Abstract:
A device with an integral microprocessor controlled electronics that automatically detects and outputs the correct power to energize an incandescent, HID or High Intensity Discharge and fluorescent, and LED or Light Emitting Diode lamps attached to the output of the device. The first or a second integral microprocessor controlled electronics can also be used to automatically detect the type of dimming data control signal that is connected to the input of the device. The range of input data dimming control signals include DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, Ethernet, leading edge forward phase, and trailing edge reverse phase, etc. An optional user interface port can also be provided on the device for the programming of the device. The end-user will be able to select the output power handling capability of the device either by software using the user interface port, by using input selectable jumpers, or by using hardware switches provided on the device.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/846,042 entitled, “Device for Providing Automatic Power to Different Lamp Types” filed on Jul. 14, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a device with an integral microprocessor controlled electronics that will automatically detect and output the correct power to energize incandescent, HID or High Intensity Discharge and fluorescent, and LED or Light Emitting Diode lamps attached to the output of the device. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Incandescent tungsten filament lamps are reliable sources of safe and efficient lighting that were created to overcome dangerous gas lamps. These incandescent lamps were later used with dimmers that controlled the amount of power going into the lamps to provide dimming of the light output for better energy savings. These lamps used lampholders or sockets including E26 and E27 medium screw base, medium bi-pin, and twist-and-lock among the many types of lampholders or sockets available for quartz halogen and incandescent lamps. 
         [0004]    HID or metal halide lamps and fluorescent lamps were later discovered that offered increased lamp life and brighter outputs over the incandescent lamps. These HID or fluorescent lamps operated with a ballast that first ignited an arc and then limited the power to the lamp to keep the arc energized. Certain HID or fluorescent lamps could be used with a special ballast that could also dim the lamp down to a certain percentage for additional energy savings. These lamps could also be used with lampholders or sockets like the E26 and E27 medium screw base, etc. similar to the ones used for the quartz halogen and incandescent type of lamps. The sockets used with these HID or fluorescent lamps were capable of use with higher startup voltages and were properly marked as pulse-rated high-voltage ignition lampholders. 
         [0005]    Most recently, advances in LED brightness and efficacy have allowed LED lamps to be developed that could offer even brighter outputs and longer lamp life when properly configured to compete with HID or fluorescent lamps. LED retrofit lamps operate on AC power and have built-in internal drivers. Typically, a driver converts the AC power to DC power to energize the LEDs in the lamp either through PWM, constant voltage, or constant current. The LED lamps can also use the same conventional lampholders or sockets used for incandescent and HID or fluorescent lamps. These LED lamps can also be dimmed for additional energy savings. 
         [0006]    For the sake of simplicity and uniformity, and particularly to new designs and ease of retrofits, it is desirable and there becomes a need to have one device that can operate with any type of lamp regardless if the lamp is incandescent, HID or fluorescent, and LED. This device will have intelligence built into it that will enable it to act as an incandescent dimmer, an HID or fluorescent ballast, or an LED dimmer that will automatically sense what type of lamp is being connected to the output of the device and will automatically provide the correct power to energize the type of lamp that is connected. This will allow the end-user the ability to use any type of lamp in a particular luminaire that uses this unique and versatile energy saving device. 
         [0007]    The present invention is designed to allow luminaire designers to use a single device to power any type of lamp, thereby providing ease of design and quicker release to market products for better energy savings. From a manufacturer&#39;s standpoint, a single device will now be stocked that will help reduce inventory and increase their purchasing power. The manufacturer&#39;s customers can now have a wider choice of lamp options depending on their preference and illumination needs. 
         [0008]    The present invention will also provide convenience and piece of mind for the end user to use any and all types of lamps readily available in the market, without having the concerns of damage to the different types of lamps being used. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0009]    Metrolight, Inc. is based out of Israel and is a manufacturer of high-frequency electronic ballasts for use with Metal Halide Lamps with wattages ranging from 70-watts to 400-watts with input voltages from 120-volts up to 277-volts for world-wide usage. In late 2012, they introduced a line of LED drivers with an operating power range of 150-watts to 400-watts with multi-voltage input voltages from 120V to 277V. In essence, they are the same exact ballast hardware that they have been supplying to the industry for operating HID lamps, but now with software programming done either at their factory or by the end-user, the ballast that is used for HID or fluorescent lamps can now be changed to an LED driver when used with their AC to DC LED converter module. Their LED driver can accept 0-10V or a custom MADLI digital signal to allow dimming of the LEDs. At the time of this write-up, they are the only company that have done this, and have filed their own intellectual property applications to secure their inventions. 
