Image formation system, image formation device and control method of the same, and program

Abstract

To solve the problem that when a job for crimping sheets is performed by a combination of structures that the sheets cannot be thermally compressed, which brings about a result unintended by a user.SOLUTION: An image formation device capable of connecting a crimped part where sheets can be bonded by thermal compressing forms an image on the sheet by image formation means, using a first recording agent enabling bonding of the sheets by the thermal compressing or a second recording agent having sheet adhesive capability lower than that of the first recording agent. The device detects whether the crimped part is connected to the image formation device, and determines whether the first recording agent is attached to image formation means. When it is detected that the crimped part is not connected to the image formation device, and the first recording agent is attached thereto, the device performs control so as to issue a warning.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system, an image forming apparatus, and a control method and program thereof. [Background technology]

[0002] As a sheet bonding device for bonding sheets together, Patent Document 1 describes a method for manufacturing a bonded product in which at least one piece of paper is bonded together via an adhesive by heating and pressurizing sheets coated with toner as an adhesive to bond them together. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2022-26742 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is known an image forming apparatus that can use both adhesive toner, which has the ability to bond sheets together using a toner image formed on the sheet, and normal toner, which does not have the ability to bond sheets together using a toner image. In such an image forming apparatus, when a mechanism that can bond sheets on which a toner image is formed using adhesive toner by thermocompression is optionally connected, inconveniences may occur if the control is not changed depending on whether the mechanism is connected or not.

[0005] For example, even if a thermocompression bonding mechanism is not connected, adhesive toner can be used, so there is a risk that adhesive toner will be consumed even if a thermocompression bonded product is not produced. Also, when a thermocompression bonding mechanism is connected and a product is to be obtained by bonding sheets together with a toner image, if printing is performed by mistake using only normal toner, the sheets will be discharged without being bonded together.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to solve at least one of the problems of the prior art described above.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for appropriately controlling job execution depending on the connection state of a bonding unit that can bond sheets together by thermocompression when the bonding unit is an optional connection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration: An image forming apparatus to which a pressure-bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, a detection means for detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining means for determining whether the first recording material is applied to the image forming means; The image forming apparatus is characterized in having a control means that controls the apparatus to issue a warning when the detection means detects that the pressing portion is not connected to the image forming apparatus and the judgment means judges that the first recording agent is installed. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to warn a user when the combination of the pressure bonding portion and the recording material is not appropriate.

[0010] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to designate the same or similar components throughout the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a main hardware configuration of a PC according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an automatic document feeder of a reading unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a main part of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a buffer unit of the sheet processing apparatus. [Diagram 5] 4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating a thermocompression bonding operation performed by a thermocompression bonding unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a toner image formed on a sheet S. [Figure 7] FIG. 7A shows an example of a print setting screen displayed on a display by a printer driver of a PC relating to embodiment 1, and FIG. 7B shows an example of a setting screen for specifying the position to which the binding method set in the binding method is to be applied when the position specification button in FIG. 7A is pressed. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 6 is a flowchart for explaining a process of notifying a user of a warning in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer body excluding the sheet processing apparatus from the configuration of FIG. [Figure 11] 5A and 5B are diagrams showing an example of a warning notification by an operation unit of the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart for explaining a process of issuing a warning to a user when a configuration required by a print job does not match the device configuration in an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a view showing an example of a warning screen displayed on an operation unit of an image forming apparatus according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims. Although the embodiments describe a number of features, not all of these features are essential to the invention, and the features may be combined in any manner. Furthermore, in the attached drawings, the same reference numbers are used for the same or similar configurations, and duplicated descriptions are omitted.

[0013] In this specification, the term "image forming apparatus" broadly includes apparatuses that form (record) images on recording materials (recording media), such as single-function printers, copiers, multifunction machines, commercial printing machines, etc. The image forming apparatus may also be a system (image forming system) that connects an image forming apparatus main body that forms an image on a recording material with devices such as a sheet processing apparatus and a sheet feeding apparatus.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a printing system according to the first embodiment.

