Neural Image Augmentation for Ambiguous Sample Classification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Collecting clean and comprehensible samples for a dataset is time-consuming and computationally expensive, and machine learning systems often struggle with ambiguous samples that are not accurately recognized, leading to ineffective training and inference.

Innovation Solution

A data augmentation system uses a separate neural network to generate augmented images that are correctly classified by a classification network, reducing the need for manual data collection and retraining, and enhances the learning capability of the prediction network through curriculum learning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual data collection is used to gather clean samples, then data quality is improved, but time consumption and computational cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata qualityVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses an augmentation network to generate synthetic augmented samples that copy and modify existing samples in the dataset. Instead of manually collecting new clean samples, the system creates artificial augmented versions of existing samples, thereby reducing time consumption while maintaining data quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically generating augmented samples using the augmentation network without requiring manual intervention. The process is automated end-to-end, from selecting ambiguous samples to generating and validating augmented versions, eliminating the need for manual data collection efforts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Quantity of substance

If ambiguous samples are included in the training dataset, then dataset completeness is improved, but machine learning system performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedataset completenessVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The augmentation network acts as an intermediary between the ambiguous samples and the classification network. It processes ambiguous samples by generating augmented versions that are easier to classify, thereby mediating the conflict between including ambiguous samples for completeness and maintaining system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of ambiguous samples by generating augmented versions with modified characteristics. The augmentation network transforms ambiguous samples into clearer versions by adjusting visual parameters, thereby improving classification performance while maintaining dataset completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If retraining the classification network is performed to handle ambiguous samples, then accuracy on ambiguous inputs is improved, but computational cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy on ambiguous inputsVSAvoidcomputational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the system into two independent networks: a classification network for accurate classification and an augmentation network for generating augmented samples. This segmentation allows the classification network to remain stable while the augmentation network handles the computational burden of generating augmented versions of ambiguous samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The augmentation network performs preliminary action by pre-generating augmented samples before they are used for training or inference. This preliminary generation of easy-to-classify samples from ambiguous inputs reduces the computational cost of retraining the classification network, as the augmented samples can be prepared in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12499180B2Systems and methods for data augmentation
Publication Date: 2025.12.16 ADOBE INC
  • US12499180B2 patent drawing
  • US12499180B2 patent drawing
  • US12499180B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods for data augmentation are provided. One aspect of the systems and methods include receiving an image that is misclassified by a classification network; computing an augmentation image based on the image using an augmentation network; and generating an augmented image by combining the image and the augmentation image, wherein the augmented image is correctly classified by the classification network.