WO1997033256A1

WO1997033256A1 - Franking apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1997033256A1
Application number: PCT/CH1996/000075
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vito Martinetti
Original assignee: Vito Martinetti
Priority date: 1994-08-23
Filing date: 1996-03-04
Publication date: 1997-09-12
Also published as: CH688250A5

Abstract

The invention relates to franking apparatus which preferably comprises an independent control unit (10) which has a smart card reader (11), a keyboard (27) and a display unit (17). The control unit (10) is connected to the franking apparatus (13) itself by a cable (18), which apparatus is consequently movable and easy to operate. A currently conventional smart card which is designed as a telephone card or even a rechargeable smart card can be used as the smart card (19).

Description

STAMPING MACHINE

The invention relates to a novel franking stamp device adapted to the requirements of private individuals and small businesses, which combines the advantages of security, handiness and low purchase price.

The franking machines currently available on the market are primarily designed for handling large amounts of franking. Their development mainly goes in the direction of modular expansion of the basic configuration with scales, folding and inserting devices. This increases their efficiency mainly for the user group of medium-sized and large companies. Often the conventional franking machines as a whole or a counter of them have to be carried to the post office counter so that they can be loaded with a new starting amount. This is a time-consuming and, with the franking machines, which are often very heavy, a physically demanding activity.

Conversely, franking using postage stamps can often no longer meet the needs of a modern office, since purchasing the appropriate postage stamps and running a postage account represent an additional expense for office staff.

For this reason, for a large number of small companies, freelancers and private individuals with moderate mailing, a secure, handy and inexpensive franking stamp device adapted to a modern office concept and modern means of payment and communication is desired, which is also easy to use and flexible in the office should be. The franking stamp device proposed according to the invention consists of: an electronic control unit, a postage loading unit connected to the control unit and a franking stamp connected to and controlled by the control unit by a connecting line, which is set off from the control unit and is essentially freely movable.

The franking stamp preferably has a housing, a stamp shaft which is mounted to move back and forth in the housing and has a stamp handle at its upper end and a stamp at its lower end, an actuator for setting the desired franking values, a detection element which corresponds to the franking set in each case value and transmits this to the control unit, a locking mechanism that can be locked or released by a signal from the control unit for locking or releasing the movement of the shaft and a device that supports the retraction movement of the stamp shaft after franking has been carried out, which detaches the franking stamp after the stamp has been printed automatically return to its starting position.

The device supporting the retraction movement of the stamping shaft preferably has a compression spring which is tensioned during the franking movement.

In its preferred embodiment, the franking stamp has a long-stroke magnet which carries out the back and forth movement of the stamp shaft and which, in the presence of an enable signal from the control unit, switches on the stamp handle after manual initial pressure and carries out the franking movement. Since the control unit is preferably a functionally independent component, and the franking stamp is connected to the control unit by cable, this results in local mobility and the franking stamp is essentially freely movable. In this concept, the control unit contains the accounting control of the franking value, display functions and the power supply of the franking stamp. The control unit thus forms an intelligent interface between franking and billing of the franking value. The control unit is preferably connected to a mains power supply. In addition, a reserve supply by batteries and accumulators can be provided in order to hold volatile data stored in the event of a power failure. Communication with the franking stamp takes place through the connecting cable, because the power supply to the various components in the franking stamp is also provided for the transmission of control commands from and to the control unit.

In its preferred embodiment, the control unit has a chip card reader, the postage debit unit being embodied by the chip card reader in connection with a chip card processed by it.

After suitable adaptation, the control unit implemented according to the present concept can also be used with conventional franking machines.

The chip card can be a disposable chip card, e.g. the currently customary telephone card with a permanently stored initial amount ε from which the postage metering unit subtracts the amount corresponding to the stamped franking value with each stamping operation.

Alternatively, the chip card can also be a rechargeable reusable chip card. At the moment, various national postal services are considering issuing a chip card suitable for different services and tried. Plants, e.g. in banks, post offices, etc., are expected to be built soon. are available to load empty chip cards with a new amount. Such a rechargeable reusable chip card can then be used, for example, for telephoning and also for operating the franking stamp device proposed here.

