Medium detection sensor

Abstract

An imaging device (522) includes a media loading region (504) having a media loading surface, an outer surface adjacent the media loading region, and a sensor (510) included in the device, where the sensor includes a detection region oriented away from the outer surface, the medium is located in the medium loading area and is at least partially located in the detection area.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Imaging systems (such as printers, copiers, etc.) can be used to form marks, such as text, images, etc., on physical media. In some examples, the imaging system can form marks on physical media by performing a print job. The print job can include forming marks (such as text and / or images) by transferring printing materials (e.g., ink, toner, etc.) to the physical media. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a document feeder device consistent with the present disclosure.

[0003] Figure 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device having a media detection sensor consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view and a detection area.

[0004] Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device having a media detection sensor consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view and media located outside of the detection area.

[0005] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device having a media detection sensor consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view and media partially within the detection area.

[0006] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of an imaging device having a document feeder device with a media detection sensor consistent with the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] The imaging device may include a supply of printing material. As used herein, the term "printing material" refers to a substance that can be conveyed by and / or utilized by the imaging device. In some examples, the printing material may be, for example, a material that can form a representation (e.g., text, an image, a model, etc.) on a medium when applied to the medium during a print job. The printing material may include ink, toner, polymer, metal, colorant, etc.

[0008] Print material can be deposited on a medium, such as a physical medium. As used herein, the term "imaging device" refers to any hardware device that has the function of physically generating a representation (e.g., text, image, model, etc.) on a medium. In some examples, the "medium" can include paper, photopolymers, plastics, composite materials, metals, wood, fabrics, or similar materials. The imaging device can further include other functions, such as scanning, faxing, and / or other imaging device functions, and can execute a print job upon receiving a print job request from a computing device or other network (e.g., Internet) connected device.

[0009] In some examples, a print job can originate from media processed by an imaging device. For example, as described above, an imaging device can process media by scanning the media via a scanning device associated with the imaging device. As used herein, the term "scanning device" refers to a device that optically scans media and converts it into a digital image. For example, a scanning device can scan an image on a medium and convert the image into a digital image.

[0010] The imaging device may include a document feeder device that can transfer media from a media loading area of ​​the document feeder device to a scanning area of ​​a scanning device. As used herein, the term "document feeder device" refers to a device that feeds media into a scanning area for a print job. For example, the document feeder device can automatically transfer a single sheet or multiple sheets of media to a scanning area of ​​a scanning device for scanning. In some examples, the document feeder device can utilize rollers to move the media to the scanning area and then to a media output position of the imaging device.

[0011] In some examples, multiple media of different sizes may be fed into a document feeder device, whereby an imaging device may perform a print job using multiple media of different sizes. To prepare for such a print job, the document feeder device may detect the size of the media to be scanned. Detection of the size of the media to be scanned may allow the imaging device to select a particular media size for printing.

[0012] In previous approaches, an optical sensor can be physically located in the media loading area of ​​a document feeder device and in a position below the media. Together with the mechanical marks, the imaging device can determine the media size of the media to be scanned. However, the longer the length of the media, the longer the media loading area of ​​the document feeder device must be in order to detect the media.

[0013] As a result of locating the optical sensor in the media loading area below the media, the size of the document feeder device must be larger. This sizing may hinder the overall geometry of the imaging device. For example, it may be desirable to design the imaging device geometry to have a smaller overall footprint for size considerations (e.g., so that the imaging device occupies less space) and / or for aesthetic purposes, but this is not possible given the size of the document feeder device with the optical sensor in the media loading area. In addition, the larger imaging device geometry may result in increased material costs, packaging costs, shipping costs, etc. during the manufacturing process, resulting in an increase in overall product cost.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, a media detection sensor can be implemented that can be used to detect media to be processed by a document feeder device, wherein the sensor is located outside of the media loading area of ​​the document feeder device. Compared to previous approaches, this sensor placement can reduce the overall footprint of the imaging device, thereby reducing overall product cost, as well as increasing design flexibility.

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an example of a document feeder device 100 consistent with the present disclosure. Figure 1 As shown, document feeder device 100 includes a housing 102 , a media loading area 104 , an exterior surface 108 , and a sensor 110 .

