Image forming system and non-transitory computer readable

Abstract

The adhesive force applied to the printed matter using the pressure-bonded toner is adjusted according to the type of the printed matter.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus 2 includes a secondary transfer unit 14 that transfers an intermediate transfer belt 18 to which a pressure-bonded toner is attached to a sheet 30, and a fixing unit 16 that fixes the pressure-bonded toner to the sheet 30. When a printed matter 32 to be generated is a confidential matter, an adhesive force stronger than that of a non-confidential matter is imparted. And a control unit 8 that controls the adhesion capability of the pressure-bonded toner to the sheet by controlling the transport speed of the intermediate transfer belt 18 to be lower than that in the case of the non-confidential system or increasing the voltage or the nip pressure of the secondary transfer roller when the secondary transfer unit 14 operates, or by controlling the temperature of the heating roller 162 to be increased or the pressure applied by the pressure roller 164 to be increased when the fixing unit 16 operates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, sealed postcards have been commonly known, which are printed on paper, then folded twice or more to form an envelope. Sealed postcards are often used as direct mail (DM) for sales promotions, etc. This is because, because they are produced by folding, they can carry more information for the same postage cost. Furthermore, because the inside of a sealed postcard cannot be seen until it is opened, confidentiality can be guaranteed. For this reason, they are suitable for communicating personal information, for example.

[0003] Recently, adhesive toner has become available. When high pressure and heat are applied to adhesive toner, the pressure-responsive resin contained in the adhesive toner reacts and acts like glue, adhering sheets of paper together. The use of adhesive toner eliminates the need for a gluing process, which involves applying adhesive material to the inner surfaces of the sheets to be bonded. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When folding a printed matter and bonding it with pressure-bonding toner, it would be convenient if the adhesive strength for bonding the printed matter could be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to adjust the adhesive strength imparted to a printed matter using pressure-bonded toner depending on the type of printed matter. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The image forming system of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a processor that acquires the type of printed matter to be produced from a medium and controls the ability to adhere pressure-bonded toner, which exerts its adhesive function by deformation due to pressure, to the medium according to the acquired type of printed matter.

[0007] The device also includes a transfer device that transfers the pressed toner onto the medium, and the processor controls the transfer capacity of the transfer device according to the type of printed matter when transferring the pressed toner adhering to a transfer belt included in the transfer device to the medium.

[0008] The processor is also characterized by controlling the conveying speed of the transfer belt to be slower for a first type of printed matter than for a second type of printed matter that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed matter.

[0009] The processor is also characterized by controlling the voltage applied to the second transfer roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

[0010] The processor is also characterized by controlling the nip pressure of the nip roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

[0011] The printer also includes a fixing device that fixes the pressed toner transferred to the medium, and the processor controls the fixing capacity of the fixing device according to the type of printed material when fixing the pressed toner to the medium by transporting the medium between a heating roll and a pressure roll included in the fixing device.

[0012] The processor is also characterized by controlling the temperature applied to the fixed toner by the heating roll to be higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

[0013] The processor is also characterized by controlling the pressure roll to apply a higher pressure to the medium for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

[0014] The first type of printed matter is a confidential printed matter, and the second type of printed matter is a non-confidential printed matter.

[0015] The program of the present invention enables a computer to acquire the type of printed matter to be generated from a medium, and to control the ability to adhere pressure-bonded toner, which exerts its adhesive function by deformation due to pressure, to the medium according to the acquired type of printed matter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the first aspect of the present invention, the adhesive force imparted to the printed matter using pressure-bonded toner can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter.

[0017] According to the invention as set forth in claim 2, the transfer ability can be adjusted according to the type of printed matter.

[0018] According to the invention as set forth in claim 3, it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength.

[0019] According to the invention as set forth in claim 4, it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength.

[0020] According to the invention as set forth in claim 5, it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to printed matter of a type that requires strong adhesive strength.

[0021] According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the fixing ability can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter.

[0022] According to the seventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to printed matter of a type that requires strong adhesive strength.

[0023] According to the eighth aspect of the invention, it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to printed matter of a type that requires strong adhesive strength.

