Printing system, method of controlling printing system, and program

Abstract

To provide a mechanism which facilitates outputting of crimped multiple sheet bundles when printing images on sheets in a number exceeding a predetermined number of sheets.SOLUTION: A printing system performs control to crimp a plurality of sheets multiple times such that the number of sheets included in each sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number of sheets so as to produce a plurality of sheet bundles.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing system that performs pressure bonding of a plurality of sheets, a control method for the printing system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Techniques for bonding multiple sheets together are known.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which the sheets are coated with toner as an adhesive and the portions to which the toner is applied are heated and pressurized to thermocompress the sheets together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-209859 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In a printing system that laminates multiple sheets, there is an upper limit to the number of sheets that can be output at one time. When the number of sheets exceeds the upper limit, if the sheets are output without performing the lamination specified by the user, none of the sheets will be laminated, and the workload of laminating the multiple sheets that have been output in a separate state will increase.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism for easily outputting a stack of multiple sheets that have been pressure-bonded when printing images on more than a predetermined number of sheets. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The invention of claim 1 of the present application is characterized by having a printing means for printing an image on a sheet, a generation means for generating a sheet bundle by laminating multiple sheets on which the image has been printed by the printing means, an output means for outputting the sheet bundle generated by the generation means, and a control means for controlling the lamination of the multiple sheets multiple times so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number, and for controlling the generation means to generate multiple sheet bundles. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, when printing images on more than a predetermined number of sheets, a bundle of multiple sheets that have been pressure-bonded can be easily output. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] Image forming device and PC connected [Diagram 2] Image forming device and PC block diagram [Diagram 3] Schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a buffer unit of the sheet processing apparatus; [Diagram 5] A diagram showing the operation of the thermocompression unit [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a toner image formed on a sheet by an image forming apparatus; [Figure 7] Figure showing the printer driver screen [Figure 8] Diagram showing the operation section [Figure 9] A flow chart showing the processing of the printer main body 1101 in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a printer driver screen in the second embodiment; [Figure 11] A flow diagram showing the print information generation process of the PC 100 in the second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a screen for designating a job process when the upper limit number of sheets to be crimped is exceeded in the second embodiment; [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a pressure bonding setting screen of a printer driver in the third embodiment. [Figure 14] 11 is a flow chart showing the processing of the printer main body 1101 in the third embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Example 1 Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0011] 1 is a block diagram of a printing system according to a first embodiment. The printing system includes a PC (personal computer) 100 and an image forming apparatus 1100, which are connected by a communication line 150 such as a LAN (local area network) or a USB (universal serial bus). The image forming apparatus 1100 broadly includes devices that form (record) images on sheets (recording media), such as copiers, multifunction machines, commercial printers, and single-function printers. The image forming apparatus 1100 may be a system (image forming system) in which an image forming apparatus main body that forms images on sheets is connected to devices such as a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus.

[0012] The PC 100 is an example of an information processing device, and may be a mobile terminal (electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a mobile phone).

[0013] FIG. 2( a ) is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the PC 100 .

[0014] The PC 100 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a network IF (interface) 24, a display 25, a keyboard 26, a mouse 27, and a HDD (hard disk drive) 28. These are connected via the CPU 21.

[0015] The CPU 21 uses programs and data stored in the RAM 22 and ROM 23 to control the entire computer and executes each process described below.

[0016] The RAM 22 has an area for temporarily recording programs and data loaded from the HDD 28. The RAM 22 also has a work area for storing programs and data received from external devices such as the PC 100 via the network IF 24, and for use when the CPU 21 executes various processes.

[0017] The ROM 23 stores a boot program and setting data for each hardware device constituting the PC 100 .

[0018] The network IF 24 functions as an interface unit for connecting the PC 100 to the communication line 150, and the PC 100 can perform data communication with an external device via the network IF 24 and the communication line 150. Any type of network IF 24 may be used.

[0019] Display 25 is an example of a display unit, and display is controlled by CPU 21. Note that CPU 21 may cooperate with a microprocessor for display to control display 25. This display 25 can be connected to a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) or a liquid crystal display, and can display the processing results of CPU 21 (for example, a print setting screen described later) as images, characters, etc.

[0020] The keyboard 26 and the mouse 27 are each an example of an input device, and function as a user interface for inputting various instructions to the CPU 21. Note that the types of input devices are not limited to these.

[0021] The HDD 28 stores the OS (operating system), a word processing program, and a printer driver. Other storage devices such as SSDs (solid state drives) may be used as long as they are capable of storing data.

[0022] The PC 100 reads out these installed operating systems and programs into the RAM 22, creates a document, and then, when printing the document, transmits print information to the image forming apparatus 1100 via the printer driver and the communication line 150.

[0023] 2B is a diagram for explaining the control configuration of the image forming apparatus 1100. The image forming apparatus 1100 has a CPU 200 as a central processing unit. The CPU 200 is connected to a ROM 201, a RAM 202, and a HDD 203 via a bus, and executes various programs stored in the ROM 201 to perform image forming operations. Various control data used by the CPU 200 during image forming operations is stored in the RAM 202. The CPU 200 also has an HDD 203 for holding print data. When the CPU 200 receives a request to start image forming operations via an operation unit 205 or a network IF 208, it controls a conveying unit 206 to perform a paper conveying operation, and controls a printing unit 204 to perform a printing operation.

[0024] Further, depending on the settings, the CPU 200 controls the pressing unit 207 to perform the sheet pressing operation.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1100 includes a printer main body 1101 as an image forming apparatus main body having an image forming function (printing function), and a sheet processing apparatus 1106 having a sheet bonding function. In other words, the image forming apparatus 1100 can be said to be an image forming system configured with the printer main body 1101, which functions as an image forming apparatus by itself, and the sheet processing apparatus 1106.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1100 of this embodiment can create a booklet that has been printed and bound in one apparatus by forming an image on each sheet S in the printer main body 1101 and thermocompressing the multiple sheets S in the sheet processing apparatus 1106. Note that the sheets S can be made of a variety of sheet materials of different sizes and materials, including paper such as plain paper or thick paper, sheet materials with a surface treatment such as coated paper, plastic film, cloth, or sheet materials with special shapes such as envelopes and index paper.

