Patent ID: 7896454
Filing Date: 2011-03-01
Classification: B41J

Abstract:
1. A method of manufacturing a remaining-liquid-amount display apparatus for displaying an amount of conductive liquid remaining in a liquid container, comprising: providing a liquid container having a plurality of electrode units, each unit comprised of at least one detection electrode and at least one common electrode, which are arranged along a direction in which the liquid level falls when the amount of liquid in the container decreases and which conduct current when the electrode units are in contact with the liquid; providing a voltage and/or current source which periodically applies a voltage and/or current to the electrode units; providing a plurality of liquid detectors respectively connected to each detection electrode and which detect the presence/absence of the liquid at each of the electrode units; and providing a remaining-liquid-amount display unit which displays the amount of liquid remaining in the container on the basis of the detected result of the presence/absence of the liquid at each of the electrode units; and further wherein information corresponding to whether the liquid is detected at each detection electrode is stored and the remaining-liquid-amount display unit displays the amount of liquid remaining based on the stored information, and further wherein each detection electrode has a corresponding memory element which stores information indicating whether the liquid is detected at detection electrode for the memory element based on the periodically applied voltage and/or current.