Patent Publication Number: US-2013236269-A1

Title: Bookbinding control device, non-transitory computer readable medium, bookbinding system, and bookbinding control method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based on and claims priority under 35 USC 119 from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-052347, filed Mar. 8, 2012. 
     BACKGROUND 
     (i) Technical Field 
     The present invention relates to a bookbinding control device, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a bookbinding system, and a bookbinding control method. 
     (ii) Related Art 
     Bookbinding is performed on printed matter printed by a printer. In the bookbinding of the printed matter, when sheets of different sizes are included in the printed matter, bookbinding is performed after folding (for example, Z folding) is performed such that a sheet of large size fits with a sheet of small size. 
     For example, when a post-processing device which performs folding is connected at the back of a bookbinding device which performs bookbinding, a sheet subjected to folding is unable to be transported to the bookbinding device. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a bookbinding control device includes an acquisition unit that acquires print data including post-processing unnecessary pages requiring no post-processing after printing and before bookbinding and post-processing necessary pages requiring post-processing, a printing controller that, after post-processed sheets on which post-processing is performed on sheets with the printed post-processing necessary pages are supplied to a sheet feed unit, prints the post-processing unnecessary pages in print data, a first transport controller that performs control so as to transport sheets with the printed post-processing unnecessary pages to an accumulation unit of a bookbinding device with respect to the post-processing unnecessary pages in print data, a second transport controller that performs control so as to transport the post-processed sheet supplied to the sheet feed unit to the accumulation unit of the bookbinding device with respect to the post-processing necessary pages in print data, and a bookbinding controller that performs control so as to execute bookbinding on the sheets transported to the accumulation unit of the bookbinding device after printing based on print data ends. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail based on the following figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system according to this exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating Z folding; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating case bookbinding; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic configuration diagram of a bookbinding device; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a client device; 
         FIG. 6  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a printer; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a sheet feeding device; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware of a bookbinding device; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a post-processing device; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram showing an example of a print job table. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to a first example; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to the first example; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to a second example; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to the second example; 
         FIG. 15  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to a third example; and 
         FIG. 16  is a flowchart illustrating the flow of bookbinding according to the third example. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, a mode (hereinafter, referred to as an exemplary embodiment) for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an overall configuration diagram of a bookbinding system  1  according to this exemplary embodiment. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the bookbinding system  1  includes a client device  10 , a printer  20 , a sheet feeding device  50 , a bookbinding device  30 , and a post-processing device  40 . In this exemplary embodiment, the sheet transport paths of the printer  20 , the sheet feeding device  50 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the post-processing device  40  are connected together in this order, and a sheet on which an image is formed (printed) by the printer  20  is transported from the sheet feeding device  50  to the bookbinding device  30  or to the post-processing device  40  through the internal transport path of the bookbinding device  30 . Sheets which are used in bookbinding include sheets which are transported from the sheet feeding device  50  to the bookbinding device  30  and sheets which are transported to the bookbinding device  30  through the sheet feeding device  50  after having been printed by the printer  20 . 
     The client device  10  is a computer which requests the printer  20  for printing. Although in this exemplary embodiment, print data with bookbinding designated is transmitted from the client device  10  toward the printer  20 , data with bookbinding designated and data with no bookbinding designated may be mixed in print data. 
     The printer  20  controls printing and bookbinding on the basis of print data received from the client device  10 . The details of printing and bookbinding will be described below. 
     The sheet feeding device  50  includes a tray (post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 ) which accumulates sheets subjected to post-processing by the post-processing device  40 , and transports the sheets accumulated in the tray to the bookbinding device  30  on the basis of an instruction of the printer  20 . The details of sheet transport processing of the sheet feeding device  50  will be described below. 
     The post-processing device  40  acquires sheets printed by the printer  20  through the internal transport path of the bookbinding device  30  and performs designated post-processing on the acquired sheets. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the processing which is performed by the post-processing device  40  is folding shown in  FIG. 2  which is called Z folding. Z folding refers to a folding method in which forward folding (or backward folding) of the long side of the sheet is performed, and then backward folding (or forward folding) of the forward-folded (or backward-folded) portion is performed. For example, when Z folding is performed such that the length of the long side of an A3 sheet is equal to or smaller than the length of the short side of an A4 sheet, the A3 sheet after Z folding does not protrude when overlapping the A4 sheet. 
