# US 11,445,590 B2 · Tethered remote timer device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,445,590 B2 - Document ID: US11445590B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/020,909 - Filed: 2020-09-15 - Published: 2022-03-17 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2020-09-15 - Assignees: Jasco Products Company LLC - Applicants: Mark Simpkins; Jason Trice; Cameron Trice - Inventors: Mark Simpkins; Jason Trice; Cameron Trice - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445590B2 ## CPC - H05B 47/16: by timing means - H05B 47/165: following a pre-assigned programmed sequence; Logic control [LC] - H05B 47/19: via wireless transmission - G06F 3/02: Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials - H05B: ELECTRIC HEATING; ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT SOURCES, IN GENERAL - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The present invention discloses tethered remote timer devices and applications for the control of residential lighting. More specifically, the invention pertains to a tethered remote timer comprising a pushbutton within the remote housing that allows the control of the state of connected lighting via an integrated timer and the brightness level of the lighting via a remotely accessible control. The remotely accessible control can also be used to override the timing device thereby changing the state of the connected lighting. The pushbutton provides the user the ability to increase or decrease light intensity within a programmable lighting schedule. In some embodiments, the tethered remote comprises: at least one preset countdown button which corresponds to a different preset or user set program, controls more than one load, communicates wirelessly, and turns on USB or USB-C output to control DC powered lighting. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A timer device comprising: a timer housing; an AC-DC power supply which converts alternating current into direct current; a microcontroller; an integrated timer; an input keypad; a display; a tether devoid of alternating current, which delivers direct current from the timer housing to a tethered remote, wherein the tether may vary in length, structure, and composition; a tethered remote; a tethered remote housing; wherein the tethered remote receives direct current from the tether; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of alternating current, wherein the tethered remote comprises one or more preset countdown pushbuttons which provide the user with different countdown timing options; wherein the integrated timer may be user controlled from at least two different input locations connected physically and electrically by the tether, the two different input locations include: the input keypad located within the timer housing, and the tethered remote; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of the integrated timer or any timer; and a user may move the physical location of the tethered remote without removing the timer housing from a wall mounted electrical outlet, examples but not limitations include repositioning the tethered remote from a nightstand, to a bedroom floor, to a bed frame, to a footboard, or to a headboard of a bed. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a programmable lighting schedule; and the programmable lighting schedule is selected by the input keypad. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: at least one LED indicator; and the tethered remote comprises a keyhole which may assist in mounting the tethered remote to a vertical surface. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: the tethered remote comprises at least one pushbutton which independently controls more than one load to more than one output, wherein two or more electrical devices plugged into two or more outlets of the timer may be controlled independently from each other. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: a tether timer attachment, wherein the tether timer attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the timer, wherein the tether timer attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the timer housing; and a tether remote attachment, wherein the tether remote attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the tethered remote, wherein the tether remote attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the tethered remote housing. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: at least one USB output; and the at least one USB output may be a USB or a USB-C output. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The timer device as claimed in claim 1 further comprising: wireless control of home lighting devices; and WiFi capabilities which allows the device to operate as a WiFi repeater or additional node to increase connectivity in a wireless system. ### Claim 8 A timer device comprising: a timer housing; an AC-DC power supply which converts alternating current into direct current; a microcontroller; an integrated timer; an input keypad; a display; a tether devoid of alternating current, which delivers direct current from the timer housing to a tethered remote, wherein the tether may vary in length, structure, and composition; a tethered remote; a tethered remote housing; wherein the tethered remote receives direct current from the tether; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of alternating current, wherein the tethered remote comprises a pushbutton; wherein the pushbutton selects a preferred brightness level and a state of at least one connected light; wherein the integrated timer may be user controlled from at least two different input locations connected physically and electrically by the tether, the two different input locations include: the input keypad located within the timer housing, and the tethered remote; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of the integrated timer or any timer; and a user may move the physical location of the tethered remote without removing the timer housing from a wall mounted electrical outlet, examples but not limitations include repositioning the tethered remote from a nightstand, to a bedroom floor, to a bed frame, to a footboard, or to a headboard of a bed; and a dimming circuit unit for reducing the voltage supplied from a power source. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a programmable lighting schedule; the programmable lighting schedule may be preprogrammed or programmed by the user; the programmable lighting schedule may be selected, adjusted, or reset by the pushbutton; and the pushbutton may select the preferred brightness level and a state of at least one connected light within the programmable lighting schedule. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: the pushbutton may be pressed to operate a countdown feature with customizable countdown times or a preset countdown time. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: at least one LED indicator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: the tethered remote comprises at least one pushbutton which independently controls more than one load to more than one output, wherein two or more electrical devices plugged into two or more outlets of the timer may be controlled independently from each other. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: a tether timer attachment, wherein the tether timer attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the timer, wherein the tether timer attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the timer housing; and a tether remote attachment, wherein the tether remote attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the tethered remote, wherein the tether remote attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the tethered remote housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: at least one USB output; and the at least one USB output may be a USB or a USB-C output. ### Claim 15 (depends on 8) The timer device as claimed in claim 8 further comprising: wireless control of home lighting devices; and WiFi capabilities which allows the device to operate as a WiFi repeater or additional node to increase connectivity in a wireless system. ### Claim 16 A timer device comprising: a timer housing; an AC-DC power supply which converts alternating current into direct current; a microcontroller; an integrated timer; an input keypad; a display; a tether devoid of alternating current, which delivers direct current from the timer housing to a tethered remote, wherein the tether may vary in length, structure, and composition; a tethered remote; a tethered remote housing; wherein the tethered remote receives direct current from the tether; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of alternating current; wherein the tethered remote comprises one or more pushbuttons; wherein the one or more pushbuttons control the state of at least one connected electrical device; wherein the one or more pushbuttons may be pressed to operate a countdown feature with customizable countdown times or a preset countdown time; wherein the integrated timer may be user controlled from at least two different input locations connected physically and electrically by the tether, the two different input locations include: the input keypad located within the timer housing, and the tethered remote; wherein the tethered remote is devoid of the integrated timer or any timer; and a user may move the physical location of the tethered remote without removing the timer housing from a wall mounted electrical outlet, examples but not limitations include repositioning the tethered remote from a nightstand, to a bedroom floor, to a bed frame, to a footboard, or to a headboard of a bed. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The timer device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: the tethered remote comprises at least one pushbutton which independently controls more than one load to more than one output, wherein two or more electrical devices plugged into two or more outlets of the timer may be controlled independently from each other. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The timer device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: a tether timer attachment, wherein the tether timer attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the timer, wherein the tether timer attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the timer housing; and a tether remote attachment, wherein the tether remote attachment facilitates the tether physical attachment to the tethered remote, wherein the tether remote attachment structurally protects the tether upon entrance into the tethered remote housing. ### Claim 19 (depends on 16) The timer device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: at least one USB output; and the at least one USB output may be a USB or a USB-C output. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The timer device as claimed in claim 16 further comprising: wireless control of home lighting devices; and WiFi capabilities which allows the device to operate as a WiFi repeater or additional node to increase connectivity in a wireless system.