[0028] (Image forming device body) The printer main body 1101 is an electrophotographic device that includes a housing 1101A and an electrophotographic image forming section 1101B housed inside the housing 1101A.

[0029] The image forming section 1101B includes an intermediate transfer belt 1108 as an intermediate transfer body, process cartridges arranged along the intermediate transfer belt 1108, a scanner unit 1104 as an exposure means, and a primary transfer roller 1107. The process cartridges are provided for four colors: yellow 1195y, magenta 1195m, cyan 1195c, and black 1195k.

[0030] The process cartridge 1195k uses black toner Tk to create a monochrome image corresponding to the black component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195y uses yellow toner Ty to create a monochrome image corresponding to the yellow component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195m uses magenta toner Tm to create a monochrome image corresponding to the magenta component of a color image. The process cartridge 1195c uses cyan toner Tc to create a monochrome image corresponding to the cyan component of a color image.

[0031] The process cartridge 1195k includes a photosensitive drum 1102 as an image carrier, a charging device 1103 as a charging means, and a developing unit 1105 as a developing means. Although only the process cartridge 1195k is shown in Fig. 3, the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c also have the same structure.

[0032] The single-color images formed in the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1108 so as to be superimposed on each other, and then secondarily transferred onto a sheet in a secondary transfer portion.

[0033] The developing unit 1105 includes a developing roller 1105a as a developing means and a toner container 1105b that contains toner (developing agent). The developing roller 1105a is rotatably held by the toner container 1105b. Although only the developing unit 1105 in the process cartridge 1195k is shown in FIG. 3, the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c have the same structure. The process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are detachable from the housing 1101A. The "housing 1101A" of the printer body 1101 refers to the part of the printer body 1101 excluding the process cartridge 1195. The housing 1101A includes frame members such as a metal frame that constitute the frame of the printer body 1101 and members fixed to the frame, and forms a mounting space in which the process cartridge 1195 is mounted.

[0034] The printer main body 1101 can use at least one of the toners of multiple colors as a toner for adhering sheets together. For example, black toner Tk can be used both as a toner for recording an image on a sheet and as a toner for adhesion. In this case, the process cartridge 1195k creates a monochrome image corresponding to the black component of the color image and an adhesive toner image 39 (FIG. 6) to be transferred to the adhesive area of ​​the sheet.

[0035] A scanner unit 1104 serving as an exposure unit is disposed below the process cartridge in the housing 1101A. A cassette 1113 (also called a sheet tray or storage) serving as a storage unit for storing sheets S used in image formation is attached to the housing 1101A so as to be removable below the scanner unit 1104. Furthermore, one or more optional sheet feeding devices 1130 including additional cassettes 1113 may be connected below the housing 1101A.

[0036] The intermediate transfer belt 1108 is a movable (rotatable) endless belt stretched around a drive roller 1109a, a tension roller 1109b, and a tension roller 1110, which rotate around parallel axes. The intermediate transfer belt 1108 is moved (rotated, conveyed) counterclockwise in the figure by the rotation of the drive roller 1109a. A primary transfer roller 1107 as a primary transfer member is disposed on the inner circumference side of the intermediate transfer belt 1108 at a position facing the photosensitive drum 1102 via the intermediate transfer belt 1108. A secondary transfer roller 1111 as a transfer member (secondary transfer member) is disposed on the outer circumference side of the intermediate transfer belt 1108 at a position facing the drive roller 1109a via the intermediate transfer belt 1108. A secondary transfer portion as a transfer portion is formed as a nip portion between the intermediate transfer belt 1108 and the secondary transfer roller 1111. The intermediate transfer belt 1108, the primary transfer roller 1107, and the secondary transfer roller 1111 constitute a transfer unit (transfer means) for transferring a toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 1102, which is an image carrier, onto the sheet S.

[0037] A fixing device 1118 is disposed above the secondary transfer unit in the housing 1101A as a fixing means. The fixing device 1118 has a thermal fixing configuration in which a toner image is fixed by heating. The fixing device 1118 has a pair of rotating bodies (e.g., a pair of rollers consisting of a fixing roller and a pressure roller) that sandwich and transport the sheet S, and a heat source (e.g., a halogen lamp or an induction heating mechanism) that heats the toner image on the sheet S via the fixing roller.

[0038] (Image formation operation) When the printer main body 1101 performs an image forming operation, a sheet S is fed by a feed roller 1114 as a feeding means from a cassette 1113 at the bottom of the housing 1101A or from a cassette 1113 of a sheet feeding device 1130. A separation roller pair 1115 separates and conveys the fed sheet S one by one. The sheet S is conveyed by a pull-out roller 1116 toward a registration roller pair 1117, and the leading edge of the sheet S hits a nip portion of the registration roller pair 1117 in a stopped state, correcting the skew of the sheet S. The registration roller pair 1117 sends the sheet S to a secondary transfer unit at a timing synchronized with the progress of the toner image creation process by the image forming unit 1101B.

[0039] Meanwhile, in the image forming section 1101B, a photosensitive drum 1102 and an intermediate transfer belt 1108 rotate. A charging device 1103 uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 1102. A scanner unit 1104 irradiates the photosensitive drum 1102 with laser light based on image information representing an image to be recorded on a sheet S, and writes an electrostatic latent image. This electrostatic latent image is developed (visualized) as a toner image by a developing unit 1105 using toner.

[0040] When the sheet processing device 1106 performs thermocompression bonding, which will be described later, the scanner unit 1104 writes an electrostatic latent image by irradiating the photosensitive drum 1102 with laser light based on information indicating the adhesion position of the sheet S. This electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing unit 1105 using toner, so that an adhesive toner image is formed in an area on the photosensitive drum 1102 that corresponds to the adhesion position on the sheet S.

[0041] Monochrome images formed on the photosensitive drums 1102 in the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, 1195c, and 1195k are primarily transferred onto the intermediate transfer belt 1108 so as to be superimposed on each other. The images are then conveyed toward a secondary transfer section by the rotation of the intermediate transfer belt 1108. In the secondary transfer section, a voltage is applied to the secondary transfer roller 1111, so that the toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto the sheet S fed from a pair of registration rollers 1117. The sheet S that has passed through the secondary transfer section is sent to a fixing device 1118, where the toner image is heated and pressurized while passing through a nip portion between a fixing roller and a pressure roller, softening the toner, and then fixing the image onto the sheet S.

