GB2559280A

GB2559280A - Indicia reader safety

Info

Publication number: GB2559280A
Application number: GB1804146.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: A Furlong John; Philip Kearney Sean
Original assignee: Hand Held Products Inc
Current assignee: Hand Held Products Inc
Priority date: 2015-09-30
Filing date: 2016-09-20
Publication date: 2018-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-20
Also published as: GB2544392A; GB201804146D0; GB2544392B; GB2559280B; GB201615961D0

Abstract

A method of scanning indicia where a primary light source 30 is activated to illuminate a primary indicia 3 on an item 2 and a secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source 40 is activated to illuminate a secondary-indicia 4 if the item's class matches at least one of the classes stored in a memory 60. The secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source may be deactivated upon detection of an exposure risk, such as detection of a human body part in the readers field of view. The primary light source may be a visible light source and the primary indicia may be visible under normal lighting conditions. The secondary indicia may visible when illuminated by the secondary UV light source but otherwise invisible. The primary indicia may be a barcode. The secondary indicia may be a security mark to prove the item's authenticity. The method may be used with an indicia reader 1 such as a hand-held imaging scanner or fixed-mount imaging scanner.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

US 6354501 B1 US 0669093 B1

US 20030169415 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CL G06K

Other: EPODOC, WPI, Patent Fulltext (71) Applicant(s):

Hand Held Products Incorporated (Incorporated in USA - New York)

9680 Old Bailes Road, Fort Mill 29707, South Carolina, United States of America (72) Inventor(s):

John A Furlong Sean Philip Kearney (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Patent Outsourcing Limited 1 King Street, BAKEWELL, Derbyshire, DE45 1DZ, United Kingdom (54) Title ofthe Invention: Indicia reader safety

Abstract Title: Indicia reader having secondary UV light source illuminated in response to indicia read by primary light source (57) A method of scanning indicia where a primary light source 30 is activated to illuminate a primary indicia 3 on an item 2 and a secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source 40 is activated to illuminate a secondary-indicia 4 if the item's class matches at least one ofthe classes stored in a memory 60. The secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source may be deactivated upon detection of an exposure risk, such as detection of a human body part in the reader’s field of view. The primary light source may be a visible light source and the primary indicia may be visible under normal lighting conditions. The secondary indicia may visible when illuminated by the secondary UV light source but otherwise invisible. The primary indicia may be a barcode. The secondary indicia may be a security mark to prove the item's authenticity. The method may be used with an indicia reader 1 such as a handheld imaging scanner or fixed-mount imaging scanner.

1/3

FIG.1

2/3

3/3

Application No. GB1804146.7

RTM

Date :30 May 2018

Intellectual

Property

Office

The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document:

HONEYWELL

Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

Indicia Reader Safety

Cross-Reference to Related Application [0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 62/234,985 for Indicia Reader Safety filed September 30, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to indicia readers and more specifically, to imaging scanners configured with an ultra-violet (UV) light source and a mechanism for limiting UV exposure .

Background [0003] Point of sale systems are used at checkout to tally items for payment, process the payment, and update the store's inventory. These systems have computing capabilities and often use multiple data collection devices.

[0004] One data collection device is the indicia reader (i.e., barcode scanner). Indicia readers are available in multiple varieties, and are commonly found at a retail store's point of sale (i.e., checkout). These readers can conveniently scan a variety of indicia types (e.g., barcodes) to obtain product information for use during the checkout process.

[0005] Besides barcodes, other information is often required at checkout. Sometimes, items require a customer to present some information for legal or security reasons. For example, a customer may be required to present proof of age/identity (e.g., a driver's license) to purchase alcohol or verify a credit card's ownership.

[0006] Unfortunately, sometimes the items presented at checkout may not be valid or authentic. Extra scrutiny and record keeping is increasingly required to prevent loss and/or liability. Failing to detect invalid or counterfeit items and/or create a record of verification could result in fines or loss.

[0007] Invisible security marks may be used for item verification. These security marks may be printed or affixed to items and may be detected and/or decoded by using some specialized process/device. For example, security marks may be printed using invisible ink that fluoresces visibly when illuminated with ultraviolet light.

