Abstract: A disposable electronic device has a body constructed of juxtaposed lengths of an elongate, ribbon-like substrate of dielectric material secured together to establish a multiple-layered self-sustaining structure, and circuitry formed on the substrate. At least a portion of the circuitry is constructed of a deconstructable material which is deconstructed to render the device inoperative by at least one of the following: interrupting a securement of juxtaposed lengths of the substrate, exposing the deconstructable material to at least one of ambient conditions including ambient air, ambient light and ambient moisture, and reaching a predetermined accumulated amount of time during which the circuitry is operated. At least a portion of the substrate is constructed of deconstructable material which is deconstructed by exposure to at least one of the ambient conditions to render the device ready for disposal.

Abstract: A wireless telephonic communication system and method facilitates the establishment of telephonic communication with any one of a multiplicity of wireless telephonic devices by enabling access to an existing telephonic communication infrastructure by any one of the multiplicity of wireless telephonic devices for the conduct of telephonic communication over the existing telephonic communication infrastructure without requiring a corresponding multiplicity of telephone access numbers.

Abstract: A method and an order debit card enable the compilation of an order for items and quantities selected from a plurality of items and quantities available in the card and the transfer of information pertaining to the compiled order to a vendor at a remote site so as to avoid the necessity for compiling the order at the vendor's site, thereby avoiding delay. In addition, a given value is available in the card enabling the advance placement of the compiled order, and the value of the compiled order is deducted from the given value to establish a current given value in the card subsequent to placement of the compiled order.

Abstract: Access to the operating system of a computer by a computer virus carried by incoming message data is precluded by directing the incoming message data to a containment field device separate from and parallel to the operating system so as to quarantine the message data from the operating system, then diagnosing the quarantined message data for aberrant data indicative of the presence of a computer virus and, should aberrant data be detected, denying access to the operating system, thereby precluding access by the computer virus to the operating system. The malignant message data then is rejected and may be traced and then returned to the source of the message.

Abstract: A combination wheeled vehicle and article carrier is capable of being converted between selected configurations, including a rider-carrying scooter configuration and a rider-carried pack configuration. The scooter configuration provides a scooter having a handle, front and back wheels, and a selectively extensible foot board assembly for selecting wheelbase length to attain desired ride and handling characteristics. Steering is accomplished by tilting of the scooter with the assistance of a tiller arrangement. The pack configuration includes a pack member, and the handle, front wheels and foot board assembly are selectively retracted into juxtaposition with the pack member to provide a compact backpack when the combination is in the pack configuration.

Abstract: A wireless telephone system, a wireless telephone for use in the system, and a method of using a wireless telephone capable of use for telephonic communications only for a predetermined limited period, within which limited period the sum of the durations of the telephonic communications reach the duration of the limited period, after which limited period the telephone is rendered inoperative, all utilize the transmission of an encrypted signal together with the transmission of selected telephonic communications to deter unauthorized use of the predetermined limited period.

Abstract: A compact modular wireless telephone includes a base unit, a headset selectively connected to and disconnected from the base unit, and a separate card for placement in the base unit to enable telephonic communication. The card includes an identifier for providing a signal identifying a dedicated service account, an interfacer for interfacing the telephone with a service provider for authorization of a telephonic communication, and a selector for placing an authorized telephonic communication, upon interfacing the telephone with the service provider and gaining authorization for the telephonic communication. Telephonic communications are authorized on the basis of the amount of airtime made available in the dedicated service account represented by the card, and the mode of operation of the telephone indicated in the dedicated service account.

Abstract: A wireless telephonically accessed computer service and system includes a highly compact terminal having a user transceiver which communicates telephonically with a provider transceiver for accessing a full range of computer services performed by a computer system maintained by a provider at a provider site while the terminal is placed at a user location remote from the provider site.

Abstract: A compact modular wireless telephone includes a telephonic module having a compact body member within which there is integrated basic wireless telephonic circuitry, and a remote modular arrangement having at least an earphone for connection to the telephonic module through an elongate cable which places the earphone at a remote location relative to the body member of the telephonic module. In addition to the earphone, the remote modular arrangement can include a microphone and a power source, both of which are removed from the body member to the remote modular arrangement. A loop antenna can be incorporated into the body member so that manipulation of the telephonic module will optimize reception of a wireless telephonic signal without disturbing the placement of the earphone at the ear of a user of the wireless telephone.

Abstract: A wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts is responsive to the purchase amounts so as to enable the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. A method of using a wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts enables the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. Preferably, the purchase amounts are placed through a purchase account and are converted to additional periods of airtime in proportion to the purchase amounts.

Abstract: A disposable wireless telephone and a method of using a disposable wireless telephone capable of use for telephonic communications only for a limited period, and only for telephonic communications initiated at the disposable wireless telephone, within which limited period the sum of the durations of the telephonic communications reach the duration of the limited period, after which limited period the telephone is rendered inoperative and is discarded.

Abstract: A wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts is responsive to the purchase amounts so as to enable the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. A method of using a wireless telephone for telephonic communications during subscribed periods of airtime and for the purchase of selected goods and services in purchase amounts enables the purchase amounts to be converted to additional periods of airtime during which telephonic communications are enabled independent of the subscribed periods of airtime. Preferably the purchase amounts are placed through a purchase account and are converted to additional periods of airtime in proportion to the purchase amounts.

Abstract: A disposable portable electronic device has a body of prescribed length and thickness and constructed of an elongate, ribbon-like substrate of dielectric material, the substrate having a continuous length much greater than the length of the body, and a thickness much less than the thickness of the body, with conductors and components formed on the substrate, the dielectric material of the substrate having a high degree of flexibility such that the substrate is folded upon itself into at least shorter lengths juxtaposed with one another within the thickness of the body, and the juxtaposed lengths of the substrate are secured together to establish a self-sustaining structure which forms the body of the device.

Abstract: A disposable wireless telephone and a method of using a disposable wireless telephone capable of use for telephonic communications only for a limited period, within which limited period the sum of the durations of the telephonic communications reach the duration of the limited period, after which limited period the telephone is rendered inoperative and is discarded.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide a doll having a soft flexible body, and joints constructed from rigid parts for joining soft flexible appendages to a skeleton onto which the soft flexible body is mounted.The joint comprises a ball (49,88) on one of the appendages (30,48) and skeleton (12), a socket member (58,92) on the other of the appendages and skeleton which is rotatably mounted on the ball, a projection (62,106) on one of the ball and socket member, and a slot (64,104) on the other of the ball and socket member into which the projection extends for limiting rotational movement of the appendages relative to the skeleton.