Patent ID: 6406120
Filing Date: 2002-06-18
Classification: G07B

Abstract:
A postage meter machine for franking postal items, comprising:a computer unit; a printer unit adapted for printing a franking image on postal matter, connected to and controlled by said computer unit and having a replaceable, removable print head; a first identification code arranged at said print head so as to be machine readable; a memory unit uniquely allocated to said print head having a second identification code and a stored security code stored therein, said stored security code being generated with a key code from said first identification code and said second identification code using an encryption algorithm; and an input unit connected to said computer unit which, upon insertion of said print head in said printer unit, reads said first identification code and reads out said second identification code and said stored security code and supplies said first identification code, said second identification code and said stored security code to said computer, said computer having access to said key code and said encryption algorithm and generating a generated security code from said first identification code, said second identification code and said key code using said encryption algorithm, and comparing said generated security code to said stored security code and enabling usage of said print head in said printer unit only if said generated security code and said stored security code coincide.