EP0578042B1 - Method for controlling the column-by-column printing of a postal stamp image in a franking machine - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method for controlling the column-wise printing of a postage stamp image in a franking machine in which the image information coded ready and before the respective printing process in binary signals to control printing elements be implemented.

In this known method is possible for everyone Postwert a postage stamp image in the form of coded Image information held in a memory. When printing the postage stamp image on an envelope this is passed under a printhead, the Print elements in a column perpendicular to the transport movement are arranged. Depending on the weight of the letter or the size of the envelope becomes a postage stamp image selected and printed with the appropriate postage value. Before or during column by column printing the encoded picture information is decoded into Binary data converted and from these binary signals to Driving the printing elements generated. If many different ones Post values occur or the postage stamp image should contain further changeable parts of the image, such as a date, you must save the encoded image information a memory with large Storage capacity or a large number of electronic Memory modules are provided. This will increase the space required in a franking machine, the technical Effort and cost.

Another disadvantage is that the implementation of the coded Image information for an entire postage stamp image is relatively time consuming. The one required for coding Time increases time in a franking machine between two prints, so that the throughput of letters is limited per unit of time.

A method is known from US Pat. No. 4,580,144 known in which the postage stamp image from two partial images is put together. The constant one Image portion is transferred from a first printing station to one Envelope printed. The post value, which varies depending on Letter can be changed by a second printing station printed. The image information for the changeable Images are in coded form and are when printing in binary signals to control Printing elements of a thermal transfer print head implemented. By dividing the postage stamp image to be printed the printing speed on two partial prints for the overall character. There two printheads are used in this known solution the technical effort is great.

A printing method is known from DE 40 34 292 A1, where a fixed part of the postage stamp image stored in a memory in the franking machine while another part is in one of the franking machine remote data processing system is kept ready. From the data processing system data of the fixed predetermined part transferred to the franking machine and there before printing put together. The data of the predefined part of the postage stamp image are in a non-volatile Memory saved.

Furthermore, DE 37 12 100 A1 is a franking machine message printing system known in which the franking machine one Has memory for advertising messages. These advertising messages can be modified, being from a remote station Print data are transferred to the memory.

Furthermore, a franking machine is known from EP 0 352 498 A1 known with a first memory, the fixed data of one saves repetitive print images with each franking. Modifiable data are stored in a second memory. The data from the two memories are used to print each other superimposed, the variable image data to be printed be determined before the actual printing process.

EP 0 261 978 A2 describes a method for controlling the Printing a postage stamp image in a franking machine known, where unchangeable image information and changeable Image information using thermal printing elements to be printed. A first set of thermal printing elements prints only the unchangeable image information. A second set of thermal printing elements only prints the changing image information. For the unchangeable Image information is therefore not necessary these in binary signals for driving the associated thermal printing elements to implement. Thus, the process is also missing from the implemented variable and the implemented unchangeable image information are to be put together to enable control of the thermal printing elements.

It is an object of the invention to provide a control method of printing a postage stamp image in columns to specify a franking machine in which with low technical effort a variety of different postage stamp images generated and a high throughput Letters can be reached.

This object is achieved by the method according to claim 1.

The invention is based on the consideration that at a separate implementation of the unchangeable image information and the variable image information in binary signals it becomes possible to split the transfer process and perform the sub-operations at different times. For example, the immutable Image information, the recurring parts of the image of the postage stamp image concern, in a period of time be implemented in which there is no pressure, for example during the transport of envelopes to the printing station. This can give time for the implementation can be saved during the printing process and run faster. The throughput letters in the franking machine are thus increased. By merging the converted image information only during printing is achieved that the time between defining the ones to be printed changeable image information that depend, for example, on the weight of a letter, and actual pressure becomes minimal. This will likewise the throughput of letters in the Franking machine increased. Through the invention so the changeable and unchangeable Image information merged optimally so that overall the franking of mail is accelerated.

Through the separate treatment of immutable and changeable image information, the binary data of which merged while printing a postage stamp image can be provided by providing various Sentences with unchangeable or changeable Image information a large number of different Postage stamp images are generated. This is neither a large storage volume or a complicated hardware technology required. The method can therefore with with little technical effort.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the changing image information for each Print columns separately between printing two print columns implemented, e.g. during the transport of the Letter in the printing station for printing the postage stamp image. This changeable image information are known to affect the variable parts of the image Postage stamp image, for example the postage value or a date. Because the amount of changing Image information in general in relation to the immutable image information is smaller for the implementation of the changing image information only needed a short time. This will make for the Convert coded image information into binary signals required time, which relates directly to the Throughput of envelopes per unit time affects shortened. The throughput of the franking machine is further improved as a result.

