System and method of video coding using adaptive macroblock processing

A method of processing video data, the method comprising:

• receiving a plurality of data blocks;
• processing a first set of the plurality of data blocks according to a stairstep pattern, wherein the stairstep pattern includes a plurality of rows of data blocks, and wherein each of the rows is horizontally offset from other ones of the plurality of rows;
• while processing the first set, detecting that a triggering data block has been processed in the first set;
• and
• while processing the first set, processing a second set of the plurality of data blocks according to the stairstep pattern and using information from the triggering data block, the triggering data block being a data block of the first set from which processing of one or more data blocks of the second set depends;
• wherein in one of the first set and the second set, the respective right-most data blocks of the rows follow a stairstep path in which each successive right-most block is horizontally offset from the immediately preceding right-most block by an offset in a common direction;
• wherein in the other one of the first set and the second set, the respective left-most data blocks of the rows follow the same stairstep path;
• and
• wherein the second set is located alongside the first set, with each of the right-most blocks located alongside a corresponding one of the left-most blocks.

A multi-core processor that processes video data, the multi-core processor comprising:

• a control core;
• and
• a plurality of other cores,
• wherein the multi-core processor executes parallel processing comprising:
• the control core controlling a first core of the plurality of other cores to process a first set of a plurality of data blocks according to a stairstep pattern, the stairstep pattern including a plurality of rows of data blocks, wherein each of the rows is horizontally offset from other ones of the plurality of rows,
• the control core detecting, while the first core is processing the first set, that a triggering data block has been processed in the first set, and
• the control core controlling, while the first core is processing the first set, a second core of the plurality of other cores to process a second set of the plurality of data blocks according to the stairstep pattern and using information from the triggering data block, the triggering data block being a data block of the first set from which processing of one or more data blocks of the second set depends;
• wherein in one of the first set and the second set, the respective right-most data blocks of the rows follow a stairstep path in which each successive right-most block is horizontally offset from the immediately preceding right-most block by an offset in a common direction;
• wherein in the other one of the first set and the second set, the respective left-most data blocks of the rows follow the same stairstep path;
• and
• wherein the second set is located alongside the first set, with each of the right-most blocks located alongside a corresponding one of the left-most blocks.