Medium storage device and image formation system

Abstract

To provide a medium storage device that can detect a medium with high accuracy when capturing the medium in a state where the medium is levitated and separated by blowing air thereon, in comparison with the case where the medium is captured by moving an irradiation part up and down.SOLUTION: A medium storage device 10 has a loading part 12 that can load paper sheets P in up-down direction, an air supply part 14 that supplies air to multiple paper sheets P loaded on the loading part 12 to float and separate the multiple paper sheets P, an out-sending part 16 that sequentially sends out the paper sheets P that are floated and separated by the air supply part 14, a camera 18 that captures the state in which the paper sheets P are floated and separated by the air supply part 14, an irradiation part 22 that applies light onto the side of the paper sheets P, and an adjustment part 24 that adjusts the angle of the light applied from the irradiation part 22 onto the paper sheets P.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet feeding device that includes an air blowing means for blowing air onto a sheet stack loaded on a sheet stacking section to lift up the uppermost sheet of the sheet stack, a feeding means for feeding the lifted top sheet, an imaging means for imaging the sheet lifted by the air blowing means, and an illumination means for illuminating the lifted sheet, and that includes a change means for changing the light irradiation range of the illumination means in the vertical direction. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-152537 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present invention aims to provide a media storage device and an image forming system that can detect a medium with greater accuracy when photographing the medium in a state where the medium is levitated and separated by blowing air onto it, compared to when photographing the medium by moving an irradiation unit up and down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The medium storage device of the first aspect has a loading section capable of loading media vertically, an air supply section that supplies air to the multiple media loaded on the loading section to levitate and separate the multiple media, a sending section that sequentially sends out the media that have been levitated and separated by the air supply section, a photographing section that photographs the state in which the media are levitated and separated by the air supply section, an illumination section that irradiates light onto the side of the media, and an adjustment section that adjusts the angle of the light irradiated from the illumination section to the media.

[0006] The medium storage device of the second aspect is the medium storage device described in the first aspect, wherein the photographing unit photographs the widthwise side of the medium from the outside in a width direction that intersects with the feed direction of the medium, and the irradiation unit irradiates light to the widthwise side of the medium by adjusting the angle of the light using the adjustment unit.

[0007] A medium storage device according to a third aspect is the medium storage device according to the first aspect, wherein the adjustment unit includes a reflecting unit that reflects light irradiated from the irradiating unit.

[0008] A medium storage device according to a fourth aspect is the medium storage device according to the first aspect, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the irradiation unit with respect to the loading unit.

[0009] A medium containing device according to a fifth aspect is the medium containing device according to the fourth aspect, wherein the adjustment unit rotates the irradiation unit about a rotation axis to rotate the irradiation unit along a vertical direction.

[0010] A medium storage device according to a sixth aspect is the medium storage device according to the third aspect, in which a plurality of reflecting sections are provided, and the adjustment section adjusts the angle of light irradiated to the medium by selecting one of the plurality of reflecting sections.

[0011] A medium storage device according to a seventh aspect is the medium storage device according to the sixth aspect, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the reflection unit, at which the light from the irradiation unit is first reflected, with respect to the loading unit.

[0012] A medium containing device according to an eighth aspect is the medium containing device according to the seventh aspect, wherein the adjustment section rotates the reflecting section about a rotation axis, thereby rotating the reflecting section along the up-down direction.

[0013] A medium storage device according to a ninth aspect is the medium storage device described in the first aspect, wherein the adjustment unit adjusts the angle of light to include a first angle at which light is irradiated from the upward or downward upward side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit to the side of the medium, and a second angle at which light is irradiated from the downward or upward side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit to the side of the medium.

[0014] A medium storage device according to a tenth aspect is the medium storage device according to the first aspect, wherein the irradiating section irradiates light having directionality.

[0015] The medium storage device of an eleventh aspect is the medium storage device described in the first aspect, and further comprises at least one processor, the processor changing the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit based on an image captured by the photographing unit.

[0016] An image forming system according to a twelfth aspect has a medium storage device according to any one of the first to eleventh aspects, and an image forming unit that forms an image on a medium sent out from the medium storage device by the sending unit. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the medium storage device of the first aspect, when the medium is photographed in a state in which air is blown onto the medium to levitate and separate it, the medium can be detected with greater accuracy compared to when the medium is photographed by moving the irradiation unit up and down.

[0018] According to the medium storage device of the second aspect, the arrangement of each component is easier than when the photographing unit photographs the side of the medium from a direction along the medium feed direction and the illumination unit illuminates the side of the medium with light from a direction along the medium feed direction.

[0019] According to the medium storage device of the third aspect, the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the medium is simply directly irradiated with light emitted from the irradiation unit.

[0020] According to the medium storage device of the fourth aspect, the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the irradiation unit with respect to the loading unit is fixed.

[0021] According to the medium containing device of the fifth aspect, it is possible to rotate the irradiation unit around the rotation axis in a short time, compared to a case in which the irradiation unit is moved in the vertical direction.

[0022] According to the medium container device of the sixth aspect, it is possible to detect the medium with higher accuracy compared to a case where there is one reflecting portion.

[0023] According to the medium storage device of the seventh aspect, the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the reflecting unit with respect to the loading unit is fixed.

[0024] According to the medium containing device of the eighth aspect, the reflecting portion can be rotated around the rotation axis in a short time, compared to a case where the reflecting portion is moved in the vertical direction.

[0025] According to the medium storage device of the ninth aspect, the medium can be detected with greater accuracy compared to a case in which the angle of light is adjusted so that light is irradiated only from the upper or lower upward side or only from the lower vertical side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit.

[0026] According to the medium container device of the tenth aspect, the medium can be detected with higher accuracy than when irradiating with dispersed light.

