Patent ID: 7205561
Filing Date: 2007-04-17
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. An imaging apparatus, comprising: a media support surface, and a first normal line extending perpendicular to a plane of said media support surface; a light source positioned at a first angle with respect to said first normal line, said light source producing a light beam; a light detector positioned at a second angle with respect to said first normal line, said light source and said light detector being positioned on opposite sides of said first normal line, said light detector providing an output; a reflective surface formed near said media support surface, and a second normal line extending perpendicular to said reflective surface, said first normal line and said second normal line being non-parallel, said reflective surface being formed at a third angle with respect to said plane of said media support surface, said light source and said light detector being positioned in relation to said reflective surface such that when a sheet of print media covers said reflective surface, a reflected specular light component of said light beam is received by said light detector, and when said reflective surface is not covered, said reflective surface directs the reflected specular light component of said light beam away from said light detector, said output of said light detector providing an indication of a presence or an absence of said sheet of print media, wherein a signal strength of said output from said light detector when receiving a diffuse light component reflected from said reflective surface is less than the signal strength of said output from said light detector when receiving the reflected specular light component that is reflected from a low reflectance print media.