[0042] The conveying path of the sheet S that has passed through the fixing device 1118 is switched by a switching unit 1119. In the case of single-sided printing, the sheet S is guided to a discharge path 1190 by the switching unit 1119, and is discharged from the housing 1101A by a pair of discharge rollers 1191. In this embodiment, the printer body 1101 is connected to the sheet processing device 1106 via a relay conveying unit 1192. The sheet S discharged from the pair of discharge rollers 1191 is delivered to the sheet processing device 1106 via a pair of conveying rollers 1193 and 1194 of the relay conveying unit 1192. In addition, when the relay conveying unit 1192 and the sheet processing device 1106 are not connected, the pair of discharge rollers 1191 discharges the sheet S as a product onto a stacking tray 1135 provided at the top of the housing 1101A.

[0043] In the case of double-sided printing, the sheet S with an image formed on its first side is guided to a pair of reversing rollers r1 by a switching unit 1119. Then, the sheet S is reversed and conveyed (switchback conveyed) by the pair of reversing rollers r1, and then conveyed via a double-sided conveying path r2 toward a pair of registration rollers 1117. The sheet S passes through a secondary transfer unit and a fixing device 1118, whereby an image is formed on a second side opposite to the first side, and then the sheet S is discharged from the housing 1101A by a pair of discharge rollers 1191.

[0044] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a toner image formed on a sheet S. On the illustrated sheet S, a toner image (recording toner image) 38 for recording an image such as text, a figure, or a photograph, and a toner image (adhesive toner image, pressure-bonding toner image) 39 for adhering sheets together are formed.

[0045] The position, shape, size, etc. of the adhesive toner image 39 can be changed in accordance with the configuration of a thermocompression bonding section 1167 described later.

[0046] When the image forming apparatus 1100 creates a booklet with single-sided printing, the adhesive toner image 39 is formed on only one side (the same side as the recording toner image) of the sheet S. When creating a booklet with double-sided printing, the adhesive toner image 39 may be formed on only one side of the sheet S or on both sides of the sheet S.

[0047] (Sheet processing device) The sheet processing apparatus 1106 has a buffer section 1120 as a buffer means for stacking a plurality of sheets S, an alignment section 1156 as an alignment means for aligning the plurality of sheets S, and a thermocompression bonding section 1167 for thermocompression bonding the sheets S together. The thermocompression bonding section 1167 is an example of a sheet bonding device (bonding unit, bonding means, thermocompression bonding means, lamination processing section) for bonding sheets together. The sheet processing apparatus 1106 also has an upper discharge tray 1125 and a lower discharge tray 1137, each of which can be raised and lowered, as discharge destinations for discharging the product of the image forming apparatus 1100.

[0048] The sheet processing device 1106 is a sheet processing device that receives a plurality of sheets S on which images are formed one by one by the printer body 1101, performs a bonding process (thermocompression bonding) and discharges the sheets as a sheet bundle (booklet). The buffer unit 1120, the alignment unit 1156, and the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 will be described in detail later. The sheet processing device 1106 can also discharge the sheets S on which images are formed by the printer body 1101 to the upper discharge tray 1125 or the lower discharge tray 1137 without performing any processing.

[0049] (Buffer section) The buffer unit 1120 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the buffer unit 1120. The buffer unit 1120 includes an inlet roller pair 1121, a pre-buffer roller pair 1122, a check valve 1123, a reverse roller pair 1124, and an inner discharge roller pair 1126. The buffer unit 1120 also includes an inlet sensor 1127 that detects a sheet, and a separation mechanism including a plunger solenoid 1145 or the like for opening and closing (contacting and separating) the reverse roller pair 1124.

[0050] The entrance roller pair 1121, the pre-buffer roller pair 1122, the reversing roller pair 1124, and the inner discharge roller pair 1126 are roller pairs that sandwich and transport a sheet. The entrance roller pair 1121 and the pre-buffer roller pair 1122 are disposed on a transport path (entrance path) for the sheet processing device 1106 to receive the sheet S. The reversing roller pair 1124 is disposed on a transport path (first discharge path, see FIG. 3) that communicates with the upper discharge tray 1125. The inner discharge roller pair 1126 is disposed on a transport path (inner discharge path, see FIG. 3) from the reversing roller pair 1124 toward the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. The sheet processing device 1106 includes a transport path (second discharge path, see FIG. 3) from the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 toward the lower discharge tray 1137.

[0051] The inlet path is formed by an upper inlet guide 1140 and a lower inlet guide 1141. The first discharge path is formed by an upper inverting guide 1142 and a lower inverting guide 1143. The inner discharge path is formed by an upper inner discharge guide 1146 and a lower inner discharge guide 1147.

[0052] The entrance sensor 1127 is disposed so as to detect a sheet received by the entrance roller pair 1121. The entrance sensor 1127 may be, for example, a reflective photosensor that irradiates infrared light onto the entrance path through an opening provided in the entrance upper guide 1140 and detects the reflected light from the sheet to determine the presence or absence of the sheet S. The entrance lower guide 1141 may be provided with a hole larger than the spot diameter of the infrared light emitted by the entrance sensor 1127 so as not to reflect the infrared light when no sheet is passing through the entrance path.

[0053] The check valve 1123 is disposed downstream of the pre-buffer roller pair 1122 in the sheet conveying direction in the entrance path. The check valve 1123 is disposed rotatably about a rotation shaft 1123a with respect to the inner discharge upper guide 1146. The check valve 1123 is movable between a first position that prevents the sheet from moving (backflowing) from the first discharge path to the entrance path and a second position that allows the sheet to move from the entrance path to the first discharge path. The check valve 1123 is biased in the C2 direction from the second position toward the first position by a spring (not shown). The check valve 1123 is configured to move in the C1 direction from the first position toward the second position when pressed by the sheet, and to return to the first position when the sheet passes through.

