Method and system for controlling the use of a cartridge

A method for controlling a system for printing an imprint, the system comprising a cartridge configured to hold a consumable and a franking machine that includes a printer configured to use the cartridge and a first data processor connected to the printer that is configured to control use of the cartridge for printing the imprint, the method comprising:

• detecting, by the franking machine, an insertion of the cartridge into the printer;
• generating, by the franking machine, current consumption information representative of the use of the cartridge by the printer since insertion of the cartridge;
• storing a unique cartridge identification of the cartridge in a first non-volatile memory of the cartridge, the stored unique cartridge identification being unchangeable;
• initiating, by the first data processor, at least when at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event occurs, a storage of a current use-related information, generated based on the current consumption information logically linked to the unique cartridge identification, in a second memory, the at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event being relevant for use of the cartridge by the printer;
• and
• writing, by the first data processor, to an irreversibly writable memory area of the first non-volatile memory when the at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event occurs.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon, wherein, when executed, the program instructs a processor to perform a method for controlling a system for printing an imprint, the system including a cartridge configured to hold a consumable and a franking machine that includes a printer configured to use the cartridge and a first data processor connected to the printer that is configured to control use of the cartridge for printing the imprint, the method comprising:

• detecting, by the franking machine, an insertion of the cartridge into the printer;
• generating, by the franking machine, current consumption information representative of the use of the cartridge by the printer since insertion of the cartridge:
• storing a unique cartridge identification of the cartridge in a first non-volatile memory of the cartridge, the stored unique cartridge identification being unchangeable;
• initiating, by the first data processor, at least when at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event occurs, a storage of a current use-related information, generated based on the current consumption information logically linked to the unique cartridge identification, in a second memory, the at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event being relevant for use of the cartridge by the printer;
• and
• writing, by the first data processor, to an irreversibly writable memory area of the first non-volatile memory when the at least one predeterminable usage-relevant event occurs.