Abstract: An Internet-coupled transaction service has a link to a computer appliance coupled to a merchant site, the computer appliance operated by a person who has selected one or more products or services to purchase at the merchant site, and who has selected, through the merchant site, the transaction service to arrange payment, and software executing from a computer-readable medium accessible to the service. The transaction service, via the software verifies the identity of the person, determines a credit worthiness for the person, and the score being sufficient, arranges payment to be made to the merchant on behalf of the person, and arranges repayment terms with the person for the payment to the merchant.

Abstract: A speaker apparatus has a container holding a volume of ferrofluid, a permanent magnet suspended in the ferrofluid, and a magnetic excitation apparatus proximate the container. Operation of the excitation apparatus causes movement of the permanent magnet, translated through the ferrofluid to walls of the container, which walls act as resonators creating sound waves in surrounding medium. Audio production is accomplished placing a ferrofluid and a permanent magnet in a container, placing an excitation apparatus in proximity of the permanent magnet, and driving the excitation apparatus to cause movement of the permanent magnet translated through the ferrofluid to walls of the container, which walls act as resonators creating sound waves in surrounding medium.

Abstract: A system for securing a hand-held phone having a base with a keypad to be suspended from a lanyard around a person's neck has a support panel having a length and a width, a front side and a back side, and an opening near one end of the length, an elongate strip of material joined to the support panel at two lateral edges, forming a loop, a pliable, transparent window substantially centered in the strip of material, and a lanyard attached to the opening in the support panel. The hand-held phone is suspended from the lanyard by inserting a base of the phone in the loop with the pliable, transparent window overlying the keypad of the phone.

Abstract: A computer keyboard has a chassis, internal components and keys, at least one heating element positioned in an opening into the chassis, and at least one fan positioned to urge air over the heating element and into the chassis. Air entering the chassis over the heating element is urged upward through the chassis and around the keys into a region above the keys.

Abstract: An Internet radio device is provided, having a dedicated Internet Protocol (IP) telephony mode for practicing telephony and for enabling one-touch initiation and call connection of an IP telephone call to a recipient device. The internet radio comprises, an IP telephony software application for enabling IP telephony, a modem for accessing and connecting to a data-packet-network, a sound circuitry for facilitating audio conversion and transmission, and a programmable array of input indicia for enabling one touch initiation and connection of an IP telephony call operating in the telephony mode. When a user selects the IP telephony mode IP telephony calling is enabled wherein the user may activate a pre-programmed indicia for the purpose of initiating and establishing an IP telephony call to an intended recipient device.

Abstract: An ornamental toothpick system has a toothpick and an ornamental extension having a body with an outer surface comprising one or more of a specular finish, ornamental indicia or text, and an engagement interface engaging the ornamental extension to the toothpick.