[0054] When viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the check valve 1123, the tip of the check valve 1123 in the first position overlaps with the inverted upper guide 1142. In addition, the tip of the check valve 1123 is formed in a comb shape so as to enable overlap with the inverted upper guide 1142. In addition, when viewed in the direction of the rotation axis of the check valve 1123, a space is formed between the check valve 1123 in the second position and the inverted upper guide 1142, allowing the sheet to pass through.

[0055] The pair of reversing rollers 1124 is composed of an upper reversing roller 1124a and a lower reversing roller 1124b, and drive is supplied to both rollers. The upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are configured to rotate in sync at all times. A separation lever 1144 is connected to the upper reversing roller 1124a. The separation lever 1144 is supported rotatably about a lever fulcrum shaft 1144a relative to the upper reversing guide 1142. The separation lever 1144 is rotatably connected to a plunger solenoid 1145 at a solenoid connection shaft 1144b.

[0056] When a current flows through the plunger solenoid 1145, the core moves in the direction D1 in the figure, and the separation lever 1144 rotates in the direction E1 in the figure. In this case, the pair of reversing rollers 1124 is in a separated state (a state in which the nip portion is opened) in which the upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are separated from each other. Also, when the current flowing through the plunger solenoid 1145 is stopped, the upper reversing roller 1124a moves in the direction E2 due to the biasing force of the pressure spring 1148, and the core of the plunger solenoid 1145 moves in the direction D2. In this case, the pair of reversing rollers 1124 is in an abutting state (a state in which the upper reversing roller 1124a and the lower reversing roller 1124b are in contact with each other (a state in which the nip portion is formed).

[0057] As described below, the buffer unit 1120 performs an operation of stacking newly conveyed sheets on top of the sheets (stack) while reciprocating the sheets (stack) between the pair of reversing rollers 1124 and the pair of inner discharge rollers 1126. By this operation, the buffer unit 1120 can send the sheets to the alignment unit 1156 in a stacked state of a predetermined number of sheets (for example, five sheets).

[0058] 3, the stack of sheets stacked in the buffer unit 1120 is transported from an inner discharge roller pair 1126 through an intermediate transport roller pair 1128 to a kick-out roller pair 1129. The sheet stack is then transported by the kick-out roller pair 1129 to an alignment unit 1156 (intermediate stacking unit, processing stage) consisting of an intermediate upper guide 1151, an intermediate lower guide 1152, etc. In addition, downstream of the kick-out roller pair 1129, a bundle holding flag 1150 is disposed to suppress lifting of the trailing end of the stacked sheets so that the trailing end of the sheets already stacked in the alignment unit 1156 does not interfere with the leading end of the succeeding sheet transported to the alignment unit 1156.

[0059] (Thermocompression unit operation) 5(a) to 5(f) are used to explain the thermocompression bonding operation of the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. Each of Fig. 5(a) to 5(f) is a diagram of the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 as viewed from the side in the sheet conveyance direction.

[0060] 5A shows a state where the alignment of the sheets S1 to S5 in the sheet conveying direction (Y direction) is completed. In this state, the heater portion 1171 is located at a position separated from the sheet stack in the Z direction.

[0061] 5B shows a state where the alignment of the sheets S1 to S5 in the width direction is completed. The sheets S1 to S5 are aligned in the sheet width direction (X direction) by being abutted against width alignment reference plates 1172a and 1172b.

[0062] FIG. 5C shows a state in which the heater portion 1171 moves in the pressure direction (-Z side) due to the forward rotation of the motor 1177, and the contact surface 1169a of the pressure plate 1169 abuts against the uppermost sheet S5.

[0063] Fig. 5(d) shows a state in which sheets S1 to S5 are being sandwiched between pressure plate 1169 and receiving plate 1180 and thermocompression bonding is being performed as a result of continued driving of motor 1177. Fig. 5(d) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are being conveyed to alignment section 1156 in parallel with the thermocompression bonding of sheets S1 to S5.

[0064] Fig. 5(e) shows a state in which, after the thermocompression bonding of sheets S1 to S5 is completed, the heater unit 1171 moves (retreats) to the opposite side of the pressure direction (+Z side) due to the reverse rotation of the motor 1177, and the pressure plate 1169 moves away from the sheet S5. Fig. 5(e) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are aligned, and the sheets S1 to S5 are abutted against the width alignment reference plates 1172a and 1172b after the heater unit 1171 has retracted.

[0065] 5(f) shows a state in which the heater unit 1171 moves again in the pressure direction (-Z side) due to the forward rotation of the motor 1177, the sheets S1 to S10 are sandwiched between the pressure plate 1169 and the receiving plate 1180, and the sheets S6 to S10 are being thermocompression-bonded together. Here, an adhesive toner image is formed on the upper surface of the sheet S5 and / or the lower surface of the sheet S6, so that the sheet stack made up of the sheets S1 to S5 and the sheet stack made up of the sheets S6 to S10 are thermocompression-bonded together.

[0066] In this way, the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 performs one thermocompression bonding operation each time a predetermined number of sheets are aligned by the alignment unit 1156, and by repeating this operation multiple times, it is possible to create a booklet consisting of more than the predetermined number of sheets. Here, an example has been described in which a booklet consisting of 10 sheets S1 to S10 is created, but it is also possible to create a booklet consisting of several tens of sheets or more.

[0067] When the thermocompression bonding of all sheets constituting a part of a booklet is completed, the booklet consisting of sheets S1 to S10 is pushed out by the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 and transported in the sheet transport direction toward the pair of bundle discharge rollers 1136 (FIG. 3) (-Y side). In other words, the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 is an example of a pushing member that pushes out the sheet bundle from the alignment section 1156 and the thermocompression bonding section 1167. Note that a pushing member that pushes out the processed sheet bundle may be provided separately from the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 that serves as a reference for aligning the sheet bundle.

[0068] The bundle discharge roller pair 1136 is a roller pair that can be opened and closed (capable of contact and separation), and receives a booklet in a separated state. After the leading edge of the booklet in the direction in which the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 pushes the booklet passes the position of the bundle discharge roller pair 1136, the movement of the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 is stopped, and the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 is switched to the contact state. As a result, the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 holds and transports the booklet, and discharges it onto the lower discharge tray 1137. Meanwhile, the vertical alignment reference plate 1154 returns to the standby position again after delivering the booklet to the bundle discharge roller pair 1136.