     The bookbinding device  30  binds sheets printed by the printer  20  and sheets subjected to post-processing by the post-processing device  40 . Hereinafter, a specific example of bookbinding in this exemplary embodiment will be described. 
     In this exemplary embodiment, the bookbinding device  30  performs bookbinding shown in  FIG. 3  which is a so-called case bookbinding. Case bookbinding is a bookbinding method in which a sheet bundle for text including Z-folded pages and normal pages not subjected to Z folding arranged in a prescribed order is bonded to a cover page, a so-called case cover, with a spine portion at the center thereof. When bonding the cover page and the sheet bundle for text, an adhesive, such as paste, may be used. 
     The flow of bookbinding by the bookbinding device  30  will be described with reference to a schematic configuration diagram of the bookbinding device  30  shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the sheets printed by the printer  20  are transported toward the bookbinding device  30  through a transport path  350 A from the sheet feeding device  50 . Of the printed sheets, the cover page is output to a tray  308  for a cover through the transport path  350 A, a transport path  350 B, and a transport path  3500 . Of the printed sheets, pages (post-processing necessary pages) on which post-processing by the post-processing device  40  is necessary and sheets on which post-processing are not yet performed are output to the post-processing device  40  through the transport path  350 A, the transport path  350 B, and a transport path  350 D. Of the printed sheets, pages (post-processing necessary pages) on which post-processing is unnecessary and sheets subjected to post-processing are output to an accumulation tray  310  through the transport path  350 A and a transport path  350 E. 
     Next, the bookbinding device  30  transports a sheet bundle for text, in which the post-processing necessary pages and the post-processing unnecessary pages are arranged in a prescribed order and which is disposed in the accumulation tray  310 , to a pasting unit  362 , and transports the cover page from the tray  308  for a cover to the pasting unit  362 . After the sheet bundle for text and the cover page are bonded in the pasting unit  362 , cutting is performed using a cutting unit  364 , and output to a bookbinding output tray  314  is performed. 
     Next, a hardware configuration example of each of the client device  10 , the printer  20 , the sheet feeding device  50 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the post-processing device  40  will be described in order. 
       FIG. 5  shows an example of the hardware configuration of the client device  10 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the client device  10  includes a controller  100 , a memory  102 , a communication unit  104 , an input controller  106 , and a display controller  108 . 
     The controller  100  includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU). The controller  100  performs various kinds of arithmetic processing on the basis of a program stored in the memory  102  and controls the respective units of the client device  10 . 
     The memory  102  stores a control program, such as an operating system of the client device  10 , or data, and is used as a work memory of the controller  100 . A program may be supplied in a state of being stored in an information storage medium, such as an optical disc, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic-optical disc, or a flash memory, to the client device  10  or may be supplied to the client device  10  through data communication means, such as Internet. 
     The communication unit  104  performs data communication with other devices (for example, the printer  20  and the like) using a communication interface, such as a network card or a serial communication card. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication unit  104  of the client device  10  performs data communication with a communication unit  204  of the printer  20 . 
     The input controller  106  is connected to an input device, such as a mouse or a keyboard, and receives an operation input from a user. 
     The display controller  108  is embedded in the client device  10  or is connected to an external display device, such as a liquid crystal display, and performs control such that the display device displays the result (screen) of information processing in the client device  10 . 
     Next, the configuration of the printer  20  will be described.  FIG. 6  shows an example of the hardware configuration of the printer  20 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the printer  20  includes a controller  200 , a memory  202 , a communication unit  204 , an image forming unit  208 , a sheet feed unit  210 , a transport unit  212 , and an operation panel unit  214 . 
     The controller  200  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller  200  performs various kinds of arithmetic processing on the basis of a program stored in the memory  202  and controls the respective units of the printer  20 . 
