Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co.

Francotyp-Postalia Gmbh

Francotyp-Postalia Ag & Co. Kg

Andreas Wagner

Harald Windel

Enno Bischoff

Wolfgang Thiel

Stephan Gunther

Dirk Rosenau

Ralf Kubatzki

Frank Reisinger

Torsten Schlaaff

Claus Freytag

Peter Rieckhoff

Marcus Hansel

Arndt Berthold

Axel Ortmann

Joachim Jauert

Tilmann Schilling

Peter Post

George G Gelfer

Olav A Zarges

Dieter Wölm

An arrangement for installing a communication unit in an apparatus having a security housing, such as a mail processing apparatus, including a cavity bay located at a non-secure region of the apparatus that is accessible by a cover that is non-destructibly detachable from the security housing. The bay receives a pluggable communication unit that has a connection element connectible by a plug-in movement with a connection element of a motherboard located in the secure region of the apparatus: The cavity has at least one further connection element that is electrically conductively and mechanically connected with a metal chassis part of the apparatus in the security housing. This further connection element protrudes into the cavity and establishes contact with the communication unit for grounding thereof.

Arrangement for installing a communication unit in an apparatus

In a method and an arrangement for increasing the throughput of mail when franking with a security imprint, the editing of the print image data is undertaken by a postage meter machine processor, and the calculation of the security code is undertaken by a separate security module while the print image data are being edited. A high system clock performance is achieved by interleaving of the two calculation tasks.

Arrangement and method for generating a security imprint

A security module with status signaling, has a battery, and function units that are interconnected with one another and are covered by a casting compound. The battery is replaceably arranged on the security module, with the casting compound surrounding a first part of the printed circuit board, and a second part of the printed circuit board for the replaceably arranged battery being free of casting compound. For signaling the module status, an optical or acoustic signal element is connected to the printed circuit board.

Security module with status signaling

In a method for improving the security of postage meter machines in credit transfers, having at least two modes, the presence of a security flag is necessary for operation of the machine. The security flag is erased in a step of the system routine if an unauthorized action occurs in an attempt to operate the postage meter machine, and the postage meter machine is switched into a first mode in order to effectively shut it down. Otherwise, a special mode for negative remote crediting is entered by setting a special flag when a predetermined operating action for lateral entry into the special mode is undertaken upon machine turn-on. The communication with the data center sequences under time and status (flag) monitoring by the control unit of the postage meter machine until the transaction is completed. The data center monitors the behavior of the postage meter machine user on the basis of data communicated during the transaction.

Method for improving the security of postage meter machines in the transfer of credit

A method for checking a security imprint in a postage meter machine having a microprocessor includes the steps of encoding data for a security mark pixel image and inserts the encoded data into the remaining, fixed and variable pixel image data during printing. The method includes steps for forming a mark symbol sequence from an encoded combination number which is composed of at least a first number (sum of all postage values since the last reloading date), an optional second number added to said first number, a third number (postage value) and a fourth number (of the serial number), and for enabling a check of the security imprint by a postal authority. Manipulations can be recognized using further data stored and/or calculated in a remote data center. An arrangement conducting a for check includes a mark reader composed of a CCD line camera, a D/A converter, a comparator and an encoder which are connected via an input/output unit to an input unit. A communication link can be established between the meter and the data center to evaluate mark data in a computerized manner.

Method and arrangement for generating and checking a security imprint

In a method and terminal apparatus for automatic modem type recognition and adaptation thereto within a communication mode, a microprocessor in a control unit of the terminal apparatus, is programmed to enter into a communication mode with a remote central data station in order to enter into a modem preselect value setting mode. The control unit is programmed so that the communication mode is exited after an automatic setup of the communication and after the execution of the communication. For automatic modem type recognition, modem-specific transmission sequences are stored in a program memory or in a modem initialization memory contained in a non-volatile memory of the terminal apparatus and are transmitted successively to the associated modem in steps, and the modem transmits its modem-specific response (transmission sequence) back to the microprocessor. The microprocessor then executes, in steps, a comparison of the response signals with the stored response signals for automatic modem type recognition. The recognized modem type is stored in non-volatile fashion in a modem detect memory. The microprocessor is programmed to execute a step to skip the recognition procedure if corresponding information about the modem type has been stored in the modem detect memory. The terminal apparatus may be a postage meter machine.

Method and apparatus for automatically recognizing a modem type of a

A method for securing data and program code of an electronic postage meter machine against manipulation, having a microprocessor in a control unit of the postage meter machine for implementing steps for a start and initialization routine and following system routine with a possibility of entering into a communication mode with a remote data central, as well as further input steps in order to enter into a franking mode from which a branch is made back into the system routine after the implementation of an accounting and printing routine, includes conducting a start security check within the framework of a start and initialization routine which runs before a secure printing data call routine and the following system routine for determining the validity of a program code and/or of data in the predetermined memory location and of an appertaining MAC (message authentification code) that is present in the same storage medium. The check for valid program code and/or for validity of the data is implemented with a selected checksum method within an OTP (one time programmable) processor that internally receives the corresponding program parts. Transfer of the postage meter machine into the aforementioned system routine takes place given validity of the data or transfer of the postage meter machine into a first mode when the data are invalid, or when a specific manipulation criterion is met. Steps for preventing the franking or blocking of the postage meter machine and/or steps for preventing a further program execution or a program branch exiting the OTP processor within the framework of system routine the occur.

Method of improving the security of postage meter machines

In a method for matching the data base in an electronic postage meter to the database in a data center with which the postage meter is in communication, a transaction for adding credit to the postage meter machine takes place in two transaction procedures. In a first transaction procedure, code words are exchanged between the postage meter machine and the data center, and upon mutual verification of the code words at the data center and at the postage meter machine, a requested amount of credit is stored in a selected value memory in the postage meter machine and the same amount is stored in a selected value memory at the data center. In a second transaction procedure, code words are again exchanged between the data center and the postage meter machine and upon verification of these further code words, the selected value stored at the selected value memory at the data center is used to debit the debit memory at the data center, and this same value, stored in the selected value memory at the postage meter machine, is used to credit the credit memory at the postage meter machine. A method for ensuring the integrity of data predominantly stored in two data sets is also disclosed.

Method for matching the database between an electronic postage meter

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. If the opening is unauthorized, and thus there is no new code word to replace the erased code word, the machine is automatically placed in a first mode, which prevents operation of the machine.

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Berlin, Germany

Andreas Wagner