Patent ID: 7386048

Claim:
A method for efficient organization of pixel intra-prediction modes, said method comprising: a) selecting a set of pixel prediction modes; b) ordering at least a portion of said set of prediction modes in an image-independent order thereby creating an ordered set; c) determining a first adjacent mode for predicting a first adjacent block, which is adjacent to a target block, wherein said first adjacent mode is selected based on an actual prediction error and said first adjacent mode is in said ordered set; d) determining a second adjacent mode for predicting a second adjacent block which is adjacent to said target block, wherein said second adjacent mode is selected based on an actual prediction error and said second adjacent mode is in said ordered set; e) selecting one of said first adjacent mode and said second adjacent mode as an estimated mode for said target block, wherein said selecting is based on the relative positions of said adjacent modes in said ordered set; f) determining an actual prediction mode for predicting a pixel, said actual mode being among said ordered set, wherein said actual prediction mode is determined with reference to image data in said target block; g) comparing said estimated prediction mode to said actual prediction mode; and removing said estimated prediction mode from said ordered set thereby creating a reduced ordered set when said estimated prediction mode is not substantially similar to said actual prediction mode.