Method and apparatus for selectively counting consecutive bits

摘要

A method for compression of digital data in a computer having a processor and a memory, wherein a group of consecutive bits having the same binary value is represented by a result number corresponding to the number of the consecutive bits. The method involves the following steps. A block of digital data to be compressed is provided. A bit detect selection parameter determines a bit value to be counted for counting consecutive bits. The processor is instructed to count from a first end of the block of digital data toward a second end of the block of digital data the number of consecutive bits having the bit value determined by the bit detect selection parameter. The number of bits so counted is stored, and the bit detect selection parameter is toggled. The processor is then instructed to count from the last bit counted toward the second end of the block of digital data the number of bits having the bit value determined by the current bit detect selection parameter. The foregoing steps are repeated, with successive numbers being stored representing the number of bits counted in successive counts as successive stored result numbers, until all bits in the block of digital data are counted.