[0015] This printing system has a PC (personal computer) 100, which is an information processing device, and an image forming device 1100, which are connected by a communication line 150 such as a LAN (local area network) or a USB (universal serial bus). The PC 100 may be, for example, a mobile terminal (electronic device such as a PDA (personal digital assistant) or a mobile phone). The communication line 150 is not limited to wired communication and may be wireless communication.

[0016] FIG. 2(a) is a block diagram illustrating the main hardware configuration of the PC 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0017] The PC 100 includes a CPU 21, a RAM 22, a ROM 23, a network IF (interface) 24, a display (display unit) 25, a keyboard 26, a pointing device 27, and a HDD (hard disk drive) 28. The CPU 21 and each of the above devices are connected via a bus 29. The CPU 21 loads and executes programs stored in the HDD 28 and the ROM 23 in the RAM 22, thereby controlling the entire PC 100 and executing each process described below. The RAM 22 includes an area for temporarily recording programs and data read from the HDD 28 and loaded therein. The RAM 22 also includes a work area for programs and data received from an external device via the network IF 24, and for use when the CPU 21 executes various processes. The ROM 23 stores a boot program, setting data for each hardware device constituting the PC 100, and the like. The network IF 24 functions as an interface unit for connecting the PC 100 to a communication line 150, and the PC 100 can perform data communication with the external device via the network IF 24 and the communication line 150. The type of network IF 24 does not matter.

[0018] The display 25 is, for example, a CRT or a liquid crystal display, and can display the processing result of the CPU 21 (for example, a print setting screen described later) in the form of images or characters. The keyboard 26 and the pointing device 27 are typical examples of input devices, and function as a user interface for inputting various instructions to the CPU 21. The types of input devices are not limited to these. If the display 25 has a touch panel function, the display 25 also functions as an input device. The HDD 28 stores an OS (operating system), a document creation program, a printer driver, and table data described later. The HDD 28 may be another storage device such as an SSD (solid state drive) as long as it can store data. The PC 100 creates a document by expanding and executing the installed operating system and each program in the RAM 22, and then transmits print information to the image forming apparatus 1100 via the communication line 150 through the printer driver when printing the document.

[0019] FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment.

[0020] 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 210. The CPU 200 performs an image forming operation by expanding various programs stored in the ROM 201 into the RAM 202 and executing them. In addition, various control data used by the CPU 200 during the image forming operation is stored in the RAM 202. The image forming apparatus 1100 also has a HDD 203 for holding print data. Furthermore, a reading unit 209, a printing unit 204, an operation unit 205, a conveying unit 206, and a pressing unit 207 are connected via a bus 210. The reading unit 209 reads an image of a document and generates image data. When the CPU 200 receives a request to start an image forming operation via the operation unit 205 or the network IF 208, it controls the conveying unit 206 and the like to convey the paper, and controls the printing unit 204 to perform a printing operation. The CPU 200 also executes copying by causing the printing unit 204 to print based on image data generated by the reading unit 209. Depending on the settings, the CPU 200 also controls the pressing unit 207 to perform a pressing operation for the paper.

[0021] 3A is a side cross-sectional view illustrating an automatic document feeder of the reading unit 209 of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the embodiment 1. This automatic document feeder is an automatic document transport device or is also called an ADF (Auto Document Feeder).

[0022] The automatic document feeder has a document tray 600 on which documents to be read are loaded. On the document tray 600, there are two document guides 601, and further, a document sensor 602 for detecting the presence or absence of a document and three document size detection sensors 603, 613, and 614 are arranged. The document guide 601 can move in a direction perpendicular to the document transport direction, and the user can move it until it contacts both ends of the document placed on the document tray 600 in the main scanning direction to stabilize the transport of the document. The two document guides 601 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction of the document (perpendicular to the document transport direction), and the documents loaded on the document tray 600 are transported by the rotation of three rollers, a pickup roller 604, a transport roller 606, and a paper discharge roller 609. The pickup roller 604 is a roller for transporting the documents loaded on the document tray 600 into a document transport path inside the automatic document feeder. The transport rollers 606 transport the document transported by the pickup rollers 604 into the document transport path, and the paper discharge rollers 609 transport the document transported by the transport rollers 606 to a paper discharge tray 610 .

