IP Library Granted Patent US 12,438,849
Granted Patent B2
US 12,438,849 · App. 18/131,147 · Granted Oct 7, 2025

Face anonymization using a generative adversarial network

Inventors: Yi Estelle Wang (Singapore, SG); Liming Zhai (Singapore, SG); Qing Guo (Singapore, SG); Jeremy Dahan (Fair Oaks, CA)
Assignees: Elektrobit Automotive GmbH; NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
H04L63/0421G06F21/6254G06T7/0002G06T11/60G06T2207/20081G06T2207/30168G06T2207/30201G06T2207/30252
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,438,849
App. No.
18/131,147
Granted
Oct 7, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

A generative adversarial network performs face anonymization. In a first step, an input image showing a face to be anonymized is received. Furthermore, an input vector with control data for face anonymization is received. The generative adversarial network then generates an output image in which the face is anonymized in accordance with the control data of the input vector.

Claims (18)

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, perform operations face anonymization, the operations comprising:

receiving an input image showing a face to be anonymized;

receiving an input vector with control data for face anonymization; and

generating by a generative adversarial network, an output image in which the face is anonymized in accordance with the control data of the input vector, wherein the generative adversarial network comprises a generator sub-network trained to generate new faces with different facial attributes, a discriminator sub-network trained to evaluate if generated new faces are realistic and natural, and an identity classifier sub-network trained to evaluate if face identities of new faces have been changed, and wherein the generator sub-network, the discriminator sub-network and the identity classifier sub-network are trained alternately and compete with each other to achieve balance of optimization.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the input vector comprises control data for individual facial attributes.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 2 , wherein the control data specifies whether a facial attribute shall be modified, kept, or optionally modified.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 3 , wherein the control data further specifies an amount of modification of a facial attribute.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the generative adversarial network uses an adversarial loss function, a reconstruction loss function, an attribute loss function, and an identity loss function.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the input vector is selected based on an application scenario.

7. An apparatus for face anonymization, the apparatus comprising a generative adversarial network configured to:

receive an input image showing a face to be anonymized;

receive an input vector with control data for face anonymization; and

generate an output image in which the face is anonymized in accordance with the control data of the input vector, wherein the generative adversarial network comprises a generator sub-network trained to generate new faces with different facial attributes, a discriminator sub-network trained to evaluate if generated new faces are realistic and natural, and an identity classifier sub-network trained to evaluate if face identities of new faces have been changed, and wherein the generator sub-network, the discriminator sub-network, and the identity classifier sub-network are trained alternately and compete with each other to achieve balance of optimization.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the input vector comprises control data for individual facial attributes.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the control data specifies whether a facial attribute shall be modified, kept, or optionally modified.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the control data further specifies an amount of modification of a facial attribute.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the generative adversarial network uses an adversarial loss function, a reconstruction loss function, an attribute loss function, and an identity loss function.

12. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the input vector is selected based on an application scenario.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 5, 2023
From: WANG, YI ESTELLE; ZHAI, LIMING; GUO, QING; DAHAN, JEREMY
To: ELEKTROBIT AUTOMOTIVE GMBH; NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
Reel/Frame 063232/0141 →
Priority Claims (1)
EP 22166968 · Apr 6, 2022 · regional
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230328039A1 · Oct 12, 2023
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Cited By (1)
US 12,694,651