Medium conveying device, control method, and control program

Abstract

To properly detect a bound medium.SOLUTION: A medium conveying device comprises: a pick roller for feeding a medium; a separation roller which is arranged on a downstream side in a medium conveyance direction beyond the pick roller; an arrival detection sensor which is arranged on a downstream side in a medium conveyance direction beyond the separation roller; a floating sensor which detects floating of a medium in between an upstream side of a roller nip of the pick roller and a downstream side of a roller nip of the separation roller; a determination part which determines that a medium is a bound medium in the case that floating of the medium is detected by the floating sensor within a first prescribed period from the detection of a tip of the medium in the conveyance direction according to the arrival detection sensor; and a control part which executes abnormality processing if a medium is determined to be a bound medium according to the determination part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a medium transport device, a control method, and a control program, and more particularly to a medium transport device, a control method, and a control program that detects that a bound medium has been transported. [Background technology]

[0002] Generally, a media transport device, such as a scanner, that transports and captures media sequentially separates and transports multiple media stacked on a tray. However, if multiple media are bound with staples or the like, there is a risk of the media being damaged when separating them. Therefore, there is a need for a media transport device that can properly detect such bound media and stop transport.

[0003] A media conveying device is known that has a contact piece that can be pushed up by the bending of the media that occurs when attempting to separate the binding media (Patent Document 1). When the contact piece is pushed up, the media conveying device of Patent Document 1 determines that the binding media is being conveyed and stops conveying the media. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-169026 Summary of the Invention

[0005] There is a demand for a medium transport device to detect the medium to be bound with higher accuracy.

[0006] The object of the media transport device, the control method, and the control program is to appropriately detect the media to be bound.

[0007] The medium conveying device according to the embodiment includes a pick roller that feeds the medium, a separation roller that is disposed downstream of the pick roller in the conveying direction of the medium, a lift sensor that detects lifting of the medium between the upstream side of the roller nip of the pick roller and the downstream side of the roller nip of the separation roller in the conveying direction, and a lift sensor that detects lifting of the medium when the leading edge of the medium is within a predetermined section downstream of the separation roller. Within a specified period The device is characterized by having a detection unit that detects the binding medium when the floating sensor detects that the medium has floated, and a processing unit that executes abnormality processing when the detection unit detects the binding medium.

[0008] In the medium transport device, the lift sensor preferably detects lift of the outer medium in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction relative to the pick roller and the separation roller. In the medium transport device, the floating sensor is preferably disposed outside the pick roller and the separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In the media transport device, the lift sensor is preferably disposed above the transport path of the media and detects lift of the media by measuring the distance to the media. Preferably, the media transport device further includes an arm positioned above the transport path of the media that rises in response to the media floating up, and the floating sensor detects the media floating up by detecting the rise of the arm. In the medium transport device, the width of the arm in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction is preferably larger than the width of the pick roller in the direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In the medium transport device, the width of the arm in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction is preferably larger than the width of the separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. In the media conveying device, the arm has a main body portion and an end portion that is closer to the lift sensor than the main body portion, and it is preferable that the width of the main body portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is greater than the width of the end portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. In the media conveying device, the lift sensor has a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit that is arranged opposite the light-emitting unit across the end of the arm and detects light from the light-emitting unit, and the end of the arm is formed so that it blocks light from the light-emitting unit when it is not raised and allows light from the light-emitting unit to pass to the light-receiving unit when it is raised, and it is preferable that the lift sensor detects the lifting of the media when the light-receiving unit detects light from the light-emitting unit. It is preferable that the media transport device further has a transport path for the media and a discharge tray onto which the media transported along the transport path is discharged, and the floating sensor is positioned between the transport path and the discharge tray. The medium transport device preferably has, as the lifting sensors, a first sensor and a second sensor that each detect the lifting of the medium. In the media conveying device, it is preferable that the first sensor detects lifting of the media on one outer side relative to the pick roller and separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and the second sensor detects lifting of the media on the other outer side relative to the pick roller and separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction. The media conveying device preferably further includes a media sensor that is positioned downstream in the conveying direction from the separation roller and detects the media, and the detection unit preferably detects the bound media when the lift-up sensor detects the media being lifted up within a first predetermined period after the media sensor detects the media. In the media conveying device, if the detection unit detects the lifting of the media during a second predetermined period from the start of rotation of the pick roller to before the media is detected by the media sensor, it is preferable that the detection unit not detect the bound media, regardless of whether the lifting of the media is detected during a first predetermined period after the media sensor detects the media. In the media conveying device, it is preferable that the detection unit does not detect the bound media if the floating of the media is detected a predetermined number of times or more after a second predetermined period has elapsed from the start of rotation of the pick roller before the media is detected by the media sensor and before a first predetermined period has elapsed after the media sensor detects the media. In the medium transport device, it is preferable that the detection unit does not detect the bound medium after a first predetermined period has elapsed after the medium sensor detects the medium.

[0009] In the medium transport method according to the embodiment, a pick roller feeds a medium, a separation roller disposed downstream of the pick roller in the transport direction of the medium separates the medium, and a lift sensor detects lifting of the medium between the upstream side of the roller nip of the pick roller and the downstream side of the roller nip of the separation roller, and when the leading edge of the medium is within a predetermined section downstream of the separation roller, Within a specified period When the floating sensor detects that the medium is floating, the binding medium is detected, and when the binding medium is detected, abnormality processing is executed.

[0010] According to the embodiments, the medium conveying device, the control method, and the program enable appropriate detection of the bound medium.

