E-commerce consumables
US6820064B1 · kind B1 · utility
7Cited by
9References
3Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 2000 |
| Grant date | Nov 16, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 17, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06Q20/343
- WIPO fieldIT methods for management
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.