     The memory  202  stores a control program of the printer  20  or data, and is used as a work memory of the controller  200 . A program may be supplied to the printer  20  in a state of being stored in an information storage medium, such as an optical disc, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic-optical disc, or a flash memory, or may be supplied to the printer  20  through data communication means, such as Internet. 
     The communication unit  204  performs data communication with other devices (for example, the client device  10 , the bookbinding device  30 , the post-processing device  40 , the sheet feeding device  50 , and the like) using a communication interface, such as a network card or a serial communication card. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication unit  204  of the printer  20  performs data communication with the communication unit  104  of the client device  10 , a communication unit  304  of the bookbinding device  30 , a communication unit  404  of the post-processing device  40 , and a communication unit  504  of the sheet feeding device  50 . 
     The image forming unit  208  forms an image on a printing medium (printing sheet) fed from the sheet feed unit  210  in accordance with an image forming command (print job) input from the controller  200 . For example, the image forming unit  208  may form an image using a laser printer system or may form an image using an ink jet printer system. 
     The sheet feed unit  210  includes one or multiple trays T 1  to Tn (where n is a natural number). The sheet feed unit  210  extracts a printing medium from a tray which stores a designated printing medium (printing sheet), and feeds the printing medium to the image forming unit  208  or the transport unit. For example, the trays T 1  to Tn may include a tray for each sheet size (for example, A3, A4, or the like), a tray for colored sheets, and the like. The sheet feed unit  210  may be embedded in the printer  20  or may be provided outside the printer  20 . 
     The transport unit  212  transports a printing sheet on which an image is formed using the image forming unit  208 . For example, the transport unit  212  transports a printing medium on which an image is formed by the image forming unit  208  or transports a printing medium fed from the sheet feed unit  210 . In this exemplary embodiment, the transport unit  212  of the printer  20  is connected to a transport unit  508  of the sheet feeding device  50  and sends a printing medium to the transport unit  508 . 
     The operation panel unit  214  is a display function-equipped input device which includes a display device, such as a liquid crystal display, and a button-type or touch panel-type input device. The operation panel unit  214  functions as an interactive interface with a user who operates the printer  20 . 
     Next, the configuration of the sheet feeding device  50  will be described.  FIG. 7  shows an example of the hardware configuration of the sheet feeding device  50 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the sheet feeding device  50  includes a controller  500 , a memory  502 , a communication unit  504 , a post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 , and a transport unit  508 . 
     The controller  500  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller  500  performs various kinds of arithmetic processing on the basis of a program stored in the memory  502  and controls the respective units of the sheet feeding device  50 . 
     The memory  502  stores a control program of the sheet feeding device  50  or data, and is used as a work memory of the controller  500 . A program may be supplied in a state of being stored in an information storage medium, such as an optical disc, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic-optical disc, or a flash memory, to the sheet feeding device  50  or may be supplied to the sheet feeding device  50  through data communication means, such as Internet. 
     The communication unit  504  performs data communication with other devices (for example, the printer  20 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the like) using a communication interface, such as a network card or a serial communication card. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication unit  504  of the sheet feeding device  50  performs data communication with the communication unit  204  of the printer  20  or the communication unit  304  of the bookbinding device  30 . 
     The transport unit  508  transports printed sheets transported from the printer  20  or sheets accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  to the bookbinding device  30 . For example, the transport unit  508  transports the printed sheets transported from the printer  20  directly to the bookbinding device  30 , when an instruction to transport sheets accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  is received from the printer  20 , loads one sheet accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 , and transports the loaded sheet to the bookbinding device  30 . 
     The post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  is a tray which accumulates sheets (post-processed sheets) subjected to post-processing by the post-processing device. 
     Next, the configuration of the bookbinding device  30  will be described.  FIG. 8  shows an example of the hardware configuration of the bookbinding device  30 . As shown in  FIG. 8 , the bookbinding device  30  includes a controller  300 , a memory  302 , a communication unit  304 , a transport unit  306 , a tray  308  for a cover, an accumulation tray  310 , a bookbinding unit  312 , and a bookbinding output tray  314 . 
