Fixed-Length Data Compression Using Dynamic Bit Masks

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for compressing and decompressing sequences of fixed length data structures face inefficiencies when bits frequently transition between predictable and non-predictable states, leading to reduced compression efficiency and uneven data rates.

Innovation Solution

The method involves periodically updating a mask bit string and a tracking bit string to identify predictable and unpredictable bits, using position indicators to encode recent transitions, and generating encoded data packets that include representations of unpredictable bits and position indicators, allowing for improved compression and decompression performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If existing compression techniques are used for fixed length data structures with frequent bit transitions, then compression is performed, but compression efficiency is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression efficiencyVSAvoidhandling of frequent bit state changes

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the mask bit string and tracking bit string update periodically rather than statically. The mask is dynamically adjusted based on recent bit transitions, allowing the compression system to adapt to changing patterns in the data. This periodic updating mechanism enables the system to maintain high compression efficiency even when bit predictability changes over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The tracking bit string serves as an intermediary between the original data and the compression process. It records recent transitions and helps identify which bits are currently predictable versus unpredictable. This intermediary structure allows the system to handle frequent bit state changes effectively by providing additional context about recent data behavior.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If existing compression techniques are used for fixed length data structures, then data is compressed, but data rate features prominent peaks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression rateVSAvoiddata rate stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action by updating the mask bit string and tracking bit string at regular intervals rather than continuously or statically. This periodic updating smooths out data rate variations by ensuring that the compression parameters are refreshed systematically, preventing the formation of prominent peaks in the data rate and achieving more stable transmission characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS10958286B2Compression and decompression of fixed length data structures

Publication Date: 2021.03.23 EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY

AI summary

A method of encoding fixed length data bit strings includes receiving and sequentially encoding a sequence of data bit strings. For a data bit string immediately following a preceding data bit string, this includes obtaining a reference bit string, and a mask bit string and a tracking bit string as present at the end of a previous encoding of the preceding data bit string, identifying bits that differ form corresponding bits in the reference bit string, determining, as unpredictable bits, all those bits in the data bit string that are indicated as not predictable by the mask bit string and are not in bit positions indicated by the tracking bit string, generating a sequence of position indicators, generating an encoded data packet that includes representations of values of the unpredictable bits and the sequence of positon indicators, and periodically updating the mask bit string and the tracking bit string.