Abstract: Installation and method for updating an address database in a database memory (44) containing recorded address records, making use of the following steps: receiving and processing address data as shown on items of post; storing the address data; the determination of a quality rating for the address data on the basis of predefined criteria; comparison of the address data with the address records stored in the database memory (44); and updating the content of the database memory (44) on the basis of the quality rating and the comparison of the address data with the stored address records.

Abstract: A method and system for checking a franking mark (28), comprising at least an identification code and a unique bit string, said system comprising means for: a) reading the franking mark (28), b) decoding the franking mark (28), c) checking whether the identification code is correct by comparing it to data stored in a memory (40), d) checking whether the unique bit string is valid by comparing it to data stored in said memory (40).

Abstract: A method and device for printing a franking mark on a document by making available a unique bit string; establishing an identification code; and securely printing the franking mark on the document. The franking mark at least includes information relating to the bit string and the identification code. The bit string is selected from a centrally stored set of unique bit strings, and the unique bit strings which are made available for use are centrally registered.

Abstract: Packets transmitted in an automatic packet transmission system each have an information part and a header part. The heater contains virtual channel information (vci), identifying the virtual transmission channel and/or the group of virtual transmission channels via which the packet is being transmitted. The transmitted system at a junction point comprises 94 access control system including a counter-and-threshold access control device (3) controlling a switch (2) for granting or refusing packets access to the downstream part of the transmission system, depending on the arrival rate of incoming of packets of the respective packet types identified by their virtual channel information. An error reporting device (4) records per vci the arrival rate of packets which are refused access downstream when a first threshold arrival rate is exceeded. Arrival rates and arrival rate thresholds are measured by a "leaky bucket" method for each packet type.

Abstract: Method and device for monitoring a downstream transmission medium which comprises a multiplicity of virtual, asynchronously time-shared transmission channels via which a data flow can be transmitted. The data flow is composed of data cells comprising a control word group (header) and an information word group. The header is read out in a monitoring device. On the arrival of a data cell, a number of variables is incremented and processed to produce a corresponding number of assessment signals. Each data cell header gives an indication of those variables which have to be incremented and processed, and of the mutation (incremention) and assessment algorithms to be used in doing so. Furthermore, one or more of the assessment signals are processed in accordance with a combination algorithm, deduced from the data cell header too, to form a control signal.

Abstract: For monitoring a transmission system comprising a number of asynchronously operating channels through which data cells can be transmitted, variable values are stored which, on arrival of a data cell, are altered by an alteration algorithm in accordance with data cell traffic and are then processed by an evaluation algorithm to produce an evaluation signal. Such evaluation signals are processed by a combination algorithm to produce a control signal. A data cell is or is not, transmitted, depending on the value of the control signal. Quality classes are assigned to the data cells and for each quality class a first variable value is stored, which is altered by a first alteration algorithm when a data cell arrives at a first location and is processed by a first evaluation algorithm to produce a first evaluation signal. The channels are divided into groups, each comprising those channels which use a particular potential congestion point in the transmission system.