Recording medium storage device and image forming apparatus

Abstract

The invention discloses a recording medium storage device and an image forming apparatus, the recording medium storage device includes: a storage portion that stores a loaded recording medium; a blowing unit that blows a gas to the recording medium housed in the housing part; and an imaging unit that is provided so as to be movable in a loading direction of the recording medium housed in the housing unit, and that captures an image of the recording medium to which the gas is blown by the blowing unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a recording medium storage device and an image forming device. Background Art

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-024868 discloses a sheet supply device including an air blowing unit for blowing air onto a sheet bundle to float a top sheet, and a conveying unit for sucking the top sheet floated by the air blowing unit and conveying it in a conveying direction. Summary of the invention

[0003] By using the imaging unit to image the recording medium on which the gas is blown, the condition of the recording medium on which the gas is blown can be understood.

[0004] Here, depending on the state of the recording medium to which the gas is blown, there is a possibility that the recording medium is photographed with the photographing section located at a position away from the originally planned position.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to make the position of an imaging unit closer to an originally predetermined position, compared with a configuration in which the position of an imaging unit that captures an image of a recording medium on which gas is blown cannot be changed.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium storage device comprising: a storage portion for storing loaded recording media; a blowing unit for blowing gas toward the recording medium stored in the storage portion; and a photographing portion, the photographing portion being movably arranged in a loading direction of the recording medium stored in the storage portion, for photographing the recording medium being blown with gas by the blowing unit.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the recording medium storage device according to the first aspect further comprises a moving unit having a driving source and moving the imaging unit in the loading direction.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the second aspect, there is also a processor for controlling the moving unit, and the recording media are loaded in the storage section in an arrangement along the up and down direction. The processor controls the moving unit so that the photographic section is located on an extended surface of the first recording medium from the top among the multiple recording media stored in the storage section.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device according to the third aspect, the processor positions the imaging unit on an extended surface of the first recording medium that is in a floating state due to the blowing of gas by the blowing unit.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the recording medium storage device according to the second aspect further comprises a processor for controlling the moving unit, wherein the processor controls the moving unit based on a photographic image obtained by the photographing unit.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device according to the fifth aspect, the processor controls the moving unit based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the sixth aspect,

[0013] The processor controls the moving unit based on the position of the recording medium satisfying a specific condition among the recording media projected on the photographic image.

[0014] According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the seventh aspect, the recording media are loaded in the storage portion in an arranged manner along the up and down direction, and the processor controls the moving unit based on the position of the recording medium that is located at the top in the photographic image among the recording media projected on the photographic image, i.e., the topmost recording medium.

[0015] According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the eighth aspect, the processor controls the driving of the movable unit to move the photographic part when the distance between the topmost recording medium projected on the photographic image and a predetermined reference position in the photographic image is larger than a predetermined distance.

[0016] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the fifth aspect, the processor controls the moving unit based on an inclination angle of a side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

[0017] According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the tenth aspect, the processor controls the moving unit based on the inclination angle of the edge of the recording medium that meets specific conditions in the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

[0018] According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the eleventh aspect, the recording media are loaded in the storage portion in an arranged manner along the up and down direction, and the processor controls the moving unit based on the inclination angle of the edge of the recording medium projected on the photographic image, that is, the topmost recording medium in the photographic image.

[0019] According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the twelfth aspect, the processor controls the driving of the movable unit to move the photographic unit when the inclination angle of the edge of the topmost recording medium projected on the photographic image is larger than a predetermined angle.

[0020] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device according to the first aspect, a processor is further provided for specifying a movement amount of the imaging unit in a state where movement in the loading direction is required.

[0021] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device according to the fourteenth aspect, the processor specifies the movement amount based on a photographic image obtained by the photographing unit.

[0022] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device according to the fifteenth aspect, the processor specifies the movement amount based on a position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

[0023] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, in the recording medium storage device based on the fifteenth aspect, the processor specifies the movement amount based on an inclination angle of a side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

[0024] According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming device comprising: a recording medium storage device for storing recording media; and an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium fed from the recording medium storage device, the recording medium storage device being constituted by including the recording medium storage device of any one of the first to seventeen aspects.

[0025] (Effect)

[0026] According to the first aspect, the position of the imaging unit can be brought closer to the originally predetermined position, compared with a configuration in which the position of the imaging unit that captures the image of the recording medium on which the gas is blown cannot be changed.

[0027] According to the second aspect, compared with a configuration in which the imaging unit is manually moved in the recording medium loading direction, the workload of the user who moves the imaging unit in the recording medium loading direction can be reduced.

[0028] According to the third aspect, compared with the case where the photographic unit is located at a position away from the extended surface of the first recording medium from the top of the multiple recording media stored in the storage unit, the accuracy of judging whether the first recording medium and the second recording medium located below the first recording medium overlap can be improved.

[0029] According to the fourth aspect, compared with a case where the imaging unit is located away from the extended surface of the first recording medium in a floating state, the accuracy of determining whether the first recording medium and the second recording medium located below the first recording medium overlap can be improved.

[0030] According to the fifth aspect, the number of sensors to be installed can be reduced compared to a case where the moving unit is controlled based on an output from a dedicated sensor for identifying the status of the recording medium provided separately from the imaging unit.

[0031] According to the sixth aspect, the number of sensors to be provided can be reduced compared to a case where the moving unit is controlled based on an output from a dedicated sensor provided separately from the imaging unit and for specifying the position of the recording medium.

[0032] According to the seventh aspect, the imaging unit can be moved according to the position of a specific recording medium among the recording media to which the gas is blown.

[0033] According to the eighth aspect, the imaging unit can be moved according to the position of the uppermost recording medium in the photographed image among the recording media to which the gas is blown.

[0034] According to the ninth aspect, when the uppermost recording medium in the photographed image among the recording media to which the gas is blown is away from the preset reference position, the photographing unit can be moved.

[0035] According to the tenth aspect, the position of the imaging unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0036] According to the eleventh aspect, the position of the imaging unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of a specific recording medium among the recording media projected on the photographed image.

[0037] According to the twelfth aspect, the position of the imaging unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of the uppermost recording medium among the recording media projected on the photographed image.

[0038] According to the thirteenth aspect, when the uppermost recording medium among the recording media projected on the photographic image has a side with a large inclination angle and is likely to be away from the photographing unit, the position of the photographing unit can be changed.

[0039] According to the fourteenth aspect, the movement amount of the imaging unit in the state where the imaging unit needs to be moved in the loading direction can be identified.

[0040] According to the fifteenth aspect, the number of sensors to be provided can be reduced compared to a case where the movement amount of the imaging section is specified based on the output from a dedicated sensor for specifying the state of the recording medium provided separately from the imaging section.

[0041] According to the sixteenth aspect, the movement amount of the imaging unit that needs to be moved can be specified based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0042] According to the seventeenth aspect, the movement amount of the imaging unit that needs to be moved can be specified based on the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0043] According to the eighteenth aspect, the position of the imaging unit can be brought closer to the originally predetermined position, compared with a configuration in which the position of the imaging unit that captures the image of the recording medium on which the gas is blown cannot be changed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0044] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram showing an image forming apparatus;

[0045] Figure 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of hardware of a control unit;

[0046] Figure 3 (A)~ Figure 3 (D) is a diagram for explaining the suction part;

[0047] Figure 4 is from Figure 3 A stereoscopic view of the suction portion when viewed from the direction of arrow IV in (A);

[0048] Figure 5 is from Figure 3 A diagram of the paper storage device when viewed from the direction of arrow V in (A);

[0049] Figure 6 This is a diagram showing the suction portion and the front end side blowing device when viewed from the side of the paper bundle;

[0050] Figure 7 is from Figure 3 A diagram of the suction portion when viewed from the direction of arrow VII in (B);

[0051] Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the moving mechanism;

[0052] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing another structural example of the moving mechanism;

[0053] Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 (C) is a diagram showing a state of a sheet of paper being blown by air from a side blowing device;

[0054] Fig.11 (A)~ Fig.11 (D) is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the photographic unit and the photographic image;

[0055] Fig.12 is a diagram for explaining control of a moving mechanism based on an inclination angle of a side of a paper;

[0056] Fig.13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing performed by the CPU;

[0057] Fig.14 This is a diagram showing a photographing unit and a bundle of paper sheets in a floating state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0058] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0059] Figure 1 1 is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0060] Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 1 shown is a so-called tandem intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with an image forming section 1A that forms an image on a sheet P as an example of a recording medium.

[0061] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a paper storage device 200 that stores paper P. The image forming unit 1A forms an image on the paper P fed out from the paper storage device 200 .

[0062] In the image forming section 1A as an example of the image forming unit, a plurality of image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K are provided for forming toner images of respective color components by electrophotography.

[0063] The image forming section 1A is provided with a primary transfer section 10 for sequentially transferring the toner images of the respective color components formed by the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K onto the intermediate transfer belt 15. The image forming section 1A is also provided with a secondary transfer section 20 for collectively transferring the superimposed toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 onto the paper P.

[0064] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a fixing device 60 that fixes the toner image secondarily transferred onto the paper P onto the paper P.

[0065] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 240 that controls the operation of each unit and a UI (User Interface) 70 that receives information from a user and displays the information to the user.

[0066] The UI 70 is constituted by a touch panel, for example, and has a receiving function for receiving information from a user and a display function for displaying information. Alternatively, a device for realizing the receiving function and a device for realizing the display function may be provided separately.

[0067] Figure 2 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of hardware of the control unit 240. The control unit 240 is implemented by a computer.

[0068] The control unit 240 includes a calculation processing unit 11 that executes digital calculation processing according to a program and a secondary storage unit 91 that stores information.

[0069] The secondary storage unit 91 is realized by an existing information storage device such as a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a semiconductor memory, or a magnetic tape.

[0070] The calculation processing unit 11 includes a CPU 11 a as an example of a processor.

[0071] The calculation processing unit 11 is provided with a RAM 11 b used as a working memory or the like of the CPU 11 a , and a ROM 11 c storing programs or the like executed by the CPU 11 a .

[0072] The arithmetic processing unit 11 is provided with a nonvolatile memory 11 d which is rewritable and can retain data even when power supply is interrupted.

[0073] The nonvolatile memory 11 d is composed of, for example, a battery-backed SRAM or a flash memory, etc. Various information such as programs executed by the arithmetic processing unit 11 is stored in the secondary storage unit 91 .

