TV mute finger ring

• US 6,778,380 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2002
• Issued: 08/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William P. Murray Jr
• Original Assignee: William P. Murray Jr
• Inventors: Murray, William P Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEA EDMONDS, LISA S
• Application Number:
  US10/138,828
• Publication Number:
  US 20030206393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 834 Days
• Field of Search: 361/679, 341/176, 341/20, 341/22, 398/106, 398/112, 345/156-159, 345/179, 345/153, 348/734, 340/825-- 6, 340/825-825
• US Class Current: 348/734
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2009/0221 the switches being fixed to the operator's hand, e.g. integrated in a glove or fixed to a ring
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/026 Hook and loop
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2223/04 portable; hand held
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/0235 specially adapted for remote control, e.g. of audio or video apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/422 Input-only peripherals , i.e. input devices connected to specially adapted client devices, e.g. global positioning system [GPS] input devices also receiving signals from specially adapted client devices H04N21/4104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/42204 User interfaces specially adapted for controlling a client device through a remote control device; Remote control devices therefor constructive details of casings for the remote control device H01H9/0235; user interfaces for controlling a tuning device of a television receiver through a remote control H03J9/00; remote control of peripheral devices connected to a television receiver through the remote control device of the television receiver H04B1/205
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4396 by muting the audio signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/47 End-user applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/60 for the sound signals

Abstract

TV Mute Finger Ring with a hollow C shaped finger ring housing. The housing contains the standard electronics and IR transmitting LED associated with activating the mute function of a standard TV. The housing also contains a battery type electrical power source. The C shaped ring housing has a loop type fastener strip attached to one end of the C shape and a hook type fastening panel affixed to the opposite end of the C shape so that said loop type fastener can removably attach to said hook fastener thereby forming a full ring that can be worn on the user'"'"'s forefinger. The C shaped housing contains a momentary on-off switch and attached outwardly accessible switch cover located in a position where the user'"'"'s thumb can easily reach said switch cover. The IR transmitter is covered by a transparent plastic lens that is flush with the outer surface of said C shaped housing. The plastic lens is positioned so that said lens and said IR transmitting LED are pointed outwardly in the general direction of said TV.

Claims

1. TV Mute Finger Ring comprising:

a hollow C shaped finger ring housing;

said housing containing the standard electronics and IR-transmitting LED

associated with activating the mute function of standard TV;

said housing also containing a battery type electrical power source;

said C shaped ring housing having a loop type fastener strip attached to one end of said C shaped ring housing and a hook type fastening panel affixed to the opposite end of said C shaped ring housing so that said loop type fastener can removable attach to said hook fastener thereby forming a full ring that can be worn on the user'"'"'s forefinger;

said C shaped ring housing containing a momentary volume on-off switch and attached outwardly accessible switch cover located in a position where the user'"'"'s thumb can easily reach said switch cover;

said IR transmitter being covered by a transparent plastic lens that is flush with the outer surface of said C shaped ring housing; and

said plastic lens positioned so that said lens and said IR transmitting LED are pointed outwardly in the general direction of said TV.

2. A TV mute ring as described in claim 1, wherein said volume on-off switch is located on top of said ring housing, in such a position that a TV viewer'"'"'s thumb will naturally fall on or near said switch when said viewer is wearing the ring, in a normal position with said IR window facing forward in the general direction of said TV.

3. A TV mute ring as described in claim 1, wherein said volume on-off switch is a push button switch.