In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a sheet discharge port through which the sheet is discharged; a sheet conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge port; a movable sheet guide, arranged in such a manner that an imaginary line connecting a portion contacting the sheet of the sheet conveyance roller with the sheet discharge port passes through a cross-sectional area, configured to be capable of moving in a direction away from a surface of the sheet; and a guide sensor configured to detect movement of the movable sheet guide.

In accordance with an embodiment, an image forming apparatus comprises an image forming section configured to form an image on a sheet; a sheet discharge port through which the sheet is discharged; a sheet conveyance roller configured to convey the sheet to the sheet discharge port; a movable sheet guide, arranged in such a manner that an imaginary line connecting a portion contacting the sheet of the sheet conveyance roller with the sheet discharge port passes through a cross-sectional area, configured to be capable of moving in a direction away from a surface of the sheet; and a guide sensor configured to detect movement of the movable sheet guide.

An image processing apparatus that prevents erroneous use of paper by enabling registration of user identification of a user who can use a paper feed deck in information about each paper feed deck of the image processing apparatus and controlling paper feeding so that just the user associated with the user identification can use a paper feed deck to which the user identification was added.

An image processing apparatus that prevents erroneous use of paper by enabling registration of user identification of a user who can use a paper feed deck in information about each paper feed deck of the image processing apparatus and controlling paper feeding so that just the user associated with the user identification can use a paper feed deck to which the user identification was added.

A method for franking mail items fed to a franking machine. The mail items are drawn from the underside of a stack for separation or are fed individually on a conveying section upstream of the franking machine to a printing unit for franking, after franking, are discharged in the opposite direction from the printing unit. The mail items are fed via a diverter section to the conveying section, after franking, are conveyed via the diverter section which is switched over to change the conveying direction into a depositing apparatus below the diverter section. The mail items are guided in the opening region of the franking machine into the printing position and are returned out of the printing position. The printing position of a mail item fed to the printing unit is determined by a print head movement-controlled from a readiness position pursuant to the format length of the mail item.

An object of the present invention is to improve throughput of continuous printing in an image printing apparatus having a cutting device that needs to be returned to a standby position for a next cutting operation. One embodiment of the present invention is an image printing apparatus having a printing unit, a conveyance unit capable of conveying a printing medium in a conveyance direction or in a returning direction opposite to the conveyance direction; and a cutting unit provided at a cutting position on a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing unit and configured to cut the printing medium by moving in a first direction and return to a cutting standby position for a next cutting operation by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

An object of the present invention is to improve throughput of continuous printing in an image printing apparatus having a cutting device that needs to be returned to a standby position for a next cutting operation. One embodiment of the present invention is an image printing apparatus having a printing unit, a conveyance unit capable of conveying a printing medium in a conveyance direction or in a returning direction opposite to the conveyance direction; and a cutting unit provided at a cutting position on a downstream side in the conveyance direction of the printing unit and configured to cut the printing medium by moving in a first direction and return to a cutting standby position for a next cutting operation by moving in a second direction opposite to the first direction.

A timing specifying device includes count processing circuitry to count an input reference clock; and timing control circuitry configured to set a parameter having an integer part and a fractional part in the count processing circuitry. The count processing circuitry counts the reference clock, outputs a timing signal indicating that a time corresponding to an integer value has passed, and counts a value corresponding to the fractional part at a timing at which the timing signal is output. The integer value is a value indicated by the integer part. The count processing circuitry stops counting of the reference clock when a value obtained by counting the value corresponding to the fractional part carries over from a fraction.

A timing specifying device includes count processing circuitry to count an input reference clock; and timing control circuitry configured to set a parameter having an integer part and a fractional part in the count processing circuitry. The count processing circuitry counts the reference clock, outputs a timing signal indicating that a time corresponding to an integer value has passed, and counts a value corresponding to the fractional part at a timing at which the timing signal is output. The integer value is a value indicated by the integer part. The count processing circuitry stops counting of the reference clock when a value obtained by counting the value corresponding to the fractional part carries over from a fraction.

A sheet processing apparatus laminates a partially joined two-ply sheet and a sheet medium inserted in the two-ply sheet. The sheet processing apparatus includes a heat presser, an information acquisition device, and control circuitry. The heat presser heats and presses the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The information acquisition device acquires information on the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium. The control circuitry sets a fixing temperature of the heat presser in accordance with the information of the two-ply sheet and the sheet medium acquired by the information acquisition device.