Method and apparatus for improved multimedia decoder

An apparatus for decoding a variable length code in a stream of multimedia data, the apparatus comprising:

• means for determining a number of variable length codeword (VLC) bits available in a read buffer;
• means for reading a first number of bits in a portion of the stream of multimedia data in the read buffer, if a requested number of VLC bits is not available;
• means for copying the requested number of VLC bits into an output buffer;
• means for decoding a variable length codeword based on the requested number of VLC bits in the output buffer
• means for flushing from the read buffer at least a number of bits corresponding to a length of the variable length codeword;
• and
• means for realigning the stream as a function of the reading of the first number of bits in the read buffer, after flushing.

A computer program product including a computer readable medium having instructions for causing a computer to:

• determine a number of bits available in a read buffer;
• read a first number of bits in a portion of a stream of multimedia data in the read buffer, if a requested number of bits is not available;
• copy the requested number of bits into an output buffer;
• decode a variable length codeword based en the requested number of bits in the output buffer;
• flush from the read buffer at least the number of bits corresponding to a length of the variable length codeword;
• and
• realign the stream as a function of the read first number of bits in the read buffer, after the read buffer is flushed.

An apparatus for processing multimedia data, comprising:

• a determiner configured to determine a number of bits available in a read buffer;
• a reader configured to read a first number of bits in a portion of a stream of the multimedia data in the read buffer, if a requested number of bits is not available;
• a copier configured to copy the requested number of bits into an output buffer;
• a decoder configured to decode a variable length codeword based on the requested number of bits in the output buffer
• means for flushing from the read buffer at least a number of bits corresponding to a length of the variable length codeword;
• and
• an adjuster configured to realign the stream as a function of the reading of the first number of bits in the read buffer.

A processor for processing multimedia data, wherein said processor is configured to:

• determine a number of bits available in a read buffer;
• read a first number of bits in a portion of a stream of the multimedia data in the read buffer, if a requested number of bits is not available;
• copy a requested number of bits into an output buffer:
• decode a variable length codeword based on the requested number of bits in the output buffer;
• flush from the read buffer at least a number of bits corresponding to a length of the variable length codeword;
• and
• realign the stream as a function of the reading of the first number of bits in the read buffer, after flushing the read buffer.