MECHANISM FOR MODELING ESCAPE COUNTS IN ADAPTIVE COMPRESSION MODELS

In one embodiment, a mechanism for modeling escape counts in adaptive compression models is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes initializing an escape count for an escape symbol used in an adaptive compression context model that encodes an input stream, the initial escape count being initialized at a high value in an upper portion of a range of possible count values, invoking the adaptive compression context model with the initial escape count for the escape symbol, incrementing the escape count each time it is utilized in the adaptive compression context model, and scaling the escape count when it exceeds a maximum count value.