Word processor having spelling corrector adaptive to operator error

Abstract

A word-processing system or memory typewriter has the usual keyboard, input display and/or printer; together with a spelling dictionary stored within the memory, and an error signal generating device activated upon entry of an incorrect word. For greater efficiency and ease of use by the operator, the memory also stores several kinds of correction information--e.g., typographical correction, transposition reversal, phonetic substitutions, etc.--suitable for amending the incorrect word to display a trial word which matches one from the above-mentioned stored dictionary, the amending occurring by depression of a special key whenever entry of an incorrect word activates the error-signal device. Statistical control of selection of the class of correction information is provided, the order of utilization of the various classes depending upon the relative extent of the operator's prior successful usage of each class of information. If the trial word displayed is not satisfactory, the operator can depress the usual Index key 20I on the keyboard for presentation of yet another amended word matching the contents of the dictionary, and so on until the operator is satisfied with the one presented and signals the system to print that choice. If a match cannot be obtained with any of the information, the display indicates this fact to the operator.