[0024] According to the invention as set forth in claim 9, the adhesive strength imparted to confidential printed matter can be made stronger than that imparted to non-confidential printed matter.

[0025] According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, the adhesive force imparted to the printed matter using pressure-bonded toner can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0026] [Figure 1] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of an image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2A] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a secondary transfer unit in the present embodiment, and also illustrates a state before pressure-bonded toner is transferred from an intermediate transfer belt to a sheet. [Figure 2B] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state after pressure-bonded toner is transferred from an intermediate transfer belt to a sheet when a confidential system is selected by a user in the present embodiment. [Figure 2C] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating a state after pressure-bonded toner is transferred from an intermediate transfer belt to a sheet when a non-confidential system is selected by a user in the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a main part of the fixing unit in the present embodiment, showing a state when pressure-bonded toner transferred onto a sheet is fixed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0028] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a block configuration of an image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is an embodiment of an image forming system according to the present invention, and generates a printed matter by forming an image on a medium. A print processing system is generally installed downstream of the image forming apparatus 2, which processes the printed matter into letters such as sealed postcards and sealed envelopes through processes such as cutting, folding, and crimping.

[0029] The image forming apparatus 2 is a production color printer equipped with a printing function and is a device with a built-in computer. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 2 has a CPU, ROM, RAM, a HDD as storage means, a network interface as communication means, an operation panel as a user interface, etc. Apart from the device configuration related to the pressure-bonded toner described below, the configuration may be the same as before.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 1, the image forming apparatus 2 has a user interface (UI) unit 4, an image forming device 6, and a control unit 8. Components not used in the description of this embodiment, such as network means, are omitted. Also, paper transport paths and paper trays related to printing are omitted from the drawing.

[0031] The user interface unit 4 is realized by an operation panel, and receives instructions from the user and displays information. The image creating device 6 constitutes the main part of the printing function of the image forming device 2, and forms an image on paper 30, which is a printing medium, to create a printed matter 32. The control unit 8 controls the operation of each component installed in the image forming device 2. The control unit 8 may also control the operation of each component in response to instructions from a server (not shown).

[0032] The image forming device 6 has an image forming unit 10, a pressure-bonded toner attachment unit 12, a secondary transfer unit 14, a fixing unit 16, an intermediate transfer belt 18, and a transport path 20, and forms an image on a sheet of paper 30 according to a predetermined image forming process. The predetermined image forming process generally comprises steps such as exposure, development, transfer, fixing, cleaning, and static elimination. In the present embodiment, an image is formed on the sheet of paper 30 through basically the same process. FIG. 1 shows blocks corresponding to the charging step, developing step, transfer step, and fixing step of the image forming process, namely, a charging unit 102, a developing unit 104, a transfer unit (primary transfer unit 106, secondary transfer unit 14), and a fixing unit 16.

[0033] The image forming device 6 has an image forming unit 10 (i.e., an image forming engine) corresponding to each color. The colors are cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and black (K). A toner cartridge corresponding to each color is installed in the image forming device 2. The image forming unit 10 includes a charging unit 102, a developing unit 104, a primary transfer unit 106, and a photosensitive drum 108.

[0034] Incidentally, in the "charging process," a charging device (corresponding to the above-mentioned "charging unit 102") including a charging roller is used to charge the photosensitive drum 108. In the "exposure process," an exposure device including a laser or the like is used to expose the surface of the charged photosensitive drum 108, thereby lowering the potential of the portion of the paper 30 to be printed in that color. In the "developing process," a developing device (corresponding to the above-mentioned "developing unit 104") including a magnetic roll is used to develop the toner of that color onto the portion of the photosensitive drum 108 where the potential is lowered. The "transfer process" includes a primary transfer performed by the primary transfer unit 106 and a secondary transfer performed by the secondary transfer unit 14. In the primary transfer, a transfer device (corresponding to the above-mentioned "primary transfer unit 106") including a transfer roll is used to transfer the toner of that color attached to the photosensitive drum 108 onto the intermediate transfer belt 18. In the secondary transfer, a transfer machine (corresponding to the above-mentioned "secondary transfer unit 14") including a secondary transfer roll is made to perform a transfer function, and each toner attached to the intermediate transfer belt 18 is transferred onto the paper 30 transported along the transport path 20. In the "fixing process", when the paper 30 transported along the transport path 20 is transported between the heating roll and the pressure roll, the toner transferred onto the paper 30 is fixed.

