IDCT Approximation (Score 1)

Sure, a circuit (or computer) programmed according to this method is patentable subject matter (35 U.S.C. 101), as is a method of programming a computer, as is a disk containing software for doing the method. The bare idea, without any ties to hardware, is not patentable subject matter because it's a mathematical algorithm. Whether this is patentable over the prior art (35 U.S.C. 102, 103) depends on what's in the prior art ... but it sounds like the alleged inventor really did think of something new, so she (or he) deserves protection for disclosing it to the public. [We hardcore feminists appreciate these issues.]