Abstract: A postage meter module has a printing unit, a control unit connected to the printing unit, input/output devices connected to the control unit, and memory devices connected to the control unit. A configuration for an internal cost center printout includes a pixel memory having a field and at least one memory area for accounting data into which data are loaded and converted and/or from which data are read out and converted. The conversion is a blockwise orthogonal rotation of the pixel memory field. A device for orthogonal rotation of the pixel memory field permits a block of a print image with accounting data having been electronically rotated by 90.degree. or by 270.degree. in a direction of printing to be temporarily stored in or read out from the at least one memory area of the pixel memory. A print control unit reads out print image data corresponding to the accounting data by blocks from the pixel memory.

Abstract: In an ink-jet printer head having a number of edge-shooter module assemblies arranged in a stack, each module assembly has first and second circuit modules with an inkjet printer module therebetween. The ink-jet printer module is, in turn, formed by first and second cover plates with a middle plate therebetween. Piezoactuators are disposed on the cover plates in registry with ink pressure chambers in the module assembly, the ink pressure chambers respectively being in communication with nozzle apertures disposed at an edge of the module assembly. Various electrical components, including a driver circuit and conductor runs for operating the piezoactuators are disposed on the circuit modules in electrical contact with the piezoactuators.

Abstract: In a method for storing security relevant data in a postage meter the same data (A, B, C, D) are stored in at least four memory areas (a, b, c, d). The data (A, B, C, D) of each memory area (a, b, c, d) are compared with the data (A, B, C, D) of other memory areas (a, b, c, d). In dependence on these comparisons (V1 to V6) the memory area or memory areas (a, b, c, d) having faulty data (A, B, C, D) are ascertained and if suitable are reloaded with data (A, B, C, D) from a memory area (a, b, c, d) with fault free data. The method operates at small expense and can correct the ascertained data faults.

Abstract: In a method and an arrangement for entering data into a scale via a serial interface from the postage meter machine in order to load updating data into the scale via a connecting cable, a reception unit (modem) or a chip card read/write unit of the postage meter machine can be accessed in order to call data from external memory means. Automatic checking of the most recent status of data contents stored in the scale is undertaken on the basis of check data in the postage meter machine using previously stored information about the modification to be made in the future and about the associated validity effective date. Updating in then undertaken, whereby updating data are transmitted via the postage meter machine to the scale after the activation thereof or after a modification takes effect, the data being communicated from an external memory or a chip card or via a communication network from a remote data center.

Abstract: In a method for improving the security of postage meter machines, the intent to conduct an authorized opening of the machine, such as for inspection or maintenance purposes, is first reported to a central data station, after the postage meter machine to be opened has established communication between the machine and the central data station. The postage meter machine has a code word stored therein, the presence of this code word being necessary for authorized operation of the machine. Following the request to open, the central data station transmits a new code word to the postage meter machine, which is also stored therein. Upon any opening of the postage meter machine, the current code word is automatically erased. If the opening is authorized, and thus a new code word is stored in the machine, this new code word is automatically substituted for the erased code word, so that operation of the machine can proceed in a normal fashion.

Abstract: The invention concerns a postage meter with an electrothermal printing device by means of which value indications and/or graphics are printed onto a postage item moved past it at a predetermined speed by the transfer of color particles in a graphic forming distribution from a carrier web (114), which carrier web is heated by means of a thermal print head in correspondence to the graphic forming distribution and is driven past the printing device, with a counterpressure element (116) standing oppositely to the thermal print head (110). As the counterpressure element a counterpressure roll (116) is provided which is movable in a direction perpendicular to the printing surface, which counterpressure roll is so yieldingly supported on a shaft arranged parallel to the printing ledge (112) of the thermal print head (110) that its contact face with the postage item can take on different angles to the printing ledge (112) in a plane containing the printing ledge (112) and the shaft (130).

Abstract: An edge-shooter type ink jet print head and a method of its manufacture are disclosed. The print head includes members into which chambers are formed which, in turn, are equipped with devices for ejecting ink from each chamber to respectively assigned ink nozzles. A group of chambers is formed in each chamber-carrying member, on a side facing a center member. A single row of ink nozzles includes k nozzle groups which are respectively assigned to k ink chamber groups and which are formed along an edge face of a first chamber-carrying member. The first nozzle group of the k nozzle groups communicates with the chamber group formed in the first chamber-carrying member. The other k-1 nozzle groups are assigned to respective ones of the other (k-1) chamber groups. The chamber groups are supplied with ink from suction chambers and lie in further chamber-carrying members which are vertically offset relative to one another.

