Spectrum searching method that uses non-chemical qualities of the measurement

A method for determining the most likely composition of a sample, comprising:

• obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• determining the most likely composition of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates;
• and
• displaying the most likely composition of the sample to a user.

A method for determining the most likely classification of a sample, comprising:

• obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• wherein the data for each of at least some of the library candidates further comprises the identification of a class to which the library candidate belongs;
• determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to each library candidate using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• determining the most likely classification of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to each library candidate;
• and
• displaying the most likely classification of the sample to a user.

A method for determining the most likely classification of a sample, comprising:

• obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• wherein the data for each of at least some of the library candidates further comprises the identification of a class to which the library candidate belongs;
• determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• determining the most likely classification of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates;
• and
• displaying the most likely classification of the sample to a user.

A system for determining the most likely composition of a sample, comprising:

• apparatus for obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• apparatus for determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• apparatus for providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• apparatus for determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to each library candidate using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• apparatus for determining the most likely composition of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to each library candidate;
• and
• apparatus for displaying the most likely composition of the sample to a user.

A system for determining the most likely composition of a sample, comprising:

• apparatus for obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• apparatus for determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• apparatus for providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• apparatus for determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• apparatus for determining the most likely composition of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates;
• and
• apparatus for displaying the most likely composition of the sample to a user.

A system for determining the most likely classification of a sample, comprising:

• apparatus for obtaining data from a sample, wherein the data comprises a representation of a measured spectrum;
• apparatus for determining a precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• apparatus for providing a plurality of library candidates and, for each library candidate, providing data representing each library candidate, wherein the data comprises a representation of a library spectrum;
• wherein the data for each of at least some of the library candidates further comprises the identification of a class to which the library candidate belongs;
• apparatus for determining a representation of the similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates using (i) the representation of the measured spectrum;
• (ii) the precision state of the representation of the measured spectrum;
• and (iii) the representation of the library spectrum for that library candidate;
• apparatus for determining the most likely classification of the sample based upon the determined representation of similarity of the sample to a mixture of library candidates;
• and
• apparatus for displaying the most likely classification of the sample to a user.