Abstract: A text recorder includes a multi-character display controller which is operated in a multi-character mode to record (e.g., print on paper or generate a CRT or the like display) multi-character sequences in response to operator actuation of a single key of a keyboard substantially identical to a conventional typewriter keyboard. Operator actuation of a key generates a coded signal representative of the actuated key, but in the multi-character mode, the normal text recorder function of printing or displaying the character associated with the key is inhibited, and instead, a memory device is accessed which has stored at a location corresponding to the actuated key, a sequence of coded signals representative of a plurality of characters, functions or both. The storage device may include a plurality of sets of stored signal sequences representing a plurality of multi-character sequences, the selection between the different storage sets being effected based on a particular key or key sequence previously actuated.

Abstract: A text recorder of the type which includes a text display device to record text in intelligible form on a typewritten page or line or page-like display in response to character and function identifying signals, a keyboard with a plurality of alphabetic, numeric, symbol and function keys for actuation by an operator to produce a keyboard signal unique to the actuated key, decoding means responsive to keyboard signals from said keyboard to produce character and function identifying signals and wherein the decoding means includes a word completion means for producing one of at least two groups of one or more character identifying signals in response to actuation of a selectd key on said keyboard, each group of character identifying signals representing a different word ending and wherein the word completion means includes means for selecting among the group dependent upon the identity of one or more keys actuated prior to actuation of the selected key.