[0027] According to the medium storage device of the eleventh aspect, it is possible to prevent clogging or multiple feeding of media, compared to a case in which the amount of air supplied is not changed.

[0028] According to the image forming system of the 12th aspect, when the medium is photographed in a state in which air is blown onto the medium to levitate and separate it, the medium can be detected with greater accuracy compared to when the medium is photographed by moving the irradiation unit up and down. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] FIG. 1A is a front view showing a portion of a medium storage device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram showing an example of an image forming system including the medium storage device. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a portion of the medium storage device according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a medium storage device according to a first embodiment, taken along a direction intersecting the paper feed direction, illustrating a first example of the state of the adjustment section when the edge of the paper is photographed by a camera. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an enlarged configuration diagram showing a rotation device of the adjustment unit of the medium storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the medium storage device according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view along a direction intersecting the paper feed direction of the medium storage device according to the first embodiment, showing a second example of the state of the adjustment section when the edge of the paper is photographed by the camera. FIG. [Figure 7] (A) is a diagram showing a first example of a state in which paper is lifted and separated satisfactorily, (B) is a diagram showing a second example of a state in which paper is not lifted and separated satisfactorily, and (C) is a diagram showing a third example of a state in which paper is not lifted and separated satisfactorily. [Figure 8] 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of the medium storage device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view along a direction intersecting the paper feed direction of a medium storage device according to a second embodiment, showing a first example of the state of the adjustment section when an edge of the paper is photographed by a camera. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a medium storage device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view along a direction intersecting the paper feed direction of a medium storage device according to a second embodiment, showing a second example of the state of the adjustment section when the edge of the paper is photographed by a camera. FIG. [Figure 12] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating images of the edge of a sheet of paper captured in a medium storage device of a comparative example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the direction indicated by the arrow X in the drawings is the device width direction, and the direction indicated by the arrow Y is the device height direction. Also, the direction perpendicular to each of the device width direction and the device height direction (arrow Z direction) is the device depth direction.

[0031] [First embodiment] FIG. 1(A) shows a part of a medium storage device 10 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 1(B) shows an example of an image forming system 100 including the medium storage device 10.

[0032] <Image forming system configuration> As shown in Fig. 1(B), the image forming system 100 includes an image forming unit 102 that forms an image on paper P as an example of a medium, and a medium storage device 10 that stores paper P to be supplied to the image forming unit 102. Although not shown, the image forming system 100 is provided with a transport means that transports the paper P stored in the medium storage device 10 one by one and supplies it to an image formation position in the image forming unit 102. The configuration and arrangement of the image forming unit 102 and the configuration and arrangement of the transport means are not particularly limited. In addition, the medium storage device 10 may be configured to be attached to the image forming unit main body of the image forming system as an option.

[0033] <Configuration of media storage device> (Overall composition) As shown in Figs. 1A and 1B, the medium storage device 10 includes a stacking section 12 on which the paper sheets P can be stacked vertically, and an air supplying section 14 that supplies air to the multiple paper sheets P stacked on the stacking section 12 to float and separate the paper sheets P. The medium storage device 10 also includes a sending section 16 that sequentially sends out the paper sheets P that have been floated and separated by the air supplying section 14. The medium storage device 10 also includes a camera 18 as an example of an imaging section that captures the state in which the paper sheets P are floated and separated by the air supplying section 14, and an irradiation section 22 that irradiates light onto the side of the paper sheets P that is photographed by the camera 18. The medium storage device 10 also includes an adjustment section 24 that adjusts the angle of the light irradiated from the irradiation section 22 to the paper sheets P. The medium storage device 10 also includes a control device 50 that controls the operation of each section. The control device 50 is an example of a processor.

[0034] (Loading area) 1(B), the stacking section 12 includes a plate-like body 12A on which a plurality of sheets of paper P can be stacked. Although not shown, the medium storage device 10 includes a lifting device that raises and lowers the plate-like body 12A in the vertical direction. The lifting device raises the plate-like body 12A so that the position of the topmost sheet of paper P stacked on the upper side of the plate-like body 12A is at a predetermined height.

[0035] 2, the medium storage device 10 is provided with side guides 20 that regulate the position of the sides of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction in this example) loaded on the loading section 12. The side guides 20 are disposed on the upper side of the loading section 12, and are provided on both sides of the sides of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction). As an example, the side guides 20 are attached to the loading section 12 so as to be slidable in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction). The side guides 20 can be slid in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction) according to the size of the paper P. The movement range of the side guides 20 is limited by a stopper (length of the guide slit) not shown in the figure so as not to interfere with the sending section 16.

[0036] (Air supply section) 1(A) and 2, the air supply unit 14 has an air outlet 30 that blows air from a side direction in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper sheets P toward the upper side of the stacking unit 12. The air outlet 30 is disposed at a position facing the upper part of the multiple paper sheets P stacked on the upper side of the plate-like body 12A. The air supply unit 14 blows air from the air outlet 30 into spaces between the multiple paper sheets P, thereby lifting and separating the multiple paper sheets P stacked on the plate-like body 12A of the stacking unit 12.

[0037] The air supply unit 14 includes a duct 32 connected to the air outlet 30, and a fan 34 provided upstream of the air flow direction in the duct 32 (see FIG. 2). In the air supply unit 14, air is supplied to the air outlet 30 through the duct 32 by the rotation of the fan 34, and the air is blown out from the air outlet 30 to the upper side of the loading unit 12.

[0038] Although not shown in the figure, the air outlets 30 are provided on both sides of the side portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P. As an example, the air outlets 30 are provided in the side guides 20 on both sides of the side portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P. The duct 32 branches into two downstream of the fan 34 in the air flow direction, and the air outlets 30 are provided at the downstream ends of each of the branched portions of the duct 32.

