Apparatus for classifying a material by analyzing the material's surface, and related systems and method

A computer peripheral device, comprising:

• a first detector operable to capture a first image of a surface of a material;
• a processor coupled to the detector and operable to classify the material by analyzing the first image;
• wherein the material comprises a first medium having the surface;
• a first receptacle operable to receive the first medium;
• wherein the processor is operable to identify a type of the first medium by analyzing the first image;
• and
• a print mechanism operable to impart a printing agent onto the first medium according to a predetermined setting;
• wherein the processor is operable to adjust the predetermined setting according to the identified type of the first medium.

A computer system, comprising:

• a computer peripheral device including, a beam source operable to direct a beam of electromagnetic energy onto a surface of a material and a detector operable to capture an image of the surface of the material;
• and
• a processor coupled to the detector and operable to classify the material by analyzing the image;
• wherein the computer peripheral device comprises an optical navigation device and wherein the surface is a navigation surface on which the optical navigation device is disposed:
• wherein the processor is configured to tune predetermined settings pertaining to a cursor-control function of the optical navigation device in response to the classification of the material.