In an alternative embodiment, the control unit has a dialing device and can be connected to a postage monitoring center by a modem via a telephone or data line. For this purpose there is a permanently stored dialing number which the dialing device dials to the control unit for connection to the postage metering center. If, as proposed, the postage charge center is implemented in the post office, the franking value set can either be accumulated in the postage charge center with each franking, similarly to automatic telephone traffic, or alternatively, an initial amount to be charged to the customer can be charged by the postage center Control unit are transmitted, which stores this and then debits the respective postage amount from it with each franking. Of course, the control unit can also communicate with the postage payment center via data line. Similar to a conventional telecommunications calculation, the accumulated postage costs can be invoiced by the postage control center. The modem is, as is common nowadays with personal computers, connected to a telephone line or alternatively to a data line. The modem can be locked with a key. The connection to the postage control center is established automatically without the user having to do anything. The establishment of a connection and data traffic between the postage debiting center and the control unit of the proposed franking stamp device are carried out using a customary method, and the postage debiting center normally sends a signal to the control unit to release the postage stamp device. After switching on, the number of the Postage charge center called and the connection established. If the franking value is too high, the total amount exceeded or the telephone line is busy, the postage metering center blocks the franking stamp device.

It becomes clear here that franking by the franking stamp device proposed in this embodiment can only be carried out if the connection to the postage payment center can be established properly.

In its preferred embodiment, the control unit has a keyboard with keys for setting a display unit and for setting the function of the control unit, a display unit for displaying one or more of the information units "operating messages", "remaining amount", "total days", "postage value" and "date" and an arithmetic unit with ROM and RAM.

The functions of the control unit are preferably implemented in software by means of a microprocessor unit contained therein.

In a further embodiment, the control unit can be implemented in a conventional personal computer.

In order to implement a functionally independent control unit, a chip card reader is connected to the personal computer.

Alternatively, however, the personal computer can, as described above, connect to the postage center via a modem and a telephone or data connection line. The above features and advantages of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the drawing figures, which show:

1 schematically shows a first basic embodiment of the franking stamp device according to the invention;

2 schematically shows a second basic embodiment of the franking stamp device according to the invention;

3 shows a third basic embodiment of the franking stamp device according to the invention;

FIG. 4 schematically and partly perspectively a first preferred embodiment of the franking stamp device, which is based on the principle shown in FIG. 1;

5 shows a block diagram of the control unit and the electrical components of the franking stamp of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4;

6 is a perspective view of a front view and a side view of the franking stamp 13 according to FIG. Fig. 4;

7 shows schematically the inner components of the franking stamp 13;

8 shows the franking stamp 13 with an inking pad in a schematic representation;

9 shows an interchangeable inking pad for the franking stamp 13 shown in FIGS. 6 to 8;

10 is an exploded view of a binary-coded switch for setting franking value number bands in franking stamp 13; and

11 shows a specific setting of the franking value numerical bands and a franking value stamped on the stamp.

Before the proposed franking stamp device is described in a preferred embodiment, three basic embodiments are described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

The basic embodiment 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a functionally independent franking stamp device set up. A control unit 10 is provided with a chip card reader 11, a display device 17 and a keyboard 27 and is connected to the franking stamp 13 via a multi-core cable 18. The franking stamp 13 has a stamp shaft (14) which can be moved back and forth in a housing 16.

Furthermore, a chip card 19 is shown, which in connection with the chip card reader 11 represents a postage metering unit 12 and can be inserted into the chip card reader 11 (arrow 15).

Chip cards are already used in a wide variety of applications, e.g. in many public telephone boxes. They are increasingly being used where coins are normally required. A prepaid amount is stored on the card.

In the proposed franking stamp device 1, the franking value is deducted from the amount stored on the chip card 19 immediately after the franking. This creates a residual amount. As long as the remaining amount is sufficient for further franking, the operation of the franking stamp device shown in FIG. 1 is guaranteed. The control unit 1 must therefore always compare the amount of reset on the chip card 19 with the franking value that is set in each case and to be stamped and decide whether franking can still take place.

For rechargeable chip cards, possibly also reusable chip cards, which can be used, for example, for telephoning and for other services, the English term "electronic burse" has become established. Facilities are planned and will be found at banks, post offices, etc. will soon be available to store a new amount in such rechargeable chip cards. 1 shows the basic design of the franking stamp device is flexible enough to be adapted to the required or existing chip card specifications.

Because the franking stamp 13 is connected to the control unit 10 via a flexible cable 18, the franking stamp itself, e.g. can be handled on a desk while the control unit 10 can be placed under the table.