[0011] The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and obtained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the claims. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a medium transport device 100. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a transport path of the medium transport device 100. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of a floating sensor 113. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of a floating sensor 113 and a second medium sensor 116. FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a medium conveying device 100. FIG. [Figure 6]1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a storage device 140 and a processing circuit 150. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a medium reading process. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a determination process. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining floating of binding media; [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining detection of a binding medium. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining detection of a medium with a curled trailing edge; [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining detection of a medium with a curled leading end; [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams for explaining detection of a medium with a curled leading end; [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating detection of a wrinkled medium. [Figure 15] 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining a transport path of a medium transport device 200. FIG. [Figure 16] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 350. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, a medium conveying device, a control method, and a program according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Please note that the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but extends to the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a medium conveying device 100 configured as an image scanner. The medium conveying device 100 conveys and captures an image of a medium, which is an original document. The medium is paper, cardboard, or the like. The medium also includes bound media, in which multiple media are bound together with a binding device such as staples, string, or clips, and card media, such as driver's licenses and IC cards, which are smaller and thicker than paper. The medium conveying device 100 may be a facsimile machine, a copier, a multifunction printer (MFP), or the like. The medium conveying device 100 may also be a printer, in which case the conveyed medium is a print target, or the like.

[0015] The medium conveying device 100 includes a first housing 101, a second housing 102, a loading table 103, an ejection table 104, an operation device 105, a display device 106, and the like.

[0016] The first housing 101 is disposed above the medium conveying device 100 and is engaged with the second housing 102 by a hinge so that it can be opened and closed when a medium is jammed or when the inside of the medium conveying device 100 is to be cleaned.

[0017] The loading platform 103 engages with the second housing 102 so that the media to be transported can be placed on it. The loading platform 103 is provided on the side of the second housing 102 on the media supply side so that it can move in a substantially vertical direction (height direction) A1 by a motor (not shown). The loading platform 103 is located at the bottom end so that media can be easily loaded when not transporting media, and when transporting media, it rises to a position where the uppermost medium placed on it comes into contact with a pick roller (described later). The ejection platform 104 is formed on the first housing 101 so that it can hold ejected media, and it stacks the ejected media.

[0018] The operation device 105 has input devices such as buttons and an interface circuit for acquiring signals from the input devices, accepts input operations by a user, and outputs operation signals in response to the user's input operations. The display device 106 has a display such as a liquid crystal display, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, or the like, and an interface circuit for outputting image data to the display, and displays the image data on the display.

[0019] 1, arrow A2 indicates the medium transport direction, arrow A3 indicates the medium discharge direction, and arrow A4 indicates the width direction perpendicular to the medium transport direction. In the following, "upstream" refers to the upstream side of the medium transport direction A2 or the medium discharge direction A3, and "downstream" refers to the downstream side of the medium transport direction A2 or the medium discharge direction A3.

[0020] 2 is a diagram illustrating the transport path inside medium transport device 100. The transport path inside medium transport device 100 includes first medium sensor 111, pick roller 112, lift sensor 113, feed roller 114, brake roller 115, second medium sensor 116, first to eighth transport rollers 117a-h, first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h, first imaging device 119a, and second imaging device 119b. Hereinafter, first imaging device 119a and second imaging device 119b may be collectively referred to as imaging device 119.

[0021] The number of each of the pick roller 112, the feed roller 114, the brake roller 115, the first to eighth conveying rollers 117a-h, and / or the first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h is not limited to one, and may be more than one. In this case, the multiple pick rollers 112, the feed roller 114, the brake roller 115, the first to eighth conveying rollers 117a-h, and / or the first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h are arranged at intervals in the width direction A4.

[0022] The surface of first housing 101 facing second housing 102 forms first guide 101a of the medium transport path, and the surface of second housing 102 facing first housing 101 forms second guide 102a of the medium transport path.

[0023] The first media sensor 111 is disposed on the mounting table 103, that is, upstream of the feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115, and detects the state of the medium on the mounting table 103. The first media sensor 111 determines whether or not a medium is placed on the mounting table 103 by using a contact detection sensor that passes a predetermined current when the medium is in contact with the mounting table 103 or when the medium is not in contact with the mounting table 103. The first media sensor 111 generates and outputs a first media signal whose signal value changes depending on whether or not a medium is placed on the mounting table 103. Note that the first media sensor 111 is not limited to a contact detection sensor, and any other sensor capable of detecting the presence or absence of a medium, such as an optical detection sensor, may be used as the first media sensor 111.

[0024] Pick roller 112 is provided in first housing 101, and comes into contact with a medium placed on mounting table 103 raised to approximately the same height as the medium transport path, and feeds the medium downstream.

[0025] Floating sensor 113 is provided inside first housing 101, downstream of pick roller 112. Floating sensor 113 detects floating of the medium fed by pick roller 112. Floating of the medium refers to the feeding medium curving toward first housing 101 with respect to the transport path. The configuration of floating sensor 113 will be described later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0026] The feed roller 114 is disposed within the first housing 101 downstream of the lift sensor 113, and feeds the media fed by the pick roller 112 further downstream. The brake roller 115 is disposed within the second housing 102 facing the feed roller 114. The feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115 are examples of separation rollers, and perform a media separation operation, separating the media and feeding them one by one. The feed roller 114 is disposed above the brake roller 115, and the medium conveying device 100 feeds the media using a so-called top-take method.

[0027] The second medium sensor 116 is an example of an arrival detection sensor, and is located downstream of the feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115. The second medium sensor 116 detects whether or not a medium is present at that position. The second medium sensor 116 is a regression type prism sensor, and includes a light emitting element, a light receiving element, and a light guiding member.

[0028] The light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are disposed outside the medium transport path, sandwiching the second guide 102a. The light-guiding member is a light guide tube such as a U-shaped prism, and is disposed outside the medium transport path, sandwiching the first guide 101a, with both ends facing the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element, respectively. The light-emitting element is an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like, and emits light toward the light-guiding member across the medium transport path. The light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element and guided by the light-guiding member. The light-receiving element generates and outputs a second medium signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the received light. When a medium is present at the position of the second medium sensor 116, the light emitted from the light-emitting element is blocked by the medium, so the signal value of the second medium signal changes depending on whether a medium is present or not at the position of the second medium sensor 116. This allows the second medium sensor 116 to detect the arrival of a medium.

