Abstract: A child adoption proceeding is conducted in the form of a television game show and online media event, wherein couples compete against each other to win legal custody of the child. Adoptive parents are selected using a vote-by-phone and/or Internet voting scheme, together with 24-hour surveillance of the prospective parents, which enables television viewers and Internet users to inspect prospective parent-contestants in detail before voting for the winning parents. The present invention overcomes inequities of state-run or private adoption agencies, permitting a fairer selection process while providing greater time and access to observe a pool of prospective parents.

Abstract: A radiation shield for use with a mobile hand-held communication device, the communication device including a listening element and a stowable and deployable talking element, the radiation shield including a first shield portion which at least partially covers the talking element, a second shield portion which at least partially covers the listening element, a fastener which fastens the first and the second shield portions together, the first and the second shield portions and the talking element being in a stowed orientation when the first and the second shield portions are fastened together by the fastener, and a tensioning device operatively attached to at least one of the first and the second shield portions, wherein the tensioning device, upon opening of the fastener, applies a force to at least one of the first and the second shield portions which moves at least one of the first and the second shield portions into a deployed orientation.