[0008] Many of these extra processes take extra time and utilize special equipment. The extra time required for checkout may annoy both the customer and the merchant, and the special equipment may require extra space at checkout, which is not always available. What is more, overt security processes may bother some customers and may help violators understand and work around these processes.

[0009] As a result, indicia readers that can read indicia (e.g., barcodes) and record, authenticate, validate, and/or verify items at checkout have been suggested (e.g., U.S.

Patent application #14/662,922 for a MULTIFUNCTION POINT OF SALE SYSTEM which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety) .

[0010] These indicia readers utilize a UV light source to illuminate invisible security marks as part of a security process. In some possible embodiments, the indicia reader's UV source may be used inappropriately (e.g., pointed at a human, not deactivated after use, etc.). In these cases, the UV illumination may result in damage and/or harm. As a result, there exists a need for indicia readers having a UV light source also to have an automatic safety feature to limit UV exposure.

Summary [0011] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces a computer-implemented method for controlling an indicia reader's illumination. The method includes the step of activating a primary light source to illuminate a primary indicia on an item. The item's primary indicia is then scanned to produce primary indicia information. The item is then classified based on the primary-indicia information, and the item's class is compared to classes stored in a memory.

If the item's class matches one or more classes stored in the memory, then a secondary, ultra-violet (UV) light source is activated to illuminate a secondary indicia. The secondary UV light source is deactivated if an exposure risk to the secondary UV light source is detected or if the secondary indicia is scanned to produce secondary-indicia information.

[0012] In an exemplary embodiment of the computer-implemented method, the exposure risk includes the expiration of a timeperiod .

[0013] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the exposure risk includes the detection of a particular object in the indicia reader's field of view. In a possible embodiment, this particular object is a human or human body part, such as an eye.

[0014] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the exposure risk includes the detection of a particular substance in the indicia reader's field of view.

[0015] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the exposure risk includes a particular behavior in the indicia reader's field of view. In a possible embodiment, this particular behavior includes the item leaving the indicia reader's field of view.

[0016] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the indicia reader is a hand-held or fixed-mount imaging scanner.

[0017] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the item is an identification document.

[0018] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the secondary indicia is a security mark to prove the item's authenticity.

[0019] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the secondary indicia is visible when illuminated by the secondary UV light source but is otherwise invisible .

[0020] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the primary light source is a visible light source and the primary indicia is visible under normal lighting conditions.

[0021] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method, the primary indicia is a barcode.

[0022] In another aspect, the present invention embraces a computer-implemented method for limiting UV light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks. The method includes the step of determining that an item has one or more UV-sensitive security marks. A UV light source is then activated to read the UV-sensitive security marks. If a UV exposure risk is detected, then deactivating the UV light source.

[0023] In an exemplary embodiment of the computer-implemented method for limiting UV light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks, the exposure risk includes potential UV exposure of a human body par or an object/substance that is adversely affected by UV light.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method for limiting UV light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks, the UV exposure risk includes detecting that the item is no longer visible in the indicia reader's field of view.

[0025] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method for limiting UV light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks, the method includes two additional steps after the UV light source has been activated. The first additional step is scanning at least one UV-sensitive security mark, and the second additional step is recording the at least one UVsensitive security mark for further processing.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment of the computerimplemented method for limiting UV light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks, the method includes two additional steps after the UV light source has been activated. The first additional step is scanning at least one UV-sensitive security mark, and the second additional step is recording the at least one UVsensitive security mark for further processing. Here an exposure risk includes the expiration of a time-period in which no security marks have been scanned and recorded.

