Remote control of a legacy fluorescent lamp fixture

A method involving a retrofit fluorescent lamp assembly, wherein the retrofit fluorescent lamp assembly comprises a first bi-pin base and a second bi-pin base, wherein the first bi-pin base comprises a first pin and a second pin, and wherein the second bi-pin base comprises a first pin and a second pin, the method comprising:

• receiving a multi-bit digital signal in serial fashion onto the retrofit fluorescent lamp assembly via the second pin of the second bi-pin base, wherein the retrofit fluorescent lamp assembly is coupled to a lamp;
• and
• changing a state of the lamp in response to the receiving of the multi-bit digital signal, wherein the changing of the state of the lamp is taken from the group consisting of:
• changing the state of the lamp from a non-illuminated state to an illuminated state, and changing the state of the lamp from an illuminated state to an non-illuminated state.

A retrofit lamp assembly adapted to hold and to power a light emitting element, the retrofit lamp assembly comprising:

• a first bi-pin base having a first pin and a second pin;
• a second bi-pin base having a first pin and a second pin;
• and
• means for receiving AC power onto the retrofit lamp assembly via the first pin of the first bi-pin base and the first pin of the second bi-pin base, for receiving a multi-bit digital control signal in serial fashion onto the retrofit lamp assembly via the second pin of the first bi-pin base and the second pin of the second bi-pin base, for causing the light emitting element to be turned on if the multi-bit digital control signal has a first value, and for causing the light emitting element to be turned off if the multi-bit digital control signal has a second value.