Patent ID: 8384567

Claim:
An encoding apparatus to convert m-bit data words into n-bit code words, where m and n are both integers and satisfy an expression 2 n ≧2 m ×2, the encoding apparatus comprising: a first conversion table in which 2 m m-bit data words are associated with 2 m n-bit code words selected from 2 n -bit code words; a second conversion table in which 2 m m-bit data words are associated with 2 m n-bit code words that have been selected from the 2 n n-bit code words and that do not overlap with the 2 m n-bit code words in the first conversion table; and an encoder configured to select and output a first n-bit code word, with which an m-bit data word that has been input is associated, in the first conversion table or a second n-bit code word, with which the m-bit data word that has been input is associated, in the second conversion table, the selected and output n-bit code word having a smaller number of symbols “1” between the first and second n-bit code words.