Abstract: In a dynamic scale, and a method for controlling a dynamic scale, an item to be weighed is transported by a transport device to a weighing cell. The transport device is operable in a number of different operating modes. At the weighing cell, a measured weight value is obtained, and this measured weight value is subsequently interpreted and, based on the interpretation of the measured weight value, the transport device is switched to a different operating mode, which may include reversing the direction of the transport device so as to permit the item to be re-weighed and subsequently discharged from the scale.

Abstract: A postage meter machine has a microprocessor that processes commands of a control program containing a number of software modules for realizing the operating functions of the postage meter machine. The control program includes a postage module that contains postage data and commands for designing a postage user interface to be displayed at a display. The postage module is stored separately from other software modules in a memory module whose content can be modified.

Abstract: In an arrangement for a security module that is plugged via an interface onto a base plate of a postal device, particularly a postage meter machine, the battery is replaceably arranged on the security module, and the voltage monitoring unit includes a circuit for a resettable self-holding, the self-holding being triggered when the battery voltage drops below a predetermined threshold. The status can be interrogated by a processor. The resetting of the self-holding can only be triggered when the battery voltage has risen above the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for data input into a postage computer loading and updating of rate table data in the postage computer, take place with two operations being separated from one another in time. The transmission and storage of a new postage fee schedule table in a postage computer can be implemented on demand or automatically pre-programmed at a first point in time. The actual updating of rate table data is automatically implemented at a second point in time. The method and apparatus are suitable for postage meter machines as well as for scales containing postage computers or similar devices. The apparatus contains a postage computer and a memory for service data with memory areas for data related to rate tables.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for processing variable service data structures and display texts, a processing module is provided having a microprocessor, a program memory in which an operating program for the microprocessor is stored, and a non-volatile service data memory having first and second memory areas. Service data are stored in the second memory area and a root table is stored in the first memory area, the root table having a number of table items respectively associated with pointers for the addresses of the service data in the second memory area. Access to the second memory area from the microprocessor ensues exclusively through the root table by selection of a table item, within the context of the operating program, and service data are supplied to the microprocessor from the second memory area from an address identified by the pointer for the selected table item.

Abstract: In a method for the control of a fast dynamic scale a first operating mode controls the transport device for transport of postal matter to a further processing station, a measurement with a weighing cell during the transport is made and an evaluation of the measured values with the letter format microprocessor for the weight determination given dynamic weighing, and weighed values are supplied to the further processing station. An automatic switching into a second operating mode for the semi-dynamic operation of the scale with static weighing ensues dependent on the result of a determination of the dimensions of the following piece of mail in a first processing station arranged upstream in the mail stream.

Abstract: In a method for real-time registration having high protection against tampering by means of a security module, an encrypted initial security value for translog file analyzers is made available an unencrypted real-time message is secured by appending an authentication code that the security module generates by inserting a current security value into an algorithm for authentication code for each real-time message that is likewise employed by each translog file analyzer. The first security value is formed according to a first mathematical function known to the translog file analyzer that allows a derivation of following security values. The authentication code is formed according to a second mathematical function known to the translog analyzer that is applied to the real-time message and to the current security value and that serves for the verification of the real-time message.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for determining a requirement to replace a component in a device, the measurement of a first parameter that has an unbeneficial influence on the consumption or the service life of the component is replaced by the measurement of at least two parameters that represent the first parameter and whose changes allow the current condition of the component to be calculated. A count reading is thereby modified such that it approaches an outage threshold that is specific for the component and such that the device emits a warning before the end of use or end of the service life of the component part is reached. The invention can be advantageously utilized for the indirect measurement of parameters of components that are located in a security module or in its immediate proximity, for example for determining a requirement for battery replacement for security modules.

Abstract: An arrangement and a method for modifying the functionality of a security module employ a start loading program stored in a FLASH program memory for reprogramming the FLASH program memory by copying a portion of the start loading program into a main memory of the security module. Data of at least a part of an application program, an appertaining certificate code and identifier data are offered in the communication interface of the security module. The data of the part of the application program are stored on a free memory location of the FLASH program memory when the identifier data characterize a successor status for the stored status. The authenticity of the loaded part of the application program is checked with the certificate code, and given authenticity of the loaded part of the application program, it is stored as valid.

Abstract: In a method and a usage counter for registering a usage value of a commodity, a measured value of the commodity is generated between an input and an output for the commodity, a rate value for charging for usage of said commodity is non-volatilely stored, and in a security module a monetary charge is calculated from the measured value and the rate value. A communication device communicates the calculated monetary charge to a location remote from the usage counter in a secured communication. The security module generates an electronic reaction to attempts to fraudulently manipulate the calculated monetary charge, such as by breeching the security of the security module, or by unusual deviations in the measured value of the commodity.