         [0010]    The device of the present invention eliminates the need for the factory or the end-user to re-program the device to make it act as a ballast or a driver, and vice-versa. The device of the present invention will automatically sense the type of lamp connected to the output of the device and will use its internal micro-processor and electronics to provide the correct power to safely operate any type of lamp being connected whether it is a tungsten filament incandescent lamp, an HID or fluorescent lamp, or an LED lamp. In the case of an LED, the necessary electronics will be on-board to provide the necessary AC power on the output side to operate the LED lamps already provided with internal AC to DC drivers. Since the output of this device will be AC voltage power, it can be used to readily power AC LEDs or AC LED modules including AC LED lamps, but when used with a separate and external AC to DC converting device like a half bridge or full wave diode bridge rectifier, this same device can also be used to power a string of LEDs with DC power. 
         [0011]    Light-Based Technologies (LBT) based out of Vancouver, Canada has filed patent applications on their utltra-compatible deep dimming LED drivers. LBT offers a 25-watt LED driver that can detect if an input data dimming control signal is either 0-10V, leading edge forward phase (triac), or trailing edge reverse phase (ELV). They accomplish this by using their LB411 triac deep dimming LED controller base on the LB4 ASIC for solid state lighting applications. 
         [0012]    While the LBT driver has automatic sensing of the input data dimming control signal, it does not have the automatic sensing capability of the device of the present invention. The LBT UC1000 series of LED drivers are rated only for a maximum of 25-watts at an input voltage of 90-132V, and provides a DC output that can only be used with a string of LEDs. 
         [0013]    The preferred embodiment of the present invention uses an internal micro-processor to automatically sense the type of lamp, i.e. incandescent filament, HID or fluorescent, or LED lamp that is connected to the output of the device. The device will then safely output the proper AC power to energize the different types of lamps that are connected to the output of the device. 
         [0014]    An alternate embodiment of the present invention would be to have the device use its internal micro-processor to also include the automatic sensing of the input data dimming control signal for a completely versatile device that can not only automatically sense any type of input data dimming control signal applied to the device, i.e. DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, Ethernet, leading edge and trailing edge, etc., but can also safely power any type of lamp, whether it be an incandescent filament lamp, HID or fluorescent lamp, or an LED lamp that is connected to the output of the device using the same microprocessor or a separate internal controller. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The device of the present invention is provided with an integral microprocessor controlled electronics that will automatically detect and output the correct power to energize incandescent, HID or High Intensity Discharge and fluorescent, and LED or Light Emitting Diode lamps attached to the output of the device. The total output to the lamp is preset by the user prior to attaching any dimming control signals or power to the device. 
         [0016]    The selection of the power rating of the device can be accomplished by way of software by attaching the device to a computer or programming device, by way of jumpers and headers, or with on-board switch settings. When using the software option, an optional interface port will be provided on the device for direct connection and communication with a computer or other equipment for software programming of the device either at the factory or in the field. This interface port can be a simple header, pins, wire leads, USB, serial, or parallel connector. 
         [0017]    The power rating can be set in any range typically from 20 W, 35 W, 50 W, 70 W, 75 W, 90 W, 100 W, 120 W, 150 W, etc. or to any setting as determined by the manufacturer. The greater choice of power settings of the device makes the device more versatile for use with a greater number of lamps with a wider range of wattages depending on the need of the user. This predetermined maximum wattage is set by the user prior to using the device and necessary care needs to be taken to make sure that the rating of the lamp is matched to the device setting or overvoltage to the attached lamp could cause premature failure or create an unsafe condition. In other words, the user setting of the device has to be equal to or less than the rating of the lamp that is attached to the device for safe and proper operation. 
         [0018]    The device of the present invention includes the automatic detection of any type of lamp connected to the output of the device. The type of lamp can be an incandescent filament lamp, an HID or fluorescent lamp, or an LED lamp. An incandescent filament lamp has a very low resistance when measured across the two pole load of the lamp terminals. The tungsten filament itself will have a very low resistance just above zero resistance or at full load. An HID or fluorescent lamp is an arc gap type of lamp that will have no resistance or will register an open or no load condition. Lastly, for a DC LED lamp, the resistance across the anode and cathode of the LEDs containing one or more LEDs in series will give out the total voltage drops from all the LEDs, or a very high resistance when testing across the conductors of an AC LED lamp due to the internal driver located within the AC LED lamp. Since the resistive loads are unique and different for each type of lamp, it would be logical to use a microprocessor or simple PLC or PIC programmer to identify the three different output load values, and then have the internal microprocessor provide the corresponding type of power to the output of the device required to safely and properly operate the type of lamp that is connected to the device. 
