Method, apparatus, and computer program product for programmatically performing media detection utilizing a dual sensor media detection system

A method for determining whether a media object is present in a media detection apparatus, the method comprising:

• activating a first emitter, the first emitter being a part of a first sensor, the first sensor further comprised of a first detector, the first sensor positioned such that the first emitter is positioned to emit electromagnetic energy toward a media path and the first detector is positioned to receive electromagnetic energy emitted from the first emitter and reflected off a first side of a media, the first sensor configured to provide a first detection signal in an instance in which electromagnetic energy is received by the first detector;
• in response to activation of the first emitter, determining a media present status in an instance in which a first detection signal is received from the first sensor;
• activating a second emitter, the second emitter being a part of a second sensor, the second sensor further comprised of a second detector, the second sensor positioned such that the second emitter is positioned to emit electromagnetic energy toward the media path and the second detector is positioned to receive the electromagnetic energy emitted from the second emitter and reflected off a second side of the media, the first detector of the first sensor positioned to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted by the second emitter of the second sensor when media is absent from the media path, the second sensor configured to provide a second detection signal in an instance in which electromagnetic energy is received by the second detector;
• in response to activation of the second emitter, determining a media present status in an instance in which in which a second detection signal is received from the second sensor or in an instance in which the first detection signal is not received from the first sensor;
• and
• in an instance in which the media present status is determined, reporting the presence of the media.

A printer comprising:

• a dual sensor media detection system and control circuitry,
• the dual sensor media detection system comprising:
• a first sensor comprised of a first emitter and a first detector, the first sensor disposed on a first side of a media path;
• a second sensor comprised of a second emitter and a second detector, the second sensor disposed on a second side of the media path,
• wherein the first detector of the first sensor is positioned to receive electromagnetic energy transmitted by the second emitter of the second sensor when media is absent from the media path, and
• wherein the second sensor is positioned offset from the first sensor, and
• the control circuitry configured to:
• activate at least one of the first emitter and the second emitter to transmit electromagnetic energy;
• in response to activation of the first emitter, determine a media present status by determining if the first sensor provides the first signal;
• in response to activation of the second emitter, determine a media present status by determining if the second sensor provides the second signal or if the first signal fails to provide the first signal;
• and
• in an instance in which the media present status is determined, reporting the presence of the media.