Electronic ballast with embedded network micro-controller

An electronic ballast system comprising:

• a) a micro-controller system operatively connected to and proximate an electronic ballast circuit, said micro-controller system being adapted to perform at least one control function in response to a command;
• b) sensing means for sensing a condition external to said electronic ballast system and generating a sensing signal representative thereof;
• c) command-generation means operatively connected to said micro-controller system and to said sensing means, said command-generation means being adapted to generate a command in response to said sensing signal;
• d) at least one external control network to facilitate two-way communication with ballast and non-lighting assemblies;
• and
• e) connection and interface means operatively connected to said micro-controller system to facilitate two-way communication with said at least one external control network.

An electronic ballast system for gas-discharge lamps, comprising:

• a) a high-frequency, electronic ballast circuit for selectively powering one or more fluorescent lamps;
• b) control means operatively connected to said ballast circuit for controlling said selective powering of said one or more fluorescent lamps;
• c) an external control network to facilitate two-way communication with ballast and non-lighting assemblies;
• d) means operatively connected to said control means for facilitating two-way communications with said external control network;
• and
• e) command generation means operatively connected to said control means for generating a control command responsive to a sensed condition external to said ballast assembly.