1. A method of feeding ink sticks in an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device, the method comprising: inserting at least one ink stick into an ink loader of a phase change ink imaging device, the at least one ink stick including a plurality of code element patterns formed in an exterior surface of the ink stick, each code element pattern having a plurality of code elements that include a first code element identifying a beginning of a code element pattern and a second code element identifying an end of a code element pattern, each code element pattern being configured to generate a same coded signal pattern; urging the ink stick toward a melt device; actuating at least one sensor in the imaging device with the plurality of code element patterns to generate a predetermined coded pattern of signals; and comparing the predetermined coded pattern of signals to identify a code word.
10. The method of claim 1 further comprising: directing light at a code element pattern; reflecting the directed light to the sensor at one intensity with the first code element and the second code element; and reflecting the directed light to the sensor at a different intensity with the other code elements in the code element pattern.