Abstract: A table or floor lamp has a base, for supporting an electronic device such as a wireless speaker assembly or inductive charging plate, that defines a cavity into which all or at least a substantial portion of the power chord of the electronic device is concealed. The lamp includes and power chord for plugging into a source of power and the base includes an electrical outlet for receiving a plug of a power chord of a wireless electronic device such as a speaker assembly or inductive charging pad. The base may include a pedestal on which the electronic device sits with a post beneath the pedestal around which the cord of the electronic device is wrapped and a gap between the outer periphery of the pedestal and the top of the base through which the cord is wrapped. The base may include an inductive charger for charging a mobile device.

Abstract: A table or floor lamp has a base, for supporting an electronic device such as a wireless speaker assembly or inductive charging plate, that defines a cavity into which all or at least a substantial portion of the power chord of the electronic device is concealed. The lamp includes and power chord for plugging into a source of power and the base includes an electrical outlet for receiving a plug of a power chord of a wireless electronic device such as a speaker assembly or inductive charging pad. The base may include a pedestal on which the electronic device sits with a post beneath the pedestal around which the cord of the electronic device is wrapped and a gap between the outer periphery of the pedestal and the top of the base through which the cord is wrapped. The base may include an inductive charger for charging a mobile device.

Abstract: A system for enabling a payment includes a mobile wireless communications device having voice and data functionality and a payments system. The system enables a payment to be made by a user of the mobile wireless communications device to a party with which the user is in voice communication via the wireless communication link over which the voice communication is made. The voice communication link may be a wireless Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications link.

Abstract: A table or floor lamp has a base, for supporting an electronic device such as a wireless speaker assembly or inductive charging plate, that defines a cavity into which all or at least a substantial portion of the power chord of the electronic device is concealed. The lamp includes and power chord for plugging into a source of power and the base includes an electrical outlet for receiving a plug of a power chord of a wireless electronic device such as a speaker assembly or inductive charging pad. The base may include a pedestal on which the electronic device sits with a post beneath the pedestal around which the cord of the electronic device is wrapped and a gap between the outer periphery of the pedestal and the top of the base through which the cord is wrapped. The base may include an inductive charger for charging a mobile device.

Abstract: A table or floor lamp has a base, for supporting an electronic device such as a wireless speaker assembly or inductive charging plate, that defines a cavity into which all or at least a substantial portion of the power chord of the electronic device is concealed. The lamp includes and power chord for plugging into a source of power and the base includes an electrical outlet for receiving a plug of a power chord of a wireless electronic device such as a speaker assembly or inductive charging pad. The base may include a pedestal on which the electronic device sits with a post beneath the pedestal around which the cord of the electronic device is wrapped and a gap between the outer periphery of the pedestal and the top of the base through which the cord is wrapped. The base may include an inductive charger for charging a mobile device.

Abstract: A speaker system and lamp has a base and a pedestal rotationally mounted and extending upwardly from the base. A speaker housing is rotatably mounted to the pedestal. A speaker is positioned inside the speaker housing and audibly outputs music that is received by the speaker system. A lamp assembly is fixedly mounted to a top or upper portion of the pedestal above the speaker housing. An amplifier is located in the base and connects by cabling extending through the pedestal to the speaker. A wireless receiver is located in the base or speaker housing. A floor standing speaker system and lamp includes multiple speaker components, including a subwoofer in a portion of the base and multiple speakers mounted to the pedestal. Optional removable components such as a mirror, a vinyl record display, artwork, a clock, or a directional light are available for removably mounting to the pedestal.

Abstract: A speaker system and lamp has a base and a pedestal rotationally mounted and extending upwardly from the base. A speaker housing is rotatably mounted to the pedestal. A speaker is positioned inside the speaker housing and audibly outputs music that is received by the speaker system. A lamp assembly is fixedly mounted to a top or upper portion of the pedestal above the speaker housing. An amplifier is located in the base and connects by cabling extending through the pedestal to the speaker. A wireless receiver is located in the base or speaker housing. A floor standing speaker system and lamp includes multiple speaker components, including a subwoofer in a portion of the base and multiple speakers mounted to the pedestal. Optional removable components such as a mirror, a vinyl record display, artwork, a clock, or a directional light are available for removably mounting to the pedestal.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: Improvements to a craft kit that enable receiving a photograph and generating a template of the photograph include components for printing the template on adhesive-backed canvas for mounting to a panel or frame, entering a product code to enable generation of the template, generating the template in color and enabling the colored template to be printed or submitted for production of a piece of artwork. Further improvements include enabling the user to select one or more themes for use in generating the template wherein the template is then generated with at least one shape associated with theme, enabling the user to select one or more particular shapes for incorporation into the template, and generating the template with one or more images associated with an organization, such as a logo, a character, or a caricature.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a payment includes a mobile wireless communications device having voice and data functionality and a payments system. The system enables a payment to be made by a user of the mobile wireless communications device to a party with which the user is in voice communication via the wireless communication link over which the voice communication is made. The voice communication link may be a wireless Voice-over-IP (VoIP) communications link.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.

Abstract: A method includes providing a first payment account that is issued by a first financial institution and enables an accountholder thereof to make payments at merchants via a closed-loop payments network corresponding to the first financial institution and mobile person-to-person payments using the payment account. The method includes enabling a second payment account that is issued by a second financial institution to be electronically linked to the first payment account and used as a source of funds. The method includes providing a mobile operating system and enabling a plurality of merchant-specific payment accounts to be associated with a mobile communications device having the operating system. The method includes determining whether a merchant-specific payment account that is accepted only by a particular merchant is available to the accountholder via the mobile communications device and receiving a fee when the first payment account is used for a purchase.

Abstract: A system and method employs an online site for making stored digital video recordings available for selection and download to a wireless communications device. Upon receipt of a selection for a digital video recording, the system and method causes the selected digital video recording to be wirelessly transmitted to the wireless communications device. The selected digital video recording is also made available to a personal computer associated with the user who made the selection. At least a title of the selected digital video recording is stored in a personal storage account of the user.