JP2012166465A - Printing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform the optimum charging calculation according to an output of a printed matter in a tandem printing system constituted of a plurality of interlocking image forming apparatuses.SOLUTION: In the printing system, a paper discharge part of a first image forming apparatus using a first recording agent is connected to a paper supply part of a second image forming apparatus using a second recording agent, and a final stage output part is connected to a paper discharge part of the second image forming apparatus. The printing system obtains a count value of the counted number of printed sheets printed and output by the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus, and a count value of the counted number of printed sheets output to the final stage output part, compares each of the count values to obtain the charging rate for the first and second image forming apparatuses by the comparison result, and calculates a charging amount using the charging rate and the count values obtained by a count value obtaining means.

Description

  The present invention relates to a printing system, and more particularly to a printing system including two image forming apparatuses.

  In recent years, there has been proposed an image processing apparatus that performs printing using a transparent toner (clear toner), which is a kind of special color recording agent.

  The entire coat that prints clear toner on the entire printable area of the printing paper is printed with clear toner on the entire surface of the paper after printing with colored toners such as CMYK toner. Glossiness can be given to the entire surface of the paper.

  In addition, the partial coat printed with the clear toner on the designated area of the printable area of the printing paper should be partially printed with the clear toner on the paper after printing with the colored toner. Thus, it is possible to provide a glossiness and a decorative effect partially to the paper.

  When printing is performed using such clear toner, various expressions can be made, and the added value of the printed output is improved.

  In order to execute printing using the clear toner, a mechanism for fixing the color toner image and the clear toner image to the paper by one fixing after transferring the toner such as CMYK as the color toner and the clear toner to the paper. It is incorporated in an image processing apparatus. As a result, an output product using clear toner is created.

  However, a problem occurs when a configuration for performing printing using clear toner is added. For example, a problem relating to the toner loading amount occurs. More specifically, in the image processing apparatus, the amount of toner that can be fixed by fixing once per unit area of the printing target paper is limited (loading amount limitation). Therefore, in an area where CMYK toner is frequently used, there is a problem that the clear toner cannot be used sufficiently in order to suppress the toner amount within the applied amount limit.

  Therefore, it has been proposed to connect an image processing apparatus that performs printing using colored toner and an image processing apparatus that performs printing using clear toner, and to construct an image processing system that creates an output product using clear toner ( Patent Document 1). For example, for a user who uses clear toner, an image processing apparatus that performs transfer and fixing using colored toner and performs printing (an apparatus in the previous stage) and an image processing apparatus that performs transfer and fixing using clear toner and performs printing ( There is provided an image processing system to which a subsequent apparatus is connected. With such a configuration, it is possible to sufficiently use both CMYK toner and clear toner for the print target.

  Patent Document 2 describes a charging method in a printing system capable of parallel processing. In this accounting method, a plurality of sensors are provided in a path passing through the paper of each printed matter, and count values from the sensors are totaled according to the operation mode. This makes it possible to calculate a charge for each process when a plurality of processes are executed in parallel.

JP 2008-145595 A JP 2006-78747 A

  A case is assumed in which charging is performed for an image processing system in which the two image forming apparatuses described in the background are connected using the technique of Patent Document 2 described above.

  In this case, it is possible to take out the printing paper and insert the printing paper into the system from the connection portion between the preceding image forming apparatus and the succeeding image forming apparatus. Therefore, the final printing of this printing system may be different from the printed matter output from the preceding image forming apparatus.

  Therefore, in the conventional charging method, if only the CMYK color toner printing is performed with the previous image forming apparatus and the user takes out the printed matter from the connection portion, the printed matter is not output to the final stage, and thus the charging count cannot be performed. There are challenges.

