Patent Publication Number: US-11662086-B2

Title: Knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Light fixtures are available in a wide variety of types, sizes, and lighting property configurations. A common aspect of lighting design involves selecting light fixtures having lighting properties for lighting a space with the desired illumination. Existing light fixtures are manufactured with a single lighting property configuration, and therefore multiple light fixtures of the same type and size may be manufactured with different lighting property configurations, which is disadvantageous from a production and inventory standpoint. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should not be understood to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to the entire specification of this patent, all drawings, and each claim. 
     In some embodiments, the present technology relates to a controller assembly for a light fixture. The controller assembly may include a controller housing to be received within a knockout opening of a light fixture housing from which light is emitted, and a user input assembly positioned within the controller housing. The user input assembly may include a mechanical actuator accessible through a controller opening in the controller housing, and a connector interface to be electrically connected by wiring to a driver of the light fixture, and circuitry electrically coupled to the mechanical actuator and the connector interface. The circuitry may be used to detect actuation of the mechanical actuator by a user and, in response, change a control signal from the connector interface to the driver from a first control signal to a second control signal in order change a property of the emitted light. 
     In some embodiment, the controller housing may include a main body portion. The main body portion may define an internal cavity and the user input assembly may be positioned within the internal cavity. The main body portion may define a first end and a second end opposite the first end, and an end cap may be coupled to the first end of the main body portion. The end cap may define the controller opening proximate the first end of the main body portion. In some embodiments, the controller assembly may also include a nut, and the main body portion may defines a sidewall and a flange extending radially from the sidewall. The sidewall may also define threading proximate to the flange, and the nut may be threadedly coupled to the threading. The nut and flange may be used to clamp the light fixture housing around the knockout opening in order to couple the controller housing to the light fixture housing. 
     In some embodiments, the main body portion may define a top portion and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion may snap together to define the main body portion. The top and bottom portions each may define a portion of the flange and a portion of the threading. The end cap may rotatably couple to the flange. The flange may define a T-shaped channel, and the end cap may define a tab. The end cap may rotatably couple to the flange by inserting the tab into the T-shaped channel and rotating that end cap relative to the flange. The controller opening in the end cap may be offset radially from an axis of rotation of the end cap. The mechanical actuator may extend through the controller opening during rotational coupling of the end cap to the flange. The controller opening may be arc shaped. 
     In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator includes a toggle push button. In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator includes a rotatable dial. 
     In some embodiments, an interior sidewall of the main body portion defines channels, the circuitry comprises a printed circuit board, and the printed circuit board engages the channels and is inserted into the internal cavity by sliding along the channels. The channels may include end stops, and the end stops block the channels proximate the second end of the main body portion so that the printed circuit board is retained within the internal cavity by the end cap and the end stops. 
     In some embodiments, the main body portion defines a main body opening proximate the second end of the main body portion, and the main body opening provides access to the connector interface in order for the wiring to extend from the connector interface out of the internal cavity and be routed to the driver of the light fixture. 
     In some embodiments, a light fixture includes the controller assembly as disclosed herein, and a light fixture housing defining a knockout opening. The controller assembly may be positioned within the knockout opening. The light fixture may also include a light source and a driver positioned within the housing and electrically coupled to the controller assembly and the light source. The driver is used to drive the light source. The driver may be configured to receive a control signal from the user input assembly of the controller assembly and, in response to detecting a change from receiving a first control signal to receiving a second control signal, change the drive signal to the light source from a first drive signal corresponding to a first light property setting to a second drive signal corresponding to a second light property setting. The first and second light property settings may include light intensity settings. The first and second light property settings may include color temperature settings. 
