Image Segmentation via Motion-Aware Feature Maps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Deep learning-based image segmentation techniques face challenges in achieving high accuracy for images with significant object motion, resulting in inconsistent and robust object detection due to variations in segmentation accuracy from frame to frame.

Innovation Solution

An image segmentation method that extracts motion information from frames and reflects it into class-specific feature maps generated by a deep learning model, improving segmentation accuracy without additional training, and reduces computational costs by reusing segmentation results for frames with minimal motion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If deep learning models trained on still images are directly applied to perform image segmentation on a frame-by-frame basis, then the approach is simple and computationally efficient, but it does not achieve high segmentation accuracy for images with significant object motion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation accuracyVSAvoidmodel complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces motion information as an intermediary element that mediates between the input image frames and the deep learning model. By extracting motion information from video frames and integrating it into the feature maps, the system enhances the model's ability to handle object motion without requiring complex model retraining. This intermediary motion information bridges the gap between simple frame-by-frame processing and accurate motion-aware segmentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters fed into the deep learning model by incorporating motion information alongside visual features. Instead of only using standard image features from each frame, the system modifies the input parameters to include motion vectors or optical flow data, which helps the model better understand and segment moving objects. This parameter enhancement improves segmentation accuracy without fundamentally changing the model architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If motion information is extracted and reflected into class-specific feature maps to improve segmentation accuracy for moving objects, then segmentation accuracy improves, but computational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation accuracyVSAvoidcomputational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by extracting motion information in advance before feeding it into the deep learning model. By pre-computing motion vectors or optical flow from consecutive video frames and preparing motion-enhanced feature maps beforehand, the system reduces the computational burden during the actual segmentation process. This preliminary preparation of motion data allows the model to focus on classification rather than motion detection, thereby reducing overall computational cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If deep learning models are retrained with motion information to achieve consistent segmentation accuracy, then segmentation robustness improves, but training time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesegmentation robustnessVSAvoidtraining time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to self-service by automatically extracting and integrating motion information without requiring manual retraining of the deep learning model. The existing model processes both visual features and motion information in conjunction, allowing the system to adapt to motion scenarios autonomously. This self-service approach maintains segmentation robustness while avoiding the time-consuming process of collecting motion-labeled data and retraining models.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20240354963A1Method for image segmentation and system therefor
Publication Date: 2024.10.24 SAMSUNG SDS CO LTD
  • US20240354963A1 patent drawing
  • US20240354963A1 patent drawing
  • US20240354963A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided are a method for image segmentation and a system therefor. The method according to some embodiments may include acquiring a deep learning model trained through an image segmentation task, extracting motion information associated with a current frame of a given image, and performing image segmentation for the current frame by reflecting the extracted motion information into class-specific feature maps of the deep learning model, the class-specific feature maps being generated by the deep learning model based on the current frame.