[0039] (Transmission section) 1(A), the delivery section 16 transports the paper sheets P loaded on the upper side of the plate-like body 12A of the stacking section 12 one by one in the direction of the arrow A, i.e., to the right in the device width direction (the right in the direction of the arrow X). The delivery section 16 includes a delivery roll (feed roll) 36 that delivers the uppermost paper sheets P on the upper side of the stacking section 12 one by one. As an example, the delivery section 16 includes an adsorption section 40 that is disposed on the inside of the delivery roll 36 in the device width direction (the left in the direction of the arrow X), and the adsorption section 40 adsorbs the uppermost paper sheet P. As an example, the delivery section 16 includes a pair of transport rolls 38 that transport the paper sheets P delivered by the delivery roll 36.

[0040] As an example, in the delivery section 16, the paper P adsorbed by the adsorption section 40 comes into contact with the delivery roll 36, whereby the paper P is delivered in the direction of arrow A by the delivery roll 36 and transported in the direction of arrow A by the transport roll 38.

[0041] (camera) Camera 18 photographs the floating and separated state of the end of paper P. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, camera 18 is provided on the side of the width direction (arrow Z direction) of paper P. Camera 18 is positioned opposite the end of paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) loaded on plate-like body 12A. In this way, camera 18 photographs the floating and separated state of paper P from outside the end of paper P in the width direction. As an example, camera 18 is provided on both sides of the end of paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction).

[0042] As an example, the camera 18 is disposed on the upper side of the side guide 20, near the end portion on the downstream side in the feed direction (the direction of the arrow A) of the paper P in the side guide 20. As an example, the camera 18 is attached to the side guide 20 by a mounting fixture (not shown).

[0043] 3, camera 18 is disposed at a position facing the multiple sheets of paper P that are floated and separated by the air from air supply unit 14. As an example, camera 18 is disposed on the upper side in the vertical direction facing the multiple sheets of paper P that are floated and separated by the air from air supply unit 14. Here, the upper side in the vertical direction facing the multiple sheets of paper P refers to the upper side of the range where the multiple sheets of paper P separate when a predetermined amount of air is blown onto them.

[0044] (Irradiation unit) The irradiation unit 22 has a function of irradiating light to the side of the paper P on the shooting side when the paper P is photographed by the camera 18. As shown in Fig. 1(B) and Fig. 3, the irradiation unit 22 is disposed, for example, on the outside of the side in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the multiple paper sheets P loaded on the stacking unit 12, and on the lower side in the up-down direction of the medium storage device 10. For example, the irradiation unit 22 is configured with a light source device that emits light from one light source (see Fig. 3). The irradiation unit 22 includes a case 23 having a length in the longitudinal direction, and emits light L from an end surface 23A in the longitudinal direction of the case 23 (see Fig. 3).

[0045] In the first embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 is configured to irradiate light to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) by adjusting the angle of light with the adjustment unit 24. Fig. 3 shows a first example in which the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle of light from the irradiation unit 22 to irradiate light to the side of the paper P on the shooting side. In the first example shown in Fig. 3, the irradiation unit 22 directly irradiates light from the lower side in the vertical direction on the outer side in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the multiple paper sheets P loaded on the stacking unit 12 toward the side of the paper sheets P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) on the upper side in the vertical direction (i.e., the upper side in the stacking direction of the stacking unit 12). This first example will be described later.

[0046] The irradiation unit 22 irradiates light with directionality. Directivity refers to the property that the strength of a wave differs depending on the direction from the light source. For example, laser light is a wave with a uniform phase, so it travels straight and becomes a beam that does not spread much even if the distance from the light source increases, so it is said to have "good directionality." As an example, the irradiation unit 22 may be configured to emit laser light. As another example, the irradiation unit 22 may be provided with a slit (not shown) to prevent the light from spreading to the surroundings (i.e., to make the light travel straight), and the irradiation unit 22 may irradiate light that has passed through the slit. This makes it possible to irradiate light with directionality.

[0047] (adjustment section) As described above, the adjustment unit 24 has a function of adjusting the angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22 to the photographing side of the paper P. As an example, the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the loading unit 12. As shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 6, the adjustment unit 24 includes a rotation device 60 that changes the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the loading unit 12 by rotating the irradiation unit 22 in the up-down direction, and a reflective material 62 that reflects the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22. The reflective material 62 is an example of a reflecting unit.

[0048] 4, the rotation device 60 includes, as an example, a first gear 66 having a rotation shaft 66A that rotates the irradiation unit 22, a second gear 68 that meshes with the first gear 66, and a motor 70 that rotates a shaft portion 68A of the second gear 68. As an example, the rotation shaft 66A is provided at an end portion 23B of the case 23 of the irradiation unit 22 opposite to an end surface 23A from which light is emitted.

[0049] In the rotation device 60, the second gear 68 is rotated by the motor 70, thereby rotating the first gear 66 meshing with the second gear 68. The rotation of the rotation shaft 66A of the first gear 66 rotates the irradiation unit 22 to which the rotation shaft 66A is attached. The axial direction of the rotation shaft 66A is along the device width direction (arrow X direction), and the irradiation unit 22 is rotated around the rotation shaft 66A to rotate the irradiation unit 22 in the up-down direction.

[0050] 3, the end surface 23A of the case 23 of the irradiation unit 22 is directed from the vertically lower outer side in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the multiple sheets of paper P loaded on the stacking unit 12 to the vertically upper side (i.e., the upper side in the loading direction of the stacking unit 12) in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the sheets of paper P by the adjustment unit 24. At this time, the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the stacking unit 12 can be represented by the angle θ1 of the axial direction of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the horizontal direction.