[0023] The discharge tray 610 is provided with a discharge tray document sensor 612 for detecting the presence or absence of a document transported to the discharge tray 610. The document transported by the pickup roller 604 is detected by a document passing detection sensor 605, and based on the detection time, it is determined whether or not the first document has passed. Although not shown in the figure, the transport roller 606, pickup roller 604, and discharge roller 609 are all driven by a stepping motor.

[0024] The document conveyed by the automatic document feeder is read by a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) 608 provided in a sensor unit 611 below a reading window 607 of the automatic document feeder. The sensor unit 611 can move freely in the sub-scanning direction (the document conveying direction) and can move in the same direction as the document conveying direction conveyed from the conveying roller 606 to the paper discharge roller 609. The reading window 607 has a certain length in the sub-scanning direction, and within the range of the length, the CIS 608 can be moved to any position and the document can be read at the moved position. The CIS 608 has a photoelectric conversion element such as a CCD and a FIFO for storing image data obtained by each photoelectric conversion element, and simultaneously generates a control signal for controlling the FIFO and the CCD. The CIS 608 is generally realized by arranging a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements in a row.

[0025] FIG. 3B is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the main part of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment.

[0026] The image forming apparatus 1100 includes a printer main body 1101 as the main body of the image forming apparatus 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 including the printer main body 1101 that functions as an image forming apparatus even by itself, and the sheet processing apparatus 1106 that performs post-processing.

[0027] The image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first 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] First, we will explain the configuration of the printer body 1101. The printer body 1101 includes the printing unit 204 and the transport unit 206 shown in FIG.

[0029] The printer main body 1101 is an electrophotographic device equipped with a housing 1101A and an electrophotographic image forming unit 1101B housed inside the housing 1101A. The image forming unit 1101B is equipped with 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 have four colors, yellow 1195y, magenta 1195m, cyan 1195c, and black 1195k, and each contains toner as a recording agent of the corresponding color.

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

[0031] The process cartridge 1195 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(b), the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c also have the same structure. Monochrome 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 at a secondary transfer section.

[0032] The developing unit 1105 includes a developing roller 1105a as a developing means and a toner container 1105b that contains toner (developer). The developing roller 1105a is rotatably supported by the toner container 1105b. In FIG. 3B, only the developing unit 1105 in the process cartridge 1195k is shown, but the process cartridges 1195y, 1195m, and 1195c have the same structure.

[0033] 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 printer body 1101 excluding the process cartridges 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 an installation space into which the process cartridge 1195 is installed.

[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. Here, the adhesive toner is a toner with a higher adhesive ability than normal toner.

[0035] A scanner unit 1104 serving as an exposure unit is disposed below the process cartridge 1195 within 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 including 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] 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 as described below, 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 with toner by the developing unit 1105 in the process cartridge 1195k, so that an adhesive toner image is formed in an area on the photosensitive drum 1102 corresponding 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 a secondary transfer roller 1111, whereby a toner image is transferred (secondary transfer) onto a 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 1, 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. 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. Then, 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] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a toner image formed on a sheet S. As shown in FIG.

[0045] The illustrated sheet S is formed with a toner image (recording toner image) 38 for recording images such as text, figures, and photographs, and a toner image (adhesive toner image) 39 for adhering sheets together. The position, shape, size, etc. of the adhesive toner image 39 can be changed in accordance with the configuration of a thermocompression bonding unit 1167, which will be described later.

[0046] When the image forming apparatus 1100 produces 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 the image forming apparatus 1100 produces 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] Next, the configuration of the sheet processing apparatus 1106 will be described.

[0048] 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 corresponds to the bonding section 207 in Fig. 1 and 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, which can be raised and lowered, as discharge destinations for discharging the product of the image forming apparatus 1100.

[0049] 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.

[0050] Next, the configuration of the buffer section 1120 will be described with reference to Figure 3(b) and Figure 4. Figure 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the buffer section 1120.

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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(b)) 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(b)) 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(b)) from the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 toward the lower discharge tray 1137.

[0053] The entrance path is formed by the entrance upper guide 1140 and the entrance lower guide 1141 in FIG. 4. The first discharge path is formed by the inverting upper guide 1142 and the inverting lower guide 1143. The inner discharge path is formed by the inner discharge upper guide 1146 and the inner discharge lower guide 1147. The entrance sensor 1127 is disposed so as to detect the 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] The pair of reversing rollers 1124 includes an upper reversing roller 1124a and a lower reversing roller 1124b, and driving force 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.

