E-commerce consumables

摘要

A consumable article (30) includes a consumable item (32) and a memory device (36). The memory device (36) is organized to represent currency. Use of the consumable item (32) causes the memory device (36) to be reorganized. The consumable article (30) is used in an apparatus (60) that has a control circuit (38) that can update the memory device (36) to modify the amount of currency when the apparatus (60) consumes the consumable item (32). The apparatus (60) optionally includes a network interface (16) coupled to the control circuit (38) that interfaces to a clearinghouse (26) for reconciling the amount of currency and use of the consumable item (32).