Multi-Style Neural Image Transfer With Conditional Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image style transfer systems require significant computational resources and time to apply multiple styles to input images, especially on mobile devices, due to the need for separate training of networks for each style.

Innovation Solution

A scalable deep style transfer neural network incorporating conditional instance normalization layers allows for a single network to capture multiple diverse styles, reducing the need for separate training and computational resources by sharing parameters across styles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If separate training networks are used for each style, then style transfer accuracy is improved, but computational resources and training time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyle transfer accuracyVSAvoidcomputational resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a single neural network that can perform multiple style transfer operations by sharing parameters across different styles. The network is trained to recognize and apply multiple styles through a unified architecture, eliminating the need for separate networks for each style while maintaining transfer accuracy.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter sharing and conditional computation techniques where the same network parameters are dynamically adjusted or selected based on the target style. This allows one network to adapt to multiple styles by changing its internal parameter states rather than requiring dedicated parameters for each style.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If separate training networks are used for each style, then style-specific performance is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyle-specific performanceVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A single universal network processes all style transfer requests, maintaining style-specific performance through shared learned representations. The network dynamically adapts to different styles during inference without requiring separate processing pipelines, thereby reducing overall processing time.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges multiple style-specific processing paths into a single unified processing pipeline. By combining the functionality of multiple networks into one, the system processes different styles through a common architecture, reducing the time overhead associated with switching between separate networks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Measurement precision

If separate training networks are used for each style, then style accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestyle accuracyVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The single multi-functional network reduces power consumption by eliminating the need to activate and maintain multiple separate networks. The shared architecture requires fewer computational resources overall, leading to lower energy usage while preserving style transfer accuracy through efficient parameter sharing.

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

4Productivity

If a single network is used for multiple styles, then computational efficiency is improved, but training complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidtraining complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The training process manages complexity through parameter sharing strategies and conditional computation techniques. The network learns to adapt its parameters dynamically for different styles, and the training methodology incorporates techniques to handle this adaptability without overwhelming computational requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs pre-training strategies and progressive training approaches where the network is first trained on general features and then fine-tuned for specific styles. This preliminary action simplifies the overall training process by breaking down the complex multi-style learning into manageable stages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260038165A1Stylizing input images
Publication Date: 2026.02.05 GOOGLE LLC
  • US20260038165A1 patent drawing
  • US20260038165A1 patent drawing
  • US20260038165A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method for applying a style to an input image to generate a stylized image. The method includes maintaining data specifying respective parameter values for each image style in a set of image styles, receiving an input including an input image and data identifying an input style to be applied to the input image to generate a stylized image that is in the input style, determining, from the maintained data, parameter values for the input style, and generating the stylized image by processing the input image using a style transfer neural network that is configured to process the input image to generate the stylized image.