[0057] 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).

[0058] As described below, the buffer unit 1120 performs an operation of stacking newly conveyed sheets on 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 state where a predetermined number of sheets (for example, five sheets) are stacked.

[0059] 3B, the stack of sheets stacked in the buffer section 1120 is transported from the inner discharge roller pair 1126 through the intermediate transport roller pair 1128 to the kick-out roller pair 1129. The sheet stack is then transported by the kick-out roller pair 1129 to an alignment section 1156 (intermediate stacking section, 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 section 1156 does not interfere with the leading end of the succeeding sheet transported to the alignment section 1156.

[0060] Figures 5(a) to 5(f) are diagrams illustrating the thermocompression bonding operation by the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 according to embodiment 1. Each of Figures 5(a) to 5(f) is a diagram of the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 as viewed in the sheet conveying direction (Y direction).

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] FIG. 5C shows a state in which the heater portion 1171 moves in the pressure direction (-Z side) due to forward rotation of the motor, and the contact surface 1169a of the pressure plate 1169 abuts against the uppermost sheet S5.

[0064] Fig. 5(d) shows a state in which the sheets S1 to S5 are being thermocompression-bonded while being sandwiched between the pressure plate 1169 and the receiving plate 1180 by continuing to drive the motor. Fig. 5(d) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are being conveyed to the alignment section 1156 in parallel with the thermocompression-bonding of the sheets S1 to S5.

[0065] 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 reverse rotation of the motor, and the pressure plate 1169 moves away from sheet S5. Fig. 5(e) also shows a state in which the next sheets S6 to S10 are aligned, and sheets S1 to S5 are abutted against width alignment reference plates 1172a and 1172b after the heater unit 1171 has retreated.

[0066] 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, sheets S1 to S10 are sandwiched between the pressure plate 1169 and the receiving plate 1180, and sheets S6 to S10 are being thermocompression-bonded together. Here, an adhesive toner image is formed on the upper surface of sheet S5 and / or the lower surface of sheet S6, so that the sheet stack made up of sheets S1 to S5 and the sheet stack made up of sheets S6 to S10 are thermocompression-bonded together.

[0067] In this way, the thermocompression bonding unit 1167 can create a booklet consisting of more than the predetermined number of sheets by performing one thermocompression operation each time a stack of a predetermined number of sheets is aligned by the alignment unit 1156. Here, an example in which a booklet consisting of 10 sheets S1 to S10 is created has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a booklet consisting of several tens of sheets or more can also be created.

[0068] 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 and transported in the sheet transport direction toward the pair of bundle discharge rollers 1136 (FIG. 3(b)) (-Y side). In other words, the vertical alignment reference plate is an example of a pushing member that pushes out the sheet bundle from the alignment unit 1156 and the thermocompression bonding unit 1167. Note that a pushing member that pushes out the processed sheet bundle may be provided separately from the vertical alignment reference plate that serves as a reference for aligning the sheet bundle.

[0069] 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 pushes the booklet passes the position of the bundle discharge roller pair 1136, the movement of the vertical alignment reference plate is stopped, and the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 is switched to the contact state. As a result, the bundle discharge roller pair 1136 clamps and transports the booklet, and discharges it onto the lower discharge tray 1137. Meanwhile, the vertical alignment reference plate returns to the standby position again after delivering the booklet to the bundle discharge roller pair 1136.

[0070] In this way, the configuration of the first embodiment 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.

[0071] FIG. 7A is a diagram showing an example of a print setting screen 700 displayed on the display 25 by the printer driver of the PC 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0072] The printer driver is a print control program installed in the PC 100, and is executed by the CPU 21. The printer driver is also called from a document program also installed in the 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 the CPU 21 using the printer driver is sent to the image forming apparatus 1100 connected via the communication line 150 by the CPU 21 using an OS (operating system), and print processing and sheet processing are performed. This 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 a pointing device or a keyboard.

