Record media storage device and image formation apparatus

Abstract

To provide a recording media storage device which can clearly image-capture recording media separated from a recording media bundle by the blowing of air compared to the case of irradiating the recording media with light of the same wavelength for plural times.SOLUTION: A recording media storage device comprises: a storage unit for storing a recording media bundle in which plural recording media are laminated; a blowing unit for blowing air to the recording media bundle stored in the storage unit; plural light sources for simultaneously irradiating the recording media separated from the recording media bundle by the blowing of the air by the blowing unit with light of different wavelengths; and an image capturing unit for image-capturing the record media irradiated with the light by the plural light sources, and acquiring plural captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the respective light sources.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a sheet supplying device that blows air onto a sheet stack placed on a stacking section to lift up a sheet located above the sheet stack, and captures an image of the lifted sheet with an imaging means to grasp the position of the sheet. In this sheet supplying device, the lifted sheet is irradiated with light multiple times by an illumination means during one exposure by the imaging means. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-52937 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a device that uses a light source to irradiate light onto a recording medium that has been separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto it, and then photographs the recording medium irradiated with light, depending on the relationship between the recording medium and the light source, some recording media may be in shadow or the recording media may move irregularly due to the air, making it difficult to clearly photograph the recording media. The present invention aims to enable a recording medium that has been separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto it to be photographed more clearly than when light of the same wavelength is irradiated multiple times onto the recording medium. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The invention described in claim 1 is a recording medium storage device comprising a storage section that stores a stack of multiple recording media, a blowing section that blows air onto the stack of recording media stored in the storage section, multiple light sources that simultaneously irradiate light of different wavelengths onto a recording medium that has been separated from the stack of recording media by the air blown by the blowing section, and an imaging section that photographs the recording medium irradiated with light by the multiple light sources and obtains multiple captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of light irradiated from each of the light sources. The invention described in claim 2 is the recording medium holding device described in claim 1, wherein each of the light sources irradiates the recording medium with light whose spectral distribution has a single peak wavelength. The invention described in claim 3 is the recording medium storage device described in claim 2, wherein the multiple light sources include a red light source that irradiates red light having a peak wavelength in the range of 610 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a green light source that irradiates green light having a peak wavelength in the range of 500 nm or more and 570 nm or less, and a blue light source that irradiates blue light having a peak wavelength in the range of 460 nm or more and 500 nm or less, and the photographing unit photographs a recording medium on which red, green, and blue light are simultaneously irradiated, and obtains the photographed images corresponding to the red, green, and blue colors. The invention described in claim 4 is the recording medium storage device described in claim 3, wherein the shooting unit is equipped with a color filter including a red transmitting section that transmits red light, a green transmitting section that transmits green light, and a blue transmitting section that transmits blue light. The invention described in claim 5 is the recording medium holding device described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged side by side in the stacking direction of the recording media and irradiate light toward the periphery of the recording media. The invention described in claim 6 is an image forming apparatus comprising a recording medium storage device described in any one of claims 1 to 5, a transport unit that transports a recording medium separated from a stack of recording media in the recording medium storage device, and an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium transported by the transport unit. The invention described in claim 7 is the image forming apparatus described in claim 6, further comprising an adjustment unit that detects the position of the edge of the recording medium in the stacking direction of the recording medium using multiple captured images acquired by the photographing unit, and adjusts the air blown by the blowing unit based on the detection result. The invention described in claim 8 is an image forming apparatus described in claim 7, in which the adjustment unit detects the position of the edge based on one captured image in which the recording medium has the thinnest thickness among the multiple captured images. The invention described in claim 9 is an image forming device described in claim 7, wherein when the position of the edge of the recording medium cannot be detected from one of the multiple captured images, the adjustment unit detects the position of the edge using another captured image different from the one captured image. Effect of the Invention

[0006] According to the invention described in claim 1, it is possible to photograph a recording medium more clearly after it has been separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto the recording medium, compared to a case in which light of the same wavelength is irradiated multiple times onto the recording medium. According to the inventions recited in claims 2 and 3, the recording medium tends to appear clearer in each captured image, as compared to a case in which each light source has a plurality of peak wavelengths. According to the invention as recited in claim 4, a single color filter including a red transmitting portion, a green transmitting portion, and a blue transmitting portion can be used to capture images corresponding to red, green, and blue colors. According to the invention as recited in claim 5, shadows are less likely to appear on the recording medium appearing in the captured image, compared to a case in which a plurality of light sources are not arranged side by side in the stacking direction of the recording medium. According to the invention described in claim 6, it is possible to photograph a recording medium more clearly after it has been separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto the recording medium, compared to a case in which light of the same wavelength is irradiated multiple times onto the recording medium. According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the recording medium can be more easily brought into a state suitable for transport to the transport section, compared to a case in which the air is not adjusted based on the detection result of the position of the recording medium. According to the invention described in claim 8, it becomes easier to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium more accurately compared to detecting the position of the edge of the recording medium based on other captured images other than the one captured image that has the thinnest thickness among the captured images. According to the invention as recited in claim 9, even in the case of a recording medium whose edge position cannot be detected from one captured image, it is possible to detect the edge position of this recording medium. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an image forming apparatus to which the present embodiment is applied; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the storage device, and is a cross-sectional view of the II-II portion in FIG. [Diagram 3] 3 is a view of the storage device shown in FIG. 2 as seen from direction III. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the imaging mechanism, and is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. [Diagram 5] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the spectral distribution of light emitted by a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source. [Figure 6] 3A to 3C are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of an imaging section. [Figure 7] 4 is a diagram showing an example of the spectral transmittance distribution of light by a first filter section, a second filter section, and a third filter section. FIG. [Figure 8] 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams showing examples of captured images acquired by an imaging section. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the storage device performed under the control of the control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming apparatus 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The image forming apparatus 1 shown in Fig. 1 is an intermediate transfer type image forming apparatus generally known as a tandem type. In the following, in Fig. 1, the direction from right to left is represented as the x direction, the direction from the front to the back of the page is represented as the y direction, and the direction from bottom to top is represented as the z direction. The image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a plurality of image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K that form toner images of each color component by electrophotography. The image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K form images of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K), respectively.

