Abstract: A configuration for identifying a switch position of a power switch for microprocessor-controlled appliances is provided. A switch connected in parallel with the power switch is to produce a switch-off delay which has no adverse effect on the interrogation of the switch position. The power switch contains two series-connected switches which can be opened or closed only jointly, with one contact of one switch being connected to one of the two live or neutral conductors, and its other contact being connected to a first input of a sensor which, when voltage is applied and the power switch is switched on, passes a measurement current to the second input of the sensor, which is connected to another one of the two live or neutral conductors. On the output side, the sensor transmits an output signal, corresponding to the switch position of the power switch to a microprocessor for the appliance.

Abstract: In a method and a distribution system for the secure distribution of security modules, particularly for postage meter machines, for protecting against manipulation of security modules, only devices with security modules whose keys have not been comprised can be placed in operation by the customer under all circumstances, i.e. even when the cryptographic initialization at the production location has been comprehensively undermined. The generation and checking of markings, potentially in combination with certificates proceeds with a first marking of the shipping packaging of the security module ensuing at the manufacturing location after a first cryptographic initialization. The first marking is preferably a public key printed on a first label.

Abstract: In an arrangement and method for offering a message when loading service data for a terminal device, a connector unit in a service center is connected to a server and is equipped with a number of modems that produce a connection to a communication system to which a number of clients are also connected. The server is operated in order to access a data bank, wherein the properties of the different clients are stored as to the information playback capabilities of the respective clients. The server selects an advertising message that is transmitted to the terminal device of one of the clients dependent on that client's playback capabilities. At least one data file of one of a number of advertising sources is through-connected by the connector unit to the terminal device.

Abstract: A secure housing for an electronic unit, in particular a franking machine, has a first housing part and a second housing part releasably connected to the first housing part via at least one connecting device. In order to prevent the housing from being opened without leaving trace of the opening, there is provided at least one covering device on and/or in the first or second housing part. The covering device blocks the access to the connecting device and can only be removed from the first or second housing part with noticeable damage being caused.

Abstract: In an arrangement and method for storing data about usage of a terminal device, a statistical memory is provided for the usage data, which are stored in statistical classes. A processor is connected to the statistical memory and a program memory and is programmed for automatic class formation, and for statistical storage of the usage data and appertaining storage of the count of a counter which is incremented upon each entry or occurrence of an item of the class.

Abstract: A method of opening a security housing that requires authorization and unlocking moves the printing module transversely by a transverse mover into an additional unlocked position, as a result of which, the security housing or an access thereto is unlocked. The configuration has a mechanical locking or element and a printing module. The printing module is mounted such that it can be moved transversely to the transporting direction, for mechanically releasing the lock of a security-housing part directly or indirectly, by the security-housing part only being released once an additional security-housing part has been unlocked. The latter has a locking element that is disposed in the interior of the security housing and can be actuated by the printing module.

Abstract: A method of opening a security housing that requires authorization and unlocking moves the printing module transversely by a transverse mover into an additional unlocked position, as a result of which, the security housing or an access thereto is unlocked. The configuration has a mechanical locking or element and a printing module. The printing module is mounted such that it can be moved transversely to the transporting direction, for mechanically releasing the lock of a security-housing part directly or indirectly, by the security-housing part only being released once an additional security-housing part has been unlocked. The latter has a locking element that is disposed in the interior of the security housing and can be actuated by the printing module.

Abstract: A mail-processing device has a programmable memory, a program memory, a working memory, a keyboard with operating elements and a microprocessor, and the programmable memory, the working memory and the microprocessor, in combination, are programmable to set an operating mode for automatic product code entry. The microprocessor is programmed with a program for evaluating mail-item-related data value stored in the working memory by means of a table stored in the programmable memory.

Abstract: An arrangement for printing a print image having regions of different print image resolution onto a moving postal item in a mail processing device has a microprocessor, a pixel memory, a read-only memory and a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a printhead. The microprocessor is programmed to operate from data in the read-only memory, a number of data strings having a switchable number of data words and to store them in the pixel memory. A maximum number of data words per data string is downwardly transgressed when the pixel data are stored compressed. The print data controller undertakes pixel data editing while printing with the printhead and is equipped to decompress the compressed pixel data per data string and to supplement the pixel data missing due to the compression such that the reduction of the number of data words per data string corresponds to the reduction in the resolution during printing.