[0073] The print setting screen 700 provides basic print settings such as document size 701, paper size 702, number of copies 703, collated printing 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 has a control for binding method 709 for setting the binding method for the printed matter. The print setting screen 700 in FIG. 7(a) shows a screen when the binding method 709 is set, and it is possible to set "none" 711 for no binding, "staple" 712 for stapling, and "press" 713 for thermo-press bonding.

[0074] FIG. 7(b) is a diagram showing an example of a setting screen for specifying a position to which the binding method set in the binding method 709 is applied, which is displayed on the display 25 based on an instruction from the CPU 21 when the position specification 710 button in FIG. 7(a) is pressed.

[0075] When crimping 713 is set in binding method 709, a crimping position designation screen 720 as shown in Fig. 7(b) is displayed. In this crimping position designation screen 720, the user can set a crimping position 721. Here, radio buttons for crimping positions that can be set are displayed in a valid state, and radio buttons for crimping positions that cannot be set are displayed in an invalid state. The user designates a desired crimping position from among the valid crimping position radio buttons. In the example of Fig. 7(b), three positions, the upper left, lower left, and left side, are valid and can be set, and "left side" is selected.

[0076] When the bonding 713 is set in the binding method 709, the CPU 21 uses the printer driver to write a command to perform thermocompression bonding at the position selected in the bonding position 721 in Fig. 7(b) into the printing information. As a result, the bonding unit 207 of the image forming apparatus 1100 that received the printing information performs the bonding process at the bonding position.

[0077] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the operation unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment.

[0078] A user can input and set various conditions and information to the image forming apparatus 1100 via this operation unit 205. Fig. 8(a) is a top view of the operation unit 205. The display unit 301 is a touch panel display, and can display a menu screen for copying, for example, as shown in Fig. 8(b). On this menu screen, the number of copies, selected paper size, magnification, and copy density are displayed. When the application mode 309 on this screen is pressed, the screen transitions to a screen on which various settings for the copy job can be made.

[0079] In FIG. 8(a), the reset key 302 is used to return the copy mode to the standard mode. The start key 303 instructs the start of a copy operation. The stop key 304 is used to interrupt the copy operation. The clear key 305 returns the copy mode to the standard mode. The numeric keypad 306 is a numeric input key for setting the number of copies, etc. When the user mode key 307 is pressed, a menu can be selected, and various settings for the image forming apparatus 1100 can be registered. When the counter key 308 is pressed, the display on the touch panel display 301 becomes a screen as shown in FIG. 8(c), and various counter information can be viewed. In FIG. 8(c), the total number of color prints, the total number of monochrome prints, and the sum of these are displayed. The touch panel display 301 is also used to notify the user of information such as paper jam information and toner information.

[0080] Next, a process of notifying a user of a warning in the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

[0081] 9 is a flowchart for explaining a process of notifying a user of a warning in the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the first embodiment. The process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 200 executing a program loaded in the RAM 202 after the image forming system is powered on. This warning is issued regardless of the execution of a job such as printing or copying. For example, a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding can be connected as an option to the image forming apparatus 1100.

[0082] First, in step S901, the CPU 200 determines whether a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is connected. If it is determined that a sheet processing apparatus 1106 capable of thermocompression bonding is connected to the printer body 1101 as shown in FIG. 3B, the process proceeds to step S902. Since no warning is issued in step S902, the process proceeds to step S901 without changing the display on the touch panel display 301. The determination of whether a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is connected may be made based on the state of a predetermined signal included in an interface that connects the sheet processing apparatus. Alternatively, the determination may be made based on a signal from a mechanical switch or the like that detects whether a thermocompression bonding unit 1167 is attached, and the method of determination is not important.

[0083] On the other hand, if the CPU 200 determines in S901 that a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is not connected, the process proceeds to S903. In this case, a state in which a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is not connected refers to, for example, a case in which a sheet processing apparatus 1106 is not connected to the printer main body 1101 as shown in Fig. 10, or a case in which a sheet processing apparatus (not shown) without a mechanism capable of thermocompression bonding is connected.

