Technical field

The technical solution applies to structural modification of the electrical ballast of the light source.

Background Art

An electrical ballast is an electronic device connected between a power source and one or several light sources. Its main function is to convert (modify) power supply - usually the main electrical current to the desired parameters required by the used light source or possibly disconnect or interrupt the power supply in order to turn Off the light source. Based on the installation type we may divide electrical ballasts into independent, built-in, and integrated. Individual electrical ballasts may be installed outside of the light source but built-in or integrated ballasts must be installed inside the light source. If necessary, the system must be able to communicate with the ballast in order to make sure that the use is as efficient as possible in terms of interrupting or limiting power supply to individual light sources, light fixtures or interconnected light fixtures. At present, this is mostly achieved by remote control where the RF communication unit of the light source (consisting of RF receiver, or possibly RF transceiver and control circuitry which controls the ballast), is a separate component of the light source. Therefore, the current and common light system consists of RF communication unit with wireless interface - ballast - light source. The disadvantage of this solution is the fact that the RF communication unit is a component that is not integrated with other parts of the system.

Disclosure of the invention

The above specified shortcomings are largely addressed by the structural layout specified in this technical solution where the ballast of the light source contains an integrated RF communication unit, which is used to communicate with the control system equipped with compatible wireless interface, and which controls the light fixture ballast and, therefore, the light source where the RF communication unit is equipped with a unique ID code. The integrated RF communication unit contains an RF receiver to receive signals from the control system and RF transceiver which communicates with the control system in both directions. The integrated RF communication unit contains an RF transceiver for two-directional communication with the control system and it is used to ensure communication between the ballasts and/or for re-translation of signals.

. This proposed solution reduces the number of separate components of the light fixture.

• It also lowers manufacturing cost for the set consisting of the RF communication unit + ballast by integrating them into one single unit • Manufacturing assembly costs for final light fixtures also go down thanks to simplified inner electrical wiring (reduction of internal connections inside the light fixture)

• The amount of electric power consumed by the RF communication unit together with its own ballast may also go down thanks to the use of single power supply

• Lastly, this solution also increases the operational reliability.

Modes for carrying out the invention

The ballast of the light source is equipped with the integrated RF communication unit, which communicates with the control system equipped with compatible wireless interface for the control of the light fixture ballast and, therefore, also the light source, is equipped with the RF communication unit with a unique ID code. The integrated RF communication unit contains an RF receiver to receive signals from the control system and RF transceiver which communicates with the control system in both directions. Integrated RF communication unit contains RF transceiver for two-directional communication with the control system and it is used to ensure communication between the ballasts and/or for re-translation of signals.

Industrial applicability

This solution may be used everywhere where light sources need to be controlled independently of each other.