[0027] In another aspect, the present invention embraces an imaging indicia scanner. The indicia scanner includes a camera for capturing images of a field of view. The indicia scanner includes a primary illumination subsystem for illuminated the field of view to enable primary indicia scanning. The indicia scanner also includes a secondary UV illumination subsystem for illuminating the field of view to enable UV-sensitive indicia scanning. A memory for storing software and a database is included, wherein the database includes information corresponding to items that require UV5 sensitive indicia scanning. A processor is included as well. The processor is communicatively coupled to the camera, the primary illumination subsystem, the secondary UV illumination subsystem, and the memory. The processor is configured by software to perform a method. The method includes activating the primary illumination subsystem and the camera when triggered by a user. The primary indicia is then scanned to produce primary indicia information. This primary indicia information is compared to the database and if the primary indicia information matches at least a portion of the database, then the secondary UV illumination subsystem is activated. The secondary UV illumination subsystem is deactivated if (i) the UV-sensitive indicia have been scanned, (ii) an exposure risk has been detected, or (iii) a time period, in which no UV-sensitive indicia have been scanned and no exposure risks have been detected, has expired.

[0028] The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings .

Brief Description of the Drawings [0029] Figure 1 schematically depicts an indicia reader and its typical environment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 2a graphically depicts an indicia reader illuminating an object with a primary light source for indicia reading according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2b graphically depicts an indicia reader illuminating an object with a secondary UV light source for security mark reading according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 3a graphically depicts an indicia reader with an activated secondary UV light source according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3b graphically depicts an indicia reader with a deactivated secondary UV light source, which results from the detection of an exposure risk, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description [0034] The present invention embraces a method and device for limiting exposure from the UV radiation emitted from an indicia reader that is configured to read UV sensitive marks on items.

[0035] Indicia (e.g., lD-barcodes, QR codes, Aztec Codes, Data Matrix, text, etc.) may be affixed, printed, or otherwise attached to items to provide information regarding the item in a machine-readable format.

[0036] Indicia readers are devices for reading (i.e., scanning) indicia. Imaging indicia readers (i.e., imaging scanners, area-image scanners, imaging readers, etc.) may be hand-held (e.g., HONEYWELL™ XENON^tm 1900) or fixed mount (e.g. in-counter scanners).

[0037] To obtain the information encoded in an indicia, a user triggers an indicia reader (e.g., by pulling a trigger, by pointing an indicia reader in streaming mode at an indicia, etc.) to capture digital images of an indicium (i.e., an indicia). In some embodiments, the indicia reader may illuminate its field of view with a visible (i.e., white light) source during image capture, especially in low lighting conditions. Illuminating the items during imaging helps insure that the captured digital images suitable for processing.

[0038] After capture, the digital images are processed using algorithms running on a processor. The processor is either part of the indicia reader or part of a host device communicatively coupled to the indicia reader. At a minimum, the processor recognizes the indicia within the image and decodes the indicia according to the indicia's type (e.g., QR code, OCR, etc. ) .

[0039] Often items are marked with various indicia. In some cases, items include a primary indicia to provide certain information regarding the item and secondary indicia that helps verify/authenticate the item or the person bearing the item. These security marks may be invisible to a user without the use of some special illumination (e.g., ultraviolet illumination).

[0040] A UV light source may cause secondary indicia (i.e., security marks) created from UV sensitive materials (e.g., fluorescent dyes) to fluoresce visibly when exposed to UV light. For example, UV sensitive security marks may be included on currency, driver's licenses, passports, and postage stamps to prevent counterfeiting. Documents may also include UV sensitive security marks to prevent forgery.

light) in [0041] The UV light source emits UV radiation (i.e., a range of wavelengths about 100 nanometers (nm) to 400 nm at an intensity suitable for viewing a security mark. UV light sources may be special equipment dedicated to this purpose that are installed where security is necessary (e.g., a point of sale, a travel checkpoint, etc.). This special, singlepurposed equipment is not ideal in some locations. For example, point-of-sale (i.e., checkout) locations may have little space for additional equipment. In addition, this equipment is not well suited for mobile applications (e.g., logistics, shipping, etc.). Indicia readers (e.g., handheld indicia readers) configured to read both primary indicia and secondary indicia address these limitations.

[0042] Figure 1 schematically depicts an indicia reader for reading primary indicia (e.g., barcodes) and secondary indicia (e.g., UV sensitive security marks). The indicia reader 1 includes an illumination subsystem 20 for highlighting an item 2 for imaging, an imaging subsystem 10 for capturing digital images the item within a field of view 11, a processor 50 for controlling the indicia reader subsystems and for processing the captured images, and a computer readable memory 60 for storing information.

