US Patent 7501964 Entropy coding for digital codecs

A method and systems are provided for efficiently implementing content adaptive variable length coding on a modern processor. Some embodiments comprise encoding a non-zero coefficient in an array of coefficients in an iteration of an encoding loop. The code value of the encoded non-zero coefficient is determined, at least in part, by the magnitude of another non-zero coefficient in the array of coefficients. A run of zero coefficients preceding a non-zero coefficient in the array of coefficients is also encoded in the iteration of the encoding loop. The encoded non-zero coefficient is appended to an encoded video bitstream when encoded. The encoded run of zero coefficients is stored in a storage device and appended to the encoded video bitstream after all non-zero coefficients in the array of coefficients have been encoded.