[0035] By executing the above image creation process, the image creation unit 10 sequentially transfers the C, M, Y, and K toners onto the intermediate transfer belt 18. As a result, the four color toners are superimposed to form a CMYK layer.

[0036] In addition to the general CMYK imaging engine, the image forming device 2 in this embodiment also has a special imaging engine, a pressure-bonded toner attachment unit 12. Incidentally, "pressure-bonded toner" is a special toner that exhibits adhesive properties by deforming under pressure. More specifically, it is a colorless, transparent toner with a pressure-responsive resin finely dispersed therein, and the resin softens only when high pressure is applied, thereby exhibiting the function of adhering paper to paper. Four toner cartridges (not shown), each loaded with the aforementioned C, M, Y, and K colored toners (hereinafter collectively referred to as "color toners"), are installed in the image forming device 2, and the same applies to pressure-bonded toners.

[0037] The bonded toner adhesion unit 12 includes a layer forming unit 122, a charging unit 124, a toner adhesion unit 126, a primary transfer unit 128, and a photosensitive drum 130. The layer forming unit 122 forms a bonded toner layer on the intermediate transfer belt 18 (i.e., on the CMYK layer) to which the color toners have been transferred, by overcoating the layer as a base layer for adhering the bonded toner. The bonded toner layer is basically a colorless and transparent special toner layer formed according to the size of the paper 30. The charging unit 124 charges the photosensitive drum 130. The toner adhesion unit 126 adheres the bonded toner to portions of the photosensitive drum 130 where the potential is lowered. The primary transfer unit 128 transfers the bonded toner adhered to the photosensitive drum 130 to the intermediate transfer belt 18. Since a bonded toner layer is formed at the position where the toner is to be transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18, strictly speaking, the bonded toner is transferred onto the bonded toner layer.

[0038] The secondary transfer unit 14 functions as a transfer device that transfers all the toners (including the bonded toner layer) transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18 onto the paper 30 at once using electrical force. The fixing unit 16 functions as a fixing device that heats the toner transferred to the paper 30 and then applies pressure to fix it. A CMYK layer and a bonded toner layer are formed on the intermediate transfer belt 18, and further bonded toner is attached to it. The transport path 20 forms a path along which the paper 30, which is transported from a paper feed tray or the like, is transported out of the subsequent print processing system.

[0039] The image forming apparatus 2 executes the image forming process with the above configuration to generate a full-color print 32. The generated print 32 has color toner and pressure-bonded toner adhered to it.

[0040] Each of the components 4 to 8 in the image forming apparatus 2 is realized by the cooperative operation of a computer installed in the image forming apparatus 2 and a program running on a CPU installed in the computer. The program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means, but also by being stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as a USB memory. The program provided from the communication means or recording medium is installed on the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU sequentially executing the program. The present invention can also be applied to programs and program products.

[0041] Although the image forming system in this embodiment has been described as being configured by a single image forming apparatus 2 as an example, it may be configured by a plurality of apparatuses.

[0042] Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.

[0043] The image forming apparatus 2 may be basically the same as a general production color printer in terms of the image creation process using color toners, except for the application of pressure-bonded toner to paper 30. That is, the control unit 8 receives instructions from a server (not shown) and forms CMYK layers by controlling the operation of the image creation unit 10 in accordance with those instructions. The control unit 8 in this embodiment also controls the operation of the pressure-bonded toner application unit 12 in accordance with instructions from the server. In particular, in this embodiment, with regard to the application of pressure-bonded toner to the printed matter 32, the type of printed matter 32 to be created from paper 30 is acquired, and the form of the pressure-bonded toner when applied to the printed matter 32 is controlled in accordance with the acquired type of printed matter 32. Note that separate control units 8 may be provided for the color toners and the pressure-bonded toner.

[0044] In this embodiment, an example will be given in which two types of printed matter 32 are generated: a first type of printed matter 32 that is confidential, and a second type of printed matter 32 that is non-confidential.

