Patent ID: 6934338

Claim:
A variable length table decoder for decoding compressed video data using variable length code tables, wherein the compressed video data includes variable length encoded data representing an image area of a transmitted frame, the variable length table decoder being coupled to a memory which stores variable length encoded date and a shifter circuit associated with the memory which makes a predetermined number of bits of the variable length encoded data visible, comprising: a pattern match circuit coupled to the memory for identifying a unique prefix pattern in the variable length encoded data, each unique prefix pattern having a prefix pattern length; variable length code table data including a decoded value associated with each of a plurality of variable length codes, wherein the variable length code table data comprises a plurality of subtable data circuits each associated with a unique prefix pattern in the variable length codes and independent of the prefix pattern length; a datapath coupling the memory to each of the subtable data circuits for applying variable length encoded data to each of the subtable data circuits; and control circuitry responsive to the pattern match circuit for obtaining a decoded value from the subtable data circuit associated with the unique prefix pattern in the variable length codes that matches the identified prefix pattern in the variable length encoded data, and additional data in the variable length codes after the unique prefix pattern that matches additional data in the variable length encoded data after the identified prefix pattern.