Unified Encoder Decoding Shared Features

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional machine-learning algorithms are designed for single tasks and incur redundancy when performing multiple tasks, wasting computational resources and not leveraging deep neural networks for generic representations, especially in devices with limited bandwidth and onboard autonomy.

Innovation Solution

A scalable and distributed machine learning framework with a unified encoder-decoder architecture that uses mutual transfer learning and modular neural networks to perform multiple tasks efficiently, sharing common components and features across tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple independently trained models are used to perform different tasks, then each task can be executed with dedicated optimization, but computational resources are wasted due to redundancy and the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask execution accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple independently trained models into a unified encoder-decoder framework where a single encoder shares its learned representations across multiple task-specific decoders. This combining approach eliminates redundant encoding operations while maintaining task-specific optimization through dedicated decoders, thus reducing system complexity while preserving execution accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified encoder is designed to serve multiple functions by generating shared latent representations that can be utilized by different decoders for various tasks. This multi-functional encoder reduces the overall system complexity by replacing multiple specialized encoders with a single universal component that benefits all tasks through shared learning.

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

2Reliability

If multiple independently trained models are executed simultaneously, then each task receives dedicated computational resources, but computational efficiency decreases due to redundancy

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask performanceVSAvoidcomputational efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple encoding operations into a single unified encoder that generates shared latent representations. This merging eliminates redundant computational work while maintaining task-specific performance through specialized decoders, thereby improving computational efficiency without sacrificing task performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The framework discards redundant encoding operations by using a shared encoder for multiple tasks, and recovers task-specific performance information through dedicated decoders that specialize in their respective tasks. This approach improves computational efficiency by eliminating waste while preserving necessary task-specific capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional single-task algorithms are used, then implementation is simpler, but computational resources are wasted and scalability to multiple tasks is poor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidmulti-task capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The unified encoder is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple tasks through shared latent representations. This multi-functional design maintains implementation simplicity by using a single encoder architecture while dramatically improving adaptability to multiple tasks through the addition of task-specific decoders.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments functionality into a shared encoder component and task-specific decoder components. This segmentation maintains implementation simplicity for the core encoding operation while enabling easy adaptation to new tasks by adding or modifying decoders without changing the encoder architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If task-specific models are trained independently, then each model can be optimized for its specific task, but shared information across tasks is not exploited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetask optimizationVSAvoidknowledge transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the training process of multiple tasks through a shared encoder that learns from all tasks simultaneously. This combined training approach allows the encoder to capture shared information and patterns across tasks, improving knowledge transfer while maintaining task-specific optimization through dedicated decoders.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified encoder serves as a universal learning component that extracts shared representations beneficial to multiple tasks. This multi-functional encoder improves adaptability by learning common patterns across tasks while task-specific decoders maintain optimization for individual tasks through their specialized architectures.

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

Data Source

PatentUS20220129751A1Scalable and distributed machine learning framework with unified encoder (SULU)
Publication Date: 2022.04.28 CALIFORNIA INST OF TECH
  • US20220129751A1 patent drawing
  • US20220129751A1 patent drawing
  • US20220129751A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer implemented system for interpreting data using machine learning, including one or more processors; one or more memories; and one or more computer executable instructions embedded on the one or more memories, wherein the computer executable instructions are configured to execute a unified encoder comprising a neural network encoding data into one or more feature vectors, wherein the encoder is trained using machine learning to generate the one or more feature vectors useful for performing a plurality of different tasks each comprising different interpretations of the data. A plurality of decoders are connected to the unified encoder, each of the decoders comprising a neural network interpreting the one or more feature vectors so as to decode one or more of the feature vectors to output one of the interpretations.