Load Control Device Having a Controllable Filter Circuit

A lighting control method comprising:

• receiving by control circuitry, a first input signal that includes data indicative of at least one parameter of a lighting load operatively coupled to a lighting control device, wherein the lighting control device includes:
• a bidirectional semiconductor switch that includes a first terminal adapted to be coupled to an alternating-current (AC) power source, and a second terminal adapted to be coupled to the electrical load;
• wherein the bidirectional semiconductor switch includes a plurality of operating states including a CONDUCTIVE operating state and a NON-CONDUCTIVE operating state;
• a filter circuit that includes:
• an inductor coupled in series between the bidirectional semiconductor switch and the second terminal;
• and
• a first capacitor coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal;
• and
• a second capacitor and a series-connected controllable switch coupled in parallel with the first capacitor, the controllable switch to connect and disconnect the second capacitor from the parallel connection with the first capacitor;
• wherein the controllable switch includes a plurality of operating states including a CONDUCTIVE operating state and a NON-CONDUCTIVE operating state;
• and
• causing by the control circuit, the controllable switch to transition between the NON-CONDUCTIVE state and the CONDUCTIVE state responsive to the receipt of the data indicative of the at least one lighting load parameter.

A non-transitory, machine-readable, storage device that includes instructions that, when executed by control circuitry disposed in a lighting control device, cause the control circuit to:

• receive a first input signal that includes data indicative of at least one parameter of a lighting load operatively coupled to a lighting control device, wherein the lighting control device includes:
• a bidirectional semiconductor switch that includes a first terminal adapted to be coupled to an alternating-current (AC) power source, and a second terminal adapted to be coupled to the electrical load;
• wherein the bidirectional semiconductor switch includes a plurality of operating states including a CONDUCTIVE operating state and a NON-CONDUCTIVE operating state;
• a filter circuit that includes:
• an inductor coupled in series between the bidirectional semiconductor switch and the second terminal;
• and
• a first capacitor coupled between the first terminal and the second terminal;
• and
• a second capacitor and a series-connected controllable switch coupled in parallel with the first capacitor, the controllable switch to connect and disconnect the second capacitor from the parallel connection with the first capacitor;
• wherein the controllable switch includes a plurality of operating states including a CONDUCTIVE operating state and a NON-CONDUCTIVE operating state;
• and
• cause the controllable switch to transition between the NON-CONDUCTIVE state and the CONDUCTIVE state responsive to the receipt of the data indicative of the at least one lighting load parameter.