[0074] In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 a of the arithmetic processing unit 11 reads a program stored in the ROM 11 c or the secondary storage unit 91 to execute various processes performed in the image forming apparatus 1 .

[0075] The program executed by the CPU 11a can be provided to the image forming apparatus 1 in a state stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as a magnetic recording medium (a magnetic tape, a magnetic disk, etc.), an optical recording medium (an optical disk, etc.), an optical magnetic recording medium, a semiconductor memory, etc. In addition, the program executed by the CPU 11a can also be provided to the image forming apparatus 1 using a communication unit such as the Internet.

[0076] In this specification, the processor refers to a processor in a broad sense, including general-purpose processors (such as CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.), special-purpose processors (such as GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic devices, etc.).

[0077] In addition, the actions of the processor may be performed by a single processor or by cooperation of multiple processors located in physically separate locations. In addition, the order of the actions of the processors is not limited to the order described in this embodiment and may be changed.

[0078] Reference Figure 1 The image forming apparatus 1 will be further described.

[0079] The following devices are provided in each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K.

[0080] First, a charger 12 for charging the photosensitive drum 11 is provided around the photosensitive drum 11 rotating in the direction of arrow A. An exposure device 13 for writing an electrostatic latent image is provided on the photosensitive drum 11. Furthermore, a developer 14 for developing the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with toner is provided.

[0081] In addition, each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is provided with a primary transfer roller 16 that transfers the toner images of the respective color components formed on the photosensitive drum 11 in the primary transfer section 10 onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0082] In addition, each of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K is provided with a drum cleaner 17 for removing residual toner and the like on the photosensitive drum 11 .

[0083] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is Figure 1 The machine moves in a circular motion in the direction of arrow B at a preset speed.

[0084] The primary transfer section 10 includes a primary transfer roller 16 disposed opposite to the photosensitive drum 11 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the toner images on the respective photosensitive drums 11 are sequentially electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 , and overlapping toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0086] The secondary transfer section 20 includes a secondary transfer roller 22 and a backup roller 25 which are disposed on the outer peripheral surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and face each other.

[0087] The secondary transfer roller 22 is in pressure contact with the backup roller 25 with the intermediate transfer belt 15 interposed therebetween. A voltage is applied between the secondary transfer roller 22 and the backup roller 25. In the present embodiment, the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is transferred to the paper P conveyed to the secondary transfer unit 20.

[0088] In the present embodiment, image data is output to the image forming apparatus 1 from an image reading device, a personal computer (PC), or the like (not shown).

[0089] The image data is subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown) to generate image data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K. The image data is output to the exposure device 13 provided for each color.

[0090] In the exposure device 13 , exposure beams Bm emitted from semiconductor lasers are irradiated onto the photosensitive drums 11 of the image forming units 1Y, 1M, 1C, and 1K, for example, based on the input image data.

[0091] The exposure of the photosensitive drum 11 by the exposure device 13 is not limited to the exposure using a semiconductor laser, and the photosensitive drum 11 may be exposed using light emitted from an LED (Light Emitting Diode) as a light source.

[0092] In each photosensitive drum 11 , after the surface is charged by the charger 12 , the surface is scanned and exposed by the exposure device 13 to form an electrostatic latent image.

[0093] After the toner image is formed on the photosensitive drum 11 by the developing device 14 , the toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer section 10 where each photosensitive drum 11 is in contact with the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0094] After the toner images are sequentially primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 , the toner images are conveyed to the secondary transfer section 20 by the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0095] In the secondary transfer section 20 , the secondary transfer roller 22 is pressed against the backup roller 25 via the intermediate transfer belt 15 .

[0096] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the paper P conveyed from the paper storage device 200 is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the secondary transfer roller 22 .

[0097] Thus, in the secondary transfer section 20 , the unfixed toner image held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is electrostatically transferred onto the paper P. Thereafter, the paper P onto which the toner image has been transferred passes through the fixing device 60 and is discharged to a paper discharge section (not shown).

[0098] The paper storage device 200 as an example of a recording medium storage device is provided with a storage section 53 for storing loaded paper P. The storage section 53 is provided with a support table for supporting the paper P from below, a side guide 32 for positioning the paper P against which the side edge of the paper P hits, and the like.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the uppermost sheet of paper P among the sheets of paper P stored in the storage section 53 is fed out. Then, the toner image formed by the image forming section 1A is transferred to the fed sheet of paper P in the secondary transfer section 20 .

[0100] Furthermore, the paper storage device 200 is provided with a photographing unit 80 that takes an image of the paper P stored in the storage unit 53 .

[0101] The imaging unit 80 is composed of, for example, a CCD (Charge Coupled Devices) or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging unit 80 is not particularly limited, and components other than CCD and CMOS may be used as long as the image of the paper P stored in the storage unit 53 can be acquired.

[0102] The imaging unit 80 is provided on the side of the storage unit 53 .

[0103] In addition, the photographing section 80 is arranged at a position facing the side of the paper bundle 54 composed of the plurality of paper sheets P stored in the storage section 53. More specifically, in the present embodiment, as described later, each paper sheet P constituting the paper bundle 54 is in a floating state, but in the present embodiment, each paper sheet P is arranged on the side of the paper bundle 54 in a floating state.

[0104] In the present embodiment, when the paper bundle 54 and the imaging unit 80 are projected onto a virtual plane extending in the horizontal direction and oriented upward and downward in the vertical direction, the paper bundle 54 and the imaging unit 80 do not overlap on the plane.

[0105] The imaging unit 80 is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction in the figure. In other words, the imaging unit 80 is provided so as to be movable in the loading direction of the paper sheets P stored in the storage unit 53 .

[0106] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a moving mechanism 300 is provided for moving the imaging unit 80 in the loading direction of the paper P, that is, in the up-down direction in the figure.

[0107] The moving mechanism 300 as an example of a moving unit has a driving source (described later), and uses the driving source to move the imaging unit 80 in the loading direction of the paper P. In other words, the moving mechanism 300 uses the driving source to move the imaging unit 80 in the vertical direction in the figure.

[0108] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a side blowing device 400 is provided as an example of a blowing unit. In the present embodiment, the side blowing device 400 blows air toward the side of the paper bundle 54 composed of the paper P stored in the storage unit 53.

[0109] Thus, in the present embodiment, each of the sheets P constituting the sheet bundle 54 floats.

[0110] In the present embodiment, air is blown as the gas to the bundle of paper sheets 54. The type of gas is not particularly limited, and a gas other than air may be blown to the bundle of paper sheets 54.

[0111] The imaging unit 80 captures an image of the paper P being blown with gas by the side blowing device 400 .

[0112] Thus, in the present embodiment, it is possible to obtain a photographic image which is a photographic result obtained by photographing the paper P in a state of being floated by the blowing of gas.

[0113] Furthermore, in the paper storage device 200 of the present embodiment, a suction unit 100 for sucking the paper P constituting the paper bundle 54 is provided above the paper bundle 54 .

[0114] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a plurality of conveying rollers 52 for conveying the paper P fed out from the paper storage device 200 are provided on the downstream side of the paper storage device 200 in the conveying direction of the paper P.

[0115] The transport rollers 52 are each composed of a driving roller 52A that rotates by receiving a driving force from a motor (not shown) and a driven roller 52B that is arranged in contact with the driving roller 52A and rotates by receiving a driving force from the driving roller 52A.

[0116] In the present embodiment, the paper P fed out of the paper storage device 200 is first transported by the transport roller 52 located most upstream in the transport direction of the paper P among the plurality of transport rollers 52 (hereinafter referred to as “most upstream transport roller 52E”).

[0117] Then, the paper P is further transported by other transport rollers 52 located on the downstream side of the most upstream transport roller 52E, and moves to the secondary transfer unit 20 and the fixing device 60 .

[0118] Furthermore, a conveying belt 55 is provided downstream of the secondary transfer roller 22 in the conveying direction of the paper P. The conveying belt 55 conveys the paper P subjected to the secondary transfer to the fixing device 60 .

[0119] Figure 3 (A)~ Figure 3 (D) is a diagram for explaining the suction unit 100 . Figure 4 is from Figure 3 A perspective view of the suction unit 100 as viewed from the direction of arrow IV in (A).

[0120] exist Figure 3 (A)~ Figure 3 In (D), the paper P is shown to be blown by the side blowing device 400 (see Figure 1 ) is blown by air and floats. Figure 3 (A)~ Figure 3 In (D), the photographing unit 80 and the side blowing device 400 are omitted.

[0121] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 2A , the paper storage device 200 includes a suction unit 100 for sucking the paper P loaded in the storage unit 53. Furthermore, a moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the suction unit 100 in the direction indicated by arrow 2A in the figure is provided.

[0122] Here, the moving mechanism may be constituted by a known mechanism such as a motor, a gear, a rack, a pinion, a belt drive, etc., and is not limited to a specific mechanism.

[0123] In the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 is moved toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E and in the direction away from the most upstream conveying roller 52E as indicated by arrow 2A by the moving mechanism.

[0124] In the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 is moved from the upper direction of the sheet bundle 54 toward the most upstream transport roller 52E by the moving mechanism.

[0125] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 that has moved to the most upstream transport roller 52E side is moved toward the paper bundle 54 side by the moving mechanism, and returns to the upper side of the paper bundle 54 .

[0126] like Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1A , the suction unit 100 includes a rectangular parallelepiped device body 101 and a plurality of moving members 102 suspended from the device body 101 .

[0127] A suction tube (not shown) is connected to the apparatus main body 101 , and as described later, in the present embodiment, the paper P is sucked by the apparatus main body 101 .

[0128] The moving member 102 is formed in a plate shape and is provided so as to be movable in the up-down direction.

[0129] like Figure 4 As shown, as the moving part 102, a first front end side moving part 102A, a second front end side moving part 102B, a first rear end side moving part 102C, a second rear end side moving part 102D, a first right side moving part 102E, a second right side moving part 102F, a first left side moving part 102G, and a second left side moving part 102H are provided.

[0130] The eight moving members 102 separate a rectangular parallelepiped decompression space 105 located below the device body 101 and an atmospheric pressure space 106 located around the decompression space 105 .