Abstract: A device for printing a print carrier in the printing region makes use, in a force transmission region, of a driven transport drum and non-driven back-pressure rollers or, alternatively, of a non-driven back-pressure conveyor belt. A stationary ink-jet printing head prints, in the printing region, the print carrier that is moved downstream, the ink-jet printing head being disposed axially relative to the transport drum. The printing region amounts preferably to about 1 inch and is at a distance from the force transmission region, the distance of the furthest pixel from the edge of the transport drum, being smaller than the radius of the circumference of the transport drum.

Abstract: An electronic device, particularly a postage meter machine, has a central processing unit, at least one memory connected to the central processing unit in which at least one program unit is stored which the processing unit accesses for the configuration or the operation of the processing unit or of a function unit connected to the processing unit, and a position determination unit connected to the processing unit. A number of location-specific program units are stored in the memory and the processing unit is fashioned such that it accesses the location-specific program unit in the memory corresponding to the location of the device determined by the position determination unit.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating a print image, particularly a franking imprint, on a first image carrier composed of at least one first partial image and a second partial image offset thereto transversely relative to a first direction, whereby a relative motion between a print head and an image carrier is generated along a first direction in a first step for generating the first partial image. A transverse offset between the print head and the image carrier is generated in a second direction proceeding transversely to the first direction in a second step. A relative motion between the print head and the image carrier is generated along the first direction in a third step for generating the second partial image. The waiting time interval between the end of the printing event of the first step and the beginning of the printing event of the third step has a length that is varied according to a prescribed function.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for generating a print image, particularly a franking imprint, on an image carrier composed of at least one first partial image and a second partial image that are transversely offset relative to a first direction, a relative motion between a drop-ejecting print head and the image carrier is generated along the first direction in a first step for generating the first partial image, a transverse offset between the print head and the image carrier is generated in a second direction proceeding transversely to the first direction in a second step, and a relative motion between the print head and the image carrier is generated along the first direction in a third step for generating the second partial image.

Abstract: In a postage meter machine, a method for the operation of a postage meter machine as well as method for data communication between a postage meter machine and a remote data center, the postage meter machine has a central processing device and a data transmission device connected thereto for the transmission of information between the processing device and the remote data center via a telecommunication network. The data transmission device has a connection unit for making the connection to a telecommunication line of the telecommunication network. A monitoring device in the postage meter machine monitors the usage status of the telecommunication line.

Abstract: A configuration for detecting mail items includes rigid optical waveguide elements between a monitoring location and transmitting and receiving devices on a main printed circuit board. The configuration makes use of a transmitted-light principle for detecting mail items to be franked.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for determining a requirement to replace a component in a device, the measurement of a first parameter that has an unbeneficial influence on the consumption or the service life of the component is replaced by the measurement of at least two parameters that represent the first parameter and whose changes allow the current condition of the component to be calculated. A count reading is thereby modified such that it approaches an outage threshold that is specific for the component and such that the device emits a warning before the end of use or end of the service life of the component part is reached. The invention can be advantageously utilized for the indirect measurement of parameters of components that are located in a security module or in its immediate proximity, for example for determining a requirement for battery replacement for security modules.

Abstract: In a method and system for communicating shipping orders for postal matter between a shipper and at least one carrier whose service are employed for conveying the postal matter to a recipient, the communication ensues via an intermediary who receives the shipping order of the shipper for at least one piece of mail. A selection of a carrier is made from a number of available carriers according to at least one predetermined selection criterion. This selection can ensue before or after receipt of the shipping order by the intermediary. The intermediary relays the shipping order to the selected carrier.

Abstract: In an arrangement for the power supply for a security domain of a device, a first battery is connected to a first input of a battery switchover device in the security region and a second battery is arranged in a non-security region of the device housing and is connected to a second input of the battery switchover device. The battery switchover device is coupled to a monitoring unit in the security region of the device. The monitoring unit is preferably composed of an analog-to-digital converter and a module processor for the evaluation of the connected battery voltages.

Abstract: In a method for the control of a fast dynamic scale a first operating mode controls the transport device for transport of postal matter to a further processing station, a measurement with a weighing cell during the transport is made and an evaluation of the measured values with the letter format microprocessor for the weight determination given dynamic weighing, and weighed values are supplied to the further processing station. An automatic switching into a second operating mode for the semi-dynamic operation of the scale with static weighing ensues dependent on the result of a determination of the dimensions of the following piece of mail in a first processing station arranged upstream in the mail stream.