Data Augmentation via Generative Models for Protected Attribute Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing machine learning models face challenges in estimating protected attributes due to data scarcity and over-training on specific attributes, leading to inadequate generalization and ethical concerns, especially when direct use of such attributes is not possible.

Innovation Solution

A data augmentation method that utilizes generation models to generate images and captions from text queries, extracting additional attributes from captions to augment the training data set, thereby increasing the diversity and reducing over-training.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a machine learning model is trained using only the attributes included in the original data set, then the training process is simple and fast, but the model may perform over-training to specific attributes and cannot generalize well to new data

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining speedVSAvoidgeneralization capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies data augmentation before training the machine learning model. Generation models are used to synthesize additional training data with diverse attribute combinations in advance, expanding the training dataset beyond the original attributes. This preliminary expansion of training data prevents over-training while maintaining efficient training processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the data set is augmented by adding more attributes, then the model's generalization capability improves, but the data processing complexity and computational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegeneralization capabilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces generation models as intermediary components that automatically synthesize augmented training data. These generation models act as mediators between the original data set and the machine learning model, generating diverse attribute combinations without requiring manual data processing. This automation reduces the complexity of data processing while achieving effective data augmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If protected attributes are directly used in the machine learning model, then the model can accurately estimate protected attributes, but legal and ethical risks arise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveestimation accuracyVSAvoidlegal and ethical risks
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes protected attributes from the training process. Instead of directly using protected attributes, the system trains the model to estimate them indirectly through other attributes. The generation models create training data that excludes protected attributes, forcing the model to learn alternative estimation pathways that avoid legal and ethical issues while maintaining estimation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4700663A1Data augmentation program, data augmentation method, and information processing device
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP4700663A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4700663A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4700663A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus acquires an image by inputting, into a first generation model, first text including attribute values of a plurality of attributes included in first data among a plurality of pieces of data. The information processing apparatus acquires second text by inputting the image to a second generation model. The information processing apparatus selects an attribute value of other attribute different from the plurality of attributes from the second text. The information processing apparatus augments a plurality of pieces of data by adding the attribute value of the other attribute to the first data. To augment a data set for training a machine learning model for estimating a protected attribute.