Encoder, Decoder and Method

A decoder for decoding encoded data to generate corresponding decoded data, the decoder comprising:

• a processor comprising:
• a delivery unit for delivering one or more portions of the encoded data and
• directing the one or more portions to appropriate one or more decoding units,
• wherein the one or more decoding units are operable to decode the one or more portions thereat for generating the decoded data, and
• wherein at least one decoding unit of the one or more decoding units is operable to extract a spatial mask and information representative of aggregate values for at least two data sets included in the encoded data, and for assigning values to elements in the data block pursuant to which of the sets the elements belong as defined by the mask.

A data communication system comprising:

• at least one encoder for encoding data and generating corresponding encoded data, the encoder comprising:
• a processor comprising:
• one or more encoding units;
• and
• an analysis unit for analysing one or more portions of data to be encoded, and for directing the one or more portions to appropriate one or more encoding units, wherein the one or more encoding units are operable to encode the one or more portions to generate the encoded data,
• wherein the one or more encoding units are operable to employ mutually different encoding algorithms when encoding the one or more portions, and
• wherein at least one encoding unit of the one or more encoding units is operable to compute data values present in each portion received thereat, to subdivide the data values into at least two sets, to compute at least one aggregate value for a given subdivided set derived from the data values present in the given set, and whilst retaining a spatial mask of the portion, and wherein the spatial mask and information representative of the aggregate values computed for the at least two data sets are included in the encoded data;
• and
• at least one decoder for decoding the encoded data to generate decoded data, the decoder comprising:
• a processor comprising:
• a delivery unit for delivering one or more portions of the encoded data and directing the one or more portions to appropriate one or more decoding units,
• wherein the one or more decoding units are operable to decode the one or more portions thereat for generating the decoded data, and
• wherein at least one decoding unit of the one or more decoding units is operable to extract a spatial mask and information representative of aggregate values for at least two data sets included in the encoded data, and for assigning values to elements in the data block pursuant to which of the sets the elements belong as defined by the mask.

A method of communicating data comprising:

• analysing, by an analysis unit of a processor, one or more portions of the data to be encoded, and directing the one or more portions to appropriate one or more encoding units, wherein the one or more encoding units are operable to encode the one or more portions thereat to generate the encoded data, wherein the one or more encoding units are operable to employ mutually different encoding algorithms when encoding the one or more portions;
• computing, by at least one encoding unit of the one or more encoding units of a processor, data values present in each portion received thereat, to sub-divide the data values into at least two sets, to compute at least one aggregate value for a given set derived from the data values present in the given set, and whilst retaining a spatial mask of the portion, wherein the spatial mask and information representative of the aggregate values computed for the at least two data sets are included in the encoded data;
• delivering, by a delivery unit of a processor, one or more portions of the encoded data and directing the one or more portions to appropriate one or more decoding units, wherein the one or more decoding units are operable to decode the one or more portions thereat for generating the decoded data;
• and
• extracting, by at least one decoding unit of the one or more decoding units of a processor, a spatial mask and information representative of aggregate values computed for at least two data sets included in the encoded data, and to assign aggregate values to elements in the data block pursuant to which of the sets the elements belong as defined by the spatial mask.