Abstract: In a method and arrangement for authenticated transmission of a personalized data set or program to a hardware security module in a device such as a franking machine, a system manufacturer buys security modules, from a security module manufacturer and incorporate the security modules at a production site in the device and loads a data set and/or an application program into the security module, making the device operable. Authentication occurs using a first security module-specific fixed code, a second security module-specific fixed code that is calculated from the first code according to a given algorithm, and a third security module-specific fixed code that is calculated from the second code and the data in the data set and/or in the program.

Abstract: Inkjet printing system with at least one ink cartridge and an associated ink cartridge receptacle in which a special ink cartridge exchange device can be omitted, wherein the ink cartridge is modified by a guide pin that is fastened on the convexity of the ink cartridge, or between convexity and top of said ink cartridge, and projects only to one side beyond the flat side wall for the purpose of guiding the ink cartridge, and slides along in a wall of the ink cartridge receptacle; wherein, given an inserted ink cartridge, a leaf spring is pre-tensioned in each cavity of the cartridge receptacle of the ink cartridge receptacle that is provided for an ink cartridge; and via elastic force the exchange of the ink cartridge is assisted when the locking nose and the locking element of the ink cartridge receptacle disengage via manual pressure; and the ink cartridge is pivoted on an axis running near and parallel to the guide pin in order to release the ink cartridge; wherein the separation of the lower rear edge of

Abstract: In a method and an apparatus for exchanging customer data of a franking machine, a data processing device is in communication with a first memory that is permanently connected therewith, and is also in communication with a security module for implementing security-relevant services associated with franking. The data processor stores user data in the first memory that are predetermined by a user. A second memory is connected to the data processor in a manner allowing the second memory to be readily detached. The data processor stores the user data in the second memory for data backup.

Abstract: In a method for data backup of a franking machine in which, in a data backup step, a connection is established between the franking machine and a remote data center via a communication network, data stored in the franking machine are transmitted to the data center as backup data in a transmission step, and the backup data are stored in the data center in a storage step. The backup data include user-definable configuration data of the franking machine that are definable by the user of the franking machine for configuration of the franking machine.

Abstract: In a device for cleaning an inkjet print head (in particular the surface with nozzle exit openings) for a franking and/or addressing machine in which the print substrates are directed along a stationary but pivotably arranged inkjet print head, the entire nozzle exit surface is cleaned in a short time and a contamination of the transport region is avoided, with a small apparatus expenditure, by a wiping device formed by a driven wiping roller that is transversally, non-positively directed along the nozzle exit surface in a cleaning operation, and that continuously, non-positively rests on an associated cleaning element. The nozzle surface is repeatedly wiped off and the wiping roller is simultaneously cleaned in a single pass. An actuator of the wiping roller can be selectively coupled with an actuator for a cleaning and sealing device that operates the cleaning element, or can be autonomous.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sealing liquid for sealing mailpieces containing water and a penetration agent, to the uses thereof and to letter-closing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for free-spraying an inkjet printhead includes a feed table with a slot carrier which can be deflected counter to a spring force and has at least one free-spraying slot disposed opposite at least one inkjet printhead. The slot carrier is shaped in such a way that the at least one free-spraying slot is deflected out of a transport path corresponding to an entry of an item of mail being fed in.

Abstract: In a franking method and a mail transport system, a franking image is calculated before generation thereof on a mail piece. The franking image includes a franking image key, and for each new franking image, the franking image key therefor is derived from a predecessor franking image key according to a first crypto-algorithm. An integrity check code is also generated based on the new franking image key, a key generation number, an apparatus identifier of the franking device, and a second crypto-algorithm. The franking image includes at least the device identifier, the key generation number and the integrity check code. Upon transport of the mail piece to a sorting center, the franking image is scanned and fees for billing are generated based thereon.

Abstract: A transport apparatus for flat materials to be printed is used in a printing apparatus having a printing module. The transport apparatus is disposed in the printing apparatus in a stationary manner relative to a pressing apparatus which presses an item of mail onto the transport belt that acts on a part of a surface of the item of mail with a predefined adhesion friction in the transport region. That part of the surface of the item of mail is not printed but lies close to a region which is to be printed. Two deflection rollers and a supporting plate are provided for the transport belt, in order to form the transport region. The printing module protrudes at least partially into an intermediate space between the two deflection rollers. The printing module has at least one ink cartridge with an inkjet print head which is situated outside the transport region.

Abstract: An arrangement for installing a communication unit in an apparatus having a security housing, such as a mail processing apparatus, including a cavity bay located at a non-secure region of the apparatus that is accessible by a cover that is non-destructibly detachable from the security housing. The bay receives a pluggable communication unit that has a connection element connectible by a plug-in movement with a connection element of a motherboard located in the secure region of the apparatus: The cavity has at least one further connection element that is electrically conductively and mechanically connected with a metal chassis part of the apparatus in the security housing. This further connection element protrudes into the cavity and establishes contact with the communication unit for grounding thereof.