[0084] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing the configuration of the printer main body 1101 from Fig. 3(b) excluding the sheet processing device 1106. Note that parts common to Fig. 3(b) are indicated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0085] In S903, the CPU 200 determines whether the process cartridge 1195 mounted in the printer body 1101 contains adhesive toner. Here, the process cartridge 1195 may have a memory that stores information indicating the presence or absence of adhesive toner, and the determination as to whether the process cartridge 1195 mounted in the printer body 1101 contains adhesive toner may be made based on the contents of the memory. Alternatively, a general technique for detecting the presence or absence of adhesive toner using a fuse or the like may be used. Alternatively, the presence or absence of adhesive toner may be detected by a detection mechanism such as a switch. If adhesive toner is not contained here, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned S902, and then proceeds to S901 without issuing a warning.

[0086] On the other hand, when the CPU 200 determines in S903 that the process cartridge 1195 contains adhesive toner, the process proceeds to S904. In S904, the CPU 200 notifies the user that adhesive toner is present.

[0087] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the warning notification given in S904 via the display 301 of the operation unit 205. Here, "Adhesive toner is present" is displayed in the lower portion 311 of the copy screen.

[0088] This makes it possible to prevent the adhesive toner from being wasted by displaying a warning message when the process cartridge 1195 contains adhesive toner even though a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is not connected. Note that when a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermocompression bonding is connected, the warning message is not displayed regardless of the determination result of the presence or absence of adhesive toner.

[0089] [Embodiment 2] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which, when there is a print job to print on a sheet and press the printed sheet, if a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermal pressing is not connected or if there is no adhesive toner, a warning is given to the user. Note that the system configuration and the hardware configuration of the PC 100 and the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0090] 12 is a flowchart for explaining a process of issuing a warning to a user when the configuration required by a print job does not match the device configuration in the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the second embodiment. Note that the process shown in this flowchart is realized by the CPU 200 executing a program loaded in the RAM 202 after the image forming apparatus 1100 is powered on. This warning display is issued when a print job such as printing or copying is executed.

[0091] First, in S1201, the CPU 200 determines whether there is a print job for sheet bonding received from an external device via the network IF 208 in the RAM 202. If it is determined in S1201 that there is no print job for sheet bonding, the process returns to S1201, and if it is determined that there is a print job for sheet bonding, the process proceeds to S1202. In S1202, the CPU 200 determines whether there is adhesive toner in the image forming apparatus 1100. If there is no adhesive toner in the image forming apparatus 1100, the process proceeds to S1205, and if it is determined that there is at least one adhesive toner in the image forming apparatus 1100, the process proceeds to S1203.

[0092] In S1203, the CPU 200 determines whether a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermal bonding is connected, similarly to S901 in Fig. 9. If a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermal bonding is connected to the image forming apparatus 1100 as shown in Fig. 3B, the process proceeds to S1204. In S1204, the CPU 200 executes a sheet bonding job according to the print job in the RAM 202, and returns to S1201. If it is determined in S1203 that a sheet processing apparatus capable of thermal bonding is not connected, the process proceeds to S1205. In S1205, the CPU 200 displays a warning screen, for example, as shown in Fig. 13, on the touch panel display 301, and the process proceeds to S1206.

[0093] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a warning screen displayed on the operation unit 205 of the image forming apparatus 1100 according to the second embodiment.

[0094] In Fig. 13, even though it is a sheet bonding job, a warning is displayed that the device configuration is not suitable for bonding sheets, and the user is prompted to re-set the job settings after checking the connection status of the sheet processing device, the type of toner to be used, etc.

[0095] In S1206, the CPU 200 determines whether the close button 1301 on the touch panel display 301 has been pressed. S1206 is repeated until the close button 1301 is pressed, and if the close button 1301 is pressed, the process proceeds to S1207. In S1207, the CPU 200 cancels the received sheet pressing job. Then, the process proceeds to S1208, where the CPU 200 erases the warning display in FIG. 13, and the process returns to S1201.

[0096] As described above, according to the second embodiment, when a job instructing sheet bonding is input in a case where the device configuration is not capable of thermocompression bonding of sheets, a warning is displayed and the job is canceled. This makes it possible to prevent unintended products from being produced.

[0097] In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, when adhesive toner is present, "Adhesive toner is present" is always displayed, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when normal toner is replaced with adhesive toner, "Adhesive toner is present" may be displayed.

