Abstract: A system for creating custom-sized cardboard blanks for folding packagings comprises a first and at least a second supply for fanfold cardboard, a control unit (e.g., microprocessor) that calculates, based on order information regarding the desired minimum dimensions of a current packaging, under predefined optimization criteria a first blank layout for folding the packaging, said blank layout comprising a leading edge and an ending edge and transverse and longitudinal crease lines dividing the blank having a desired length and width into panels, defines, based on predefined criteria, areas around the transverse crease lines and the leading and ending edges, in which no transverse folds from fanfolding the cardboard should be present, sensors communicatively coupled with said control unit that sense information indicative of a presence of transverse folds in cardboard, a cutter to cut-off the piece of cardboard from the first or the second web and form the desired blank.

Abstract: A system for creating custom-sized cardboard blanks for folding packagings comprises a first and at least a second supply for fanfold cardboard, a control unit (e.g., microprocessor) that calculates, based on order information regarding the desired minimum dimensions of a current packaging, under predefined optimization criteria a first blank layout for folding the packaging, said blank layout comprising a leading edge and an ending edge and transverse and longitudinal crease lines dividing the blank having a desired length and width into panels, defines, based on predefined criteria, areas around the transverse crease lines and the leading and ending edges, in which no transverse folds from fanfolding the cardboard should be present, sensors communicatively coupled with said control unit that sense information indicative of a presence of transverse folds in cardboard, a cutter to cut-off the piece of cardboard from the first or the second web and form the desired blank.

Abstract: Printed documents containing messages are processed into mail pieces using a system for preparing mail pieces. Data representing images of at least some of the documents are obtained by an imaging device of system for preparing mail pieces. The mail pieces are delivered to a postal service for delivery of the mail pieces to addressees and data sets representing at least some of the images in digital form are transmitted electronically. A system for carrying out such a method is also described.

Abstract: Prior to assembling mail pieces of which at least a number each comprise a main document and at least one insert of at least one type, one or more mini image files are stored, each defining a mini image of at least a part of a type of insert. The mini image of the respective insert defined by the mini image file is printed on each envelope for a mail piece including that type of insert for one or each of a number of the inserts.

Abstract: A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a batch of mail items. A number of sheets are assembled to at least two documents, wherein at least two of the documents each contain at least two sheets. Each of the sheets in the batch is provided with a unique identification code unique to each sheet in the batch. The documents are assembled to one or more mail items. At least one unique identification code is read and the read unique identification codes are tested against a criterion. An error message is provided if the characteristic does not meet the criterion.

Abstract: A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information.

Abstract: Prior to assembling mail pieces of which at least a number each comprise a main document and at least one insert of at least one type, one or more mini image files are stored, each defining a mini image of at least a part of a type of insert. The mini image of the respective insert defined by the mini image file is printed on each envelope for a mail piece including that type of insert for one or each of a number of the inserts.

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 collating postal items into sets, the actual relative positions of the collated first and second postal items (6-9) is measured and a tolerance between nominal relative positions of the first and second postal items (6-9) and the actual relative positions of the collated first and second postal items (6-9) is determined. For at least one later set to be collated, the feeding of the second postal item (7, 9, 52-55; 102) is controlled for bringing the leading or trailing edge (27, 29; 57-60; 104) of the second postal item (7, 9, 52-55; 102) into a nominal off-set relative to the leading or, respectively, the trailing edge (26, 28; 56; 103) of the first postal item (6, 8; 61; 101), which nominal off-set is larger than or equal to the determined tolerance. An apparatus for carrying out such a method is also described.

Abstract: Printed documents containing messages are processed into mail pieces using a system for preparing mail pieces. Data representing images of at least some of the documents are obtained by an imaging device of system for preparing mail pieces. The mail pieces are delivered to a postal service for delivery of the mail pieces to addressees and data sets representing at least some of the images in digital form are transmitted electronically. A system for carrying out such a method is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring the printing and transport of documents through a system for preparing items to be mailed. The method comprises obtaining a reference code for the documents from a file on the basis of which the respective document has been printed, transporting the printed documents through the system, obtaining an image from the printed document in a location in the system for obtaining an image data set representing the obtained image, comparing each of the image data sets with at least one of the reference codes, and in response to the image data set and the at least one compared reference code not matching, generating a warning. The reference codes are compared with associated image data sets in an order corresponding to the order or to an inversion of the order in which the documents have been printed.