  Further, in a printing system composed of a plurality of image forming apparatuses as in the present case, if the recording agent used for printing is different in each image forming apparatus and the charging contents in each apparatus are different, appropriate charging processing is executed. I can't.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention connects a paper discharge unit of a first image forming apparatus using a first recording agent and a paper supply unit of a second image forming apparatus using a second recording agent. A first count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed by the first image forming apparatus in a printing system in which a final output unit is connected to the paper discharge unit of the second image forming apparatus; Acquisition of a count value for acquiring a second count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed out by the second image forming apparatus and a third count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets output to the final stage output unit Means, comparing means for comparing the first count value, the second count value and the third count value acquired by the count value acquiring means, and the first image based on the comparison result acquired by the comparing means. Forming apparatus and second image A billing ratio obtaining unit for obtaining a billing ratio in the generating apparatus, a billing process for calculating a billing amount using the billing ratio obtained by the billing ratio obtaining unit and the count value obtained by the count value obtaining unit Means.

  According to the present invention, in a printing system including a plurality of interlocking image forming apparatuses, it is possible to perform optimal billing calculation according to the output of a printed matter.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a figure explaining the data processing part which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a processing flowchart of the accounting process which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement flow of the accounting which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the image forming system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

<Example 1>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of a printing system for realizing the present invention will be described.

[Printing system]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and a printing system including the apparatus.

  The printing system 100 includes an image forming apparatus 101, an image forming apparatus 102, a buffer unit 104, and a final stage output unit 105. In the printing system 100, the image forming apparatus 101 is a front stage and the image forming apparatus 102 is a rear stage.

  As shown in FIG. 1, first, a sheet is fed to the image forming apparatus 101. The printed matter discharged from the image forming apparatus 101 is fed to the image forming apparatus 102 via the buffer unit 104. Then, the printed matter output from the image forming apparatus 102 is fed to the final stage output unit 105. When the final printed matter is discharged from the final-stage output unit 105, the user can obtain the printed matter. The final stage output unit is a finisher, and the final stage output unit may be included in the image forming apparatus 102 connected to the last stage among the connected image forming apparatuses.

  Specifically, a paper discharge unit of the image forming apparatus 101 and a paper feed unit of the image forming apparatus 102 are connected. Then, the image forming apparatus 102 feeds the printed material output after the toner is transferred and fixed by the image forming apparatus 101 and is discharged from the paper discharge unit, from the paper supply unit, and forms an image on the paper. It is connected.

  The image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 are connected to an external network via the network 103, respectively. Control between the image forming apparatuses is possible via the network 103. For example, image data to be printed is transmitted and received. Further, the image forming apparatus 101 or the image forming apparatus 102 can receive a control signal from the outside via the network 103 and operate based on the control signal.

  Each of the image forming apparatuses 101 and 102 is an apparatus capable of forming an image on a document sheet by printing processing. For example, after the image forming apparatus 101 forms a CMYK color print on the paper and prints the output, the image forming apparatus 102 applies clear toner to the print paper that is printed by the image forming apparatus 101. Print to overlap.

  Note that after the CMYK color printed material is formed by the image forming apparatus 101, the subsequent image forming apparatus 102 can output the printed material to the outside of the printing system 100 without performing a printing process.

  In addition, the image forming apparatus 101 does not form a printed matter on a sheet, and only the image forming apparatus 102 can perform a printing process and output it.

  Further, it is also possible to feed the printed material directly to the buffer unit 104 provided between the image forming apparatuses 101 and 102. In this case, a sheet different from the printed matter output from the image forming apparatus 101 can be fed to the buffer unit 104.

  It is also possible to insert a printed material from another insertion port prepared in the image forming apparatus 102.

  The image forming apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 102, and the final output unit 105 include counters 209 to 211 that count the number of printed output products, respectively. The counters 209 to 211 record the number of processed sheets in each apparatus as a count value for the printed matter corresponding to the print job.

[Image forming apparatus]
Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatuses 101 and 102 will be described. The image forming apparatuses 101 and 102 output different recording materials. In the first exemplary embodiment, the recording agent used in the image forming apparatus 101 is a colored toner such as CMYK toner, and printing is performed using these. The recording agent used in the image forming apparatus 102 performs printing using clear toner. In addition to the clear toner, other transparent recording agents such as light toner, special color toner such as red and green, and transparent ink may be used. The clear toner is a transparent recording agent having a feature of adding a transparent image. In addition, when clear toner is used, it is possible to express a glossy feeling and glossiness different from printing performed using only colored toner.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration that the image forming apparatuses 101 and 102 have in common.