[0051] As a result, the irradiation unit 22 irradiates light L1 obliquely from the vertical lower side to the vertical upper side (i.e., the upper side in the stacking direction of the paper sheets P on the stacker 12), thereby directly irradiating light L1 toward the side portions in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper sheets P. In other words, the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle of the light to include a second angle (e.g., angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L1 is irradiated from the vertical lower side of the paper sheets P that have been levitated and separated by the air supply unit 14 to the side portions in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper sheets P.

[0052] FIG. 6 shows a second example in which the angle of light from the irradiation unit 22 is adjusted by the adjustment unit 24 to irradiate the side of the paper P on the shooting side. In the second example shown in FIG. 6, the motor 70 of the rotation device 60 rotates the second gear 68, and the first gear 66 meshing with the second gear 68 is rotated, so that the end surface 23A of the case 23 of the irradiation unit 22 is directed toward the reflector 62. At this time, the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the load unit 12 can be expressed as the angle θ2 of the axial direction of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the horizontal direction. The installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the load unit 12 shown in FIG. 6 (i.e., the angle θ2 of the axial direction of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the horizontal direction) is larger than the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the load unit 12 shown in FIG. 3 (i.e., the angle θ1 of the axial direction of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the horizontal direction).

[0053] 6, as an example, the reflecting material 62 is disposed on the upper and lower upper side of the camera 18. The reflecting material 62 is disposed outside in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the multiple sheets of paper P loaded on the loading section 12, and is disposed vertically above the multiple sheets of paper P. As an example, the reflecting material 62 is a flat plate with a mirror surface, and is disposed along the horizontal direction.

[0054] 6, the reflecting material 62 reflects the light L2 obliquely irradiated upward in the vertical direction from the irradiating unit 22 arranged on the vertical lower side of the medium containing device 10 (see FIG. 6). The light L2 is reflected obliquely downward in the vertical direction by the reflective material 62, so that the light L2 is irradiated toward the side in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P. That is, in the first embodiment, the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle of the light to include a first angle (e.g., angle θ3 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which the light L2 is irradiated from the upper or lower upper side of the paper P that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit 14 toward the side in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P.

[0055] (Hardware configuration of media storage device) Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the devices mounted on the medium storage device 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the medium storage device 10 includes the control device 50, the camera 18, the air supply unit 14, the irradiation unit 22, and the adjustment unit 24 as described above.

[0056] The control device 50 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 52, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 53, a storage 54, and an input / output interface 55. Each component is connected to each other via a bus 59 so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0057] The CPU 51 is a central processing unit that executes various programs and controls each part. The CPU 51 is an example of a processor. That is, the CPU 51 reads a program from the ROM 52 or the storage 54, and executes the program using the RAM 53 as a working area. The CPU 51 controls each of the above components and performs various arithmetic processing according to the program recorded in the ROM 52 or the storage 54. In this embodiment, a detection processing program is stored in the ROM 52 or the storage 54.

[0058] The ROM 52 stores various programs and various data. The RAM 53 temporarily stores programs or data as a working area. The storage 54 is composed of an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive) and stores various programs including an operating system and various data. The storage 54 stores a printer driver program. The CPU 51 reads the printer driver program from the storage 54 and executes the program to function as a printer driver.

[0059] The input / output interface 55 is an interface for communicating with each device mounted on the medium storage device 10. The control device 50 is connected to the camera 18, the air supply unit 14, the irradiation unit 22, and the adjustment unit 24 via the input / output interface 55. The camera 18, the air supply unit 14, the irradiation unit 22, and the adjustment unit 24 may be directly connected via a bus 59.

[0060] The CPU 51 controls turning on and off the irradiation unit 22 .

[0061] The CPU 51 rotates the irradiation unit 22 by controlling the motor 70 of the adjustment unit 24, and changes the axial angle of the irradiation unit 22 with respect to the stacking unit 12. The CPU 51 acquires a plurality of captured images by photographing the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) with the camera 18 while changing the axial angle of the irradiation unit 22. In the first embodiment, the CPU 51 adjusts the angle of the light with the adjustment unit 24 so as to include a second angle (e.g., angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L1 is irradiated from the lower side in the vertical direction of the paper P to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) and a first angle (e.g., angle θ3 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L2 is irradiated from the upper and lower upper sides of the paper P to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction). In this state, the camera 18 captures an image of the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction). The CPU 51 acquires a plurality of captured images by changing the angle of the light as described above. It is preferable that the multiple captured images include at least images captured in the state shown in FIG. 3 and the state shown in FIG. 6, but they may also include one or more other captured images taken while the irradiation unit 22 is rotating between the state shown in FIG. 3 and the state shown in FIG. 6.

[0062] The CPU 51 calculates the position of the side of the paper P in the width direction based on multiple captured images of the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) captured by the camera 18. The CPU 51 determines whether there is a concern of a jam or double feeding of the paper P from the lifting and separation state of the side of the paper P in the width direction detected by the calculation.

[0063] When it is determined that there is a risk of jamming or double feeding of the paper P, the CPU 51 changes the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14.

[0064] 7(A) to (C) show examples of the state of paper P when air is blown from the air outlet 30 of the air supply unit 14 onto paper P stacked on the plate-like body 12A of the stacking unit 12. In the first example shown in FIG. 7(A), about 10 sheets of paper P on the upper side are separated and floated, and the floating and separation state of the paper P is good. In this state, even if the paper P is transported (i.e., sent out) in sequence by the sending unit 16, double feeding of the paper P is unlikely to occur. In such a case, the CPU 51 determines that there is no concern of jamming or double feeding of the paper P.

