E-commerce consumables

Abstract

A consumable article includes a consumable item and a memory device. The memory device is organized to represent currency. Use of the consumable item causes the memory device to be reorganized. The consumable article is used in an apparatus that has a control circuit that can update the memory device to modify the amount of currency when the apparatus consumes the consumable item. The apparatus optionally includes a network interface coupled to the control circuit that interfaces to a clearinghouse for reconciling the amount of currency and use of the consumable item.

1 . A consumable article, comprising: 
 a consumable item;    a meter for measuring the amount of the consumable item;    a valve used to control use of the consumable item;    a memory device; and    a control circuit coupled to the meter, the valve, and the memory device, the memory device organized by the control circuit such that the use of the consumable item causes the memory device to be reorganized by the control circuit wherein the organization of the memory device represents currency and wherein the valve can be used to collaterally secure the consumable item to ensure future payment of the currency stored in the memory device.    
     
     
         2 . An apparatus, comprising: 
 a consumable article, including:    a consumable item;    a meter for detecting the amount of the consumable item;    a valve used to control use of the consumable item;    a memory device; and    a control circuit coupled to the meter, the valve, and the memory device;    the memory device organized by the control circuitry such that the dispensing of the consumable item by the valve as detected by the meter causes the memory device to be reorganized by the control circuit wherein the organization of the memory device represents currency; and    wherein when the apparatus consumes the consumable item for privileged content and incurs a debit charge, either the control circuit updates the memory device wherein the representation of currency is modified by the debit charge or the control circuit prevents use of the consumable item by the valve if the debit charge is less than the representation of currency.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the apparatus is a printing device.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the apparatus is a plotting device.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the apparatus is a computer.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the apparatus is a media player.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 2  further comprising: 
 a network interface for interfacing to a clearinghouse, the network interface coupled to said control circuit.    
     
     
         8 - 24 . (Cancelled).