The control unit 10 is preferably equipped with a network connection and a power supply and in operation feeds the franking stamp 13 through the cable 18. A back-up battery can also be provided in the control unit 10 in order to secure volatile data in the event of a power failure.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a second basic embodiment 2 of the franking stamp device according to the invention, in which a control unit is connected through a line 21, a modem 22 and a telephone or data line 29 to a postage control center 24. The modem 23, together with the line systems 21, 29 and the postage control center 24, forms a postage control unit 22, also referred to as the "post-link terminal", which the chip card reader 11 and the chip card 19 of the first embodiment described above with reference to FIG. 1 replaced.

The control unit 20 and the modem 23 contain a telephone-compliant dialing device, if the line 29 is a telephone line. A permanently programmed dialing number establishes the connection to the postage center 24 during operation. The postage metering center 24 is preferably provided in the post. The franking value that is set and displayed on the control unit 20 can be similar to each franking in the postage central 24 in the case of automatic call traffic, can be accumulated on a customer credit account. The postage costs can be transmitted from the postage payment center to the appropriate billing office of Telekom and can be invoiced by the latter on a conventional telecommunications invoice with a new debit code.

The modem 23, since it is part of a public communication device, can be sealed and / or locked on a lock 25 by means of a key 16.

When the franking stamp device 2 is started up, the connection to the postage metering center 24 is automatically established. An instruction signaling the dialing process can be displayed on the control unit on a signal lamp provided for this purpose. In normal operation, the postage control center 24 returns a positive acknowledgment which is signaled on a further indicator lamp of the control unit. In this case, the customer account can be freely addressed and franking can be carried out.

In the event of faults or a lack of connection to the postage load control center, a warning lamp on the control unit 20 can light up or flash, and certain operating codes can be displayed on the display unit 17. The operating codes can include:

- no connection;

- debit account blocked;

- franking value too high;

- Total days exceeded.

Further components shown in FIG. 2, in particular. of the franking stamp 13 are the same or similar to the embodiment 1 in FIG. 1 and are identified by the same reference numerals. The control unit 20, like the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 1, can contain a microprocessor with RAM and ROM and a power supply.

The basic variant 3 shown in FIG. 3 replaces the control unit 20 of FIG. 2 with a conventional personal computer which is software-adapted to the function of the franking stamp 13 and must have an interface for the connection of the line system 18. As usual, the personal computer can have a central processor unit 30 with RAM and ROM memories, a keyboard 37 connected to it and a CRT screen 35 (CRT: Cathode Ray Tube). Otherwise, the personal computer 30 is connected by a line system 31 to a modem 39 which, as in the case of variant 2 in FIG. 2, can be connected to a postage monitoring center 24 via a telephone or data line 33. The personal computer 30 carries out the connection establishment and the procedures for the postage charge on the basis of a corresponding software, similar to the control unit 20 of the variant 2 in FIG. 2. The advantage of using a personal computer 30 in the third embodiment is, above all, the increase in ease of use and the fact that the expense for the franking stamp device, apart from the franking stamp, is essentially represented by software implemented in the personal computer. Operating messages during traffic with the postage central 24 can be displayed in full length on the screen 35. The signal lamps can be simulated on the screen 35. Help text files can be queried in detail. Different levels of totalization can be managed. Postal tariffs, such as postal codes, can be queried in tabular form.

Computer models with an integrated chip card reader are not known. The third embodiment 3 am can be used as an alternative to the postage debit unit 32 realized by the modem 39 and the postage loading center 24 Η

Personal computer 30 has an interface 40 to which a chip card reader 41 can be connected, into which, as in the first variant 1, a chip card 43 can be inserted. The components chip card reader 41, interface 40 and chip card 43 are shown with dashed lines in FIG. 3 and represent a postage metering unit 42 which is used instead of the postage metering unit 32 by the modem 39 and the postage metering center 24. This alternative with a chip card reader 41 and chip card 43 connected to the personal computer 30 combines all the advantages of the embodiment with a personal computer with the advantages of the variant of the independent and independent franking stamp device 1 according to FIG. 1.

Description of the preferred embodiment

The preferred embodiment is based on the first embodiment variant 1 shown in FIG. 1 and is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11.

4 shows schematically and partially perspectively the control unit 10, the franking stamp 13 connected to the control unit 10 via the line system 18 and the button field 27 in an enlarged representation. The control unit 10 contains in the keypad 27 an ON / OFF current switch 271 for switching the power supply on and off, a U key 272 for switching the display unit 17 to operating messages, and a B key 273 for switching the display unit 17 the display of the reset amount, a T key 274 for switching the display unit 17 to the display of the daily total and an R key 275 as a reserve key. Furthermore, the control unit 10 has the chip card reader 11 for reading a (not shown) chip card, the display unit 17 for displaying the set franking value, the accumulated daily total (since the last time the system was switched on) and encrypted operating messages, which are explained further below. three signal lights OLED, RLED, GLED for displaying operating signals, a main circuit board (arithmetic unit, not shown) and an EPROM (not shown).

