Motion video compression system with guaranteed bit production limits

A method for compressing a video motion picture, comprising the steps of:

• generating a switching signal having a state determined by the number of bits predicted to be required to encode the remainder of the picture to be encoded
• responsive to the switching signal being in a first state, generating a bit stream comprising a first number of bits encoding a segment of said remainder, the first number of bits being bounded by a first limit;
• and
• responsive to the switching signal being in a second state, generating a bit stream comprising a second number of bits encoding a segment of said remainder, the second number of bits being bounded by a second limit, the second limit being smaller than the first limit.

A method for encoding a video motion picture, comprising the steps of:

• comparing a sum of a first number of bits used to encode a first portion of a picture plus a second number of bits predicted to be needed to encode the remainder of the picture to a maximum number of bits allowed to encode the picture in its entirety and generating a signal based upon said comparing;
• encoding the remainder of the picture in a first mode using a number of bits determined in accordance with a first encoding method, when the sum does not exceed the maximum number of bits;
• and
• encoding the remainder of the picture using a second number of bits in accordance with a second encoding method when the sum exceeds the maximum number of bits.

A method for encoding a video motion picture, comprising the steps of:

• encoding a first portion of said video motion picture;
• determining a value based upon the number of bits predicted to be required to encode the remaining portion of said video motion picture;
• comparing said value to a fixed threshold;
• generating a switching signal based upon said comparing;
• encoding the remaining portion of said video motion picture using a first encoding method in response to said switching signal when the value exceeds said threshold;
• and
• encoding the remaining portion of said video motion picture using a second encoding method in response to said switching signal when the value exceeds said threshold.