[0045] "Confidential" means, in the case of an envelope, that the addressee is expected to open and read it himself, or that the envelope is treated in that way. In this embodiment, "confidential" refers to printed matter 32 that corresponds to the above-mentioned confidentiality, and refers to all printed matter whose inside pages should not be seen by third parties in order to maintain confidentiality. For example, if the confidential mail is a direct mail, it is desired that it not be accidentally peeled off during mailing. On the other hand, in this embodiment, "non-confidential" refers to printed matter 32 other than confidential. Non-confidential mail refers to all printed matter that does not require confidentiality compared to confidential mail. Of course, the adhesive surface must not peel off even in non-confidential mail, but the requirement does not need to be as strict as that for confidential mail.

[0046] For these reasons, confidential documents require stronger adhesive strength to prevent the adhesive surface from peeling off more easily than non-confidential documents. As will be described later, the user is responsible for specifying whether the printed matter 32 is confidential or non-confidential. The surface of the printed matter 32 to which the pressure-bonded toner is attached becomes the adhesive surface.

[0047] In order to make the adhesive surface less likely to peel off, in this embodiment, the shape of the bonded toner when it is adhered to the printed matter 32 is controlled. "Shape" is a term that refers to the appearance, structure, or state of something, and in this embodiment, the shape of the bonded toner is controlled by controlling the amount of bonded toner adhered to the printed matter 32 or the position of the bonded toner when it is adhered to the printed matter 32. This makes it possible to adjust the adhesive strength at the adhesive surface.

[0048] As described above, the image forming apparatus 2 in this embodiment forms a CMYK layer using color toners on the intermediate transfer belt 18, and then adheres pressure-bonded toner onto the pressure-bonded toner layer formed thereon. The control unit 8 controls the amount and position of adhesion of pressure-bonded toner in the pressure-bonded toner adhesion unit 12 depending on the type of printed matter 32.

[0049] For example, the control unit 8 displays on the user interface unit 4, i.e., the operation panel, whether the type of printed matter 32 is confidential or non-confidential, in response to a user operation. The user selects the type of printed matter 32 from the operation panel. When the user selects the type of printed matter 32, the control unit 8 controls the image forming unit 10 in response to instructions from the server, as described above, to form a CMYK layer on the intermediate transfer belt 18, regardless of the type of printed matter 32 selected. The control unit 8 also controls the pressure-bonded toner adhering unit 12 to form a pressure-bonded toner layer on the intermediate transfer belt 18 and adhere pressure-bonded toner thereon in a predetermined pattern. In this embodiment, pressure-bonded toner is equally adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 18 without distinguishing between confidential and non-confidential documents. Of course, in order to impart stronger adhesive strength to confidential documents than non-confidential documents, for example, the amount of pressure-bonded toner adhered to confidential documents may be greater than that to non-confidential documents.

[0050] In this embodiment, the difference between the confidential and non-confidential processes is the operation of the secondary transfer unit 14 or the fixing unit 16.

[0051] 2A is a diagram schematically illustrating the secondary transfer unit 14 in this embodiment, and illustrates the state before the pressure-bonded toner 34 is transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 18 to the paper 30. The secondary transfer unit 14 has a secondary transfer roll 142, an application unit 144 that applies a voltage to the secondary transfer roll 142, and an operation unit 146 that drives the secondary transfer roll 142 and adjusts the nip pressure. In this embodiment, the only difference is the control of the components 142 to 146 included in the secondary transfer unit 14, and a general device configuration may be used for the hardware configuration.

[0052] Bonded toner 34 is adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 18 by the bonded toner adhesion section 12. The intermediate transfer belt 18 is rotated by a drive roll (not shown), and the adhesion position of the bonded toner 34 moves from the bonded toner adhesion section 12 to the secondary transfer section 14. Note that the color toners and bonded toner layer on the intermediate transfer belt 18, which are not used in the description of this embodiment, are omitted from the figure. The paper 30 is transported to the secondary transfer section 14 along the transport path 20. Then, if the bonded toner 34 adhered to the intermediate transfer belt 18 is negatively charged, the secondary transfer roll 142 applies positive static electricity to the paper 30, opposite to the bonded toner 34. As a result, the bonded toner 34 is attracted to the paper 30 at the position of the secondary transfer roll 142 and moves. In this way, the bonded toner is transferred to the paper 30 at the secondary transfer section 14.

