Ink stick identification system

摘要

A solid ink stick identification system (100) enables accurate and efficient identification of solid ink sticks (150) in a solid ink imaging device (180). The solid ink identification system includes an actuator (120) configured to move one of an optical source (104) and an optical sensor (108) between a plurality of predetermined positions. The optical source (104) emits light toward a face of the ink stick, and the optical sensor (108) generates signals corresponding to an amount of reflected light received. A controller (140) identifies features on the solid ink stick based on the signals as the one of the optical source and optical sensor is moved between the plurality of predetermined positions.