[0069] In this manner, the configuration of this embodiment also makes it possible to provide a sheet bonding device, a sheet processing device, and an image forming apparatus that are capable of bonding sheets together more stably.

[0070] (Printer Driver) The printer driver will now be described with reference to FIG.

[0071] The printer driver is a print control program installed in PC 100, and is executed by CPU 21. The printer driver is also called from a document program also installed in PC 100, and generates print information consisting of print setting commands for printing and drawing data commands to be printed. The print information generated by CPU 21 using the printer driver is sent to image forming apparatus 1100, which is also connected to CPU 21 using an OS (operating system) via communication line 150, and print processing and sheet processing are performed.

[0072] 7(a) shows an example of a print setting screen of a printer driver installed in the PC 100. The print setting screen 700 is displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21, and the user performs print settings via this screen using an input device such as the mouse 27 or the keyboard 27.

[0073] The print setting screen 700 provides basic print settings such as document size 701, paper size 702, number of copies 703, print by collation 704, and print orientation 705. In addition, as an extended print function, it is possible to set page layout 706 for setting layout printing, single-sided / double-sided / bookbinding 707 for setting single-sided, double-sided, bookbinding printing, and binding direction 708 for setting the binding direction of the printed matter. Furthermore, the print setting screen 700 of the present invention has a control of binding method 709 for setting the binding method for the printed matter. The print setting screen 700 of FIG. 7(a) shows a screen when the binding method 709 is set, and in addition to "none" 711 for no binding and "staple" 712 for stapling, it is possible to set "press" 713 for thermo-press bonding according to the present invention.

[0074] FIG. 7(b) is a setting screen for specifying the position to which the binding method set in the closing method 709 is applied, which is displayed on a display device such as a display based on an instruction from a CPU when the position specification 710 button in FIG. 7(a) is pressed. When crimping 713 is set in the binding method 709, a crimping position specification screen 720 as shown in FIG. 7(b) is displayed. The user sets the crimping position 721 on the crimping position specification screen 720. The radio buttons of the crimping positions that can be set are displayed in an enabled state, and the radio buttons of the crimping positions that cannot be set are displayed in an disabled state, and the user specifies the desired crimping position from among the radio buttons of the crimping positions that are enabled. In the example of FIG. 7(b), three positions, the upper left, the lower left, and the left side, are enabled and enabled to be set, and the left side is set.

[0075] When the binding method 709 is set to "bonding 713," the CPU uses the printer driver to write a command to perform thermobonding at the position set in the bonding position 721 into the printing information, and the bonding process is performed by the bonding unit 207 of the image forming device 1100 that receives the printing information.

[0076] (Operation unit) In FIG. 8, 205 is an operation unit of the image forming apparatus 1100, and various conditions and information are input and set to the CPU 200 in the image forming apparatus 1100 by the operation unit 205. FIG. 8(a) is a plan view of the operation unit 205 in this embodiment. 301 is a touch panel display, and as shown in FIG. 8(b), the number of copies, selected paper size, magnification, and copy density are usually displayed. When an application mode 309 on this screen is pressed, the screen transitions to a screen where various settings for the copy job can be made. 302 is a reset key, which returns the copy mode to the standard mode. 303 is a start key, which starts a copy operation. 304 is a stop key, which interrupts the copy operation. 305 is a clear key, which returns the copy mode to the standard mode. 306 is a numeric keypad, which sets the number of copies. 307 is a user mode key, which allows menu selection by pressing the user mode key, and allows various settings for the image forming apparatus 1100 to be registered.

[0077] Reference numeral 308 denotes a counter key. By pressing this counter key, the touch panel display 301 turns into a screen as shown in FIG. 8(c), allowing various counter information to be viewed.

[0078] The touch panel display 301 is also used to notify the user of information such as sheet jam information and toner information.

[0079] In this embodiment, a tandem type color printer configuration including four process cartridges is exemplified, but the number of types of toner may be five or more, or three or less. Also, instead of using at least one of the toners of multiple colors as both a toner for recording an image on a sheet and an adhesive toner, a toner dedicated to adhesion may be used. In this case, the process cartridge using the toner dedicated to adhesion creates only the adhesive toner image 39 (FIG. 6).

[0080] In such an image forming apparatus 1101, if the number of sheets exceeds the upper limit and the sheets are output without performing the bonding specified by the user, none of the sheets will be bonded, and the workload of bonding the multiple sheets output in a separate state will increase. However, according to this embodiment, when printing images on more than a predetermined number of sheets, a multiple sheet bundle that has been bonded is output. This reduces the workload of the subsequent task of assembling the multiple sheet bundles to create a bound product.

[0081] (Processing the printer body) 9 is a flow chart showing the processing of the image forming apparatus 1101 in this embodiment. The processing of the image forming apparatus 1101 will be explained using this flow chart. Each step in FIG. 9 is realized by the CPU 200 reading a program stored in the ROM 201 or HDD 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

[0082] The print information generated by the PC 100 is passed to the printer main body 1101 via the communication line 150 and the network IF 208, and is stored in the HDD 203 by the CPU 200, after which the print operation is started by the CPU 200. The print information includes the image data generated by the PC 100 and print settings for printing based on the image data.

[0083] First, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets (Mn) constituting one booklet (sheet stack) from information on the type of sheets used for printing, which is included in the printing information, and the capacity or capacity of the heat bonding unit 1167 of the installed sheet processing device 1106. For example, if the sheets used for printing are plain paper, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 100. On the other hand, if the sheets used for printing are thick paper, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 80. These maximum numbers of sheets may be calculated by storing the maximum number of sheets for each type of paper in the HDD 203 and referring to the stored information. This maximum number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be output at one time after multiple sheets are bonded. The CPU 200 also stores a sheet counter (SC) in the RAM 202 and initializes the sheet counter (SC) to 0 (S901).

[0084] Thereafter, the CPU 200 controls to form an image on a sheet based on the print settings and image data included in the print information (S902). The image formation performed here may be image formation on one side or on both sides of the sheet, and the CPU 200 determines which image formation to perform according to the print settings.