     A light fixture may be assembly by removing a knockout from the light fixture housing in order to define the knockout opening, inserting the controller housing into the knockout opening, and connecting the wiring between the connector interface and the driver. The controller housing may include a main body portion defining a sidewall and a flange extending radially from the sidewall. The sidewall may define threading proximate to the flange. The method of assembly may include threading a nut onto the threading in order to clamp a portion of the light fixture housing around the knockout opening between the nut and the flange. The controller housing may also include an end cap defining the controller opening, and the method of assembly may include coupling the end cap to the main body portion by rotating the end cap relative to the main body portion with a portion of the mechanical actuator extending through the controller opening. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and components of the following figures are illustrated to emphasize the general principles of the present technology. Corresponding features and components throughout the figures can be designated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistency and clarity. 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 F  show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 H  show views of a main body portion of a housing of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  show views of a user input assembly of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 D  show views of a sub-assembly of a main body portion and a user input assembly of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  show views of an end cap of a housing of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  6 A- 6 C  show views of rotation of an end cap of a housing of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  shows views of a light fixture housing coupled to a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  8 A- 8 C  shows views of a light fixture housing coupled to a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIGS.  9 A- 9 D  show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
         FIG.  10    shows a schematic diagram of a light fixture including a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly according to embodiments of the present technology. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. Directional references such as “up,” “down,” “top,” “left,” “right,” “front,” and “back,” among others are intended to refer to the orientation as illustrated and described in the figure (or figures) to which the components and directions are referencing. 
       FIGS.  1 A- 1 F  show views of a knockout mountable light fixture controller assembly  100 , hereinafter referred to as a controller assembly  100 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, the controller assembly  100  may be mounted within a knockout opening of a light fixture housing and electrically connected to drivers or controllers within the light fixture in order to allow a user to change properties of light output by the light fixture. As shown in  FIG.  1 A , the controller assembly  100  may include a housing  102  in which a user input assembly  104  is positioned. In some embodiments, for example as shown in the front side perspective view of  FIG.  1 A , the user input assembly  104  includes a mechanical actuator  105  accessible to a user through an opening in a portion of the housing  102 . As shown in the rear perspective view of  FIG.  1 B , in some embodiments, the housing  102  may provide access to the user input assembly  104 , for example to allow access for control cabling to connect between the user input assembly  104  and a driver of a light fixture. 
       FIGS.  1 C and  1 D  show exploded views of a controller assembly  100 , exploded along a longitudinal axis  106 . In some embodiments, for example as shown, the housing  102  includes a main body portion  200  and an end cap  400 . The end cap  400  may be coupled to the main body portion  200  at a first end  202  of the main body portion  200  in order to retain the user input assembly  104  within an internal cavity  204  defined by the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, the housing  102  may also include a knockout coupling mechanism in order to couple the controller assembly  100  to a light fixture housing when the controller assembly  100  is within a knockout opening of a light fixture housing. For example as shown in  FIG.  2 A , the knockout coupling mechanism may include a flange  206  defined at the first end  202  of the main body portion  200  and a coupling nut  107  threadedly coupled to the threading  208  defined on the main body portion  200  adjacent to the flange  206 . In some embodiments, the knockout coupling mechanism may include snap tabs define on the main body portion  200  configured to engage the inner perimeter of a knockout opening in order to snap couple the main body portion  200  into the knockout opening. 
     In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  is positioned entirely within the housing  102 , which is beneficial in protecting circuitry of the user input assembly  104  from damage as well as protecting the mechanical actuator  105  from unintentional manipulation. For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  1 F , as indicated in  FIG.  1 E , the user input assembly  104  is positioned within the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200  with a portion of the mechanical actuator  105  positioned within an opening  402 , also referred to as a controller opening, defined by the end cap  400 . Further, as shown in  FIG.  1 F , a connector interface  302  of circuitry of the user input assembly  104  is positioned proximate to a second end  203  of the main body portion  200 , opposite the first end  202 . 
       FIGS.  2 A- 2 H  show views of an embodiment of a main body portion  200  of a housing  102 . In some embodiments, the main body portion  200  may be an elongated cylinder in shape, i.e. tubular. The sidewall of the elongated cylinder may define a cylindrical internal cavity  204 , as shown in  FIG.  2 E . The elongated cylinder may extend along the longitudinal axis  106  between the first end  202  and the second end  203 . The first end  202  of the main body portion  200  may define a first opening  210  into the internal cavity  204 . The first opening  210  may provide access to the internal cavity  204  in order to position the user input assembly  104  into the internal cavity  204 . As shown in  FIG.  2 A , the first opening  210  at the first end  202  may be circular. 
