Abstract: The efficiency of variable-length (VL) encoding data using a defined VL encoding table is characterized and one or more changes to one or more entries of the defined VL encoding table are determined that increase the efficiency of encoding the data. An updated VL encoding table is generated from the defined VL encoding table based on the changes. VL codes for the data are generated using the updated VL encoding table, and an encoded bitstream is generated from VL codes, wherein the encoded bitstream explicitly identifies the changes. For decoding, the changes are extracted from the encoded bitstream and an updated VL decoding table is generated from a defined VL decoding table corresponding to the defined VL encoding table, based on the changes. The VL codes in the encoded bitstream are decoded using the updated VL decoding table to generate a set of decoded data.

Abstract: A method and system for processing an image. The system stores and decodes encoded image data. Before decoding, the image data has an OPERATING SYSTEM header, a BITSTREAM header, a Y-COMPONENT DATA field, a U-COMPONENT DATA field, and a V-COMPONENT DATA field. Each of the DATA fields has a four-byte MC VECTOR COUNT field, an MC VECTORS field, and an ENCODED DATA field that has interleaved binary tree codes and region codes. The system also converts the decoded OPERATING SYSTEM header, decoded BITSTREAM header, decoded Y-COMPONENT DATA field, decoded U-COMPONENT DATA field, and decoded V-COMPONENT DATA field for display. In addition, the system displays the converted image data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for decoding image data. Before decoding, the image data has an OPERATING SYSTEM header, a BITSTREAM header, a Y-COMPONENT DATA field, a U-COMPONENT DATA field, and a V-COMPONENT DATA field. Each of the DATA fields has a four-byte MC VECTOR COUNT field, an MC VECTORS field, and an ENCODED DATA field that has interleaved binary tree codes and region codes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for encoding image data. After encoding, the image data has an OPERATING SYSTEM header, a BITSTREAM header, a Y-COMPONENT DATA field, a U-COMPONENT DATA field, and a V-COMPONENT DATA field. Each of the DATA fields has a four-byte MC VECTOR COUNT field, an MC VECTORS field, and an ENCODED DATA field that has interleaved binary tree codes and region codes.

Abstract: A method and system for generating compressed image signal. The system generates an analog image signal corresponding to the image, generates unencoded three-component image data from the analog image signal, and encodes the unencoded image data. After encoding, the image data has an OPERATING SYSTEM header, a BITSTREAM header, a Y-COMPONENT DATA field, a U-COMPONENT DATA field, and a V-COMPONENT DATA field. Each of the DATA fields has a four-byte MC VECTOR COUNT field, an MC VECTORS field, and an ENCODED DATA field that has interleaved binary tree codes and region codes. The system also stores the OPERATING SYSTEM header, BITSTREAM header, Y-COMPONENT DATA field, U-COMPONENT DATA field, and V-COMPONENT DATA field. In a preferred embodiment, the invention generates compressed video signals.