Abstract: For producing mail pieces in a mail production apparatus, starting from physical postal items, a required operating condition of the mail production apparatus is determined. At least one physical property to be realized manually of the required operating condition is determined and at least one current physical property of a current condition of the mail production apparatus is registered. A difference between the at least one current physical property and the at least one physical property to be realized manually of said required operating condition is determined and an associated indication is represented in humanly perceptible form. In response, the at least one current physical property is changed, such that the difference is removed. Next, with the mail production apparatus in the required operating condition, at least one mail piece is assembled from physical postal items. Also described are computer software and an apparatus for use with this method.

Abstract: In the printing and finishing of sheet-like objects, printing instructions are outputted to a printer. In accordance therewith, sheet-like objects are printed by the printer and are subsequently delivered by the printer directly to the finishing apparatus and then finished by the finishing apparatus. Output data concerning the printing instructions sent to the printer which are at least indicative of the printer capacity required for the printer to process the printing instructions outputted to the printer are registered. Sheet-like objects displaced by the printer are detected and signaled by the detector. At least periodically, production data in accordance with the signals received from the detector are generated. These data are at least indicative of a production quantity realized by the printer in response to the printing instructions sent to the printer. Depending on the production data, the output of next ones of the printing instructions to the printer is dosed.

Abstract: For composing messages of a particular type, layout instructions identical for each document are provided. In accordance with selection instructions, in each case, for a prescribed position in the documents, data are selected and read from a data source. In accordance with layout instructions, the read data are processed into documents. In accordance with the handling instructions, the read data are processed into message data (19, 20, 21, 22, 23) other than the document data. The finishing of the documents into messages is done in accordance with the message data. A system and a computer program for practicing the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: For generating and finishing documents, a first data file in a first format, which describes the content of a document, is provided. The first data file is converted into a second data file (21-25; 121-125) in a second format, in which image defining instructions and other instructions for finishing the document occur. The second data file (21-25; 121-125) is processed into a processed second data file (21-25) with driving instructions for generating documents and associated driving instructions for finishing documents. Thereafter, in accordance with the driving instructions, a document is generated and finished in accordance with the driving instructions. Also disclosed are a system and a program structure for carrying out the proposed method. A considerable saving on the variety of software required for operating different operating systems and kinds of equipment is feasible, while information concerning the image such as it has been created in composing the document is maintained.

Abstract: For machine-producing a series of mail pieces with the aid of a system for assembling mail pieces, the system registers at least one property of at least one physical, postal item of a particular type, at least one code representing the registered property is generated and compared with at least one reference code, stored in a memory, which represents at least one item-type property. If the code representing the at least one registered property exhibits at least a defined extent of agreement with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, at least one setting code, associated with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, which represents a system setting is selected; and the production of a series of mail pieces is carried out in accordance with the selected setting code.

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 generating and finishing documents, a first data file in a first format, which describes the content of a document, is provided. The first data file is converted into a second data file (21-25; 121-125) in a second format, in which image defining instructions and other instructions for finishing the document occur. The second data file (21-25; 121-125) is processed into a processed second data file (21-25) with driving instructions for generating documents and associated driving instructions for finishing documents. Thereafter, in accordance with the driving instructions, a document is generated and finished in accordance with the driving instructions. Also disclosed are a system and a program structure for carrying out the proposed method. A considerable saving on the variety of software required for operating different operating systems and kinds of equipment is feasible, while information concerning the image such as it has been created in composing the document is maintained.

Abstract: Control software for controlling the preparation of messages by means of apparatus is equipped with processing facilities designed for carrying out defined processing operations, and a control structure for driving the processing facilities. For configuring the software, there are provided: processing control components with converting instructions, for processing message data into processing instructions which specify processing operations for preparing a message, and facility control components with converting instructions for processing the processing instructions into drive instructions for driving the processing facilities for carrying out processing operations in accordance with the processing instructions. The processing control components are configured in accordance with the defined processing operations for the execution of which the processing facilities are designed; and the facility control components are configured in accordance with specifications of the processing facilities.

Abstract: Apparatus for removing fasteners (13; 63; 113; 163) from documents (12; 62; 112; 162) with a perforator (5; 55; 105; 155; 205) for perforating documents (12; 62; 112; 162) in the area of the fastener to be removed, wherein the means for separating from the set of documents (12; 62; 112; 162) the fastener to be removed (13; 63; 113; 163) are constructed as a perforator for perforating the set of documents closely along the fastener to be removed. Also disclosed is a method for removing fasteners (13; 63; 113; 163), wherein the fastener (13; 63; 113; 163) is separated from the documents (12; 62; 112; 162) simply and fast in a single operation by perforating the set of documents (12; 62; 112; 162) closely along the fastener to be removed (13; 63; 113; 163).

Abstract: For monitoring the transport of an object, the object is sent to a detection point. Signallings representing arrival of the object and related objects belonging to the same group at the detection point are registered. The target time for receipt of a signalling representing arrival of the object at the detection point is determined or adjusted depending on time points of signalling of arrival of related objects at the detection point. If after the target time no arrival of the object at the detection point has been registered yet, a warning signal is generated automatically. A computer program for automatically carrying out the proposed method is also described.

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: For composing messages of a particular type, layout instructions identical for each document are provided. In accordance with selection instructions, in each case, for a prescribed position in the documents, data are selected and read from a data source. In accordance with layout instructions, the read data are processed into documents. In accordance with the handling instructions, the read data are processed into message data (19, 20, 21, 22, 23) other than the document data. The finishing of the documents into messages is done in accordance with the message data. A system and a computer program for practicing the proposed method is also described.

Abstract: In the printing and finishing of sheet-like objects, printing instructions are outputted to a printer (2). In accordance therewith, sheet-like objects are printed by the printer (2). The objects are subsequently delivered by the printer (2) directly to the finishing apparatus (1) and then finished by the finishing apparatus (1). Output data concerning the printing instructions sent to the printer (2) which are at least indicative of the printer capacity required for the printer (2) to process the printing instructions outputted to the printer (2) are registered. Sheet-like objects displaced by the printer (2) are detected and signaled by the detector (12, 13, 27, 28). At least periodically, production data in accordance with the signals received from the detector (12, 13, 27, 28) are generated. These production data are at least indicative of a quantity of production realized by the printer (2) in response to the printing instructions sent to the printer (2).

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 producing mail pieces in a mail production apparatus, starting from physical postal items, a required operating condition of the mail production apparatus is determined. At least one physical property to be realized manually of the required operating condition is determined and at least one current physical property of a current condition of the mail production apparatus is registered. A difference between the at least one current physical property and the at least one physical property to be realized manually of said required operating condition is determined and an associated indication is represented in humanly perceptible form. In response, the at least one current physical property is changed, such that the difference is removed. Next, with the mail production apparatus in the required operating condition, at least one mail piece is assembled from physical postal items. Also described are computer software and an apparatus for use with this method.

Abstract: For machine-producing a series of mail pieces with the aid of a system for assembling mail pieces, the system registers at least one property of at least one physical, postal item of a particular type, at least one code representing the registered property is generated and compared with at least one reference code, stored in a memory, which represents at least one item-type property. If the code representing the at least one registered property exhibits at least a defined extent of agreement with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, at least one setting code, associated with the reference code or at least one of the reference codes, which represents a system setting is selected; and the production of a series of mail pieces is carried out in accordance with the selected setting code.

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.