     The controller  300  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller  300  performs various kinds of arithmetic processing on the basis of a program stored in the memory  302  and controls the respective units of the bookbinding device  30 . 
     The memory  302  stores a control program of the bookbinding device  30  or data, and is used as a work memory of the controller  300 . A program may be supplied to the bookbinding device  30  in a state of being stored in an information storage medium, such as an optical disk, a magnetic disc, a magnetic tape, a magnetic-optical disc, or a flash memory, or may be supplied to the bookbinding device  30  through data communication means, such as Internet. 
     The communication unit  304  performs data communication with other devices (for example, the printer  20 , the post-processing device  40 , the sheet feeding device  50 , and the like) using a communication interface, such as a network card or a serial communication card. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication unit  304  of the bookbinding device  30  performs data communication with the communication unit  204  of the printer  20 , a communication unit  404  of the post-processing device  40 , or a communication unit  504  of the sheet feeding device  50 . 
     The transport unit  306  transports a printed sheet transported from the sheet feeding device  50  to the tray  308  for a cover or the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30 , or transports the printed sheet to the post-processing device  40 . For example, when a printed sheet transported from the sheet feeding device  50  is a cover page, the transport unit  306  transports the printed sheet to the tray  308  for a cover, and when a printed sheet which is transported from the sheet feeding device  50  is a post-processing unnecessary page or a post-processing necessary page and post-processing is completed, the transport unit  306  transport the printed sheet to the accumulation tray  310 . When a printed sheet which is transported from the printer  20  is a post-processing necessary page and post-processing is not yet completed, the transport unit  306  sends the printed sheet to the post-processing device  40 . 
     The tray  308  for a cover is a tray which accumulates a medium (paper) as a cover for bookbinding. 
     The accumulation tray  310  is a tray which accumulates media (papers) as text for bookbinding. 
     The bookbinding unit  312  performs bookbinding with a medium accumulated in the tray  308  for a cover as a cover page and media accumulated in the accumulation tray  310  as text (a sheet bundle for text). A specific flow of bookbinding is as described above, and thus description thereof will not be repeated. 
     The bookbinding output tray  314  is a tray in which a product (book) from the bookbinding unit  312  is loaded. 
     Next, the configuration of the post-processing device  40  will be described.  FIG. 9  shows an example of the hardware configuration of the post-processing device  40 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , the post-processing device  40  includes a controller  400 , a memory  402 , a communication unit  404 , a transport unit  406 , a post-processing unit  408 , and a post-processing output tray  410 . 
     The controller  400  includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The controller  400  performs various kinds of arithmetic processing on the basis of a program stored in the memory  402  and controls the respective units of the post-processing device  40 . 
     The memory  402  stores a control program of the post-processing device  40  or data, and is used as a work memory of the controller  400 . A program may be supplied to the post-processing device  40  in a state of being stored in an information storage medium, such as an optical disc, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, a magnetic-optical disc, or a flash memory, or may be supplied to the post-processing device  40  through data communication means, such as Internet. 
     The communication unit  404  performs data communication with other devices (for example, the printer  20 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the like) using a communication interface, such as a network card or a serial communication card. In this exemplary embodiment, the communication unit  404  of the post-processing device  40  performs data communication with the communication unit  204  of the printer  20  or the communication unit  304  of the bookbinding device  30 . 
     The transport unit  406  is connected to the transport unit  306  of the bookbinding device  30 , and transports a printing sheet transported from the transport unit  306  of the bookbinding device  30  to the post-processing unit  408 . 
     The post-processing unit  408  performs designated post-processing on a printing medium transported from the transport unit  406 . In this exemplary embodiment, the post-processing unit  408  performs Z folding on the transported printing medium and discharges the printing medium after Z folding to the post-processing output tray  410 . 
     The post-processing output tray  410  is a tray which accumulates printing mediums subjected to post-processing by the post-processing unit  408  (that is, sheets subjected to Z folding). 