[0043] The illumination subsystem 20 includes a primary light source 30 that emits visible radiation 31 (e.g., light in the wavelength range of 400nm-700nm) when the indicia reader 1 is triggered (e.g., by pressing a trigger switch) to scan (i.e., read) a primary indicia 3. An exemplary primary light source may include one or more light emitting elements (e.g., light emitting diodes, laser diodes, etc.) directed and aligned with the field of view of the indicia reader's imaging subsystem 11.

[0044] The illumination subsystem 20 also includes a secondary UV light source 40 for illuminating UV sensitive indicia 4 with UV light 41. The UV light source 40 may include one or more UV light emitting diodes. The UV light source 40 is activated in one of a variety of ways. A user may activate the UV light source 40 manually (e.g., one or more pulls of a trigger). In the present invention, the UV light source 40 is activated in response to particular information from a scanned barcode. For example, an item's barcode may have encoded information that indicates that this item is part a particular class of items (e.g., passports) that have secondary indicia. After scanning the primary indicia, the indicia reader may compare the class of the scanned item with classes stored in a computer readable memory. A match may trigger the scanner to activate the secondary UV light source. Deactivation of the secondary UV light source may be accomplished manually by a user (e.g., releasing a trigger), or automatically (e.g., after a secondary indicia is scanned and recorded) .

[0045] The imaging subsystem 10 is designed to capture a digital image of a field of view 11 aligned with the illumination subsystem 20. To achieve this imaging, the imaging subsystem 10 may include an imaging lens or lenses to form a real image onto a sensor array. Optical filters may also be included to help remove stray light and/or enhance the visibility of a security mark. The sensor may be a color or monochromatic sensor. The sensor may use charge coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. For example, a sensor used for indicia reading may be a silicon CCD array, which is sensitive to visible wavelengths .

[0046] The processor 50 controls the indicia reader subsystems and processes the captured images. Exemplary processor types include one or more controllers, a digital signal processor (DSP), an image signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), and/or programmable logic controller (PLC). The processor detects and decodes indicia (e.g., one-dimensional (ID) barcodes, two-dimensional (2D) barcodes, color barcodes, etc.). The processor controls the subsystems and processes primary and secondary indicia.

[0047] The computer readable memory 60 stores information. Exemplary memory types for use in the indicia reader 1 include read only memory (ROM), flash memory, and/or a hard-drive.

The memory stores the necessary software, reference libraries, databases, item classes, and results for primary and secondary indicia reading and verification.

[0048] Figure 2a and Figure 2b graphically depict the use of an indicia reader configured with a primary light source and a secondary UV light source. Figure 2a illustrates the indicia reader illuminating the driver's license with a primary light source so that the driver's license barcode may be scanned. Figure 2b illustrates the indicia reader illuminating the driver's license with a secondary UV light source so that the security mark may be viewed and/or recorded with the imaging subsystem of the indicia reader.

[0049] There exists the potential for intentional or unintentional misuse of indicia readers configured with UV light sources. Misuse is a safety concern. UV radiation may be harmful to certain materials. For example, UV radiation may cause degradation (e.g., photo-oxidation). UV radiation may also be harmful to humans. For example, a human's skin and eyes are sensitive to damage (e.g., sunburn, skin cancer, photokeratitis, etc.) caused by UV radiation. Further, some skin conditions (e.g., rosacea) and diseases (e.g., lupus) may be aggravated by UV exposure.

[0050] Misuse can occur in a variety of ways. For example, the secondary UV light may be activated by a user (or automatically in response to a scan) but not deactivated before it the indicia reader is pointed away from the initial target and towards a human (e.g., the user's eye). In another example, the secondary UV light may be automatically in response to a barcode scan but not deactivated before it the indicia reader is pointed away from the initial target and towards a human (e.g., the user's eye). The misuse of the UV light source may present an exposure risk.

