Obfuscation Network Training via Frequency Filtering for Privacy-Preserving AI

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data anonymization techniques distort original data, making it unusable for machine learning algorithms and fail to conceal unexpected identification information, while conventional security cameras anonymize videos by blurring every pixel, altering critical information and leaving personal identification information intact.

Innovation Solution

A method for generating obfuscated data by filtering frequency information through high-pass and low-pass filters or band reject filters, followed by concatenation, to create obfuscated data that is recognizable by machines but not humans, while maintaining the same results as the original data for learning models.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional anonymization techniques mask or blur identification information, then privacy protection is improved, but machine learning algorithms cannot utilize the data due to distortion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoiddata usability for machine learning
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into different frequency components using Fourier transformation, separating identification information (high-frequency components) from task-relevant information (low-frequency components). This allows selective filtering of privacy-carrying frequencies while preserving learning-useful frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency domain parameters of the data by applying Fourier transformation, filtering specific frequency bands, and then inverse transformation. This parameter transformation in the frequency domain enables privacy protection while maintaining machine learning usability, as opposed to spatial domain masking that destroys data structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If security cameras blur every pixel changed between frames, then moving target anonymization is improved, but critical information such as facial expression becomes different from original video

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanonymization effectivenessVSAvoidcritical information preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments video data into frequency components, identifying that identification information primarily resides in high-frequency bands while task-relevant information exists in low-frequency bands. This segmentation enables selective filtering without destroying critical information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies frequency domain parameter changes by filtering specific frequency bands rather than uniformly blurring spatial pixels. This selective frequency filtering preserves critical low-frequency information (facial expressions, movements) while removing high-frequency identification information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If conventional techniques detect and mask identification information, then privacy protection is improved, but unexpected identification information cannot be concealed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprivacy protectionVSAvoidcoverage of identification information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms data to the frequency domain where identification information manifests as specific frequency patterns regardless of its original form. This frequency-based approach universally captures all identification information including unexpected types, unlike detection-based methods that require prior knowledge of what to look for.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical detection-and-mask system with a frequency-based filtering system. Instead of detecting identification information in the spatial domain and applying masks, the system uses Fourier transformation to automatically separate identification frequencies from task-relevant frequencies, providing universal coverage without requiring detection algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4441694B1Learning method and learning device for training obfuscation network capable of obfuscating original data for privacy and testing method and testing device using the same
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 DEEPING SOURCE INC
  • EP4441694B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4441694B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4441694B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A learning method for training an obfuscation network capable of obfuscating original data for privacy, including steps of: (a) inputting training data into the obfuscation network to filter frequency information of the training data and thus generate obfuscated data; and (b) (i) inputting the obfuscated data into a learning network to generate characteristic information by performing learning operation on the obfuscated data, (ii) generating at least one task loss by referring to (ii-1) the characteristic information and its corresponding ground truth or (ii-2) a task-specific output, generated by using the characteristic information, and its corresponding ground truth, and (iii) training at least one of the learning network and the obfuscation network through a backpropagation of the task loss.