Abstract: The optical indicator unit of a program-controlled household appliance includes one or more indicator elements for the display of information in plain text. Each indicator element includes a matrix with 5×8 pixels for the display of a character. Each indicator element is assigned a functional element/actuator belonging to the household appliance. The element/actuator and also at least one operating state of the element/actuator is represented in the indicator element by an initial letter or a symbol. Depending on a size of the display, a plurality of actuators can be indicated at the same time. The invention can be applied particularly well in testing and in servicing.

Abstract: The optical indicator unit of a program-controlled household appliance includes one or more indicator elements for the display of information in plain text. Each indicator element includes a matrix with 5×8 pixels for the display of a character. Each indicator element is assigned a functional element/actuator belonging to the household appliance. The element/actuator and also at least one operating state of the element/actuator is represented in the indicator element by an initial letter or a symbol. Depending on a size of the display, a plurality of actuators can be indicated at the same time. The invention can be applied particularly well in testing and in servicing.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.