Image forming devices and methods of forming hard images

An image forming device comprising:

• a housing including a media path arranged to guide media;
• an interface configured to implement communications externally of the image forming device;
• a plurality of media supplies individually configured to supply sheet media having encoded data;
• a plurality of first sensors individually associated with a respective one of the media supplies and configured to obtain encoded data from the respective media and to output a signal indicative of the encoded data;
• a second sensor configured to monitor at least one ambient condition within the environment of the image forming device and to output a signal indicative of the at least one ambient condition;
• an image engine configured to print hard images upon the media according to an imaging parameter;
• storage circuitry configured to store a plurality of settings for the imaging parameter and corresponding to a plurality of respective media types;
• and
• control circuitry configured to access at least one setting from the storage circuitry responsive to the signals from at least one of the first sensors and the second sensor and to control adjustment of the imaging parameter responsive to the at least one setting, and to generate a message identifying a brand and type of media, and to apply the message to the interface for communication to a host device coupled with the interface to display the brand and the type of media using the host device.

A method of forming hard images comprising:

• moving media along a media path of an image forming device;
• forming hard images upon the media using the image forming device;
• retrieving encoded data from the media using the image forming device;
• and
• performing at least one function with respect to the media using the image forming device responsive to the encoded data.