[0065] 7B, only one sheet of paper P is lifted, and the lifting and separation of the sheets P is insufficient. In this state, there is a concern that poor feeding (i.e., misfeeding) may occur when the sheets P are sequentially transported by the delivery unit 16, preventing the sheets P from being fed smoothly. In such a case, the CPU 51 determines that there is a concern of a jam or multiple feeding of the sheets P.

[0066] 7C, the air is blown out too strongly from the air outlet 30, causing the upper sheets P to float in a bundle, and the sheets P are not sufficiently floated or separated. In this state, there is a concern that multiple sheets P may be fed when the sheets P are sequentially transported by the delivery unit 16. In such a case, the CPU 51 determines that there is a concern that the sheets P may be jammed or multiple sheets may be fed.

[0067] For example, as shown in Fig. 7(B), when the floating and separation state of the paper sheets P is insufficient (the number of floating and separated paper sheets P is small), the CPU 51 increases the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14. Also, for example, as shown in Fig. 7(C), when the number of floating paper sheets P is too large and multiple paper sheets P are bundled and not sufficiently separated, the CPU 51 decreases the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14. For example, the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14 is changed by changing the rotation speed of the fan 34.

[0068] (Configuration and problems of the medium storage device of the comparative example) Here, the configuration and problems of the medium storage device of the comparative example will be described.

[0069] Although not shown in the drawings, the medium storage device of the comparative example is equipped with one lighting unit whose position in the vertical direction is fixed, and a camera. The camera captures an image of the width direction edge of the paper P with light irradiated from the one lighting unit. The medium storage device of the comparative example is not provided with an adjustment unit for adjusting the installation angle of the lighting unit relative to the loading unit.

[0070] Generally, in a configuration in which multiple sheets of paper P are levitated and separated by air blown out from an air supply unit, the sheets of paper P tend to move in units of several millimeters in the depth direction facing the camera. For this reason, in the medium storage device of the comparative example, when the edges of multiple sheets of paper P in the width direction are photographed by a camera with light irradiated from one lighting unit, the brightness of the edges of multiple sheets of paper P in the vertical direction may change.

[0071] Fig. 12 is a captured image of the widthwise end of a sheet of paper P captured by a camera in a medium storage device of a comparative example. As shown in Fig. 12, in the captured image, in the first area 302, the sheet of paper P that has moved to the rear in the depth direction relative to the camera is darker than the other sheets of paper P. This is because the sheet of paper P that has moved to the rear in the depth direction relative to the camera is hidden by the other sheets of paper P directly above or below it, making it difficult for the light from the lighting unit to hit the sheet of paper P, and the sheet of paper P appears darker than the other sheets of paper P. For this reason, when capturing an image of the floating and separated state of multiple sheets of paper P, the sheet of paper P in the first area 302 may not be detected.

[0072] 12, in the second area 304 in the captured image, the lighting unit is irradiating light from the front side of the paper P, causing the top surface of the paper P to appear shiny. For example, if the light from the lighting unit hits the paper P from the side at a slight angle to the paper P, rather than directly from the side, the light will reach the surface of the paper P. For this reason, when the paper P is photographed with a camera, the top or bottom surface of the paper P may appear shiny, and the paper P may be erroneously detected as being thick.

[0073] <Action and Effects> Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0074] 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of the detection process handled by the control device 50. The CPU 51 reads out a detection process program from the ROM 52 or the storage 54, loads it into the RAM 53, and executes it, thereby performing the detection process.

[0075] 8, a user instructs the image forming system 100 to print image data on paper P. When the image forming system 100 accepts the print instruction, the air supply unit 14 in the medium storage device 10 supplies air to lift and separate the paper P stacked in the stacking unit 12.

[0076] The CPU 51 starts supplying the paper P (step S201).

[0077] The CPU 51 rotates the irradiation unit 22 to obtain a plurality of captured images (step S202). Specifically, the rotation device 60 rotates the irradiation unit 22 to change the angle of the light emitted from the irradiation unit 22, and the camera 18 captures the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction), thereby obtaining a plurality of captured images. As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the CPU 51 controls the adjustment unit 24 to adjust the angle of the light to include a second angle (e.g., angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L1 is irradiated from the lower side in the vertical direction of the paper P to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction), and a first angle (e.g., angle θ3 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L2 is irradiated from the upper and lower sides of the paper P to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction). In this state, the camera 18 captures the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction).

[0078] The CPU 51 detects the state of the paper P, i.e., the floating and separation state of the end portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P, from the multiple captured images (step S203). For example, the CPU 51 may exclude indistinguishable areas in the multiple captured images and detect the end portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P only in the distinguishable areas.

[0079] The CPU 51 determines whether there is a concern of a jam or double feeding of the paper P (step S204). For example, the CPU 51 determines whether there is a concern of a jam or double feeding of the paper P based on the lifting and separation state of the end of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction) as shown in Figures 7(A) to (C).

[0080] If there is no concern about a jam or double feeding of the paper P (step S204: NO), the CPU 51 continues the supply operation of the paper P (step S205). That is, the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14 is not changed.

[0081] If there is a concern of jamming or double feeding of the paper sheets P (step S204: YES), the CPU 51 changes the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14 (step S206). This adjusts the floating and separation state of the paper sheets P stacked on the stacking unit 12. Furthermore, the CPU 51 returns to the process of step S202. This ends the process based on the detection process program handled by the control device 50.

[0082] After step S206, if a predetermined time has elapsed, the CPU 51 may display an alert indicating that there is a possibility of a jam or double feeding of the paper P, and may stop the supply of the paper P.

