Patent ID: 6696993
Filing Date: 2004-02-24
Classification: H03M,H04N

Abstract:
A method of variable length coding data symbols, said data symbols being arranged in a number of sets of data symbols, each set of data symbols comprising at least a first data symbol, at least two sets of variable length codewords being provided for variable length coding said data symbols, said number of sets of data symbols being variable length coded in a coding sequence, from a first set of data symbols to a last set of data symbols, characterised in that the method comprises:for a given set of data symbols in said coding sequence other than the first set of data symbols, determining for each one of said at least two sets of variable length codewords a total amount of information required to variable length code the first data symbols of all sets of data symbols preceding said given set of data symbols in said coding sequence by determining a set of cumulative information measures; examining said set of cumulative information measures to determine which of said at least two set of variable length codewords provides the smallest cumulative information measure; and selecting a codeword for variable length coding said first data symbol of said given set of data symbols from the set of variable length codewords which provides the smallest cumulative information measure.