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.