Portable scanning device for ascertaining attributes of sample materials

A method comprising:

• capturing an image of a sample material contained in an enclosed chamber of a portable scanning device,
• wherein the image is captured by a camera device of a mobile device
• disposed on an exterior surface of the portable scanning device, and
• wherein the sample material is staged on a floor of the enclosed chamber;
• and
• ascertaining an attribute of the sample material based on the image.

A portable scanning device comprising:

• a chamber configured as a controlled environment for capturing an image of a sample material contained in the chamber;
• an openable member configured to enable access to the chamber for receiving the sample material, wherein ambient light of an environment external to the chamber is blocked from the chamber when the openable member is closed;
• a surface inside the chamber configured to stage the sample material for capturing the image of the sample material;
• and
• an imaging device configured to capture the image of the sample material when disposed on the surface inside the chamber.