Dynamic Batch Strategy for Parallel Online Learning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Single machine solutions fail to provide efficient parallelization of online machine learning algorithms while maintaining accuracy, especially with the increased volume of data in larger scale problems.

Innovation Solution

A dynamic batch strategy is employed for parallelization, where merges occur based on a threshold level difference between the original and updated model states, rather than a constant batch size, allowing for more frequent merges as the updated model state diverges, and updates are applied to processors only when the difference exceeds a set threshold.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a constant batch size is used for merging model states, then the parallelization process is simple to implement, but the merging frequency does not adapt to the actual divergence of model states, leading to either excessive communication overhead or insufficient synchronization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability of merging frequency to model state divergenceVSAvoidcomplexity of dynamic batch size determination
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by transitioning from a static, constant batch size to a dynamic batch size that automatically adjusts based on the measured divergence between model states. The system calculates the divergence metric after each training iteration and uses this measurement to determine the appropriate batch size for the next merge operation, allowing the merging frequency to adapt to the actual state of model divergence without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If frequent merges are performed to maintain accuracy, then model synchronization is improved, but communication overhead and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of parallelized learningVSAvoidtime spent on model merging operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements the feedback principle by introducing a divergence measurement mechanism that continuously monitors the state of model states after each training iteration. This feedback loop provides real-time information about model divergence to the control system, which then adjusts the batch size accordingly. When divergence is low, the system reduces merging frequency to minimize communication overhead; when divergence exceeds a threshold, it increases merging frequency to maintain accuracy, thus optimizing the trade-off between reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Stability of the object's composition

If all nodes merge frequently to ensure consistency, then agreement among nodes is maintained, but computational resources are wasted on unnecessary merges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsistency of model states across nodesVSAvoidcomputational resources consumed by merges
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the parameter changes principle by dynamically modifying the batch size parameter based on the divergence metric. Instead of using a fixed, constant batch size, the system adjusts the batch size parameter in response to changes in model state divergence. When the divergence metric indicates that model states are highly consistent across nodes, the system reduces the batch size or skips merges entirely, thereby conserving computational resources. When divergence increases, the system increases the batch size to ensure sufficient synchronization, thus optimizing resource utilization while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS8904149B2Parallelization of online learning algorithms
Publication Date: 2014.12.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US8904149B2 patent drawing
  • US8904149B2 patent drawing
  • US8904149B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and media are provided for a dynamic batch strategy utilized in parallelization of online learning algorithms. The dynamic batch strategy provides a merge function on the basis of a threshold level difference between the original model state and an updated model state, rather than according to a constant or pre-determined batch size. The merging includes reading a batch of incoming streaming data, retrieving any missing model beliefs from partner processors, and training on the batch of incoming streaming data. The steps of reading, retrieving, and training are repeated until the measured difference in states exceeds a set threshold level. The measured differences which exceed the threshold level are merged for each of the plurality of processors according to attributes. The merged differences which exceed the threshold level are combined with the original partial model states to obtain an updated global model state.