A method for transmitting control information from a control apparatus to an operating device for a light-emitting means may include a) modulating control information onto a supply line by means of the control apparatus during a modulation phase, wherein a switchable shunt of the device is connected between the first and second supply connections; b) decoding the control information in a decoder of the device; b1) activating the demodulation by the decoder when the absolute value for the voltage at the two supply connections falls below a first threshold value; and c) actuating a converter of the operating device in accordance with the decoded control information.