Abstract: A system for printing an imprint on a flat material includes a cartridge holding a consumable (e.g. ink) and at least one material processing device (MPD) (e.g. franking machine) having a printer and a data processor connected to the printer to control use of the cartridge to produce the imprint. The MPD is configured to detect insertion of the cartridge into the printer and generate current consumption information representing the use of the cartridge by the printer since insertion. The cartridge can include a first non-volatile memory that (unchangeably) stores a unique cartridge identification of the cartridge. The data processor is configured to: cause, based on a predeterminable usage-relevant event occurring, a current use-information, generated based on the current consumption information logically linked to the cartridge identification, to be stored in a second memory, and write to an irreversibly writable memory area of the first memory when the event occurs.

Abstract: A system and a method for the legally compliant, intelligent control of processes in a plant for the generation and/or provision of energy is provided. The system includes at least an acquisition device, an auditor device, an action device and a signing device. The system or the method enables the deduction of error sources. In addition to normal status reports, particularly advantageously relevant process occurrences, i.e., for example, deviations from defined specifications, options for action can be created automatically by an expert system and their selection can be reported to defined persons/bodies and/or initiated via a digital signature method and system with a tamper-proof time stamp. In addition, a confirmation is provided with a legally compliant digital signature, which enables retroactive control of the process plant or plant components, in particular via the action device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for legally compliant documentation of health-relevant and safety-relevant process events in a food processing plant. The system comprises a workstation, an acquisition device, an auditor device, a report generator and a signing device. The acquisition device is assigned to the workstation and is configured to automatically acquire plant-related process variables. The auditor device, on the other hand, is configured to analyze the acquired process variables and identify a trigger event. Further, the auditor device is capable of generating a first data set including at least one of the acquired process variables and/or an information value about the trigger event. The report generator is adapted to determine a signing device responsible for the first data set. In addition, the report generator may generate a requirement data set comprising a signature requirement and at least part of the first data set.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing a work process on an object. The system includes at least one work station, an acquisition device, a control device and an auditor device.

Abstract: A system and a method for controlled processing, monitoring and billing of the disposal of a disposal object (e.g. waste) may include a workstation, a control device, a security module, an acquisition device, an auditor device and a decentralized server. Using the acquisition device, disposal object information of a disposal object, operating information, and/or status information is acquired. Based on this information and a provided input information, the auditor device generates an auditing information. The control device controls the work station and, depending on the auditing information, initiates and/or controls a work process for processing the disposal object. The acquisition device may allow the acquisition of product information about the product obtained by the work process, so that an individual accounting can be created based on the available information about the disposal object and its processing.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing a work process on an object are provided. the system includes at least one work station, an acquisition device and an auditor device. The system and method can be used to log process steps of a work process.

Abstract: A system and a method for executing a work process on an object. The system includes at least one work station, an acquisition device, a control device and an auditor device.

Abstract: A system and a method of payment for services, the system includes a system component, an acquisition device and a security module.

Abstract: A system for printing an imprint on a flat material includes a cartridge holding a consumable (e.g. ink) and at least one material processing device (MPD) (e.g. franking machine) having a printer and a data processor connected to the printer to control use of the cartridge to produce the imprint. The MPD is configured to detect insertion of the cartridge into the printer and generate current consumption information representing the use of the cartridge by the printer since insertion. The cartridge can include a first non-volatile memory that (unchangeably) stores a unique cartridge identification of the cartridge. The data processor is configured to: cause, based on a predeterminable usage-relevant event occurring, a current use-information, generated based on the current consumption information logically linked to the cartridge identification, to be stored in a second memory, and write to an irreversibly writable memory area of the first memory when the event occurs.

Abstract: In a franking system and method for franking of individual items of correspondence by a sender, a weighing device determines the weight of an item of correspondence and determines a postage amount associated with the item of correspondence. A printing device prints a value imprint corresponding to the postage amount and prints a code associated with the item of correspondence that represents a unique identity number onto the item of correspondence. A control computer creates a data set associated with the item of correspondence. A memory is associated with the control computer, in which the data set is stored in a file associated with the sender. The data set includes the identity number of the item of correspondence and the postage amount that is to be debited on the part of the delivery service from the sender using the data set.

