Graph Convolutional Network for Image Segmentation Annotation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current image region segmentation methods using weak supervision with image-level labels are inadequate for precise segmentation due to insufficient supervision, leading to inaccurate results, especially in time-consuming and labor-intensive tasks like medical image analysis.

Innovation Solution

The method involves converting image-level annotation information into superpixel-level annotation information using a graph convolutional network model, enabling stronger supervision during model training and improving segmentation precision by utilizing graph structure data with nodes representing pixels or superpixels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If weak supervision with image-level labels is used for image region segmentation, then annotation time and labor costs are reduced, but segmentation precision deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveannotation timeVSAvoidsegmentation precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces superpixel-level annotation information as an intermediary between image-level labels and pixel-level segmentation. The graph convolutional network model generates this intermediate representation by propagating image-level annotations to superpixel regions, providing stronger supervision signals without requiring manual pixel-level annotation, thus resolving the contradiction between annotation efficiency and segmentation precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the annotation dimension from image-level (coarse) to superpixel-level (fine) by introducing a new level of granularity. This dimensional transformation allows the model to leverage graph structure data and spatial relationships among superpixels, enhancing segmentation precision while maintaining the efficiency of image-level annotation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If pixel-level annotation is used for training, then segmentation precision is improved, but annotation time and labor costs increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation precisionVSAvoidannotation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates pseudo pixel-level annotation information by copying and propagating image-level labels through the graph convolutional network model to superpixel regions. This generated annotation data serves as a substitute for manual pixel-level annotation, providing sufficient supervision signals for precise segmentation while avoiding the time-consuming manual annotation process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-annotation by automatically generating superpixel-level annotation information from image-level labels using the graph convolutional network model. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external manual pixel-level annotation while still providing strong supervision signals for training the segmentation model

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12260623B2Training method and apparatus for image region segmentation model, and image region segmentation method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.03.25 TENCENT TECHNOLOGY (SHENZHEN) CO LTD
  • US12260623B2 patent drawing
  • US12260623B2 patent drawing
  • US12260623B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a method and apparatus for training an image region segmentation model, and an image region segmentation method and apparatus. The method includes acquiring a sample image set, and each image of the sample image set having first annotation information; generating graph structure data corresponding to a sample image in the sample image set, the graph structure data comprising multiple nodes, and each node comprising at least one pixel in the sample image; determining second annotation information of each node according to the graph structure data and the first annotation information corresponding to the sample image by using a graph convolutional network model, a granularity of the second annotation information being smaller than a granularity of the first annotation information, the graph convolutional network model being a part of an image segmentation model; and training the image segmentation model according to the second annotation information.