         [0019]    If the microprocessor determines the resistive load is low, it knows an incandescent type of lamp is connected. The device therefore outputs an AC voltage in the same range as the input AC voltage connected to the power leads of the device and at the predetermined maximum wattage previously selected by the user. If the microprocessor determines there is no resistive load or an open, then it knows that a type of arc lamp of the HID or fluorescent family is connected. The device therefore sends an initial high voltage to ignite the arc and then lower it to an operating level equal to or below the same range as the input AC connected to the power leads of the device, and at the predetermined maximum wattage previously selected by the user. If the microprocessor now determines the resistive load is high or a capacitive load is present, it will know an LED type of lamp is connected and therefore outputs an AC voltage and current to the output of the device at a predetermined maximum wattage previously selected by the user. For a DC LED lamp, an external AC to DC converter is used when one or more LED strings are connected to a DC voltage, it will continue to draw power from the device until it exceeds the forward voltage of one or the sum of all the forward voltages of all the LEDs in the string. Once this voltage is set, the current is then increased until the total power output to the LEDs reaches the predetermined maximum wattage previously selected by the user. 
         [0020]    Once the device determines the type of lamp that is connected to the output of the device, it can store this information in volatile random access memory or VRAM and will know to operate the same type of lamp already used in a particular luminaire. In the case of a short circuit on the output connections of the device, the internal microprocessor will know this and will stop sending power to the output until which time the short circuit condition has been removed. In the event of no connection to the output of the device, the microprocessor will first see it as an HID or fluorescent lamp and will try to ignite the output, if no ignition occurs then the microprocessor will know that no lamps are attached to the output of the device and the internal microprocessor will know this and will stop sending power to the output until which time a lamp is attached to the output of the device. Lastly, an optional NTC thermistor connection may be provided on the device as a feedback from an on-board resistor mounted on the LED printed circuit board, or in close proximity to the LEDs to let the device know if the LEDs are being over driven and may lead to excessive thermal stress to the LEDs. The NTC works only when the load on the device output is an LED lamp. 
         [0021]    The preferred embodiment is therefore a non-dimmable device that has a power input side that accepts 90V to 277V AC voltage, and an output side that connects to any type of a two pole lamp including an incandescent filament lamp, an HID or fluorescent lamp, or an LED lamp. The device has an internal microprocessor that tests the output lines and automatically determines the type of lamp that is connected to the device, and will output the maximum power to the lamp based on the user selected power rating of the device. The device will also know if the output is a short circuit or if there is no lamp connected to the output of the device. In both cases, the device will not provide power to the output until the short circuit is removed or a lamp is connected to the output. 
         [0022]    The device of the present invention may also include an automatic detection of the dimming control signal connected to the input of the device, thereby making the device now a dimmable device. The input dimming control signals can include DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, Ethernet, leading edge, and trailing edge phase control. 
         [0023]    The alternate embodiment is therefore a dimmable device that has a power input side that accepts 90V to 277V AC voltage, a data input side that accepts a dimming data control signal, and an output side that connects to any type of two pole lamp that can be an incandescent filament lamp, an HID or fluorescent lamp, or an LED lamp. The device has an internal microprocessor that will first monitor and test the low voltage input dimming data control signal lines to determine if the input signal is DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, or Ethernet is present. If no low voltage dimming signal is present, then the microprocessor will next test the high voltage power input lines to see if there is a mains dimmable forward phase leading edge dimmer or a mains dimmable reverse phase trailing edge dimmer is attached. If not then the dimming data control lines are ignored. Likewise, the device has an internal microprocessor that will test the output lines and automatically determine the type of lamp that is connected to the device. The device will then output the maximum power to the lamp based on the user selected power rating of the device. The device will also know if the output is a short or if there is no lamp connected at all, and in both cases the device will not provide power to the output until the short or a lamp is connected. 
       OBJECT OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    It is an object of the present invention to provide one device that will work with any type of lamp. 
