Encoder, a decoder and corresponding methods of flexible profile configuration

A method for encoding a video bitstream by an encoding device, wherein the video bitstream includes data representing one or more sequence parameter set (SPS) flags, the method comprising:

• setting two variables for an SPS flag of the one or more SPS flags, wherein the value of one variable of the two variables is a minimum allowed value of the SPS flag, and wherein the value of the other of the two variables is a maximum allowed value of the SPS flag;
• determining the value of the SPS flag according to the two variables of the SPS flag;
• and
• encoding the value of the SPS flag and the two variables of the SPS flag into the video bitstream.

A decoder, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processors and storing programming for execution by the processors that, when the programming is executed by the one or more processors, configures the decoder to:
• obtain two variables for an SPS flag of the one or more SPS flags by parsing the video bitstream;
• wherein the value of one variable of the two variables being a minimum allowed value of the SPS flag, and the value of the other of the two variables being a maximum allowed value of the SPS flag;
• obtain a value of the SPS flag, by parsing the video bitstream;
• determine whether the value of the SPS flag is valid based on the values of the two variables;
• and
• when the value of the SPS flag is valid, decode the video bitstream according to the value of the SPS flag;
• and
• when the value of the value of the SPS flag is not valid, stop decode the video bitstream.

An encoder, comprising:

• one or more processors;
• and
• a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium coupled to the processors and storing programming for execution by the processors that, when the programming is executed by the processors, configures the encoder to:
• set two variables for an SPS flag of one or more SPS flags, the value of one variable of the two variables being a minimum allowed value of the SPS flag, and the value of the other of the two variables being a maximum allowed value of the SPS flag;
• determine the value of the SPS flag according to the two variables of the SPS flag;
• and
• encode the value of the SPS flag and the two variables of the SPS flag into the video bitstream.