Recording apparatus

Claim 2

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium in accordance with an inputted image signal; fixing means for fixing said visible image on said recording medium with a heating element which is heated upon conduction of electric power; and control means for controlling the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with said inputted image signal.

Claim 3

A recording apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein said control means controls the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with an input of said image signal.

Claim 4

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 and 2, wherein said control means stops the conduction of electric power to said heating element if said image signal is not inputted for a predetermined time.

Claim 5

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising detection means for detecting said recording medium at the transport path of said recording medium and at the upstream of said fixing means, wherein the conduction of electric power to said heating element starts in response to a detection output of said recording medium by said detection means.

Claim 6

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein said fixing means includes pressure means for making said recording medium in pressure contact with said heating element with a heat-resistive sheet interposed therebetween.

Claim 7

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium by using visualizing substance; fixing means for fixing said visible image on said recording medium with a heating element which is heated upon conduction of electric power; means for determining a presence/absence of said visible image on said recording medium; and control means for controlling the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with a determination result by said determining means.

Claim 8

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium by using visualizing substance; fixing means for fixing said visible image on said recording medium with a heating element which is heated upon conduction of electric power; means for determining a presence/absence of said visible image on said recording medium; and control means for controlling the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with a determination result by said determining means.

Claim 9

A recording apparatus according to Claim 6, wherein said image forming means forms said visual image on said recording medium in accordance with an inputted image signal, and said determining means determines a presence/absence of said visual image in accordance with a presence/absence of an image signal during a predetermined time.

Claim 10

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 6 and 7, wherein said control means carries out the conduction of electric power to said heating element if said determining means determined that said visual image is present, and does not carry out the conduction of electric power to said heating element if said determining means determines that said visual image is not present.

Claim 11

A recording apparatus according to Claim 8, further comprising detection means for detecting said recording medium at the transport path of said recording medium and at the upstream of said fixing means wherein the conduction of electric power to said heating element starts in response to a detection output of said recording medium by said detection means.

Claim 12

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 6 to 9, wherein said fixing means includes pressure means for making said recording medium in pressure contact with said heating element with a heat-resistive sheet interposed therebetween.

Claim 13

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium in accordance with an inputted image signal; fixing means for fixing said visible image on said recording medium with a heating element which is heated upon conduction of electric power; determining means for determining an area where said visible image is present in accordance with said inputted image signal; storage means for storing data regarding said area determined by said determining means that said visible image is present in said area; and control means for controlling the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with said data stored in said storage means.

Claim 14

A recording apparatus comprising: image forming means for forming a visible image on a recording medium in accordance with an inputted image signal; fixing means for fixing said visible image on said recording medium with a heating element which is heated upon conduction of electric power; determining means for determining an area where said visible image is present in accordance with said inputted image signal; storage means for storing data regarding said area determined by said determining means that said visible image is present in said area; and control means for controlling the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with said data stored in said storage means.

Claim 15

A recording apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein said control means controls to turn on and off the conduction of electric power to said heating element in accordance with said data.

Claim 16

A recording apparatus according to Claim 12, further comprising detection means for detecting said recording medium at the transport path of said recording medium and at the upstream of said fixing means, wherein the conduction of electric power to said heating element is turned on in response to a detection output of said recording medium by said detection means and said data.

Claim 17

A recording apparatus according to any one of Claims 11 to 13, wherein said fixing means includes pressure means for making said recording medium in pressure contact with said heating elelment with a heat-­resistive sheet interposed therebetween.