[0085] When the image forming process for one sheet is completed, the CPU 200 controls the sheet to be discharged to the sheet processing apparatus 1106 (S903), and increments the sheet counter (SC) (S904).

[0086] After that, the CPU 200 compares the value of the sheet counter (SC) with the value of the maximum number of sheets (Mn) (S905).

[0087] If the sheet counter (SC) is smaller than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 determines whether the image forming process for all image data included in the print information has been completed (S906).

[0088] If image data remains that has not yet been subjected to image formation processing, the CPU 200 returns the process to S902 and performs image formation processing on the remaining sheets.

[0089] On the other hand, if it is determined in S906 that image formation processing has been completed for all sheets, the CPU 200 advances the process to S907.

[0090] In S907, the CPU 200 controls the sheet in the buffer unit 1120 to be sent to the alignment unit 1156, and controls the thermocompression bonding process to be performed in the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. Then, the CPU 200 controls the sheet to be discharged onto the tray 1137 to which the created booklet was discharged, and the printing process ends.

[0091] If it is determined in S905 that the sheet counter (SC) is equal to the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 controls the sheet in the buffer unit 1120 to be sent to the alignment unit 1156. Then, the CPU 200 controls the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 to perform thermocompression bonding, and controls the sheet to be discharged onto the tray 1137 to which the created booklet was discharged (S908).

[0092] Thereafter, the CPU 200 judges whether the image forming process has been completed for all image data included in the print information (S909). If it is judged that there are sheets remaining for which the image forming process has not yet been performed, the CPU 200 resets the sheet counter (SC) (S910) and then advances the process to S902, where it controls to perform the image forming process for the remaining sheets.

[0093] If it is determined in S909 that image formation processing has been completed for all sheets, the CPU 200 ends the printing processing.

[0094] In this manner, one job is generated and managed based on one set of print information received from the PC 100 through the series of processes shown in FIG.

[0095] In this way, the CPU 200 performs pressure bonding of a plurality of sheets a plurality of times so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number, and controls to generate a plurality of sheet bundles. The predetermined number here is described as the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be output at one time. For example, in the case of plain paper, the predetermined number is 100 sheets. At this time, a sheet bundle may be output for every 100 sheets, or for every 95 sheets. The CPU 200 performs pressure bonding of a certain number of sheets that is less than the predetermined number, and controls to generate a plurality of sheet bundles by performing pressure bonding of the next certain number of sheets that is less than the predetermined number. Also, a plurality of sheet bundles may be output for each number of sheets set by the user on the PC 100.

[0096] Although the above description has been given such that this predetermined number is determined depending on the type of paper, a fixed value that is not dependent on the type of paper, such as 50 sheets, may be used.

[0097] By carrying out the above processing, even if printing exceeds the number of sheets that can be processed at one time by the sheet processing device 1106, it is possible to output the printed matter in the form of a bundle of several booklets. The user can easily assemble the divided booklets into a single product by using offline processing to glue the booklets together with some kind of adhesive means. Alternatively, the user can easily create a bound product by punching holes in each of the bundle of booklets and closing them in a binder.

[0098] Example 2 In the first embodiment shown above, the printer main body 1101 determines whether or not to perform the volume separation process, and describes the volume separation process, but here, as a second embodiment, an embodiment will be described in which the printer driver on the PC 100 determines whether or not to perform the volume separation process. In addition, a process for setting whether or not toner for thermocompression bonding is applied between stacks in the case of volume separation will also be described.

[0099] (Driver configuration extension) Fig. 10(a) is a diagram showing a printer driver screen of this embodiment, in which the position designation button 710 for setting the binding method 709 shown in Fig. 7 has been replaced with a pressure bonding setting button 730. Fig. 10(b) shows an example of a pressure bonding setting screen 740 that is displayed when the pressure bonding setting button 730 is pressed. Note that the print setting screen 700 and the pressure bonding setting screen 740 shown in Fig. 10(a) and Fig. 10(b) are displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on instructions from the CPU 21, and the user performs print settings via this screen using an input device such as the mouse 27 or the keyboard 26.

[0100] In the bonding setting screen 740, a setting of "apply adhesive toner between stacks when separating" (742) is added to the bonding position designation screen 720 shown in the previous embodiment. The process of applying adhesive toner between stacks when separating will be described later.

[0101] Fig. 11 is a flow chart showing the print information generation process of the PC 100 in this embodiment. The print information process of the PC 100 of the present invention will be explained using this flow chart. Each step in Fig. 11 is realized by the CPU 21 reading out a program, including a printer driver, stored in the ROM 23 or HDD 28 into the RAM 22 and executing it.

[0102] To perform printing on the PC 100, the CPU 21 executes a document program and a printer driver stored in the HDD 28, thereby creating a print job consisting of print settings and image data.

[0103] First, the CPU 21 calculates the maximum number of sheets (Mn) constituting one booklet from information on the paper type used for printing, which is set in the print settings, and the capability or capacity of the heat bonding unit 1167 of the sheet processing device 1106 of the image forming apparatus 1100 (S921). For example, if the sheets used for printing are plain paper, the CPU 21 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 100. On the other hand, if the sheets used for printing are thick paper, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 80. The maximum number of sheets for each type of paper may be stored in the HDD 203, and the CPU 200 may calculate this by referring to the stored information. This maximum number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be output at one time after multiple sheets are bonded together.

[0104] Thereafter, the CPU 21 counts the number of pages to be printed in the print job based on the print settings and image data and temporarily stores the number in the HDD 28 (S922), thereby determining the number of sheets (SJ) of the print job (S923).

[0105] After that, the CPU 21 compares the value of the maximum number of sheets (Mn) with the value of the number of sheets in the print job (SJ) (S924). If the number of sheets in the print job (SJ) is equal to or less than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 21 generates print information including a bonding command according to the print settings (S927). The generated print information is sent to the printer main body 1101, where the process described above in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment is performed. However, since the sheet counter (SC) does not exceed the maximum number of sheets (Mn), one laminated stack is generated.

