Method for Encoding an Xml-Based Document

A method for encoding a structured XML-based document in which structuring is carried out based on elements describing data in the document, comprising:

• embedding document data into descriptive elements starting from a first descriptive element and including predecessor elements, each successively embedding successor elements, the successor elements capable of embedding further elements, where paths of the descriptive elements can be respectively determined starting with a first path of the first descriptive element and continuing with the predecessor elements leading up to the first descriptive element, and where the document data and the descriptive elements of the document are split into subsets, each subset containing at least one second descriptive element which has no predecessor element within the subset;
• ascertaining the first path to form a first relation information item for each second descriptive element;
• producing an explicit association information item to form a second relation information item for each ascertained path;
• encoding at least the first relation information item for recognition by a decoder during an initialization process on the decoder;
• and
• encoding the subsets with respectively associated association information items to enable the decoder to use the first relation information item and the second relation information item as a basis for ascertaining an associated ascertained path for the at least one second descriptive element in each subset.

An encoding apparatus for encoding a structured XML-based document in which structuring is carried out based on elements describing data in the document, comprising:

• means for embedding document data into descriptive elements starting from a first descriptive element and including predecessor elements, each successively embedding successor elements, the successor elements capable of embedding further elements, where paths of the descriptive elements can be respectively determined starting with a first path of the first descriptive element and continuing with the predecessor elements leading up to the first descriptive element, and where the document data and the descriptive elements of the document are split into subsets, each subset containing at least one second descriptive element which has no predecessor element within the subset;
• means for ascertaining the first path to form a first relation information item for each second descriptive element;
• means for producing an explicit association information item to form a second relation information item for each ascertained path;
• means for encoding at least the first relation information item for recognition by a decoder during an initialization process on the decoder;
• and
• means for encoding the subsets with respectively associated association information items to enable the decoder to use the first relation information item and the second relation information item as a basis for ascertaining an associated ascertained path for the at least one second descriptive element in each subset.