Personal radiation detector and method of operation of same

A method of operation of a personal radiation detector comprising the steps of:

• constantly detecting an environment contamination level using a scintillation sensor;
• constantly calculating an ionizing radiation level of the detected contamination level;
• issuing a warning in response to the ionizing radiation level exceeding a preset level;
• periodically recording records of the calculated ionizing radiation levels at predetermined periodic recording times;
• issuing an alert signal and storing the current value in response to one of a current value and an accumulated value of the ionizing radiation level exceeding an established criterion level without waiting for a periodic recording time;
• and
• automatically transferring the stored data to a computer for processing of the data for identification and saving,
• wherein the transfer of the stored data occurs upon connection of a detector to the computer, the detector being configured as a plug-and-play device.

A palm-size personal radiation detector comprising:

• an ionizing radiation scintillation sensor that detects radiation spectrum and produces signals corresponding to the spectrum;
• a microcontroller capable of receiving the signals and analyzing the spectrum and the radioisotopes that emit the radiation;
• a power supply connected to the microcontroller and to the radiation sensor;
• a housing enclosing the sensor, the microcontroller, and the power supply, the housing having a form factor that substantially fits in a human palm;
• a display on the housing showing information about the detected radiation, the display being controlled by the microprocessor;
• and
• an interface for connecting the microcontroller to a computer,
• wherein the personal radiation detector can operate without being connected to the computer, and
• wherein, when connected to the computer, the detector acts as a plug-and-play device.