Indicia Reader UV Safety Control via Periodic Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Indicia readers equipped with UV light sources pose a risk of excessive UV exposure, which can harm humans and certain materials, and existing solutions are not adequately equipped with safety features to prevent misuse and ensure safe operation.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and device that control the UV light source in indicia readers, activating it only when necessary and deactivating it if an exposure risk is detected, such as the presence of a human or expiration of a time period, to limit UV exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a UV light source is activated to illuminate invisible security marks for item verification, then the ability to detect and authenticate security marks is improved, but the risk of UV exposure harm to humans and materials increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UV light source is activated periodically only when security mark verification is required, rather than continuously. The system transitions between active UV illumination for verification and inactive state for normal operation, creating a periodic on-demand activation pattern that reduces cumulative UV exposure while maintaining verification capability when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates sensors that detect the presence of items requiring verification and provide feedback to the control logic. This feedback mechanism triggers UV activation only when necessary, and the system continuously monitors for exposure risk conditions (such as item removal or time thresholds) to dynamically adjust UV source operation, creating a closed-loop control system that balances verification needs with safety
2Reliability
If the UV light source remains activated for extended periods to ensure continuous verification capability, then the reliability of security detection is improved, but the duration of UV exposure and potential harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary classification of items using visible light scanning before activating the UV source. By pre-identifying items that require security verification through their visible indicia, the system prepares for selective UV activation only for relevant items, avoiding unnecessary prolonged UV exposure while maintaining verification reliability for authenticated items
Solution Approach 2:
The UV light source operation is made dynamic rather than static, with activation duration adjusted based on real-time conditions. The system extends UV activation only as long as needed for verification of authenticated items, and automatically deactivates when verification is complete or when exposure risk conditions arise, creating a dynamic operational pattern that adapts to verification needs while limiting exposure duration
3Ease of operation
If the indicia reader is designed with additional safety features and sensors to detect exposure risk, then the safety and ease of operation are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The safety detection functionality is merged with the existing indicia reading system. The same optical sensors and processing logic used for reading barcodes and classification are extended to detect security mark requirements and monitor verification status. This integration combines multiple functions (reading, classification, security detection, safety monitoring) into a unified system, reducing overall complexity compared to adding separate dedicated safety systems
Solution Approach 2:
The indicia reader system is designed with multi-functionality, where the same hardware components serve multiple purposes. The UV source serves both verification and safety indicator functions, the sensors detect both item presence and exposure risk conditions, and the control logic manages both verification operations and safety monitoring. This universal design reduces component count and system complexity while maintaining comprehensive safety capabilities
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces the risk of UV exposure, ensuring safer operation of indicia readers and preventing potential harm to humans and materials by activating and deactivating the UV light source based on detected risks.
Implementation Method 1
security marks may be printed using invisible ink that fluoresces visibly when illuminated with ultraviolet light
Data Source
AI summary
Indicia readers may be configured with two illumination light sources: a primary light source for illuminating primary indicia (e.g., a barcode) and a secondary ultraviolet (UV) light source for revealing secondary indicia (e.g., UV fluorescent watermarks) that are used to protect against counterfeit and fraud. Ultraviolet light can be harmful. The present invention embraces methods and a device for controlling the secondary UV light source to limit UV exposure. When an exposure risks is detected, the UV light source is deactivated.