Data compression method using multiple base number systems
AssigneeSymbol Technologies, Inc.
InventorFrederick Schuessler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A data compression method is defined, which achieves high efficiency when encoding source data drawn from two or more data subsets of differing sizes, and where these subsets are distributed throughout the source message. Methods for encoding and decoding these subsets are disclosed, and a typical bar coding application is described.
Claims18
A method of encoding a plurality of message characters for storing on an information carrying media, said method comprising the steps of:
- a) classifying message characters to be encoded into a plurality of character subsets;
- b) assigning a different numerical base for each of said character subsets, said numerical base for a given character subset corresponding to a number of characters in said character subset;
- c) converting each message character of a character subset into a numerical value based upon a numerical base assigned to said character subset;
- d) converting a sequence of numerical values representing message characters of said character subset into a subset binary number;
- e) repeating steps c and d for all character subsets;
- f) grouping the subset binary numbers in a predetermined order to construct a multibase-encoded representation of said plurality of message characters;
- and
- g) storing the said multibase-encoded representation on the information carrying media.
An information carrying substrate containing a number of encoded message characters, said substrate comprising:
- a) a first plurality of message characters encoded using a first numerical base;
- and
- b) at least a second plurality of message characters encoded using a second numerical base;
- whereby a set of binary representations of message characters of said first and said second pluralities of message characters are grouped in a predetermined order.
An encoder for encoding a number of message characters to be stored on an information storage medium, said encoder comprising:
- a) first means for encoding a first plurality of message characters using a first numerical base;
- and
- b) a second means for encoding at least a second plurality of message characters using a second numerical base;
- and
- c) a combiner for grouping a set of binary representations of message characters of said first and at least said second pluralities of message characters in a predetermined order.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.