[0051] Exposure risks can be recognized by sensing certain characteristics or behaviors while the secondary UV light source is active. For example, the UV light remaining on for a time-period longer than a time limit may be recognized as an exposure risk. In another example, an object or human entering the imaging subsystem's field of view may be recognized as an exposure risk. In another example, a particular behavior, such as the item being removed from the field of view, may be recognized as an exposure risk. In another example, recognizing a particular substance that is adversely affected by UV light in the field of view may be recognized as an exposure risk. In still another example, recognizing that the primary indicia is not visible may be recognized as an exposure risk.

[0052] An exemplary embodiment of an indicia reader's use and misuse is shown if Figures 3A and 3B. Figure 3A shows the indicia reader 1 scanning a UV sensitive indicia 4 on a driver's license. The secondary UV light source is ON and radiating UV light 41 towards the item 2 to make the security mark 4 visible. Figure 3B show that during this operation a user 5 rotates the indicia reader 1 away from the item 2.

This action is detected as an exposure risk and UV light source 40 is turned OFF 42 (i.e., deactivated)as a result.

[0053] In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term and/or includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

[0054] Preferred Embodiments of the Present Invention are as numbered below:

1. A computer-implemented method for controlling an indicia reader's illumination, the method comprising:

activating a primary light source to illuminate a primary indicia on an item;

scanning the item's primary indicia to produce primaryindicia information;

classifying the item based on the primary-indicia information;

comparing the item's class to classes stored in a memory;

if the item's class matches at least one of the classes stored in the memory, then activating a secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source to illuminate a secondary indicia; and deactivating the secondary UV light source if:

(i) an exposure risk to the secondary UV light source is detected, or (ii) the secondary indicia is scanned to produce secondary-indicia information.

2. The method according to 1, wherein the exposure risk comprises the expiration of a time-period.

3. The method according to 1, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular object in the indicia reader's field of view.

obj ect

The method according to 3, wherein is a human or human body part.

5.

part is

The method according to 4, wherein an eye.

the particular the human body

6. The method according to 1, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular substance in the indicia reader's field of view.

7. The method according to 1, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular behavior in the indicia reader's field of view.

8. The method according to 7, wherein the particular behavior comprises the item leaving the indicia reader's field of view.

9. The method according to 1, wherein the indicia reader is a hand-held imaging scanner or fixed-mount imaging scanner.

10. The method according to 1, wherein the item is an identification document.

11. The method according to 1, wherein the secondary indicia is a security mark to prove the item's authenticity.

12. The method according to 1, wherein the secondary indicia is visible when illuminated by the secondary UV light source but is otherwise invisible.

13. The method according to 1, wherein the primary light source is a visible light source and the primary indicia is visible under normal lighting conditions.

14. The method according to 1, wherein the primary indicia is a barcode.

15. A computer-implemented method for limiting ultraviolet (UV) light exposure from an indicia reader configured to read UV sensitive security marks, the method comprising:

determining that an item has one or more UV-sensitive security marks;

activating a UV light source to read the UV-sensitive security marks; and if a UV exposure risk is detected, then deactivating the UV light source.

16. The method according to 15, wherein the UV exposure risk comprises potential UV exposure of (i) a human body part or (ii) an object/substance that is adversely affected by UV light.

17. The method according to 15, wherein the UV exposure risk comprises detecting that the item is no longer visible in the indicia reader's field of view.

18. The method according to 15, wherein after the UV light source is activated:

scanning at least one UV-sensitive security mark, and recording the at least one UV-sensitive security mark for further processing.

19. The method according to 18, wherein the UV exposure risk comprises an expiration of a time-period in which no security marks have been scanned and recorded.