[0016] As described above, the document feeder device 100 can transfer media from the media loading area 104 to a scanning device (e.g., Figure 1 The document feeder device 100 may transport the media to the scanning area via the housing 102. As used herein, the term "housing" refers to the housing of the device. For example, the housing 102 may be a housing that constitutes a portion of the document feeder device 100. The housing 102 may include other components of the document feeder device, such as gears, rollers, motors, etc.

[0017] like Figure 1As shown, the document feeder device 100 may include a media loading area 104. As used herein, the term "media loading area" refers to an area of ​​the document feeder device where media is located before being transported by the document feeder device. The media loading area 104 may include a media loading surface 106. As used herein, the term "media loading surface" refers to an outer surface of the media loading area. Media to be transported by the document feeder device 100 can be placed on the media loading surface 106. For example, a single piece of media (e.g., a sheet of paper) or multiple pieces of media (e.g., multiple pieces of media or a stack of media) can be placed on the media loading surface 106 of the media loading area 104. When ready to be scanned, the document feeder device 100 can transport the media from the media loading area 104 to the scanner device for scanning.

[0018] The housing 102 can include an exterior surface 108. The exterior surface 108 can be located adjacent to the media loading surface 106 of the media loading area 104.

[0019] In order to detect the size of the media to be conveyed by the document feeder device 100, the document feeder device 100 may include a sensor 110 in the housing 102. As used herein, the term "sensor" refers to a device for detecting events and / or changes in its environment and transmitting the detected events and / or changes for processing and / or analysis. For example, the sensor 110 may detect the presence of media and transmit a signal to a controller (e.g., a controller) that a certain size of media has been detected. Figure 1 (not shown) for processing and / or analysis. Figure 3-Figure 5 As further described in conjunction with 2, the sensor 110 can be oriented in the housing 102 so that the field of view of the sensor 110 is oriented away from the exterior surface 108, and the detection area is defined within the field of view to detect media that is at least partially located on the media loading surface 106 and at least partially located in the detection area.

[0020] Figure 2 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device 200 having a media detection sensor 210 consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view 212 and a detection area 216. The document feeder device 200 may further include a housing 202 having a media loading area 204 including a media loading surface 206 and an exterior surface 208.

[0021] As previously combined Figure 1 As depicted, document feeder device 200 may include sensor 210 .

[0022] The sensor 210 may include a field of view 212. As used herein, the term "field of view" refers to an observable area that can be seen by a device. For example, the field of view 212 is an area in which the sensor 210 can detect media that may be placed on the media loading surface 206 in the media loading area 204.

[0023] In some examples, sensor 210 may be a time-of-flight sensor. As used herein, the term "time-of-flight sensor" refers to a device that employs time-of-flight technology to detect objects within a field of view and the distance of the objects from the device using artificial light signals. For example, sensor 210 may utilize time-of-flight technology to detect a medium located in a particular area of ​​field of view 212 of sensor 210, as further described herein.

[0024] Using a time-of-flight sensor can achieve higher detection accuracy than conventional optical sensors located in the media loading area 204. For example, a time-of-flight sensor can accurately detect objects within the detection area while receiving a smaller number of detection photons (e.g., from a light signal emitted by the time-of-flight sensor) than other optical sensors. In addition, such a time-of-flight sensor can achieve accurate detection of media with different reflectivity levels. Because the media located in the media loading area 204 can include different reflectivity levels (e.g., due to the type of media (printed paper, photo paper, etc.) and any images located on the media), the time-of-flight sensor can accurately detect such media when the media is at least partially located in the detection area 216.

[0025] Although the sensor 210 is described above as a time-of-flight sensor, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

[0026] In some examples, sensor 210 may be an optical sensor. In some examples, sensor 210 may be an ultrasonic sensor. In other words, sensor 210 may be any sensor that can be used to determine the distance to an object and / or the proximity to an object.