         [0025]    It is another object of the present invention to provide one device that will automatically sense the type of lamp connected to the output. 
         [0026]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide one device that will work with any type of lamp connected to the output of the device, and that will work with any type of data dimming control signal connected to the input of the device. 
         [0027]    It is also another object of the present invention to provide one device that will automatically sense the type of lamp connected to the output, and will automatically sense the type of data dimming control signal connected to the input. 
         [0028]    It is also yet another object of the present invention to provide one device where the end-user can easily select one of a multiple number of power settings for the device. 
         [0029]    Lastly, it is a final object of the present invention to provide a user interface port for the programming of the one device of the present invention including the maximum power output of the device of the present invention to any type of lamp that is connected to the output of the device. 
         [0030]    While the novel features of the invention are set forth particularly in the appended claims, the invention, both as to organization and content, will be better understood and appreciated along with other objects and features thereof, from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  shows the preferred embodiment of the present invention in a basic diagram for a device with an automatic output detection system for different types of lamps. 
           [0032]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate embodiment of the present invention in a basic diagram for a device with an automatic input dimming data control signal detection system including DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, and Ethernet on the low voltage data input signal lines or leading edge forward phase, and trailing edge reverse phase control signals present on the AC high voltage input power lines along with an automatic output detection system for different lamp types. 
           [0033]      FIG. 3  shows a typical flowchart for the logic contained in the internal microprocessor and electronics for the determination of the lamp type connected to the output of the device of the present invention according to  FIG. 1 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 4  shows a typical flowchart for the logic contained in the internal microprocessor and electronics for the determination of the type of input dimming control signal connected to the input of the device of the present invention according to 
           [0035]      FIG. 2  to operate in conjunction with the automatic output detection system for different lamp types according to  FIG. 3 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  shows the user selectable power settings for the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  to select the power handling capability of the device either by software, by using input selectable jumpers, or switches for the proper power output to the lamp connected to the device. 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  shows an optional user interface port for communications with the microprocessor contained in the device of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  for programming the device including programming the maximum power output to the lamp connected to the device. 
       
    
    
       [0038]    The foregoing has outlined rather broadly, the features and technical advantages of the present invention, so that those skilled in the art may better understand the detailed description of the invention that follows. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that they may readily use the conception and the specific embodiment disclosed as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also realize that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a device  10  with an internal microprocessor  20  and electronics to monitor the type of lamp  30  connected to the output  40  of the device  10 . The output  40  of the device  10  consists of at least two conductors  50 . The at least two output conductors  50  can be connected to a two conductor lampholder or socket  60 , or it can be connected directly to a two conductor lamp  30 . Power is applied to the input  70  of the device  10  with at least two input conductors  80 . In this example, the power is line voltage AC  90 . Internally, the AC voltage  90  is converted to DC voltage (not shown) to provide power to the internal microprocessor  20  and electronics. Depending on the type of lamp  30  connected to the at least two conductors  50  at the output  40  of the device  10 , the device  10  will provide the proper power to safely operate the lamp  30 . A set of jumpers or switches  100  are in communications with the internal microprocessor  20  and electronics to set the maximum output power of the device  10  to the at least two output conductors  50  for connection to an at least two conductor lampholder or socket  60 , or for direct connection to an at least two conductor lamp  30 . If a manual setting of the jumpers or switches  100  is not accessible during normal operation of the device  10 , a bypass setting (not shown) can be made such that the configuration of the maximum output power of the device  10  is instead set by software programming by way of an easily accessible and optional interface port  110  provided to the user for this purpose. The optional interface port  110  is also in direct communication with the internal microprocessor  20  and electronics. 
         [0040]      FIG. 2  shows an alternate device  120  similar to the device  10  shown in  FIG. 1  with the addition of at least two input conductors  130 . This device  120  contains an internal microprocessor  140  and electronics to monitor the type of lamp  150  connected to the output  160  of the device  120 . The same internal microprocessor  140  and electronics or a secondary internal microprocessor (not shown) and electronics also monitors the input  130  of the device  120  for the type of dimming control signal  220  being applied to the device  120  for dimming of the lamp  150  connected to the output  160  of the device  120 . The output  160  of the device  120  consists of at least two output conductors  170 . The at least two output conductors  170  can be connected to a two conductor lampholder or socket  180 , or it can be connected directly to a two conductor lamp  150 . Power is applied to the input  190  of the device  120  with at least two input conductors  200 . In this example, the power is line voltage AC  210 . Internally, the AC voltage  210  is converted to DC voltage (not shown) to provide power to the internal microprocessor  140  and electronics. Depending on the type of lamp  150  connected to the at least two conductors  170  at the output  160  of the device  120 , the device  120  will provide the proper power to safely operate the lamp  150 . 
