IP Library Granted Patent US 12705541
Granted Patent B2
US 12705541 · App. 18/465,627 · Granted Aug 11, 2026

Device and method for training a variational autoencoder

Inventors: Faris Janjos (Stuttgart, DE); Lars Rosenbaum (Lahntal, DE); Maxim Dolgov (Renningen, DE)
Assignee: ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
G06N20/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12705541
App. No.
18/465,627
Granted
Aug 11, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A computer-implemented method for training a machine learning system. The training includes: determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution; determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution; determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system; adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal.

Claims (798)

1 . A computer-implemented method for training a machine learning system, wherein the machine learning system is configured for anomaly detection and/or sampling a trajectory for a traffic participant and/or sampling of sensor signals and/or for determining a value characterizing a likelihood of an input signal with respect to a training dataset, wherein the training comprises the following steps:

determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution;

determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution;

determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system; and

adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal,

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation;

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the loss function further includes a regularization term characterized by the formula:

R

E

G

=

λ

max

(

)

Z

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

wherein λ max is a largest eigen value of Σ and ∇ z D(z) is a gradient of the loss function with respect to z.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, including a mean characterized by the first intermediate representation.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the second intermediate representation characterizes a full covariant matrix of the latent distribution.

5 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the training input signal is obtained based on a sensor.

6 . A computer-implemented method for determining whether an input signal is anomalous or normal, the method comprising the following steps:

obtaining a machine learning system that is configured for anomaly detection and that has been trained by:

determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution,

determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution,

determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system, and

adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal;

providing the input signal to the encoder of the machine learning system to determine the first intermediate representation;

determining an output signal by providing the first intermediate representation as input to the decoder of the machine learning system;

determining the input signal as anomalous based on a difference between the output signal and the input signal exceeding a predefined threshold and otherwise determining the input signal as normal,

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation;

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution, including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.

7 . A computer-implemented method for sampling a trajectory of a traffic participant and/or a sampling sensor signal comprising the following steps:

obtaining a machine learning that has been trained and that is configured for trajectory sampling and/or sampling a sensor signal, the training including:

determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution,

determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution,

determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system, and

adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal;

randomly drawing a value from the latent space characterized by the machine learning system; and

determining an output signal characterizing a trajectory by providing the randomly drawn value to the decoder of the machine learning system:

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation:

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.

8 . A training system comprising at least one processor configured to train a machine learning system, wherein the machine learning system is configured for executed by the least one processor for anomaly detection and/or sampling a trajectory for a traffic participant and/or sampling of sensor signals and/or for determining a value characterizing a likelihood of an input signal with respect to a training dataset, wherein the training system is configured executed by the at least one processor to:

determine, using an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution;

determine, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution;

determine an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system; and

adapt the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal,

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation;

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.

9 . A control system comprising at least one processor, which the at least one processor is configured to:

obtain a machine learning system that is configured for anomaly detection and that has been trained by:

determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution,

determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution,

determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system, and

adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal;

provide an input signal to the encoder of the machine learning system to determine the first intermediate representation;

determine an output signal by providing the first intermediate representation as input to the decoder of the machine learning system;

determine the input signal as anomalous based on a difference between the output signal and the input signal exceeding a predefined threshold and otherwise determining the input signal as normal;

wherein the control system determines a control signal based on the output signal, wherein the control signal is configured to control an actuator and/or a display;

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation;

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.

10 . A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium on which is stored a computer program for training a machine learning system, wherein the machine learning system is configured for anomaly detection and/or sampling a trajectory for a traffic participant and/or sampling of sensor signals and/or for determining a value characterizing a likelihood of an input signal with respect to a training dataset, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to train the machine learning system by performing the following steps:

determining, by an encoder of the machine learning system and based on a training input signal, a first intermediate representation characterizing a mean of a latent distribution of a latent space, and a second intermediate representation characterizing a variance and/or covariance of the latent distribution;

determining, based on the first intermediate representation and the second intermediate representation, a plurality of sigma points with respect to the latent distribution;

determining an output signal, wherein the output signal is determined by providing a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points to a decoder of the machine learning system; and

adapting the machine learning system based on a loss value, wherein the loss value characterizes a difference between the training input signal and the output signal,

wherein the sigma points in the plurality of sigma points are mean-centered symmetric points, comprising the mean characterized by the first intermediate representation;

wherein the plurality of sigma points is determined according to the formulae:

χ 0 =μ,

χ i =μ+√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

χ i+n =μ−√{square root over ((κ+ n )Σ)},

wherein κ>−n is a predefined real constant, n is a dimensionality of the latent space, μ is the mean, and Σ is the variance and/or covariance; and

wherein the loss value is determined based on a loss function, wherein the loss function is characterized by the formulae:

U

A

E

=

E

x

i

p

d

a

t

a

[

R

E

C

+

β

·

K

L

]

,

R

E

C

=

x

i

-

D

(

z

)

2

2

,

z

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

,

K

L

=

μ

2

2

+

tr

(

)

-

n

-

log

det

,

wherein x i is the training input signal, p data is an empirical distribution including a training dataset, D is the decoder of the machine learning system, and z is a randomly sampled sigma point of the plurality of sigma points

{

χ

i

(

μ

,

)

}

i

=

0

2

n

.