[0027] As described above, the detection area 216 may be defined within the field of view 212. As used herein, the term "detection area" refers to an area where objects can be detected. The detection area 216 may be defined within the field of view 212 by a first boundary line 214-1 and a second boundary line 214-2. For example, the sensor 210 (e.g., a time-of-flight sensor) may use a predetermined first flight time to set a first distance between the first boundary line 214-1 and the sensor 210, and use a predetermined second flight time to set a second distance between the second boundary line 214-2 and the sensor 210. Therefore, an object (e.g., a medium) having some portions located between the boundary lines 214-1 and 214-2 (e.g., within the detection area 216) may be detected by an optical signal having a flight time between the first flight time and the second flight time, the first flight time and the second flight time defining the boundary lines 214-1 and 214-2, respectively. In other words, the sensor 210 can utilize the timing of the light signal sent / transmitted by the sensor 210 (e.g., and reflected by an object located in the detection area 216) to determine that the object is located in the detection area 216 based on the return light signal reflected from the object having a time between a first predetermined flight time (e.g., defining the first boundary line 214-1) and a second predetermined flight time (e.g., defining the second boundary line 214-2).

[0028] Although the detection area 216 is described above as being defined by two boundary lines 214-1 and 214-2, examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, in one example, the detection area 216 may be defined by a single first boundary line 214-1 (rather than a second boundary line 214-2) so that objects having some portions in the field of view 212 but beyond the boundary line 214-1 (e.g., in the field of view beyond the boundary line 214-1 in a direction away from the surface 208) may be detected. In another example, the detection area 216 may be defined by a single second boundary line 214-2 so that objects having some portions in the field of view 212 but before the boundary line 214-2 (e.g., in the field of view between the surface 208 and the second boundary line 214-2) may be detected.

[0029] Thus, the sensor 210 can be used to detect the media in response to the media being at least partially located in the detection area 216 between the first boundary line 214-1 and the second boundary line 214-2. That is, the sensor 210 can detect the media having a certain length, which is at least partially located (e.g., placed) on the media loading surface 206 and at least partially located in the media detection area 216, such as in combination with Figure 4 as further described.

[0030] like Figure 2As shown, the sensor 210 is oriented in the housing 202 such that a detection area 216 of the sensor 210 is oriented away from the exterior surface 208 and outside of the media loading area 204. Thus, the sensor 210 and the field of view 212 of the sensor 210 are located outside of the media loading area 204. For example, the media loading surface 206 can define a plane 218. The plane 218 can be a planar, two-dimensional surface that extends infinitely from the media loading surface 206. The field of view 212 of the sensor 210 intersects the plane 218 outside of the media loading surface 206. Thus, the sensor 210 can detect media that is partially located on the media loading surface 206 and also extends from the media loading surface 206 (e.g., has a certain length) and also is partially located in the detection area 216, as combined with the media loading surface 206. Figure 4 By utilizing this approach, the sensor 210 can be located outside of the media loading area 204 while detecting media that is partially located on the media loading surface 206 and partially located within the detection area 216 of the sensor 210 .

[0031] Figure 3 3 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device 300 having a media detection sensor 310 consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view 312 and a medium 320 located outside of a detection area 316. The document feeder device 300 may further include a housing 302 having a media loading area 304 and an exterior surface 308, the media loading area 304 including a media loading surface 306.

[0032] like Figure 3 As shown, the document feeder device 300 may include a medium 320. The medium 320 may have different forms. For example, the medium 320-1 may be a rigid medium that remains substantially straight when the medium 320-1 is placed on the medium loading surface 306 of the medium loading area 304. The medium 320-2 may be a medium that is less rigid than the medium 320-1 because it is partially bent (e.g., due to gravity) when the medium 320-2 is placed on the medium loading surface 306 of the medium loading area 304. The medium 320-3 may be the least rigid and most flexible medium (e.g., compared to the medium 320-2 and the medium 320-1) because it is folded on the edges and overhangs toward the outer surface 308 when the medium 320-3 is placed on the medium loading surface 306 of the medium loading area 304 (e.g., due to gravity).

[0033] Therefore, if Figure 3As shown, no matter what kind of rigidity of the medium 320 is placed on the medium loading surface 306 of the medium loading area 304, the length of the medium 320 is not enough to extend into the detection area 316 of the sensor 310 and partially located in the detection area 316. That is, the medium 320 is at least partially located on the medium loading surface 306 (for example, a portion of the length of the medium 320 is located on the medium loading surface 306), but the sensor 310 does not detect that the medium 320 is at least partially located in the detection area 316. Therefore, the controller (for example, Figure 3 (not shown) can determine that the media type of the medium 320 is a short-format media type. For example, the short-format media type may include sizes such as A, A4, A5, A6, etc., although examples of the present disclosure are not limited to these media types.