         [0041]    There is provided at least two conductors  130  for connecting a low voltage input dimming control signal  220  to the device  120 . The low voltage input dimming control signal  220  can be DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, or Ethernet. The at least two low voltage input dimming control conductors  130  are in direct communication with the first internal microprocessor  140  and electronics or with a second internal microprocessor (not shown) and electronics. If there is no low voltage dimming control signal  220  applied to the at least two input low voltage input dimming control conductors  130 , then the first internal microprocessor  140  and electronics or second internal microprocessor (not shown) and electronics will then monitor the at least two high voltage input conductors  200  to determine if there is a high voltage input dimming control signal  230  present there. The high voltage input dimming control signal  230  can be a leading edge forward phase or a trailing edge reverse phase signal. If no input dimming control signal  220 ,  230  is present either in the at least two low voltage input dimming control conductors  130  or in the at least two high voltage input power conductors  200 , then the device  120  will simply operate as an on and off device  120  with no dimming of the lamp  150  that is connected to the output  160  of the device  120  to the at least two output conductors  170 . A set of jumpers or switches  240  are in communications with the internal microprocessor  140  and electronics to set the maximum output power of the device  120  to the at least two output conductors  170  for connection to an at least two conductor lampholder or socket  180 , or for direct connection to an at least two conductor lamp  150 . If a manual setting of the jumpers or switches  240  is not accessible during normal operation of the device  120 , a bypass setting (not shown) can be made such that the configuration of the maximum output power of the device  120  is instead set by software programming (not shown) by way of an easily accessible and optional interface port  250  provided to the user for this purpose. The optional interface port  250  is also in direct communication with the internal microprocessor  140  and electronics. 
         [0042]      FIG. 3  shows a typical flowchart for the logic contained in the microprocessor  20  and electronics for the determination of the lamp  30  type connected to the output  40  of the device  10  as show in  FIG. 1 . The maximum power rating of the device  10  has to be set first on the device  10  either by software programming (not shown) using the optional interface port  110  provided to the user, or by manually setting the on-board jumpers or switches  100  to the desired lamp wattage rating. Once this is done, power is applied to the device  10  at which time the internal microprocessor  20  and electronics will check the output resistance of the lamp  30  that is connected to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 . 
         [0043]    If the condition shows zero resistance, then the microprocessor  20  knows that there is a short circuit between the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10  and no power is sent to the output  40  of the device  10 . The device  10  will not send power to the output  40  until the short circuit or zero resistance condition is removed. Once the zero resistance is not present, the microprocessor  20  will check for a low, a null, or a high resistance condition. In the case of a low resistance, the microprocessor  20  will know that an incandescent tungsten type lamp  30  is attached to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 . The microprocessor  20  will then pass the line voltage AC  90  to the output  40  of the device  10  up to the maximum power setting of the device  10 . In the case of a null or no resistance, the microprocessor  20  will know that an HID or fluorescent type lamp  30  may be attached to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 , or there is an open condition indicating that no lamp  30  is connected to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 . In both cases, the microprocessor  20  will send a test ignition voltage (not shown) to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10  to determine if there is indeed a lamp  30  attached to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 . Once a lamp  30  is verified to be connected to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 , the microprocessor  20  will then pass the high voltage (not shown) to the output  40  to strike the HID or fluorescent lamp  30 , and then lower the voltage (not shown) down to the maximum power setting of the device  10  and maintain the arc (not shown) for normal lamp  30  operation. In the case of a high resistance, the microprocessor  20  will know that an AC LED type lamp  30  is attached to the at least two output conductors  50  of the device  10 . The microprocessor  20  will then pass the line voltage AC  90  to the output  40  of the device  10  up to the maximum power setting of the device  10 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 4  shows a typical flowchart for the logic contained in the microprocessor  140  and electronics for the determination of the type of dimming control signal  220 ,  230  connected to the input  130 ,  190  of the device  120  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The input dimming data control signals  220 ,  230  may include DMX, RDM, MADLI, DALI, 0-10V, and Ethernet on the low voltage data input signal lines  130 , or leading edge forward phase and trailing edge reverse phase control signals on the AC high voltage input power lines  190 . The maximum power rating of the device  120  has to be set first on the device  120  either by software programming (not shown) using the optional interface port  250  provided to the user, or by manually setting the on-board jumpers or switches  240  to the desired lamp wattage rating. Once this is done, power is applied to the device  120  at which time the internal microprocessor  140  and electronics will next check the at least two low voltage input dimming control signal data conductors  130  to determine if there is any low voltage input dimming control signal  220  present. If not present, the microprocessor  140  then checks the at least two high voltage input power conductors  200  to see if there is a leading edge dimming signal  230  or a trailing edge dimming signal  230  present on the at least two output conductors  200  of the device  140 . 
