circuit for transmitting and receiving digital messages via the communication link according to a predefined protocol standard; wherein the controller is operable to determine whether the ballast is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard, and to adapt how the communication circuit transmits or receives digital messages in response to determining that the ballast is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads, the load control system comprising:
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a first control device adapted to be coupled to a communication link; and a second control device adapted to be coupled to the communication link and operable to transmit and receive digital messages via the communication link according to a predefined protocol standard, the second control device operable determine whether the first control device is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard, and to adapt how the digital messages are transmitted or received in response to determining that the first control device is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A method of confirming that a control device operable to transmit and receive digital messages on a communication link complies with a predefined protocol standard, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the control device is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard; and adapting how digital messages are transmitted to or are received from the control device in response to determining that the control device is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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43. A control device comprising:
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a communication circuit adapted to be coupled to an electronic ballast via a communication link; and a controller coupled to the communication circuit for transmitting and receiving digital messages via the communication link according to a predefined protocol standard; wherein the controller is operable to determine whether the ballast is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard, and to provide feedback if the ballast is not operating within the limits of the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads, the load control system comprising:
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a first control device adapted to be coupled to a communication link; and a second control device adapted to be coupled to the communication link and operable to transmit and receive digital messages via the communication link according to a predefined protocol standard, the second control device operable determine whether the first control device is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard, and to provide feedback in response to determining that the first control device is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
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60. A method of confirming that a control device operable to transmit and receive digital messages on a communication link complies with a predefined protocol standard, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the control device is operating within predefined limits of the protocol standard; and providing feedback in response to determining that the control device is not operating within the predefined limits set by the protocol standard. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65)
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Specification