     Next, the flow of bookbinding according to a first example in the bookbinding system  1  will be described with reference to flowcharts of  FIGS. 11 and 12 . The first example illustrates an example where processing for bookbinding one volume, specifically, printing of post-processing necessary pages, post-processing printing of post-processing unnecessary pages, and bookbinding are performed on the basis of a single print job. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , the printer  20  acquires a print job from the client device  10  (S 1001 ), and analyzes the acquired print job (S 1002 ). For example, the printer  20  may acquire information, such as the presence/absence of bookbinding designation of the print job, the attributes (cover, presence/absence of Z folding designation, printing size, and the like) of each page printed on the basis of the print job, and RIP data of each page. The printer  20  may create a print job table described below representing the processing state of the print job on the basis of the analysis result in S 1002  and may store the print job table in the memory  202  of the printer  20 . 
       FIG. 10  shows an example of a print job table. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the print job table stores a print job ID for identifying a print job, page attributes for each page to be printed by the print job, an output destination, and a processing completion flag in association with each other. For example, the output destination is information representing a device and a tray in which pages are discharged, and the processing completion flag is information representing whether or not to output a page. The processing completion flag is unprocessed (F) by default, and is changed to processed (T) when the processing is performed. 
     When no bookbinding is designated in the print job (S 1003 : N), the printer  20  performs normal printing (S 1004 ) and ends the process. When bookbinding is designated in the print job (S 1003 : Y), the printer  20  performs the following process. 
     The printer  20  selects a page Pi (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) which is printed on the basis of the print job (S 1005 ), and when Pi is to be post-processed (S 1006 : Y), Pi is printed (S 1007 ), and the printed Pi is transported to the post-processing device  40 . The determination on whether or not Pi is to be post-processed may be made by determining whether or not the size of Pi is larger than preset size (if larger, Pi is to be post-processed). 
     After the transported Pi is folded (S 1008 ), the post-processing device  40  discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When the processing result in S 1008  is not a normal end (S 1009 : N), the post-processing device  40  returns to S 1007 . When the processing result in S 1008  is a normal end (S 1009 : Y), for example, the post-processing device  40  updates a processing completion flag of Pi in the print job table shown in  FIG. 10  to processed (T) (S 1010 ). 
     When Pi is not to be post-processed (S 1006 : N), or after S 1010 , the printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page to Pi (that is, whether or not i=K) (S 1011 ), when there is a next page (S 1011 : Y), increments i (S 1012 ), returns to S 1006 , and repeats the process after S 1006 . In S 1011 , when there is no next page (S 1011 : N), an instruction to move a folded sheet bundle discharged into the post-processing output tray  410  of the post-processing device  40  to the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  is given to the user, and the processing of the print job is paused. After the folded sheet bundle is disposed in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  by the user, if an input to restart the process is received from the user, the printer  20  restarts the processing of the print job and progresses to the flow of  FIG. 12 . As will be apparent from the flow shown in  FIG. 11 , printing and post-processing of all of the post-processing necessary pages are performed before printing of the post-processing unnecessary pages. 
     As shown in  FIG. 12 , the printer  20  references the print job table (S 2001 ), and selects the page Pi (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) on the basis of the print job (S 2002 ). 
     When Pi in the print job table is not printed (S 2003 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 2004 ), and transports the printed to the bookbinding device  30  (S 2005 ). For example, if Pi is a cover, Pi may be transported to the tray  308  for a cover of the bookbinding device  30 , and if Pi is a folding unnecessary page, Pi may be transported to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30 . When the processing result in S 2004  and S 2005  is not a normal end (S 2006 : N), the printer  20  returns to S 2004 , and performs the processing until the processing result becomes a normal end (S 2006 : Y). 