[0098] In the above 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.

[0099] In addition, instead of using at least one of the toners of multiple colors as both a toner for recording an image on a sheet and a toner for adhesion, a toner dedicated to adhesion may be used. In this case, only the adhesive toner image 39 (FIG. 6) is formed using a process cartridge using a toner dedicated to adhesion.

[0100] As described above, according to this embodiment, when adhesive toner is used in an apparatus configuration in which sheets cannot be thermally bonded together, the possibility of wasting adhesive toner can be reduced by notifying the user.

[0101] In addition, in a device configuration capable of thermocompression bonding sheets together, when a job for thermocompression bonding is executed with only normal toner installed, a notification is given to the user, which prevents the job from producing a sheet that cannot be thermocompressed, thereby reducing the possibility of producing an unintended product.

[0102] (Other embodiments) 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.

[0103] This specification and drawings disclose the following image forming system, image forming apparatus, and a control method and program thereof.

[0104] [Item 1] An image forming apparatus to which a pressure-bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, a detection means for detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining means for determining whether the first recording material is applied to the image forming means; a control unit that performs control so as to issue a warning when the detection unit detects that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus and the determination unit determines that the first recording material is attached; and An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0105] [Item 2] 2. The image forming apparatus according to item 1, wherein the warning is a display that warns that the first recording material is installed.

[0106] [Item 3] 3. The image forming apparatus according to item 1 or 2, wherein the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at a pre-designated location on the sheet.

[0107] [Item 4] 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the first recording material is a recording material that also serves as at least one of a plurality of color recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

[0108] [Item 5] 4. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the first recording material is a recording material dedicated to adhesion, different from a plurality of colored recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

[0109] [Item 6] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 5, characterized in that the pressing unit forms a sheet stack by thermally pressing a plurality of sheets together by applying heat and pressure to the plurality of sheets on which an image using the first recording agent is formed.

[0110] [Item 7] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 6, characterized in that when the detection means detects that the pressure bonding portion is connected to the image forming apparatus, the control means controls the apparatus so as not to issue the warning regardless of the judgment result of the judgment means.

[0111] [Item 8] An image forming apparatus to which a pressure-bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, a detection means for detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining means for determining whether the first recording material is applied to the image forming means; a control means for controlling to issue a warning when the determination means determines that the first recording material is not attached or the detection means detects that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus when a job using the pressure bonding unit is executed; and An image forming apparatus comprising:

[0112] [Item 9] 9. The image forming apparatus according to item 8, wherein the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at a pre-specified location on the sheet.

[0113] [Item 10] 10. The image forming apparatus according to item 8 or 9, wherein the warning is a display that warns that the apparatus is not configured to execute the job.

[0114] [Item 11] 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 10, wherein the first recording material is a recording material that also serves as at least one of a plurality of color recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

[0115] [Item 12] 11. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 10, wherein the first recording material is a recording material dedicated to adhesion, different from a plurality of colored recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

[0116] [Item 13] The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 10, characterized in that the pressing unit forms a sheet stack by thermocompressing a plurality of sheets by applying heat and pressure to the plurality of sheets on which an image using the first recording agent is formed.

[0117] [Item 14] The image forming apparatus described in any one of items 1 to 13, characterized in that the control means further controls the image forming apparatus to issue a warning when the second recording material of the image forming means is changed to the first recording material while the detection means detects that the pressing unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus.

[0118] [Item 15] 15. The image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 14, wherein the first recording material and the second recording material are toners.

[0119] [Item 16] An image forming system including the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 8 to 15 and an information processing apparatus, The information processing device includes: A designation means for designating a binding method by pressure bonding as a binding method for the sheets; an instruction means for instructing a position of the sheet to be subjected to the pressure bonding when the binding method by the pressure bonding is specified; a transmission means for transmitting the job including the binding method by pressing and the position of the sheet to be pressed to the image forming apparatus, The image forming system is characterized in that the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at the position designated by the designating means.