[0131] The rectangular parallelepiped space surrounded by the eight moving members 102 is a decompression space 105. In addition, the space outside the decompression space 105 is an atmospheric pressure space 106 at atmospheric pressure.

[0132] A plurality of holes 101Y are formed on the lower surface 101X of the device body 101, and the air in the decompression space 105 is sucked through the holes 101Y. As a result, the pressure in the decompression space 105 becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure.

[0133] When the air in the decompression space 105 is sucked, the pressure in the decompression space 105 becomes smaller. Figure 3 (A) and Figure 3 As shown in (B), the paper P located below the decompression space 105 and in a floating state is attracted, and the paper P is directed toward the lower surface 101X of the device body 101 (see Figure 3 (B)) move.

[0134] Then, the paper P is attached to the lower surface 101X as an example of an adsorption portion. In other words, in the present embodiment, the paper P is adsorbed to the lower surface 101X. More specifically, in the present embodiment, the paper P is adsorbed to the lower surface 101X from below.

[0135] Here, the lower surface 101X as an example of the adsorption portion is a flat surface. In the present embodiment, the adsorption portion is a planar adsorption portion, and the paper P is adsorbed to the planar adsorption portion.

[0136] When the paper P is adsorbed to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101, Figure 4 The eight moving parts 102 shown are Figure 3 The state shown in (A) moves upward, and the eight moving parts 102 become Figure 3 The state shown in (B).

[0137] In this embodiment, Figure 4 When the lower surface 101X shown in FIG. 1 attracts the paper P, the eight moving members 102 are pressed from below by the paper P located below and move upward. When the eight moving members 102 move upward, the paper P is attracted to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101 .

[0138] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the lower surface 101X is adsorbed with the paper P, Figure 3 As shown by arrow 2F in (B), air is blown from the upper side of the lower surface 101X toward the edge portion 2G of the paper P adsorbed to the lower surface 101X.

[0139] Incidentally, in the present embodiment, air is blown from the upper side of the edge portion 2G of the paper P adsorbed to the lower surface 101X.

[0140] Figure 3 The edge portion 2G shown in (B) is the edge portion 2G located at the front end of the paper P when the paper P is conveyed (hereinafter referred to as the "front end edge portion 2G"). In the present embodiment, air is blown from above to the front end edge portion 2G.

[0141] Note that the blowing of air to the front end edge portion 2G will be described in detail later.

[0142] Then, in this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 5C , the suction unit 100 moves toward the most upstream transport roller 52E, and the paper P adsorbed to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101 is supplied to the most upstream transport roller 52E.

[0143] Thus, the transport of the paper P by the most upstream transport roller 52E starts.

[0144] In the present embodiment, the suction unit 100 moves in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E side.

[0145] Thus, the paper P attached to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101 is supplied to the most upstream transport roller 52E, and the transport of the paper P by the most upstream transport roller 52E starts.

[0146] Then, in this embodiment, the suction unit 100 moves toward Figure 3 The suction unit 100 moves in the direction indicated by the arrow 3X in (D), and returns to the paper sheet bundle 54 side.

[0147] Figure 5 is from Figure 3 The paper storage device 200 is viewed from the direction of arrow V in (A). In other words, Figure 5 This is a diagram when the paper storage device 200 is viewed from above.

[0148] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, a paper bundle 54 in which a plurality of paper sheets P are arranged in the thickness direction of the paper sheets P is placed in the storage section 53. The paper bundle 54 and each paper sheet P included in the paper bundle 54 have a rectangular outer peripheral edge 104.

[0149] The rectangular outer periphery 104 is composed of a front end outer periphery 104A, a rear end outer periphery 104B, a first side outer periphery 104C, and a second side outer periphery 104D.

[0150] The leading end side outer peripheral edge 104A is the outer peripheral edge 104 located on the most downstream side in the conveying direction of the paper P. The leading end side outer peripheral edge 104A extends in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the conveying direction of the paper P.

[0151] The rear end side outer peripheral edge 104B is the outer peripheral edge 104 located on the most upstream side in the conveying direction of the paper P. The rear end side outer peripheral edge 104B also extends in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the conveying direction of the paper P.

[0152] The first lateral peripheral edge 104C is the peripheral edge 104 connecting one end of the front end side peripheral edge 104A and one end of the rear end side peripheral edge 104B. The first lateral peripheral edge 104C extends along the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0153] The second lateral peripheral edge 104D is the peripheral edge 104 connecting the other end of the front end side peripheral edge 104A and the other end of the rear end side peripheral edge 104B. The second lateral peripheral edge 104D also extends in the conveyance direction of the paper P.

[0154] When the paper P is sucked, Figure 5 As indicated by reference numeral 5A in FIG. 5 , the device body 101 of the suction unit 100 is located inside the outer peripheral edge 104 of the paper bundle 54 .

[0155] When the paper P is supplied to the most upstream transport roller 52E, the suction section 100 moves toward the most upstream transport roller 52E as indicated by arrow 2B.

[0156] Furthermore, in this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, a side blowing device 400 is provided on the side of the storage portion 53 .

[0157] In the present embodiment, the side blowing device 400 is provided at a position facing the second side outer peripheral edge 104D of the paper sheet bundle 54 stored in the storage portion 53 .

[0158] In the present embodiment, the paper bundle 54 is in a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has four side surfaces, and a side blowing device 400 is provided at a position opposite to one of the four side surfaces.

[0159] Specifically, the side blowing device 400 is provided at a position opposing one of the four side surfaces, which is indicated by reference numeral 4Z and is along the direction in which the paper P is fed out from the paper storage device 200 .

[0160] In addition, the installation position of the side blowing device 400 is not limited to this. The side blowing device 400 can also be installed at a position opposite to the first side outer periphery 104C, a position opposite to the front end side outer periphery 104A, a position opposite to the rear end side outer periphery 104B, etc.

[0161] In other words, the side blowing device 400 may be disposed at a position opposite to other side surfaces other than the side surface indicated by the reference numeral 4Z among the above-mentioned four side surfaces.

[0162] In addition, the portion of the paper bundle 54 to which the air is blown by the side blowing device 400, that is, the blowing portion is not limited to one portion, and may be two or more portions.

[0163] The side blowing device 400 as an example of the blowing unit is provided with an air supply source such as a fan (not shown), an exhaust port 4X for exhausting air from the air supply source, and a flow path 4Y connecting the air supply source and the exhaust port 4X.

[0164] The number of the discharge ports 4X is not particularly limited, and may be one or more. When the number of the discharge ports 4X is more than one, the number of blowing locations of the paper bundle 54 to which the side blowing device 400 blows air is two or more.

[0165] In this embodiment, air is blown from the discharge port 4X toward the side of the paper bundle 54. When air is blown toward the side of the paper bundle 54, air enters between the paper sheets P constituting the paper bundle 54, and each paper sheet P floats.

[0166] In the present embodiment, the driving roller 52A and the driven roller 52B provided at the most upstream transport roller 52E each include a rotation shaft 52X and a plurality of cylindrical members 52Y attached around the rotation shaft 52X.

[0167] In the present embodiment, when the suction unit 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the suction unit 100 enters between the two cylindrical members 52Y, and interference between the suction unit 100 and the most upstream conveying roller 52E does not occur.

[0168] Reference Figure 4 The structure of the suction unit 100 will be further described.

[0169] As described above, the suction unit 100 is provided with the device main body 101. The device main body 101 is provided with the air guide member 120 for guiding air.

[0170] The air guide member 120 is provided with a front edge portion 2G (see Figure 5 ) gives a corrugated convex-concave portion 121.

[0171] The concavoconvex portion 121 is arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the paper P. Incidentally, the concavoconvex portion 121 is arranged so as to extend along the leading edge portion 2G of the paper P.

[0172] In the present embodiment, when the paper P is adsorbed to the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101 , the leading edge 2G of the paper P is pressed against the concave-convex portion 121 , giving the leading edge 2G a corrugated shape.

[0173] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a suction opening 122 for further suctioning the paper P attached to the lower surface 101X is provided on the lower surface 101X side of the concavo-convex portion 121 in the horizontal direction.

[0174] Furthermore, the air guide member 120 is provided with an air guide portion 123 which is configured to guide the front edge portion 2G (see Figure 5 ) to guide the blown air.

[0175] The air guide portion 123 is formed with a recessed portion 124 that is convex toward the upper side.

[0176] More specifically, a concave portion 124 that is convex toward the upper side is formed on the lower surface 123A of the air guide 123. The concave portion 124 is formed in a groove shape. Figure 5 ) is set in the direction in which the front end edge portion 2G extends.

[0177] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, in the air guide portion 123 (refer to Figure 4 ) is formed with a rectangular opening 125 on the lower surface 123A. Figure 4 As shown in FIG. 1 , a concave portion 124 that is convex upward is provided above the opening 125. Here, the above of the opening 125 refers to the upper side in the vertical direction.

[0178] In this embodiment, if Figure 5 As shown, there is an opening edge 126 surrounding the opening 125. The opening edge 126 is formed in a rectangular shape.

[0179] Figure 6 This is a diagram when the suction unit 100 and the leading end side blowing device 150 are viewed from the side of the paper bundle 54 .

[0180] in other words, Figure 6 This is a diagram when the suction unit 100 and the leading end side blowing device 150 are viewed from a position facing a side surface of the paper bundle 54 , that is, a side surface along the feeding direction of the paper P.

[0181] In this embodiment, in addition to the side blowing device 400 ( Figure 6 In addition to the Figure 6 As shown, a front end side blowing device 150 for blowing air toward the front end edge portion 2G of the paper P is provided.

[0182] The front end side blowing device 150 is provided with an air supply source 151 such as a fan and a pipe 152 for guiding the air sent out from the air supply source 151 obliquely upward.

[0183] The air supply source 151 and the pipe 152 are located below the lower surface 101X of the device body 101 .

[0184] An exhaust port 152A for exhausting air toward the recessed portion 124 provided in the air guide member 120 is provided at the front end portion of the tube 152 .

[0185] In the present embodiment, as indicated by arrow 5A, the air from outlet 152A goes above lower surface 101X and then goes downward to be blown toward front edge portion 2G from the upper side of lower surface 101X.

[0186] In the present embodiment, the air from the lower side of the extended surface 5X of the lower surface 101X flows to the upper side of the extended surface 5X, and then flows to the lower side of the extended surface 5X to be blown toward the front edge portion 2G.

