VAE-Based Change Detection for Privacy-Sensitive Geospatial Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current change detection technologies in geospatial image data lack efficiency and effectiveness, particularly in generating synthetic data for training and maintaining underlying statistical properties of the original dataset, especially in sensitive datasets where traditional data masking falls short.

Innovation Solution

A change detection device utilizing a variational autoencoder (VAE) to encode and decode image data, combined with a controller that selects a deep learning model based on a game theory reward matrix, optimizing latent space and employing game theoretic optimization to choose the best stochastic gradient descent solver for each pixel, generating synthetic data reflective of naturally occurring variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional data masking is used for sensitive datasets, then data privacy is protected, but statistical properties are lost and training effectiveness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata privacy protectionVSAvoidstatistical property preservation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a variational autoencoder to create synthetic copies of sensitive geospatial data that preserve statistical properties while protecting privacy. The VAE learns the underlying distribution of real data and generates synthetic samples that maintain the same statistical characteristics without containing actual sensitive information, thus resolving the contradiction between privacy protection and statistical property preservation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms data from one form to another through encoding and decoding processes, changing the parameter representation while maintaining statistical properties. The VAE encodes real data into latent representations and decodes them into synthetic data with preserved statistical characteristics, effectively changing the data form while maintaining its essential properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If multiple deep learning models are evaluated for each pixel, then change detection accuracy is improved, but computational complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechange detection accuracyVSAvoidcomputational complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies game theoretic optimization to select the optimal subset of deep learning models for each pixel based on a reward matrix, rather than evaluating all possible models. This partial action approach achieves near-optimal change detection accuracy while significantly reducing computational complexity by selecting only the necessary models for each specific pixel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic model selection where the set of deep learning models applied to each pixel is not fixed but determined dynamically through game theoretic optimization. The reward matrix and model selection adapt based on the specific characteristics of each pixel and the current state of the system, allowing flexibility in balancing accuracy and computational complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If game theoretic optimization is applied to select deep learning models, then change detection effectiveness is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechange detection effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-computes the game theory reward matrix and determines optimal model selections in advance, before actual change detection processing. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly apply pre-determined optimal models during runtime, reducing processing time while maintaining high effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous optimization by updating the game theory reward matrix and model selections based on accumulated data and performance feedback. This continuous useful action ensures that the system learns from experience and improves its efficiency over time, reducing processing time while maintaining or improving effectiveness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS12417624B2Change detection device and related methods
Publication Date: 2025.09.16 EAGLE TECHNOLOGY LLC
  • US12417624B2 patent drawing
  • US12417624B2 patent drawing
  • US12417624B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A change detection device may include a variational autoencoder (VAE) configured to encode image data to generate a latent vector, and decode the latent vector to generate new image data. The change detection device may further include a controller configured to select a deep learning model from different deep learning models based upon the new image data and a game theory reward matrix, and process the new image data using the selected deep learning model to detect changes therein.