[0120] [Item 17] A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus to which a pressure bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, comprising: a detection step of detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming step of forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining step of determining whether the first recording material is applied as a recording material that can be used in the image forming step; a control step of controlling to give a warning when it is detected in the detection step that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus and it is determined in the determination step that the first recording material is attached; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0121] [Item 18] A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus to which a pressure bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, comprising: a detection step of detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming step of forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining step of determining whether the first recording material is applied as a recording material that can be used in the image forming step; a control step of controlling to issue a warning when the determining step determines that the first recording material is not attached or when the detecting step detects that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus, when a job using the pressure bonding unit is executed; A control method comprising the steps of:

[0122] [Item 19] A program for causing a computer to function as each of the means of the image forming apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 15.

[0123] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0124] 21…CPU, 22…RAM, 23…ROM, 200…CPU, 201…ROM, 202…RAM

Claims

1. An image forming apparatus to which a pressure-bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, a detection means for detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining means for determining whether the first recording material is applied to the image forming means; a control means for controlling the device to issue a warning when the detection means detects that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus and the determination means determines that the first recording material is attached; and An image forming apparatus comprising:

2. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the warning is a display that warns that the first recording material is installed.

3. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at a pre-specified location on the sheet.

4. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording material is a recording material that also serves as at least one of a plurality of color recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

5. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording material is a recording material dedicated to adhesion, which is different from recording materials of a plurality of colors for recording an image on a sheet.

6. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pressing section heats and presses a plurality of sheets on which an image using the first recording agent is formed, thereby forming a sheet stack by thermocompressing the plurality of sheets.

7. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means controls the apparatus so as not to issue the warning when the detection means detects that the pressure-bonding portion is connected to the image forming apparatus, regardless of the judgment result of the judgment means.

8. An image forming apparatus to which a pressure-bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, a detection means for detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming means for forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining means for determining whether the first recording material is applied to the image forming means; a control means for controlling to give a warning when the determination means determines that the first recording material is not attached or the detection means detects that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus when a job using the pressure bonding unit is executed; and An image forming apparatus comprising:

9. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at a pre-designated location on the sheet.

10. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the warning is a display that warns that the device is not configured to execute the job.

11. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first recording material is a recording material that also serves as at least one of a plurality of color recording materials for recording an image on a sheet.

12. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the first recording material is a recording material dedicated to adhesion, which is different from recording materials of a plurality of colors for recording an image on a sheet.

13. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the pressing section heats and presses a plurality of sheets on which an image using the first recording agent is formed, thereby forming a sheet stack by thermocompressing the plurality of sheets.

14. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 8, characterized in that the control means further controls the image forming apparatus to issue a warning when the second recording material of the image forming means is changed to the first recording material while the detection means detects that the pressing portion is not connected to the image forming apparatus.

15. 9. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first recording material and the second recording material are toners.

16. An image forming system including the image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13 and an information processing apparatus, The information processing device includes: A designation means for designating a binding method by pressure bonding as a binding method for the sheets; an instruction means for instructing a position of the sheet to be subjected to the pressure bonding when the binding method by the pressure bonding is specified; a transmission means for transmitting the job including the binding method by pressing and the position of the sheet to be pressed to the image forming apparatus, The image forming system is characterized in that the image forming means forms an image using the first recording material at the position designated by the designating means.

17. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus to which a pressure bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, comprising: a detection step of detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming step of forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining step of determining whether the first recording material is applied as a recording material that can be used in the image forming step; a control step of controlling to give a warning when it is detected in the detection step that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus and it is determined in the determination step that the first recording material is attached; A control method comprising the steps of:

18. A control method for controlling an image forming apparatus to which a pressure bonding unit capable of bonding a sheet by thermal compression bonding can be connected, comprising: a detection step of detecting whether the pressure bonding unit is connected to the image forming apparatus; an image forming step of forming an image on a sheet using a first recording material that enables adhesion of the sheet by the thermal compression bonding, or a second recording material that has a lower adhesive ability than the first recording material; a determining step of determining whether the first recording material is applied as a recording material that can be used in the image forming step; a control step of controlling to issue a warning when it is determined in the determination step that the first recording material is not attached or when it is detected in the detection step that the pressure bonding unit is not connected to the image forming apparatus, when a job using the pressure bonding unit is executed; A control method comprising the steps of:

19. A program for causing a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 17 or 18.

Images