Patent ID: 7583849

Claim:
A method comprising a processor to perform acts of: deriving a magnitude level for each of a plurality of data values, the magnitude level representing a number of digits used to represent the data value; storing a magnitude level in a first layer of a tree; separating the magnitude levels into a plurality of groups; identifying a highest magnitude level among the magnitude levels within each group as a group magnitude level; storing the magnitude level in a second layer of the tree; determining if the magnitude level on the tree will be truncated at a current level: truncating the tree at the current level; storing the current level in the highest magnitude level of the tree; determining if the magnitude level on the tree will not be truncated at a current level: further separating remaining magnitude levels into the plurality of groups; applying an encoding method to derive encoded values from the data values, each of the encoded values being derived from a number of digits equal to the group magnitude level; compressing the data values to reduce data storage and bandwidth to store and transmit data values; and decompressing compressed data values to display data values.