  The data processing unit 201 executes various data processing related to the image forming apparatus. The data processing unit 201 includes a printer controller 203 and performs various controls on the printing unit 207 via the printer controller 203. Details of the data processing unit 201 will be described later.

  The display unit 202 displays a user interface that provides operation guidance for performing various processes to the user. The user can give an instruction displayed on the user interface as a print job via the operation unit 204.

  The image reading unit 205 includes a document table and an auto document feeder (ADF), and generates an image obtained by reading the document.

  The storage unit 206 records image data read by the image reading unit 205 and data from the network I / F 208. For example, it is composed of a recording medium such as an HDD.

  The printing unit 207 has a copying function of printing image data received via the network I / F 208 on a recording medium such as original paper, or printing image data read by the image reading unit 205. Various printing controls by the printing unit 207 are executed via the printer controller 203.

  The counter 209 counts the number of sheets processed in the printing unit 207 for each print job, and holds this as a count value. Note that the counting operation by the counter 209 is controlled by a billing processing unit 303 described later.

  Note that the counter 210 of the image forming apparatus 102 operates in the same manner as the counter 209 of the image forming apparatus 101.

[Data processing section]
Next, the configuration of the data processing unit 201 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of the data processing unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The data processing unit 201 includes a CPU 301, an image processing unit 302, a charging processing unit 303, and a charging memory 304. Each component is connected via a common bus.

  The CPU 301 controls other components according to the contents of the print job instructed from the operation unit 204. The control by the CPU 301 is executed based on a control program stored in advance in a read-only storage medium represented by the ROM for the CPU 301. The control program stored in the ROM is, for example, an OS (operating system) for performing time-sharing control in units of load modules called tasks according to the system clock. The control program includes a plurality of load modules that are executed and controlled in units of functions by the OS.

  The image processing unit 302 performs image processing optimal for the characteristics of the printing device and the engine on the image data received from the image reading unit 205 and the storage unit 206 based on the contents of the print job. The image data that has been subjected to image processing by the image processing unit 302 is transmitted to the printing unit 207 for printing processing. Alternatively, the image data image-processed by the image processing unit 302 is transmitted to another image forming apparatus connected on the network via the network I / F 208. Alternatively, the image data processed by the image processing unit 302 is transmitted to the storage unit 206 and stored in the image forming apparatus.

  The billing processing unit 303 performs billing processing. The charging processing unit 303 includes the contents of the print job relating to each image forming apparatus determined by the CPU 301, the count values of the counters 209 and 210 of each image forming apparatus in the printing system, and the counter 211 of the final stage output unit 105. And receive the count value.

[Billing processing section]
Next, a specific operation of the accounting processing unit 303 will be described. In the billing process, a billing ratio for executing a color mark or clear toner print job is performed from the contents of the print job input to each image forming apparatus. Then, it receives the count values from the counters 209 and 210 from each image forming apparatus and the count value of the counter 211 of the final stage output unit 105 of the printing system, and performs accounting calculation.

  In the printing system, first, a print job indicating print contents to be executed by each image forming apparatus is generated in accordance with a user instruction. Then, the CPU 301 determines the contents of the print job.

  For example, the image forming apparatus 101 performs color toner printing of CMYK, and the image forming apparatus 102 describes a print job that performs clear toner printing on a printed matter that has been printed by the image forming apparatus 101. . In this case, the accounting process in the printing system is performed by the data processing unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 101, and the accounting process is not performed by the data processing unit 201 of the image forming apparatus 102.

  First, the count values of the counters 209 to 211 are sent to the data processing unit 201 from the image forming apparatus 101, the image forming apparatus 102, and the final stage output unit 105. Each count value is transmitted / received via the network 103 in the printing system.

  The CPU 301 of the image forming apparatus 101 receives count values from the counters 209 to 211 when the print job is completed. The CPU 301 in the image forming apparatus 101 receives the print job and determines the content of the print job. Then, by determining the print job, the print contents processed by the image forming apparatus 101 and the print contents processed by the image forming apparatus 102 are discriminated.

  Next, the determination result of the print content and the counter value are transmitted to the billing processing unit 303 of the image forming apparatus 101. As described above, the billing processing unit 303 includes an acquisition unit and acquires a count value.