Abstract: A security module with status signaling, has a battery, and function units that are interconnected with one another and are covered by a casting compound. The battery is replaceably arranged on the security module, with the casting compound surrounding a first part of the printed circuit board, and a second part of the printed circuit board for the replaceably arranged battery being free of casting compound. For signaling the module status, an optical or acoustic signal element is connected to the printed circuit board.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for variable generation of cryptographic securities of communications in a host device, for cryptographic security of a communication for a first purpose a first signature is used and for cryptographic security of a communication for a second purpose a second signature is used, the signatures being differentiated from each other by the type of their generation. A cryptologic module has a number of logic circuits and a changeover switch and is arranged externally of the postal security device and is connected at its output with an information input of the postal security device that has a logic circuit that applies a digital signal algorithm to the output signal supplied by the output in order to generate a signature.

Abstract: A method for controlling the printing in a mail processing device proceeds on the basis of a word-by-word storage of binary pixel data in the pixel memory with a predefined number of successive data words forming a data string, and a predefined number of data strings representing at least one print image. This facilitates a modification of variable binary pixel data in the pixel memory when the sequence of the binary pixel data in at least a part of the respective data string coincides with the sequence of pixels in at least one corresponding print image column that is provided for the printing. After a word-by-word transmission of binary pixel data of a data string from the pixel memory by direct memory access (DMA), an intermediate storage of the data string ensues in a pixel data editing unit before a pixel data editing is implemented during the printing with an ink jet printhead.

Abstract: A security chassis for a secure area in the interior of a secure housing having a supporting frame for the printing mechanism in the non-secure area, a printing module being arranged such that it can move in the supporting frame and being protected mechanically against unauthorized access. The supporting frame is supported on at least one functional edge of at least one chassis shell, and at least two mutually spaced chassis shells surround the secure area. The at least one functional edge has ventilation openings formed at its margin. The geometric shape of the edge of the functional edge making penetration of tools into the secure area enclosed by the two chassis shells impossible.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the printing in a mail-processing device has a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a print heads. The print data controller is composed of a pixel data-editing unit and a circuit including a DMA controller, an address is generator and a printer controller. The DMA controller allows access to the binary pixel data stored in the pixel memory in order to make the data available to the pixel data-editing unit in data strings. The address generator generates addresses that are supplied to the pixel data-editing unit for the selection of the binary pixel data from an intermediately stored data string and for grouping in the required sequence. The printer controller drives the pixel data-editing unit in order to supply the binary pixel data in groups to a driver unit for the print head.

Abstract: An arrangement for controlling the printing in a mail-processing device has a print data controller for pixel data editing while printing with a print head. The print data controller is composed of a pixel data-editing unit and a circuit including a DMA controller, an address generator and a printer controller. The DMA controller allows access to the binary pixel data stored in the pixel memory in order to make the data available to the pixel data-editing unit in data strings. The address generator generates addresses that are supplied to the pixel data-editing unit for the selection of the binary pixel data from an intermediately stored data string and for grouping in the required sequence. The printer controller drives the pixel data-editing unit in order to supply the binary pixel data in groups to a driver unit for the print head.

Abstract: A print image, such as for a franking apparatus, is composed of a number of elements to which different security levels are assigned. In a storage medium, and in a franking apparatus containing such a storage medium, for the print image, the image data are stored in a manner allocated to respectively different security levels.

Abstract: A method for controlling the printing in a mail processing device proceeds on the basis of a word-by-word storage of binary pixel data in the pixel memory with a predefined number of successive data words forming a data string, and a predefined number of data strings representing at least one print image. This facilitates a modification of variable binary pixel data in the pixel memory when the sequence of the binary pixel data in at least a part of the respective data string coincides with the sequence of pixels in at least one corresponding print image column that is provided for the printing. After a word-by-word transmission of binary pixel data of a data string from the pixel memory by direct memory access (DMA), an intermediate storage of the data string ensues in a pixel data editing unit before a pixel data editing is implemented during the printing with an ink jet printhead.

Abstract: An electrically operated consumable module to be inserted into a holder of an electronic appliance, in particular an ink cartridge for the printing device of a franking machine, has a consumable device, electrical connecting elements which are connected thereto and which have contact elements to connect the consumable module to a consumable-module controller of the electronic appliance. The consumable module also has a projection to interact with the holder to prevent an insertion into other types of holders. The connecting elements are configured and/or assigned to the projection in such a way that they are at least partly destroyed in the event of an unauthorized removal of the projection.