Methods and apparatus for communicating current levels within a lighting apparatus incorporating a voltage converter

A system comprising:

• a voltage converter operable to receive an input voltage and generate an output voltage defined between a high voltage rail and a low voltage rail;
• the voltage converter being adapted to be coupled to at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a switching element coupled in series between the high voltage rail and the low voltage rail;
• a first controller operable to control the switching element to cause the LED to generate a light output that comprises a modulated signal that includes information related to the lighting apparatus;
• and
• a second controller operable to determine the information related to the lighting apparatus based upon the modulated signal within the light output from the LED.

A method for controlling a lighting apparatus, the lighting apparatus comprising a voltage converter operable to receive an input voltage and generate an output voltage defined between a high voltage rail and a low voltage rail;

• and at least one Light Emitting Diode (LED) and a switching element coupled in series between the high voltage rail and the low voltage rail;
• the method comprising:
• Controlling, by a first controller, the switching element to cause the LED to generate a light output that comprises a modulated signal that includes information related to the lighting apparatus;
• and
• Determining, by a second controller, the information related to the lighting apparatus based upon the modulated signal within the light output from the LED.