Abstract: A method of controlling in a printer the maintenance of an inkjet printhead supplied with fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, the method includes the steps of (a) monitoring the usage of the plurality of fluid sources; (b) identifying a preferred fluid source for use in a maintenance operation based on the monitored usage of the plurality of fluid sources; and (c) performing the maintenance operation using a first quantity of fluid from the preferred fluid source.

Abstract: A printing system includes a movable tray for holding recording media. The movable tray includes spaced-apart reference marks for determining distance traveled by the tray. A reference-mark optical detector is positioned to provide a field of view through which the reference marks pass. An identifying-mark optical detector provides a field of view through which media-type identifying marks on a piece of recording medium pass. A signal processor provides an output relative to: a) amount of reference marks passing through the field of view of the reference-mark optical detector, and b) signal variation in a signal provided by the identifying-mark optical detector. A look-up table includes media identification signal patterns that are correlated to corresponding media types. Finally, a comparator compares the output of the signal processor to the media identification signal patterns in the look-up table in order to identify type of recording medium.

Abstract: A method of controlling in a printer the maintenance of an inkjet printhead supplied with fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, the method includes the steps of (a) monitoring the usage of the plurality of fluid sources; (b) identifying a preferred fluid source for use in a maintenance operation based on the monitored usage of the plurality of fluid sources; and (c) performing the maintenance operation using a first quantity of fluid from the preferred fluid source.

Abstract: A printing system includes a movable tray for holding recording media. The movable tray includes spaced-apart reference marks for determining distance traveled by the tray. A reference-mark optical detector is positioned to provide a field of view through which the reference marks pass. An identifying-mark optical detector provides a field of view through which media-type identifying marks on a piece of recording medium pass. A signal processor provides an output relative to: a) amount of reference marks passing through the field of view of the reference-mark optical detector, and b) signal variation in a signal provided by the identifying-mark optical detector. A look-up table includes media identification signal patterns that are correlated to corresponding media types. Finally, a comparator compares the output of the signal processor to the media identification signal patterns in the look-up table in order to identify type of recording medium.