IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,614,383
Granted Patent B2
US 12,614,383 · App. 18/399,819 · Granted Apr 28, 2026

Learning apparatus and learning method

Inventor: Hiroshi Yoshikawa (Kanagawa, JP)
Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
G06V10/82G06V10/776
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,614,383
App. No.
18/399,819
Granted
Apr 28, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A learning apparatus performs a first assignment in which M tasks that are different from each other are assigned to N neural networks (where N<M) and perform learning processing that is related to the M tasks in parallel; and determines, based on learning results of the respective M tasks, whether to assign, in subsequent learning processing, the respective M tasks to the same neural networks as in the first assignment or to neural networks different from those of the first assignment.

Claims (34)

1 . A learning apparatus comprising one or more memories storing instructions and one or more processors that execute the instructions to:

perform a first assignment in which M tasks that are different from each other are assigned to N neural networks (where N<M) and perform learning processing that is related to the M tasks in parallel; and

determine, based on learning results of the respective M tasks, whether to assign, in subsequent learning processing, the respective M tasks to the same neural networks as in the first assignment or to neural networks different from those of the first assignment.

2 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

perform a predetermined number of times of learning processing for the first assignment in which the M tasks are assigned to the N neural networks; and

determine, by comparing results of learning in the first assignment, whether to assign, in a second assignment in which the M tasks are assigned to the N neural networks in subsequent learning processing, a first task and a second task, which have been assigned to the same neural network in the first assignment, to the same neural network or to different neural networks.

3 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

assign, in an initial state in which the learning processing is started, the M tasks to the N networks in an approximately even manner.

4 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

assign, in an initial state in which the learning processing is started, the M tasks to one network.

5 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

determine an assignment of the M tasks to the N neural networks in subsequent learning processing, using information that is related to losses at the time of learning, the losses being calculated as the learning results.

6 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

calculate performance values of weight coefficients of learned neural networks, using the weight coefficients and evaluation data that includes evaluation images and ground truth information; and

determine an assignment of the M tasks to the N neural networks in subsequent learning processing, using the performance values that have been calculated as learning results.

7 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

manage history of assignment that has been determined and in which the M tasks are assigned to the N neural networks; and

determine, based on the learning results and the managed history of assignment, an assignment of the M tasks to the N neural networks in subsequent learning processing.

8 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

manage the history of assignment and a learning result of each task for when a plurality of tasks are combined.

9 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

change a configuration of at least one neural network when a predetermined condition is satisfied, wherein

the predetermined condition is that learning processing is performed a predetermined maximum number of times and that the number of tasks for which a value of calculated loss at the time of learning is less than or equal to a target value is greater than or equal to a predetermined number.

10 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more processors execute the instructions to:

perform learning processing using a plurality of learning parameters; and

determine, based on an integrated learning result for which a plurality of learning results according to the plurality of learning parameters have been integrated, an assignment of the M tasks to the N neural network in subsequent learning processing.

11 . The learning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the N neural networks include a shared layer that is shared by the M tasks.

12 . A learning method comprising:

performing a first assignment in which M tasks that are different from each other are assigned to N neural networks (where N<M) and perform learning processing that is related to the M tasks in parallel; and

determining, based on learning results of the respective M tasks, whether to assign, in subsequent learning processing, the respective M tasks to the same neural networks as in the first assignment or to neural networks different from those of the first assignment.

13 . A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform a learning method comprising:

performing a first assignment in which M tasks that are different from each other are assigned to N neural networks (where N<M) and perform learning processing that is related to the M tasks in parallel; and

determining, based on learning results of the respective M tasks, whether to assign, in subsequent learning processing, the respective M tasks to the same neural networks as in the first assignment or to neural networks different from those of the first assignment.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 28, 2024
From: YOSHIKAWA, HIROSHI
To: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Reel/Frame 066926/0255 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2023-001912 · Jan 10, 2023 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240233357A1 · Jul 11, 2024
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