Another preferred embodiment provides that the changing image information before printing of the postage stamp image converted into binary data and are kept in a memory and that the binary signals are generated from the binary data. With this The implementation process takes place in the exemplary embodiment instead of printing, i.e. the printing process can be done in one run even shorter because there is no time for the conversion may be provided during printing got to. The throughput of the franking machine is like this increased even further.

According to a further embodiment of the invention become the immutable coded picture information held in a read-only memory. This picture information will print from this before the start of printing Read-only memory read out and decoded. The read-only memory generally contains the control program for the microprocessor, under whose control the process is carried out according to the invention. The read-only memory is generally on a chip chip ordered and will be when the work program changes the franking machine. With this The unchangeable image information can also be exchanged for predefined image parts of a postage stamp image can be changed easily. Furthermore, since the encoded immutable picture information can be taken directly from the read-only memory is an intermediate storage of this image information not mandatory. This can save space or electronic components can be saved.

In another embodiment of the invention the unchangeable image information before printing a postage stamp image converted into binary data, from which binary signals are generated. This ensures that when printing a postage stamp image with regard to the constant part of the image already decoded data can be accessed. The amount of time for data conversion during printing can thus be saved. This creates flexibility the franking machine improved and the throughput of envelopes per unit of time further increased.

In another embodiment, the encoded Add control characters to image information, which indicate whether the image information is changeable or are unchangeable. You can use these control characters the type of image information that is usually in are stored in a memory, recognized and the image information can be treated differently when reading out become. Using the control character is also the saving or buffering of the image information depending on their type in different stores or memory areas possible. The control characters can each image information, for example in the form of a control bit. The respective binary value then identifies the type of image information.

In a preferred embodiment, the Control character a value that is in the character set of the coded Image information is not included. Thereby can be the control character, for example a binary word with 8 bit word length, in the middle of a sequence of coded Image information arranged and when analyzing in In the course of converting the image information into binary data can be recognized as control characters.

A practical implementation of the method according to the invention is characterized in that the unchangeable Image information sequentially in columns Address-oriented converted to binary data and open Control characters are examined, with each address is assigned to a pressure element that when it occurs of a predetermined window control character Address cached as window address the binary data before printing a line the unchangeable image information in a print program sequentially address-oriented for printing for the relevant printing elements are provided, that when executing the print program and reaching it the window address branches to a window program in which the changing image information in Binary data converted and for the relevant printing elements are provided address-oriented, and that after processing the window program for the print program is branched back.

In this embodiment of the invention, a minimal Storage space for storing the encoded Image information and the binary data needed, where the number of work steps low and the required Program parts a simple, clear structure to have.

In another embodiment, multiple window programs kept ready, their respective start address depending on the control character indirectly under the Window address is saved. Thereby, the Memory requirement for a read-only memory increased, in which the window programs are saved, however, these window programs, their processing time the throughput of letters in the franking machine can be branched quickly, without program parameters determined and to these window programs must be transferred.

Furthermore, in one embodiment of the invention a variety of sets of encoded variable image information are provided the different Information of a control signal is assigned. Thereby it becomes possible to use a variable sentence Image information depending on that contained in the control signal To provide information. As information can the control signal indicate a postage value to be printed, a date, a time, a serial number of the franking machine, a sequential print number and / or one variable image part of a company cliché included.

Furthermore, in an advantageous further development of the invention several sets of coded immutable Image information available, which can be accessed optionally becomes. This makes it possible, if necessary the recurring fixed parts of the postage stamp image readjust or change. For example, the company cliché can be used in this way be changed in the postage stamp image.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention becomes the run length coding for coding the image information used. This type of coding draws characterized by high data compression, so that storage space can be saved. In addition, the decoding the image information and generating Binary data with little time and few process steps respectively. This is the one for decoding required conversion time short.

