Classifier Input Weighting for Task-Relevant Feature Focus

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing classification methods using generically trained classifiers often produce outputs that include irrelevant information, leading to decreased accuracy and relevance for specific tasks, such as object classification in automated vehicle systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying a relevant subset of input measurement data that is more pertinent to the specific task at hand, and then creating an enhanced input for the classifier where this subset has a higher weight, thereby focusing the classifier's attention on relevant features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a generically trained classifier is used, then the classifier is readily available and has high generalization power, but the output includes irrelevant information that decreases accuracy for specific tasks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeneralization powerVSAvoidclassification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The input measurement data is segmented into a relevant subset and an irrelevant subset based on task requirements. The relevant subset contains only the portions of data that are pertinent to the specific classification task, while the irrelevant subset is excluded or down-weighted. This segmentation allows the generically trained classifier to process only relevant information, thereby improving classification accuracy without losing the benefits of generalization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the input measurement data are assigned different weights based on their relevance to the task. The relevant subset is given higher weight, while the irrelevant subset is given lower weight or excluded. This local quality approach ensures that the classifier focuses its attention on the most important features while still utilizing the full input data structure, resolving the contradiction between generalization and precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If a specifically trained classifier is used, then the output is limited to task-relevant information, but the model requires user training effort and is not readily available

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask relevanceVSAvoidtraining effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis to identify the relevant subset of input measurement data before classification. By pre-processing the input data to extract only the task-relevant portions, the system eliminates the need for training a specialized classifier for each task. This preliminary action allows the use of a single generically trained classifier while achieving task-specific accuracy, thereby reducing device complexity and training effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If all input measurement data is processed, then complete information is available, but irrelevant data decreases classification accuracy and increases processing time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidclassification accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system extracts the relevant subset of input measurement data that is pertinent to the specific classification task. By taking out only the necessary information and excluding irrelevant portions, the system maintains sufficient information completeness for accurate classification while eliminating the negative effects of processing unnecessary data. This extraction approach directly resolves the contradiction between information completeness and classification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Measurement precision

If the relevant subset is emphasized with higher weight, then classification accuracy improves, but the enhanced input requires additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the weight parameter of different portions of input measurement data based on their relevance to the task. The relevant subset is assigned higher weights, while the irrelevant subset is assigned lower weights or excluded. This parameter change approach allows the system to improve classification accuracy through a relatively simple weighting mechanism rather than complex multi-step processing, thereby resolving the contradiction between accuracy improvement and processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250078464A1Classification with improved focus on the task at hand
Publication Date: 2025.03.06 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • US20250078464A1 patent drawing
  • US20250078464A1 patent drawing
  • US20250078464A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for classifying input measurement data with respect to a given task using a given classifier. The method includes: identifying, based on the given task, a relevant subset of the input measurement data that is of a higher relevancy with respect to the given task than the rest of the input measurement data; determining, based on the input measurement data and the identified subset, an enhanced input for the given classifier, such that, in this enhanced input, a portion of the input measurement data that corresponds to the identified subset has a higher weight than other content of the input measurement data not corresponding to this identified subset; providing the enhanced input to the given classifier, thereby obtaining an output from the classifier; and determining the final classification result from this output.