Variable length data decoder for use with MPEG encoded video data

Apparatus for decoding a data stream including a plurality of variable length encoded data values, wherein the data stream conforms to a predetermined syntax including a portion representing control information, the apparatus comprising:

• decoding means, coupled to receive the variable length encoded data stream and responsive to a control signal, for converting each variable length encoded value in the data stream into a corresponding decoded value, wherein the decoding means includes sequencing means for executing preprogrammed routines responsive to the control signal;
• master processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means, for generating, from the received values, the control signal for the decoding means;
• and
• control processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means representing the control information of the data stream and for processing the received values, concurrently with the processing performed by the decoding means and the master processing means.

Apparatus for decoding a data stream including a plurality of variable length encoded data values, wherein the data stream conforms to a predetermined syntax including a portion representing control information and a data portion in addition to the control information, the apparatus comprising:

• decoding means, coupled to receive the variable length encoded data stream and responsive to a control signal, for converting each variable length encoded value in the data stream into a corresponding decoded value;
• master processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means, for generating, from the received values, the control signal for the decoding means;
• control processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means representing the control information of the data stream and for processing the received values, concurrently with the processing performed by the decoding means and the master processing means;
• and
• data processing means, coupled to receive the decoded values provided by the decoding means representing the data portion of the data stream.

Apparatus for decoding a digital data stream representing an encoded video signal which has been encoded using motion compensated encoding techniques, said data stream including a plurality of variable length encoded data values, wherein the data stream conforms to a predetermined syntax and includes a portion representing motion vectors to be used to decode the motion compensated coded data, the apparatus comprising:

• decoding means, coupled to receive the variable length encoded data stream and responsive to a control signal, for converting each variable length encoded value in the data stream into a corresponding decoded value;
• master processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means, for generating, from the received values, the control signal for the decoding means;
• and
• control processing means, coupled to receive decoded values provided by the decoding means representing the control information of the data stream and for processing the received values to recover the encoded motion vectors therefrom, concurrently with the processing performed by the decoding means and the master processing means.

Apparatus for decoding a data stream including a plurality of variable length encoded data values, wherein the data stream conforms to a predetermined syntax including a portion representing control information, the apparatus comprising:

• means for dividing the data stream into N segments, where N is an integer;
• N decoding means, each coupled to receive a respectively different one of the N segments of the variable length encoded data stream and responsive to a control signal, for converting each variable length encoded value in the segment into a corresponding decoded value;
• N master processing means, each coupled to receive decoded values provided by a respectively different one of the decoding means, for generating, from the received values, the control signal for the decoding means;
• and
• N control processing means, each coupled to receive decoded values provided by a respectively different one of the decoding means representing the control information of the data stream and for processing the received values, concurrently with the processing performed by the decoding means and the master processing means.