[0187] In the present embodiment, the air from the air supply source 151 is guided upward by the tube 152 and then flows downward. In the present embodiment, the air flowing downward is blown to the leading edge 2G of the paper P.

[0188] In this embodiment, the air supplied from below the lower surface 101X of the apparatus body 101 is guided downward by the recess 124 provided in the air guide member 120. Then, the air directed downward is blown toward the leading edge 2G of the paper P.

[0189] In the present embodiment, a discharge port 152A is provided below a contact portion 52S between a driving roller 52A and a driven roller 52B provided on the most upstream transport roller 52E.

[0190] In the present embodiment, the air that has passed through the tube 152 is discharged from a discharge port 152A located at the front end of the tube 152 , and the discharge port 152A is located below the contact portion 52S between the driving roller 52A and the driven roller 52B.

[0191] In this embodiment, the duct 152 guiding the air upward is configured not to cross the conveying path R100 of the paper P. In this embodiment, the discharge port 152A of the duct 152 is located below the conveying path R100 of the paper P. Therefore, in this embodiment, only the air crosses the conveying path R100 of the paper P.

[0192] The air that has crossed the conveying path R100 moves toward the recessed portion 124. Then, the recessed portion 124 guides the air, and the guided air is blown toward the front edge portion 2G.

[0193] When the air is blown from the upper side to the front edge portion 2G, in the present embodiment, the air is blown obliquely downward as indicated by an arrow 5H, and the air blown obliquely downward is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0194] More specifically, in this embodiment, air is blown obliquely downward from above and away from the leading edge 2G of the paper P attracted to the lower surface 101X, and the air is blown to the leading edge 2G.

[0195] In this way, when air is blown obliquely downward, compared with the case of blowing air directly downward, as shown by arrow 5H, air easily enters between the papers P, and the second and subsequent papers P attached to the top paper P adsorbed on the lower surface 101X become easier to separate from the top paper P.

[0196] In the present embodiment, in the driven roller 52B provided at the most upstream transport roller 52E, the rotating shaft 52X constituting the driven roller 52B is provided individually on each of the two cylindrical members 52Y provided, and the driven roller 52B is provided with two rotating shafts 52X.

[0197] In the present embodiment, the pipe 152 provided as a part of the front end side blowing device 150 is provided in the gap between the two rotating shafts 52X, thereby preventing interference between the front end side blowing device 150 and the driven roller 52B.

[0198] In this embodiment, when conveying the paper P loaded in the storage section 53, first, Figure 3 (A) Figure 3 As shown in (B) of FIG. 1 , the suction unit 100 is caused to suck the uppermost sheet of paper P among the sheets of paper P in a floating state.

[0199] Furthermore, if Figure 3 As shown by arrow 2F in (B), the front end side blowing device 150 (at Figure 3 (B) (not shown), air is sent from the upper side of the front edge portion 2G of the paper P toward the oblique downward direction, and the air is blown to the front edge portion 2G.

[0200] Next, in this embodiment, if Figure 3 As shown in (C), the suction section 100 moves toward the most upstream transport roller 52E, and the paper P sucked by the suction section 100 is supplied to the most upstream transport roller 52E.

[0201] In this embodiment, the suction unit 100 does not move up and down when sucking the paper P. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the suction unit 100 may be lowered when removing the paper P, and then raised after the paper P is attached to the suction unit 100 .

[0202] When the adhesion between the sheets P is large, the second and subsequent sheets P located below may adhere to the uppermost sheet P sucked by the suction unit 100. In this case, a plurality of sheets P are supplied to the most upstream transport roller 52E, causing so-called double feeding.

[0203] In this embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of the overlapped feeding, air is blown from the upper side to the leading edge 2G as described above.

[0204] In addition, in the present embodiment, in order to further suppress the adsorption of the paper P between the paper P, the Figure 1 , Figure 5 The side blowing device 400 shown in FIG. 1 blows air toward the side of the paper bundle 54 from the side of the paper bundle 54 .

[0205] When air is blown to the side of the paper bundle 54, the air enters between the paper sheets P, and the adsorption of the paper sheets P is reduced. In the present embodiment, when air is blown to the side of the paper bundle 54, the air enters between the paper sheets P, and each paper sheet P floats.

[0206] In the present embodiment, when the suction section 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the blowing of air by the side blowing device 400 and the front end side blowing device 150 is also performed.

[0207] In the present embodiment, the air is always blown toward the paper bundle 54 , and the side blowing device 400 and the front end blowing device 150 also blow air when the suction unit 100 is moved.

[0208] In addition, the present invention is not limited thereto, and when the suction unit 100 moves toward the most upstream conveying roller 52E, the blowing of air by the front end side blowing device 150 may be stopped, or the amount of air supplied by the front end side blowing device 150 may be reduced.

[0209] Reference Figure 4 The suction unit 100 will be further described.

[0210] As described above, in the present embodiment, the suction opening 122 for further suctioning the paper P attached to the lower surface 101X is provided on the lower surface 101X side relative to the concavo-convex portion 121 in the horizontal direction.

[0211] In the present embodiment, when the paper P is in a state of being sucked onto the lower surface 101X, suction of the paper P by the suction opening 122 is started.

[0212] In this embodiment, if Figure 4 As shown, a connection path 129 is provided to connect the suction opening 122 and the inside of the device body 101, and the inside of the connection path 129 is decompressed. Figure 4 As shown, the connection path 129 is formed by its width (front edge portion 2G (refer to Figure 5)The width in the extension direction is formed so as to gradually widen toward the downward direction.

[0213] In the present embodiment, until the paper P adheres to the lower surface 101X, a gap is formed between the paper P and the suction opening 122 , and the paper P is not sucked by the suction opening 122 .

[0214] Then, when the paper P is sucked onto the lower surface 101X, the gap between the paper P and the suction opening 122 disappears, and the paper P is sucked by the suction opening 122 .

[0215] Then, when the paper P is sucked by the suction opening 122 , the leading edge 2G of the paper P is urged toward the concave-convex portion 121 , and the leading edge 2G is pressed against the concave-convex portion 121 .

[0216] Thus, the front edge portion 2G is provided with a concavo-convex shape. In other words, the front edge portion 2G is provided with a corrugated shape.

[0217] Figure 7 is from Figure 3 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the suction unit 100 as viewed in the direction of arrow VII in (B).

[0218] In the present embodiment, as indicated by arrow 7A, air is blown from the upper side of the front edge portion 2G toward the front edge portion 2G, and the air is blown toward the portion of the front edge portion 2G that has a corrugated shape.

[0219] In the present embodiment, as described above, the leading edge 2G of the paper P is pressed against the concave-convex portion 121 , whereby the leading edge 2G of the paper P is given a corrugated shape.

[0220] In the present embodiment, air is blown from above to the portion given the corrugated shape.

[0221] Thus, compared with the case where air is blown to the portion of the paper P that is not given a corrugated shape, air easily enters between the uppermost paper P sucked by the suction unit 100 and the second paper P attached to the uppermost paper P.

[0222] Furthermore, in this case, the second sheet of paper P is easily separated from the first sheet of paper P, that is, the uppermost sheet of paper P.

[0223] Here, the “wavy shape” refers to a shape in which a convex portion protruding from one side of the paper P toward the other side and in the thickness direction of the paper P and another convex portion protruding from the other side of the paper P toward one side and in the thickness direction of the paper P are alternately arranged in the direction in which the front end edge portion 2G extends.

[0224] Here, the number of the one convex portion and the other convex portion is not particularly limited, and the case where one convex portion and one convex portion are provided respectively and the one convex portion and the other convex portion are adjacent to each other can also be said to be a state in which a corrugated shape is given.

[0225] In addition, as another form, air may be blown directly to the front edge portion 2G from above.

[0226] In the above description, after the air from the air supply source 151 located below is temporarily moved upward, the air is moved downward and blown toward the front edge portion 2G from above. However, the blowing method is not limited to this.

[0227] For example, an air supply source such as a fan may be provided above the lower surface 101X of the device body 101 to supply air directly to the front edge portion 2G from above.

[0228] Figure 8 This is a diagram for explaining the moving mechanism 300 .

[0229] In this embodiment, as described above, in addition, Figure 8 As shown in FIG. 1 , an imaging unit 80 for imaging a bundle of paper sheets 54 and a moving mechanism 300 for moving the imaging unit 80 in a direction in which the paper sheets P are loaded are provided.

[0230] The moving mechanism 300 is supported by the side guides 32 provided in the storage portion 53. In the present embodiment, the paper P is positioned by the side edges of the paper P hitting the side guides 32.

[0231] The moving mechanism 300 is provided with a motor M as an example of a driving source, a pinion gear 31 rotated by the motor M, and a moving portion 33 moved up and down by the pinion gear 31 .

[0232] The moving portion 33 is provided with a rack 33A disposed along the extending direction of the moving portion 33 , and the moving portion 33 moves up and down on the rack 33A by receiving a force from the pinion 31 .

[0233] Furthermore, the moving mechanism 300 is provided with a sensor 34 for identifying the position of the moving portion 33 .

[0234] In the present embodiment, when the sensor 34 detects the state of the detection portion 33B provided in the moving portion 33 , the CPU 11 a determines that the imaging portion 80 is in the reference position.

[0235] The CPU 11 a specifies the position of the imaging unit 80 based on the amount of movement of the imaging unit 80 from the reference position.

[0236] More specifically, for example, when the motor M is a stepping motor, the CPU 11 a identifies the position of the imaging unit 80 based on the number of steps of the motor M when the motor M is rotated from the state where the imaging unit 80 is at the reference position.

[0237] When the motor M provided in the moving mechanism 300 is driven and the moving section 33 moves up and down, the photographing section 80 moves up and down accordingly.

[0238] The moving mechanism 300 is implemented by a CPU 11a (see Figure 2 In the present embodiment, the moving mechanism 300 receives a control signal from the CPU 11a, the motor M rotates, and accordingly, the photographing unit 80 moves up and down.

[0239] Fig. 9 It is a diagram showing another configuration example of the moving mechanism 300 .

[0240] exist Fig. 9 In the illustrated configuration example, a solenoid 35 is provided as a driving source provided in the moving mechanism 300 .