[0009] The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a primary transfer section 10 that sequentially performs primary transfer of each color component toner image formed by each image forming unit 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K onto an intermediate transfer belt 15. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a secondary transfer section 20 that performs secondary transfer of the superimposed toner images transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 all at once onto a sheet of paper P as an example of a recording medium.

[0010] Each of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, which function as an example of an image forming section, is provided with the following electrophotographic devices. First, a charger 12 is provided around the photoconductor drum 11, which rotates clockwise in the figure, to charge the photoconductor drum 11. Also, a laser exposure device 13 is provided to write an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductor drum 11. The exposure beam from the laser exposure device 13 is indicated by the symbol Bm in FIG. In the following description, the photoconductor drums 11 provided in the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K, respectively, may be referred to as photoconductor drums 11Y, 11M, 11C, and 11K.

[0011] Further, a developing device 14 is provided that contains a developer containing a carrier and a toner and visualizes the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 11 with the toner. Also, a primary transfer roll 16 is provided that transfers the toner images of each color formed on the photosensitive drum 11 to the intermediate transfer belt 15 at the primary transfer section 10. Also, a drum cleaner 17 is provided that removes the toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 11. The drum cleaner 17 is, for example, composed of a cleaning blade that contacts the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 and scrapes off waste powder containing the toner remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. In the following description, the drum cleaners 17 provided in the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K may be referred to as drum cleaners 17Y, 17M, 17C, and 17K.

[0012] The intermediate transfer belt 15 is circulated at a predetermined speed in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 1 by a drive roll 34 driven by a motor (not shown). The primary transfer unit 10 includes primary transfer rolls 16 arranged opposite each other with the intermediate transfer belt 15 in between. The toner images on the respective photoconductor drums 11 are electrostatically attracted to the intermediate transfer belt 15 in sequence, and superimposed toner images are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15.

[0013] The secondary transfer section 20 includes a secondary transfer roll 21, a belt member 22, and a support roll 23, which are disposed on the outer periphery (the toner image carrying surface side) of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The secondary transfer section 20 also includes a backup roll 25, which is disposed on the inner periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 15. In the secondary transfer section 20, the belt member 22 is wound around and supported on the outer periphery of the secondary transfer roll 21 and the support roll 23. In the secondary transfer section 20, the outer periphery of the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the outer periphery of the belt member 22 are disposed so as to be in contact with each other. In the secondary transfer section 20, the secondary transfer roll 21 is disposed so as to press the backup roll 25 with the belt member 22 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 sandwiched therebetween. The secondary transfer roll 21 is grounded, and a secondary transfer bias is formed between the secondary transfer roll 21 and the backup roll 25, so that the toner image formed on the intermediate transfer belt 15 is secondarily transferred onto the paper P conveyed to the secondary transfer section 20.

[0014] Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a fixing device 60 as an example of a fixing section that fixes the secondarily transferred toner image onto the paper P. The fixing device 60 includes a fixing belt module 61 and a pressure roll 62 that is pressed against the fixing belt module 61. In the fixing device 60, the paper P is pressurized and heated at a position (fixing nip portion) where the fixing belt module 61 and the pressure roll 62 come into contact with each other, thereby fixing a toner image onto the paper P.

[0015] The fixing belt module 61 includes an endless fixing belt 610 and support rolls 611 and 612 that are rotatably provided and support the fixing belt 610 from the inside. The support roll 611 receives a driving force from a driving source (not shown) and rotates in a clockwise direction in the figure. As the support roll 611 rotates, the fixing belt 610 receives a driving force from the support roll 611 and moves in a circumferential direction in the clockwise direction in the figure. The fixing belt module 61 also includes a load receiving member 615 that receives a load from the pressure roll 62 at a position facing the pressure roll 62 with the fixing belt 610 sandwiched therebetween. In the fixing device 60 of the present embodiment, the pressure roll 62 and the load receiving member 615 sandwich the paper P from both sides, and pressure is applied to the paper P. Furthermore, the fixing belt module 61 is provided with a heater (not shown) inside the support rolls 611 and 612 and the load receiving member 615 for heating them.

[0016] The image forming apparatus 1 further includes a transport member 50 that transports the paper P onto which the toner image has been secondarily transferred by the secondary transfer section 20 toward the fixing device 60. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a cleaning device 70 that cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15. The cleaning device 70 cleans the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15 to remove waste powder, including toner, remaining thereon.

[0017] The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a transport roll pair 41 consisting of a pair of rotatably arranged transport rolls 42, 43 that transports the paper P discharged from the fixing device 60 further downstream, and a guide section 40 that guides the paper P transported by the transport roll pair 41. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a paper discharge section 35 that discharges the paper P that has passed through the guide section 40 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0018] The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a storage device 200, which is an example of a recording medium storage device. In this example, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with three storage devices 200 lined up in the z direction. Each storage device 200 has the same structure. Each storage device 200 stores a paper stack Q in which multiple sheets of paper P are stacked. The paper stack Q is an example of a recording medium stack. The storage device 200 separates the paper P from the paper stack Q and sends it to a transport path R1, which will be described later. The configuration of the accommodating device 200 will be described in detail later.

[0019] The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a transport path R1 that transports the paper P from the storage device 200 through the secondary transfer unit 20, the transport member 50, the fixing device 60, the transport roll pair 41, and the guide unit 40 toward the paper discharge unit 35. The image forming apparatus 1 is also provided with a paper reversing path R2 that inverts the paper P that has an image formed thereon and has passed through the transport roll pair 41, and transports the paper P toward the secondary transfer unit 20 again.

[0020] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a control unit 80 that controls the operation of each unit of the image forming apparatus 1. The control unit 80 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory). The ROM stores a control program executed by the CPU. The CPU reads out the control program stored in the ROM and executes the control program using the RAM as a working area. When the control program is executed by the CPU, each unit of the image forming apparatus 1 is controlled. The control unit 80 of this embodiment detects the position of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q based on an image captured by the imaging unit 250 of the imaging mechanism 230 described below. Then, based on the detection result, the control unit 80 adjusts the volume of air blown onto the paper stack Q by the blowing mechanism 220. The control unit 80 is an example of an adjustment unit.