[0034] Based on the determined media type, an imaging device (e.g., Figure 3 The image forming device may perform a print job using a similar or identical short format media type by selecting a specific tray having short format media and printing on the short format media from the selected tray based on the media type being determined to be a short format media type. This approach may allow for faster processing and performance of print jobs because the media type may be determined prior to a scanning operation.

[0035] Figure 4 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an example of a document feeder device 400 having a media detection sensor 410 consistent with the present disclosure, including a field of view 412 and a medium 421 partially located within a detection area 416. The document feeder device 400 may further include a housing 402 having a media loading area 404 and an exterior surface 408, the media loading area 404 including a media loading surface 406.

[0036] like Figure 4 As shown, the document feeder device 400 may include a medium 421. The medium 421 may have different forms. For example, the medium 421-1 may be a rigid medium that remains substantially flat when placed on the medium loading surface 406 of the medium loading area 404. The medium 421-2 may be a medium that is less rigid than the medium 421-1 because it is partially bent (e.g., due to gravity) when the medium 421-2 is placed on the medium loading surface 406 of the medium loading area 404. The medium 421-3 may be the least rigid and most flexible medium (e.g., compared to the medium 421-2 and the medium 421-1) because it is folded on the edges and overhangs toward the outer surface 408 when the medium 421-3 is placed on the medium loading surface 406 of the medium loading area 404 (e.g., due to gravity).

[0037] Therefore, if Figure 4As shown, no matter what kind of rigidity of the medium 421 is placed on the medium loading surface 406 of the medium loading area 404, the medium 421 extends into the detection area 416 of the sensor 410 and is partially located therein. That is, the medium 421 is at least partially located on the medium loading surface 406 (for example, a portion of the length of the medium 421 is located on the medium loading surface 406), and the sensor 410 detects that the medium 421 is at least partially located in the detection area 416. Therefore, the controller (for example, Figure 4 (not shown) can determine that the media type of the medium 421 is a long format media type. For example, the long format media type may include media sizes such as legal paper, government legal paper, F4, etc., although examples of the present disclosure are not limited to such media types.

[0038] Based on the determined media type, an imaging device (e.g., Figure 4 The image forming device may perform a print job based on the determination of the media type as a long format media type. For example, based on the determination of the media type as a long format media type, the image forming device may perform a print job using a similar or identical long format media type by selecting a specific tray having long format media and printing on the long format media from the selected tray. This approach may allow for faster processing and performance of the print job because the media type may be determined prior to the scanning operation.

[0039] Figure 5 is a perspective view of an example of an imaging device 522 having a document feeder device 500 with a media detection sensor 510 consistent with the present disclosure. Figure 5 As shown, the imaging device may further include a controller 526 .

[0040] like Figure 5 As shown, imaging device 522 may include document feeder device 500. Document feeder device 500 may include a media loading area 504 having a media loading surface 506. As indicated by arrows in media loading area 504, media placed on the media loading surface may be transferred to a scanner device by document feeder device 500. Once completed at the scanner device, document feeder device 500 may transfer the media from the scanner device to a media output tray 524, as indicated by arrows on media output tray 524, as further described herein.

[0041] The document feeder device 500 can further include an outer surface 508 adjacent to the media loading surface 506 and a sensor 510. As previously described, the sensor 510 can be a time-of-flight sensor and can be oriented in the document feeder device 500 such that a field of view 512 of the sensor 510 is oriented away from the outer surface 508. Additionally, a detection area 516 can be defined within the field of view 512 to detect that the media is at least partially located on the media loading surface 506 and at least partially located in the detection area 516. The detection area 516 can be defined by boundary lines 514-1 and 514-2.

[0042] The imaging device 522 may further include a controller 526. Figure 5 5. The controller 526 may include a processor and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. The processor may be a processing resource such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, and / or a processor suitable for retrieving and executing data stored in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium (e.g., Figure 5 As an alternative or in addition to retrieving and executing instructions, the processing resource may include an electronic circuit including multiple electronic components for performing operations on the instructions in the non-transitory machine-readable storage medium.

