Method, device, and computer program for operating a deep neural network

A method for operating a deep neural network that has at least one skip connection, the method comprising the following steps:

• selecting a first path through the deep neural network along the skip connection;
• ascertaining an output variable by propagating an input variable of the deep neural network along the first path;
• checking whether the output variable meets a specifiable criterion;
• and
• selecting, based on the specifiable criterion not being met, a second path through the deep neural network that differs from the first path, and ascertaining the output variable by propagating the input variable of the deep neural network along the second path.

A device configured to operate a deep neural network that has at least one skip connection, the device configured to:

• select a first path through the deep neural network along the skip connection;
• ascertain an output variable by propagating an input variable of the deep neural network along the first path;
• check whether the output variable meets a specifiable criterion;
• and
• select, based on the specifiable criterion not being met, a second path through the deep neural network that differs from the first path, and ascertain the output variable by propagating the input variable of the deep neural network along the second path.

A non-transitory machine-readable storage element on which is stored a computer program for operating a deep neural network that has at least one skip connection, the computer program, when executed by a computer, causing the computer to perform the following steps:

• selecting a first path through the deep neural network along the skip connection;
• ascertaining an output variable by propagating an input variable of the deep neural network along the first path;
• checking whether the output variable meets a specifiable criterion;
• and
• selecting, based on the specifiable criterion not being met, a second path through the deep neural network that differs from the first path, and ascertaining the output variable by propagating the input variable of the deep neural network along the second path.