Patent ID: 7079052

Claim:
A method of source decoding a variable-length codeword sequence (SQr), said source decoding being based on a codeword table, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: creating a tree associated with said codeword table, said tree comprising tree-paths (T_PTH), a tree-path CT_PTH) comprising a plurality of branches (B), decoding a received codeword sequence (SQr), said step comprising the sub-steps of: extending the best tree-paths (BT_PTH) from a node (N) in the tree by computing first cumulative metrics (CM_LPTH) of the succeeding branches (B) coming from said node (N), selecting the codewords (CWDi) corresponding to the best tree-paths (BT_PTH), and saving corresponding data in paths (PTH), the corresponding data comprising a second cumulative metric (CM_STCK), reordering the saved paths (PTH) in accordance with their second cumulative metrics (CM_STCK), testing a priori conditions on top path (TOP_PTH), and if they are verified, outputting said top path (TOP_PTH), or otherwise returning to the extension sub-step.