VARIABLE LENGTH CODE DECODING APPARATUS AND METHOD

摘要

Decoding is started at a time point when a predetermined amount of bitstream is stored, and is completed even when the code length of the code word of the bitstream end is less than a predetermined amount. A variable length code decoding apparatus (10) decodes a bitstream and comprises: a storage unit (111) for storing a variable length code table (113); a bitstream extraction unit (100) for outputting a bit sequence having a fixed length; a reference unit (112) for outputting decoded data and a code length by referring to the storage unit (111); a determination unit (102) for determining whether a bit sequence having a fixed length is stored or not; another determination unit (103) for determining whether a bit sequence having a shorter length than the fixed length is stored or not; and a selection unit (104) for selecting one of the determination results of the determination units (102, 103). The bitstream extraction unit (100) determines the first bit, based on the selected determination result. The selection unit (104) switches the selection of the determination results of the determination units (102, 103).