Figur 1

ein unter einem Druckkopf transportiertes Briefkuvert, das mit einem Postwertzeichenbild bedruckt wird,

Figur 2

ein Blockschaltbild eines Hardwareaufbaus einer Frankiermaschine, der zum Durchführen des Verfahrens nach der Erfindung verwendet wird,

Figur 3

schematisch die Umwandlung der unveränderlichen und veränderlichen Bildinformationen in Binärdaten,

Figur 4

ein Flußdiagramm eines Programms zum Umwandeln der unveränderlichen Bildinformationen in Binärdaten und zum Erzeugen des Zugriffs auf die veränderlichen Bildinformationen, und

Figur 5

ein Flußdiagramm eines Programms zum Erzeugen von Binärdaten aus den veränderlichen Bildinformationen während des Druckens.

An embodiment of the invention is explained below with reference to the drawings. It shows:

Figure 1

a letter envelope carried under a print head and printed with a postage stamp image,

Figure 2

2 shows a block diagram of a hardware structure of a postage meter machine which is used to carry out the method according to the invention,

Figure 3

schematically the conversion of the unchangeable and changeable image information into binary data,

Figure 4

a flowchart of a program for converting the unchangeable image information into binary data and for generating access to the changeable image information, and

Figure 5

a flowchart of a program for generating binary data from the variable image information during printing.

1 shows a letter envelope 10 in a franking machine under a thermal transfer print head 12 in Arrow direction 13 at constant speed v transported and with a postage stamp image 14 printed. The thermal transfer print head 12 has one Thermal bar 16 with 240 arranged side by side Printing elements d1 to d240. Each of these printing elements d1 to d240 has a heating resistor that the respective Heat pressure element d1 to d240 to a temperature can, in which the color of a 16 bypassed thermal ribbon (not shown) melts and thereby transferred to the envelope 10 becomes. This way the envelope will be Transport movement printed in columns like columns. The columns s1, s2, s3, sj to sn are approximately each simultaneously by the pressure elements d1 to d240 printed so that the print image of a column, e.g. the Column sj, straight. It should be noted here that of course the present invention can be used for other printing processes, for example the ETR (Electroresistive Thermal Transfer ribbon).

The postage stamp image 14 has fixed, recurring Parts of the picture, such as a frame 18, a text 20, and a picture element 22. Others fixed image parts can, for example, company clichés, Addresses and promotional information, which, however, in the Figure 1 are not shown for reasons of clarity. Furthermore, the postage stamp image 14 contains variable ones Picture parts in windows FE1, FE2, FE3. The window FE1 contains the current postage value from the franking machine depending on the weight of the letter or its Size is determined. The window contains FE2 or FE3 franking machine-specific data, depending on the franking machine operation be changed.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware structure in a block diagram shown to perform the procedure can be used according to the invention. For controlling a microprocessor 24 is provided during the course of the method, which accesses memory elements R1, R2, 26a to 26f, which will be described later. The microprocessor 24 communicates via a not shown Input / output module with peripheral modules, e.g. an electronic scale 28 which measures the weight of the to be printed envelopes 10 with content. Depending on this weight, the microprocessor 24 the postage value to be printed. Via a clock module 25 time data are transmitted to the microprocessor 24. An input keyboard 30 is used for manual Control the operation of the franking machine.

A transport motor is placed over the input / output module 32 driven, the envelope 10 under the print bar 16 of the thermal transfer print head 12 moves through. A coding module 33 detects the movement of the Motors, whereby the exact location of the envelope 10 in the Franking machine can be determined. A display 34 shows the current operating status of the franking machine on. This display 34 also serves to show the unchangeable and changeable image information, for example during editing. The Input / output module also passes to a register 36 a capacity of at least 50 bit binary data, which are converted into binary signals by a driver 38 with which the printing elements d1 to d50 des Thermal transfer print head 12 for printing a column can be controlled.

The microprocessor 24 processes data stored in memory elements R1, R2, 26a to 26f are stored. Two registers R1, R2 are volatile memories (RAM) and serve as working registers. A fleeting pixel or pixel memory 26a contains in binary form in one Column-wise arrangement of pixel data corresponding to the print (Binary data) from which the binary signals to Control of the pressure element d1 to d50 generated immediately become. Each pixel in the pixel memory 26a is individual addressable.

In a memory for the microprocessor 24 serving volatile memory 26b, data is temporarily stored. The microprocessor 24 takes up another, which also serves as working memory Memory 26c too. This memory 26c is not a volatile read / write memory. It can be battery backed up Memory or be designed as an EEPROM. Changing image information, e.g. the the window FE1, FE2 and FE3, as well as in an area S1 unchangeable image information saved.