[0021] The basic image forming process of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. In the image forming apparatus 1, image data is output from an image reading device (not shown) or the like. The image data is then subjected to image processing by an image processing device (not shown) and converted into color material gradation data of four colors, Y, M, C, and K, and output to a laser exposure device 13.

[0022] In the laser exposure unit 13, an exposure beam Bm emitted from, for example, a semiconductor laser is irradiated onto the photoconductor drum 11 of each of the image forming units 10Y, 10M, 10C, and 10K in accordance with the input color material gradation data. After the surface of each photoconductor drum 11 is charged by the charger 12, the surface is scanned and exposed by the laser exposure unit 13 to form an electrostatic latent image. Then, after a toner image is formed on the photoconductor drum 11 by the developing device 14, this toner image is transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 15 in the primary transfer unit 10 where each photoconductor drum 11 and the intermediate transfer belt 15 come into contact with each other.

[0023] After the toner image is primarily transferred onto the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 15, the toner image is transported to the secondary transfer unit 20 by the movement of the intermediate transfer belt 15. In the secondary transfer unit 20, the secondary transfer roll 21 is pressed against the backup roll 25 via the belt member 22 and the intermediate transfer belt 15. At this time, the paper P separated from the paper stack Q in the storage device 200 and transported by the transport roll 36 or the like is sandwiched between the intermediate transfer belt 15 and the belt member 22.

[0024] The unfixed toner images held on the intermediate transfer belt 15 are electrostatically transferred all at once onto the paper P in the secondary transfer unit 20. Thereafter, the paper P onto which the toner images have been electrostatically transferred is peeled off from the intermediate transfer belt 15 and is transported to a transport member 50 provided downstream of the secondary transfer unit 20 in the paper transport direction. The paper P transported to the transport member 50 is then transported to the fixing device 60 by a transport belt 51. The toner image on the paper P transported to the fixing device 60 is subjected to heat and pressure by the fixing device 60, and is fixed onto the paper P. Then, the paper P on which the fixed image has been formed is transported by the transport roll pair 41, passes through the guide section 40, and is discharged from the paper discharge section 35 to the outside of the image forming apparatus 1.

[0025] On the other hand, waste powder including toner adhering to the photoconductor drum 11 after the primary transfer is removed by a drum cleaner 17. In addition, waste powder including toner adhering to the intermediate transfer belt 15 after the secondary transfer is removed by a cleaning device 70. In this manner, the image forming process in the image forming apparatus 1 is repeated a number of times equal to the number of prints.

[0026] Next, a configuration of the storage device 200 will be described. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the configuration of the storage device 200, and is a cross-sectional view of the II-II portion in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a view of the storage device 200 shown in Fig. 2, seen from the III direction. The storage device 200 includes a case 210 as an example of a storage section that stores the paper stack Q. The storage device 200 also includes an air blowing mechanism 220 as an example of a blowing section that blows air toward the paper stack Q stored in the case 210 to separate the paper P from the paper stack Q. The storage device 200 also includes an imaging mechanism 230 that images the paper P separated from the paper stack Q by the air blowing mechanism 220. The storage device 200 also includes a pickup roller 281 that takes out the paper P separated from the paper stack Q by the air blowing mechanism 220 from the case 210, and a feed roller 282 that sends the paper P taken out of the case 210 by the pickup roller 281 toward the transport path R1.

[0027] Case 210 has a rectangular box shape that is open upward (downstream side in the z direction). In addition, case 210 has an opening 210A through which air from blower mechanism 220 passes on a side surface facing blower mechanism 220, specifically, on a downstream side in the y direction. The case 210 is also provided with alignment members 211 and 212 that come into contact with the periphery of the paper stack Q to align the sheets P that make up the paper stack Q. In this example, the alignment member 211 is provided on the upstream side of the case 210 in the x direction. The alignment member 211 comes into contact with the periphery of the paper stack Q from the upstream side in the x direction to align the sheets P that make up the paper stack Q in the x direction. The alignment member 212 is provided on the downstream side of the case 210 in the y direction. The alignment member 212 comes into contact with the periphery of the paper stack Q from the downstream side in the y direction to align the sheets P that make up the paper stack Q in the y direction.

[0028] The case 210 is also provided with a stacking member 215 that is supported on the bottom surface of the case 210 and on which the paper stack Q is stacked. The stacking member 215 is configured to be movable in the z direction by a driving means (not shown). In addition, the stacking member 215 is moved in the z direction by the driving means so that the position in the z direction of the uppermost paper sheet P in the paper stack Q is set to a predetermined position.

[0029] The blower mechanism 220 blows air toward the paper stack Q housed in the case 210 to separate the paper P from the paper stack Q. The blower mechanism 220 is provided to face an opening 210A formed in a side surface of the case 210 on the downstream side in the y direction. The blower mechanism 220 has a blower member 221 that blows out air, and a duct 222 that guides the air blown out from the blower member 221 into the case 210.

[0030] The air blowing member 221 is, for example, a blower that blows out high-pressure air by rotating blades. The air blowing member 221 blows out air from the downstream side to the upstream side in the y direction. Although details will be described later, in the air blowing mechanism 220 of this embodiment, the volume of air blown out by the air blowing member 221 is adjusted by control by the control unit 80. Duct 222 is connected to the upstream side in the y direction with respect to blower member 221. Duct 222 guides the air blown out from blower member 221 toward stack of paper sheets Q housed in case 210. In addition, duct 222 guides the air blown out from blower member 221 from the upstream side to the downstream side in the y direction.

[0031] The air blown from blower member 221 of blower mechanism 220 toward the upstream side in the y direction and guided by duct 222 passes through opening 210A of case 210 and is blown against the periphery of stack of paper-sheets Q contained in case 210. In addition, the air from blower mechanism 220 is blown against the edge of stack of paper-sheets Q on the downstream side in the y direction. Then, air is blown from the blower mechanism 220 onto the paper stack Q housed in the case 210, causing the upper sheets P of the paper stack Q to float upward (downstream in the z direction). As a result, the upper sheets P are separated from the paper stack Q.