Eε mean: OLED = orange LED; RLED = red LED; GLED = green LED.

The franking stamp 13 shown in FIG. 4 contains a franking device which is mounted in a housing 16 and is connected to a shaft 14 with a handle 114 and which can be moved downwards by pressing the handle 114; by a magnet described later, one or more springs (not shown) for the automatic withdrawal of the franking device after the franking, one or more electronic locking systems (not shown in FIG. 4), the rest position of which (stand-by or switched off) is identified by the locked state , electromechanics (not shown in FIG. 4) for the setting of the franking value 116, electronics for the detection of the set franking value 116 and for transmission thereof to the control unit, rotatable numerical bands or cogs, a plate 120 with post-conforming franking marks and one Mechanism for the automatic coloring of franking value 116 and plate 120, which is described below.

The connecting cable 18 between the control unit 10 and the franking stamp 13 contains a power supply line for the franking stamp and the electronic signal lines for the transmission of pulse signals between the control unit 10 and the franking stamp 13 and vice versa.

The following codes for operating messages can be displayed on the display unit 17, preferably an LCD display unit: NOST "No Stamp" of the franking stamp is not functional

NOCA "No Card" the chip card cannot be addressed

CAER "Card Error" the chip card is not usable

NOVA "No Value" => insufficient

Remaining amount on the card

In addition, the display unit 17 always shows the franking value by default.

The following signals are displayed on the signal lamps OLED, RLED, GLED:

The GLED lights up: The system is ready for operation; the OLED is on: an operational operation is in progress; the status is temporary, the

User has to wait; the RLED flashes: A fault has been detected by

Key U to switch the display unit

17 to display the message code; after 3 s the display automatically returns to the franking value.

The control unit 10 of the franking stamp device automatically carries out self-checks. The OLED lights up during the test phase. If a fault is detected, the RLED flashes. If the system is ready for operation at the end of all tests, the GLED lights up.

The control unit 10 further includes a power supply 101 (FIG. 5) and is connected to a power supply network via a cable 110 (FIG. 4). Optioneil can for Backup of volatile data a backup power supply by batteries or rechargeable batteries is provided. The OLED lights up when the power supply is switched on. First, a "self-test" is carried out. The functionality of the card reader 11, the connecting cable 18 and the rotary switch in the franking stamp 13 is checked. If the self-test determines that the franking stamp device is not ready for operation, the indicator lamp RLED flashes The operating code NOST is displayed on the display unit 17. In this case, a maintenance service must be notified for repair.

If the property shows that the franking stamp device is ready for operation, a second check is carried out, which determines whether the chip card is present in the card reader 11. If this is not the case, the indicator lamp RLED flashes. The display unit 17 shows the operating code NOCA. As soon as a chip card is inserted into the card reader 11, the control unit 10 checks whether the card is valid. If the card is not valid, the RLED indicator lamp flashes. The display unit 17 shows the operating code CAER. If the card is valid, it is checked whether the inserted chip card stores an amount which is sufficient for at least one franking. If this is not the case, the RLED indicator lamp flashes again. The display unit 17 then shows the operating code NOVA. In this case, the remaining amount is smaller than the franking value set on the franking stamp. Either the franking value must be reduced or the chip card must be replaced by a new one. If, however, the remaining amount is greater or equal, the following steps are carried out: The remaining amount on the chip card is converted into an internal one

Register written; - The impulse to release the franking stamp 13 is transmitted by the connecting cable 18; the GLED lights up. From this moment on, the franking stamp can be operated.

The control unit 10 receives a pulse signal with each franking. The franking value is debited in an internal register. The resulting amount is written back to the chip card. During this time, the signal lamp OLED lights up and the franking stamp 13 is blocked. This state continues during the renewed value check of the newly formed residual amount, until the signal lamp GLED lights up and the franking stamp 13 is released for further franking.