Abstract: In a method for specifying services provided by a franking machine, a program code is loaded into a data processing device via and, a first communication channel to a remote data center, authorization to access the franking machine is requested using an authorization request message. In response, via a second communication channel, data are provided from the remote data center to the franking machine. In response, the franking machine enables access for executing a specification process via a third communication channel via which communication between the data processing device and the franking machine is established using the program code executed by the data processing device. The specification process is executed using the program code to set at least one feature of at least one service provided by the franking machine.

Abstract: In a method for generating franking imprint data for a mail item to be shipped, a set of shipping options for the mail item, from among available shipping options stored in a first memory, is selected at a data processing device, and product vector data are generated from the selected set. A franking imprint authorization request, including the product vector data, is transmitted from the data processing device to a secure device, at which it is verified whether the transmitted product vector data are compatible with the available shipping options, also stored at the secure device. If so, franking imprint authorization data are returned from the secure device to the data processing device and the franking imprint data are generated in response thereto. If compatibility is not verified, request rejection data are returned from the secure device to the data processing device.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for provision of at least one secured service via a security module of a franking machine for at least one procedure for data processing that is executed in a data processing device that can be connected with the franking machine, the procedure requests a secured first service from the security module in a request step; and the security module provides the first service in a provision step subsequent to the request step. The security module verifies an authorization to request the first service via the procedure in a verification step preceding the provision step.

Abstract: In a method for specifying services provided by a franking machine, a program code is loaded into a data processing device via and, a first communication channel to a remote data center, authorization to access the franking machine is requested using an authorization request message. In response, via a second communication channel, data are provided from the remote data center to the franking machine. In response, the franking machine enables access for executing a specification process via a third communication channel via which communication between the data processing device and the franking machine is established using the program code executed by the data processing device. The specification process is executed using the program code to set at least one feature of at least one service provided by the franking machine.

Abstract: In a method for data backup of a franking machine in which, in a data backup step, a connection is established between the franking machine and a remote data center via a communication network, data stored in the franking machine are transmitted to the data center as backup data in a transmission step, and the backup data are stored in the data center in a storage step. The backup data include user-definable configuration data of the franking machine that are definable by the user of the franking machine for configuration of the franking machine.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing data in the context of security management for a franking system has a remote data center at which a list of data sets is stored the data sets containing security information as well as information regarding associated security policies, appertaining at least to security measures and the location of their storage in the franking system. A method for server-controlled security management of performable services in an electronic system includes the steps of receiving a request for a desired service, determining a security feature to be selected and generating a data set corresponding thereto, selecting a logical channel and transferring to data set via that channel establishing the service end, and waiting for receipt of a further service request or for the ending of the communication connection.

Abstract: In a method for generation of a secret session key for cryptographically securing a communication channel between a first communication partner and a second communication partner, the first communication partner generates at least one first key parameter, receives at least one second key parameter generated by the second communication partner, and generates the secret session key using the first key parameter and the second key parameter. The first communication partner generates, stores and communicates to the second communication partner a first random number, receives from the second communication partner a sent-back random number, compares the sent-back random number with the stored random number, and releases the generated secret session key for use given the presence of a predeterminable correlation between the sent-back first random number and the stored random number.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for exchanging data between a first processing unit, containing first status information about the first data processing unit, and a second data processing unit, containing second status information about the first data processing unit, data are exchanged between the first and second units during transactions that include a status-changing transaction, which can be of two different types. Upon a successful completion of the status-changing transaction, the first and second status information are revised so that they match. Upon an unsuccessful completion of the status-changing transaction, at least one of the first and second status information is set dependent on the type of the status-changing transaction.

Abstract: In a method and arrangement for providing services, a first data processing device provides a service for a remote second data processing device, the first service being implemented according to a service configuration and the first service configuration is modularly composed of a plurality of components, with at least one of the components of the service configuration being modifiable to update the service.

Abstract: In a data processing system and method for preparation of the implementation of a number of services to be implemented from a number of available services for a data processing unit (in particular a franking machine) by a remote data center, in a determining step, the sequence of the services to be implemented is determined in a first determining step initiated by a request, arriving in the data center, for a service from the data processing unit.