Abstract: The present invention includes an aqueous ink that has a composition which contains one or more dyestuffs, at least one alkanol with a straight or branched C3-C8-alkyl chain and between two and four hydroxyl groups, at least one C1-C6-alkyl ester of an ∝-hydroxycarboxylic acid of the formula R—C(OH)—COOH, wherein R is H or a straight or branched C1-C6-alkyl residue of a penetration agent, a surfactant, other adjuvants, and wherein the balance of the composition is water.

Abstract: A mail identifier for storing information on mail includes an identification mark having a storage device for storing information and/or franking data associated with the mail. The storage device is contactlessly and wirelessly read. There is also provided a mail processing system processing the mail having the mark. A writer can contactlessly and wirelessly write information onto the mark, and a reader can similarly reads information associated with the mail. The device for processing items of mail can include a franking machine and/or a computer. A method of using of an identification mark includes placing an identification mark at an item of mail, storing at least one of information and franking data associated with an item of mail in the identification mark, and contactlessly and wirelessly reading the identification mark. A method of processing items of mail includes similar steps and simultaneously checks the validity of the franking data.

Abstract: An arrangement for monitoring the functioning of an ink print head, an enhancement of the functional dependability by enhancing the monitoring precision given reduced outlay is obtained with a constant monitoring and evaluation of the print format, with the brightness of the recording medium having no influence on the monitoring precision. A sensor head with at least two wiper electrodes is placed on the recording medium following the ink print head and is connected to an evaluation circuit that in turn has an output side connected to the drive circuit for the ink print head. Changes in the electrical properties of the recording medium between the wiper electrodes are acquired in the evaluation circuit, these changes arising due to the presence of just-printed ink thereon. The arrangement is suitable for ink print heads operating according to the bubble jet principle as well as for ink print heads with piezo actuators.

Abstract: In order to reduce the power requirement of the recording device (1) and thereby to achieve long operating readiness, the recording device (1) is placed in a stand-by state (Z3) during phases when recording is inactive, in which state its control electronics (22) function in power-saving mode. When a charger (3) is connected, the accumulator (2) is charged. The recording device (1) is placed into an operative state (Z4), if the accumulator (4) has a sufficient charge. To further reduce the power requirement, the recording device (1), from the stand-by state (Z3, is separated from the accumulator (2) by opening an electric switch (12), if it has remained in the stand-by state for a certain period of time. The state of charge of the accumulator (2) is monitored, and if it falls below a certain level and the charger (3) is disconnected, the recording device (1) is placed into the electrically shut off state (2), and if the charger (3) is connected, it is placed into the stand-by state (Z3).

Abstract: In a process for printing a halftone image a plurality of image data describing the halftone step of a halftone dot of a model image are taken over in processing frames. Color step values which determine color gradations of color dots and can be outputted optionally at print positions of a printing screen are obtained from the image data contained in the processing frames. To produce a reproduction image with a large number of halftone steps and, at the same time, a high local resolution in the region of contrast jumps of the model image, a color step value is obtained from each image datum by assigning a color step value existing in the reference pattern associated with the halftone step according to the halftone step described by the image datum and its position in the processing frame.

Abstract: Inking ribbon for thermographic printers that contains constituents that can be decomposed thermally or by radiation, particularly constituents that decompose upon release of a gas. Given correspondingly manufactured inking ribbons, the color-transferring regions (decomposition regions) can be more sharply defined, the required heating capacity for printing can be reduced and a better color adhesion on paper is achieved.

Abstract: In a prior art thermal printing method, the heating elements of a thermal printing head are driven in such fashion that the temperature of each and every individual heating element is first measured individually and successively before this heating element is charged with a current pulse whose intensity of current is dimensioned dependent on the measured temperature. In order to increase the printing speed, the temperatures of all heating elements (R1 . . . Rn) are first successively measured in the novel method fo the present invention in every drive cycle and are extrapolated to isochronic cooling temperature values dependent on the cooling characteristic of the heating elements (R1 . . . Rn). The heating elements (R1 . . . Rn) are then charged with current pulses whose pulse durations are individually dimensioned for every heating element (R1 . . . Rn) dependent on the cooling temperature value calculated for this heating element (R1 . . . Rn).

Abstract: An improved inking ribbon for color transfer under the influence of heat comprises the ribbon having a carrier layer and a colored layer with the heat-soluble release layer interposed therebetween, which release layer is composed of a sublimable material to avoid renewed adhesion of the released portion of the color layer to the inking ribbon after a color transfer to the printing medium has occured.