Patent ID: 6024428
Filing Date: 2000-02-15
Classification: B41J,G01F

Abstract:
A ink let recording apparatus for recording input image information on a recording medium by using a recording means for ejecting ink supplied from an ink tank storing ink, said apparatus comprising:a detecting means having a light-emitting element for emitting light and a light-receiving unit for producing an output according to an amount of received light;a carriage on which said ink tank is mountable, said ink tank having: a first detecting portion on which an amount of reflected light changes according to a presence or absence of ink in said ink tank, the first detecting portion being arranged at a predetermined position on a wall of said ink tank; and a second detecting portion reflecting a comparatively larger amount of light, the second detecting portion being arranged at a position different from that of the first detecting portion;a carriage-moving means for moving said carriage, by which a relative position between said carriage and said detecting means is changed according to the movement of said carriage; anda control unit for detecting a drop in a remaining quantity of ink in said ink tank by detecting the output of said detecting means when said carriage and said detecting means are positioned at a first relative position as a result of movement of said carriage by said carriage-moving means, and determines the absence or presence of said ink tank on said carriage by detecting the output of said detecting means when said carriage and said detecting means are positioned at a second relative position,wherein the first relative position is a position in which the first detecting portion of said ink tank to be mounted on said carriage faces said detecting means; and the second relative position is a position in which the second detecting portion of said ink tank to be mounted on said carriage faces said detecting means.