1. A method of classifying an image using a computer to perform steps comprising: quantifying each of a plurality of visual properties of a region of the image; determining from each quantified property a computer-readable character from among a plurality of computer-readable characters; forming a region character string from the determined characters; and classifying, using the computer, the region using the region character string.
1. A method of classifying an image using a computer to perform steps comprising: quantifying each of a plurality of visual properties of a region of the image; determining from each quantified property a computer-readable character from among a plurality of computer-readable characters; forming a region character string from the determined characters; and classifying, using the computer, the region using the region character string. 13. The method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein quantifying the visual properties comprises quantifying a shape in the image.