Importance

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Abstract

An encoder encodes input data into codes and outputs the codes. The numbers of bits required to represent the codes which are outputted from the encoder during respective first predetermined periods (such as periods for scanning a block of pixels) are predicted. The predicted numbers are added to derive a sum therefore. Such a sum is generated during each of a plurality of second predetermined periods (such as one-frame periods), which are longer than each of the first periods. An actual number of bits required to represent the output codes from the encoder is controlled in accordance with the derived sum. Differences between the predicted numbers of bits representing the output codes and the actual numbers of bits representing the output codes which are generated during the respective first periods are sequentially generated. The differences are accumulated into an accumulated value. The actual number of bits representing the output codes from the encoder is controlled in accordance with the accumulated value. The actual number of bits representing the codes which are outputted from the encoder during each second period can thus be held to be equal to or less than a predetermined number.

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First Claim