[0029] The configuration of second medium sensor 116 is not limited to the above example. For example, a reflective member such as a mirror may be used instead of the light-guiding member. Second medium sensor 116 may also be composed of only a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. In this case, the light-emitting element and the light-receiving element are respectively arranged in first housing 101 and second housing 102 so as to face each other across the medium transport path. Second medium sensor 116 may also be a contact detection sensor similar to first medium sensor 111.

[0030] The first to eighth conveying rollers 117a-h and the first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h are provided downstream of the feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115, and convey the medium fed by the feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115 downstream. The first to eighth conveying rollers 117a-h and the first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h are arranged opposite each other with the medium conveying path in between.

[0031] The first imaging device 119a is provided downstream of the first and second transport rollers 117a-b and the first and second driven rollers 118a-b in the medium transport direction A2. The first imaging device 119a has a line sensor based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a 1:1 optical system type having CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The first imaging device 119a has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The first imaging device 119a captures an image of the surface of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0032] The second imaging device 119b is disposed downstream of the first and second transport rollers 117a-b and the first and second driven rollers 118a-b in the medium transport direction A2. The second imaging device 119b has a line sensor based on a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) of a 1:1 optical system type having CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) imaging elements arranged linearly in the main scanning direction. The second imaging device 119b has a lens that forms an image on the imaging element and an A / D converter that amplifies and analog-to-digital (A / D) converts the electrical signal output from the imaging element. The second imaging device 119b captures an image of the back side of the medium being transported, generates an input image, and outputs it.

[0033] The medium conveying device 100 may have only one of the first and second imaging devices 119a and 119b and may read only one side of the medium. Also, instead of a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CMOS imaging element, a CIS line sensor with an equal-magnification optical system and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) imaging element may be used. Also, a reduction optical system type line sensor with a CMOS or CCD imaging element may be used.

[0034] The medium placed on the mounting table 103 is transported between the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a in the medium transport direction A2 by the rotation of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 114 in the medium feed directions A5 and A6, respectively. Meanwhile, when multiple media are placed on the mounting table 103, the brake roller 115 rotates in the direction A7 opposite to the medium feed direction, so that only the media in contact with the feed roller 114 are separated from the media placed on the mounting table 103.

[0035] The medium is guided by the first guide 101a and the second guide 102a and fed to the imaging position of the imaging device 119 by the rotation of the first and second transport rollers 117a-b in the directions of arrows A8-A9, and is imaged by the imaging device 119. The medium is then ejected onto the ejection tray 104 by the rotation of the third to eighth transport rollers 117c-h in the directions of arrows A10-A15, respectively. The ejection tray 104 holds the media ejected by the eighth transport roller 117h.

[0036] FIG. 3 is a perspective view for explaining the configuration of the floating sensor 113. As shown in FIG.

[0037] The lift sensor 113 has an arm 113a and a horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b.

[0038] The arm 113a is provided above the medium transport path, extending in the medium transport direction A2, and is positioned so that its lower surface faces the second guide 102a at a predetermined distance. When multiple lift sensors 113 are provided, each arm 113a is positioned at the same height in the height direction A1. The downstream end 113c of the arm 113a is rotatably attached to the first housing 101 so that the upstream end 113d can swing. The predetermined distance is set to the maximum height to which the medium can bend when fed, plus a margin. As a result, if the medium being fed is not lifted, the medium is transported without coming into contact with the arm 113a. If the medium being fed does lift, the medium comes into contact with the arm 113a and is raised by rotating the arm 113a. In other words, the arm 113a is positioned to rise in response to the lift of the medium.

[0039] The horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b has a light-emitting element 113e, a light-receiving element 113f, and a connection portion 113g that connects the light-emitting element 113e and the light-receiving element 113f. The light-emitting element 113e and the light-receiving element 113f are arranged to face each other. The light-emitting element 113e is an LED or the like, and emits light toward the light-receiving element 113f. The light-receiving element 113f is a photodiode or the like. The light-emitting element 113e and the light-receiving element 113f are examples of a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, respectively. The light-receiving element 113f is disposed opposite the light-emitting element 113e across the arm 113a, and detects light from the light-emitting element 113e. The light-receiving element 113f generates and outputs a lift-up detection signal, which is an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of the detected light.

[0040] Arm 113a is positioned between light-emitting element 113e and light-receiving element 113f in the initial state, and is positioned so as not to face light-emitting element 113e or light-receiving element 113f in the raised state. That is, arm 113a is configured to block light from light-emitting element 113e to light-receiving element 113f when not raised, and to allow light from light-emitting element 113e to pass to light-receiving element 113f when raised. As a result, the lift-up detection signal has a different signal value depending on whether the medium being fed is lifted or not. That is, when light-receiving element 113f detects light from light-emitting element 113e, lift-up sensor 113 detects the lift-up of the medium by detecting the lift-up of arm 113a.

[0041] Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the arrangement of the floating sensor 113 and the second medium sensor 116. Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the floating sensor 113 and the second medium sensor 116 when the transport path is viewed from above.

[0042] 4, two floating sensors 113 are disposed on the outer sides in the width direction A4 of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 114. The two floating sensors 113 have the same configuration except that they are symmetrical with respect to the width direction A4. The number of floating sensors 113 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

[0043] The lift sensor 113 is disposed a predetermined distance in the width direction A4 from the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 114. The predetermined distance is set so that when a medium with the smallest length in the width direction A4 (e.g., A5 size) among media that are generally likely to be bound with staples or clips is transported, the end of the medium in the width direction A4 passes under the arm 113a. This allows the lift sensor 113 to detect the lift of a medium when any medium that can be transported by the medium transport device 100 is transported.

[0044] An upstream end 113d of arm 113a of lift sensor 113 is located upstream of the upstream end of roller nip 112a of pick roller 112. In addition, a downstream end 113c of arm 113a of lift sensor 113 is located downstream of the downstream end of roller nip 114a between feed roller 114 and brake roller 115. This enables lift sensor 113 to detect lifting of the medium that occurs between the upstream side of roller nip 112a of pick roller 112 and the downstream side of roller nip 114a between feed roller 114 and brake roller 115.

