Abstract: A method includes printing at least one document provided with information content and with at least one mark on a printing unit. A first print instruction comprising the information content to be printed on the document is provided from a document generator. A marking module generates a second print instruction for printing at least one mark on the document. The generation and processing of the second print instruction for printing the mark takes place independently of the information content of the first print instruction.

Abstract: A system for opening or extracting postal items and for franking postal items includes a franking apparatus for franking postal items, an opener or extractor for at least opening postal items, and a transport structure for transporting the postal items. The franking apparatus and the opener or extractor are arranged along the transport structure at least when in an operating condition. A method for opening or extracting postal items and for franking other postal items involves serially transporting the postal items to be opened or extracted along a transport path, opening or extracting each one of the postal items that is passed along the transport path, also transporting each of the other postal items to be franked along the transport path, and applying at least one postage mark on each of the postal items to be franked that is passed along the transport path.

Abstract: For addressing an item to be mailed, at least one initial address for delivery of the item is determined and then an addressing file containing addressing data clustered in address clusters is consulted. At least a number of the address clusters each contain at least two addresses. As the addresses are clustered and the selection of an address cluster is effected in response to agreement between an initial address for delivery of an item and an address occurring in the cluster, neither the sender nor the addressee needs to know a special identification code of the addressee. A system and a computer program for carrying out this method are also described.

Abstract: A system for opening or extracting postal items and for franking postal items includes a franking apparatus for franking postal items, an opener or extractor for at least opening postal items, and a transport structure for transporting the postal items. The franking apparatus and the opener or extractor are arranged along the transport structure at least when in an operating condition. A method for opening or extracting postal items and for franking other postal items involves serially transporting the postal items to be opened or extracted along a transport path, opening or extracting each one of the postal items that is passed along the transport path, also transporting each of the other postal items to be franked along the transport path, and applying at least one postage mark on each of the postal items to be franked that is passed along the transport path.

Abstract: A method for registration of existing, physical documents determining a code through use of a data processor structure, actuating a marking assembly for applying a mark, which represents the code, on each document to be registered, actuating a registration device in response to the application of the mark through use of the data processor structure, and registering accordingly data corresponding with the code, on a protected information carrier. Because it is one and the same data processor structure that carries out the determination of the code, the application of a mark corresponding with the code, and the storage, in a protected memory, of codes that correspond with applied marks, a safeguard regarding the authenticity of stored data regarding documents is obtained in a highly efficient and reliable manner.

Abstract: For assembling mail items, a type of envelope is selected from different types. Another station is accordingly set and a flat object is packaged in an envelope of the selected type. Prior to the assembly of a series of mail items, a set of basic finishing instructions applying to the series is activated. This set contains a first and a second set of instructions, each for selecting a first respectively second one of the different types of envelopes and with an instruction for an associated first respectively second setting of the other station, and a selection criterion for selecting, per individual mail item, one of the sets of instructions. Thus, within the framework of a preset set of basic finishing instructions, another one of the available types of envelope can simply be selected per mail item to be assembled individually.

Abstract: In preparing a document, digital document data are generated which contain an information content (IC) and finishing instructions (FI), other than the information content (IC), for finishing the document. The document data is fed to an apparatus for preparing and finishing documents, where the preparation and finishing of the document are carried out in accordance with the document data and whereby the information content (IC) is provided on an information carrier. The document is composed of at least two sections (S1-S5), each divided into an information content (IC) and at least one finishing code (FC) which represents at least one finishing setting. Determining the finishing instructions (FI) for preparing the document proceeds in accordance with the finishing codes (FC) associated with the sections (S1-S5).

Abstract: For assembling mail items, a type of envelope is selected from different types. Another station is accordingly set and a flat object is packaged in an envelope of the selected type. Prior to the assembly of a series of mail items, a set of basic finishing instructions applying to said series is activated. This set contains a first and a second set of instructions, each for selecting a first respectively second one of the different types of envelopes and with an instruction for an associated first respectively second setting of the other station, and a selection criterion for selecting, per individual mail item, one of the sets of instructions. Thus, within the framework of a preset set of basic finishing instructions, another one of the available types of envelope can simply be selected per mail item to be assembled individually.

Abstract: Registration of existing, physical documents, comprising: the step of a data processor structure (3, 6; 23) determining a code in each case; actuating a marking assembly (5; 25) for applying a mark, which represents the code, on each document to be registered; the step of the data processor structure (3, 6; 23) actuating registration means in response to the application of the mark; and registering accordingly data corresponding with the code, on a protected information carrier (4; 24). Because it is one and the same data processor structure (3, 6; 23) that carries out the determination of the code, the application of a mark corresponding with the code, and the storage, in a protected memory, of codes of said codes that correspond with applied marks, a safeguard regarding the authenticity of stored data regarding documents is obtained in a highly efficient and reliable manner.

Abstract: For temporarily storing sheets, envelopes and the like, the objects are received one by one in a buffer apparatus and delivered one by one from that apparatus. For each object, a code associated with that object is determined, which code is stored in accordance with the order of receipt of the objects. Each object that is discharged is scanned and the scanning result is compared with a code that on the basis of order information is supposed to be associated with that object. If a particular minimum extent of agreement between the compared data is found, a normal operating status is adhered to. If less than the particular extent of agreement between the compared data is found, an error message status is selected. There is also described a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing the objects. Different objects can indiscriminately be processed in an irregular order and checked for separation.

