In one embodiment, an X-ray system (10) includes a handheld X-ray interface device (38). The handheld X-ray interface device (38) includes a wireless interface (76) for communicating with an imaging system (12) and a tracking device (144) configured to provide a location and/or to track movement of the handheld X-ray interface device (38) relative to the imaging system (12), wherein the location or tracked movement of the handheld X-ray interface device (38) is communicated to the imaging system (12) as an input for at least one control function of the imaging system (12).