[0106] If it is determined in S924 that the number of sheets (SJ) in the print job is greater than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 21 controls the display 25 to display a bonding job processing specification dialog (760) shown in Fig. 12 (S925). The bonding job processing specification dialog (760) shown in Fig. 12 notifies the user that the number of sheets in the print job exceeds the number of sheets that can be bonded, and at the same time, asks the user what processing to apply to this job. Here, the user selects one of three print instructions: "Split into several bundles" for printing, "No bonding" for normal printing without bonding, and "Cancel" for canceling the processing of the print job.

[0107] The CPU 21 changes the subsequent process in response to the user's instruction in S925 (S926).

[0108] If the user selects "separate volume" in S926, the CPU 21 generates print information including a bonding command according to the print settings (S927). The generated print information is sent to the printer body 1101, and the printer body 1101 executes the process described above in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment, and generates multiple laminated bundles because the sheet counter (SC) exceeds the maximum number of sheets (Mn).

[0109] If the user selects "no bonding" in S926, the CPU 21 generates print information that does not include a bonding command in the print settings (S928). The generated print information is sent to the printer main body 1101, and the printer main body 1101 does not perform bonding on the sheet on which the image is printed.

[0110] If the user selects "Cancel" in S926, the CPU 21 performs processing to cancel the print job and does not generate print information (S929).

[0111] By carrying out the process as described above, even if the upper limit number of sheets that can be crimped is exceeded, the user can select the process for the target job, and the desired results can be obtained.

[0112] (Apply adhesive toner between stacks) The process corresponding to "apply adhesive toner between stacks when separating" (742) shown in FIG. 10(b) will now be described.

[0113] When applying adhesive toner to the front surface of a sheet, in the image forming process for the front surface of the sheet in step (S902) of forming an image on the sheet in Fig. 9, the CPU 200 performs control as follows: That is, when it is a page other than the first page and the sheet counter (SC) is 0, the CPU 200 generates image data so that adhesive toner is applied to the location specified by the pressing position 741.

[0114] When applying adhesive toner to the back surface of a sheet, the CPU 200 performs control as follows in the image forming process for the back surface of the sheet in step (S902) of forming an image on the sheet in Fig. 9. That is, when it is a page other than the final page and the value of the sheet counter (SC) is equal to the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 generates image data so that adhesive toner is applied to a position corresponding to the back side of the location indicated by the pressing position 741.

[0115] When the adhesive toner is applied to both the front and back surfaces of the sheet, the above-mentioned treatment for applying to the front surface and treatment for applying to the back surface may be carried out.

[0116] By applying adhesive toner between the bundles when separating them, it becomes possible to perform thermocompression processing by offline processing, so that even if the output exceeds the number of sheets that can be processed by the thermocompression unit 1167, it is possible to generate a single thermocompression-bonded bundle.

[0117] Example 3 In the second embodiment described above, a method was shown in which the PC 100 judges whether the number of sheets to be printed exceeds the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be pressed, and the user is presented with the process to be carried out if this upper limit is exceeded. Here, as a third embodiment, an example will be described in which the printer main body 1101 judges whether the upper limit of the number of sheets to be pressed has been exceeded, and printing is carried out according to the process that is set in advance if the number of sheets exceeds the upper limit of the number of sheets to be pressed.

[0118] (Extended crimp settings) FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the bonding setting of the printer driver of this embodiment, and is a screen displayed on a display device such as the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21 when the user selects the bonding setting 730 in FIG. 10(a) using the keyboard 26 or mouse 27. In the "Processing when the upper limit number of sheets to be bonded is exceeded" (752) on this screen, the user can specify in advance the processing to be performed when the number of sheets in the print job exceeds the upper limit number of sheets that can be processed by the thermocompression unit 1167. Here, the user selects one of three print settings: "Separate" for dividing the sheets into several bundles and printing them, "No bonding" for normal printing without bonding, and "Cancel" for canceling the processing of the print job. The value selected by the user is transmitted to the printer main body 1101 as part of the print settings and is used in the print processing. Note that here, an example is shown in which the "Processing when the upper limit number of sheets to be bonded is exceeded" (752) is set in the printer driver on the PC 100 side, but the "Processing when the upper limit number of sheets to be bonded is exceeded" may be set as a setting on the printer main body 1101 side (not shown).

[0119] Fig. 14 is a flow chart showing the processing in the printer main body 1101 in this embodiment. The processing in the printer main body 1101 of the present invention will be explained using this flowchart. Each step in Fig. 14 is realized by the CPU 200 reading a program stored in the ROM 201 or HDD 203 into the RAM 202 and executing it.

[0120] Print information generated by the PC 100 is passed to the printer main body 1101 via the communication line 150 and the network IF 208, and is stored in the HDD 203 by the CPU 200, after which the CPU 200 starts the printing operation.

[0121] First, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets (Mn) that will make up one booklet from information on the type of paper used for printing, which is included in the print information, and the capabilities or capacity of the heat bonding unit 1167 of the sheet processing device 1106 (S941). For example, if the sheets used for printing are plain paper, the CPU 21 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 100. On the other hand, if the sheets used for printing are thick paper, the CPU 200 calculates the maximum number of sheets to be 80. The maximum number of sheets for each type of paper may be stored in the HDD 203, and the CPU 200 may refer to this to calculate the maximum number of sheets. This maximum number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets that can be output at one time after multiple sheets have been bonded together.

[0122] Thereafter, the CPU 200 temporarily stores the printing information in the HDD 203 while counting the number of pages (S942), thereby determining the number of sheets (SJ) of the printing information (S943), and compares the value of the maximum number of sheets (Mn) with the value of the number of sheets (SJ) of the printing information (S944).

[0123] If the number of sheets (SJ) in the print information is equal to or smaller than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 performs the bonding process according to the print settings (S947). Here, the process described in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment is carried out, but since the sheet counter (SC) does not exceed the maximum number of sheets (Mn), one bonded stack is generated.

[0124] If it is determined in S944 that the number of sheets (SJ) in the printing information is greater than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 switches the subsequent processing by referring to the setting value of “Processing when the maximum number of sheets to be pressed is exceeded” (752) included in the printing settings (S946).