[0043] A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be any electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physical storage device that stores executable instructions. Thus, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be, for example, a random access memory (RAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a storage drive, an optical disk, etc. Executable instructions may be "installed" in a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium. For example, a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium may be a portable, external, or remote storage medium that allows the computing device 640 to download instructions from a portable / external / remote storage medium. In this case, the executable instructions may be part of an "installation package."

[0044] The controller 526 can utilize a processor and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium to determine the media type of the media based on whether the media is at least partially located on the media loading surface 506 and at least partially located in the detection area 516. For example, as described above in conjunction with Figure 3As described, media may be placed on the media loading surface 506 without being long enough to extend into and partially within the detection area 516 of the sensor 510. Thus, although the media may be partially located on the media loading surface 506, the sensor 510 does not detect that the media is at least partially located within the detection area 516, and thus the controller 526 may determine that the media is a short-format media type. For example, by selecting a particular tray with the same or similar short-format media and printing on the media from the selected tray, the imaging device 522 may perform a print job based on the short-format media type using a similar or identical short-format media type.

[0045] As another example, as mentioned above in conjunction with Figure 4 As described, the media can be placed on the media loading surface 506 with a length sufficient to extend into and partially within the detection area 516 of the sensor 510. Thus, the media can be partially located on the media loading surface 506, and the sensor 510 detects that the media is at least partially located in the detection area 516. The controller 526 can determine that the media is a long format media type. For example, by selecting a particular tray with the same or similar long format media and printing on the media from the selected tray, the imaging device 522 can perform a print job based on the long format media type using a similar or identical long format media type.

[0046] As described above, the document feeder device 500 further includes a media output tray 524. As used herein, the term "media output tray" refers to a tray that collects media after processing in an imaging device. For example, once the media has been processed through the housing 502 via the media loading area 504, the media can be ejected from the housing 502 into the media output tray 524. Such processing can include scanning by the imaging device 522 (e.g., Figure 5 Thus, the media can be placed on the media loading surface 506 of the media loading area, the controller 526 can determine the media type of the media based on whether the sensor 510 detects the media, the media can be processed by the housing 502, and ejected to the media output tray 524.

[0047] Although the above-described print job performed by the imaging device 522 includes printing a copied image from a medium placed in the media loading area 504, the examples of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. In some examples, the controller 526 can determine the media type of the medium placed in the media loading area 504, and the controller 526 can determine the scan length of the medium based on the determined media type. As used herein, the term "scan length" refers to the amount of time that a scanning device performs a scanning operation. For example, the scan length of a short format medium can be an amount of time that is shorter than the scan length of a long format medium. Based on the determined media type, the controller 526 can determine a scan length corresponding to a short format medium (e.g., a scan length that is shorter than a long format medium) or a scan length corresponding to a long format medium (e.g., a scan length that is longer than a short format medium). This approach can allow for faster processing and performance of print jobs.

[0048] In some examples, the controller 526 can determine the media type of the media placed in the media loading area 504, and can determine whether a media path jam of the imaging device has occurred based on the determined media type. As used herein, the term "media path jam" refers to media that is stuck in the media path of the imaging device and cannot be automatically ejected. Based on the determined media type, the controller 526 can cause a media path sensor (e.g., Figure 5 526 may cause a media path sensor in the document feeder device 500 to switch at certain times (not shown). For example, the controller 526 may cause a media path sensor in the document feeder device 500 to switch at a first time based on the media type being a short format media type, and cause the media path sensor to switch at a second time based on the media type being a long format media type, wherein the first time is earlier than the second time. For example, the media may pass through the document feeder device 500 at a speed of 10 inches per second. At such a speed, it may take 1.1 seconds for the short format media to pass through the media path sensor, while it may take 1.4 seconds for the long format media to pass through the media path sensor. Therefore, if the leading edge of the media triggers the media path sensor, and the media does not pass through the sensor within a first threshold amount of time (e.g., 1.1 seconds) for the short format media type or within a second threshold amount of time (e.g., 1.4 seconds) for the long format media type, the controller 526 may generate an error.