Abstract: The mailing machine and a method of initializing it are based on an unremovable program memory, which contains an initialization program. A removable authorization device is operationally connected to the mailing machine and is designed such that it can be interrogated. The interrogation is performed before and during the initialization of the mailing machine with predetermined INIT data. A security module connected to the program memory serves for checking the authorization and can prevent initialization without authorization. The initialization of the mailing machine takes place at the goods receiving location in the destination country by switching into an initialization mode, authorization of the initialization by means of the authorization device, input of initialization data and ending of the initialization and cancellation of the authorization.

Abstract: In a method and thermotransfer printing device for setting the speed of a relative movement between the print head and a recording medium during a printing procedure in the thermotransfer printing device, in particular for setting the transport speed of a mail piece in a thermotransfer printing franking machine, the heat energies required for the generation of a predeterminable print image are calculated for the individual heating elements of the print head from start value that has been established for the desired speed. It is subsequently computationally checked whether the respectively calculated heat energy can be emitted at the respective heating element in a first time interval predetermined by the start value of the desired speed and a predeterminable remaining time. If so, a printing procedure follows in which the beginning of the printing procedure ensues using the end value of the desired speed.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for controlling printing by a thermotransfer printing apparatus with relative movement between a thermotransfer print head and a print medium, a microprocessor that provides pixel energy data to a pixel energy memory by making an energy value calculation and by coding, and a print data controller prepares the pixel energy data by decoding during the printing in a number (corresponding to the pixel energy value) of binary pixel data each with the same binary value. The print data controller includes at least one pixel energy data preparation unit, a DMA controller, an address generator, a printer controller and a phase counter. The DMA controller allows an access to the pixel energy data stored in the pixel energy memory as code in order to provide the pixel energy data in print columns to the at least one pixel energy data preparation unit. The address generator generates addresses for selection of the buffered code during each phase of a number of phases.

Abstract: A configuration for exchanging inkjet printing modules in a franking and/or addressing machine having a shaft-shaped receptacle with a locking device for the inkjet printing modules. The functional reliability and an extension of the service life of the printing device are improved by achieving simple and reliable exchanging of the inkjet printing module. In particular, easy drawing of the inkjet printing module is made possible and mechanical impairment of the mating contacts for the inkjet printing module is prevented. Devices are provided for pulling and releasing the contact of the inkjet printing module in the receptacle. These devices are coupled mechanically to one another in such a way that, when the pulling process is initiated, contact is released at the same time. A wiping apparatus is arranged in the pivoting region of the rear edge of the nozzle surface of the inkjet print head.

Abstract: In a method, data processor and mail transport system for a mail item, the mail item has an electronic memory device physically associated therewith that contains electronically stored information that is relevant for the transport of the mail item.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sealing liquid comprising water and a penetration agent for sealing of mail pieces, the use of said sealing liquid as well as sealing devices and franking machines containing such a sealing liquid.

Abstract: In a method for activation of a print head operating according to the thermotransfer principle, the print head having a number of printing elements, in which the energy quantity to be supplied to a printing element is determined in a determination step, and the energy quantity is supplied to the printing element in a supply step in order to transfer ink from an ink carrier device associated with the print head onto a substrate associated with the ink carrier device. A print parameter set characteristic of the ink carrier device is read from a memory associated with the ink carrier device in a read step preceding the determination step and the energy quantity is determined in the determination step using at least the print parameter set.

Abstract: A measuring arrangement and measurement method determine the play of a cartridge pivot unit of an inkjet printing system that has at least one stop for the cartridge pivot unit. The cartridge pivot unit is driven by a first motor via a gear train and is equipped with a first movement sensor to establish a movement of the cartridge pivot unit upon leaving the stop. The cartridge pivot unit moves only when the play of the gear train is overcome. The stop for the cartridge pivot unit is formed by a mobile cleaning and sealing station. A counter is provided to count pulses, the count being representative of the play of the gear train of the cartridge pivot unit counting begins with leaving the mobile stop and continues until the movement of the cartridge pivot unit upon leaving the stop again ensues in conformity with the actuation by the first motor.

Abstract: An apparatus for pressing flat materials onto a transport module includes pressing elements acting on the flat material with a spring force through an opening in a feed table for flat materials. The feed table is mounted above a lower housing shell. The pressing elements are configured as spring elements which can be lowered and are anchored in the lower housing shell. An actuating element is disposed in an indentation of a front wall of the lower housing shell in order to actuate a lowering apparatus disposed in the lower housing shell. The lowering apparatus has a lever connected mechanically to the actuating element and a slide coupled to the lever for lowering the spring elements upon actuation of the actuating element.

Abstract: In a correction method for a microprocessor-controlled digital regulation of a drive motor, wherein the measurement arrangement used for the regulation of the motor is simplified. recognizing that the real value surveying cannot always be implemented periodically by the microprocessor at the requested point in time, making sporadic measurement errors of a simplified measurement arrangement ineffectual, in accordance with the method individual measurement values with a sudden change are read out and correction values are used instead of these for the regulation.