Convolutional Neural Network Feature Extraction via Cone of Dependency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Convolutional neural networks require significant memory and computational resources for feature extraction in image recognition and classification tasks, leading to performance bottlenecks due to large data sets and memory access inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a cone of dependency and cone of influence based processing method, combined with local cache memory and partitioning of images into sections, to reduce main memory accesses and optimize feature extraction processing by keeping only necessary data in local cache for efficient calculations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If convolutional neural networks process large high-resolution image data sets, then image recognition and classification accuracy is improved, but memory access costs and computational resource requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage recognition accuracyVSAvoidmemory access costs
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the image data set into multiple smaller sections or chunks that can be processed independently. This segmentation allows the system to load and process only the necessary portions of data into local cache memory, reducing overall memory access costs while maintaining the ability to analyze complete images for accurate recognition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements different processing qualities for different parts of the data. Critical regions or frequently accessed data are kept in local cache memory for fast processing, while less critical data are processed from main memory. This local quality differentiation optimizes the balance between processing speed and memory access efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If convolutional neural networks process large high-resolution image data sets, then image recognition and classification accuracy is improved, but computational processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage recognition accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the image data into smaller sections, the system can process them in parallel or in smaller batches, reducing the time required to load and process the entire data set. This segmentation enables more efficient utilization of computational resources and reduces overall processing time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary processing of image data by pre-loading necessary data into local cache memory and pre-processing sections of images before they are needed for classification. This preliminary action reduces the time required during the actual recognition and classification operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If convolutional neural networks use local cache memory for feature extraction, then memory access efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvememory access efficiencyVSAvoidsystem architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces local cache memory as an intermediary between the main memory and the computational units. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture by providing a straightforward buffer for data storage and retrieval, making the memory hierarchy more manageable despite the added complexity of multi-level memory access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If convolutional neural networks partition images into sections for processing, then computational efficiency is improved, but data processing completeness may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidprocessing completeness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments images into sections that are processed independently, but ensures that the segmentation does not compromise completeness by using overlapping regions or by processing multiple segments in a coordinated manner. This approach maintains processing completeness while improving computational efficiency through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor and verify the processing of image sections, ensuring that all necessary information is captured and processed correctly. This feedback loop maintains reliability and processing completeness while allowing the benefits of section-based processing to be realized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12182717B2Feature extraction with a convolutional neural network
Publication Date: 2024.12.31 EXPEDERA INC
  • US12182717B2 patent drawing
  • US12182717B2 patent drawing
  • US12182717B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Artificial intelligence is an increasingly important sector of the computer industry. One of the most important applications for artificial intelligence is object recognition and classification from digital images. Convolutional neural networks have proven to be a very effective tool for object recognition and classification from digital images. However, convolutional neural networks are extremely computationally intensive thus requiring high-performance processors, significant computation time, and significant energy consumption. To reduce the computation time and energy consumption a “cone of dependency” and “cone of influence” processing techniques are disclosed. These two techniques arrange the computations required in a manner that minimizes memory accesses such that computations may be performed in local cache memory. These techniques significantly reduce the time to perform the computations and the energy consumed by the hardware implementing a convolutional neural network.