         [0045]    While this is occurring, the same microprocessor  140  and electronics or a secondary microprocessor (not shown) and electronics will be in constant communications together and will simultaneously check for the type of lamp  150  connected at the output  160  of the device  120 . 
         [0046]    If the condition shows zero resistance, then the microprocessor  140  knows that there is a short circuit between the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120  and no power is sent to the output  160  of the device  120 . The device  120  will not send power to the output  160  until the short circuit or zero resistance condition is removed. Once the zero resistance is not present, the microprocessor  140  will check for a low, a null, or a high resistance condition. In the case of a low resistance, the microprocessor  140  will know that an incandescent tungsten type lamp  150  is attached to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  140 . The microprocessor  140  will then pass the line voltage AC  210  at a dimmed level to the output  160  of the device  120  up to the maximum power setting of the device  120 . In the case of a null or no resistance, the microprocessor  140  will know that an HID or fluorescent type lamp  150  may be attached to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120 , or there is an open condition indicating that no lamp  150  is connected to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120 . In both cases, the microprocessor  140  will send a test ignition voltage (not shown) to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120  to determine if there is indeed a lamp  150  attached to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120 . Once a lamp  150  is verified to be connected to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120 , the microprocessor  140  will then pass the high voltage (not shown) to the output  160  to strike the HID or fluorescent lamp  150 , and then lower the voltage (not shown) to a dimmed level down to the maximum power setting of the device  120 , and maintain the arc for normal lamp operation. In the case of a high resistance, the microprocessor  140  will know that an AC LED type lamp  150  is attached to the at least two output conductors  170  of the device  120 . The microprocessor  140  will then pass the line voltage AC  210  at a dimmed level to the output  160  of the device  120  up to the maximum power setting of the device  120 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 5  shows a typical hardware manual jumper setting  100 ,  240  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  for the maximum power setting of the device  10 ,  120 . The user can place a jumper  260  in the respective header  270  position to set the maximum power output  40 ,  160  of the device  10 ,  120  to operate with a particular type of lamp  30 ,  150  the user intends to use with the device  10 ,  120 . If the user prefers to set the power output  40 ,  160  in software, the jumper  260  will be placed in the bypass position. Note that  FIG. 5  shows a jumper  260  and header  270  setup, but other manual selections can be done with switches  100 ,  240  and other hardware selecting components. 
         [0048]      FIG. 6  shows an optional user interface port  110 ,  250  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  that can be provided on the device  10 ,  120  of the present invention for direct communications with the microprocessor  20 ,  140  and electronics contained in the device  10 ,  120 . This optional user interface port  110 ,  250  can be used for programming the device  10 ,  120  including the maximum power output  40 ,  160  to a lamp  30 ,  150  connected to the device  10 ,  120 . What is shown in  FIG. 6  is a USB port  280  with four pins designated as VCC, Data−, Data+, and COM corresponding to Pins  1 ,  2 ,  3 , and  4  respectively. USB port  280  is just one example of an optional user interface port  110 ,  250  as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . The use of USB ports  280  for communications between devices  10 ,  120  and computers (not shown) have become a widely accepted practice, however someone skilled in the arts will note that many other types of headers and connectors (not shown) can be utilized as the main optional user interface port  110 ,  250  in the device  10 ,  120  of the present invention. 
         [0049]    Although the present invention has been described in terms of the presently preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that such disclosure is not to be interpreted as limiting. Various alterations and modifications will no doubt become apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the above disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims be interpreted as covering all alterations and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. It will be understood that the various changes in the details, materials, types, values, and arrangements of the components that have been described and illustrated here in order to explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.