5 shows the electronic control components of the control unit 10 and the electrical components of the franking stamp 13 in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 in the form of a block diagram. In the control unit 10, the chip card reader 11, the LCD display unit 17 and an input / output unit 103 are connected via a data bus 107 and an address bus 108 to a microprocessor RAM / ROM clock unit 102, which can be a conventional microprocessor. Furthermore, a power supply 101 is shown, which feeds the above-mentioned electronic components and the franking stamp 13. The electrical components of the franking stamp 13, which are shown in FIG. 5 but are not designated in more detail, are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 6 to 11.

6 shows a front and side view of the franking stamp 13. It has the outer shape of an ordinary hand stamp. The body enclosed by the housing 16 is cuboid and has an approximately rectangular plan. The preferred height of the housing 16 can be from a few cm to a few 10 cm.

7 shows a phantom representation which reveals the inside of the franking stamp 13. In the lower part of the housing 16 is the actual franking device 130, which is attached by a pin 135 to the lifting magnet 140 located in the shaft part 14. This stroke is approximately 10 mm shorter than the total running distance of the franking device 130 from the upper rest position to the franking stop, which can be approximately 25 to 30 mm. The drawn position of the lifting magnet 140 corresponds to the idle state of the franking stamp 13. No franking can be carried out without the impact of the lifting magnet 140.

Shown schematically on the right side of the shaft 14 are two contacts 143 and 144 which, after a short pressure from above on the stamp handle 114, switch on the solenoid when contact has been made. The franking device 130 is pushed downward by the magnetic action of the lifting magnet 140. The franking imprint takes place. On the lower part of the housing 16, two further contacts 133 and 134 are shown, which reverse the direction of the solenoid 140 after the franking impression has been taken. As a result and through the action of the spring 141, the franking device 130 is pushed upward again. The process can then start all over again. Simultaneously with the change of action of the lifting magnet 140, a pulse signal is sent to the control unit 10, whereupon the franking value is subtracted from the remaining amount. 131 denotes a setting button for setting the franking value on the franking device 130.

According to FIG. 8, an interchangeable coloring case 150 is attached by a first swivel joint 136 on the outer housing 16 and by a second swivel joint 137 on the franking device 130. In dieεe Weiεe the Färbungskiεεen εchwenkt 150 at each of the Frankaturbewegung Frankaturfläche (120 in Fig. 4) away and εorgt for _t that the colored Frankaturfläche is released. Daε Färbungskiεsen 150 is soaked with stamp ink. 9 shows that the dyeing kit is easily exchangeable if no chip card is inserted into the control unit. For this purpose, a short, manual pressure is exerted on the franking stamp 13 in this state. The number bands described below are thus also released for the setting of a different franking value.

The setting of a respective franking value on the setting button 131 and the components of the franking device 130 in the franking stamp 13 are described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The franking device 130 has two parallel rotatable numerical bands 138, 139, each with 20 numerical values. A franc number band or wheel 138 contains the numbers 00, 01, 02 ...., 09, 10, 11, ...., 19. A black number band or wheel contains the numbers 00,

05, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 85, 90, 95. This enables a maximum franking value of CHF 19.95 to be formed. The two numerical bands 138, 139 or wheels are arranged in parallel next to each other on two superimposed rollers 137, which are held in a fork-shaped holder (not shown). The combination of numbers pointing downwards forms the impression area for the franking value. The postage paid value is framed by the fixed plate 120 (FIGS. 4 and 11) with the postmark. The franking value numbers within the plate and plate 120 itself form the franking area. A roller that can be rotated with the aid of the adjusting knob 131 forms a step rotary switch 155, which has two levels, each with at least 20 steps. One level allows the franking number range 138 and the other level rotates the black number range 139. The franking value transmitted at the rotary knob 131 and via the binary-coded step rotary switch 155 to the two numerical bands 138, 139 is detected by the line system 18, transmitted to the control unit 10 and displayed on the display unit 17. The signal connections of the step rotary switch 155 are denoted by 156.

11 shows an example of a franking value of 0 francs, 80 centimes and which is set on the adjustment button 131 the fixed plate 120, which frames the franking value that is set and to be stamped.

The preferred one described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 11

The embodiment of the franking stamp device according to the invention has inεbes. following advantages:

The use of the chip card has the following advantages: a) The previous acceptance of the counters of conventional franking machines and the resulting invoicing on the part of the post is superfluous; b) The chip card already exists, and the increase in its usage volume helps to reduce the procurement costs. When using a rechargeable reusable chip card, this can be used for the purpose described here for making calls and also for other possible uses planned in the future; c) The chip card is freely convertible; this makes franking much easier, like telephone calls. For example, each employee of a company can frank his own correspondence with the help of his own chip card. e) An in-house chip card can be secured against misuse by appropriate coding; f) Such chip card franking stamp devices can be installed at each post office counter. As a result, the amount of work required by Swiss Post for franking will decrease and the sale of chip cards will increase. g) The installation and maintenance of the complex postage stamp machines can be reduced.