[0045] The second medium sensor 116 is disposed downstream of the brake rollers 115. The second medium sensor 116 is disposed between the two brake rollers 115, particularly at approximately the center in the width direction A4. In the example shown in FIG. 4, only one second medium sensor 116 is disposed, but multiple second medium sensors 116 may be disposed side by side at intervals along the width direction A4.

[0046] 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the medium conveying device 100. In addition to the configuration described above, the medium conveying device 100 further includes a motor 131, an interface device 132, a storage device 140, a processing circuit 150, and the like.

[0047] The motor 131 includes one or more motors, and rotates the pick roller 112, the feed roller 114, the brake roller 115, and the first to eighth transport rollers 117a-h to feed and transport the medium in response to a control signal from the processing circuit 150. The first to eighth driven rollers 118a-h may be configured to rotate by the driving force from the motor, rather than being driven to rotate in accordance with the rotation of the transport rollers.

[0048] The interface device 132 has an interface circuit conforming to a serial bus such as USB, and is electrically connected to an information processing device (not shown) (for example, a personal computer, a personal digital assistant, etc.) to transmit and receive scanned images and various information. Instead of the interface device 132, a communication unit having an antenna for transmitting and receiving wireless signals and a wireless communication interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless communication line in accordance with a predetermined communication protocol may be used. The predetermined communication protocol is, for example, a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0049] The storage device 140 includes a memory device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory) or a ROM (Read Only Memory), a fixed disk device such as a hard disk, or a portable storage device such as a flexible disk or optical disk. The storage device 140 also stores computer programs, databases, tables, and the like used for various processes of the medium conveying device 100. The computer programs may be installed into the storage device 140 from a computer-readable, non-transitory portable recording medium using a known setup program or the like. The portable recording medium is, for example, a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or the like.

[0050] The processing circuit 150 is a circuit that operates based on a program that is pre-stored in the storage device 140. The processing circuit 150 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing circuit 150 may be, for example, a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an LSI (Large Scale Integration), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or the like.

[0051] The processing circuit 150 is connected to the operation device 105, the display device 106, the first medium sensor 111, the lift sensor 113, the second medium sensor 116, the imaging device 119, the motor 131, the interface device 132, the storage device 140, etc., and controls each of these components. The processing circuit 150 controls the motor 131 to transport the medium, controls the imaging device 119 to acquire an input image, and transmits the acquired input image to the information processing device via the interface device 132. The processing circuit 150 also determines whether the medium being transported is a binding medium based on the lift detection signal received from the lift sensor 113 and the second medium signal received from the second medium sensor 116.

[0052] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the storage device 140 and the processing circuit 150. As shown in FIG.

[0053] The storage device 140 stores various programs, such as a control program 141 and a determination program 142. These programs are functional modules implemented by software running on a processor. The processing circuit 150 reads the programs stored in the storage device 140 and operates in accordance with the read programs, thereby functioning as a control unit 151 and a determination unit 152.

[0054] 7 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of a medium reading process executed by medium conveying device 100. The medium reading process is realized by processing circuitry 150 cooperating with each element of medium conveying device 100 based on a program stored in storage device 140.

[0055] First, the control unit 151 waits until it receives an operation signal instructing to read a medium (S101). The operation signal is supplied from the operation device 105 to the control unit 151 in response to a user inputting an instruction to read a medium into the operation device 105. The operation signal may be supplied from the information processing device via the interface device 132 in response to a user inputting an instruction to read into the information processing device.

[0056] Next, the control unit 151 determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103 based on the first medium signal output from the first medium sensor 111 (S102). If no medium is placed on the placement table 103 (S102-No), the control unit 151 ends the medium reading process.

[0057] If a medium is placed on the table 103 (S102-Yes), the control unit 151 drives the motor for moving the table 103, and raises the table 103 to a position where the medium can be fed. The control unit 151 drives the motor 131 to rotate the pick roller 112, the feed roller 114, the brake roller 115, and the first to eighth transport rollers 117a-h, and feeds and transports the medium placed on the table 103 (S103).

[0058] Next, the determination unit 152 executes a determination process (S104). In the determination process, the determination unit 152 determines whether the conveyed medium is a binding medium, etc. Details of the determination process will be described later.

[0059] Next, the control unit 151 determines whether the conveyed medium is determined to be a binding medium in the determination process (S105). If the conveyed medium is determined to be a binding medium (S105-Yes), the control unit 151 outputs a notification that the medium is a binding medium (S106). The control unit 151 outputs the notification that the medium is a binding medium by displaying it on the display device 106, and notifies the user. The control unit 151 may output a notification signal indicating the notification that the medium is a binding medium by transmitting it to the information processing device via the interface device 132, and notify the user. Next, the control unit 151 stops the motor 131 to stop the conveyance of the medium (S110), and ends the medium reading process. Note that outputting the notification that the medium is a binding medium and stopping the conveyance of the medium are examples of abnormality processing.

[0060] The control unit 151 can prevent the occurrence of a medium jam and damage to the medium by stopping the transport of the medium when the bound medium is transported. The control unit 151 can also prevent staples, clips, etc. that have bound the medium from entering the medium transport path and damaging the glass surface of the imaging device 119. This eliminates the need for the user to check whether the medium to be transported is stapled before transporting the medium, and the medium transport device 100 can improve user convenience and reduce the processing time for the medium reading process.

[0061] If it is determined that the transported medium is not a bound medium (S105-No), the control unit 151 determines whether the trailing edge of the medium has passed the imaging position of the imaging device 119 (S107). The control unit 151, for example, periodically acquires a second medium signal from the second medium sensor 116, and determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the position of the second medium sensor 116 when the signal value of the second medium signal changes from a value indicating the presence of the medium to a value indicating the absence of the medium. The control unit 151 determines that the trailing edge of the medium has passed the imaging position when a predetermined time has elapsed since the trailing edge of the medium passed the position of the second medium sensor 116. The predetermined time is set to the time it takes for the medium to be transported from the second medium sensor 116 to the imaging position plus a margin. If the trailing edge of the medium has not yet passed the imaging position (S107-No), the control unit 151 returns to S104 and repeats the processes of S104 to S107.

