Xrf device with transfer assistance module

Abstract

A handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) device may include communication circuitry for communicating over a network. In some embodiments information related to sale and/or pricing of material identified by the XRF device is communicated by and/or to the XRF device. In some embodiments the XRF device communicates information regarding rental of the XRF device. In some embodiments the XRF device may be used to ascertain whether an item, for example an item of evidence or a particular item in a manufacturing environment, includes a material composition expected for the item, and in some embodiments storing or logging a result of such a determination.

1 . A handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) device, comprising:
 an x-ray source;   a detector for detecting a return signal;   circuitry for processing the return signal to determine material composition of a sample struck by x-rays of the x-ray source;   cellular communication circuitry;   a display; and   a processor configured by program instructions, the program instructions including program instructions to provide information regarding the material composition of the sample to the cellular communication circuitry for transmission.   
     
     
         2 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 1 , wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for receiving information regarding pricing of the sample, and formatting the information regarding pricing of the sample for display by the display. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 1 , wherein the information regarding the material composition of the sample comprises an identification of the material composition of the sample. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 3 , further comprising a geographic locator, and wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for providing a location of the sample along with the identification of the material composition of the sample to the cellular communication circuitry for transmission. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 4 , wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for providing an indication of quantity of the sample to the cellular communication circuitry for transmission. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 5 , wherein the indication of quantity is a weight. 
     
     
         7 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 1 , wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for determining if the information regarding the material composition of the sample matches an item identification. 
     
     
         12 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 11 , further comprising memory, and wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for storing a result of the determination of whether the material composition of the sample matches the item identification. 
     
     
         13 . The handheld XRF device of  claim 12 , wherein the program instructions further include program instructions for storing a time and/or place of activation of the x-ray source. 
     
     
         14 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A method of operation of a handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) device, comprising:
 receiving an item identification for an item, including an identification of material of the item;   activating an x-ray source of the handheld XRF device;   detecting a return signal;   processing the return signal to determine material composition of a sample struck by x-rays of the x-ray source;   determining whether the material composition of the sample matches the identification of material of the item; and   storing a result of the determination of whether the material composition of the sample matches the identification of material of the item.