[0241] In this structural example, the solenoid 35 causes the left end portion 36B of the rotating portion 36 , which extends in the lateral direction in the figure and rotates around the rotating shaft 36A, to move up and down.

[0242] The moving section 33 that supports the imaging section 80 is connected to the right end portion 36C of the rotating section 36 .

[0243] In this configuration example, when the solenoid 35 is turned on / off by the CPU 11a, the rotating portion 36 rotates, and accordingly, the moving portion 33 moves up and down. When the moving portion 33 moves up and down, the photographing portion 80 moves up and down.

[0244] exist Figure 8 In the structural example shown, the photographing unit 80 can be stopped at any position. Fig. 9 In the illustrated configuration example, the imaging unit 80 is stopped at two stop locations, namely, an upper stop location 39A which is an upper stop location and a lower stop location 39B which is a lower stop location.

[0245] Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 (C) is a diagram showing a state of the paper P being blown by air from the side blowing device 400. Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 In (C), the side blowing device 400 is omitted.

[0246] exist Fig.10(B) shows the state of the paper P when the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 is appropriate for the paper P constituting the paper bundle 54. In this case, air enters between the paper P, and each paper P is in a floating state.

[0247] In contrast, Fig.10 In (A), the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 is small. In this state, the paper P does not reach the suction unit 100 (see Figure 1 ), the paper P may not be transported.

[0248] In addition, Fig.10 In (C), the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 is large. In this case, when a plurality of sheets of paper P are located in the suction section 100 (refer to Figure 1 ) is directly below the position where double delivery may occur.

[0249] In other words, Fig.10 In the state shown in (C), the first sheet of paper P and the second sheet of paper P located just below the suction unit 100 and counting from the location where the suction unit 100 is installed overlap each other, and overlapped feeding is likely to occur.

[0250] In this embodiment, the imaging unit 80 (see Figure 1 ) to photograph the paper bundle 54, so that the state of the paper bundle 54 blown by the air of the side blowing device 400 can be determined. Fig.10 (A) to Fig.10 Which state in (C) is it?

[0251] In this embodiment, as will be described later, in order to improve the specific accuracy, a process of moving the imaging unit 80 is performed.

[0252] In this embodiment, the state of the paper bundle 54 can be identified by using the imaging unit 80 to image the paper bundle 54, but the identification accuracy decreases depending on the position of the imaging unit 80. Therefore, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 80 is moved to improve the identification accuracy.

[0253] More specifically, depending on the position of the imaging unit 80, for example, although the state of the paper bundle 54 becomes Fig.10 (B), but sometimes it is judged to be Fig.10 In the state (C), the accuracy of the state of the specific paper bundle 54 is reduced.

[0254] In the present embodiment, the imaging unit 80 is moved to improve the accuracy of identifying the state of the bundle of paper sheets 54 .

[0255] Fig.11 (A)~ Fig.11 (D) is a diagram showing the relationship between the position of the imaging unit 80 and the photographic image obtained by the imaging unit 80 .

[0256] In this embodiment, if Fig.11 As shown in (A), when the photographing unit 80 is located between the upper end 54A and the lower end 54B of the paper bundle 54 in the floating state, the Fig.11 The photographic image shown in (B).

[0257] In obtaining Fig.11 In the case of the photographic image shown in (B), it is difficult to determine whether the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 The state of (B) and Fig.10 Which state among the states of (C) .

[0258] In this embodiment, the CPU 11a generates a pixel based on the pixel which is located closest to the upper side 71 (see FIG. 1 ) of the plurality of pixels constituting the photographic image. Fig.11 The number of white pixels (hereinafter referred to as "white pixels") arranged downward in the portion (B)) determines whether the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 Which state among the states of (C) .

[0259] White pixels are pixels corresponding to paper sheets, and in the present embodiment, the state of the paper sheet bundle 54 is identified based on the number of white pixels.

[0260] More specifically, when the white pixel located closest to the upper edge 71 is set as the first white pixel, the CPU 11a counts the number of white pixels arranged continuously from the first white pixel toward the bottom of the photographic image, and specifies the number obtained by the counting as the number of pixels.

[0261] Then, the CPU 11a determines whether the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 Which state among the states of (C) .

[0262] Generally, when there is only one sheet of paper P located at the top of the sheets of paper P in the photographed image, the number of downward continuous pixels decreases. Therefore, when the number of downward continuous pixels is less than a preset threshold, the CPU 11 a determines that there is only one sheet of paper P.

[0263] Furthermore, when the sheets of paper P overlap, the number of downward continuous pixels increases. Therefore, when the number of downward continuous pixels exceeds a preset threshold, the CPU 11 a determines that the sheets of paper P overlap.

[0264] exist Fig.11 In the photographic result shown in (B), in the portion indicated by the reference numeral 11X, white pixels are continuously arranged in the vertical direction. Fig.11 In the example shown in (B), the number of downward continuous pixels is greater than a preset threshold.

[0265] In this case, although the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 In the state shown in (B), CPU 11a still mistakenly determines that it is in Fig.10 The state shown in (C).

[0266] exist Fig.11 In the photographic image of (B), although there is only one sheet of the topmost paper P indicated by reference numeral 11Y, the number of continuous pixels in the downward direction increases because the bottom surface PX of the topmost paper P is captured in the photographic image.

[0267] In this case, the CPU 11a mistakenly determines that the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 The state shown in (C).

[0268] In this embodiment, in order to suppress the occurrence of such erroneous judgment, a process of moving the imaging unit 80 is performed. The process of moving the imaging unit 80 is described below. Figure 8 The processing when the moving mechanism 300 is shown will be described.

[0269] In the present embodiment, when the process of moving the photographing unit 80 is performed, first, the photographing unit 80 is used to photograph the bundle of paper sheets 54 being blown by air from the side blowing device 400, and a photographic image is obtained as a result of the photographing.

[0270] Furthermore, when the photographic image is, for example, Fig.11 When the image shown in (B) is displayed, the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 to move the photographing unit 80 .

[0271] In photographic images Fig.11 In the case of the photographic image shown in (B), the CPU 11a as an example of a processor controls the moving mechanism 300 to move the photographing unit 80 to the position where the above-mentioned erroneous judgment is less likely.

[0272] The CPU 11a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the photographed image obtained by the photographing unit 80. In other words, the CPU 11a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the state of the paper P reflected on the photographed image.

[0273] More specifically, the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the paper P reflected on the photographic image and the inclination angle of the side of the paper P.

[0274] Thus, the imaging unit 80 moves to a location where misjudgment is less likely to occur.

[0275] For example, the CPU 11a obtains Fig.11 When the photographic image shown in (B) is viewed, the moving mechanism 300 is controlled based on the position of the paper P projected on the photographic image.

[0276] More specifically, the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the paper P that satisfies a specific condition among the paper P reflected in the photographed image.

[0277] More specifically, the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the uppermost sheet of paper P, ie, the uppermost sheet of paper PM, among the sheets of paper P projected on the photographed image.

[0278] In other words, the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the uppermost sheet of paper P, that is, the uppermost sheet of paper PM, among the sheets of paper P projected on the photographic image.

[0279] In this embodiment, the papers P are vertically arranged and loaded in the storage unit 53. The CPU 11a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the uppermost paper PM in the loading direction of the papers P among the papers P projected on the photographed image.

[0280] In addition, in this specification, the "uppermost paper PM" does not refer to the paper located in the suction section 100 (see Figure 1 ) and the first sheet of paper P closest to the suction unit 100, but refers to the sheet of paper P that is closest to the upper edge 71 ( Fig.11 The paper P at the position (B)).

[0281] exist Fig.11 In (B), the paper P indicated by reference numeral 11E corresponds to the uppermost paper PM, and the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the position of the uppermost paper PM.

[0282] When the CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 , first, it specifies the distance between the uppermost sheet PM projected on the photographic image and a preset reference position 74 in the photographic image.

[0283] Then, when the specified distance is greater than a preset distance, the CPU 11 a controls the driving movement mechanism 300 to move the imaging unit 80 .

[0284] On the other hand, when the specified distance is equal to or smaller than a preset distance, the CPU 11 a does not control the driving movement mechanism 300 and does not move the imaging unit 80 .

[0285] The reference position 74 may be, for example, the position of a straight line that passes through the center portion in the vertical direction of the photographic image and extends in the lateral direction of the photographic image.

[0286] The CPU 11 a specifies the distance between the position of a white pixel located closest to the upper side 71 of the photographic image (hereinafter referred to as “the closest white pixel”) among the white pixels included in the photographic image and the reference position 74 .

[0287] More specifically, CPU 11a specifies the length of a perpendicular line relative to the linear reference position 74 and passing through the closest white pixel, and the length of a portion of the perpendicular line located between the closest white pixel and the reference position 74 as the distance between the closest white pixel and the reference position 74 .

[0288] Then, when the absolute value of the specified distance exceeds a preset value, the CPU 11 a controls the driving movement mechanism 300 to move the imaging unit 80 .

[0289] More specifically, when the absolute value of the specific distance exceeds a preset value, and when the value obtained by subtracting the coordinate value of the reference position 74 and the coordinate value representing the position in the up and down direction from the coordinate value of the closest white pixel and the coordinate value representing the position in the up and down direction is a positive value, CPU11a controls the driving moving mechanism 300 to move the photographic unit 80 upward.

[0290] Thus, the photographing unit 80 is located, for example, Fig.11 The part indicated by symbol 11F in (C).

[0291] Specifically, in Fig.11 In (C), the imaging unit 80 is located on an extended surface of the first sheet of paper P from the top among the plurality of sheets of paper P stored in the storage unit 53 .

[0292] More specifically, the imaging unit 80 is located on an extended surface of the first sheet of paper P from the top of the sheets of paper P that are in a floating state due to the blowing of air by the side blowing device 400 .

[0293] In other words, the photographing section 80 is located in the floating paper P closest to the suction section 100 (see Figure 1 ) is on an extended surface of the first sheet of paper P (hereinafter referred to as “the closest sheet of paper PK”) at the location.

[0294] In addition, hereinafter, in this specification, the coordinate value closest to the white pixel and the coordinate value in the vertical direction and the coordinate value of the reference position 74 and the coordinate value in the vertical direction are referred to as “vertical direction coordinate values”.

