Patent ID: 7209059
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: H03M,H04N

Abstract:
1. An encoding method of encoding a Run symbol and a Level symbol to a variable length code using a table in which a code number corresponds to the Run symbol and the Level symbol, the Run symbol indicating a number of consecutive coefficients each having a value of zero, and the Level symbol indicating a value of a non-zero coefficient following the Run symbol, said encoding method comprising: deciding the Run symbol and the Level symbol; determining whether the Run symbol and the Level symbol belong to one of a first range and a predetermined range; obtaining a code number corresponding to the Run symbol and the Level symbol by referring to the table and encoding the obtained code number to a variable length code, when it is determined that the Run symbol and the Level symbol belong to the first range; and encoding the Level symbol to a variable length code and encoding the Run symbol to another variable length code, without referring to the table, when it is determined that the Run symbol and the Level symbol belong to the predetermined range, wherein the first range includes Run and Level symbols that exist in the table, and the predetermined range includes the Run and Level symbols corresponding to code numbers that are larger than code numbers corresponding to the Run and Level symbols in the first range.