[0083] In the above-described medium storage device 10, the angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22 to the paper P is adjusted by the adjustment unit 24, and the levitation and separation state of the paper P is photographed by the camera 18. As a result, a plurality of photographed images of the paper P are acquired by the camera 18 in a state in which the angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22 to the paper P is changed by the adjustment unit 24. At this time, since the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22 to the paper P, the angle of the light irradiated to the paper P can be appropriately adjusted compared to, for example, a case in which the irradiation unit is moved up and down without changing the angle of light from the lighting unit. Therefore, in the medium storage device 10, when photographing the medium in a state in which the paper P is levitated and separated by blowing air, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case in which the irradiation unit is moved up and down to photograph the paper P.

[0084] Furthermore, in medium storage device 10, camera 18 photographs the widthwise side of paper P from the outside in the width direction intersecting the feed direction of paper P, and illumination unit 22 irradiates light onto the widthwise side of paper P by adjusting the angle of light with adjustment unit 24. For this reason, in medium storage device 10, the arrangement of each component is easier than when the camera photographs the side of paper P from a direction along the feed direction of paper P and the illumination unit irradiates light onto the side of paper P from a direction along the feed direction of paper P.

[0085] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 10, the adjustment unit 24 includes a reflecting material 62 that reflects the light irradiated from the irradiation unit 22. Therefore, in the medium storage device 10, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the paper P is only directly irradiated with the light irradiated from the irradiation unit.

[0086] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 10, the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the installation angle of the irradiation unit 22 relative to the stacking unit 12. Therefore, in the medium storage device 10, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the irradiation unit relative to the stacking unit is fixed.

[0087] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 10, the adjustment unit 24 rotates the irradiation unit 22 around the rotation axis 66A, thereby rotating the irradiation unit 22 along the vertical direction. Therefore, in the medium storage device 10, the irradiation unit 22 can be rotated around the rotation axis 66A in a short time compared to a case in which the irradiation unit is moved in the vertical direction.

[0088] Furthermore, in the medium containing device 10, the adjustment unit 24 adjusts the angle of the light to include a second angle (e.g., angle θ1 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L1 is irradiated from the top-bottom lower side of the paper P to the side portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P, and a first angle (e.g., angle θ3 with respect to the horizontal direction) at which light L2 is irradiated from the top-bottom upper side of the paper P to the side portion in the width direction (arrow Z direction) of the paper P. Therefore, in the medium containing device 10, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case in which the angle of the light is adjusted so that light is irradiated only from the top-bottom upper side or only from the top-bottom lower side of the paper P that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit.

[0089] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 10, the irradiation unit 22 irradiates light with directionality. Therefore, the medium storage device 10 can detect the medium with higher accuracy compared to a case where dispersed light is irradiated.

[0090] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 10, the CPU 51 changes the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit 14 based on the image captured by the camera 18. Therefore, in the medium storage device 10, clogging or double feeding of the paper P can be suppressed compared to a case where the amount of air supplied is not changed.

[0091] Furthermore, the image forming system 100 has a medium storage device 10, and an image forming unit 102 that forms an image on the paper P sent out from the medium storage device 10 by the sending unit 16. Therefore, according to the image forming system 100, when the paper P is photographed in a state in which the paper P is levitated and separated by blowing air, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy than when the medium is photographed by moving the irradiation unit up and down.

[0092] Second Embodiment Next, a medium storage device according to a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same components as those in the first embodiment described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0093] As shown in Figs. 9 to 11, the medium storage device 150 of the second embodiment is different from the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment in the mounting structure of the irradiation unit 22 and the configuration of the adjustment unit 152. As shown in Figs. 9 and 11, in the medium storage device 150, the irradiation unit 22 is provided on the outer side of the upper part in the vertical direction of the side guide 20. Although not shown, the irradiation unit 22 is fixed to a frame such as the side guide 20 by a mounting fixture. In other words, the irradiation unit 22 does not rotate with respect to the stacking unit 12. The irradiation unit 22 is disposed so that the longitudinal direction is along the surface direction of the paper P (i.e., the horizontal direction), and emits light laterally from the end surface 23A of the case 23.

[0094] 9, the adjustment unit 152 includes a plurality of (e.g., three) reflectors 154, 155, and 156. The reflectors 154, 155, and 156 are an example of a plurality of reflecting parts. As shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, the adjustment unit 152 adjusts the angle of light irradiated onto the paper P by selecting the plurality of reflectors 154, 155, and 156.

[0095] The reflecting material 154 is disposed at an angle to intersect with the horizontal direction at a position facing the end surface 23A of the case 23 in the irradiation unit 22. The adjustment unit 152 adjusts the installation angle of the reflecting material 154, at which the light from the irradiation unit 22 is first reflected, with respect to the loading unit 12.

[0096] As an example, the adjustment unit 152 includes a rotation device 160 that rotates the reflector 154 around a rotation shaft 164. The configuration of the rotation device 160 is similar to that of the rotation device 60 of the first embodiment. More specifically, the rotation device 160 includes a rotation shaft 164 provided at the middle of the surface direction of the reflector 154, and a motor 162 for the reflector 154 that rotates the rotation shaft 164 (see FIG. 10). The axial direction of the rotation shaft 164 is arranged along the device width direction (arrow X direction), and the reflector 154 rotates in the up-down direction by the rotation shaft 164. As an example, the reflector 154 is a flat plate with a mirror surface,

[0097] Furthermore, the reflecting material 155 is disposed up and down above the camera 18 provided on the side guide 20 (i.e., up and down above the reflecting material 154), and is disposed with a shifted position in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction) from the reflecting material 154. The reflecting material 155 is disposed closer to the paper sheets P loaded on the loading section 12 than the reflecting material 154 in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction). As an example, the reflecting material 155 is a flat plate with a mirror surface, and is disposed along the horizontal direction.