[0062] If the rear end of the medium has passed the imaging position (S107-Yes), the control unit 151 acquires an input image from the imaging device 119. The control unit 151 transmits the acquired input image to the information processing device via the interface device 132 (S108).

[0063] Next, the control unit 151 determines whether or not a medium is placed on the placement table 103 based on the first medium signal output from the first medium sensor 111 (S109). If a medium is placed on the placement table 103 (S109-Yes), the control unit 151 returns the process to S104 and repeats the processes of S104 to S109. If a medium is not placed on the placement table 103 (S109-No), the control unit 151 stops the motor 131 (S110) and ends the medium reading process.

[0064] 8 is a flow diagram showing an example of the operation of the determination process, which is executed in S104 of the medium reading process.

[0065] First, the determination unit 152 determines whether the state of the medium to be fed has been specified (S201). If the state of the medium has been specified, the determination unit 152 ends the determination process.

[0066] If the state of the medium has not yet been determined, the determination unit 152 determines the current detection period (S202). If a first time has not yet elapsed since the start of medium feeding, i.e., since the start of rotation of the pick roller 112, the determination unit 152 determines that the current detection period is the curl detection period. The first time is set to the time required for the leading edge of the medium to move from the downstream end of the mounting table 103 to the upstream end of the roller nip 114a of the feed roller 114, or a time shorter than that time. The determination unit 152 may calculate the elapsed time based on the amount of drive of the motor 131 by the control unit 151. The leading edge of the medium refers to the downstream end of the medium. In other words, the curl detection period is set to the period from the start of rotation of the pick roller 112 to the point before the leading edge of the medium fed by the pick roller 112 reaches the upstream end of the roller nip 114a of the feed roller 114, or until the point at which the leading edge reaches the upstream end of the roller nip 114a of the feed roller 114. The curl detection period is an example of a second predetermined period from when pick roller 112 starts to rotate until second medium sensor 116 detects that the medium has arrived.

[0067] The determination unit 152 may detect the timing when the rotation of the pick roller 112 starts using a roller encoder (not shown). The roller encoder includes a disk that rotates in conjunction with the rotation of the pick roller 112 and has multiple slits along its outer periphery, and a light emitter and a light receiver that face each other across the disk. The light emitter, such as an LED, emits light toward the disk and the light receiver. The light receiver, such as a photodiode, detects the light emitted by the light emitter and outputs a current corresponding to its intensity. As the pick roller 112 and the disk rotate, the state switches between one in which the light from the light emitter is blocked by the disk and another in which the light from the light emitter passes through the slits in the disk and is detected by the light receiver, changing the current value output by the light receiver. Therefore, the determination unit 152 can detect the rotation of the pick roller 112 based on the change in the current value output by the light receiver of the roller encoder.

[0068] On the other hand, if the curl detection period has elapsed and the leading edge of the medium has not been detected by the second medium sensor 116, the determination unit 152 determines that the current detection period is the wrinkle detection period. The determination unit 152 determines whether the leading edge of the medium in the conveyance direction A2 has been detected by the second medium sensor 116. The determination unit 152 periodically acquires second medium signals from the second medium sensor 116, and determines that the leading edge of the medium has been detected by the second medium sensor 116 when the signal value of each second medium signal changes from a value indicating the absence of a medium to a value indicating the presence of a medium. In other words, the wrinkle detection period is set to the time before the leading edge of the medium fed by the pick roller 112 passes the upstream end of the roller nip 114a of the feed roller 114, or the period from the time the leading edge passes through the upstream end of the roller nip 114a to the time the leading edge reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116. The wrinkle detection period is the period after the curl detection period has elapsed and before the binding medium detection period described below.

[0069] On the other hand, if the second time has not elapsed since the wrinkle detection period has elapsed, the determination unit 152 determines that the current detection period is the binding medium detection period. The second time is set to the maximum time required for a medium with a stapled leading edge to float after the leading edge of the medium passes the position of the second medium sensor 116, for example, when the medium is fed. The second time is appropriately set based on the size of the medium in the medium conveying direction A2 that the medium conveying device 100 can convey and the length of the arm 113a in the medium conveying direction A2, and the like. For example, the second time is set to the time it takes for the medium to travel any distance between 30 mm and 100 mm. In other words, the binding medium detection period is set to a predetermined period after the leading edge of the medium fed by the pick roller 112 passes the position of the second medium sensor 116. The binding medium detection period is an example of a first predetermined period after the leading edge of the medium in the medium conveying direction A2 is detected by the second medium sensor 116.

[0070] If the current detection period is the curl detection period, the determination unit 152 determines whether any of the lifting sensors 113 has detected lifting of the medium (S203). The determination unit 152 acquires a lifting signal from each of the lifting sensors 113, and if the signal value of any of the lifting signals is equal to or greater than the lifting threshold, determines that that lifting sensor 113 has detected lifting of the medium. The lifting threshold is set to a value between the signal value of the lifting signal output from the light receiving element 113f when the arm 113a of the lifting sensor 113 blocks light from the light emitting element 113e, and the signal value of the lifting signal output from the light receiving element 113f when light from the light emitting element 113e is directly received by the light receiving element 113f.

[0071] If lifting is detected within the curl detection period (S203-Yes), the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is not a bound medium but a curled medium (S204) and ends the determination process. A bound medium is a medium in which multiple media are bound at their leading ends with a binding device such as a staple, string, or clip. A curled medium is a medium in which the leading end (one end in the width direction A4 or the entire width) of the medium is curved or bent upward. In other words, if lifting of the medium is detected within the curl detection period, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is not a bound medium, regardless of whether lifting of the medium is detected within the bound medium detection period. On the other hand, if lifting is not detected (S203-No), the determination unit 152 ends the determination process without yet identifying the state of the medium.

