FGS decoder based on quality estimated at the decoder

A computer readable medium (400) having computer program code encoded thereon, wherein, when the computer program code is executed by a processor, the processor executes a method for decoding a stream of data, comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying a relationship (100) between quality of a decoded image and a bit rate for decoding the image;
• (b) selecting a desired quality (10) of images to be decoded from the stream of data;
• (c) determining a bit rate (112) corresponding to the desired quality using the relationship;
• and
• (d) decoding a minimum number of bit-planes (116) corresponding to the determined bit rate from the stream of data.

A decoder (400) for decoding a stream of data, comprising:

• means (110) for receiving a selection of a desired quality of images to be decoded from the stream of data;
• means (112) for determining a bit rate for decoding the image based on a quality of a decoded image, the determining means providing a desired bit rate corresponding to the desired quality;
• and
• means (460) for controlling a number of bit-planes to be decoded, so that a minimum number of bit-planes are decoded to form one or more images, corresponding to the desired bit rate from the stream of data.