     The first end  202  of the main body portion  200  may include a flange  206  at the first end  202 . The flange  206  may extend radially away from the longitudinal axis  106  and be larger than the outer sidewall  212  of the main body portion  200 . For example as shown in  FIGS.  2 A and  2 B , a flange  206  at the first end  202  may be a circular disk with a larger circular diameter than a circular diameter of the sidewall  212 . The flange  206  may be sized and shaped to be larger than the knockout opening of the light fixture housing so that the flange  206  abuts an outer surface of the light fixture housing around the knockout opening. 
     As noted above, the coupling mechanism for coupling the controller assembly  100  to the housing of a light fixture may include threading  208  and a nut  107 . The main body portion  200  may define the threading  208  on the outer surface of the sidewall  212  proximate to the flange  206  to engage the nut  107  to clamp to the light fixture housing around the knockout opening between the flange  206  and the nut  107 , as shown in  FIG.  8 C  discussed below. 
     The second end  203  of the main body portion  200  may define a second opening  211  into the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 . The second opening  211  may provide access to the connector interface  302  of the user input assembly  104  in order to electrically couple the user input assembly  104  to a driver or controller of a light fixture. The second opening  211  may include a circular opening portion  213 . The second opening  211  may include a sidewall opening portion  214  defined as an opening in the sidewall  212  of the main body portion  200 . For example as shown in  FIG.  2 C , the second opening  211  may include a rectangular sidewall opening portion  214  extending in the longitudinal direction. As shown in  FIGS.  2 E and  2 F  the second opening  211  may include both the circular opening portion  213  and the sidewall opening portion  214 . 
     The flange  206  may include features for coupling the end cap  400  to the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, the features may include one or more T-shaped channels  216  defined in the radial sidewall of the flange  206 . For example as shown in  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D , the flange  206  may define two t-shaped channels  216  radially opposed to each other. Each T-shaped channel  216  may include an entry channel portion  217  extending in the longitudinal direction, and two locking radial portions  218  extending in opposite direction radially around the flange  206 . As will be discussed in greater detail below, a tab  404  of the end cap  400  may be inserted into the entry channel portion  217  until the tab  404  reaches an end of the entry channel portion  217 , and the end cap  400  may then be rotated in either direction so that the tab  404  is retained in one of the two locking radial portions  218 . The locking radial portions  218  may include detents for preventing reverse rotation, and therefore uncoupling of the end cap  400  from the flange  206 . In some embodiments, the features may include threading for threadedly coupling the end cap  400  to the flange  206 , or may include a lip for snap-fitting the end cap  400  to the flange  206 . 
     The internal cavity  204  may define channels  220  for receiving the user input assembly  104 . For example as shown in  FIGS.  2 E- 2 H , the internal surfaces of the sidewalls  212  of the cylindrical internal cavity  204  may define channels  220  extending parallel to the longitudinal axis  106 . The channels  220  may be rectangular channels for receiving edges of a circuit board  304  of the user input assembly  104 . The channels  220  may extend in the longitudinal direction of the main body portion  200  from the first end  202  toward the second end  203 . The channels  220  may each define an open end  221  at the first end as shown in  FIGS.  2 G and  2 H  to allow the user input assembly  104  to be inserted into the first opening  210  and engage and slide along the channels  220 . The channels  220  may define an end stop  222  proximate to the second end  203  in order to prevent the user input assembly  104  from translating out of the internal cavity  204  from the second end  203  when the user input assembly  104  is slid into place. The length of the channel  220  between the first end  202  and the end stop  222  may correspond to the length of the user input assembly  104 . 