[0072] If the current detection period is the wrinkle detection period, the determination unit 152 determines whether any of the lifting sensors 113 has detected lifting of the medium a predetermined number of times or more during the wrinkle detection period (S205). The determination unit 152 determines that lifting of the medium has been detected a predetermined number of times or more when the signal value of the lifting signal output from any of the lifting sensors 113 during the wrinkle detection period changes from a value below the lifting threshold to a value equal to or greater than the lifting threshold a predetermined number of times or more. The predetermined number of times is any number of times equal to or greater than two, for example, three times.

[0073] If the medium is detected to have lifted a predetermined number of times or more within the wrinkle detection period (S205-Yes), the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is not a bound medium but a wrinkled medium (S206) and ends the determination process. A wrinkled medium is a medium in which multiple portions other than the leading edge are bent upward. On the other hand, if the medium has not yet been detected to have lifted a predetermined number of times or more (S205-No), the determination unit 152 ends the determination process without yet identifying the state of the medium.

[0074] If the current detection period is the binding medium detection period, the determination unit 152 determines whether or not lifting of the medium has been detected (S207).

[0075] If the floating of the medium is detected within the binding medium detection period (S207-Yes), the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is a binding medium (S208) and ends the determination process. If the floating of the medium is not detected within the binding medium detection period (S207-No), the determination unit 152 ends the determination process without yet identifying the state of the medium.

[0076] If the current detection period is after the binding medium detection period has elapsed, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is a normal medium (S209) without determining whether it is a binding medium or not, and ends the determination process. A normal medium is a medium that is not a binding medium, a wrinkled medium, or a medium with a curled tip.

[0077] 9 is a diagram for explaining floating that occurs when the binding medium is fed by the feeding roller 114. Fig. 9 is a diagram seen from above showing a state in which the leading edge of the binding medium passes through the separation section (feeding roller 114 and brake roller 115) and reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116, causing the binding medium to float.

[0078] When the leading edge of the binding medium passes through the separation section, medium M1, which is bound on the upper side and in contact with the feed roller 114, receives a force pushing it downstream at contact position C with the feed roller 114. On the other hand, medium M2, which is not in contact with the feed roller 114, receives a force pushing it upstream by the brake roller 115, and therefore receives a force pushing it upstream at binding position S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 9 , a lift D occurs in the area between contact position C of medium M1 with the feed roller 114 and binding position S.

[0079] The floating D occurs generally at a position outside the feed roller 114 in the width direction A4. Therefore, the floating D is detected by the floating sensor 113 provided outside the feed roller 114 in the width direction A4.

[0080] 10A and 10B are schematic diagrams for explaining detection of the binding medium. Fig. 10A is a side view of the state before the binding medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114. As shown in Fig. 10A, before the binding medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114, no floating occurs in the binding medium.

[0081] 10(B) is a diagram showing a state where, after time has passed from the state shown in FIG. 10(A), the leading edge of the binding medium passes through the separation section and is detected by the second medium sensor 116. As described using FIG. 9, when the leading edge of the binding medium passes through the separation section, lifting occurs at a position outside the feed roller 114 in the width direction A4. This causes the arm 113a of the lifting sensor 113 to be pushed upward, and the light-receiving element 113f of the horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b receives light from the light-emitting element 113e, thereby detecting the lifting of the medium.

[0082] That is, when the binding medium is fed, floating is not detected before the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116 disposed downstream of the separation unit, but floating is detected after the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116. Therefore, in S208 of the determination process, it is determined that the medium is a binding medium.

[0083] 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection of a trailing end curl medium. A trailing end curl medium is a medium whose trailing end (one end or the entire width in the width direction A4) facing the leading end of the medium is curved or bent upward. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the state after further time has passed since the leading end of the trailing end curl medium was detected by the second medium sensor 116.

[0084] 11, when the leading edge of the curled medium passes the position of the second medium sensor 116 and is further conveyed, the trailing edge of the medium comes into contact with the lower part of arm 113a of lift sensor 113. As a result, arm 113a is pushed up by the trailing edge of the medium, and light receiving element 113f in horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b receives light from light emitting element 113e, detecting that the medium is lifting up.

[0085] In this way, when a medium with a trailing edge curl is fed, lifting is detected after the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116 and the trailing edge of the medium reaches below the arm 113a. Therefore, by setting the binding medium detection period to after the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116 and before the trailing edge of the medium reaches below the arm 113a, it is not determined in S209 of the determination process whether the medium with a trailing edge curl is a binding medium. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 can prevent erroneous determination of a medium with a trailing edge curl as a binding medium.

[0086] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection of the leading edge curled medium. Figure 12(A) is a side view of the state before the leading edge of the leading edge curled medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114. As shown in Figure 12(A), before the leading edge curled medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114, the arm 113a of the lifting sensor 113 is pushed upward by the leading edge of the medium, and the lifting of the medium is detected.

[0087] 12(B) is a diagram showing the state after time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 12(A), when the leading edge of the leading edge curled medium has passed the separation section and been detected by the second media sensor 116. Only the leading edge of the leading edge curled medium is curved or bent upward, and as the leading edge of the leading edge curled medium passes through the separation section, it is pressed down by the separation section, so once it reaches the position of the second media sensor 116, no lifting of the medium is detected.

[0088] 13 is a diagram showing a state in which multiple media with curled leading edges are fed together and the leading edges of the media that are in contact with the feed roller 114 have passed through the separation section. In this case, the media that have passed through the separation section are pushed up by the media that are not in contact with the feed roller 114, and the floating of the media may be detected even after the leading edges have passed through the separation section and reached the position of the second media sensor 116.

