It is possible to utilize the large particle distribution on the free surface and inside a vibrating granular bed to understand the segregation phenomenon and the granular motion states in the vibrating bed. In this study we strive to analyze different flow regimes in a binary mixture in a granular vibrating bed. The granular temperature of large particles on the surface of the vibrating bed can be used to define the motion states, the crystallization state or the convection state. When the dimensionless vibration amplitude increases from 0.25 to 1.0, the granular motion transforms from the slowly stabilizing crystallization state to the strong convection state. When the amplitude of the dimensionless vibration increases from 1.25 to 2.5, the granular motion transforms from the fast stabilizing crystallization state to the unstable crystallization state. The percentage of large particles occupying the free surface and the concentration of these large particles are analyzed to understand the motion states. (C) 2009 The Society of Powder Technology Japan. Published by Elsevier BV and The Society of Powder Technology Japan. All rights reserved.