     In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  includes circuitry connected to the mechanical actuator  105 . The circuitry may be included in a printed circuit board  304 . The mechanical actuator  105  may be mechanically and electrically coupled to the circuitry, for example the circuit board  304 . Actuation of the mechanical actuator  105  may cause the circuitry to output a control signal receivable by a driver, or controller, of a light fixture, as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
       FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  show views of an embodiment of a user input assembly  104 . As noted above, a user input assembly  104  may include circuitry, for example a circuit board  304 , a mechanical actuator  105 , and a connector interface  302 . The connector interface  302  may include, but is not limited to, a terminal block, a header, or pads to solder wires. The user input assembly  104  may be generally rectangular and may be sized and shaped to be retained within the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 , as shown in  FIG.  1 F . 
     The circuit board  304  may be populated with circuitry components, including resistors, capacitors, transistors, and integrated circuit chips (for example programmable logic chips). The circuitry components may translate inputs from the mechanical actuator  105  into electrical control signals to wires connected to the connector interface  302 . The control signals may correspond to different light property configurations of the light fixture. The light property configurations may include, but are not limited to, intensity/brightness, color temperature, and color. In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  may include a plurality of mechanical actuators  105  coupled to the circuitry, for example the circuit board  304 . Each mechanical actuator  105  may correspond to control of a different property of light emitted from the light fixture, and/or control a different portion of the light fixture. 
     In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator  105  may be a toggle push button, a switch, a slider, and/or a dial. For example, as shown in  FIGS.  3 A- 3 D , the mechanical actuator  105  may be a toggle push button. The circuitry of the circuit board  304  may be configured so that actuation of the toggle push button changes a control signal from a first control signal to a second control signal. The different control signals may include, but are not limited to, different resistances, different voltages, different currents, and different modulating signals (e.g. different frequencies, amplitudes and/or patterns thereof). 
     In some embodiments, actuating the mechanical actuator  105 , for example pressing the button once, may cause the control signal to toggle from a first control signal to a second control signal, corresponding to different driver settings for outputting different light properties. For example, each press of the button may cause a change between a first control signal corresponding to a first setting (e.g. 14K lumens), and a second control signal corresponding to a second setting (e.g. 20K lumens). In some embodiments, each press of the button may cause the output control signal to cycle through a series of three or more different control signals. For example, with the circuitry outputting a first control signal, a press of the button may cause a change to outputting a second control signal. With the circuitry outputting the second control signal, a press of the button may result in a change to outputting a third control signal. With the circuitry outputting the third control signal a press of the button may result in a change to outputting back to the first control signal to complete the series. The series of different control signals may include any number of control signals, for example 5 different signals corresponding to 5 different levels of brightness. 
     In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator  105  is a dial, rotatable around an axis. Rotation may be detected by the circuitry and cause the circuitry to change the control signal in order for the light properties of the light fixture to be changed. In some embodiments, the dial includes predetermined discrete radial positions, e.g. click positions, each corresponding to a discrete control signal corresponding to a discrete light fixture setting. In some embodiments, rotation of the dial corresponds to a continuous change of a control signal corresponding to continuous change of light fixture settings. For example, rotating the dial may correspond to a continuous change of color around the spectrum from red to violet, including all hues in between. 
       FIGS.  4 A- 4 B  show a sub-assembly of the main body portion  200  of the housing  102  and the user input assembly  104 . As shown, the user input assembly  104  is positioned within the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 . As noted above, in some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  may be slid into the internal cavity  204  from the first opening  210 , with sides of the circuit board  304  engaging the channels  220 . In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  may be slid into the internal cavity  204  from the second opening  211 . In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIGS.  9 A- 9 D , the main body portion  200  may be formed of multiple components, which snap together, and the user input assembly  104  may be assembled between the multiple components. For example, as shown the main body portion  200  may include a top portion  901 ,  FIG.  9 C , and a bottom portion  902 ,  FIG.  9 D . The top portion  901  includes tabs  903  which snap into notches  904  defined by the bottom portion  902 . As shown in  FIG.  9 A , the top portion  901  and the bottom portion  902  may together define the flange  206  and threads  208  as discussed above. 
