Variable length encoding and decoding of ascending numerical sequences

Abstract From the Canadian patent

An ascending numerical sequence, such as an index of word position values within a file, is variable, length binary encoded and subsequently decoded to derive the original sequence. Encoding, involves obtaining certain properties of the sequence including the first and , last element values and the maximum and minimum gaps. Unless the maximum and minimum gaps are equal each element, value between the first and last element of the sequence is reduced and the reduced sequence is, further encoded, all according to various rules. Reduction involves stripping the leading 0 bit's and, the first 1 bit. Further encoding involves dropping repeating leading bits and storing the resulting, binary …