Method and apparatus for hierarchical bi-directional intra-prediction in a video encoder

An apparatus for image encoding in a video encoder, comprising:

• means for selecting initial reference blocks in an image;
• means for predicting sets of blocks in the image successively over a plurality of stages based on a respectively plurality of templates, each of the plurality of templates including reference blocks selected from at least one of:
• the initial reference blocks;
• or previously encoded and reconstructed blocks of the image;
• and
• means for encoding the image in the video encoder using the initial reference blocks and the sets of blocks as predicted.

An apparatus for image encoding, comprising:

• a prediction circuit configured to select initial reference blocks in an image, and predict sets of blocks in the image successively over a plurality of stages based on a respectively plurality of templates, each of the plurality of templates including reference blocks selected from at least one of:
• the initial reference blocks;
• or previously encoded and reconstructed blocks of the image;
• and
• an encoder circuit, coupled to the prediction circuit, configured to encode the image using the initial reference blocks and the sets of blocks as predicted.