     The user input assembly  104  may be positioned within the main body portion  200  of the housing so the connector interface  302  is positioned proximate to the second opening  211 , as shown in  FIG.  4 A , in order to be accessible for connecting cables connected to the driver of the light fixture. The mechanical actuator  105  may be positioned proximate to the first opening  210  as shown in  FIG.  4 B . 
       FIGS.  5 A- 5 D  show an embodiment of an end cap  400 . As noted above, in some embodiments, the end cap  400  is removably coupled to the main body portion  200  of the housing  102 . The end cap  400  may substantially cover the first opening  210  at the first end  202  of the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIGS.  5 C and  5 D , the end cap  400  is disk shaped, and includes a recess  401 . The recess  401  may be shaped and sized to fit around the flange  206 . In some embodiments, the end cap  400  includes tabs  404  within the recess  401  to be received within a T-shaped channel  216  of the flange  206 . The end cap  400  may define an opening  402  for the mechanical actuator  105 . In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator  105  may extend through and out of the opening  402 . In some embodiments, the mechanical actuator  105  may extend into and reside in the opening  402 . In some embodiments, the opening  402  may provide access for a user to access the mechanical actuator  105  within the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, the opening  402  may be centered on the longitudinal axis  106  of the main body, or may be radially offset from the longitudinal axis  106 . 
     In some embodiments, the opening  402  may be shaped, sized, and positioned so that the end cap  400  may rotate around the longitudinal axis  106  while the mechanical actuator  105  is positioned within the opening  402 , for example when coupling the end cap  400  to the flange  206 . For example, the opening  402  may be arced with a bean shape as shown in  FIG.  5 B . In some embodiments, the opening  402  is shaped to allow for rotation of the end cap  400  with a mechanical actuator  105  offset from the longitudinal axis  106 . For example, to couple the end cap  400  as shown in  FIG.  5 A  to a flange  206 , the tabs  404  of the end cap  400  may be positioned within the T-shaped channels  216 , and the end cap  400  may be translated over the flange  206  so that the flange  206  is within the recess  401 . In this position, the mechanical actuator  105  may be positioned in a central portion of an arced opening  402 , as shown in  FIG.  6 A . The end cap  400  may then be rotated clockwise,  FIG.  6 B , or counter-clockwise,  FIG.  6 C , in order to couple the end cap  400  to the flange  206 . The arced opening  402  allows for the rotational motion of the end cap  400  with the radially offset mechanical actuator  105 . In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIGS.  6 A- 6 C , the coupling of the end cap  400  may be accomplished with less than 20 degrees of relative rotation of the end cap  400  and main body portion  200  which is beneficial in maintaining a small opening  402  thus protecting the contents of the housing  102 . 
     The controller assembly  100  may be coupled to a housing of a light fixture so that the end cap  400  is positioned outside of the housing of the light fixture and the circuitry of the user input assembly  104  is positioned inside of the housing of the light fixture, with the mechanical actuator  105  accessible from outside of the housing of the light fixture so that a configuration of the light properties of the light output by the light fixture may be changed via the mechanical actuator  105  without opening the housing of the light fixture.  FIGS.  7 A- 7 D  show steps of coupling a controller assembly  100  to a housing  700  of a light fixture. 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 A , a first step may include removing knockout from the housing  700  of light fixture. The knockout may be a partially stamped portion of the housing removable to define a knockout opening  702  of a predetermined size, for example 0.875″. As shown in  FIG.  7 B , with the knockout opening  702 , defined the main body portion  200  of the housing, may be placed in the knockout opening  702  and clamped to housing with the flange  206  remaining outside of the housing  700 . For example, as discussed above, the flange  206  may be sized and shaped to be larger than the knockout opening  702  of the light fixture housing  700  so that the flange  206  abuts an outer surface of the light fixture housing  700  around the knockout opening  702 , and then a nut  107  may be threaded on the threads  208  proximate to the first end  202 , after the main body portion  200  is inserted into the knockout opening  702 . In some embodiments, the main body portion  200  may include spring tabs sized for a press-fit within the knockout opening  702 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 C , with the main body portion  200  positioned within the knockout opening  702 , the user input assembly  104  may be inserted in the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  may be positioned within the main body portion  200  prior to inserting the main body portion  200  into the knockout opening  702 . 