In a character memory 26d there are alphanumeric characters as pixel data in the form of binary data filed. The character memory 26d is a read-only memory (ROM) trained.

This is also a read-only memory (ROM) Program memory 26e stores the program parts at whose execution the method according to the invention becomes. In one variant, the Program memory 26e additionally the unchangeable Image information for predetermined fixed image parts, the names assigned to them are saved are.

A booking memory 26f is also provided, in which security-relevant data of the franking machine can be saved, for example the sum of the used up Postal charges. The booking memory 26f is designed as a battery-buffered read / write memory.

In FIG. 3, for the sake of simplicity, only one is 50 Column with pixels schematically the process of the method according to the invention in the conversion the coded image information is represented in binary data. In this embodiment, the Picture part a) shown printing elements d1 to d50 Thermal bar 16 of the thermal transfer print head 12 in arranged in a row.

Below the thermal transfer print head 12 is in 3 a print pattern 40 to be printed of the column. The print pattern consists of a Distribution of colored pressure points, for example Pressure point 42, and unprinted pressure points to Example pressure point 44. The pressure points are each printed by a printing element, e.g. the pressure point 42 through the pressure element d1. Each pressure point is one specially addressable binary information, i.e. a bit assigned in the pixel memory 26a. The bits of a column are by means of a run variable A with the value range 1 to 50 addressable. The value of the run variable A is interpreted as the address for the print elements d1 to d50.

It is assumed, for example, that the first four as well as the last 40 pressure points of the column recurring print patterns are assigned, which with U referred to as. It is also believed that the fifth up to tenth pressure point (associated bits with run variable A = 5 to A = 10) the variable print pattern of the Form window FE1.

In part c) of Fig. 3 is shown how the encoded image information of the recurring Print pattern U are converted into binary data and that Occurrence of a window area is detected. The unchangeable Image information of the print pattern U are in run-length-coded form after editing as hexadecimal values in the working memory 26c. The Coded picture information is byte by byte in one Follow with addresses a1 to a5 in area S1 for the Column saved. With the run length coding alternately indicated how many pressure points in a row should be printed in color or non-color. The hexadecimal coded information at address a1 "02" means that the first two pressure points with Addresses A = 1 and A = 2 (i.e. the run variable A has the value A = 1 or A = 2) should be printed in color. The run length X of the code "02" is therefore two. At the conversion of the coded image information "O2" two bits with addresses A = 1, A = 2 are generated, which have the value 1, so that the bits with addresses A = 1 or A = 2 assigned pressure elements d1 and d2 generate colored pressure dots. The same applies to the unchangeable image information loaded at address a2, with the difference that because of the alternating Run length coding with the following bits the addresses A = 3, A = 4 each the other binary value, i.e. 0 included. This means that the third and fourth pressure point no color is transferred i.e. the pressure elements d3 and d4 are not heated. A hexadecimal value "00" serves as a print control character to control the color change, i.e. it causes the switchover from heating the pressure element to non-heating and vice versa, where the run length X is zero. With With the help of this print control character it is possible to choose any long chains of pressure dots of the same color information to build. This allows thermal print bars use with a number of printing elements that are larger is the available range of values of a byte.

As a result of the unchangeable image information appears the hexadecimal value "51" at address a3. This value is outside the defined value range the run length coding, which with 50 printing elements ranges from hexadecimal "O1" to "32". Within the possible hexadecimal range of values of a byte as is known to range from "00" to "FF", values that outside the range of the run length coding occur interpreted as control characters. The first Value "5" of the hexadecimal value "51" means that a window begins to change within it Image information must be provided. The second value "1" indicates the number of the window, i.e. on the Window FE1. In this way, multiple windows can be marked become. The when a control character occurs Process steps performed later explained.

As a result of the unchangeable image information Value "28" appearing at address a4 is interpreted as that the binary positions of the bits with run variable A = 11 to A = 50 each have the value 1, i.e. the printing elements d11 to d50 transfer color to the Envelope 10.

The value "F0" occurs at address a5, which in turn is interpreted as a control character. He has the Meaning that the end of the column has been reached. The run variable A must then be reset to the initial value A1, and converting the unchangeable image information in binary data for the next column can start.

