Abstract: An apparatus to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a sealed unit. The apparatus derives or causes to derive a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation includes a set of values representing height levels of corresponding sections of the part of the surface. The apparatus generates or causes generating a string of characters based on the representation of the part of the surface. The string of characters includes a first portion representative of the set of height levels and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes associating information representing the string of characters with identification information of the sealed unit.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a consignment unit. The apparatus derives or causes deriving a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation includes a set of values representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes generation of a string of characters based on representation of the at least a part of the surface. The string of characters includes a first portion representative of the set of height levels of corresponding sections of the at least a part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes associating information representing the string of characters with shipping information of the consignment unit.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a document. The apparatus deriving or causing the derivation of a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation comprising a set of values respectively representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes the generating of a string of characters based on the representation of the part of the surface. The string of characters comprising a first portion representative of the set of height levels of the corresponding sections of the part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes the associating of information representing the string of characters with identification information of the document.

Abstract: Apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a consignment unit. The apparatus derives or causes deriving a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation includes a set of values representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes generation of a string of characters based on representation of the at least a part of the surface. The string of characters includes a first portion representative of the set of height levels of corresponding sections of the at least a part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes associating information representing the string of characters with shipping information of the consignment unit.

Abstract: An apparatus to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a sealed unit. The apparatus derives or causes to derive a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation includes a set of values representing height levels of corresponding sections of the part of the surface. The apparatus generates or causes generating a string of characters based on the representation of the part of the surface. The string of characters includes a first portion representative of the set of height levels and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes associating information representing the string of characters with identification information of the sealed unit.

Abstract: An apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a document. The apparatus deriving or causing the derivation of a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation comprising a set of values respectively representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes the generating of a string of characters based on the representation of the part of the surface. The string of characters comprising a first portion representative of the set of height levels of the corresponding sections of the part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters.

Abstract: A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.