[0032] When the paper sheet P is separated from the paper stack Q by the air from the blower mechanism 220, the uppermost paper sheet P is taken out of the case 210 by the pickup roller 281. Then, the paper sheet P taken out by the pickup roller 281 is sent to the conveying path R1 by the feed roller 282. In this example, the paper sheet P is conveyed by the feed roller 282 from the case 210 toward the downstream side in the x direction and sent out to the conveying path R1. In this embodiment, the pickup roller 281 and the feed roller 282 are an example of a conveying section that conveys the paper P separated from the paper stack Q.

[0033] Here, the position in the z direction of the paper sheet P that is separated from the paper stack Q and floats up varies depending on the volume of air blown from the blower mechanism 220 to the paper stack Q. Note that, hereinafter, the position in the z direction of the paper sheet P that is separated from the paper stack Q and floats up may be referred to as the floating position of the paper sheet P. The paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and are floating down will descend when the amount of air blown by the blower mechanism 220 decreases. This lowers the floating position of the paper sheets P, and the gap between the paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and are floating down will become narrower.

[0034] Furthermore, the paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and are floating up will rise further if the amount of air blown from the blower mechanism 220 increases. This raises the floating position of the paper sheets P, and the intervals between the paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and are floating up will become wider. On the other hand, when the volume of air blown from the blower mechanism 220 increases further, the paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and have risen to the surface collide with the pickup roller 281 provided above the case 210 or the housing (not shown) of the storage device 200, and are unable to rise any further. Then, among the paper sheets P that have been separated from the paper stack Q and have risen to the surface, the uppermost sheets of paper P may overlap and form a stack.

[0035] In the present embodiment, the blower mechanism 220 adjusts the volume of air blown from the blower member 221 based on the control by the control unit 80. In addition, the blower mechanism 220 adjusts the volume of air blown from the blower member 221 so that the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q is a predetermined normal state. Here, the normal state means a state in which the operation of picking up the uppermost paper P from the paper stack Q by the pickup roller 281 from the case 210 and sending it to the conveying path R1 by the feed roller 282 can be performed normally. An example of such a normal state is a state in which the floating position of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q and the interval between the paper sheets P are within a predetermined range, and a stack in which the floating upper sheets P are overlapped is not formed. The control unit 80 adjusts the volume of air blown out from the blower member 221 based on an image of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q captured by the imaging mechanism 230.

[0036] As described above, the photographing mechanism 230 photographs the paper P separated from the paper stack Q by the air blowing mechanism 220. Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of the configuration of the photographing mechanism 230, and is a cross-sectional view of the IV-IV portion in Fig. 3. The photographing mechanism 230 is provided so as to face the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q housed in the case 210 from the upstream side in the x direction. The photographing mechanism 230 includes a light source 240 that irradiates light toward the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q by the air blowing mechanism 220. The photographing mechanism 230 also includes an imaging unit 250 that captures the paper sheet P irradiated with light by the light source 240 to obtain a captured image.

[0037] The light source 240 includes a first light source 241, a second light source 242, and a third light source 243, which are an example of a plurality of light sources. The first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 are arranged side by side at predetermined intervals along the z direction, which is the stacking direction of the sheets P in the sheet bundle Q. In this example, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 are arranged side by side at equal intervals from the downstream side to the upstream side in the z direction (from the top to the bottom in FIG. 4).

[0038] The first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 irradiate light toward the peripheral edge of the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q. In addition, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 irradiate light toward the edge of the peripheral edge of the paper sheet P that is located upstream in the x direction. In the light source 240 of this embodiment, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 are disposed at different positions in the z direction. As a result, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 irradiate light from different positions in the z direction to the periphery of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q.

[0039] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the spectral distribution of light irradiated by the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. In Fig. 5, the horizontal axis represents the wavelength of the light irradiated by the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243, and the vertical axis represents the intensity of the light. In the light source 240 of this embodiment, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 irradiate light having different wavelengths onto the paper P separated from the paper stack Q. More specifically, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 irradiate light having a single peak wavelength in the spectral distribution onto the paper P separated from the paper stack Q, as shown in FIG.

[0040] First light source 241 is an example of a blue light source, and emits blue (B) light having a peak wavelength in the range of 460 nm to 500 nm. First light source 241 is, for example, configured with a blue LED (Light Emitting Diode) that emits blue light. Second light source 242 is an example of a green light source, and emits green (G) light having a peak wavelength in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm. Second light source 242 is, for example, configured with a green LED that emits green light. The third light source 243 is an example of a red light source, and emits red (R) light having a peak wavelength in the range of 610 nm to 780 nm. The third light source 243 is, for example, configured with a red LED that emits red light.

[0041] Under the control of the control unit 80, the light source 240 turns on the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243, and irradiates light from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 onto the edge of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q. In this embodiment, the light source 240 simultaneously turns on the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. As a result, the light source 240 simultaneously irradiates light of different wavelengths onto the periphery of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q. Specifically, the light source 240 simultaneously irradiates blue light from the first light source 241, green light from the second light source 242, and red light from the third light source 243.

[0042] Figures 6(a) to (c) are diagrams illustrating an example of the configuration of the imaging section 250. Figure 6(a) is a diagram of the imaging section 250 as viewed from the downstream side in the x direction. Also, Figure 6(b) is a diagram of a color filter 252 (described later) as viewed from the downstream side in the y direction, and Figure 6(c) is a diagram of an image sensor 251 (described later) as viewed from the downstream side in the y direction.

[0043] The photographing section 250 includes an image sensor 251 in which a plurality of pixels 251a are arranged in a matrix, each of which outputs an image signal according to the amount of received light. In this example, the plurality of pixels 251a are arranged in the vertical direction (z direction) and the horizontal direction (x direction) in the image sensor 251. Each pixel 251a of the image sensor 251 receives light that has passed through a color filter 252, and outputs an image signal according to the amount of received light. The photographing section 250 acquires a photographed image based on the image signal output from each pixel 251a of the image sensor 251. The photographing section 250 of this embodiment is a so-called single-chip color camera that photographs an image using a single image sensor 251.