[0098] 9, for example, the reflecting material 154 is inclined so that the side of the irradiation unit 22 is on the lower side and the side of the side guide 20 is on the upper side. As a result, the light L3 irradiated from the end surface 23A of the irradiation unit 22 is reflected upward by the reflecting material 154. The reflecting material 155 is disposed at a position where the light L3 reflected by the reflecting material 154 reaches. Furthermore, the light reflected by the reflecting material 155 is irradiated to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction).

[0099] Furthermore, the reflecting material 156 is disposed vertically below the camera 18 provided on the side guide 20 (i.e., vertically below the reflecting material 154) and is disposed with a shifted position in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction) from the reflecting material 154. The reflecting material 156 is disposed closer to the paper sheets P loaded on the loading section 12 than the reflecting material 154 in the device depth direction (arrow Z direction). As an example, the reflecting material 156 is a flat plate with a mirror surface, and is disposed along the horizontal direction.

[0100] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of devices mounted on the medium storage device 150. As shown in Fig. 10, the medium storage device 150 is different from the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment in that the CPU 51 controls the motor 162 for the reflector of the adjustment unit 152.

[0101] For example, in FIG. 11, the reflecting material 154 is rotated around the rotation axis 164 by the rotating device 160, so that the reflecting material 154 is inclined so that the side of the irradiation unit 22 is on the upper side and the side of the side guide 20 is on the lower side. As a result, the light L4 irradiated from the end surface 23A of the irradiation unit 22 is reflected downward by the reflecting material 154. The reflecting material 156 is disposed at a position where the light L4 reflected by the reflecting material 154 reaches. Furthermore, the light L4 reflected by the reflecting material 156 is irradiated to the side of the paper P in the width direction (arrow Z direction). Other configurations of the medium storage device 150 are the same as those of the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0102] The medium storage device 150 has the following actions and effects in addition to the actions and effects of the configuration similar to those of the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment.

[0103] The medium storage device 150 is provided with a plurality of (e.g., three) reflectors 154, 155, and 156. For example, as shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 11, the adjustment unit 152 adjusts the angle of light irradiated onto the paper P by selecting the plurality of reflectors 154, 155, and 156. Therefore, the medium storage device 150 can detect the paper P with higher accuracy compared to a case where there is only one reflector.

[0104] Furthermore, in the medium storage device 150, the adjustment unit 152 adjusts the installation angle of the reflecting material 154, which is the first to reflect the light from the irradiation unit 22, with respect to the loading unit 12. Therefore, in the medium storage device 150, the paper P can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the reflecting material with respect to the loading unit is fixed.

[0105] Furthermore, in medium containing device 150, adjustment unit 152 rotates reflective material 154 in the vertical direction by rotating reflective material 154 around rotation axis 164. Therefore, in medium containing device 150, reflective material 154 can be rotated around rotation axis 164 in a short time compared to a case where the reflective material is moved in the vertical direction.

[0106] 〔supplementary explanation〕 In the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment, the reflecting material 62 is provided, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which the reflecting material 62 is not provided, and an adjustment unit 24 including a rotation device 60 is provided.

[0107] In the medium storage device 10 of the first embodiment, the irradiation unit 22 is rotated, and in the medium storage device 150 of the second embodiment, the reflector 154 is rotated, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, a configuration in which both the irradiation unit and the reflector are rotated may be used. Also, the reflector to be rotated may be changed to another reflector.

[0108] In the medium storage device 150 of the second embodiment, the reflectors 155 and 156 are arranged along the horizontal direction, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the reflectors 155 and 156 may be configured to be inclined in a direction intersecting the horizontal direction. In addition, the multiple reflectors 154, 155, and 156 are planar plates, but the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, at least one of the multiple reflectors may have a concave curved shape on the side where light is incident. In addition, the number of the multiple reflectors and the positions of the multiple reflectors may be changed.

[0109] The above-mentioned processing of the medium storage devices 10 and 150 can also be realized by a dedicated hardware circuit. In this case, the processing may be executed by a single piece of hardware, or by multiple pieces of hardware.

[0110] The program for operating the medium storage device 10, 150 may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) memory, a flexible disk, or a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM), or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a memory or storage. The program may be provided as a standalone application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the medium storage device 10, 150, or the image forming system 100 as a function of the device.

[0111] Although the present invention has been described in detail with respect to a specific embodiment, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and that various other embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0112] [Preferred embodiment of the present disclosure] Preferred aspects of the present disclosure will be described below.

[0113] (((1))) A loading section capable of loading media in a vertical direction; an air supply unit that supplies air to the plurality of media loaded on the loading unit to float and separate the plurality of media; a delivery section that sequentially delivers the medium that has been floated and separated by the air supply section; an imaging unit that images a state in which the medium is levitated and separated by the air supply unit; an irradiation unit that irradiates a side portion of the medium with light; an adjustment unit that adjusts an angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit to the medium; A media storage device having:

[0114] (((2))) the photographing unit photographs a side portion in a width direction of the medium from an outer side in a width direction intersecting a feed direction of the medium, The medium storage device according to (((1))), wherein the irradiation unit irradiates light onto a side portion in a width direction of the medium by adjusting an angle of the light using the adjustment unit.

[0115] (((3))) The medium storage device according to ((1))) or (((2))), wherein the adjustment unit includes a reflecting unit that reflects the light irradiated from the irradiating unit.

[0116] (((4))) The medium storage device according to any one of ((1))) to (((3))), wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the irradiation unit relative to the loading unit.

[0117] (((5))) The medium containing device according to (((4))), wherein the adjustment unit rotates the irradiation unit around a rotation axis to rotate the irradiation unit along a vertical direction.

[0118] (((6))) The reflecting portion is provided in plurality, The medium storage device according to (((3))), wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an angle of light irradiated onto the medium by selecting from a plurality of the reflecting units.

[0119] (((7))) The medium storage device according to (((6))), wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the reflection unit, which is an initial reflection of light from the irradiation unit, with respect to the loading unit.

