Encoding and Decoding a video Frame in Separate Processing Units

A method for encoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the method comprising an encoder device:

• dividing the video frame into a set of non-overlapping regions, wherein the set comprises at least one region;
• assigning each region, in the set of regions, to a separate processing unit;
• encoding, in each processing unit, picture data of the respective region;
• collecting progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the encoding of the respective region;
• and
• in response to the progress data indicating that progress of encoding a particular region is insufficient, dividing the particular region into a plurality of smaller regions and assigning each smaller region to a separate processing unit.

An encoder device for encoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the encoder device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• and
• a memory storing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the encoder device is operable to:
• divide the video frame into a set of non-overlapping regions, wherein the set comprises at least one region;
• assign each region, in the set of regions, to a separate processing unit;
• encode, in each processing unit, picture data of the respective region;
• collect progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the encoding of the respective region;
• and
• in response to the progress data indicating that progress of encoding a particular region is insufficient, divide the particular region into a plurality of smaller regions and assign each smaller region to a separate processing unit.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for encoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the encoding device, causes the encoding device to:

• divide the video frame into a set of non-overlapping regions comprising at least one region;
• assign each region, in the set of regions, to a separate processing unit;
• encode, in each processing unit, picture data of the respective region;
• collect progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the encoding of the respective region;
• and
• in response to the progress data indicating that progress of encoding a particular region is insufficient, divide the particular region into a plurality of smaller regions and assign each smaller region to a separate processing unit.

A method for decoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the method comprising a decoder device:

• determining a set of non-overlapping regions of the video frame by reading metadata associated with the video frame;
• assigning each region, in the set of regions, to a processing unit, wherein at least one processing unit is assigned a plurality of regions;
• decoding, in each processing unit, picture data of its assigned region or regions;
• collecting progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the decoding;
• and
• in response to the progress data, for a processing unit originally assigned a particular region, indicates that progress of decoding its assigned regions is insufficient, reassigning the particular region for which decoding has not begun to another processing unit.

A decoder device for decoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the decoder device comprising:

• processing circuitry;
• and
• a memory storing instructions executable by the processing circuitry whereby the decoder device is operable to:
• determine a set of non-overlapping regions of the video frame by reading metadata associated with the video frame;
• assign each region, in the set of regions, to a processing unit, wherein at least one processing unit is assigned a plurality of regions;
• decode, in each processing unit, picture data of its assigned region or regions;
• collect progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the decoding;
• and
• in response to the progress data, for a processing unit originally assigned a particular region, indicating that progress of decoding its assigned regions is insufficient, reassign the particular region for which decoding has not begun to another processing unit.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for decoding a video frame of a piece of video content, the computer program product comprising software instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of a decoder device, causes the decoder device to:

• determine a set of non-overlapping regions of the video frame by reading metadata associated with the video frame;
• assign each region, in the set of regions, to a processing unit, wherein at least one processing unit is assigned a plurality of regions;
• decode, in each processing unit, picture data of its assigned region or regions;
• collect progress data from each processing unit, the progress data indicating progress of the decoding;
• and
• in response to the progress data, for a processing unit originally assigned a particular region, indicating that progress of decoding its assigned regions is insufficient, reassign the particular region for which decoding has not begun to another processing unit.