     Next, when Pi in the print job table is printed (S 2003 : Y), the printer  20  loads the sheets accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  one by one (S 2007 ), and transports the loaded sheet to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30  (S 2008 ). When the processing result in S 2007  and S 2008  is not a normal end (S 2009 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 2010 ), and transports the printed Pi to the post-processing device  40 . The post-processing device  40  folds the transported Pi (S 2011 ), and then discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When Pi is not insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  (S 2012 : N), the printer  20  stands by. When Pi is insertable (S 2012 : Y), the printer  20  returns to S 2007 . In S 2012 , the determination on whether or not Pi is insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  may be made on the basis of an input from the user when the user receives an inquiry through the operation panel unit  214  of the printer  20 , or may be made on the basis of the detection result of a sensor which is provided to detect the placement of a sheet in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 . 
     When the processing result in S 2004  and S 2005  is a normal end (S 2006 : Y), or when the processing result in S 2007  and S 2008  is a normal end (S 2009 : Y), printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page of Pi (that is, whether or not 1=K) (S 2013 ), when there is a next page (S 2013 : Y), increments i (S 2014 ), returns to S 2003 , and repeats the process after S 2003 . In S 2013 , when there is no next page (S 2013 : N), bookbinding is performed on the sheets accumulated in the bookbinding device  30  (S 2015 ), and the process ends. 
     Next, the flow of bookbinding according to a second example in the bookbinding system  1  will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The second example illustrates an example where processing for bookbinding one volume, specifically, printing of post-processing necessary pages and post-processing are treated as one print job, and printing of post-processing unnecessary pages and bookbinding are treated as another print job. 
     As shown in  FIG. 13 , the printer  20  acquires a first print job from the client device  10  (S 3001 ), and analyzes the acquired first print job (S 3002 ). For example, the printer  20  may acquire information, such as the presence/absence of bookbinding designation of the print job, the attributes (cover, presence/absence of Z folding designation, printing size, and the like) of each page printed on the basis of the print job, and RIP data of each page. 
     When no bookbinding is designated in the first print job (S 3003 : N), the printer  20  performs normal printing (S 3004 ) and ends the process. When bookbinding is designated in the first print job (S 3003 : Y), the printer  20  performs the following process. 
     The printer  20  selects a page Pi (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) which is printed on the basis of the first print job (S 3005 ). When Pi is to be post-processed (S 3006 : Y), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 3007 ), and transports the printed Pi to the post-processing device  40 . 
     The post-processing device  40  folds the transported Pi (S 3008 ), and then discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When the processing result in S 3008  is not a normal end (S 3009 : N), the post-processing device  40  returns to S 3007 . 
     When Pi is not to be post-processed (S 3006 : N), or when the processing result in S 3008  is a normal end (S 3009 : Y), the printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page to Pi (that is, whether or not i=K) (S 3010 ), when there is a next page (S 3010 : Y), increments i (S 3012 ), returns to S 3006 , and repeats the process after S 3006 . In S 3010 , when there is no next page (S 3011 : N), a second print job is generated on the basis of the first print job (S 3012 ). The second print job may be data in which the first print job is given an attribute indicating that the processing of the post-processing necessary pages ends. If the second print job is generated, the printer  20  ends the processing of the first print job (S 3013 ). As will be apparent from the flow shown in  FIG. 13 , printing of all post-processing necessary pages and post-processing are performed before printing of the post-processing unnecessary pages. Hereinafter, processing after a folded sheet bundle discharged to the post-processing output tray  410  of the post-processing device  40  on the basis of the first print job is placed in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  by the user will be described. 
     Next, as shown in  FIG. 14 , if an instruction to process the second print job is received from the client device  10 , the printer  20  acquires the second print job (S 4001 ), and selects the page P (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) which is printed on the basis of the second print job (S 4002 ). 
     When Pi is not printed (that is, post-processing necessary page) (S 4003 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 4004 ), and transports the printed Pi to the bookbinding device  30  (S 4005 ). For example, if Pi is a cover, Pi may be transported to the tray  308  for a cover of the bookbinding device  30 . If Pi is a folding unnecessary page, Pi may be transported to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30 . When the processing result in S 4004  and S 4005  is not a normal end (S 4006 : N), the printer  20  returns to S 4004 , and performs the processing until the processing result becomes a normal end (S 4006 : Y). 
