Data compression apparatus and method

Abstract

An apparatus and method as disclosed for converting an input data character stream into a variable length encoded data stream in a data compression system. The data compression system includes a history array means. The history array means has a plurality of entries and each entry of the history array means is for storing a portion of the input data stream. The method for converting the input data character stream includes the following steps. Performing a search in a history array means for the longest data string which matches the input data string. If the matching data string is found within the history buffer means, the next step includes encoding the longest matching data string found by appending to the encoded data stream a tag indicating the longest matching data string was found and a string substitution code. If the matching data string is not found within the history array means, the next step includes encoding the first character of the input data string by appending to the encoded data stream a raw data tag indicating that no matching data string was found and the first character of the input data string.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.