Patent ID: 7953155

Claim:
A method of employing a mode selection function J for selecting a coding mode from a plurality of coding modes for a matrix of j transform coefficients c 0 . . . c j−1 representing a block of digital video data, the method comprising: a) receiving, by a computing machine, the matrix of j transform coefficients c 0 . . . c j−1 representing the block of digital video data; b) forming, by the computing machine, a numerical signature σ of the matrix, c) determining, by the computing machine, at least one value of a parameter R based on an array using σ as an index to the array, wherein J is a function of R and each value of R equals the size, in bits, of an encoded version of the matrix encoded with one of the plurality of coding modes, d) inputting, by the computing machine, each value of R as an input to an algorithm to determine a corresponding value of J, e) selecting, by the computing machine, the coding mode corresponding to a minimum value of J, and f) encoding, by the computing machine, the matrix of j transform coefficients c 0 . . . c j−1 based on the selecting.