Abstract: A method for processing a document, including performing one or more processing steps with the document, such as printing, franking, assembling mail pieces, or opening received mail pieces. The method further includes defining a first possible location of a marking on a document; and searching a first part of a document for the marking, the first part corresponding to the first possible location. When the marking is not found in the first part a further possible location of a marking on a document is defined and a further part of the document for the marking is searched. The further part corresponds to the further possible location. The location of the marking with respect to the document is stored in the memory in case the marking is found in the first part or the further part. Information about the document is derived from the found marking. The derived information is presented at an output, for further processing of the information.

Abstract: A document pre-processing unit for pre-processing documents to be printed. The unit has a processor input for receiving document data at least representing content. A computing unit is connected to the processor input, for computing a number of sheets a physical document would include if printed in accordance with the document data. In a memory threshold information can be stored. A comparing unit is connected to the computing unit and the memory, for outputting a modify signal if the computed number exceeds a threshold determined from the threshold information. A data modify unit is connected to the comparing unit, for reducing the computed number of sheets below the threshold by modifying the document content and/or the lay-out of the document in response to the modify signal. A processor output is connected to the data modifying unit for outputting the modified document data.

Abstract: In a method for providing physical documents with a signature, a document code is derived from at least a part of a content of the physical document. A signature code is derived at least from the document code and from an identification code of a signing party. The physical document is provided with a signature marking representing the signature code. Optionally, the physical document is provided with a document marking representing the document code. A signature provided on a physical document may be authenticated. During authentication, a signature marking provided on the physical document is detected. The signature marking represents a signature code. Then, the signature code is derived from the detected signature marking. Content data representing at least a part of the content of the physical document is received and a first document code is derived from the content data. Then, a relationship between the signature code, an identification code of a signing party and the first document code is determined.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a batch of mail items. A number of sheets are assembled to at least two documents, wherein at least two of the documents each contain at least two sheets. Each of the sheets in the batch is provided with a unique identification code unique to each sheet in the batch. The documents are assembled to one or more mail items. At least one unique identification code is read and the read unique identification codes are tested against a criterion. An error message is provided if the characteristic does not meet the criterion.

Abstract: A system for generating printed mail pieces, starting from a print file, having: a printer for printing; a processing device for processing printed items into mail pieces; a control unit for controlling the printer and the processing device, and memory. The memory contains processing code for controlling the control unit for processing the rough pint file into a processed print file, and representation code for causing the processing instructions of the processing code to be represented in humanly perceptible form. The representation code is editable for changing at least the representations of the processing instructions and convertible into the processing code. Alternatively, the memory can contain a set of processing subroutines with which processing subroutines representation codes can be composed which differ from each other at least as regards processing instructions included therein, and which are each convertible into corresponding processing code.

Abstract: Prior to assembling postal items of which at least a number each comprise a main document (2) and at least one annex (4, 5, 6) of at least one type, one or more mini-image files (23, 24,2 5) are stored, each defining a representation (26, 27, 28) of a part of a type of annex (4, 5, 6). On each main document (2) for a postal item (1) including the at least one type of annex (4, 5, 6) for one or each of a number of the annexes, the representation of the respective annex (4, 5, 6) defined by the mini-image file (23, 24, 25) is printed.

Abstract: For unlocking a functionality of a computer controlled apparatus, an identification code is obtained and sent to an unlocking service. An unlocking key including a functionality code that represents at least one functionality to be unlocked is received and a combination of the unlocking key and the identification is checked against a predetermined requirement. If the checked combination meets the predetermined requirement, the functionality represented by the functionality code is unlocked. The unlocking has a limited validity ending after the first unlocking of the functionality in response to the checked combination. An apparatus for carrying out such a method and a method for providing an unlocking key therefore are also described.

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.