[0295] In the present embodiment, the paper sheets P are arranged in the vertical direction in the storage section 53. When the side blowing device 400 blows air to the paper sheets P, the paper sheets P are floated in the storage section 53.

[0296] The CPU 11 a controls the moving mechanism 300 so that the imaging unit 80 is positioned on an extended surface of the first closest paper PK located closest to the suction unit 100 among the plurality of papers P stored in the storage unit 53 and in a floating state.

[0297] In addition, when using Fig. 9 In the case of the moving mechanism 300 shown in FIG. Fig.11 When moving upward as shown in (C), the photographing unit 80 moves toward the upper stop portion 39A (refer to Fig. 9 )move.

[0298] In this case, the imaging unit 80 is also arranged on the extended surface closest to the paper PK, or is arranged at a position closer to the paper PK than before the movement of the imaging unit 80 .

[0299] In the present embodiment, as described below, after the imaging unit 80 is moved, the main imaging is performed using the imaging unit 80 .

[0300] Then, based on the photographic results obtained by the actual photographing, it is determined whether the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 (A)~ Fig.10 Which state in (C) is it?

[0301] When the photographing unit 80 is moved, during the actual photographing, for example, Fig.11 The photographic image shown in (D).

[0302] exist Fig.11In the photographic image shown in (D), the top sheet PM exists alone, and the CPU 11a detects the closest white pixel corresponding to one sheet of paper P1 at the location where the top sheet PM exists. In this case, the number of downward continuous pixels is less than a preset threshold.

[0303] Having obtained Fig.11 In the case of the photographic image shown in (D), the CPU 11a determines that there is no overlap between the top sheet PM and the second sheet P located below the top sheet PM. In this case, the CPU 11a determines that the state of the sheet bundle 54 is Fig.10 The state shown in (B).

[0304] Although not shown in the figure, Fig.11 In the photographic image shown in (D), when white pixels corresponding to two or more sheets of paper P exist at the location where the top sheet of paper PM is located, the number of downward continuous pixels closest to the white pixels is greater than a preset threshold.

[0305] In this case, the CPU 11a determines that the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 The state shown in (C).

[0306] In this way, when there are white pixels corresponding to two or more sheets of paper P in the area where the top sheet PM is present, the CPU 11a determines that the state of the sheet bundle 54 is Fig.10 The state shown in (C).

[0307] The CPU 11a determines that the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 In the case of the state shown in (C), the side blowing device 400 (refer to Figure 5 ) is set to reduce the output. As a result, the state of the paper bundle 54 is close to Fig.10 The state shown in (B).

[0308] As described in this embodiment, when the processing of moving the imaging unit 80 is performed, the state of the paper bundle 54 is Fig.10 The accuracy of determining which state is (A) to (C) is improved.

[0309] Fig.12 FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining control of the moving mechanism 300 based on the inclination angle of the side of the paper P. FIG.

[0310] The CPU 11a may control the moving mechanism 300 based on the tilt angle of the side of the paper P projected on the photographic image. More specifically, the CPU 11a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the tilt angle of the side of the paper P projected on the photographic image that satisfies a specific condition.

[0311] The paper P satisfying the specific condition may be the top paper PM. In this case, the CPU 11a controls the moving mechanism 300 based on the inclination angle of the side 78 of the top paper PM among the papers P projected on the photographic image.

[0312] When controlling the moving mechanism 300 based on the inclination angle of the side 78 of the uppermost paper PM, the CPU 11 a determines whether the inclination angle θ of the side 78 of the uppermost paper PM is larger than a preset angle.

[0313] Then, when the inclination angle θ is larger than a preset angle, the CPU 11 a controls the driving movement mechanism 300 to move the imaging unit 80 .

[0314] On the other hand, when the tilt angle θ is equal to or smaller than a preset angle, the CPU 11 a does not perform control to drive the moving mechanism 300 , and does not move the imaging unit 80 .

[0315] When the photographing unit 80 is located below the top sheet PM and the top sheet PM and the photographing unit 80 are offset in the vertical direction, the inclination angle θ of the side 78 of the top sheet PM becomes larger. By specifying the inclination angle θ, the positional relationship between the sheet P and the photographing unit 80 can also be specified.

[0316] like Fig.12 As shown, when the inclination angle θ of the edge 78 is large and the inclination angle θ is greater than a preset threshold, as shown in FIG. Fig.11 As shown by the arrow in (C), the CPU 11a controls the imaging unit 80 to move upward.

[0317] Thus, the photographing unit 80 is brought close to the extended surface of the closest paper PK. As described above, the closest paper PK refers to the portion of the paper P that is closest to the suction unit 100 (see Figure 1 ) of the first paper P at the location.

[0318] In addition, the CPU 11a uses the photographic image (see Fig.12 ), in the case of specifying the edge 78 of the topmost paper PM, first, a plurality of white pixels which are continuously arranged in the horizontal direction and are included in the photographic image and are closest to the upper edge 71 of the photographic image are specified.

[0319] Therefore, in Fig.12 In the example shown, the CPU 11 a specifies a plurality of white pixels continuously arranged in the horizontal direction at a location indicated by reference numeral 12X.

[0320] Next, the CPU 11 a specifies, for example, a plurality of white pixels that are arranged continuously upward or downward from the white pixel located at the right end among the plurality of white pixels that are arranged continuously in the horizontal direction.

[0321] exist Fig.12 In the illustrated example, the CPU 11 a specifies a plurality of white pixels that are continuously arranged downward (hereinafter referred to as “right-side continuous white pixels”) at a location indicated by reference numeral 12Y.

[0322] Then, the CPU 11 a grasps the angle formed by the arrangement direction of the specified right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81 indicated by symbol 12Z, and specifies the formed angle as the inclination angle θ of the side 78 of the uppermost paper PM.

[0323] exist Fig.12 In the example shown, the reference straight line 81 is a straight line passing through the white pixels at the right end described above and is a straight line parallel to the right side 72 of the photographic image.

[0324] In addition, the arrangement direction of the continuous white pixels on the right side is as follows Fig.12 When the pixel is directed to the lower left direction as indicated by the arrow 12E in FIG. 8 , the CPU 11 a specifies that the angle formed by the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81 is a positive angle. In this case, the inclination angle θ is a positive angle.

[0325] Although not shown in the figure, when the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels is oriented diagonally to the upper left, the CPU 11a specifies a negative angle between the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81. In this case, the inclination angle θ is a negative angle.

[0326] It is also possible to assume that the photographing unit 80 is located above the paper PK, in which case the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels in the photographed image is also obliquely in the upper left direction. In this case, the CPU 11a specifies the angle formed by the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81 as a negative angle, and specifies the inclination angle θ as a negative angle.

[0327] When the absolute value of the specific tilt angle θ is larger than a preset value and the specific tilt angle θ is a positive angle, the CPU 11 a controls the imaging unit 80 to move upward.

[0328] exist Fig.12 In the example shown, there is an example where the absolute value of the tilt angle θ is larger than a preset value and the tilt angle θ is a positive angle. In this case, the CPU 11 a performs control to move the imaging unit 80 upward.

[0329] Therefore, in this case, the imaging unit 80 also approaches the closest paper PK (see Fig.11 (C) is an extended surface of (C).

[0330] In addition, in the above, based on the white pixels located at the right end of the multiple white pixels continuously arranged in the horizontal direction toward the diagonally lower left direction and the diagonally upper left direction, that is, the continuous white pixels on the right side, the inclination angle θ of the edge 78 of the topmost paper PM is specified, but the specific inclination angle θ is not limited to this.

[0331] The inclination angle θ of the edge of the topmost paper PM can also be determined based on the arrangement direction of multiple white pixels arranged diagonally to the lower right and upper right directions (hereinafter referred to as "left-side continuous white pixels") from the white pixel at the left end of multiple white pixels arranged continuously in the horizontal direction.

[0332] Alternatively, the average of the inclination angles of the side specified based on the right continuous white pixels and the inclination angles of the side specified based on the left continuous white pixels may be specified as the inclination angle θ of the side of the topmost paper PM.

[0333] Fig.13 This is a flowchart showing the flow of processing executed by the CPU 11 a .

[0334] Here, the use Figure 8 An example of processing when the mechanism 300 is moved will be described.

[0335] In this processing example, first, the CPU 11 a activates the side blowing device 400 (step S101 ), whereby the paper P in the storage section 53 is in a floating state.

[0336] Next, the CPU 11a activates the imaging unit 80 to image the bundle of paper sheets 54 (step S102). Thus, a photographed image of the bundle of paper sheets 54 in which each paper sheet P is in a floating state is obtained.

[0337] Next, the CPU 11a analyzes the photographed image and determines whether the photographing unit 80 needs to be moved based on the result of the analysis (step S103). In other words, the CPU 11a determines whether the photographing unit 80 needs to be moved in the loading direction of the paper P.

[0338] Then, when the CPU 11a determines in step S103 that the imaging unit 80 needs to be moved, the CPU 11a specifies the movement amount of the imaging unit 80 (step S104 ). The CPU 11a specifies the movement amount based on the imaging result obtained by the imaging unit 80 .

[0339] When specifying the movement amount, the CPU 11a determines the movement amount based on, for example, the position of the topmost sheet PM reflected in the photographic result and the reference position 74 (see Fig.11 (B)) between the specific movement amount.

[0340] More specifically, the CPU 11a generates a signal based on the upper edge 71 (see Fig.11 The distance between the white pixel at the position (B)) of FIG. 7 , that is, the closest white pixel and the reference position 74, is the specific movement amount.

[0341] More specifically, in this case, the CPU 11 a specifies the distance between the closest white pixel and the reference position 74 as the movement amount of the imaging unit 80 .

[0342] Alternatively, the CPU 11a may calculate the top sheet PM (see Fig.12 ) specifies the amount of movement based on the inclination angle θ of the side 78. In other words, the CPU 11a specifies the amount of movement based on the angle formed by the arrangement direction of the above-mentioned right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81.

[0343] When the movement amount is determined based on the tilt angle θ, for example, a relationship table describing the relationship between the tilt angle θ and the movement amount of the imaging unit 80 is preliminarily registered in the secondary storage unit 91 (see Figure 2 ).

[0344] Then, when the tilt angle θ is identified based on the photographed image, the CPU 11 a refers to the relationship table and identifies the movement amount of the photographing unit 80 based on the identified tilt angle θ and the information registered in the relationship table.

