Coding video data with an alternate reference frame generated using a temporal filter

An apparatus for encoding a video signal having a plurality of frames, comprising:

• an encoder including an algorithm configured to:
• select a filter set of frames from the plurality of frames, the filter set including at least three frames of the plurality of frames, one of the at least three frames being an anchor frame;
• generate an alternate reference frame for at least some of the plurality of frames by, for each block of a plurality of blocks of the anchor frame:
• determining a first weighting factor, for each corresponding block of a respective frame of the filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the block with the corresponding block;
• determining a second weighting factor, for each pixel for each corresponding block of the respective frame of the filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the pixel to a spatially-correspondent pixel in the block;
• determining a filter weight for each pixel in the block and for each spatially-correspondent pixel is each corresponding block based on the first weighting factor and the second weighting factor;
• and
• generating a weighted average pixel value for each pixel position in the block to form a block of the alternate reference frame based on the filter weights;
• use the alternate reference frame to encode at least one block within at least one frame of the plurality of frames for transmission in a bitstream;
• and
• transmit the alternate reference frame in the bitstream.

A method for decoding a video bitstream including a plurality of frames, comprising:

• receiving a bitstream including at least one block within at least one frame of the plurality of frames and an alternate reference frame, the alternate reference frame generated by, for each block of a plurality of blocks of an anchor frame of a filter set of frames including at least three frames of the plurality of frames:
• determining a first weighting factor, for each corresponding block of a respective frame of the filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the block with the corresponding block;
• determining a second weighting factor, for each pixel for each corresponding block of the respective frame of the filter set, that represents a temporal correlation of the pixel to a spatially-correspondent pixel in the block;
• determining a filter weight for each pixel in the block and for each spatially-correspondent pixel is each corresponding block based on the first weighting factor and the second weighting factor;
• and
• generating a weighted average pixel value for each pixel position in the block to form a block of the alternate reference frame based on the filter weights;
• and
• using the alternate reference frame to decode the at least one block within at least one frame of the plurality of frames.