1. An indicia reader, comprising an image sensor having a plurality of pixels for detecting light; a light filter positioned in front of the image sensor so that infrared light is (i) blocked from a first portion of the plurality of pixels and (ii) not blocked from a second portion of the plurality of pixels; and a processor configured by software to: (i) receive pixel information from the image sensor, (ii) capture image information and read indicia using the pixel information received from the first portion of the plurality of pixels, and (iii) perform at least one auxiliary function comprising object detection using, at least in part, pixel information comprising detected infrared light received from the second portion of the plurality of pixels.