Patent ID: 7568389
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: B41J,G01F

Abstract:
1. A liquid-amount detecting apparatus for detecting the amount of a liquid contained in at least one container, the liquid detecting apparatus comprising: a liquid detecting circuit comprising an electrode unit formed by a pair of electrodes, the pair of electrodes being electrically connected to each other when the pair of electrodes is in contact with the liquid; and a signal source; wherein the liquid detecting circuit inputs a signal not containing a direct-current component to the electrode unit and outputs a signal representing status of electrical connection between the pair of electrodes, and means for determining a liquid level based on the presence or absence of the liquid at the electrode unit based on the signal output from the liquid detecting circuit, wherein at least one electrode unit is provided in each of a plurality of containers, and wherein signals representing status of electrical connection between the respective pairs of electrodes in the plurality of containers are generated.