[0053] 2B and 2C are diagrams schematically illustrating the secondary transfer roll 142, similar to FIG. 2A, and show the state after the pressure-bonded toner 34 has been transferred from the intermediate transfer belt 18 to the paper 30. FIG. 2B shows the state after transfer when the user has selected confidential, and FIG. 2C shows the state after transfer when the user has selected non-confidential.

[0054] In this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the transfer capacity of the secondary transfer unit 14 depending on the type of printed matter, i.e., whether the printed matter is confidential or non-confidential. To achieve this, the control unit 8 controls the transport speed of the intermediate transfer belt 18.

[0055] As mentioned above, confidential printed matter 32 requires stronger adhesive strength to prevent peeling than non-confidential printed matter. Therefore, when a confidential printed matter is selected by the user, the control unit 8 controls the conveyance speed of the intermediate transfer belt 18 to be slower for confidential printed matter than for non-confidential printed matter. The control unit 8 also controls the rotation speed of the secondary transfer roll 142 to be slower accordingly. For example, if the conveyance speed for non-confidential printed matter is 355 mm / s, the conveyance speed for confidential printed matter is set to a slower speed, such as 177 mm / s. By slowing the conveyance speed, more time is required for the bonded toner 34 to move from the intermediate transfer belt 18 to the paper 30, making it possible to move more bonded toner 34 for confidential printed matter than for non-confidential printed matter.

[0056] 2B and 2C are shown to help visualize this. As can be seen by comparing FIG. 2B for the confidential case with FIG. 2C for the non-confidential case, the amount of bonded toner 34a remaining on the intermediate transfer belt 18 after transfer is greater in the non-confidential case, which has a faster transport speed. In other words, in the case of confidential cases, a larger amount of bonded toner 34 can be transferred more reliably than in the case of non-confidential cases. Furthermore, a larger amount of bonded toner 34 transferred to the paper 30 means that a correspondingly stronger adhesive force can be imparted.

[0057] As another method for controlling the transfer capacity of the secondary transfer unit 14 according to the type of printed matter, the control unit 8 may control the secondary transfer voltage (also referred to as the "secondary transfer bias") applied to the secondary transfer roll 142. In other words, this involves controlling the positive static electricity applied to the paper 30. For example, if the voltage for non-confidential paper is 5 to 8 kV, it is set to a higher voltage of 8 to 12 kV for confidential paper. In this way, by controlling the voltage applied to the secondary transfer roll 142 so that it is higher for confidential paper than for non-confidential paper, more pressure-bonded toner 34 is transferred to confidential paper 30 than to non-confidential paper, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

[0058] As another method for controlling the transfer capacity of the secondary transfer unit 14 depending on the type of printed matter, the control unit 8 may control the nip pressure at which the secondary transfer roll 142, which serves as a nip roll, sandwiches the intermediate transfer belt 18 and the paper 30 with a roll (not shown). The nip pressure is the pressure at which the paper 30 is pressed against the bonded toner 34 that has been primarily transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 18. For example, if the nip pressure for non-confidential paper is 50 to 100 gf / cm, it is set higher at 100 to 200 gf / cm for confidential paper. In this way, by controlling the nip pressure so that it is higher for confidential paper than for non-confidential paper, more bonded toner 34 is transferred to confidential paper 30 than to non-confidential paper, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C.

[0059] 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating the main components of the fixing unit 16 in this embodiment, showing the state when the pressure-bonded toner 34 transferred to the paper 30 is fixed. The fixing unit 16 has a heating roll 162, also commonly called a fixing roll, a pressure roll 164, and an operating unit 166 that drives the rolls 162, 164 and adjusts the temperature and pressure. In this embodiment, the only difference is the control of the components 162 to 166 included in the fixing unit 16, and the hardware configuration may be a general device configuration.

[0060] The paper 30 onto which the bonded toner 34 has been transferred by the secondary transfer unit 14 is transported between the heating roll 162 and the pressure roll 164. As the bonded toner 34 moves between the rolls 162 and 164, it is fixed to the paper 30 by the heat of the heating roll 162 and the pressure of the pressure roll 164.

