Abstract: To provide telephony-like interfaces to a computer network, a computer system has a visual display device that continually displays a network status icon indicating network status information. The icon can have segments corresponding to different communications environments, and the icon and the segments will change some characteristic, such as shape, size, or color, to indicate the presence of some network event or the status of some network parameter.

Abstract: A portable wireless telephone structure in which a foldable wallet carries a telephone in addition to having a pocket to house paper currency. The telephone is exposed for use with the wallet in open condition and is housed with the wallet in closed condition. The telephone has a communication mode to a user monetary function to permit telephonic transfer of monetary units. Thus, the telephone may eliminate need for carrying credit or bank cards in the wallet except for the telephone use with a "smart" card for telephonic transfer of monetary amounts to the "smart" card for transaction purposes.

Abstract: Handsets for communications terminals can cause interference with operation of keyboards and the like because the handset cord can obstruct the keyboard when "on-hook". By clipping a cord guide and retainer on to the end of the handset, the cord can be guided to exit sideways. The cord guide and retainer is a channel-shaped member which snaps on to the end of the handset and has a recess into which the cord exits from the handset and from which the cord exits at one end through an aperture. The guide and retainer can be attached in either of two directions to cause the cord to exit to either side of the handset.