The following advantages are associated with the use of the movable franking stamp: h) Any postage of any thickness can be franked directly, without having to resort to auxiliary labels.

The entirety of the franking stamp device proposed and preferred according to the invention provides the following advantages: i) it is very handy; j) Working people without large office operations and private persons can get such a device much cheaper than a conventional franking machine; k) The existing electronics can be supplied with batteries in an emergency, which makes the franking stamp device even more mobile and broader its area of use.

Claims

1. franking stamp device consisting of:

- an electronic control unit (10; 20; 30),

- One with the control unit (10; 20; 30) functionally connected postage unit (12; 22; 32; 42) and

- a franking stamp (13) connected to the control unit (10; 20; 30) by a connecting line (18) and driven by it, which is offset from the control unit (10; 20; 30) and is essentially freely movable .

2. franking stamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the franking stamp (13) has:

- a housing (16); one which is mounted to move back and forth in the housing (16)

Stamp shaft (14), one at its upper end

Stamp handle (114) and its lower end one

Stamp (120); an actuator (131) for setting the desired one

Frankaturwertε, a registration element (156) that detects the setting of the respective franking value and these to the

Control unit (10; 20; 30) transmits; a locking mechanism which can be locked or released by a signal transmitted by the control unit (10; 20; 30) to lock or unlock the

Movement of the stamp shaft (14); and

- A device which supports the retraction movement of the stamp shaft (14) after the franking has been carried out and which automatically returns the franking stamp to its initial position.

3. franking stamp device according to claim 2, characterized in that the retraction movement of the stamp Device (14) supporting the shaft has a compression spring (141) which is tensioned during the franking movement.

4. franking stamp device according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the franking stamp has a long stroke magnet (140) for carrying out the franking movement of the stamp shaft (14), the long stroke magnet (140) being present by the control unit (10; 20 ; 30) switches on the stamp handle after manual initial printing and executes the franking movement.

5. franking stamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (10; 20; 30) is a functionally independent component.

6. franking stamp device according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that the control unit (10) is set up to carry out a franking value accounting independently.

7. franking stamp device according to one of claims 1, 5 or 6, characterized in that the control unit (10; 30) has a chip card reader (11; 41) and the postage unit (12; 42) by the chip card reader (11; 41) embodied in conjunction with a chip card (13; 43) processed by him.

8. franking stamp device according to claim 7, characterized in that the chip card (13; 43) is a disposable chip card with a fixed initial amount.

9. franking stamp device according to claim 7, characterized in that the chip card is a rechargeable reusable chip card.

10. franking stamp device according to claim 1, characterized in that the control unit (20; 30) Dialing device and connected by a modem (23; 39) via a telephone or data line (29; 33) to a postage metering unit (24) embodying the postage metering unit.

11. franking stamp device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control unit (20; 30) is set up to transmit each individual franking value with each franking to the postage metering center (24), where it is culminated in a customer-specific account.

12. franking stamp device according to claim 10, characterized in that the control unit (20; 30) is set up for this, an initial amount transmitted by the postage metering center (24) via the telephone or data line (29; 33) and the modem (23; 39) to receive and save and to debit the respective stamped postage amount with each franking.

13. Franking stamp device according to one of claims 10 to 10

12, characterized in that the modem (23) can be locked with a key (26).

14. Franking stamp device according to one of claims 10 to 10

13, characterized in that the modem (23; 39) and the control unit (20; 30) can be blocked or released by a signal transmitted by the postage metering center (24).

15. franking stamp device according to one or more of claims 1 or 5 to 14, characterized in that the control unit (10; 20; 30) further comprises:

- a keyboard (27; 37) with buttons at least for controlling a display unit (17) and for setting the function of the control unit; the display unit (17; 35) for displaying one or more of the following information units: - operating messages; - Retirement amount;

- total days;

- franking value;

- date;

- An arithmetic unit (102) with ROM and RAM.

16. franking stamp device according to claim 15, characterized in that the control unit (10; 20; 30) further comprises a microprocessor unit.

17. Franking stamp device according to claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the control unit is implemented in a conventional personal computer (30).

18. Franking stamp device according to claim 17, characterized in that a chip card reader (41) is connected to the personal computer (30).