Abstract: Provided herein are accessories for measuring a small sample using an optical spectrometer. A small sample accessory may include a sample holder to hold a small sample in optical communication with an optical spectrometer and a shell configured to reflect light from an illumination source away from the optical spectrometer.

Abstract: A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Abstract: A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Abstract: Accessories for improving sensitivity or efficiency of optical spectrometers and methods for utilizing such accessories are disclosed.

Abstract: A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Abstract: A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Abstract: The spectrometer methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide improved accuracy and can better accommodate variability among spectrometer systems and associated components. In many instances one or more of a calibration cover, an accessory, or a spectrometer are each associated with a unique identifier and corresponding calibration data. The calibration data associated with the unique identifiers can be stored in a database used to determine spectral information from measurements of objects obtained with individual spectrometer devices. The spectrum of the object can be determined in response to the unique identifiers and associated calibration data in order to provide improved accuracy and decreased cost.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for providing an improved Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI)-based spectrometer are disclosed herein. The improved FPI-based spectrometer may comprise one or more of a variety of improvements to allow improved sensitivity while retaining high spectral resolution, to limit the susceptibility to stray light, and to limit the degradation in performance due to temporal instabilities in the light source.

Abstract: A handheld spectrometer can be configured with a visible aiming beam to allow the user to determine the measured region of the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises the spectrometer measurement beam, the spectrometer measurement beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see the measurement beam illuminating the object. When the visible aiming beam comprises a separate beam, the visible aiming beam comprises sufficient energy for the user to see a portion of the aiming beam reflected from the object. The visible aiming beam and measurement beam can be arranged to at least partially overlap on the sample, such that the user has an indication of the area of the sample being measured.

Abstract: The spectrometer methods and apparatus disclosed herein provide improved accuracy and can better accommodate variability among spectrometer systems and associated components. In many instances one or more of a calibration cover, an accessory, or a spectrometer are each associated with a unique identifier and corresponding calibration data. The calibration data associated with the unique identifiers can be stored in a database used to determine spectral information from measurements of objects obtained with individual spectrometer devices. The spectrum of the object can be determined in response to the unique identifiers and associated calibration data in order to provide improved accuracy and decreased cost.

Abstract: A system that includes a toy that includes a RFID reader capable of interacting with RFID tags and a communication interface for exchanging signals with a computerized entity; and a computer readable medium having stored thereon a set of instructions, the set of instructions, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to interact with the toy. A system that includes a toy that includes a RFID reader capable of interacting with RFID tags and a communication interface for exchanging signals with a computerized entity; and a computerized entity adapted to interact with the toy.

Abstract: A system that includes a wireless transmitter and a RFID antenna array adapted to transmit information representative of RFID tags located within the RFID antenna array reception area. A toy that includes an RFID reader adapted to interact with RFID tags; and an interface for allowing the toy to exchange signals with a computerized entity. A system that includes multiple toys adapted to interact with each other; wherein each toy comprises a RFID reader and an interface for exchanging signals, directly or indirectly with another toy.