Collaborative Annotation Training With Attention Maps for Biomedical Labeling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The shortage of domain-specific human annotators with professional training and knowledge poses a significant challenge in efficiently labeling diverse biomedical data for medical imaging, and existing annotation tools fail to address this issue by lacking knowledge transfer and training mechanisms for inexperienced annotators.

Innovation Solution

A human-model collaborative annotation system that trains non-expert annotators using attention maps and personalized feedback, integrating expert knowledge to improve annotation efficiency and quality, while simultaneously refining machine learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If generic labeling tools are used with inexperienced annotators, then the annotation process can proceed with available human resources, but the annotation quality and reliability deteriorate due to lack of domain knowledge

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannotation throughputVSAvoidannotation quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an AI model as an intermediary between the annotation task and inexperienced annotators. The AI model provides real-time guidance, suggests annotations, and offers educational feedback, enabling non-experts to achieve expert-level annotation quality while maintaining high throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where the AI model evaluates annotator responses, provides corrective feedback, and adjusts training difficulty dynamically. This feedback mechanism allows inexperienced annotators to learn and improve their annotation skills in real-time, progressively achieving higher quality annotations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If expert annotators are used to ensure high annotation quality, then the annotation reliability improves, but the cost and time requirements increase due to extreme shortage of experienced annotators

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannotation reliabilityVSAvoidtraining and annotation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service learning where the AI model automatically adapts to each annotator's performance level, providing personalized training and guidance. Inexperienced annotators can independently improve their skills through the system's automated feedback and adaptive difficulty adjustment without requiring expert supervision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary training and skill assessment before annotators begin actual annotation tasks. The AI model pre-adapts the training curriculum to each user's needs and provides preparatory guidance, reducing the time required during actual annotation work while ensuring quality standards are met

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If personalized training based on annotator mistakes is implemented, then the learning efficiency and annotation quality improve, but the system complexity increases due to need for tracking and analyzing individual performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelearning efficiencyVSAvoidtraining system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual tracking and analysis mechanisms with an AI model that automatically monitors, analyzes, and responds to annotator performance. The AI model processes performance data, identifies patterns and mistakes, and generates personalized training content without requiring complex administrative infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP3970157B1Domain-specific human-model collaborative annotation tool
Publication Date: 2025.12.10 HUAWEI CLOUD COMPUTING TECHNOLOGIES CO LTD
  • EP3970157B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3970157B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3970157B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

A human-model collaborative annotation system for training human annotators includes a database that stores images previously annotated by an expert human annotator and/or a machine learning annotator, a display that displays images selected from the database, an annotation system that enables human annotators to annotate images presented on the display, and an annotation training system. The annotation training system selects an image sample from the database for annotation by a human annotator, receives one or more proposed annotations from the annotation system, compares the human annotators one or more proposed annotations to previous annotations of the image sample by the expert human annotator or machine learning annotator, presents attention maps on the display to draw the human annotators attention to any annotation errors identified by the comparing, and selects a next training image sample from the database based on any errors identified in the comparing step.