Patent ID: 6311025
Filing Date: 2001-10-30
Classification: G03G

Abstract:
An interchangeable part recognizing apparatus, comprising:a recognizing portion formed on a surface of an interchangeable part which is removably mounted to a main unit, for displaying information on the interchangeable part; anda detecting section for reading the information from the recognizing portion of the interchangeable part mounted to the main unit,wherein the recognizing portion includes a pattern electrode formed into a specific plane shape, an entire electrode which is located between the surface of the interchangeable part and the pattern electrode and extended in a wider range than the pattern electrode, and a light-transmitting dielectric layer which covers a whole surface of the pattern electrode and at least a part of a top surface of the entire electrode, the part being opposed to the pattern electrode;the detecting section is of a shape corresponding to the plane shape of the pattern electrode, and includes a detecting electrode which is electrically connected to the recognizing portion, and an AC power source which applies an AC voltage to the detecting electrode; andan electric signal at the time of applying the AC voltage of the AC power source to the recognizing portion via the detecting electrode is detected as information on the interchangeable part.