20. An imaging indicia scanner, comprising:

a camera for capturing images of a field of view;

a primary illumination subsystem for illuminating the field of view to enable primary indicia scanning;

a secondary ultra-violet (UV) illumination subsystem for illuminating the field of view to enable UV-sensitive indicia scanning;

a memory for storing software and a database, wherein the database comprises information corresponding to items that require UV-sensitive indicia scanning;

a processor communicatively coupled to the camera, the primary illumination subsystem, the secondary UV illumination subsystem, and the memory, the processor configured by software to:

activate the primary illumination subsystem and the camera when triggered by a user;

scan the primary indicia to produce primary indicia information;

compare the primary indicia information to the database;

activate the secondary UV illumination subsystem if the primary indicia information matches at least a portion of the database; and deactivate the UV illumination subsystem after (i) the UV-sensitive indicia have been scanned, (ii) an exposure risk has been detected, or (iii) a time period, in which no UV-sensitive indicia have been scanned and no exposure risks have been detected, has expired.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

activating a primary light source to illuminate primaryindicia on an item;

scanning the item's primary indicia to produce primary indicia information with the primary light source to produce primary- indicia information;

comparing, a class associated with primary indicia information to one of more classes stored in a memory; and activating a secondary ultra-violet (UV) light source to illuminate a secondary-indicia if the item's class matches at least one of the classes stored in the memory.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising, deactivating the secondary UV light source upon occurrence of at least one of:

detection of an exposure risk by the secondary UV light source, and/or scanning of the secondary indicia with the secondary UV light source to produce secondary-indicia information.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular object in the indicia reader's field of view.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the particular object is a human or human body part.

5. The method according to claim 2, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular substance in the indicia reader's field of view.

6. The method according to claim 2, wherein the exposure risk comprises the detection of a particular behavior in the indicia reader's field of view.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the particular behavior comprises the item leaving the indicia reader's field of view.

8. An imaging indicia scanner, comprising: a camera for capturing images of a field of view;

scan the primary indicia with the primary illumination subsystem to produce primary indicia information;

compare the primary indicia information to the database;

activate the secondary UV illumination subsystem if the primary indicia information matches at least a portion of the database.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1804146.7 Examiner: Mr Rowland Hunt

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indicia reader is a hand-held imaging scanner or fixed-mount imaging scanner .

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary indicia is a security mark to prove the item's authenticity.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary indicia is visible when illuminated by the secondary UV light source but is otherwise invisible.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary light source is a visible light source and the primary indicia is visible under normal lighting conditions.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary indicia is a barcode.

13. A computer-implemented method comprising:

scanning an item with a primary light source of an indicia reader to obtain indicia information pertaining to the item;

determining at least in part from the indicia information that the item should have one or more UV-sensitive security marks;

activating a UV light source to read the UV-sensitive security marks; and deactivating the UV light source, upon activation based on occurrence of at least one of:

detection of an exposure risk by the secondary UV light source, scanning of the secondary indicia with the secondary UV light source to produce secondary-indicia information, and expiration of a pre-defined time-period.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the pre-defined time-period corresponds to one of: a time period required for scanning the secondary indicia, a time-period in which no UVsensitive indicia have been scanned and no exposure risks have been detected

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein after the UV light source is activated:

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the activating of the secondary UV light source of indicia reader is based on automatic activation depending on the indicia information.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein the UV exposure risk comprises potential UV exposure of (i) a human body part or (ii) an object/substance that is adversely affected by UV light.

18. The method according to claim 13, wherein the UV exposure risk comprises detecting that the item is no longer visible in the indicia reader's field of view.

19. The method according to claim 13, comprising, after the UV light source is activated:

scanning at least one UV-sensitive security mark; and recording the at least one UV-sensitive security mark for further processing.

20 .

exposure which no

The method according to claim 13, wherein the UV risk comprises an expiration of a time-period in security marks have been scanned and recorded.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

activating a primary light source to illuminate primary-indicia on an item;

scanning, with an indicia reader, the item's primary indicia to produce primary indicia information with the primary light source to produce primary-indicia information;

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2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the indicia reader is a hand-held imaging scanner or fixed-mount imaging scanner.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary indicia is a security mark to prove the item's authenticity.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the secondary indicia is visible when illuminated by the secondary UV hght source but is otherwise invisible.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary hght source is a visible hght source and the primary indicia is visible under normal lighting conditions.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the primary indicia is a barcode.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein after the UV light source is activated:

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