[0044] The imaging section 250 also includes a color filter 252 including a first filter section 252B, which is an example of a blue color transmitting section that transmits blue (B) light, a second filter section 252G, which is an example of a green color transmitting section that transmits green (G) light, and a third filter section 252R, which is an example of a red color transmitting section that transmits red (R) light. The color filter 252 has a so-called Bayer array in which a row in which the first filter section 252B and the second filter section 252G are alternately arranged in the vertical direction (z direction) and a row in which the second filter section 252G and the third filter section 252R are alternately arranged in the vertical direction (z direction) are alternately arranged in the horizontal direction (x direction). The first filter section 252B, the second filter section 252G, and the third filter section 252R constituting the color filter 252 are provided so as to overlap with each pixel 251a of the imaging element 251.

[0045] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the spectral transmittance distribution of light by first filter section 252B, second filter section 252G, and third filter section 252R. In Fig. 7, the horizontal axis indicates the wavelength of light transmitted by first filter section 252B, second filter section 252G, and third filter section 252R, and the vertical axis indicates the transmittance of light. The first filter section 252B transmits the light irradiated from the first light source 241. In other words, the first filter section 252B has a high transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the first light source 241. On the other hand, the first filter section 252B has a lower transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the second light source 242 and the third light source 243 than the transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the first light source 241. In this example, the first filter section 252B has a transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the second light source 242 and the third light source 243 that is less than one tenth of the transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the first light source 241.

[0046] Similarly, the second filter section 252G transmits the light irradiated from the second light source 242. In other words, the second filter section 252G has a high transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the second light source 242. On the other hand, the second filter section 252G has a lower transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the first light source 241 and the third light source 243 than the transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the second light source 242. In this example, the second filter section 252G has a transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the first light source 241 and the third light source 243 that is less than one tenth of the transmittance at the wavelength of the light irradiated from the second light source 242. Similarly, the third filter section 252R transmits light irradiated from the third light source 243. In other words, the third filter section 252R has a high transmittance at the wavelength of light irradiated from the third light source 243. On the other hand, the third filter section 252R has a lower transmittance at the wavelength of light irradiated from the first light source 241 and the second light source 242 than the transmittance at the wavelength of light irradiated from the third light source 243. In this example, the third filter section 252R has a transmittance at the wavelength of light irradiated from the first light source 241 and the second light source 242 that is less than one tenth of the transmittance at the wavelength of light irradiated from the third light source 243. Furthermore, the photographing section 250 includes a lens 253 that collects light from a sheet P separated from the stack of sheets Q onto the imaging element 251 .

[0047] Based on the control of the control unit 80, the photographing unit 250 photographs the paper P separated from the paper stack Q with the imaging element 251 to obtain a photographed image. Specifically, after the blowing mechanism 220 starts to blow air and the paper P is separated from the paper stack Q, the photographing unit 250 exposes the imaging element 251 to light and obtains a photographed image of the paper P. As described above, the light source 240 turns on the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 simultaneously under the control of the control unit 80. In this embodiment, the light source 240 turns on the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 simultaneously during the exposure period of the image sensor 251 in the photographing unit 250. As a result, the light source 240 simultaneously irradiates the edge of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q with blue light from the first light source 241, green light from the second light source 242, and red light from the third light source 243 during the exposure period of the image sensor 251 in the photographing unit 250.

[0048] In this embodiment, the blue light from the first light source 241, the green light from the second light source 242, and the red light from the third light source 243 are irradiated simultaneously onto the paper P means that a period during which the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 are turned on simultaneously is included during the exposure period of the image sensor 251. In other words, as long as a period during which the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 are turned on simultaneously is included during the exposure period of the image sensor 251, the timings at which the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 start or end lighting may be shifted.

[0049] The imaging element 251 captures an image of the paper sheet P illuminated with blue light from the first light source 241, green light from the second light source 242, and red light from the third light source 243 at the same time. The imaging element 251 receives light transmitted through the first filter portion 252B by pixels 251a that overlap with the first filter portion 252B in the color filter 252. Then, the imaging element 251 acquires a captured image of the paper P irradiated with blue light from the first light source 241 by the pixels 251a that overlap with the first filter portion 252B. Furthermore, the imaging element 251 receives light transmitted through the second filter portion 252G by the pixels 251a that overlap with the second filter portion 252G in the color filter 252. Then, the imaging element 251 acquires a captured image of the paper P irradiated with green light from the second light source 242 by the pixels 251a that overlap with the second filter portion 252G. Furthermore, the imaging element 251 receives light transmitted through the third filter portion 252R by pixels 251a that overlap with the third filter portion 252R in the color filter 252. Then, the imaging element 251 acquires a captured image of the paper P irradiated with red light from the third light source 243 by the pixels 251a that overlap with the third filter portion 252R.

[0050] In this manner, the photographing section 250 of the present embodiment acquires a plurality of photographed images of the paper P corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. More specifically, the photographing section 250 acquires a photographed image of the paper P corresponding to the wavelength of the blue light irradiated by the first light source 241, a photographed image of the paper P corresponding to the wavelength of the green light irradiated by the second light source 242, and a photographed image of the paper P corresponding to the wavelength of the red light irradiated by the third light source 243. The photographing unit 250 outputs the multiple captured images to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 grasps the condition of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q based on the captured images, and adjusts the volume of air blown out from the blowing member 221 of the blowing mechanism 220 based on the condition of the paper P.

[0051] However, when light is irradiated from a light source onto a sheet P separated from a stack of sheets Q by air blown out from the blower mechanism 220, and an image is acquired by photographing the irradiated sheet P, it may be difficult to clearly photograph the sheet P. In addition, depending on the positional relationship between the sheet P and the light source, some of the sheet P may be in shadow, or the sheet P may move irregularly due to the air from the blower mechanism 220, making it difficult to clearly photograph the sheet P.

