Method and encoder for encoding a size of a data section and method and decoder for determining a size of a data section

1. Method for encoding a size of a data section, the method comprising the steps of

Increasing the size;

Determining a number of information units necessary for encoding the increased size;

Decreasing the determined number;

Forming a code by encoding the decreased determined number and by encoding the increased size.

2. Method according to claim 1 , characterized by

Increasing the size by one and

Decreasing the determined number by two.

3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein

the increased size is binary encoded;

the decreased determined number is encoded by a respective number of information units of equal content and

the code is formed by concatenating the two encodings.

4. Method for determining a size from a string of information units, the method comprising

reading one or more information units until a information unit with a pre-defined value is read wherein for each information unit read a counter is incremented;

Reading the counted number of subsequent information units;

Decoding a value comprised in the subsequent information units read

Determining a preliminary size by adding a counter dependent value to the decoded value and

Determining the size by decreasing the preliminary size.

5. Method according to claim 4 , characterized by

Decreasing the preliminary size by two, if the preliminary size is greater than two.

6. Method according to claim 4 , wherein the size indicates the size of a data section comprised in the information unit string.

7. Decoder for determining a size from a string of information units, the decoder comprises

Means for reading information units;

A counter;

a controller for controlling reading of information units in dependency on the counter;

Means for decoding a value comprised in the sequence of information units read and

Means for determining the size by decreasing the decoded value.

8. Encoder for encoding a size, the encoder comprising

means for increasing the size;

means for encoding the increased size wherein the number of information units necessary for encoding can be determined;

means for decreasing the determined number of information units;

means for encoding the decreased number of information units.

9. A storage medium comprising a size indicator wherein the size indicator is encoded in accordance to a method which comprises the features of any of the claim 1 .