Patent ID: 8199822

Claim:
An encoder comprising: a first module responsive to an applied video frame that divides the video frame into non-overlapping macroblocks, an intra-frame coding (I-mode) module that develops multiple descriptions of an applied macroblock; a predictive coding (P-mode) module that develops multiple predictive descriptions of said applied macroblock; a mode selection element that applies each of the macroblocks created by said first module to either said I-mode module or to said P-mode module; a buffer, connected to said mode selector element, for storing macroblocks that were reconstructed by decoding macroblocks of previously applied video frames, which had been encoded, and a rate control unit that is connected to said mode selection element, said I-mode module and said P-mode module, for influencing whether said mode selection element applies the macroblocks created by said first module to said I-mode module or to said P-mode module.