[0052] When a single light source is used to irradiate light onto paper P separated from paper stack Q, the light is unlikely to irradiate paper P located away from the light source. For example, when a single light source is located at the position of second light source 242 in Fig. 4, light is not irradiated onto paper P located above (downstream in the z direction) or below (upstream in the z direction), and the image of paper P is likely to be in shadow in the captured image, making the image of paper P unclear. Also, from the viewpoint of preventing the image of the paper P from becoming a shadow in the captured image, consider a case where light of the same wavelength is irradiated onto the paper P multiple times using multiple light sources arranged in the stacking direction of the paper P. In this case, if multiple light sources are turned on in sequence, the paper P may move irregularly due to air from the blower mechanism 220 depending on the timing at which each light source irradiates the paper P with light, causing the position of the paper P to shift. In this case, the image of the paper P is likely to blur in the captured image, making the image of the paper P likely to become unclear.

[0053] Furthermore, if the image of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q is unclear in the captured image, it becomes difficult for the control unit 80 to detect the floating position of the paper P and the presence of a stack of multiple floating sheets of paper P based on the captured image.

[0054] In contrast, in the photographing mechanism 230 of this embodiment, as described above, the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 of the light source 240 simultaneously irradiate light of different wavelengths onto the paper P separated from the paper stack Q by air blown by the air blowing mechanism 220. Then, the photographing section 250 photographs the paper P irradiated with light by the light source 240, thereby acquiring a plurality of photographed images corresponding to the wavelengths of light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. This makes it possible to photograph the paper P separated from the paper stack Q more clearly.

[0055] 8(a) to 8(c) are diagrams showing an example of a captured image acquired by the image capturing section 250. FIG. 8(a) shows a captured image of a sheet of paper P irradiated with blue light from the first light source 241, which is acquired by a pixel 251a overlapping with the first filter section 252B in the color filter 252. FIG. 8(b) shows a captured image of a sheet of paper P irradiated with green light from the second light source 242, which is acquired by a pixel 251a overlapping with the second filter section 252G in the color filter 252. FIG. 8(c) shows a captured image of a sheet of paper P irradiated with red light from the third light source 243, which is acquired by a pixel 251a overlapping with the third filter section 252R in the color filter 252. Hereinafter, the captured image shown in FIG. 8(a) may be referred to as a blue captured image, the captured image shown in FIG. 8(b) as a green captured image, and the captured image shown in FIG. 8(c) as a red captured image.

[0056] The captured images shown in Figs. 8(a) to (c) show images of ten sheets of paper P that have been separated from the paper stack Q by air from the blower mechanism 220. As described above, the photographing mechanism 230 is provided to face the sheets P separated from the paper stack Q housed in the case 210 from the upstream side in the x direction. Therefore, the captured images show an image of the edge of the periphery of the paper P that is located on the upstream side in the x direction as the image of the paper P. Hereinafter, the images of the edges of the paper P shown in Figs. 8(a) to (c) will be referred to as sheets P1, P2, ..., P10 in order from the top in Figs. 8(a) to (c).

[0057] As shown in Figures 8(a) to (c), the positions of sheets P1 to P10 in the captured image are the same in the blue captured image in Figure 8(a), the green captured image in Figure 8(b), and the red captured image in Figure 8(c). This is because the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 of the light source 240 simultaneously emit light of different wavelengths, and the blue captured image, the green captured image, and the red captured image are simultaneously acquired.

[0058] Furthermore, in the blue photographed image shown in FIG. 8(a) and the green photographed image shown in FIG. 8(b), the paper P10 located at the bottom is obscured in shadow, but in the red photographed image shown in FIG. 8(c), the paper P10 appears clearly. Furthermore, in the green captured image shown in FIG. 8(b) and the red captured image shown in FIG. 8(c), the topmost sheet of paper P1 is obscured by shadow, whereas in the blue captured image shown in FIG. 8(a), the sheet of paper P1 appears clearly. That is, the ten sheets of paper P1 to P10 separated from the paper stack Q are clearly shown in at least one of the blue photographed image in Fig. 8(a), the green photographed image in Fig. 8(b), and the red photographed image in Fig. 8(c). In other words, there is no sheet of paper P that does not appear in any of the blue photographed image in Fig. 8(a), the green photographed image in Fig. 8(b), and the red photographed image in Fig. 8(c).

[0059] In this manner, in this embodiment, the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q appears in at least one of the multiple captured images captured by the imaging unit 250, which makes it easier for the control unit 80 to grasp the floating position of the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q and the state of the paper sheet P based on the captured image. Then, the control unit 80 adjusts the volume of air blown out from the air blowing member 221 based on the state of the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q, which makes it easier to bring the state of the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q back to the normal state.

[0060] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the accommodating apparatus 200 of this embodiment, which is performed under the control of the control unit 80. FIG. When a user or the like issues an instruction to form an image on paper P to image forming apparatus 1, control unit 80 starts blowing air by blowing mechanism 220 (step 101). Specifically, control unit 80 drives blowing member 221 of blowing mechanism 220 to blow out a predetermined amount of air. The air blown out from blowing member 221 is blown onto paper stack Q housed in case 210, and multiple sheets of paper P carrying information are separated from paper stack Q.

[0061] Next, the control unit 80 causes the photographing mechanism 230 to photograph the paper P separated from the paper stack Q (step 102). Specifically, the control unit 80 causes the light source 240 of the photographing mechanism 230 to simultaneously irradiate light of different wavelengths onto the paper P separated from the paper stack Q. The control unit 80 also causes the photographing unit 250 of the photographing mechanism 230 to photograph the paper P irradiated with light by the light source 240. In this embodiment, as described above, during the exposure period of the image sensor 251 in the photographing section 250, the control section 80 simultaneously irradiates blue light from the first light source 241 of the light source 240, green light from the second light source 242, and red light from the third light source 243.

[0062] Next, the control unit 80 acquires the captured images for each color captured by the imaging unit 250 of the imaging mechanism 230 (step 103). In this example, the control unit 80 acquires the captured image for each color, that is, the blue captured image shown in Fig. 8(a), the green captured image shown in Fig. 8(b), and the red captured image shown in Fig. 8(c).

