US Patent 7214955 Media recognition using a single light detector

Media type is detected. A light beam is produced. The intensity of a specular reflectance component of the light beam is detected. The specular reflectance component results from the light beam being reflected off media. An indication of detected intensity of the specular reflectance component is compared to a mapping to determine media type of the media. The mapping maps detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type. The mapping uses only the detected intensity of the specular reflectance component, and no other components of light, to map detected intensity of the specular reflectance component to media type.