[0061] In this embodiment, the control unit 8 controls the fixing capacity of the fixing unit 16 depending on the type of printed matter, i.e., whether the printed matter is confidential or non-confidential. As one method for doing so, the control unit 8 controls the temperature of the heating roll 162.

[0062] As mentioned above, confidential printed matter 32 requires stronger adhesive strength to prevent peeling than non-confidential printed matter. Therefore, when a confidential printed matter is selected by the user, control unit 8 controls heating roll 162 to apply a higher temperature to bonded toner 34 for confidential printed matter than for non-confidential printed matter. For example, if the temperature for non-confidential printed matter is 180°C, a higher temperature, such as 210°C, is set for confidential printed matter. Of course, the set temperature must be such that the bonded toner 34 softens due to heat and does not exert its adhesive function. Increasing the temperature of heating roll 162 means applying a higher temperature to bonded toner 34, which allows for stronger fixation for confidential printed matter than for non-confidential printed matter.

[0063] As another method for controlling the fixing capacity of the fixing unit 16 according to the type of printed matter, the control unit 8 may control the pressure that the pressure roll 164 applies to the paper 30 and the bonded toner 34. In other words, the pressure on the paper 30 can be increased by moving the pressure roll 164 toward the heating roll 162, but the control unit 8 controls the pressure that the pressure roll 164 applies to the paper 30 and the bonded toner 34 so that it is higher for confidential paper than for non-confidential paper. Increasing the pressure applied to the paper 30 and the bonded toner 34 means that the bonded toner 34 can be fixed more firmly to the paper 30, so that stronger fixing is possible for confidential paper than for non-confidential paper.

[0064] As described above, in this embodiment, the ability to adhere pressure-bonded toner to paper can be mechanically or electrically controlled depending on the type of printed matter, thereby making it possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to confidential documents, which require stronger adhesive strength, than to non-confidential documents.

[0065] In this embodiment, the user is prompted to indicate whether the type of printed matter is confidential or non-confidential, but this is not a limitation. For example, the content of the information printed on the paper, such as the presence or absence of personal names and addresses, and the presence or absence of words that may suggest confidentiality, may be analyzed to automatically determine whether the information is confidential or not.

[0066] In addition, in the above example, the type of printed matter was classified into two types, confidential and non-confidential, based on the content of the information to be printed, but it is also possible to classify it into three or more types based on other indicators, and apply pressed toner in a form appropriate for each classification.

[0067] Furthermore, the type of printed matter may be classified into two or more types according to the characteristics of the printing medium, such as the type of paper, thickness, material, etc., in addition to the information to be printed on the printed matter.

[0068] In the above embodiments, the term "processor" refers to a processor in a broad sense, and includes general-purpose processors (e.g., CPU: Central Processing Unit, etc.) and dedicated processors (e.g., GPU: Graphics Processing Unit, ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit, FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array, programmable logic device, etc.).

[0069] Furthermore, the operations of the processors in the above embodiments may not only be performed by a single processor, but may also be performed by multiple processors located at physically separate locations working together. Furthermore, the order of the operations of the processors is not limited to the order described in the above embodiments, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0070] (Addendum) (((1))) a processor; The processor: Obtain the type of print to be generated from the medium; and controlling the ability of the pressure-bonded toner, which exhibits adhesive properties by deformation due to pressure, to adhere to the medium according to the type of the acquired printed matter. An image forming system comprising: (((2))) a transfer device that transfers the pressure-bonded toner onto the medium; the processor controls the transfer capacity of the transfer device in accordance with the type of the printed matter when transferring the pressure-bonded toner adhering to a transfer belt included in the transfer device to the medium; The image forming system according to (((1))) is characterized in that (((3))) The image forming system described in (((2))) is characterized in that the processor controls the conveying speed of the transfer belt to be slower for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material. (((4))) The image forming system described in (((2))) is characterized in that the processor controls the voltage applied to the second transfer roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material. (((5))) The image forming system described in (((2))) is characterized in that the processor controls the nip pressure of the nip roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material. (((6))) a fixing device that fixes the pressure-bonded toner transferred to the medium, the processor controls the fixing capacity of the fixing device in accordance with the type of the printed matter when fixing the pressure-bonded toner to the medium by transporting the medium between a heating roll and a pressure roll included in the fixing device; 1. The image forming system according to claim 1, wherein the image forming system comprises: (((7))) The image forming system described in (((6))) is characterized in that the processor controls the temperature applied by the heating roll to the pressed toner to be higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material. (((8))) The image forming system described in (((6))) is characterized in that the processor controls the pressure roll to apply a higher pressure to the medium for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material. (((9))) The first type of printed matter is a confidential printed matter, The second type of printed matter is a non-confidential printed matter, 10. The image forming system according to claim 9, wherein the first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, and the second and second electrodes are arranged in a second direction. (((10))) On the computer, Ability to obtain the type of print to be generated from the medium; a function of controlling the ability of pressure-bonded toner, which exhibits adhesive properties by deformation due to pressure, to adhere to the medium according to the type of the acquired printed matter; A program to achieve this.