[0063] Next, the control unit 80 detects the floating position of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q based on the captured image for each color acquired in step 103 (step 104). In this example, the control unit 80 detects the floating position of each of the ten sheets of paper P1 to P10 appearing in the captured image. As described above, in this embodiment, each of the sheets P1-P10 appears in at least one of the blue, green, and red captured images. Therefore, the control unit 80 only needs to detect the floating position of each of the sheets P1-P10 using a captured image in which each of the sheets P1-P10 appears clearly.

[0064] Furthermore, when each sheet of paper P appears in multiple captured images, it is preferable that the control unit 80 detects the floating position of the sheet of paper P based on the captured image in which the thickness of the sheet of paper P appears the thinnest among the multiple captured images. This makes it possible to obtain the floating position of the sheet of paper P more accurately than when the floating position of the sheet of paper P is detected based on the captured image in which the thickness of the sheet of paper P appears thick. For example, the ninth sheet of paper P9 from the top is clearly visible in the blue photographed image of Fig. 8(a), the green photographed image of Fig. 8(b), and the red photographed image of Fig. 8(c). The thickness of the sheet of paper P9 that appears in the blue photographed image of Fig. 8(a) is thinner than the thickness of the sheet of paper P9 that appears in the green photographed image of Fig. 8(b) and the red photographed image of Fig. 8(c). In this case, the control unit 80 may detect the floating position of the sheet of paper P9 based on the blue photographed image of Fig. 8(a).

[0065] Returning to FIG. 9, the control unit 80 determines whether the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q is a predetermined normal state based on the floating position of each paper P detected in step 104 (step 105). For example, the control unit 80 determines that the state of the paper P is abnormal when the floating position of the uppermost paper P1 among the papers P separated from the paper stack Q is above or below a predetermined range. The control unit 80 also determines that the state of the paper P is abnormal when the interval between the papers P is wider or narrower than a predetermined interval. The control unit 80 also determines that the state of the paper P is abnormal when a stack of multiple floating sheets of paper P is formed.

[0066] When it is determined that the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q is not normal (NO in step 105), the control unit 80 calculates an adjustment amount (hereinafter, referred to as air adjustment amount) for adjusting the amount of air blown from the air blowing member 221 (step 106). In addition, the control unit 80 calculates the air adjustment amount according to the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q. For example, the control unit 80 calculates the air adjustment amount so that the amount of air blown from the air blowing member 221 is reduced when the floating position of the paper P1 separated from the paper stack Q is higher than a predetermined range, when the interval between the paper sheets P is wider than a predetermined interval, and when a bundle of multiple floating paper sheets P is formed. In addition, the control unit 80 calculates the air adjustment amount so that the amount of air blown from the air blowing member 221 is increased when the floating position of the paper P1 separated from the paper stack Q is lower than a predetermined range, and when the interval between the paper sheets P is narrower than a predetermined interval.

[0067] Next, the control unit 80 changes the volume of air blown from the blower member 221 of the blower mechanism 220 based on the air adjustment amount calculated in step 106 (step 107). This changes the volume of air blown onto the paper stack Q contained in the case 210, and the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q by the air from the blower mechanism 220 approaches the normal state. Thereafter, the control unit 80 returns to step 102 and continues the process.

[0068] On the other hand, in step 105, when it is determined that the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q is normal (YES in step 105), the control unit 80 ends the series of processes.

[0069] As described above, the storage device 200 of this embodiment simultaneously irradiates light having different wavelengths from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 onto the paper sheet P separated from the paper stack Q by air blown by the blower mechanism 220. Then, the paper sheet P is photographed by the photographing unit 250 to obtain a plurality of photographed images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. As a result, the storage device 200 of this embodiment can obtain a captured image in which the paper sheet P appears more clearly than when, for example, the paper sheet P is photographed by irradiating the paper sheet P with light of the same wavelength multiple times.

[0070] Furthermore, image forming apparatus 1 of this embodiment equipped with storage device 200 includes control unit 80 that detects the position of an edge of sheet P separated from stack of sheets Q by using a captured image acquired by imaging unit 250. Then, control unit 80 adjusts the volume of air blown onto sheet P by blower mechanism 220 based on the detection result of the position of the edge of sheet P. This makes it easier to bring the state of the paper P separated from the paper stack Q into a normal state suitable for being transported by the pickup roller 281 and the feed roller 282 from the case 210 to the transport path R1.

[0071] In the above embodiment, a single-chip color camera using one image sensor 251 having a Bayer array has been described as an example of the imaging section 250 of the imaging mechanism 230. However, the imaging section 250 is not limited to a single-chip color camera as long as it can acquire a plurality of captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. For example, a so-called three-chip color camera may be used as the photographing section 250. In the three-chip color camera, light from the paper P irradiated with light from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243 is dispersed by a prism. Then, the dispersed light is received by three imaging elements, thereby acquiring captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243. Also, for example, a so-called vertical separation type color camera may be used as the photographing unit 250. The vertical separation type color camera has an imaging element in which a blue photoconductor that receives blue light corresponding to the first light source 241, a green photoconductor that receives green light corresponding to the second light source 242, and a red photoconductor that receives red light corresponding to the third light source 243 are stacked. Then, the imaging element separates the light from the paper P in the stacking direction, and obtains a plurality of captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the first light source 241, the second light source 242, and the third light source 243.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the light source 240 irradiates the paper P separated from the paper stack Q with blue light from the first light source 241, green light from the second light source 242, and red light from the third light source 243 as light of different wavelengths. However, the light irradiated from the light source 240 is not limited to the three colors of blue, green, and red, as long as it is possible to acquire a plurality of captured images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the light source 240 in the imaging section 250. The light source 240 may irradiate the paper P with two colors of light as light of different wavelengths, or may irradiate the paper P with four or more colors of light.