     Next, when Pi is printed (that is, post-processing necessary page) (S 4003 : Y), the printer  20  loads the sheets accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  one by one (S 4007 ), and transports the loaded sheet to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30  (S 4008 ). When the processing result in S 4007  and S 4008  is not a normal end (S 4009 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 4010 ), and transports the printed Pi to the post-processing device  40 . The post-processing device  40  folds the transported Pi (S 4011 ), and discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When Pi is not insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  (S 4012 : N), the printer  20  stands by. When Pi is insertable (S 4012 : Y), the printer  20  returns to S 4007 . In S 4012 , the determination on whether or not Pi is insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  may be made on the basis of an input from the user when the user receives an inquiry through the operation panel unit  214  of the printer  20 , or may be made on the basis of the detection result of a sensor which is provided to detect the placement of a sheet in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 . 
     When the processing result in S 4004  and S 4005  is a normal end (S 4006 : Y), or when the processing result in S 4007  and S 4008  is a normal end (S 4009 : Y), the printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page to Pi (that is, whether or not i=K) (S 4013 ), when there is a next page (S 4013 : Y), increments i (S 4014 ), returns to S 4003 , and repeats the process after S 4003 . In S 4013 , when there is no next page (S 4013 : N), bookbinding is performed on the sheets accumulated in the bookbinding device  30  (S 4015 ), and the process ends. 
     Next, the flow of bookbinding according to a third example in the bookbinding system  1  will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . In the third example, it is assumed that an instruction to bind multiple volumes is included in a print job. The third example relates to processing for binding N volumes, specifically, processing in which printing of post-processing necessary pages, post-processing, printing of post-processing unnecessary pages, and bookbinding are performed on the basis of a single print job. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the printer  20  acquires a print job (including an instruction to output N volumes) from the client device  10  (S 5001 ), and analyzes the acquired print job (S 5002 ). For example, the printer  20  may acquire information, such as the presence/absence of bookbinding designation of the print job, the attribute (cover, presence/absence of Z folding designation, printing size, and the like) of each page printed on the basis of the print job, or RIP data of each page. The printer  20  may create a print job table representing the processing state of the print job shown in  FIG. 10  on the basis of the analysis result in S 5002 , and may store the print job table in the memory  202  of the printer  20 . 
     When no bookbinding is designated in the print job (S 5003 : N), the printer  20  executes normal printing (S 5004 ), and ends the process. When bookbinding is designated in the print job (S 5003 : Y), the printer  20  executes the following processing. 
     The printer  20  selects a page Pi (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) which is printed on the basis of the print job (S 5005 ). When Pi is to be post-processed (S 5006 : Y), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 5007 ), and transports the printed Pi to the post-processing device  40 . 
     The post-processing device  40  folds the transported Pi (S 5008 ), and discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When the processing result in S 5008  is not a normal end (S 5009 : N), the post-processing device  40  returns to S 5007 . When the processing result in S 5008  is a normal end (S 5009 : Y), for example, the processing completion flag of Pi in the print job table shown in  FIG. 10  is updated to processed (T) (S 5010 ). 
     When Pi is not to be post-processed (S 5006 : N), or after S 5010 , the printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page to Pi (that is, whether or not i=K) (S 5011 ), when there is a next page (S 5011 : Y), increments i (S 5012 ), returns to S 5006 , and repeats the process after S 5006 . In S 5011 , when there is no next page (S 5011 : N), it is determined whether or not N volumes are printed (S 5013 ). When N volumes are not printed (S 5013 : N), an identification sheet of size different from the post-processed sheet is inserted on the post-processed sheet output to the post-processing output tray  410  (S 5014 ). When N volumes are printed (S 5013 : Y), an instruction to move N volumes of folded sheet bundles discharged to the post-processing output tray  410  of the post-processing device  40  to the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  is given to the user, and the processing of the print job is paused. After N volumes of folded sheet bundles are disposed in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  by the user, if an input to restart the processing is received from the user, the printer  20  restarts the processing of the print job, and progresses to the flow of  FIG. 16 . As will be apparent from the flow shown in  FIG. 15 , before printing of the post-processing necessary pages, N volumes are output to the post-processing output tray  410  in a state where the post-processed sheets are collected for each volume of bookbinding. 
