Abstract: Disclosed is method of detecting a predetermined mark (30) forming part of an image. A digitized form (48, 49) of the image (21) comprising a plurality of picture elements is provided and within a current region of the image a set of features is determined. The features typically comprise a dominant color feature (44) within the current region; and at least one moment feature (111) based on picture elements pertaining to the predetermined mark within the current region. Each determined feature is compared (113) with a corresponding predetermined feature (114) of the predetermined mark. Using the comparison, a confidence level for a detection of said predetermined mark within the current region calculated. Based on the confidence level, whether or not said predetermined mark is detected in the current region can then be determined.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a DCT unit for transforming blocks of pixels into respective blocks of transform coefficients, entropy encoders for encoding respective partitions of the DCT blocks where at least one partition comprises bit-plane data from each block of transform coefficients, and a scan output manager for storing the entropy encoded partitions in a buffer of fixed memory size. The manager manages the storing of the coded partitions in the buffer whereby during the storing of the coded partitions if it is determined the buffer is full, a coded least perceptually significant partition currently stored in the buffer is overwritten by data from a coded more perceptually significant partition.

Abstract: Apparatus 100 is disclosed that comprises a DCT unit 104 for transforming blocks of pixels into respective blocks of transform coefficients, entropy encoders 106(1), . . . 106(18) for encoding respective partitions of the DCT blocks where at least one partition comprises bit-plane data from each of the block of transform coefficients, a scan output manager 108 for storing the entropy encoded partitions in a buffer 110 of fixed memory size. The manager 108 manages the storing of the coded partitions in the buffer 110 whereby during the storing of the coded partitions if it is determined the buffer 110 is full, a coded least perceptually significant partition currently stored in the buffer 110 is overwritten by data from a coded more perceptually significant partition.