Poisson-Binomial Radius Distance for Image Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current pattern recognition methods fail to effectively handle independent but non-identically distributed (i.n.i.d) data, leading to inefficiencies and inaccuracies in image classification and other applications, particularly due to the assumption of independent and identically distributed (i.i.d) data points.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of the Poisson-Binomial Radius (PBR) semi-metric distance measure, which accounts for i.n.i.d feature descriptors and is robust to noise, allowing for improved pattern recognition and classification by using the Poisson-Binomial distribution to calculate distances between feature vectors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional distance measures (Euclidean, Manhattan) are used, then the system is simple to implement, but it assumes i.i.d. data which leads to inaccuracies when data is i.n.i.d.

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance measurement accuracyVSAvoiddistance measure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of distance measurement from traditional Lp norms to a probabilistic model based on Poisson-Binomial distribution. This allows the distance measure to adapt to i.n.i.d. data characteristics by modeling each feature dimension with its own probability distribution parameters, thereby improving measurement accuracy for non-identically distributed features.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the deterministic geometric distance calculation (mechanical approach) with a probabilistic statistical model. Instead of using fixed geometric formulas like Euclidean or Manhattan distance, the system uses probability mass functions and cumulative distribution functions to measure dissimilarity, better capturing the statistical nature of i.n.i.d. data.

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

2Measurement precision

If the system uses robust noise-resistant features, then measurement accuracy improves, but processing complexity and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenoise resistanceVSAvoidprocessing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary computation by pre-calculating and storing the probability mass functions and cumulative distribution functions for training data. This preprocessing step enables the system to handle noisy test data efficiently by comparing against pre-computed probabilistic models, rather than performing complex calculations during real-time processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates probabilistic representations (probability mass functions and CDFs) as simplified copies of the original complex noisy data. These probabilistic models capture the essential statistical characteristics while filtering out noise, enabling efficient comparison and matching operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system processes large datasets with traditional methods, then it can handle diverse data, but processing time increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata handling capabilityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces computationally intensive geometric distance calculations with efficient probabilistic comparisons. By using cumulative distribution functions and probability mass functions, the system can quickly compute dissimilarity measures for large datasets without the O(n) complexity of traditional distance calculations in high-dimensional spaces.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the data representation from raw feature values to probabilistic parameters (mean, variance, probability mass functions). This parameter transformation enables more efficient computation and comparison operations, reducing processing time while maintaining adaptability to diverse data types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3195260B1Image recognition system and method
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 TEMASEK LIFE SCIENCES LABORATORY LTD
  • EP3195260B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3195260B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3195260B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

An improved system and method for digital image classification is provided. A host computer having a processor is coupled to a memory storing thereon reference feature data. A graphics processing unit (GPU) having a processor is coupled to the host computer and is configured to obtain, from the host computer, feature data corresponding to the digital image; to access, from the memory, the one or more reference feature data; and to determine a semi-metric distance based on a Poisson-Binomial distribution between the feature data and the one or more reference feature data. The host computer is configured to classify the digital image using the determined semi-metric distance.