In the lower section d) of Fig. 3 is schematic the conversion of the encoded variable image information with the addresses b1 to b4 of the window FE1 in Binary data shown. Even the changing image information are after the alternate run length coding encoded and are described in the above Way converted. It should be noted that the value of the Run variables A consistently match the value before occurrence of the control character.

In Figure 4, the program for Generation of binary data from the unchangeable image information as well as filtering out the control characters indicated that indicate windows. Preferably this program before turning on printing carried out, for example after a new postage stamp image fixed or the existing postage stamp image has been modified. To change the Postage stamp image becomes an editing program (not shown) processed, with the unchangeable and changeable image information in the working memory 26c be deposited. After starting the program in the procedural step 50 become the desired postage stamp image belonging unchangeable image information, which are stored, for example, in the working memory 26c are selected and selected. After loading the encoded data using registers R1, R2 in method step 54, these print data are opened Control characters checked. If the control character with the meaning "end of image" occurs (process step 56), the program is ended in step 58. Otherwise is checked in step 60 whether the Control characters with the meaning "end of column" occurred is. If this is the case, the process branches to step 62, the running variable A to its initial value A = 1 reset and branched back to method step 54, and there is a switch to next column.

If the result in test step 60 is negative, then in subsequent step 64 checks for a control character is present, which indicates a window in which changeable image information must be provided. If negated, the coded print date examined is an unchangeable image information and it becomes Method step 66 branches. There is the run length coded Date decoded and the binary data according to the explanations for Fig. 3 generated. According to the Run length X, the value A of the run variable is increased and then branched to step 54.

If the control character "window" occurs, Step 68 continued, in which the current value A 'of the run variable A is stored in the buffer 26b becomes. As mentioned, the control character contains as information a window number n, which is also stored becomes. Since the length L, i.e. the number of Print points or bytes of the respective window in advance is known, the running variable A by this amount increased and branched back to step 54. After this all coded print data of the unchangeable Image information has been analyzed and decoded, the program is exited at step 58. The at Binary data obtained from the decoding are stored in the pixel memory 26a filed.

The process steps are shown in a further flow chart in FIG shown that while printing be carried out. After starting the program in Step 70 becomes the electronic scale 28 incoming control signal analyzed (method step 72) and the postage value to be printed is determined. Depending on this post value is added to data in method step 74 in the working memory 26c with variable image information accessed who assigned this post value is. This data is called window print data for the Window FE1 provided (step 74). The Access is via indexed addressing, as later will be explained in step 94.

In the subsequent step 76, a run variable C loaded, which is interpreted as the address at which the binary data of the unchangeable ones in the pixel memory 26a Image information is stored. This run variable C has a fixed relationship to the above mentioned run variable A, which as mentioned as an address is interpreted for the binary data of a column. in the Method step 78 is carried out using the run variable C checks whether the postage stamp image has been printed is. If this is the case, the print program in the Method step 80 ended. Otherwise, in Method step 82 checks whether an end of the column has been reached is. If this is the case, then in register 36 (Figure 2) all 50 binary information (bits) for provided the printing of a column, and this column can be printed in a single print. Then, in step 86, the run variable C set to the beginning of the next column.

If the answer is negative in step 82, it becomes the procedural step 88 branches. The value of the run variable A determined from the current value of the run variable C. and in the subsequent step 90 checks whether the value A corresponds to the value A 'that was previously used in the program Figure 4 (step 68) determined for this column has been. If this is not the case, then lie Binary data of an unchangeable image information in front. This binary data is entered into the register in step 92 36 loaded and the run variable C increased by 1. Subsequently the method branches back to method step 76.

If it is determined in step 90 that the current one Value of the run variable A corresponds to the value A ', this is how they are made available in the working memory 26c in step 74 encoded window print data decoded, converted to binary data using the run variable A loaded into register 36 in an address-oriented manner and at "End of column" at step 84 to the thermal transfer printhead 12 issued. In step 94, the Run variable C increased by the length L of the window FE1. Furthermore, an index variable I is increased by 1. This serves the purpose that when converting the coded window print data in the column below on the Print data accessed through indexed addressing can be. The program then branches to step 76. If all print columns of the postage stamp image are printed, so at "end of image" (Step 78) exit the print program.

