US Patent 7113115 Variable length code table look ups

Embodiments relate to converting or compressing symbols or run, level pair of an input digital video or image data stream to variable length code (VLC) by looking the symbols or run, level pairs up in a table including a binary code, a length code, and a flip code and constructing the VLC therefrom. For instance, the binary code may identify a first non-zero portion of the VLC, the length may identify the length of the VLC, and the flip code may identify whether or not the first portion and a number of 0's appended to the first portion to form a VLC having the length given by the length code, must be inverted to create the VLC. Also, the table may include entries grouped according to symbol or run, level pair values, and an address offset determined by the symbol or run, level pair or the input may be used to access the binary, length, and flip code from the appropriate group.