Abstract: An inking mechanism for postage meters and price stamping machines includes an ink transport roller, an intermediate roller and an inking roller being operatively connected to one another and having surfaces. The surface of the intermediate roller transfers ink from the ink transport roller to the inking roller and the surface of the inking roller is formed of porous material. An ink supply container in the form of a tank has a slit-like opening formed therein. Porous material substantially fills the tank as a storage medium for stamp ink. The porous material protrudes out of the slit-like opening in the tank and contacts the surface of the ink transport roller in the form of a squeegee.

Abstract: Electronic control for franking machines such as postage meters and stamping machines having a printing device, a postage value printing selection device, a total postal charge storage register and a settable subtracting value counter, including a microprocessor, a volatile main memory for storing data and non-volatilesemiconductor memories for storing data and the number of writing cycles performed, the memories being connected to the microprocessor, a line voltage power supply, supply capacitors disposed in the power supply, a switch controlled by the microprocessor for connecting the non-volatile memories to the supply capacitors of the power supply exclusively in the event of an interruption of the line voltage to cause the non-volatile memories to take over data stored in the main memory, and a register connected to one of the non-volatile memories for preventing the exceeding of a predetermined number of writing cycles of the one non-volatile memory after the power supply resumes.

Abstract: Electronically controlled indicator and testing device for the denominational printing of franking machines, including a numerical display, a microprocessor for setting values or assigned characteristics in the numerical display, a device for sequentially visualizing all numerals in the numerical display after the franking machine is turned on, a program memory, a main memory, a data memory, and an exchangeable memory each connected to the microprocessor, a printing mechanism, a selectable option printing drum, an electro-mechanical device cooperating with the microprocessor for setting denominations in the printing mechanism and option printing drum, an electronic setting tester independent of the electro-mechanical device for comparing set values in the printing mechanism and option printing drum with the set values or assigned characteristics in the numerical display and for releasing an option print only if the set values agree, a key for triggering an additional run of all numerals of the numerical displ