Patent ID: 6234603
Filing Date: 2001-05-22
Classification: B41J,G01F

Abstract:
A system for sensing the presence or absence of an ink cartridge in an ink recording device, said system including:at least one printhead for printing a first color onto a recording medium,an associated ink supply cartridge detachably connected to said printhead for providing ink of said first color to said printhead, said container having at least a partially transparent section of a wall, said wall having at least a reflective member thereon for reflecting light regardless of the amount of ink in the ink supply cartridge,means for moving said printhead and associated ink supply cartridge along a scan path,an optical sensing station located along said scan path and comprising a light source and a photosensor,means for moving said cartridge into said station so that, if said cartridge is physically present the reflective member is opposite said light source output, andmeans for energizing said light source, said photosensor either sensing a light source output beam reflected from said reflective member thereby indicating the presence of said ink supply cartridge or sensing lack of an reflected light indicating the absence of said ink supply cartridge.