Lossless encoding of information with guaranteed maximum bitrate

Decoder for decoding an encoded representation of information values that are described by more than one bit and for processing a rule information indicating an encoding rule used for encoding the information values, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving the encoded representation and the rule information;
• and
• a decompressor for decoding the encoded representation, the decompressor being operative to derive the information value using, depending on the rule information, a first decoding rule or a second decoding rule,
• the first decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having different numbers of information units and using a second decoding rule,
• the second decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having identical numbers of information values, wherein the information values are derived from combinations of information values having at least two information values combined within the encoded representation.

A method for encoding of information values that are described by more than one bit to derive an encoded representation of the information values, the method comprising:

• estimating a number of information units required for encoding the information values using a first encoding rule and using a second encoding rule,
• the first encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having different numbers of information units,
• the second encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having identical numbers of information units, wherein the encoded representation is derived from a combination of information values having at least two information values combined;
• and
• providing an encoded representation being derived using the encoding rule resulting in the smaller number of information units for the encoded representation and to provide a rule information indicating the encoding rule on which the encoded representation is based.

A method for decoding an encoded representation of information values that are described by more than one bit and for processing a rule information indicating an encoding rule used for encoding the information values, the method comprising:

• receiving the encoded representation and the rule information;
• and
• decoding the encoded representation using, depending on the rule information, a first decoding rule or a second decoding rule,
• the first decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having different numbers of information units and using a second decoding rule,
• the second decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having identical numbers of information values, wherein the information values are derived from combinations of information values having at least two information values combined within the encoded representation.

Computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method for encoding of information values that are described by more than one bit to derive an encoded representation of the information values, the method comprising:

• estimating a number of information units required for encoding the information values using a first encoding rule and using a second encoding rule,
• the first encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having different numbers of information units,
• the second encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having identical numbers of information units, wherein the encoded representation is derived from a combination of information values having at least two information values combined;
• and
• providing an encoded representation being derived using the encoding rule resulting in the smaller number of information units for the encoded representation and to provide a rule information indicating the encoding rule on which the encoded representation is based.

Computer program having a program code for performing, when running on a computer, a method for decoding an encoded representation of information values that are described by more than one bit and for processing a rule information indicating an encoding rule used for encoding the information values, the method comprising:

• receiving the encoded representation and the rule information;
• and
• decoding the encoded representation using, depending on the rule information, a first decoding rule or a second decoding rule,
• the first decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having different numbers of information units and using a second decoding rule,
• the second decoding rule being such that the information values are derived from encoded representations having identical numbers of information values, wherein the information values are derived from combinations of information values having at least two information values combined within the encoded representation.

Encoded representation of information values, wherein the encoded representation includes:

• a first part generated using a first encoding rule, the first encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having different numbers of information units
• a second part generated using a second encoding rule, the second encoding rule being such that the information values, when encoded, result in encoded representations having identical numbers of information units, wherein the encoded representation is derived from a combination of information values having at least two information values combined;
• and
• a rule information indicating the encoding rule used.