Abstract: An auger housing as part of a snowthrower or part of a snowthrower implement for attachment with a vehicle. The auger housing may include a rear wall and spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by the rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening. The rear wall may define a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction. The auger housing may also include an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the rear wall. The oscillating scraper extends downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and is configured to move relative to the rear wall in a reciprocating motion.

Abstract: An electric snowthrower including: an auger and an impeller driven by one or more electric motors; one or more sensors; and an electronic controller coupled to each of the motor(s) and the sensor(s). The electronic controller is configured to monitor data provided by the sensor(s) and, in response to the sensor data, automatically adjust operation of the motor(s) or other feature of the snowthrower. Controls for operating such a snowthrower are also included.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a longitudinal flexible metal strip which may be helically rolled, first and second clamps securing opposite ends of the metal strip to first and second selected locations, and a longitudinally extending strip with lights such as LEDs secured to one side of the longitudinal metal strip. The first and second clamps each include a clamp arm secured to a base by a ball and socket connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for viewing aggregated financial obligations utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user. The MFTS is also coupled for electronic communications with an aggregator that collects information from a plurality of payees with whom a user has a financial relationship. The MFTS receives payment to make information from the aggregator corresponding to a payment to be made by the user to a payee. The MFTS generates summarized payment to make information comprising a predetermined selected subset of the payment to make information received from the aggregator. The MFTS wireless communicates the summarized payment to make information to the user's mobile device. The summarized payment information is then displayed on a user's mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing a mobile device application for use in making and receiving payments utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A downloadable mobile device application, when installed on a compatible mobile device, is operative for communicating with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that facilitates the making and receiving of payments via wireless mobile devices. The downloadable mobile device application is provided via a download system that downloads the application to mobile devices according to download procedures appropriate for a particular type of mobile device. When a payment is made to a payee having a mobile device, system communicates a message to the payee's mobile device that informs that a payment has been made and instructs the payee about the downloadable mobile device application.

Abstract: A lighting system includes a longitudinal flexible metal strip which may be helically rolled, first and second clamps securing opposite ends of the metal strip to first and second selected locations, and a longitudinally extending strip with lights such as LEDs secured to one side of the longitudinal metal strip. The first and second clamps each include a clamp arm secured to a base by a ball and socket connection.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a payment source for use in making a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for electronic communications with one or more financial service providers with which the user maintains one or more accounts, and also for wireless communications with mobile devices. The mobile device displays information corresponding to accounts available to the user as a payment source for use in connection with making a payment using the mobile device. The user selects a payment source for making a payment. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment and a selected payment source. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card. The MFTS communicates the MFTS payment instruction to the payment instruction recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card. The MFTS communicates the MFTS payment instruction to the payment instruction recipient.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions in a mobile environment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA) that communicates with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user and transaction information. The MFTS receives information on behalf of a mobile device user corresponding to bills to pay or other payments to make. The MFTS also receives information corresponding to payment sources available for use in making payments. Selected payments information and payment source information are communicated to the mobile user via a wireless network and displayed for user selection. The user selects a payment to make and a payment source. A mobile payment instruction is generated and communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS instructs a payment instruction recipient to make a payment to an identified payee. Real-time updated account and payment balances are provided to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user and is also coupled for electronic communications with one or more payment instruction recipients that can make a payment to a payee in behalf of the user. The mobile device allows for selection of a pre-existing payee or entry of payee information. The user provides input at the mobile device selecting a payee for a payment and a payment source for the payment. A mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment to make and a payment source for the payment is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for receiving a financial payment facilitated by use of a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user/payee, and also is coupled for electronic communication with a payment instruction recipient that effects payments by various methods. The system provides information corresponding to a received payment to a user/payee's mobile device. Information is displayed to the user/payee corresponding to a plurality of selectable payment methods available for receiving the payment. The user/payee provides input on his/her mobile device corresponding to selection of a payment method for receiving the payment. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction indicating the selected payment method and wirelessly communicates the mobile payment instruction to the MFTS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions in a mobile environment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA) that communicates with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user and transaction information. The MFTS receives information on behalf of a mobile device user corresponding to bills to pay or other payments to make. The MFTS also receives information corresponding to payment sources available for use in making payments. Selected payments information and payment source information are communicated to the mobile user via a wireless network and displayed for user selection. The user selects a payment to make and a payment source. A mobile payment instruction is generated and communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS instructs a payment instruction recipient to make a payment to an identified payee. Real-time updated account and payment balances are provided to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for distributing a mobile device application for use in making and receiving payments utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A downloadable mobile device application, when installed on a compatible mobile device, is operative for communicating with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that facilitates the making and receiving of payments via wireless mobile devices. The downloadable mobile device application is provided via a download system that downloads the application to mobile devices according to download procedures appropriate for a particular type of mobile device. When a payment is made to a payee having a mobile device, system communicates a message to the payee's mobile device that informs that a payment has been made and instructs the payee about the downloadable mobile device application.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a stored value (SV) card utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a stored value card payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a new stored value card and/or reload funds onto a pre-existing stored value card.

Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting financial transactions in a mobile environment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA) that communicates with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user and transaction information. The MFTS receives information on behalf of a mobile device user corresponding to bills to pay or other payments to make. The MFTS also receives information corresponding to payment sources available for use in making payments. Selected payments information and payment source information are communicated to the mobile user via a wireless network and displayed for user selection. The user selects a payment to make and a payment source. A mobile payment instruction is generated and communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS instructs a payment instruction recipient to make a payment to an identified payee. Real-time updated account and payment balances are provided to the user's mobile device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for making a financial payment to a payee via a paper check utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). The mobile device communicates wirelessly with a mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) that stores user information and transaction information. A user enters information via the mobile device identifying a payee and indicating a paper check payment method. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction that includes information corresponding to the identified payee and indicating a paper check payment method. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS. The MFTS generates an MFTS payment instruction to a payment instruction recipient that can issue a paper check. The MFTS communicates the MFTS payment instruction to the payment instruction recipient, which arranges for payment to the identified payee by printing and mailing of a paper check to the payee.

Abstract: Methods and systems for selecting a payment source for use in making a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for electronic communications with one or more financial service providers with which the user maintains one or more accounts, and also for wireless communications with mobile devices. The mobile device displays information corresponding to accounts available to the user as a payment source for use in connection with making a payment using the mobile device. The user selects a payment source for making a payment. The mobile device generates a mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment and a selected payment source. The mobile payment instruction is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for indicating a mobile financial payment utilizing a mobile device such as a mobile telephone (cellphone) or wireless connected personal digital assistant (PDA). A mobile financial transaction system (MFTS) is coupled for wireless communications with a mobile device of a user and is also coupled for electronic communications with one or more payment instruction recipients that can make a payment to a payee in behalf of the user. The mobile device allows for selection of a pre-existing payee or entry of payee information. The user provides input at the mobile device selecting a payee for a payment and a payment source for the payment. A mobile payment instruction comprising information corresponding to the payment to make and a payment source for the payment is wirelessly communicated to the MFTS.