[0120] (((8))) The medium containing device according to (((6))) or (((7))), wherein the adjustment unit rotates the reflection unit about a rotation axis to rotate the reflection unit along a vertical direction.

[0121] (((9))) The adjustment unit is a first angle at which light is irradiated from an upper or lower elevated side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit to a side of the medium; a second angle at which light is irradiated from the lower side of the medium in the vertical direction to the side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit; The media storage device of any one of ((1))) to (((8))), wherein the angle of the light is adjusted to include

[0122] (((10))) The medium storage device according to any one of ((1))) to (((9))), wherein the irradiation unit irradiates light having directionality.

[0123] (((11))) at least one processor; The processor, The medium containing device according to any one of ((1))) to (((11))), wherein the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit is changed based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

[0124] (((12)) A medium storage device according to any one of (((1))) to (((11))); an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium sent out from the medium storage device by the sending unit; An image forming system comprising:

[0125] According to the medium storage device described in (((1))), when the medium is photographed in a state in which it is levitated and separated by blowing air onto it, the medium can be detected with greater accuracy than when the medium is photographed by moving the irradiation unit up and down.

[0126] According to the medium storage device described in (((2))), the arrangement of each component is easier than when the photographing unit photographs the side of the medium from a direction along the medium send-out direction and the illumination unit illuminates the side of the medium with light from a direction along the medium send-out direction.

[0127] According to the medium storage device described in (((3))), the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the light emitted from the irradiation unit is simply irradiated directly onto the medium.

[0128] According to the medium storage device described in (((4))), the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the irradiation unit relative to the loading unit is fixed.

[0129] According to the medium containing device described in (((5))), the irradiation unit can be rotated around the rotation axis in a short time compared to a case where the irradiation unit is moved in the up and down direction.

[0130] According to the medium container device described in (((6))), the medium can be detected with higher accuracy than when there is only one reflecting portion.

[0131] According to the medium storage device described in (((7))), the medium can be detected with higher accuracy compared to a case where the installation angle of the reflecting unit relative to the loading unit is fixed.

[0132] According to the medium containing device described in (((8))), the reflecting section can be rotated around the rotation axis in a short time compared to a case where the reflecting section is moved in the up and down direction.

[0133] According to the medium storage device described in (((9))), the medium can be detected more accurately than when the angle of light is adjusted so that light is irradiated only from the upper or lower upward side or only from the lower vertical side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit.

[0134] According to the medium container device described in (((10))), the medium can be detected with higher accuracy than when irradiating with dispersed light.

[0135] According to the medium storage device described in (((11))), clogging or multiple feeding of media can be suppressed compared to a case in which the amount of air supplied is not changed.

[0136] According to the image forming system described in (((12))), when the medium is photographed in a state in which the medium is levitated and separated by blowing air, the medium can be detected with greater accuracy than when the medium is photographed by moving the irradiation unit up and down. [Explanation of symbols]

[0137] 10 Media storage device 12 Loading section 14 Air supply section 16 Transmission section 18 Camera (example of a camera) 22 Irradiation unit 24 Adjustment section 50 Control device 51 CPU (an example of a processor) 62 Reflective material (an example of a reflective part) 66A Rotating shaft 100 Image forming system 102 Image forming section 150 Media storage device 152 Adjustment section 154 Reflective material (an example of a reflective part) 155 Reflective material (an example of a reflective part) 156 Reflective material (an example of a reflective part) 164 Rotational Axis

Claims

1. A loading section capable of loading media in a vertical direction; an air supply unit that supplies air to the plurality of media loaded on the loading unit to float and separate the plurality of media; a delivery section that sequentially delivers the medium that has been floated and separated by the air supply section; an imaging unit that images a state in which the medium is levitated and separated by the air supply unit; an irradiation unit that irradiates a side portion of the medium with light; an adjustment unit that adjusts an angle of light irradiated from the irradiation unit to the medium; A media storage device having:

2. the photographing unit photographs a side portion in a width direction of the medium from an outer side in a width direction intersecting a feed direction of the medium, The medium storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the irradiation unit adjusts an angle of the light by the adjustment unit to irradiate the light onto a side portion in a width direction of the medium.

3. The medium storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit includes a reflecting unit that reflects the light emitted from the irradiating unit.

4. The medium containing device according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the irradiation unit relative to the loading unit.

5. The medium containing device according to claim 4 , wherein the adjustment unit rotates the irradiation unit about a rotation axis to rotate the irradiation unit in a vertical direction.

6. The reflecting portion is provided in plurality, The medium container device according to claim 3 , wherein the adjustment section adjusts an angle of the light irradiated onto the medium by selecting from a plurality of the reflecting sections.

7. The medium storage device according to claim 6 , wherein the adjustment unit adjusts an installation angle of the reflecting unit, at which the light from the irradiating unit is first reflected, relative to the loading unit.

8. The medium containing device according to claim 7 , wherein the adjustment unit rotates the reflecting unit about a rotation axis to rotate the reflecting unit in a vertical direction.

9. The adjustment unit is a first angle at which light is irradiated from an upper or lower elevated side of the medium that is levitated and separated by the air supply unit to a side of the medium; a second angle at which light is irradiated from a vertical lower side of the medium that has been levitated and separated by the air supply unit to a side portion of the medium; The media containment device of claim 1 , wherein the angle of the light is adjusted to include

10. The medium storage device according to claim 1 , wherein the irradiating unit irradiates light having directionality.

11. At least one processor; The processor, The medium containing device according to claim 1 , wherein the amount of air supplied by the air supply unit is changed based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

12. A medium storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, an image forming unit that forms an image on the medium sent out from the medium storage device by the sending unit; An image forming system comprising:

Images