[0089] When a medium with a curled leading edge is fed, lifting is detected before the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116. Therefore, the medium with a curled leading edge is detected in S204 of the determination process. Furthermore, when a medium with a curled leading edge is fed, lifting may or may not be detected after the leading edge of the medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116. If lifting of the medium is detected during the curl detection period, the determination unit 152 determines that the medium is not a bound medium, regardless of whether lifting of the medium was detected during the bound medium detection period, thereby preventing the medium from being mistakenly determined to be a bound medium. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to prevent the medium feeding from being mistakenly stopped when a medium with a curled leading edge is fed, and to prevent an increase in the time required for the medium reading process.

[0090] Fig. 14 is a schematic diagram for explaining the detection of a wrinkled medium. Fig. 14(A) is a side view of the state before the leading edge of the wrinkled medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114. As shown in Fig. 14(A), before the wrinkled medium reaches the position of the feed roller 114, arm 113a of lifting sensor 113 is pushed upward by the portion of the medium that is bent upward, and light receiving element 113f of horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b receives light from light emitting element 113e, so that lifting of the medium is detected.

[0091] 14(B) is a diagram showing the state after time has passed since the state shown in FIG. 14(A). Because multiple portions of the wrinkled medium are bent upward, the lifting of the medium is detected multiple times before the leading edge of the wrinkled medium reaches the position of the second medium sensor 116.

[0092] In this way, when wrinkled media is fed, lifting is detected multiple times before the leading edge of the media reaches the position of the feed roller. Furthermore, because wrinkled media bend upward in areas other than the leading edge, lifting of wrinkled media is detected later than lifting of media with a curled leading edge. Therefore, wrinkled media is detected in S206 of the determination process. If lifting of the media is detected multiple times during the wrinkle detection period, the determination unit 152 determines that the media is not a bound medium, thereby preventing the wrinkled medium from being mistakenly determined to be a bound medium. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to prevent the medium feeding from being mistakenly stopped when wrinkled media is fed, thereby preventing an increase in the time required for the media reading process.

[0093] Furthermore, the determination unit 152 can prevent erroneous determination that a binding medium has been fed when a leading edge curled medium, a wrinkled medium, or a trailing edge curled medium has been fed, thereby improving the accuracy of detecting the binding medium. As a result, when the medium conveying device 100 is provided with a binding medium detection function that can be turned on and off, the default setting can be set to on, improving user convenience.

[0094] As described above, the medium conveying device 100 according to the embodiment determines that the medium is a binding medium when the lifting sensor 113 detects that the medium is lifting within the binding medium detection period. This enables the medium conveying device 100 to appropriately detect the binding medium.

[0095] Furthermore, by detecting the leading edge of the medium lifting up, the medium conveying device 100 can detect that the medium is a binding medium earlier than when detecting that the trailing edge of the medium has climbed onto a side guide provided on the mounting table 103. Therefore, when a binding medium is fed, the medium conveying device 100 can stop feeding the medium earlier, thereby preventing damage to the medium.

[0096] Furthermore, if the medium conveying device 100 detects lifting of the medium during the curl detection period from the start of rotation of the pick roller 112 until the second medium sensor 116 detects the arrival of the medium, the medium conveying device 100 determines that the medium is a medium with a curled leading edge. In this case, the medium conveying device 100 determines that the medium is not a bound medium regardless of whether lifting of the medium is detected during the bound medium detection period. This enables the medium conveying device 100 to appropriately distinguish and detect a medium with a curled leading edge and a bound medium.

[0097] Furthermore, the medium conveying device 100 determines that the medium is a wrinkled medium if the medium is detected to have lifted a predetermined number of times or more during the wrinkle detection period after the curl detection period has elapsed and before the bound medium detection period. In this case, the medium conveying device 100 determines that the medium is not a bound medium regardless of whether the medium is detected to have lifted during the bound medium detection period. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to appropriately distinguish between wrinkled medium and bound medium when detecting them.

[0098] Furthermore, after the binding medium detection period has elapsed, the medium conveying device 100 does not determine whether the medium is a binding medium or not. This makes it possible to prevent the medium conveying device 100 from erroneously determining that a binding medium has been fed when a medium with a curled trailing edge has been fed.

[0099] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, the horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b detects the lifting of the medium by detecting the rise of the arm 113a, which is arranged to rise in response to the lifting of the medium. This allows the medium conveying device 100 to accurately detect the lifting of the medium.

[0100] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, the arm 113a is configured to block light from the light-emitting element 113e of the horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b when not raised, and to allow light from the light-emitting element 113e to pass to the light-receiving element 113f when raised. This prevents the light-emitting element 113e from properly emitting light or the light-receiving element 113f from properly detecting light, resulting in a determination that a normal medium is being conveyed. Therefore, the medium conveying device 100 does not need to stop conveyance when an abnormality occurs in the light-emitting element 113e or the light-receiving element 113f, thereby improving user convenience. The arm 113a may also be configured to block light from the light-emitting element 113e of the horseshoe-shaped sensor 113b when raised, and to allow light from the light-emitting element 113e to pass to the light-receiving element 113f when not raised.

[0101] Furthermore, in the medium conveying device 100, the lifting sensor 113 is provided on the outer side in the width direction A4 of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 114. This enables the medium conveying device 100 to effectively detect lifting of general binding media.

[0102] 15 is a diagram for explaining a transport path inside a medium transport device 200 according to another embodiment. The medium transport device 200 has a floating sensor 213 instead of the floating sensor 113.

[0103] The lift sensor 213 is disposed within the first housing 101 downstream of the pick roller 112 and upstream of the feed roller 114 in the media transport direction A2, and outboard of the pick roller 112 and the feed roller 114 in the width direction A4. The lift sensor 213 includes a distance measurement sensor. The distance measurement sensor is located above the media transport path and detects lift of the media by measuring the distance to the media. The distance measurement sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The light-emitting element, such as an LED, emits light toward the media being fed. The light-receiving element receives light emitted from the light-emitting element and reflected by the fed media. The distance measurement sensor measures the distance to the media based on the time between when the light-emitting element emits light and when the light-receiving element detects the light. The distance measurement sensor detects lift of the media if the measured distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The predetermined distance is set to the distance from the distance measurement sensor to the maximum height to which the media can bend when fed, minus a margin. The lifting sensor 213 generates and outputs an electric signal corresponding to the detected distance as a lifting detection signal. The lifting sensor 213 may have multiple distance measuring sensors so that it can detect lifting of the medium that occurs at any location between the upstream side of the roller nip 112a of the pick roller 112 and the downstream side of the roller nip 114a of the feed roller 114 and the brake roller 115.