     In some embodiments, wiring connected between the connector interface  302  and a driver of the light fixture may be pulled through the main body portion  200  from the second opening  211  and through the first opening  210  prior to inserting the user input assembly  104  into the internal cavity  204  of the main body portion  200 . In some embodiments, the user input assembly  104  may be inserted into the main body portion  200  prior to connecting the wires to the connector interface  302 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  7 D , with the user input assembly  104  placed within the main body portion  200  the end cap  400  may be coupled to the main body portion  200 , as shown in  FIG.  7 D , in order to retain the user input assembly  104  within the internal cavity  204 . For example, the user input assembly  104  may be positioned within the channels  220  and prevented from translation, e.g. sliding along the channels  220 , in the longitudinal direction by the stop end stop  222  and the end cap  400 . In some embodiments, for example as shown in  FIG.  7 D , the end cap  400  is coupled to the main body portion  200  with the mechanical actuator  105  accessible through the opening  402 . 
       FIGS.  8 A- 8 C , similar to  FIGS.  7 A- 7 C , show an embodiment of a controller assembly  100  being coupled to a housing  800  of a light fixture. As shown in  FIG.  8 A  a knockout opening  802  may be defined in the housing  800  of the light fixture. As shown in  FIG.  8 B , the controller assembly  100  may be positioned within the knockout opening  802  so that the end cap  400  and a portion of the mechanical actuator  105  are positioned externally of the housing  800  of the light fixture. As shown, in some embodiments the end cap  400  may be coupled to the main body portion  200  with the user input assembly  104  inside the internal cavity  204  prior to insertion of the controller assembly  100  into the knockout opening  802 . As shown in the internal light fixture housing view of  FIG.  8 C , the nut  107  may be threaded onto the main body portion  200  in order to clamp the light housing fixture  800 . 
     In some embodiments, a light fixture housing  700   800 , including a controller assembly  100 , may be suspended from a ceiling, for example by hangers which may be cables, chains, rods, or other suitable hangers. The light fixture may direct downlight downward into a room, and the controller assembly may be accessible from the external portion of the light fixture housing allowing the light properties of the downlight to be adjusted after installation without accessing the internals of the light fixture housing. This is beneficial in allowing a change of the output light properties without programming the driver or stocking multiple different specific drivers. 
     The circuitry of the user input assembly  104  may be coupled to circuitry of the light fixture. For example, the circuitry of the user input assembly  104  may be coupled to one or more drivers, for driving light sources of the light fixture.  FIG.  10    shows a schematic diagram of a light fixture  1000  including a controller assembly  100 , as discussed above. As shown, the light fixture  1000  includes a controller assembly  100  electrically coupled to a driver  1002 . In some embodiments, the controller assembly  100  may be coupled to a controller coupled to one or more drivers  1002 . The driver  1002  is connected to a power source  1004 . The power source  1004  may provide power to the controller assembly  100 . In some embodiments, the light fixture operates on direct current (DC) power supplied by the power source  1004 , e.g. a transformer. The power source may be mounted outside of the housing  1005  of the light fixture, as shown in  FIG.  10   , or within the housing  1005  of the light fixture. 
     The light fixture may further include one or more light sources  1003 . The light sources may be electrically coupled to the drivers  1002 . The light sources  1003  may include LEDS, and the drivers  1002  may be LED drivers. The drivers  1002  may receive DC power from the power source  1004 . The drivers  1002  may produce controlled current, based on a control signal received from the controller assembly  100 , that is routed to the light sources. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the method and system of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention include modifications and variations that are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. It is to be understood that any workable combination of the features and capabilities disclosed herein is also considered to be disclosed.