Neural Network Residual Block Selection for Image Upscaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image upscaling technologies, such as NVIDIA's DLSS, are resource-intensive and not suitable for resource-constrained devices like mobile SoCs due to their complex neural network structures, limiting their ability to upscale low-resolution images efficiently on these platforms.

Innovation Solution

An electronic device with a first neural network and a second neural network, including residual blocks and an upscaling block, selectively enables data propagation through convolution layers of selected residual blocks to efficiently upscale images, using control networks to determine the optimal residual blocks for each input patch image based on fidelity scores.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If complex neural network structures with many layers and filters are used for image upscaling, then image upscaling quality is improved, but computation amount increases and power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage upscaling qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The neural network is divided into multiple residual blocks, each processing a specific frequency band or feature type. The system segments the image processing task into parallel operations that can be selectively executed, reducing overall computation while maintaining quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the number and type of residual blocks executed based on input image characteristics, device performance, and power constraints. This allows the network to adapt its complexity in real-time, using more blocks for quality-critical tasks and fewer blocks when power is constrained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Manufacturing precision

If complex neural network structures with many layers and filters are used for image upscaling, then image upscaling quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage upscaling qualityVSAvoidneural network structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex neural network is segmented into multiple independent residual blocks with standardized structures. Each block handles a specific processing function, making the overall complex system manageable through modular decomposition and enabling selective execution of individual blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes structural parameters such as the number of residual blocks, filter sizes, and activation functions based on input image characteristics and device capabilities. This allows the same base architecture to operate at different complexity levels while maintaining effective upscaling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If all residual blocks are executed for every input image, then image upscaling quality is maintained, but computation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimage upscaling qualityVSAvoidcomputation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically determines which residual blocks to execute based on real-time analysis of input image characteristics, device performance metrics, and power availability. This dynamic selection optimizes the balance between processing speed and output quality for each specific processing task.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of always executing all residual blocks, the system performs partial action by selectively running only the necessary subset of blocks required to achieve acceptable quality for the current input. This reduces computation time while maintaining sufficient upscaling quality for the specific use case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4375877A1Apparatus and method with image resolution upscaling background
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4375877A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4375877A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4375877A1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

An electronic device includes a memory for storing a first neural network and a second neural network including a plurality of residual blocks and an upscaling block, and a processor for selecting a residual block from among the plurality of residual blocks for an input patch image of a first frame based on the second neural network and generating an output patch image of the first frame by upscaling the input patch image of the first frame to an image having a target resolution based on the selected residual block and the upscaling block.