[0104] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the feed roller 114 was positioned above the brake roller 115 to feed the media placed on the mounting table 103 in order from the top, but the feed roller may also be positioned below the brake roller so that the media placed on the mounting table is fed in order from the bottom.

[0105] 16 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a processing circuit 350 in a medium conveying device according to another embodiment. The processing circuit 350 is used in place of the processing circuit 150 of the medium conveying device 100, and executes a medium reading process. The processing circuit 350 includes a control circuit 351 and a determination circuit 352. Note that each of these components may be configured as an independent integrated circuit, microprocessor, firmware, or the like.

[0106] The control circuit 351 is an example of a control unit, and has the same functions as the control unit 151. The control circuit 351 receives an operation signal from the operation device 105, a first medium signal from the first medium sensor 111, and a determination result in the determination process from the determination circuit 352, and controls the motor 131 based on the received signals and the determination result. The control circuit 351 also receives an input image from the imaging device 119, stores it in the storage device 140, and transmits it to the information processing device via the interface device 132.

[0107] The determination circuit 352 is an example of a determination unit, and has the same function as the determination unit 152. The determination circuit 352 receives a lift-up detection signal and a second medium signal from the lift-up sensor 113 and the second medium sensor 116, respectively. Based on the received signals, the determination circuit 352 determines whether the medium is a binding medium, etc., and outputs the determination result to the control circuit 351.

[0108] As described above, the medium conveying device can appropriately detect the binding medium even when the processing circuit 350 is used.

[0109] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the above-described embodiments and modifications may be implemented in appropriate combination within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0110] 100 Media transport device 112 Pick roller 113 Floating sensor 113a Arm 113e Light-emitting element 113f Photodetector 114 Feeding roller 115 Brake roller 116 Second media sensor 151 Control Unit 152 Judgment section

Claims

1. a pick roller for feeding the medium; a separation roller disposed downstream of the pick roller in a medium conveyance direction; a lifting sensor that detects lifting of the medium between the upstream side of the roller nip of the pick roller and the downstream side of the roller nip of the separation roller in the conveyance direction; a detection unit that detects the binding medium when the lifting sensor detects the lifting of the medium within a predetermined period when the leading edge of the medium is within a predetermined section downstream of the separation roller; a processing unit that executes an abnormality process when the detection unit detects a binding medium; A medium transport device comprising:

2. the lifting sensor detects lifting of the outer medium in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction relative to the pick roller and the separation roller. The media transport device of claim 1 .

3. the lifting sensor is disposed outside the pick roller and the separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The medium transport device of claim 2 .

4. The lift sensor is disposed above a transport path of the medium and detects lifting of the medium by measuring the distance to the medium. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The device further includes an arm that is disposed above the transport path of the medium and that rises in response to the lifting of the medium; The lift sensor detects lifting of the medium by detecting the lifting of the arm. The medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. a width of the arm in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is larger than a width of the pick roller in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The medium transport device of claim 5 .

7. a width of the arm in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is larger than a width of the separation roller in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; The medium transport device according to claim 5 or 6.

8. the arm has a main body and an end portion closer to the lift-up sensor than the main body, a width of the main body portion in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is larger than a width of the end portion in the direction perpendicular to the conveying direction; A medium transport device according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. the lift sensor includes a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit that is disposed opposite the light-emitting unit across the end of the arm and that detects light from the light-emitting unit; the end of the arm is formed so as to block light from the light-emitting unit when not raised, and to allow light from the light-emitting unit to pass to the light-receiving unit when raised, The lifting sensor detects the lifting of the medium when the light receiving unit detects light from the light emitting unit. The media transport device of claim 8 .

10. A medium transport path; a discharge tray onto which the medium transported along the transport path is discharged; The floating sensor is disposed between the transport path and the discharge table. A medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The lifting sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor that respectively detect lifting of the medium. A medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. the first sensor detects lifting of the medium on one outer side relative to the pick roller and the separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction; the second sensor detects lifting of the medium on the outer side of the other of the pick roller and the separation roller in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction. The media transport device of claim 11 .

13. a medium sensor disposed downstream of the separation roller in the transport direction and detecting the medium; the detection unit detects the bound medium when the lifting sensor detects the lifting of the medium within a first predetermined period after the medium sensor detects the medium; A medium transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. If the detection unit detects a lifted medium during a second predetermined period from the start of rotation of the pick roller to before the detection of the medium by the media sensor, the detection unit does not detect the bound medium regardless of whether the lifted medium is detected during a first predetermined period after the detection of the medium by the media sensor. The media transport device of claim 13 .

15. the detection unit does not detect the binding medium if the floating of the medium is detected a predetermined number of times or more after a second predetermined period has elapsed from the start of rotation of the pick roller before the medium is detected by the medium sensor and before a first predetermined period has elapsed after the medium sensor has detected the medium; The medium transport device according to claim 13 or 14.

16. the detection unit does not detect the bound medium after a first predetermined period has elapsed after the medium sensor detects the medium; A medium transport device according to any one of claims 13 to 15.

17. The pick roller feeds the media, a separation roller disposed downstream of the pick roller in the conveyance direction of the medium separates the medium; a lift sensor detects lift of the medium between the upstream side of the roller nip of the pick roller and the downstream side of the roller nip of the separation roller in the conveyance direction; When the leading edge of the medium is within a predetermined section downstream of the separation roller and the lifting sensor detects that the medium is lifting within a predetermined period of time, the medium is detected as being bound; When binding media is detected, abnormality processing is performed. A medium transport method comprising:

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