  The billing processing unit 303 reads the billing rate corresponding to the print contents of the image forming apparatus from the billing memory 304 and multiplies the counter value for the read billing rate to calculate the billing. As described above, the billing processing unit 303 includes a reading unit and reads the billing ratio.

  Here, the count value counted by the counter 209 of the image forming apparatus 101 is C1, the count value counted by the counter 210 of the image forming apparatus 102 is C2, and the count value counted by the counter 211 of the final stage output unit 105 is the count value. Specific processing will be described as C0.

  The charging processing unit 303 first determines whether or not the count values C0, C1, and C2 are all the same value.

  When the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are not the same value but different from each other, the charging processing unit 303 obtains the charging ratio K_D1 related to the image forming apparatus 101 and the charging ratio K_D2 related to the image forming apparatus 102 from the charging memory 304, respectively. read out. The charging ratios K_D1 and K_D2 are specifically the charging ratio for printing using CMYK toner and the charging ratio for printing using clear toner. These are preset by the user.

  On the other hand, when the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are the same, the charging processing unit 303 reads the charging ratio K_S1 related to the image forming apparatus 101 and the charging ratio K_S2 related to the image forming apparatus 102 from the charging memory 304, respectively. The charging ratios K_S1 and K_S2 are also set in advance by the user in the same manner as the above K_D1 and K_D.

Here, the charging ratios, K_D1 and K_S1, or K_D2 and K_S2, are different values, and K_D1> K_S1 and K_D2> K_S2.
As described above, the reason why the charge rate is lower when the count value is the same is that the charge when the job is completed using a device connected in the system is the same as the job using only a single device. This is because it is cheaper than the billing when the service is completed.

  Next, a billing calculation method will be specifically described. For example, consider a case where five originals are printed. In the case of C0 = C1 = C2, that is, the case where all of the five sheets are printed using the CMYK toner in the preceding image forming apparatus 101 and then the printing using the clear toner is performed in the subsequent image forming apparatus 102. . Charging of the printing system at this time = C1 × K_S1 + C2 × K_S2.

On the other hand, when C0, C1, and C2 are different, that is, among the five originals, four originals are printed using the CMYK toner in the former image forming apparatus 101, and the latter image forming apparatus 102 is printed. Printing is performed using clear toner. However, one original is printed only by the former image forming apparatus 101, and is not printed by the latter image forming apparatus 102. Assume that five printed materials are output to the final output unit. That is, consider the case where C0 = C1 = 5 and C2 = 4. In this case, charging for printing in the preceding image forming apparatus = (K_S1 × C2) + K_D1 × (C1-C2). Then, charging for printing in the subsequent image forming apparatus = K_S2 × C2. Therefore, charging for the entire printing in this case = (K_S1 × C2) + K_D1 × (C1−C2) + K_S2 × C2
It becomes.

  Of the five originals, five originals are printed using the CMYK toner in the preceding image forming apparatus 101, and only four originals are used in the subsequent image forming apparatus 102 using the clear toner. Printing is performed. Assume that four printed materials are output to the final output unit. At this time, since C0 ≠ C1, one original is printed only by the image forming apparatus 101 at the preceding stage, and is pulled out of the connection unit without being fed to the image forming apparatus 102. Recognize.

  Also, C0 = C2 = 4 and C1 = 5. In this case, charging for printing in the preceding image forming apparatus = (K_S1 × C2) + K_D1 × (C1-C2). Then, charging for printing in the subsequent image forming apparatus = K_S2 × C2. Therefore, charging for the entire printing in this case = (K_S1 × C2) + K_D1 × (C1−C2) + K_S2 × C2.

  That is, if the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are the same, the CPU 301 determines that the print job is a print job that is used by both the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 in this printing system.

  On the other hand, when the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are different, the CPU 301 determines that a part of the image forming apparatus of the printing system is used for the print job. The charging ratio is changed between a job that prints using all the connected image forming apparatuses and a job that prints using a single image forming apparatus.

  As described above, the charge of the printing system is a charge amount that is a total value obtained by multiplying the charge ratio of each image forming apparatus for each count value.

