Patent ID: 8579406

Claim:
An imaging device comprising: a media transport system configured to transport media along a media path; a plurality of devices positioned along the media path, each device in the plurality being configured to generate thermal energy that is at least partially absorbed by the media being transported along the media path; a print station positioned along the media path and configured to apply ink to a first side of the media to form images on the first side of the media; a spreader positioned along the media path and configured to apply pressure and heat to the media after the images are formed on the first side of the media; an image sensor positioned along the media path at a location between the print station and the spreader, the image sensor facing a second side of the media opposite from the first side of the media on which the images are formed, the image sensor being configured to direct light onto the second side of the media and generate a reflectance signal indicative of a reflectance of light from the second side of the media; and a controller operatively connected to the image sensor to receive the reflectance signal generated by the image sensor and detect a level of ink bleed-through in the media with reference to the reflectance signal, the controller being configured to adjust a print process parameter to alter the detected level of ink bleed-through without stopping print operations.