| 摘要 |
<p>Data compression apparatus includes a memory for storing a current block (14) of data segments (e.g. bytes) and a logic circuit (16) for determining whether each byte in the current block is the same or different from a seed value (13). An encoding circuit (20) coupled to the logic circuit (16) produces a compressed version (22) of the current block (14), which compressed version includes Command bytes and contiguous literal data bytes from the current block. Each Command byte has an encoding identifier, an offset count and a data segment Replacement count. Each offset count and data segment Replacement count manifest respectively limited bit sizes (and values). The encoding circuit (20) responds to an indication that a data segment (1) differs from the seed value (13) and (2) is followed by a series of contiguous data segments in the current block (14) that are also different from the seed value (13) (the series exceeding in number the limited value of the data segment Replacement count), by causing (a) a first Command byte to manifest a data segment Replacement count of the limited value and an offset count of 0 and (b) the first Command byte to be followed by at least one of the contiguous data segments from the series. Thereafter, a next Command byte occurs if the remaining number of contiguous data segments exceeds the limited value of the data segment Replacement count. The next Command byte(s) each manifest limited value data segment Replacement counts until the count value is either equal to or less than the data segment Replacement count (which is manifest by a last Command byte). Similarly, if the offset count is greater than the offset count limited value, the offset count will be set to its maximum limited value, followed by a data segment Replacement count of 0 (indicating no action to be taken). A subsequent Command byte (or commands bytes) follow until the remaining offset count value manifest by a Command byte is either equal to the limited value or a lesser value. <IMAGE></p> |
