Method and apparatus for controlling a light string

A lighting assembly comprising:

• a two-wire light string, wherein sockets are placed in parallel at different positions of the light string, wherein each of the sockets is provided so as to connect a lamp to the two wires;
• a controller at one end of the light string, which controller is provided so as to provide a voltage signal over the two wires, and which controller is further provided so as to superimpose a control signal on the voltage signal, wherein the controller further comprises a mains connection and comprises a filter between the two-wire light string and the mains connection, which filter is provided for the purpose of blocking propagation of the control signal from the light string to the mains connection;
• and
• at least one lamp according to claim 1 fitted in the sockets of the two-wire light string;
• wherein the controller is configured to repeatedly transmit an address for a lamp as control signal during an initializing cycle prior to a working cycle, wherein the controller is further configured to generate instructions for each initialized lamp as control signal in a working cycle.

A method for controlling a lighting assembly comprising a two-wire light string, wherein sockets are placed in parallel at different positions of the light string, wherein each of the sockets is provided so as to connect a lamp to the two wires and wherein a controller is provided at one end of the light string, wherein the method comprises of:

• providing a voltage signal over the two wires with the controller;
• superimposing a control signal on the voltage signal of the lighting assembly;
• blocking propagation of the control signal from the light string to a mains connection of the controller with a filter in the controller;
• wherein the method comprises of initializing the light string by the following steps of:
• starting an initializing cycle in which the following sequence of steps is repeated of:
• repeatedly transmitting an address for a lamp as control signal with the controller;
• fitting a lamp in one of the sockets, which lamp comprises at least one LED source, of which at least one of an intensity and a colour is adjustable on the basis of instructions via control electronics in the lamp, and wherein the control electronics are provided for the purpose, when the lamp has been fitted in a socket, of receiving voltage via the voltage signal and receiving the instructions via the control signal;
• the lamp receiving the address;
• following receipt of the address, the control electronics of the lamp confirming receipt of the address;
• stopping the initializing cycle;
• starting a working cycle wherein the control signal comprises instructions for each initialized lamp.