Domain Separation Neural Networks for Unsupervised Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image processing neural networks struggle to effectively adapt to new domains with different data distributions, leading to suboptimal performance in unsupervised domain adaptation scenarios.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an image processing neural network system that generates a shared feature representation across domains using a shared encoder neural network, allowing for domain-invariant representation learning and improved adaptation performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing image processing neural networks are used for domain adaptation, then the system can process images from different domains, but the performance is suboptimal due to inability to effectively adapt to new data distributions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveperformance in unsupervised domain adaptationVSAvoidability to adapt to new domains with different data distributions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network is segmented into multiple distinct components: a shared encoder that extracts common features across domains, domain-specific encoders that capture domain-specific characteristics, and separate classifiers for each domain. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in specific tasks, enabling the system to maintain high performance while adapting to different data distributions through the coordinated work of specialized sub-components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shared encoder is designed with universal functionality to extract features that are common across multiple domains simultaneously. This multi-functional component processes images from different domains and generates representations that capture domain-invariant characteristics, allowing the system to handle diverse data distributions with a single unified feature extraction mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If the neural network learns domain-specific representations, then it can capture unique characteristics of each domain, but it fails to generalize across domains with different data distributions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapture of domain-specific characteristicsVSAvoidgeneralization across domains
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The network architecture segments feature extraction into domain-specific encoders that capture unique domain characteristics and a shared encoder that learns common representations. This segmentation allows simultaneous optimization for both domain-specific precision and cross-domain generalization by processing different aspects of the data through specialized pathways

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The domain-specific representations from domain-specific encoders are merged with the shared representations from the shared encoder to form comprehensive feature vectors. This merging combines the precision of domain-specific feature capture with the generalization capability of shared features, enabling the system to maintain both specialized knowledge and broad adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional domain adaptation methods are used, then the system can attempt to adapt to new domains, but it lacks the capability to learn domain-invariant representations effectively

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedomain adaptation capabilityVSAvoidlearning of domain-invariant representations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The shared encoder is designed as a universal feature extractor that simultaneously serves multiple domains by learning representations that are invariant to domain-specific variations. This multi-functional component is trained to capture essential characteristics that generalize across domains, providing reliable domain-invariant representations while maintaining the ability to adapt to new domains through the domain-specific encoders

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3475879B1Domain separation neural networks
Publication Date: 2025.03.19 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3475879B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3475879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3475879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for processing images using an image processing neural network system. One of the system includes a shared encoder neural network implemented by one or more computers, wherein the shared encoder neural network is configured to: receive an input image from a target domain; and process the input image to generate a shared feature representation of features of the input image that are shared between images from the target domain and images from a source domain different from the target domain; and a classifier neural network implemented by the one or more computers, wherein the classifier neural network is configured to: receive the shared feature representation; and process the shared feature representation to generate a network output for the input image that characterizes the input image.