  A feature of the present invention is that not only the count value of only the counter 211 of the final stage output unit but also the count values from the counters 209 and 210 from the respective image forming apparatuses are compared, and the print processed by each image forming apparatus is printed. Refer to the count value of the number of sheets.

When the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are different, the charge ratio is the same as that when the count values of C0, C1, and C2 are the same because of print processing that operates some image forming apparatuses in the printing system. Set to a different value.
[Billing process sequence]
A processing flow of charging processing in the printing system will be described. A flowchart showing the processing flow is shown in FIG.

  First, a print job input to the printing system is received (step 401).

  Next, the print contents assigned to each image forming apparatus are determined from the print job (step 402). Here, for example, each image forming apparatus determines the contents of printing such as CMYK colored printing or clear toner printing.

  Next, the count value data of the printed matter printed out by each image forming apparatus is received. A print output count value after all the print jobs have been printed is received (step 403).

  When the count value of the final stage output unit of the printing system is received, it is confirmed whether the count values of all the image forming apparatuses have been received (step 404). When all the count values are received, the process proceeds to the next step 405.

  Next, the count value of the final stage output unit is compared with the count value from each image forming apparatus (step 405).

  Based on the determined print contents and the comparison result of the count value, the corresponding charging ratio is read from the charging memory 304 (step 406).

  The charging of the printing system is calculated from each count value and the charging ratio (step 407). The charging calculation method follows the above-described charging calculation method.

  Finally, the calculated charge is requested to the user, and the print job of the printing system is terminated (step 408).

  It is possible to calculate a charge when a print job is executed in conjunction with two or more image forming apparatuses in the printing system.

  As described above, in the present printing system in which two image forming apparatuses are connected, accounting calculation based on the contents of print processing in the image forming apparatus corresponding to the print job can be performed.

  In this printing system, when executing a print job related to a printing mode set in advance for printing, such as control of the amount of recording agent, a charging ratio corresponding to the preset printing mode may be set. Is possible. For example, in the toner saving mode, the charging rate can be set low.

<Example 2>
Hereinafter, Example 2 of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  The apparatus configuration for realizing the present embodiment takes the form shown in FIG. Here, the description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

[Printing system]
In the second embodiment, a case where a user performs printing using only the image forming apparatus 102 or a case where printing is performed using only the image forming apparatus 101 will be described. In this embodiment, a buffer unit 104 provided between the image forming apparatus 101 and the image forming apparatus 102 is used.

  For example, a case where the user executes only CMYK printing using this printing system can be considered.

  In this case, the user causes the printing system 100 to execute a job only for printing using CMYK toner. Then, after printing using CMYK toner is executed in the image forming apparatus 101 of the printing system 100, the printed matter is output to the buffer unit 104.

  At this time, the image forming apparatus 102 can also feed the printed material from the buffer unit 104 and transport the printed material to the final output unit 105 for final output. Alternatively, the printed material stored in the buffer unit 104 can be used as the final output without using the image forming apparatus 102.

  The user can select whether the final output stage of the printed material is the final stage output unit 105 or the buffer unit 104 via the operation unit 204.

[Count of printed matter]
When the buffer unit 104 is selected as the final output stage, the count value of the counter 209 in the image forming apparatus 101 is counted as the final count value of the printed matter.

  The count value counted by the counter 209 of the image forming apparatus 101 is C1, the count value counted by the counter 210 of the image forming apparatus 102 is C2, and the count value counted by the counter 211 of the final stage output unit 105 is C0. . Assume that the charging rate for printing execution by the image forming apparatus 101 alone is K_1, and the charging ratio for printing execution by the image forming apparatus 102 alone is K_2.

  In this case, charging = C1 × K_1.

Further, when the final stage output unit 105 is selected by the user as the final output stage, the count values of the counter 211 in the image forming apparatus 102 and the final stage output unit 105 are determined as the final count number of the printed matter. In this case, C0 and C2 have the same count value, and charging is charging of the printing system = C2 × K_2.
If the selected final output stage is different for the same printing, the charging ratio changes. This is to prevent the paper in the printing flow from being pulled out from the buffer unit in order to illegally lower the charge. As described above, when printing is performed using the present printing system, the charging rate is changed to indicate that it is not recommended to pull out the paper from the buffer unit.

