Patent ID: 8732021
Filing Date: 2014-05-20
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method of controlling consumption of a commodity, said method comprising: issuing a license, in advance of any purchase, to a purchaser of said commodity, said license allowing purchase of a specified quantity of said commodity within a specified time period; wherein: said license is issued for a license fee, said license fee being set according to a first schedule that divides said specified quantity into ranges of numbers of units of said commodity, and charges different per unit base fees for different said ranges, said per unit fees increasing as the numbers of units of said commodity in said ranges increase; and at a point of sale of a purchased quantity of said commodity to said purchaser: using an electronic point-of-sale device to electronically check said license to verify that said specified quantity is not exceeded by said purchased quantity in combination with prior purchases under said license and completing sale of said purchased quantity only when said specified quantity is not exceeded, and electronically recording said purchased quantity against said license.