Abstract: Apparatus, method and modules for sorting flat objects. The apparatus comprises a number of sorting holders, a conveying system with a switch and branches connecting thereto, a reading unit, and an object separator for feeding, one by one, stacked objects to the conveying system for recirculation. Because in operation, during the feed from the sorting holders, the objects are separated and individually recirculated from the sorting holders to the switch, this can be controlled in a simple manner and carried out with simple, compact conveying means. The apparatus can be modularly constructed from a basic module with a sorting holder and one or more sorting modules also with a sorting holder and a recirculation path.

Abstract: In processing received postal items, of opened envelopes an image of an envelope (4) is recorded by means of a registration assembly (67, 71, 74). The registration assembly (67, 71, 74) is so configured relative to an inverting structure for inverting a front wall or a rear wall (42) of an envelope (4), that the recording of an image of one of the walls of an envelope (4) is carried out each time after the inversion of that wall (42). As a result, images of the front wall and the rear wall of the envelope can be recorded from the same side, independently of the orientation in which the envelope has been supplied. Moreover, images of the front wall and the rear wall can always be recorded from the same side.

Abstract: Documents are printed in accordance with sets of printing instructions. To a processing station, processing instructions are supplied, each associated with one of the sets of printing instructions. The order in which the processing instructions are executed corresponds with the order in which the sets of printing instructions are executed. Printed documents are supplied to the station, which processes the documents in accordance with the processing instructions whose turn is next. In order to check the processing of the documents, starting from one of the printing instructions, associated verification data are determined. The printing on the printed documents is scanned, whereby a scanning result is obtained. A scanning result is compared with verification data of which the associated sequence information corresponds with the sequence information assigned to that scanning result. If too large a difference is found, a difference report signal is generated.

Abstract: For determining a displacement of an object (41) from sheetlike material along an observing position (11, 12), each time the object (41) has been displaced over a particular distance, a pulse is generated. The passing object (41) is scanned, whereby a plurality of samples are generated between two pulses, independently of the displacement of the object (41), and to these samples moreover sequence information (37) is coupled. The number of samples between two pulses (39) and the number of generated pulses (38) are counted. The sequence information (37, 38) coupled to identified samples and the counted number of samples between two pulses (39) are used to determine the displacement of the object with greater accuracy than would be possible with the displacement-dependent pulses alone, without requiring that to this end interpolation pulses be generated and processed which are to be processed separately.

Abstract: For temporarily storing sheets, envelopes and the like, the objects are received one by one in a buffer apparatus and delivered one by one from that apparatus. For each object, a code associated with that object is determined, which code is stored in accordance with the order of receipt of the objects. Each object that is discharged is scanned and the scanning result is compared with a code that on the basis of order information is supposed to be associated with that object. If a particular minimum extent of agreement between the compared data is found, a normal operating status is adhered to. If less than the particular extent of agreement between the compared data is found, an error message status is selected. There is also described a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing the objects. Different objects can indiscriminately be processed in an irregular order and checked for separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing sets of documents comprises a document conveyor, a shunting station, a folding station, and a controller. A scanner determines the length of the conveyed documents in a set or the space between successive documents sets. The control acts responsive to the determined length or space, and adjusts the cycle speed of the apparatus so that the documents sets are conveyed with a minimum of intervening space without colliding. The invention also includes a method for controlling the apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A method of preparing items to be mailed, in which periodically at least one main document is inserted into an envelope by way of a mail preparation system comprising an inserter station. A printing is printed through use of a printer on an envelope, which printing corresponds to a given main document. In accordance with the invention the printed envelope is fed from the printer to the inserter station, where the given main document is inserted into the printed envelope that corresponds to that main document. Furthermore a system for preparing items to be mailed comprises a printer, an envelope supply path and an inserter station connected thereto. In accordance with the invention the printer (6) is connected to the envelope supply path (5), in such a way that the envelopes can be fed from the printer (6) along the envelope supply path (5) to the inserter station (2).

Abstract: For the preparation of items to be mailed, a number of main documents are fed. Printing instructions for the printing of a number of enclosure documents are stored in a memory, each in association with a corresponding enclosure code. In at least some of the processing instructions, at least an enclosure code is included. In reaction to an enclosure code forming part of processing instructions associated with a supplied main document, printing instructions stored in the memory in association with a corresponding enclosure code are selected and fed to a printer. An enclosure document is printed by the printer in accordance with the selected printing instructions and added to the main document. By printing the enclosures in reaction to enclosure codes associated with the main documents, a wide variety of enclosures can be incorporated into items to be mailed without logistic problems.

Abstract: A brightness pattern of a document (71, 101) is stored in a memory. At least a part (73, 102, 105) of another document (71, 101) is optically scanned. The scanned brightness pattern is compared with the stored brightness pattern. When more than a specified minimum extent of agreement between the scanned and the stored brightness patterns is found, a signal is generated. The composition of the set is carried out in accordance with that signal.Because scanned brightness patterns are compared with a brightness pattern of a document, a random brightness pattern present on a document can be used for controlling the composition of the set.Further, an apparatus for practicing the method according to the invention is disclosed.

Abstract: Via a data channel, a central data processor is connected to a plurality of data processors each associated with a station. Communication between the data processors associated with stations and at least the central data processor occurs via said data channel. The data processors each associated with a station are selectively activated for communication via the data channel in response to given control signals, According to the invention, data processors each associated with a station are connected to connections associated with the position of the associated stations in the apparatus.. The connection to which a data processor is connected determines in response to which of the control signals the data processor is activated, Thus, the central processor is simply and automatically provided with information regarding the positions of the stations in the apparatus.