[0073] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above-mentioned embodiment. It is clear from the claims that various modifications and improvements to the above-mentioned embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0074] <Additional Notes> (((1))) a storage section for storing a stack of recording media in which a plurality of recording media are stacked; a blowing unit that blows air onto the recording medium bundle contained in the container; a plurality of light sources that simultaneously irradiate light of different wavelengths onto the recording medium separated from the stack of recording media by the air blowing unit; an imaging unit that images a recording medium irradiated with light by a plurality of the light sources and obtains a plurality of images corresponding to the wavelengths of the light irradiated from the respective light sources; A recording medium storage device comprising: (((2))) The recording medium holding device according to (((1))), wherein each of the light sources irradiates the recording medium with light whose spectral distribution has a single peak wavelength. (((3))) The plurality of light sources include a red light source that emits red light having a peak wavelength in the range of 610 nm to 780 nm, a green light source that emits green light having a peak wavelength in the range of 500 nm to 570 nm, and a blue light source that emits blue light having a peak wavelength in the range of 460 nm to 500 nm, The photographing unit photographs a recording medium illuminated with red, green, and blue light simultaneously, and obtains the photographed images corresponding to the red, green, and blue colors. (((4))) The recording medium storage device described in (((3))) is provided with a color filter including a red transmitting section that transmits red light, a green transmitting section that transmits green light, and a blue transmitting section that transmits blue light. (((5))) The recording medium storage device according to any one of ((1))) to (((4))), wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged side by side in a stacking direction of the recording media and irradiate light toward a periphery of the recording media. (((6))) A recording medium storage device according to any one of (((1))) to (((5))), a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium separated from the recording medium stack in the recording medium accommodation device; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit; An image forming apparatus comprising: (((7))) The image forming apparatus described in (((6))) further includes an adjustment unit that detects the position of the edge of the recording medium in the stacking direction of the recording medium using a plurality of captured images acquired by the photographing unit, and adjusts the air blown by the blowing unit based on the detection result. (((8))) The image forming apparatus according to ((7))), wherein the adjustment section detects the position of the edge based on one captured image in which the recording medium has the thinnest thickness among the plurality of captured images. (((9))) The image forming apparatus described in ((7)) above, wherein when the position of the edge of the recording medium cannot be detected from one of the multiple captured images, the adjustment unit detects the position of the edge using another captured image different from the one captured image.

[0075] According to the recording medium storage device of (((1))), it is possible to photograph the recording medium more clearly when the recording medium is separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto the recording medium, compared to when the recording medium is irradiated with light of the same wavelength multiple times. According to the recording medium storage devices of (((2))) and (((3))), the recording medium tends to appear clearer in each captured image than when each light source has a plurality of peak wavelengths. According to the recording medium storage device of (((4))), a single color filter including a red transmitting section, a green transmitting section, and a blue transmitting section can be used to obtain captured images corresponding to red, green, and blue colors. According to the recording medium storage device of (((5))), shadows are less likely to appear on the recording medium in the captured image, compared to a case in which multiple light sources are not arranged side by side in the stacking direction of the recording medium. According to the image forming apparatus of (((6))), it is possible to photograph a recording medium that has been separated from a stack of recording media by blowing air onto the recording medium more clearly than when light of the same wavelength is irradiated multiple times onto the recording medium. According to the image forming apparatus of (((7))), it is easier to bring the recording medium into a state suitable for transport to the transport section, compared to a case in which the air is not adjusted based on the detection result of the position of the recording medium. According to the image forming device of (((8))), it becomes easier to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium more accurately than when the position of the edge of the recording medium is detected based on other captured images other than the one captured image that is the thinnest among the captured images. According to the image forming apparatus of (((9))), even if the position of the edge of a recording medium cannot be detected from one captured image, it is possible to detect the position of the edge of the recording medium. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...image forming apparatus, 80...control section, 200...container, 210...case, 220...air blowing mechanism, 221...air blowing member, 222...duct, 230...photographing mechanism, 240...light source, 241...first light source, 242...second light source, 243...third light source, 250...photographing section, 251...imaging element, 251a...pixel, 252...color filter, 252B...first filter section, 252G...second filter section, 252R...third filter section, P...paper, Q...paper stack

Claims

1. a storage section for storing a stack of recording media in which a plurality of recording media are stacked; a blowing unit that blows air onto the recording medium bundle contained in the container; a plurality of light sources that simultaneously irradiate light of different wavelengths onto the recording medium separated from the stack of recording media by the air blowing unit; an imaging unit that images a recording medium irradiated with light by the plurality of light sources and obtains a plurality of images corresponding to the wavelengths of light irradiated from the respective light sources; A recording medium storage device comprising:

2. 2. The recording medium holding device according to claim 1, wherein each of the light sources irradiates the recording medium with light having a single peak wavelength in its spectral distribution.

3. The plurality of light sources include a red light source that emits red light having a peak wavelength in the range of 610 nm or more and 780 nm or less, a green light source that emits green light having a peak wavelength in the range of 500 nm or more and 570 nm or less, and a blue light source that emits blue light having a peak wavelength in the range of 460 nm or more and 500 nm or less, 3. The recording medium storage device according to claim 2, wherein the image capturing section captures an image of a recording medium illuminated with red, green, and blue light simultaneously, and obtains the captured images corresponding to the red, green, and blue colors.

4. 4. The recording medium holding device according to claim 3, wherein the image capturing section includes a color filter including a red transmitting section that transmits red light, a green transmitting section that transmits green light, and a blue transmitting section that transmits blue light.

5. 2. The recording medium storage device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are arranged side by side in a stacking direction of the recording media, and irradiate light toward a periphery of the recording media.

6. A recording medium storage device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, a conveying unit that conveys the recording medium separated from the recording medium stack in the recording medium accommodation device; an image forming unit that forms an image on the recording medium conveyed by the conveying unit; An image forming apparatus comprising:

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an adjustment unit that detects the position of the edge of the recording medium in the stacking direction of the recording medium using a plurality of the captured images acquired by the photographing unit, and adjusts the air blown by the blowing unit based on the detection result.

8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the adjustment section detects the position of the edge based on one of the plurality of captured images in which the recording medium has a thinnest thickness.

9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 7, wherein when the position of the edge of the recording medium cannot be detected from one of the plurality of captured images, the adjustment unit detects the position of the edge using another captured image different from the one captured image.

Images