[0125] If "separate volume" is specified in "Processing when the maximum number of sheets to be bonded is exceeded" (752), the CPU 200 performs the bonding process according to the print settings (S947). Here, the process described in FIG. 9 of the first embodiment is also performed, and since the sheet counter (SC) exceeds the maximum number of sheets (Mn), multiple bundles of sheets to be bonded are generated.

[0126] If "no bonding" is specified in "processing when upper limit of bonding is exceeded" (752), the CPU 200 proceeds with the printing process with the bonding instruction setting removed from the print settings, and generates a printed material without bonding (S948).

[0127] If "no compression" is specified in "processing when upper limit number of sheets to be compressed is exceeded" (752), the CPU 200 performs processing to stop the printing process, and no printed matter is generated (S949).

[0128] By carrying out the process as described above, it is possible to preset the process to be performed when the upper limit number of sheets that can be crimped is exceeded, which has the advantage that the user can obtain the desired results.

[0129] Instead of designating the process when the number of sheets to be pressed is exceeded in advance in the "processing when the number of sheets to be pressed is exceeded" (752), the process may be controlled as follows. For example, when it is determined in S944 that the number of sheets (SJ) of the print information is greater than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 may display a screen corresponding to the dialogue shown in FIG. 12 on the operation unit 205. When it is determined in S944 on this screen that the number of sheets (SJ) of the print information is greater than the maximum number of sheets (Mn), the CPU 200 may notify the PC 100 accordingly. Then, the CPU 21 of the PC 100 that has received the notification may display the screen shown in FIG. 12 on the display 25 based on the notification. Then, depending on the content selected by the user via the screen, the image forming apparatus 1100 may output a plurality of sheets by dividing them into a plurality of sheet bundles, output the sheets without pressing, or cancel the print job.

[0130] (Other Examples) In the above embodiment, toner is used as an example of a recording material for pressure bonding. However, a recording material other than toner, such as ink, may be used as long as it has adhesive properties.

[0131] The present invention can also be realized by a process in which a program for implementing one or more of the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or device via a network or a storage medium, and one or more processors in a computer of the system or device read and execute the program. The present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., ASIC) that implements one or more of the functions. [Explanation of symbols]

[0132] 21 CPU 22 RAM 23 ROM 200 CPU 201 ROM 202 RAM

Claims

1. A printing method for printing an image onto a sheet, A generating means that generates a sheet bundle by pressing together a plurality of sheets on which the image has been printed by the printing means using a recording agent added to the sheets by the printing means, An output means for outputting the sheet bundle generated by the generation means, A printing system characterized by having a control means for controlling the generation of multiple sheet bundles by performing multiple crimping operations on the multiple sheets so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number.

2. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the generating means does not receive instructions from the user to generate the plurality of sheet bundles by pressing the sheets multiple times, and the control means controls the generating means to generate the plurality of sheet bundles by pressing the sheets multiple times so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed the predetermined number.

3. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the predetermined number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets that the output means can output at one time.

4. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display control means for displaying a control method on a display unit when the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle exceeds the predetermined number.

5. The printing system according to claim 1, further comprising a display control means that displays a screen on the display unit for the user to specify a control method based on the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle exceeding a predetermined number.

6. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen can receive instructions to generate the plurality of sheet bundles as a control method.

7. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen can receive an instruction to output the plurality of sheets without performing the pressing as a control method.

8. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the screen can receive an instruction to cancel a job to output the sheet bundle as a control method.

9. The printing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the pressing is performed by heating and pressurizing the recording agent added to the sheet by the printing means.

10. The system further includes a setting means for determining, based on user instructions, whether or not to add the recording agent for crimping between one sheet bundle and another sheet bundle when generating the plurality of sheet bundles using the generation means. The printing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the printing means is configured by the setting means to add the pressure-applying recording agent between one sheet bundle and another sheet bundle when the generating means generates the plurality of sheet bundles, the printing means adds the pressure-applying recording agent between one sheet bundle and another sheet bundle.

11. The printing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the control means controls the generation means to generate the plurality of sheet bundles by pressing a certain number of sheets up to or less than a predetermined number, and then pressing the next certain number of sheets up to or less than the predetermined number.

12. A printing process in which an image is printed onto a sheet using a printing method, A production step to generate a sheet bundle by pressing together a plurality of sheets on which the image has been printed in the printing step using a recording agent added to the sheets by the printing means, An output step which outputs the sheet bundle generated in the generation step, A control method for a printing system, characterized by having a control step that controls the process to generate multiple sheet bundles by pressing the sheets multiple times so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number.

13. The control method for a printing system according to claim 12, characterized in that in the generation step, the user does not provide instructions to generate the multiple sheet bundles by pressing the sheets multiple times, and in the control step, the system controls the process to generate the multiple sheet bundles by pressing the multiple sheets multiple times so that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed the predetermined number.

14. The method for controlling a printing system according to claim 13, characterized in that the predetermined number of sheets is the upper limit of the number of sheets that the output means can output at one time.

15. The control method for a printing system according to claim 12, further comprising a display control step of displaying a control method on a display unit when the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle exceeds the predetermined number.

16. The control method for a printing system according to claim 12, further comprising a display control step of displaying a screen on a display unit for the user to specify a control method based on the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle exceeding a predetermined number.

17. The control method for the printing system according to claim 12, characterized in that the screen can receive instructions to generate the plurality of sheet bundles as a control method.

18. The control method for the printing system according to claim 12, characterized in that the screen can receive an instruction to output the plurality of sheets without performing the pressing process.

19. The method for controlling a printing system according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that the pressing is performed by applying a pressing recording agent to the sheet using the printing means, and then heating and pressurizing the pressing recording agent.

20. A program that causes a computer to execute a method for controlling a printing system, The control method includes a printing step of printing an image onto a sheet using a printing means, A production step to generate a sheet bundle by pressing together a plurality of sheets on which the image has been printed in the printing step using a recording agent applied to the sheets by the printing means, An output step which outputs the sheet bundle generated in the generation step, A program characterized by having a control step that controls the process of crimping sheets multiple times to generate multiple sheet bundles, such that the number of sheets included in the sheet bundle does not exceed a predetermined number.

Images