Patent ID: 6998628

Claim:
A method of media type differentiation, comprising the steps of: providing a media sensor including a specular detector that provides a specular signal output having a signal level related to an amount of a reflected specular light received; providing a highly reflective surface positioned to face said media sensor, said highly reflective surface being positioned with respect to said media sensor such that said specular detector detects specular light reflections from said highly reflective surface; interposing a print media sheet between said media sensor and said highly reflective surface, said print media sheet being one of a transparency media sheet and a high glossy media sheet, said print media sheet being positioned with respect to said media sensor such that said specular detector detects specular light reflections from said print media sheet; using said media sensor to measure a first amount of said reflected specular light and determining a first signal level of said specular signal output of said specular detector; and using said first signal level to differentiate said print media sheet as being one of said transparency media sheet or said high glossy media sheet.