Abstract: Electronically controlled postage metering machine and/or free stamping machine having a microprocessor, a non-volatile memory and a register by means of which adjustment of postage values, date, type of mailing and cleaning of a preset value with actually charged postage sum, including peripheral lines and a keyboard connected to the microprocessor, the non-volatile memory and the register for introducing variable information and signals for linkage with preset data stored in the memory control modules prestaged to the non-volatile memory, the keyboard and the register for blocking direct access via the peripheral lines to the non-volatile memory and for unloading the microprocessor, the control module having means cooperating with the register for controlling phase adjustment of stepping motors for print rollers of the postage metering machine via non-inverted and inverted outputs of the register, and stationary sensor means for establishing positions of the stepping motors and for transmitting information

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for providing a modulo-n check character as a function of a sequence of data characters. The check character may be used to permit a check of the data character sequence for its correctness, for example, after being transmitted to a data processing installation or after printing. In the preferred embodiments each data character of the sequence is generated by one of a plurality of data character carriers which are selectively set to generate a given character. An additional check carrier is provided to generate the check character. The check carrier is set by a predetermined amount each time one of the data carriers is set so that the ultimately generated check character is a function of the data character sequence.