Multimodal Feature Fusion for Low-Label Classification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for training classification models on data from multiple modalities, such as images and text, require large amounts of labeled multimedia data, which is costly and time-consuming to obtain, especially for image-based content where manual review is necessary.

Innovation Solution

The method involves merging features from different data types, such as text and image or video, to create a common feature space for training a joint model, allowing for classification of content items with multiple types without the need for extensive human-labeled training data, using early fusion techniques to combine features early in the machine learning pipeline.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If large amounts of labeled multimedia data are used for training, then model classification accuracy is improved, but data acquisition cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclassification accuracyVSAvoiddata acquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the training data into different modalities (text data and multimedia data) and processes them separately through different neural network branches. Text data can be obtained in large quantities through automated means, while multimedia data is processed more efficiently. This segmentation allows the system to leverage abundant text data to compensate for limited labeled multimedia data, improving classification accuracy without requiring extensive manual labeling of multimedia content.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism by using text data as a bridge to train the multimedia classification model. The text-based branch and multimedia-based branch are trained separately and then their features are fused. This intermediary approach allows the model to learn from abundant text data and apply that knowledge to multimedia classification, reducing the need for large amounts of manually labeled multimedia training data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual review and classification is performed for image and video data, then training data quality is improved, but processing cost and time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraining data qualityVSAvoiddata processing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the data processing pipeline into separate segments for text data and multimedia data, each processed by dedicated neural network branches. This segmentation allows automated text processing to occur in parallel with multimedia processing, eliminating the need for sequential manual review of all data types and significantly improving processing efficiency while maintaining data quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal feature fusion mechanism that can handle both text-based features and multimedia-based features through the same classification head. This multi-functional approach allows the system to process different data types efficiently without requiring separate manual classification pipelines for each modality, thereby improving productivity while maintaining consistent data quality standards.

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

3Measurement precision

If feature fusion of multiple data types is implemented, then model performance on multimodal content is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultimodal classification performanceVSAvoidmodel architecture complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a segmented architecture where text data and multimedia data are processed by separate neural network branches before feature fusion. This segmentation maintains modularity and simplifies the overall system design, as each branch can be independently trained and optimized. The feature fusion layer then combines these processed features in a straightforward manner, achieving improved multimodal classification performance without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary feature fusion layer that bridges the text-based processing branch and the multimedia-based processing branch. This intermediary mechanism systematically combines features from different modalities through defined operations (such as concatenation or attention mechanisms), improving multimodal classification performance while maintaining clear architectural structure and manageable complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20240144022A1Systems and Methods for Model Training Based on Feature Fusion of Multiple Data Types
Publication Date: 2024.05.02 GOOGLE LLC
  • US20240144022A1 patent drawing
  • US20240144022A1 patent drawing
  • US20240144022A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A method includes receiving first data elements of a first data type and second data elements of a second data type. The first data type is text data and the second data type is at least one of image data or video data. The method also includes identifying first features of each of the first data elements, identifying second features of each of the second data elements, and generating merged features by combining a first feature of the first features of each of the first data elements with a second feature of the second features of one of the second data elements. The first feature and the second feature each represent a common feature. The method also includes generating a model based on the common features and at least a portion of the first features and the second features.