SPELLED WORD RECOGNIZER

A string of input characters is recognized as one of a plurality of reference sets which are stored in predetermined groups. A set of signals representative of the correspondence of the input characters to the reference characters is generated. The input character string is identified responsive to the character correspondence signals. The character string identification comprises forming a set of signals each representative of the correspondence of the input character string to one of the predetermined groups responsive to the character correspondence signals. Jointly responsive to the character correspondence signals, the reference character sets and the group correspondence signals, the reference set that most closely corresponds to the input character string is selected.