SCALABLE CODING

摘要

A signal having blocks of values is coded by: producing respective bit-streams (DCT_1...DCT_N) for respective individual blocks, and obtaining a scalable bit-stream by cyclically and sequentially scanning selected parts (P1, P2,...) of the respective bit-streams (DCT_1...DCT_N) of the respective individual blocks, wherein, in a given scanning cycle, the respective bit-streams (DCT_1...DCT_N) are scanned in an order of decreasing significance. In a further embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle starts at a block approximately at a center of the coded image. In another embodiment, the blocks represent a coded image and the given scanning cycle scans the respective bit-streams in an image-adaptive order being determined by a predetermined criterion, such as a contrast value.