Scanning Microprocessor Noise Reduction via Signal Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional scanning microscopes struggle to reduce long period noise and drift in digital detection signals, despite effectively reducing short period noise through signal averaging.

Innovation Solution

The scanning microscope incorporates a photodetector, a sampling circuit, and a processor that performs integration and noise determination on sampled data at intervals shorter than the pixel period, generating pixel data based on the results.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If signal averaging is performed on digital detection signals, then short period noise is reduced, but long period noise and drift remain

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenoise reductionVSAvoidlong period noise and drift

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the noise reduction process into two distinct stages: first performing signal averaging to reduce short period noise, then performing integration over multiple pixel periods to reduce long period noise and drift. This segmentation allows each stage to target specific noise characteristics effectively.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary signal averaging before the main integration process. By pre-reducing short period noise through averaging of digital detection signals, the subsequent integration process can more effectively target and reduce long period noise and drift without interference from high-frequency noise components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If integration is performed on multiple sampling data, then signal-to-noise ratio improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs integration operations continuously across multiple pixel periods rather than performing a single large integration operation. By integrating sampling data from multiple consecutive pixel periods and using the results to generate pixel data continuously, the system maintains useful action throughout the measurement process, improving signal-to-noise ratio while distributing the processing time over the measurement duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach effectively reduces both short and long period noise, and drift, resulting in high signal-to-noise ratio images and improved photodetector stability against environmental factors.

Implementation Method 1

a photodetector that detects light from a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS20250119657A1Scanning microscope, pixel generation method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.04.10 EVIDENT CORP

AI summary

A scanning microscope includes: a photodetector that detects light from a sample; a sampling circuit that samples an output signal of the photodetector; and a processor. The processor performs an operation including at least integration on a plurality of items of sampling data sampled by the sampling circuit, determines whether a result of the operation is noise or a signal, and generates pixel data based on a result of the operation and a result of the determination.