Patent ID: 7016417

Claim:
A method of compression of graphic images which make up a video stream, comprising the steps of: (a) selecting an image from said graphic images; (b) processing each pixel in a set of pixels from said image comprising the steps of: (i) selecting a first number of bits from each said pixel wherein each pixel comprises a second number of bits and where in said first number of bits is less than said second number of bits (ii) selecting a code value based on the value of said first number of bits wherein said code value is directly related to said value of said first number of bits, and wherein the code value is a third number of bits; (iii) determining if said code value is the same as a previous code value of an immediately prior pixel; (iv) if the code value is the same as a said previous code value, incrementing a run-length counter which counts the number of matching code values; (v) if the code value is not the same as said previous code value, placing said previous code value and a current value of said run-length counter in an array of encoded data, wherein said previous code value and said current counter value comprise an encoded code, and resetting the value of the run-length counter; (c) upon processing the last pixel in said set of pixels from said image, placing the last previous code value and the last current value of said run-length counter in said array of encoded data, whereby said array of encoded data represents said image; (d) outputting said array of encoded data; (e) selecting a subsequent image from said graphic images; (f) repeating steps (b) through (e) for a series of said subsequent images.