Patent ID: 6169499
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G06T,H03M

Abstract:
A data compression method for compressing an input stream of data characters into an output stream of compressed codes, said method including an LZW data compression process, said LZW data compression process including storing strings of data characters, assigning respective codes to said stored strings from a code counter and incrementing said code counter for each said stored string, said method comprising: detecting when a run of data characters is occurring in said input stream by detecting when a predetermined number of adjacent data characters of said input stream are the same with respect to each other, counting data characters in said detected run to provide a run count, providing a modified code by combining the existing code in said code counter with said run count, using said LZW data compression process to compress said input stream when a run is not occurring therein by comparing said input stream to said stored strings to determine longest matches therewith and providing said codes assigned thereto, thereby providing LZW compressed codes, and outputting said modified code and said LZW compressed codes so as to provide said output stream.