An embedded DCT-based still image coding algorithm

An embedded DCT-based image coding algorithm is described. The decoder can cut the bitstream at any point and therefore reconstruct an image at lower rate. The quality of the reconstructed image at this lower rate would be the same as if the image was coded directly at that rate. The algorithm outperforms any other DCT-based coders published in the literature, including the JPEG algorithm. Moreover, our DCT-based embedded image coder gives results close to the best wavelet-based coders. The algorithm is very useful in various applications, like WWW, fast browsing of databases, etc