[0071] According to the invention described in (((1))), the adhesive force imparted to the printed matter using pressure-bonded toner can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter. According to the invention described in (((2))), the transfer ability can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter. According to the invention described in (((3))), it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength. According to the invention described in (((4))), it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength. According to the invention described in (((5))), it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength. According to the invention described in (((6))), the fixing ability can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter. According to the invention described in (((7))), it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength. According to the invention described in (((8))), it is possible to impart stronger adhesive strength to types of printed matter that require strong adhesive strength. According to the invention described in (((9))), the adhesive strength imparted to confidential printed matter can be made stronger than that of non-confidential printed matter. According to the invention described in (((10))), the adhesive force imparted to the printed matter using pressure-bonded toner can be adjusted depending on the type of printed matter. [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 2 image forming device, 4 user interface (UI) section, 6 image forming device, 8 control section, 10 image forming section, 12 pressure toner adhesion section, 14 secondary transfer section, 16 fixing section, 18 intermediate transfer belt, 20 transport path, 30 paper, 32 printed matter, 102, 124 charging section, 104 developing section, 106, 128 primary transfer section, 108, 130 photosensitive drum, 122 layer formation section, 126 toner adhesion section, 142 secondary transfer roll, 144 application section, 146, 166 operating section, 162 heating roll, 164 pressure roll.

Claims

1. a processor; The processor: Obtain the type of print to be generated from the medium; and controlling the ability of the pressure-bonded toner, which exhibits adhesive properties by deformation due to pressure, to adhere to the medium according to the type of the acquired printed matter. An image forming system comprising:

2. a transfer device that transfers the pressure-bonded toner onto the medium; the processor controls the transfer capacity of the transfer device in accordance with the type of the printed matter when transferring the pressure-bonded toner adhering to a transfer belt included in the transfer device to the medium; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

3. The image forming system according to claim 2, wherein the processor controls the conveying speed of the transfer belt to be slower for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

4. The image forming system described in claim 2, characterized in that the processor controls the voltage applied to the second transfer roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

5. The image forming system described in claim 2, characterized in that the processor controls the nip pressure of the nip roll included in the transfer device so that it is higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

6. a fixing device that fixes the pressure-bonded toner transferred to the medium, the processor controls the fixing capacity of the fixing device in accordance with the type of the printed matter when fixing the pressure-bonded toner to the medium by transporting the medium between a heating roll and a pressure roll included in the fixing device; 2. The image forming system according to claim 1.

7. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein the processor controls the temperature applied by the heating roll to the pressed toner to be higher for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

8. The image forming system of claim 6, wherein the processor controls the pressure roll to apply a higher pressure to the medium for a first type of printed material than for a second type of printed material that requires less adhesive strength than the first type of printed material.

9. the first type of printed matter is a confidential printed matter, the second type of printed matter is a printed matter other than a confidential printed matter; 9. The image forming system according to claim 3, 4, 5, 7 or 8.

10. On the computer, Ability to obtain the type of print to be generated from the medium; a function of controlling the ability of pressure-bonded toner, which exhibits adhesive properties by deformation due to pressure, to adhere to the medium according to the type of the acquired printed matter; A program to achieve this.

Images