     As shown in  FIG. 16 , the printer  20  references the print job table (S 6001 ), and selects the page Pi (where i is an integer of 1 to K, and the initial value of i is 1) (S 6002 ). 
     When Pi in the print job table is not printed (S 6003 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 6004 ), and transports the printed Pi to the bookbinding device  30  (S 6005 ). For example, if Pi is a cover, Pi may be transported to the tray  308  for a cover of the bookbinding device  30 . When Pi is a folding unnecessary page, Pi may be transported to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30 . When the processing result in S 6004  and S 6005  is not a normal end (S 6006 : N), the printer  20  returns to S 6004 , and performs the processing until the processing result becomes a normal end (S 6006 : Y). 
     Next, when Pi in the print job table is printed (S 6003 : Y), the printer  20  loads the sheets accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  one by one (S 6007 ), and transports the loaded sheet to the accumulation tray  310  of the bookbinding device  30  (S 6008 ). When the processing result in S 6007  and S 6008  is not a normal end (S 6009 : N), the printer  20  prints Pi (S 6010 ), and transports the printed Pi to the post-processing device  40 . The post-processing device  40  folds the transported Pi (S 6011 ), and then discharges the folded Pi to the post-processing output tray  410 . When Pi is not insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  of the sheet feeding device  50  (S 6012 : N), the printer  20  stands by. When Pi is insertable (S 6012 : Y), the printer  20  returns to S 6007 . In S 6012 , the determination on whether or not Pi is insertable from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  may be made on the basis of an input from the user when the user receives an inquiry through the operation panel unit  214  of the printer  20 , or may be made on the basis of the detection result of a sensor which is provided to detect the placement of a sheet in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 . 
     When the processing result in S 6004  and S 6005  is a normal end (S 6006 : Y), or when the processing result in S 6007  and S 6008  is a normal end (S 6009 : Y), the printer  20  determines whether or not there is a next page to Pi (that is, whether or not i=K) (S 6013 ), when there is a next page (S 6013 : Y), increments i (S 6014 ), returns to S 6003 , and repeats the process after S 6003 . In S 6013 , when there is no next page (S 6013 : N), bookbinding is performed on the sheets accumulated in the bookbinding device  30  (S 6015 ). 
     When N volumes are not bound (S 6016 : N), after one identification sheet is removed from the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506  (S 6017 ), the printer  20  returns to S 6002 , and repeats the process after S 6002 . In S 6016 , when N volumes are bound (S 6016 : Y), the process ends. 
     In Example 3, since an identification sheet is inserted for each volume accumulated in the post-processed sheet insertion tray  506 , when the identification sheet is erroneously transported to the bookbinding device instead of the post-processed sheets, in S 6009 , an error occurs and bookbinding is paused, thereby preventing a book of erroneous content from being generated since a volume break is deviated. Of course, in the third example, bookbinding of multiple volumes may be performed without inserting an identification sheet. 
     The invention is not limited to the foregoing exemplary embodiment. For example, although in the foregoing exemplary embodiment, an example where the transport paths are connected in order of the printer  20 , the sheet feeding device  50 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the post-processing device  40  has been described, the transport paths may be connected in order of the printer  20 , the post-processing device  40 , the sheet feeding device  50 , and the bookbinding device  30 , or other devices (a punching device, a stapling device, a trimming device, and the like) may be connected between or before and after the printer  20 , the sheet feeding device  50 , the bookbinding device  30 , and the post-processing device  40 . 
     In the foregoing exemplary embodiment, the number of sheets to be transported from the sheet feeding device  50  may be counted, and when the number of sheets to be transported does not match the number of post-processing necessary pages in print data, control is performed so as not to execute bookbinding. 
     Although in this exemplary embodiment, an example where the invention is applied to when post-processing is Z folding has been described, the invention may be applied similarly to other kinds of processing in which a sheet after post-processing is unable to be transported directly to the bookbinding device  30 . 
     The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with the various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents.