Handheld spectrometer including wireless capabilities
First Claim
1. A method for collecting and analyzing energy spectrum data to identify a composition of a sample material, said method comprising:
- receiving geographical location information, at a handheld instrument, corresponding to a location of the sample material;
obtaining sample energy spectrum data by projecting a primary beam of radiation from an X-ray source included within the handheld instrument toward the sample material, collecting secondary radiation emitted from the sample material, and generating the sample energy spectrum data based on the collected secondary radiation;
performing an analysis of the sample energy spectrum data;
determining a composition of the sample material based on the analysis of the sample energy spectrum data; and
recording in an electronic memory area at least one of the composition of the sample material and the geographical location information corresponding to the location of the sample material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for collecting and analyzing spectrum data to identify a composition of a sample material is described. The method includes obtaining a sample material, receiving a geographical location of the sample material at a handheld instrument, and analyzing the sample material to obtain sample spectrum data using the handheld instrument. The method also includes determining whether to perform an analysis of the sample spectrum data using the handheld instrument, or to perform the analysis of the sample spectrum data using a remote computer. The method also includes determining a composition of the sample material based on an analysis of the sample spectrum data and recording in a memory area at least one of the composition and the geographical location of the sample material.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for collecting and analyzing energy spectrum data to identify a composition of a sample material, said method comprising:
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receiving geographical location information, at a handheld instrument, corresponding to a location of the sample material; obtaining sample energy spectrum data by projecting a primary beam of radiation from an X-ray source included within the handheld instrument toward the sample material, collecting secondary radiation emitted from the sample material, and generating the sample energy spectrum data based on the collected secondary radiation; performing an analysis of the sample energy spectrum data; determining a composition of the sample material based on the analysis of the sample energy spectrum data; and recording in an electronic memory area at least one of the composition of the sample material and the geographical location information corresponding to the location of the sample material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for collecting and analyzing energy spectrum data used to identify a composition of a sample material, said system comprising:
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at least one handheld instrument comprising a processor, an X-ray source, a detector, an input device, and a wireless transmitter, said at least one handheld instrument configured to; receive geographical location information corresponding to a location of said at least one handheld instrument, obtain sample energy spectrum data associated with the sample material by projecting a primary beam of radiation from said X-ray source toward the sample material, collecting secondary radiation emitted from the sample material, and generating the sample energy spectrum data based on the collected secondary radiation, and process the sample energy spectrum data; and a computer located remotely from said at least one handheld instrument, said computer communicatively coupled to said at least one handheld instrument. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A handheld instrument for collecting and analyzing energy spectrum data to identify a composition of a sample material, said handheld instrument comprising:
- a spectrometer comprising an X-ray source positioned partially at least within said handheld instrument, a detector, and at least one processor, said spectrometer configured to obtain the energy spectrum data from the sample material;
a global positioning system (GPS) receiver coupled to said spectrometer, said GPS receiver configured to receive geographical information corresponding to a location of the sample material; and
a wireless transmitter coupled to said spectrometer, said transmitter configured to transmit data to at least one remote computer. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
- a spectrometer comprising an X-ray source positioned partially at least within said handheld instrument, a detector, and at least one processor, said spectrometer configured to obtain the energy spectrum data from the sample material;
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25. A handheld instrument for collecting and analyzing spectrum data to identify a composition of a sample material, said handheld instrument comprising:
- a processor;
an X-ray source within said handheld instrument, coupled to said processor, and configured to project a primary beam of radiation toward the sample material;
an energy dispersive detector coupled to said processor, said detector configured to collect secondary radiation emitted from the sample material and provide a detector signal to readout electronics which determine an energy dispersive spectrum of the collected secondary radiation;
a position indicating apparatus coupled to said processor and configured to provide geographical location information corresponding to a location of the sample material; and
a wireless transmitter coupled to said processor, said transmitter configured to transmit data to at least one remote computer, the transmitted data corresponding to at least one of the energy dispersive spectrum and the geographical location of the sample material. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
- a processor;
Specification