Abstract: A goods processing apparatus includes a controller including a program memory, a security module, a first communication interface that is configured to, in cooperation with the security module, securely communicate with a remote server, and an acoustic output device electrically connected with the controller and configured to output audio files or sound files. The security module and the first communication interface can be electrically connected with the controller. The program memory may store a program to control the acoustic output via the acoustic output device. The program can facilitate external commands being transmitted from the remote server, or from one or more other internet sources, to the controller. Via security measures, operational security of the goods processing apparatus is prevented from being negatively affected, or harmful code is prevented from being transmitted to controller.

Abstract: A goods processing apparatus includes a controller including a program memory, a security module, a first communication interface that is configured to, in cooperation with the security module, securely communicate with a remote server, and an acoustic output device electrically connected with the controller and configured to output audio files or sound files. The security module and the first communication interface can be electrically connected with the controller. The program memory may store a program to control the acoustic output via the acoustic output device. The program can facilitate external commands being transmitted from the remote server, or from one or more other internet sources, to the controller. Via security measures, operational security of the goods processing apparatus is prevented from being negatively affected, or harmful code is prevented from being transmitted to controller.

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: A method of processing a batch of mail items to be shipped includes the generation of imprint data for a plurality of imprints each to be printed on a mail item of the batch of mail items, the imprint data including third party imprint data. In an online marketplace portal providing step, an online marketplace portal is provided for reaching an agreement on the third party imprint data between a franking system user operating a franking system, in particular a franking machine, for generating the plurality of imprint and a print service requesting party specifying the third party imprint data In a third party imprint data specification step, the print service requesting party specifies the third party imprint data via the online marketplace portal. In a franking batch specification step, the franking system user provides batch information on the batch of mail items via the online marketplace portal.

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 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.