Abstract: An ETR printing unit has electrodes and an ETR print head. A configuration for triggering the ETR print head includes a controllable energy source supplying energy for various pixels of a printed image to the electrodes of the ETR printing unit. A switching unit is provided through which the controllable energy source acts upon the electrodes temporarily connected to the energy source with a voltage or with a constant current, having a magnitude with a dependency on a temporarily different number of electrodes for supplying a larger number of electrodes with a higher voltage or a higher constant current than a lesser number would be. A microprocessor control unit for the ETR printing unit supplies the controllable energy source with a control signal corresponding to a dependency on the number of the triggered electrodes, for specifying the number of electrodes temporarily connected to the controllable energy source. A memory is connected to the microprocessor control unit.

Abstract: A selection circuit for an electro-thermal printer with a resistance-type ribbon includes a print unit, a current collection electrode, a memory, and a print control unit. The resistance-type inking ribbon that is moved relatively transfers ink particles from an ink layer into areas on a receiving medium when an associated thermal resistance in a resistance layer is heated. A voltage drop that is caused by a total current and by a variance of the resistances is measured through a non-selective current path (feedback layer) in the resistance inking ribbon by a measurement electrode that is disposed close to the print head. That causes a constant voltage source which has a reference voltage input to apply feed voltage to the electrodes that are temporarily connected therewith through a switching unit.

Abstract: A method for controlling the energization of a thermal printing heating element by a succession of current impulses (I) separated according to a printing raster is described. The current impulses (I) upon exceeding a pre-given energy content effect a printing event and in the case of falling below this energy content effect a preheating. At each raster time point (t1) the printing requirement is ascertained for a predetermined number of yet to follow raster time points (t2, t3) and for raster time points (t2, t1) without printing requirements and lying in advance of a raster time point (t3) with a printing requirement the current impulses (I1, I2) are progressively increased. Through the use of this method a thermal printer with a high printing speed is achieved.

Abstract: A method for shipping electronically stored letter contents or communications and/or data on flat information carriers, particularly chip cards, requiring postal franking or prepaid postage, includes storing shipping data in at least one of a plurality of memory regions of the information carrier. The shipping data is read out with a read-write module. The shipping data is linked to a postage table being stored in memory, for calculating a postage value appropriate for shipment of the information carrier. An accounting or debit is made for the calculated postage value for the information carrier with a postage meter device. A postage imprint is printed on an item to be shipped. In an apparatus for carrying out the invention, the read-write module and the postage meter device are integrated into a unit.

Abstract: A method for sending electrically stored data on flat information carriers requiring postal franking includes transmitting communication data from a personal computer into a memory of an information carrier with a read-write module. Associated shipping data are transmitted from the personal computer to a postage meter device synchronously with the transmission of the communication data. Postal charges for sending the information carrier are accounted for with the postage meter device on the basis of the shipping data. Control data are transmitted from the postage meter device to a printer for printing a postage imprint on each item intended for sending the information carrier.

Abstract: A disposable postage meter assembly for printing charges and captions on envelopes and/or postage strips includes a base unit and a non-rechargeable disposable module. The base unit and the disposable module have devices for setting variable information.

Abstract: A personal computer has a housing, a drive bay in the housing with a slot for a disk drive, and an internal information and power supply network in the housing. A franking module assembly has a franking module disposed in the slot of the drive bay for franking mail. The franking module includes a printing mechanism, and a processor system for controlling the printing mechanism, for storing information to be printed and for accounting of charges. Lines in the housing connect the processor system to the internal information and power supply network.

Abstract: A method for franking postal matter uses an apparatus of a postage user having franking functions and being coupled through telecommunication devices with a remote data processing center for recording and releasing postage. A terminal device of a telecommunication system installed at a location of a user is coupled with a data processing center associated with a postage service for settling postage through telecommunications connections. Data is transmitted to the data processing center in one direction for requesting a central recordation of postage and for generating franking data. At least essential portions of a franking image corresponding to the requested franking are transmitted in another direction. The franking image is completed in the terminal device with stored image portions. A device for franking postal matter includes a terminal device of a postage user. The terminal device performs franking functions.

Abstract: In order to distinguish originals from copies, a method adds substances to printing medium that produces markings, which are not visible to the naked eye and are only recognizable by using special scanners.