Patent ID: 6853990

Claim:
A franking and prepayment machine comprising: a machine housing; a microprocessor in said machine housing; a digital printer module connected to and operated by said microprocessor for printing a digital imprint; at least one memory in said machine housing connected to said microprocessor containing data and programming instructions for a plurality of different accounting modes said at least one memory including a plurality of different accounting modules respectively used for said accounting modes in said plurality of accounting modes, said accounting modules including a first module for accounting after printing said digital imprint and a second module for accounting before printing said digital imprint; an input unit, in communication with said microprocessor, allowing arbitrary designation of an accounting mode, as a selected accounting mode, from among said plurality of accounting modes; and said microprocessor being programmed for, upon entry via said input unit of said selected accounting mode operating in the selected accounting mode using one of said first and second modules.