Patent ID: 6793305
Filing Date: 2004-09-21
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
A method of detecting an ink consuming state of an ink tank used for an ink jet recording apparatus, said method of detecting ink consumption comprising:an estimate consumption calculation processing of calculating an estimate consuming state of an ink within said ink tank by employing a consumption conversion information indicating a relationship between an operation amount of said ink jet recording apparatus and an ink consuming volume; and an actual consumption detection processing of detecting an actual consuming state of said ink within said ink tank by detecting an oscillation state of a piezoelectric element corresponding to an actual ink consuming state within said ink tank by employing a piezoelectric device having said piezoelectric element, wherein said piezoelectric device has a vibrating portion which comes into contact with said ink in said ink tank via an opening, said opening defining an area of said vibrating portion; and wherein said piezoelectric device outputs a signal indicating a residual oscillating state of said vibrating portion and said actual consuming state is detected based on phenomenon that said residual oscillating state changes corresponding to said ink consuming state.