Embodiment flow
Next, a charging process flow in the printing system according to the second embodiment will be described. A flowchart showing the processing flow is shown in FIG.

  First, a print job input to the printing system is received (step 501).

  Next, the final output stage of the printed matter for the print job selected by the user is determined (step 502). Note that the selection of the final output stage by the user is executed via the operation unit 204. However, an output stage capable of executing the printing content corresponding to the image forming apparatus must be selected. For example, when only the printing using clear toner is executed in the subsequent image forming apparatus 102, the buffer unit 104 is not included in the selection of the final output stage. In this case, clear toner printing is executed by the image forming apparatus 102, and the final stage output unit 105 is selected as the final output stage.

  Next, the instructed print job is executed in the printing system (step 503).

  A print job is executed, the image forming apparatus executes print output in accordance with the contents of the instruction, and outputs a printed matter to the final output stage. At this time, the count data obtained by counting the number of printed materials is obtained as the print output (step 504).

  Next, a charging ratio is read from the charging memory 304 based on the count value of the final stage output unit and the print contents of the job of each image forming apparatus (step 505).

  The charging of the printing system is calculated from the count value and the corresponding charging ratio (step 506). The accounting calculation method follows the accounting calculation method described in the first embodiment.

  Finally, the calculated charge is requested to the user, and the print system print job is terminated (507).

  As a result, even when printing is performed using any of the image forming apparatuses in the printing system, it is possible to perform accounting calculation as the printing system. In the printing system, from the selection of the print job and the output stage of the printed matter, the printing process can be executed by the corresponding image forming apparatus, and the charge calculation is performed accordingly.

  FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the printing system of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of image forming apparatuses 601 to 603 can be provided. A plurality of buffer units 604 may be provided between the image forming apparatuses. Even in such a configuration, the present invention can be implemented by acquiring count values from the counters 609 to 611 included in the image forming apparatuses 601 to 603 and the counter 612 of the final stage output unit 605. That is, the present invention can be implemented even if two or more image forming apparatuses are provided.

(Other examples)
The present invention is also realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (5)

A paper discharge unit of the first image forming apparatus using the first recording agent and a paper supply unit of the second image forming apparatus using the second recording agent are connected, and the paper discharge unit of the second image forming apparatus is connected. In the printing system in which the final output unit is connected to the
A first count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed out by the first image forming apparatus;
A second count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed out by the second image forming apparatus;
Count value acquisition means for acquiring a third count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets output to the final stage output unit;
Comparison means for comparing the first count value, the second count value, and the third count value acquired by the count value acquisition means;
A charge ratio acquisition means for acquiring a charge ratio in the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus based on the comparison result acquired by the comparison means;
A printing system comprising: a charging ratio acquired by the charging ratio acquisition unit; and a charging processing unit that calculates a charging amount using the count value acquired by the count value acquisition unit.   The printing system according to claim 1, wherein the first image forming apparatus, the second image forming apparatus, and the final stage output unit include a counter that counts the number of printed sheets.   3. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a buffer unit for holding a printed material between a paper discharge unit of the first image forming apparatus and a paper supply unit of the second image forming apparatus. Printing system.   The printing system according to claim 3, wherein the user can take out the printed material in the buffer unit or insert the printed material. A paper discharge unit of the first image forming apparatus using the first recording agent and a paper supply unit of the second image forming apparatus using the second recording agent are connected, and the paper discharge unit of the second image forming apparatus is connected. In a method for controlling a printing system in which a final output unit is connected to a part,
A first count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed out by the first image forming apparatus;
A second count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets printed out by the second image forming apparatus;
A count value acquisition step of acquiring a third count value obtained by counting the number of printed sheets output to the final stage output unit;
A comparison step of comparing the first count value, the second count value, and the third count value acquired in the count value acquisition step;
A charging ratio acquisition step of acquiring a charging ratio in the first image forming apparatus and the second image forming apparatus based on the comparison result acquired in the comparing step;
A printing system control method comprising: a charging processing step of calculating a charging amount using the charging ratio acquired by the charging ratio acquisition step and the count value acquired by the count value acquisition means.

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