Patent ID: 8107532

Claim:
Method for generating in a picture signal encoding one or more prediction information items required in a decoding of the encoded picture signal for the intra prediction of a current pixel block, said method including the steps: providing a first value for a prediction information item said first value indicating a prediction mode for a current pixel block that is derived from one or more prediction modes of one or more previously predicted pixel blocks that are adjacent to said current pixel block, wherein said first value of prediction information item has a first word length, providing a second value for said prediction information item said second value indicating non-use for a current pixel block of a prediction mode that is derived from one or more prediction modes of one or more previously predicted pixel blocks that are adjacent to said current pixel block, and providing an actual prediction mode value for said current pixel block, said actual prediction mode being related to the minimum prediction error for said current pixel block, wherein said actual prediction mode value has a second word length that is greater than said first word length, using said first value for said prediction information item and not an actual prediction mode value for said current pixel block when the actual prediction error for said current pixel block is greater than when applying said minimum prediction error related prediction mode but is smaller or equal to a predetermined prediction error threshold value.