Apparatus and method for video data processing

A method of processing image data of a reference frame to produce an output frame comprising:

• determining motion vector data for a block of pels of the reference frame that estimates the displacement of the reference frame pels from corresponding pels in a prior input frame;
• and
• producing comparison metrics for a reference frame pel of the reference frame block based on a comparison of the reference frame pel and a plurality of neighboring reference frame pels with pels of a prior output frame that corresponds to the prior input frame as previously processed including:
• a first comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• a second comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of a motion compensated prior output frame derived from applying the motion vector data for the reference frame block to the pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• determining a pel of the output frame that corresponds to the reference frame pel using the first and second comparison metrics.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions for execution by a processor to facilitate processing of video image data of a reference frame to produce an output frame that is adapted to:

• determine motion vector data for a block of pels of the reference frame that estimates the displacement of the reference frame pels from corresponding pels in a prior input frame;
• and
• produce comparison metrics for a reference frame pel of the reference frame block based on a comparison of the reference frame pel and a plurality of neighboring reference frame pels with pels of a prior output frame that corresponds to the prior input frame as previously processed including:
• a first comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• a second comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of a motion compensated prior output frame derived from applying the motion vector data for the reference frame block to the pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• determine a pel of the output frame that corresponds to the reference frame pel using the first and second comparison metrics.

A computer-readable storage medium storing a set of instructions for execution by one or more processors to facilitate manufacture of circuitry within an integrated circuit that is adapted to:

• process a reference frame to produce an output frame including:
• a first input configured to receive motion vector data for a block of pels of the reference frame that estimates the displacement of the reference frame pels from corresponding pels in a prior input frame;
• and
• a second input configured to receive pel data for pels of a prior output frame corresponding to the prior input frame as previously processed;
• produce comparison metrics for a reference frame pel of the reference frame block based on a comparison of the reference frame pel and a plurality of neighboring reference frame pels with pels of the prior output frame including:
• a first comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• a second comparison metric based on a comparison with corresponding pels of a motion compensated prior output frame derived from applying the motion vector data for the reference frame block to the pels of the prior output frame;
• and
• determine a pel of the output frame that corresponds to the reference frame pel using the first and second comparison metrics.