[0345] Next, the CPU 11 a operates the moving mechanism 300 to move the imaging unit 80 by a specific amount (step S105 ).

[0346] Thereafter, the CPU 11a performs the process of step S102 again. As a result, the imaging unit 80 operates and the imaging unit 80 images the bundle of paper sheets 54. As a result, the imaged image of the bundle of paper sheets 54 is obtained again.

[0347] Next, the CPU 11 a performs the process of step S103 again, and determines whether or not the imaging unit 80 needs to be moved based on the photographed image obtained by the process of step S102 .

[0348] Then, in step S103 , when the CPU 11 a determines that the imaging unit 80 needs to be moved, the CPU 11 a performs the processing in step S104 and thereafter again.

[0349] It is also conceivable that even after the first processing of step S105 is performed and the position of the imaging unit 80 is changed for the first time, the distance between the closest paper PK and the imaging unit 80 is still large.

[0350] In this case, in the process of step S103 performed for the second time, it is determined that the state is in which the imaging unit 80 needs to be moved. Then, in this case, the process after step S104 is performed again.

[0351] Fig.14 1 and 2 are diagrams showing the imaging unit 80 and the paper bundle 54 in which the paper P is in a floating state. Fig.14 The diagram shows a state where the bundle of paper sheets 54 is viewed from the side where the imaging unit 80 is provided.

[0352] like Fig.14 As shown, when the imaging unit 80 is located below the upper end portion 54A of the paper-sheet bundle 54 that is closest to the paper PK, in this embodiment, the imaging unit 80 is moved upward as described above.

[0353] Assume that before the processing of moving the photographing unit 80 upward is performed, the photographing unit 80 is as far away from the closest paper PK as possible, as shown in FIG. Fig.14 As shown, the imaging unit 80 is located near the lower end portion 54B of the paper bundle 54.

[0354] In this case, the imaging unit 80 is moved upward only once, and the imaging unit 80 is still in a state of being away from the closest paper PK.

[0355] In this case, in the present embodiment, the moving process of the imaging unit 80 in step S105 described above is performed multiple times, and the imaging unit 80 gradually approaches the closest paper PK.

[0356] On the other hand, Fig.13 In the process of step S103, when the CPU 11a does not determine that the imaging unit 80 is in a state where movement is required, the CPU 11a performs the process of step S106.

[0357] In step S106 , the CPU 11 a operates the imaging unit 80 to perform a main imaging of the floating paper bundle 54 .

[0358] Next, the CPU 11a determines, based on the photographic image obtained by the main photographing, whether the suction unit 100 (see Figure 1 ) whether there is overlap between the first closest paper PK directly below the closest paper PK and the second paper P located below the closest paper PK.

[0359] Specifically, the CPU 11a selects, from among the white pixels contained in the photographic image obtained by the actual photographing, the pixel located closest to the upper edge 71 (see Fig.11 The number of white pixels continuous in the downward direction starting from the closest white pixel at the position (D)) is counted to determine whether the number of continuous pixels in the downward direction obtained thereby exceeds a preset threshold.

[0360] Then, when the CPU 11 a determines that the number of downward continuous pixels does not exceed the preset threshold value, the CPU 11 a determines to maintain the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 as it is.

[0361] If the number of downward continuous pixels does not exceed the preset threshold, the first closest paper PK and the second paper P do not overlap, and in this case, the setting of the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 is determined to be maintained as it is.

[0362] On the other hand, when the CPU 11 a determines that the number of downward continuous pixels exceeds the preset threshold value, it determines to change the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 (step S107 ).

[0363] Specifically, in this case, the CPU 11 a determines to reduce the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 to the paper sheet bundle 54 .

[0364] When the number of downward continuous pixels exceeds a preset threshold, an overlap occurs between the first closest paper PK and the second paper P. In this case, a decision is made to reduce the amount of air blown by the side blowing device 400 .

[0365] Thus, the state of the paper bundle 54 changes from Fig.10 The state shown in (C) becomes Fig.10 The state shown in (B).

[0366] Thereafter, the CPU 11 a outputs a signal instructing the start of image formation (step S108 ).

[0367] In the above, the processing when the imaging unit 80 is located closest to the paper PK is mainly described, but the imaging unit 80 may be located closest to the paper PK.

[0368] In this case, similarly to the above, the CPU 11 a determines whether the absolute value of the distance between the uppermost paper PM and the reference position 74 exceeds a preset value.

[0369] Then, when the absolute value exceeds a preset value, the CPU 11 a controls the image pickup unit 80 to move.

[0370] When the photographing unit 80 is located above the paper PK, the reference position 74 (see FIG. 1 ) is subtracted from the vertical coordinate value of the white pixel closest to the upper side 71 of the photographed image, that is, the white pixel closest to the upper side 71 of the photographed image. Fig.11 When the vertical coordinate value of (B)) is changed, the value obtained becomes a negative value.

[0371] In this case, the CPU 11 a controls the image pickup section 80 to move downward, thereby bringing the image pickup section 80 closer to the extended surface closest to the paper PK.

[0372] When the imaging unit 80 is moved based on the inclination angle θ of the side 78 of the uppermost paper PM, when the imaging unit 80 is located above the closest paper PK, the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels is diagonally upward and leftward.

[0373] In this case, the arrangement direction of the right continuous white pixels and the reference straight line 81 (refer to Fig.12 ) becomes a negative angle, and the inclination angle θ of side 78 becomes a negative angle.

[0374] In this case, the CPU 11 a controls the image pickup unit 80 to move downward, and brings the image pickup unit 80 close to the extended surface closest to the paper PK.

[0375] In the above description, the case where the position of the imaging unit 80 is adjusted before starting image formation is described, but the position of the imaging unit 80 may be adjusted between one image formation and another image formation performed after the one image formation.

[0376] In addition, the position of the imaging unit 80 may be adjusted when the type of the paper P being transported is changed to another type, for example.

[0377] When the type of the paper P being transported is changed to another type, the weight of each paper P or the degree of adhesion between the papers P changes, and the floating state of the paper P changes.

[0378] When the imaging unit 80 is moved according to a change in the type of the paper P being transported, the imaging unit 80 can be brought closer to the extended surface closest to the paper PK than when the imaging unit 80 is not moved according to a change in the type of the paper P.

[0379] Alternatively, the position of the imaging unit 80 may be adjusted every time a preset time has passed or every time the number of sheets of paper P on which images have been formed reaches a preset number of sheets.

[0380] In the above description, the case where the position of the imaging unit 80 is automatically adjusted is described as an example. However, the imaging unit 80 may be manually moved in the loading direction of the paper P by a user without providing the moving mechanism 300 .

[0381] When the user manually moves the imaging unit 80 , for example, a guide portion such as a guide rail for guiding the imaging unit 80 and a fixing mechanism for fixing the imaging unit 80 to the guide portion are provided.

[0382] In the case where the user manually moves the imaging unit 80, the CPU 11a may also manually move the imaging unit 80 through the UI 70 (see Figure 1 ) notifies the user of the movement amount of the photographic unit 80 specified in the above-mentioned step S104.

[0383] In this case, the user can move the imaging unit 80 closer to the extended surface closest to the paper PK by moving the imaging unit 80 by the notified movement amount.

[0384] In addition to this, the captured image obtained by the above-mentioned capturing process of step S102 may be notified to the user through the UI 70 .

[0385] In this case, the user identifies the position of the imaging unit 80 based on the photographed image, and performs an operation to move the imaging unit 80 when the position of the imaging unit 80 is misaligned.

[0386] Furthermore, when notifying the user of the movement amount and the photographed image, the notification is not limited to being performed via the UI 70 , and the user may be notified of the movement amount and the photographed image via a PC (Personal Computer), a smartphone, a tablet, or the like.

[0387] In addition, in the above, the use of Figure 8 In the case where the moving mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 1 moves the photographing unit 80, when using Fig. 9 When the moving mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 8 moves the imaging unit 80, basically the same processing as described above is performed.

[0388] However, in Fig. 9 In the moving mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 1 , the photographing unit 80 can move toward the upper stop portion 39A (see FIG. 1 ). Fig. 9 ) and the lower stop portion 39B move, so even if it is preferred to move the photographing unit 80 further upward or downward, it is possible that the photographing unit 80 does not move.

[0389] In use Fig. 9 In the case of the moving mechanism 300 shown in FIG. 1 , for example, at the top edge 71 (see FIG. 1 ) closest to the photographic image, Fig.11When the distance between the position of the closest white pixel in (B)) and the reference position 74 exceeds a preset threshold and the value obtained by subtracting the vertical coordinate value of the reference position 74 from the vertical coordinate value of the closest white pixel is a positive value, as described above, it is preferred to move the photographic unit 80 upward.

[0390] In this case, when the imaging unit 80 stops at the lower stop portion 39B (see Fig. 9 ), a process is performed to move the photographing unit 80 toward the upper stop portion 39A located above.

[0391] In addition, when using Fig. 9 In the case of the moving mechanism 300 shown in , for example, when the distance between the position of the closest white pixel to the upper edge 71 of the photographic image and the reference position 74 exceeds a predetermined threshold value and the value obtained by subtracting the vertical coordinate value of the reference position 74 from the vertical coordinate value of the closest white pixel is a negative value, it is preferred to move the photographic unit 80 downward.

[0392] In this case, when the imaging unit 80 stops at the upper stop portion 39A, a process is performed to move the imaging unit 80 to the lower stop portion 39B located below.

[0393] In addition, for example, the top sheet PM has an edge 78 (see Fig.12 ) exceeds a preset threshold value and the inclination angle θ is a positive value, as described above, it is preferred to move the photographing unit 80 upward.

[0394] In this case, when the imaging unit 80 stops at the lower stop portion 39B, a process is performed to move the imaging unit 80 to the upper stop portion 39A located above.

[0395] For example, when the inclination angle θ of the side 78 of the uppermost paper PM exceeds a preset threshold value and the inclination angle θ is a negative value, it is preferable to move the imaging unit 80 downward.

[0396] In this case, when the imaging unit 80 stops at the upper stop portion 39A, a process is performed to move the imaging unit 80 to the lower stop portion 39B located below.