[0049] A media detection sensor according to the present disclosure can allow a sensor located outside of a media loading area of ​​a document feeder device to detect media to determine the media type. Placing the sensor outside of the media loading area can allow for a reduction in the overall footprint of the imaging device, which can allow for an aesthetically pleasing design while reducing overall product cost. Additionally, using a time-of-flight sensor can allow for more reliable detection of different types of media than previous approaches.

[0050] In the foregoing detailed description of the present disclosure, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part of the present disclosure and in which examples of how the present disclosure may be practiced are shown by way of illustration. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the examples of the present disclosure, and it is understood that other examples may be used and that process, electrical and / or structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, as used herein, "a" may refer to one such thing or more than one such thing.

[0051] The figures herein follow a numbering convention in which the first digit corresponds to the figure number and the remaining digits identify an element or component in the figure. For example, reference numeral 102 may refer to Figure 1 102 in FIG. 1 , and similar components may be formed by Figure 2 The reference numeral 202 in the figure is identified. The elements shown in the various figures herein may be added, replaced and / or deleted to provide additional examples of the present disclosure. In addition, the proportions and relative sizes of the elements provided in the drawings are intended to illustrate examples of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting.

[0052] It is understood that when an element is referred to as being "on another element," "connected to another element," "coupled to another element," or "coupled with another element," the element may be directly on, connected to, or coupled with the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an object is "directly coupled to another element" or "directly coupled with another element," it should be understood that there are no intervening elements (adhesives, screws, or other elements, etc.) present.

[0053] The above description, examples and data provide a description of the method and application, and the use of the system and method of the present disclosure. Since multiple examples can be implemented without departing from the spirit and scope of the system and method of the present disclosure, this specification only lists some of the multiple possible example configurations and implementations.

Claims

1. A device, comprising: a media loading area having a media loading surface; an exterior surface adjacent to the media loading area; as well as A sensor is included in the apparatus, wherein the sensor includes a detection region oriented away from the exterior surface to detect media located in the media loading region and also at least partially located in the detection region.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor comprises a field of view.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the detection area is defined within the field of view by a first boundary line and a second boundary line.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the medium in response to the medium being at least partially located in the detection area between the first boundary line and the second boundary line.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the media in response to the media being at least partially located on the media loading surface and at least partially located in the detection zone.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a time-of-flight sensor.

7. A document feeder device, the document feeder device comprising: chassis; a media loading area in the housing having a media loading surface; an outer surface of the housing adjacent the media loading area; as well as A sensor included in the housing, wherein: the sensor being positioned in the housing such that a field of view of the sensor is positioned away from the exterior surface; as well as A detection zone is defined within the field of view to detect media at least partially located on the media loading surface and at least partially located within the detection zone.

8. The document feeder device of claim 7, wherein the media loading surface defines a plane.

9. The document feeder device of claim 8, wherein the field of view of the sensor intersects the plane external to the media loading surface.

10. The document feeder device of claim 7, wherein: The document feeder device further includes a media output tray connected to the housing; and The media is processed through the housing via the media loading area and then ejected into the media output tray.

11. An imaging device, comprising: A document feeder device, the document feeder device comprising: a media loading area having a media loading surface; an exterior surface adjacent to the media loading surface; and Sensors, where: the sensor being oriented in the document feeder device such that a field of view of the sensor is directed away from the exterior surface; and A detection zone is defined within the field of view to detect media at least partially located on the media loading surface and at least partially located within the detection zone; and A controller is configured to determine a media type of the media based on whether the media is at least partially located on the media loading surface and at least partially located in the detection area.

12. The image forming apparatus of claim 11, wherein the image forming apparatus is configured to perform a print job based on the media type.

13. The imaging device of claim 12, wherein: In response to the sensor detecting that the media is at least partially located in the detection area and the media is at least partially located on the media loading surface, the controller determines that the media type is a long format media type; as well as The imaging device will perform the print job based on the long format media type.

14. The imaging device of claim 12, wherein: In response to the media being at least partially located on the media loading surface but the sensor not detecting that the media is at least partially located in the detection zone, the controller determines that the media type is a short format media type; as well as The imaging device is configured to perform the print job based on the short-format media type.

15. The imaging device of claim 12, wherein the imaging device is used for at least one of the following: determining a scan length based on the media type; and A media path obstruction of the imaging device is determined.

Images