Patent ID: 6775327
Filing Date: 2004-08-10
Classification: H04N

Abstract:
A method for decoding a frame of encoded video data using a multiplicity of decoders connected in parallel, said method comprising:storing the frame of encoded video data in memory; controlling retrieval and decoding of the frame of encoded video data using slice addresses of encoded slices in memory comprising the frame of encoded video, said controlling comprising for each encoded slice of said encoded video data: determining if one of said decoders is currently available to decode said encoded slice, said determining including monitoring said decoders for busy signals, and if one of said decoders is currently available to decode said encoded slice, then forwarding the slice address of the encoded slice to said one decoder, said one decoder using said slice address to retrieve said encoded slice from memory and decode said encoded slice to produce a decoded slice, and if none of said decoders is currently available to decode said encoded slice then identifying a first one of said decoders to become available to decode said encoded slice, said identifying including noting the absence of a busy signal from said first one of said decoders, and then forwarding the slice address of the encoded slice to said first one of said decoders, said first one of said decoders using said slice address to retrieve said encoded slice from memory and decode said encoded slice to produce a decoded slice; and synchronizing assembly of decoded slices into a decoded frame.