[0397] (Note) (((1)))

[0399] A recording medium storage device, comprising:

[0400] a storage portion for storing a loaded recording medium;

[0401] a blowing unit that blows gas toward the recording medium accommodated in the accommodation portion; and

[0402] The imaging unit is provided so as to be movable in a loading direction of the recording medium stored in the storage unit, and images the recording medium to which the gas is blown by the blowing unit. (((2)))

[0404] The recording medium storage device according to (((1))), wherein:

[0405] A moving unit is further provided. The moving unit has a driving source and moves the imaging unit in the loading direction. (((3)))

[0407] The recording medium storage device according to (((2))), wherein:

[0408] further comprising a processor for controlling the mobile unit,

[0409] The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction.

[0410] The processor

[0411] The moving unit is controlled so that the imaging unit is located on an extended surface of a first recording medium from the top among the plurality of recording media stored in the storage unit. (((4)))

[0413] The recording medium storage device according to (((3))), wherein:

[0414] The processor

[0415] The imaging unit is positioned on an extended surface of the first recording medium that is in a floating state due to the blowing of the gas by the blowing unit. (((5)))

[0417] The recording medium storage device according to (((2))), wherein:

[0418] further comprising a processor for controlling the mobile unit,

[0419] The processor

[0420] The moving unit is controlled based on the photographic image obtained by the photographing section. (((6)))

[0422] The recording medium storage device according to (((5))), wherein:

[0423] The processor

[0424] The moving unit is controlled based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image. (((7)))

[0426] The recording medium storage device according to (((6))), wherein:

[0427] The processor

[0428] The moving unit is controlled based on the position of the recording medium satisfying a specific condition among the recording media projected on the photographic image. (((8)))

[0430] The recording medium storage device according to (((7))), wherein:

[0431] The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction.

[0432] The processor

[0433] The control of the moving unit is performed based on the position of the uppermost recording medium, which is the uppermost recording medium in the photographic image, among the recording media projected on the photographic image. (((9)))

[0435] The recording medium storage device according to (((8))), wherein:

[0436] The processor

[0437] When the distance between the uppermost recording medium projected on the photographic image and a preset reference position in the photographic image is larger than a preset distance, control is performed to drive the moving means to move the photographing section. (((10)))

[0439] The recording medium storage device according to (((5))), wherein:

[0440] The processor

[0441] The moving unit is controlled based on the tilt angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image. (((11)))

[0443] The recording medium storage device according to (((10))), wherein:

[0444] The processor

[0445] The moving unit is controlled based on the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium that satisfies a specific condition among the recording media reflected in the photographic image. (((12)))

[0447] The recording medium storage device according to (((11))), wherein:

[0448] The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction.

[0449] The processor

[0450] The moving unit is controlled based on the tilt angle of the side of the recording medium located uppermost in the photographic image, that is, the uppermost recording medium, among the recording media projected on the photographic image. (((13)))

[0452] The recording medium storage device according to (((12))), wherein:

[0453] The processor

[0454] When the inclination angle of the side of the uppermost recording medium projected on the photographic image is larger than a preset angle, control is performed to drive the moving means to move the photographing section. (((14)))

[0456] The recording medium storage device according to (((1))), wherein:

[0457] A processor is further provided for specifying a movement amount of the imaging unit in a state where the imaging unit needs to move in the loading direction. (((15)))

[0459] The recording medium storage device according to (((14))), wherein:

[0460] The processor

[0461] The movement amount is specified based on the photographic image obtained by the photographing unit. (((16)))

[0463] The recording medium storage device according to (((15))), wherein:

[0464] The processor

[0465] The movement amount is specified based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image. (((17)))

[0467] The recording medium storage device according to (((15))), wherein:

[0468] The processor

[0469] The movement amount is specified based on the tilt angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image. (((18)))

[0471] An image forming device comprising:

[0472] A recording medium storage device for storing recording media; and an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium fed out from the recording medium storage device, wherein the recording medium storage device includes the recording medium storage device described in any one of (((1))) to (((17))).

[0473] According to the recording medium storage device of (((1))), the position of the imaging unit can be brought closer to the originally predetermined position, compared with a configuration in which the position of the imaging unit that captures the image of the recording medium to which the gas is blown cannot be changed.

[0474] According to the recording medium storage device of (((2))), compared with a configuration in which the imaging unit is manually moved in the recording medium loading direction, the workload of the user who moves the imaging unit in the recording medium loading direction can be reduced.

[0475] According to the recording medium storage device of (((3))), compared with a case where the photographic section is located at a position away from an extended surface of a first recording medium from the top of a plurality of recording media stored in the storage section, the accuracy of determining whether the first recording medium and a second recording medium located below the first recording medium overlap can be improved.

[0476] According to the recording medium storage device of (((4))), the accuracy of determining whether the first recording medium and the second recording medium located below the first recording medium overlap can be improved compared to a case where the photographic unit is located at a position away from the extended surface of the first recording medium in a floating state.

[0477] According to the recording medium storage device of (((5))), the number of sensors to be installed can be reduced compared to a case where the moving unit is controlled based on the output from a dedicated sensor provided separately from the imaging unit and used to identify the status of the recording medium.

[0478] According to the recording medium storage device of (((6))), the number of sensors to be installed can be reduced compared to a case where the moving unit is controlled based on the output from a dedicated sensor provided separately from the imaging unit and used to identify the position of the recording medium.

[0479] According to the recording medium storage device of (((7))), the imaging unit can be moved according to the position of a specific recording medium among the recording media to which the gas is blown.

[0480] According to the recording medium storage device of (((8))), the imaging unit can be moved according to the position of the uppermost recording medium in the photographed image among the recording media to which the gas is blown.

[0481] According to the recording medium storage device of (((9))), when the uppermost recording medium in the photographed image among the recording media to which the gas is blown is away from the preset reference position, the photographing unit can be moved.

[0482] According to the recording medium storage device of (((10))), the position of the photographing unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0483] According to the recording medium storage device of (((11))), the position of the imaging unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of a specific recording medium among the recording media projected on the photographed image.

[0484] According to the recording medium storage device of (((12))), the position of the photographing unit can be changed according to the inclination angle of the side of the uppermost recording medium among the recording media projected on the photographed image.

[0485] According to the recording medium storage device of (((13))), the position of the photographic unit can be changed when the recording medium located at the top among the recording media projected on the photographic image has an edge with a large inclination angle and there is a high possibility that the recording medium located at the top is away from the photographic unit.

[0486] According to the recording medium storage device of (((14))), the movement amount of the imaging unit in the state where it is necessary to move in the loading direction can be identified.

[0487] According to the recording medium storage device of (((15))), the number of sensors to be installed can be reduced compared to a case where the movement amount of the photographing section is specified based on the output from a dedicated sensor provided separately from the photographing section and used to specify the condition of the recording medium.

[0488] According to the recording medium storage device of (((16))), the movement amount of the photographing unit that needs to be moved can be specified based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0489] According to the recording medium storage device of (((17))), the movement amount of the photographing unit in a state of needing to be moved can be specified based on the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographed image.

[0490] According to the image forming apparatus of (((18))), the position of the imaging unit can be brought closer to the originally predetermined position, compared with a configuration in which the position of the imaging unit that images the recording medium on which the gas is blown cannot be changed.

Claims

1. A recording medium storage device, characterized in that: have: a storage portion for storing a loaded recording medium; a blowing unit that blows gas toward the recording medium accommodated in the accommodation portion; as well as The imaging unit is provided so as to be movable in a loading direction of the recording medium stored in the storage unit, and images the recording medium to which the gas is blown by the blowing unit.

2. The recording medium storage device according to claim 1, wherein: A moving unit is further provided. The moving unit has a driving source and moves the imaging unit in the loading direction.

3. The recording medium storage device according to claim 2, wherein: further comprising a processor for controlling the mobile unit, The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction. The processor The moving unit is controlled so that the imaging unit is located on an extended surface of a first recording medium from the top among the plurality of recording media stored in the storage unit.

4. The recording medium storage device according to claim 3, wherein: The processor The imaging unit is positioned on an extended surface of the first recording medium that is in a floating state due to the blowing of the gas by the blowing unit.

5. The recording medium storage device according to claim 2, wherein: further comprising a processor for controlling the mobile unit, The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the photographic image obtained by the photographing section.

6. The recording medium storage device according to claim 5, wherein: The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

7. The recording medium storage device according to claim 6, wherein: The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the position of the recording medium satisfying a specific condition among the recording media projected on the photographic image.

8. The recording medium storage device according to claim 7, wherein: The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction. The processor The control of the moving unit is performed based on the position of the uppermost recording medium, which is the uppermost recording medium in the photographic image, among the recording media projected on the photographic image.

9. The recording medium storage device according to claim 8, wherein: The processor When the distance between the uppermost recording medium projected on the photographic image and a preset reference position in the photographic image is larger than a preset distance, control is performed to drive the moving means to move the photographing section.

10. The recording medium storage device according to claim 5, wherein: The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the tilt angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

11. The recording medium storage device according to claim 10, wherein: The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the inclination angle of the side of the recording medium that satisfies a specific condition among the recording media reflected in the photographic image.

12. The recording medium storage device according to claim 11, wherein: The recording media are loaded in the storage portion in a manner of being arranged in the vertical direction. The processor The moving unit is controlled based on the tilt angle of the side of the uppermost recording medium, which is located at the uppermost position in the photographic image, among the recording media projected on the photographic image.

13. The recording medium storage device according to claim 12, wherein: The processor When the inclination angle of the side of the uppermost recording medium projected on the photographic image is larger than a preset angle, control is performed to drive the moving means to move the photographing section.

14. The recording medium storage device according to claim 1, wherein: A processor is further provided for specifying a movement amount of the imaging unit in a state where the imaging unit needs to move in the loading direction.

15. The recording medium storage device according to claim 14, wherein: The processor The movement amount is specified based on the photographic image obtained by the photographing unit.

16. The recording medium storage device according to claim 15, wherein: The processor The movement amount is specified based on the position of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

17. The recording medium storage device according to claim 15, wherein: The processor The movement amount is specified based on the tilt angle of the side of the recording medium projected on the photographic image.

18. An image forming device, characterized in that: have: a recording medium storage device for storing a recording medium; and an image forming unit for forming an image on the recording medium fed from the recording medium storage device, The recording medium storage device includes the recording medium storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 17.

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