Web-based imaging service supporting specialized media detected through multipurpose tray

Abstract

Specialized encoded media are detected when inserted into the multipurpose paper input tray of the printer. Each specialized media is displayed in a list of available media provided by the web-based imaging service. Graphics representing each of the specialized media are downloaded e.g., from a site on the Internet accessed through information encoded on the specialized media, and are displayed to provide a preview of the user's image data superimposed in register on an image of the specialized media. In a variation, the multipurpose tray includes an integral bar code scanner that automatically identifies the specialized media. Among other variations, the multipurpose tray uses the motion of insertion to scan the specialized media, and inks “visible” only through infrared scanning mechanisms are encoded on the media.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.