Patent ID: 8111008

Claim:
A ballast for a gas discharge lamp comprising: a processor for controlling a level of a ballast output signal in response to a plurality of ballast control signals, wherein: said processor controls said ballast output signal in accordance with a selected one of a plurality of predetermined control processes; each control process of said plurality of control process comprises a unique algorithm for controlling said ballast output signal; and parameters of said ballast output signal are determined in accordance with a sequence and priority of values of said ballast control signals; an inverter for receiving a processor output signal from said processor and providing said ballast output signal in response to said processor output signal; and a plurality of input terminals for receiving said plurality of ballast control signals, wherein: said plurality of ballast control signals is coupled to said processor via said input terminals; and at least one of said plurality of input terminals is a bidirectional terminal configured to receive and send control signals, from and to, at least one other ballast via an inter-coupled bidirectional interface.