Patent ID: 6121989
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: B41J,B65H

Abstract:
A method for discriminating a printing surface of a printing medium in a printer, said medium comprising at least a paper and a transparency, said transparency having at a trailing end thereof a printing surface discriminating region comprising a first region with a first detectable characteristic and a second region with a second detectable characteristic different from said first characteristic, said method comprising the steps of:a) supplying said printing medium to a position where a capstan roller and a pinch roller are engaged;b) determining the type of printing medium;c) performing a printing process when said printing is paper;d) performing a process for discriminating the printing surface when said printing medium is a transparency said discriminating process comprising advancing said print medium a predetermined distance, to a location proximate said trailing end, and thereafter detecting whether or not a first characteristic is present;e) performing a printing process when the printing surface of said transparency is properly supplied as indicated by the presence of said first characteristic by said discriminating process, andf) performing a self diagnosis function when the printing surface of said transparency is not properly supplied.