Francotyp-postalia Ag & Co.

Wilfried Kopanski

Ulrich Hetzer

Frank Geserich

Olaf Turner

Matthias Lorenzen

Uwe Huebler

Wolfgang Von Inten

Stephan Guenther

Dieter Pauschinger

Michael Schmidt-Kretschmer

Heinz Rehberg

Olav A Zarges

Wolf-Alexander Krumholz

Klaus Gettwart

Dieter Wolm

Dietrich Muller

Christian Bartenwerfer

Michael Wolf

Ludger Bornemann

In a method and arrangement for protecting a device against operation with unauthorized consumables a code number range for a device is allocated to a customer number in the memory of a data bank remote from the device. The consumable is aggregated with a generated code number which has a predetermined relationship to a reference code number from a group of reference code numbers that are stored in the device and lie in the aforementioned reference code number range. The allocation is stored in the data bank as a dataset with a customer number, a code number and an identification number of the consumable. In a device remote from the data center, a recognition of the need to change the consumable is recognized, whereupon a message is displayed for entering the code number, the validity and authenticity of the consumable in the device is checked on the basis of the entered code number and the reference code number range. The currently stored reference code number is then made unavailable for further use. The input of the code number can ensue via a chip card.

Method for piracy protection of an apparatus and arrangement for the implementation of the method

A postage meter machine with a chip card write/read unit has a controller allows an initialization of a number of chip cards by the user in order, in conjunction with suitably initialized chip cards, to simplify the function input and the administration of cost center data to be handled. A chip card number is stored in the chip card. For deriving chip cards that set a limited function scope, a table with a specific hierarchic structure can be produced upon employment of the keyboard and display and with the assistance of the microprocessor and the appertaining non-volatile memories within the postage meter machine in that the pre-stored structure is correspondingly modified. At least one of the number of application functions is allocated to the chip card number in the table. A tree structure in the hierarchy thereby arises for second chip cards derived from the first chip card and for successor cards, particularly specific function application cards.

Postage meter machine with a chip card write/read unit and method for operating same

A device for printing stock standing on one edge, in particular a piece of mail in a postage meter and/or addressing machine, includes a guide plate for the stock which is inclined relative to the vertical and has a recessed region for a printing device. A rotating conveyor has a conveying plane which extends orthogonal to the guide plate and on which the stock stands on one edge and is transported in one direction while resting against the guide plate. The recessed region includes at least one cutout and a region of the guide plate downstream of the cutout is so far recessed from a bearing surface for the stock that there is no contact with the latter in this location. This ensures sufficient penetration time for the ink and prevents smearing of the printed image. The printing device is an ink jet printing device which is stationary during printing and which has a nozzle plane that extends parallel to the guide plate. The guide plate is inclined a maximum of 45.degree. from vertical. The conveyor runs continuously. This structure simplifies transport of the piece of mail, improves the printing technology and ensures a clean printed image at high throughput.

Device for printing to stock standing on edge

An inserter system has controllable, optional delivery of sheet filling material and envelopes into which the filling material is to be inserted feeds these items from respective multiple station feeders in order to transfer a compiled set of filling material to the inserter and folding unit aligned and with identically oriented leading edges. The delivery of the filling material and envelopes for the insertion ensues without a conveyor deck and without an intermediate stop, proceeding from the programmable multiple station feeders to the folding unit integrated in the inserter. Driven, common drum arrangements for both systems serve as connecting elements between the respective multiple station feeders for filling material and envelopes. The common drum arrangement allows the connection of devices for inserting mailings given a minimization of the structural size and an increase in the reliability at the same time.

Sheet material inserter having controllable optical feed of sheet

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Berlin, Germany

Wilfried Kopanski