In the present example, only coded print data provided for a window FE1 and in binary data changed. Of course, in analog Way, more sets of print data for more windows, for example the windows FE2 and FE3 (Fig. 1) become. In these or similar windows you can the current date, the time, an ongoing Print number or a variable image part of a company cliché to be printed.

In a variant of the previous embodiment the invention will be the invariable binary Data encoded from the unchangeable term Image information is generated by decoding in temporarily stored in a first area of the pixel memory 26a. From the changing image information Altered binary data are obtained in one second area of the pixel memory 26a temporarily stored. When printing a column, the unchangeable ones and changeable binary data from the first and second area of pixel memory 26a in the through the control characters given order are read out and written into the register 36 for printing a column. Merging the unchangeable and changeable image information takes place with this Variant in register 36.

In another variant, the pixel memory 26a into several memory areas, according to the unchangeable ones and variable parts of the picture. The division is made using the control characters. The changing image information can be in a memory area of the pixel memory 26a given addresses according to the columns printing pixels of the printed image can be saved. When changing the binary data of a window, accessed the memory area via these fixed addresses and changed its data.

In a third variant, the unchangeable Image information stored in a read-only memory be, e.g. in the program memory 26e. When decoding the unchangeable image information is on this Read-only memory 26e accessed. The caching the run-length-coded, unchangeable image information can then be omitted. On the corresponding Memory area S1 of the working memory 26c can then to be dispensed with.

Claims (18)

1. Method for controlling the column-by-column printing of a postage stamp image (14) in a franking machine,

   in which method the image information is kept ready in coded form and, before the respective printing procedure, is converted into binary signals for the activation of printing elements (d1-d240),

   wherein unalterable image information items and alterable image information items are converted separately from each other,

   and wherein the converted alterable and unalterable image information items are only combined during the printing of the postage stamp image (14),

   characterized in that
   the alterable image information is only determined during the printing procedure.
2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the alterable image information for each printing column (s1, s2, sj, sn) is converted separately between the printing of two printing columns (for example, sj, sj+1).
3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the alterable image information is changed into binary data before the printing of the postage stamp image (14) and is kept ready in a memory (26b), and in that the binary signals are generated from the binary data.
4. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the unalterable and alterable coded image information is kept ready in areas of a non-volatile memory (26c) which are separated from each other.
5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the unalterable coded image information is kept ready in a read-only memory (26e) and is read from this and decoded before the beginning of the printing.
6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the unalterable image information is changed into binary data before the printing of a postage stamp image (14), from which binary data binary signals are generated.
7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coded image information is provided with control characters (for example, "51") which indicate whether the subsequent coded image information is alterable or unalterable.
8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the image information is divided into the alterable and unalterable image information depending on the control characters.
9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the control characters have a value (for example, "51") which is not contained in the character pool of the coded image information.
10. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the unalterable image information is arranged in a sequence (for example, source addresses a1 to a5) corresponding to the column-by-column printing, and in that control characters ("51") are inserted between the image information items.
11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the unalterable image information is changed into binary data column-by-column, sequentially and in an address-oriented manner and there is testing for control characters, with each address (A) being allocated to a printing element, in that, upon the occurrence of a control character (procedural step 64), the associated address is intermediately stored as window address (A'), in that before the printing of a column the binary data of the unalterable image information is provided in a printing program sequentially and in an address-oriented manner for the printing for the relevant printing elements (d1 to d256), in that, when the printing program is processed and when the window address (A') is reached, there is a branching to a window program (procedural step 94), in which the alterable image information is changed into binary data and is provided for the relevant printing elements in an address-oriented manner, and in that, after the processing of the window program (94), there is a branching back to the printing program.
12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that several window programs are kept ready, the respective starting address of which is stored indirectly below the window address depending on the control character.
13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of sets of coded alterable image information items is provided, which are allocated to different information items of a control signal.
14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the control signal contains as information a postage value to be printed, a date, a time, a serial number of the franking machine, a current printing number and/or a variable image part of a company printing block.
15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the access to the alterable image information takes place by means of indirect memory addressing.
16. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, with the sequential printing of several columns with ascending numbering, the access to the alterable image information takes place by means of indirect indicated memory addressing, with the alterable image information being changed into binary data in accordance with the number of the column to be printed.
17. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that several sets of coded unalterable image information items are kept ready, which are selectively accessed.
18. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that run length coding is used for coding the image information.

Images