A state machine includes a rule selector. The rule selector receives input data, and one or more transition rules. The one or more transition rules including a next state. The state machine also includes a character classifier communicatively coupled to the rule selector. The character classifier includes a plurality of base classes. The character classifier receiving the input data, and sending one or more of the plurality of base classes to the rule selector in response to receiving the input data. The rule selector selects one of the one or more transition rules in response to determining that the input data and one of the plurality of base classes correspond to the transition rule. The current state of the state machine is then set to the next state of the selected one of the one or more transition rules.