Patent Publication Number: US-7712853-B2

Title: Printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese Patent Application JP 2008-004968 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Jan. 11, 2008, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus that includes a disk drive that records information signals into and/or reproduces information signals from a disk-shaped recording medium and a printer that performs printing on a label surface of the disk-shaped recording medium using multiple color inks contained in an ink tank. More specifically, the invention relates to a printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus that performs an indication by changing an indication mode with a single indicator lamp on the basis of the states of inks in the ink tank. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Generally, an ink jet printer desirably provides convenience such that the user is able to reliably recognize the ink levels, and when an ink is low in an ink tank, a spare ink is purchased in advance, and then when the ink becomes out, it may be immediately replaced with the new ink. For this reason, a number of techniques are provided, such as a technique for accurately detecting the ink levels in the ink tank and a technique for providing user-friendly indication of the detected ink levels to the user. 
   The above techniques for indicating the ink levels in the ink tank is, for example, known as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 4-275156. JP-A-4-275156 describes an ink jet printer and an ink cartridge used in this printer that allow the user to recognize time for replacement of the ink cartridge, which integrates an ink head and a print head, before the printing quality deteriorates. The ink jet printer described in JP-A-4-275156 (hereinafter, referred to as “first existing example”) includes a counter that counts the number of times the print head is energized, a storage device that stores accumulation of counts by the counter, and an indicator that indicates the ink levels in the ink tank on the basis of the value stored in the storage device. 
   In addition, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-116956 describes this type of existing technique for indicating the ink levels. JP-A-2006-116956 describes an indication controller, a printer and a method of indicating the position of a cartridge for replacement, for instructing an indicator to indicate the position of a cartridge for replacement when cartridge replacement is desired in accordance with a reduction in recording agent level in the cartridge The indication controller described in JP-A-2006-116956 (hereinafter, referred to as “second existing example”) is an indication controller for instructing an indicator to indicate information regarding cartridges mounted on a printer that includes a cartridge accommodation units, which accommodate the cartridges containing recording agents, at plurality of portions, the indication controller including a detector that separately detects the recording agent levels in the respective cartridges; and an indication control unit that, when the recording agent level is lower than a threshold on the basis of a value detected by the detector, instructs the indicator to indicate positional information of the cartridge accommodation unit in which the cartridge for replacement is accommodated. 
   However, the above described first existing example relates to a monofunctional printer only for printing, and there has been no apparatus that combines a printer with a disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus, which is provided with an ink level indication mechanism. In addition, the above monofunctional printer counts the number of times the print head is energized with an energization counter, accumulates the counts in an EEPROM, and then determines a near end and an ink end on the basis of the accumulated value. Then, when the accumulated value reaches a near end determination value, a near end indication LED lights up, and when the accumulated value reaches an ink end determination value, an ink end indication LED lights up. Thus, there has been a problem that the number of indication LEDs corresponding to the number of ink colors may be required and, therefore, it is not only uneconomical because of an increased number of indicator elements but also it may require a large space for arranging all the indicator elements so as to be easily visible. 
   In addition, the second existing example also relates to a monofunctional printer. The printer includes an ink level management unit that manages the ink level of each ink cartridge color by color; and an indication control unit that controls an indication of a display. When the ink level of any one of ink cartridges accommodated in a plurality of cartridge accommodation units is lower than a threshold and an ink end is recognized, an ink end screen appears on the display and then shows the position of the cartridge for replacement, color identification code, color model number, and the like. Therefore, because the display may be required as an indicator, expensive components may be required. Thus, it is not only uneconomic but also it may require a large space for arranging the display. Particularly, there has been a problem that an indicator or an indication method may be inappropriate when used in a small disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the above-identified, and other problems associated with the existing apparatuses, in which it is uneconomical because the number of indication LEDs corresponding to the number of ink colors may be required or a large space may be required for arranging a display, and it may be inappropriate for an indicator or an indication method used in a small disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus. 
   A printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention includes: a disk drive that detachably sets a disk-shaped recording medium and that records information signals into and/or reproduces information signals from an information recording portion of the disk-shaped recording medium by rotating the disk-shaped recording medium; a printer that performs printing by discharging ink droplets onto a label surface of the disk-shaped recording medium, which is on a side opposite to the information recording portion; a single light-emitting indicator unit that is able to luminously indicate a plurality of colors; an ink tank that contains color inks of which the number corresponds to the number of colors the light-emitting indicator unit is able to indicate; an ink level detection unit that detects the levels of a plurality of color inks contained in the ink tank for the respective ink colors and that outputs respective detected signals; a printing operation detection unit that detects an operation of the printer and that outputs a detected signal; a drive operation detection unit that detects an operation of the disk drive and that outputs a detected signal; and a first light emission control unit that controls a luminous color and a luminous state of the light-emitting indicator unit in accordance with the operation of the printer, the operation of the disk drive and the levels of the color inks on the basis of the detected signals from the ink level detection unit, the detected signal from the printing operation detection unit and the detected signal from the drive operation detection unit. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a disk tray type optical disk apparatus in a state where a disk tray is ejected according to a first embodiment of a printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the optical disk apparatus in a state where an upper panel of a casing is removed according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the optical disk apparatus in a state where the upper panel of the casing is removed according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the optical disk apparatus in a state where a printer is further removed from the optical disk apparatus shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the printer of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the positional relationship among a print head of the printer, an optical pick-up of a disk drive, and an optical disk in the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the positional relationship among the print head of the printer, the optical pick-up of the disk drive, and the optical disk in the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a print head assembly, taken along the line VIII-VIII in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the print head assembly of the printer of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention as viewed from the side of an ink discharging unit; 
       FIG. 10  is a block diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a view illustrating an example of indication modes of a light-emitting indicator unit according to the embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 12A  to  FIG. 12D  are views illustrating examples of an indication mode of a light-emitting indicator unit according to the embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention, in which  FIG. 12A  shows an indication of a recording and reproducing operation,  FIG. 12B  shows an indication of a printing operation,  FIG. 12C  shows an ink low indication and an ink out indication, and  FIG. 12D  shows another example of an ink low indication and an ink out indication; 
       FIG. 13A to 13D  are views illustrating examples of pattern of an ink level indication mode of the light-emitting indicator unit according to the embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 14  is a view illustrating an example of an ink level indication mode and operation indication mode of the light-emitting indicator unit according to the embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart that shows a first example embodiment of the process flow in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 16  is a flowchart that shows one example embodiment of a process of indicating a recording/reproducing operation (step S 5 ) in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart that shows one example embodiment of a process of indicating a status that printing is difficult (step S 7 ) in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart that shows one example embodiment of a process of indicating a printing operation (step S 9 ) in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a flowchart that shows one example embodiment of a process of indicating a status that printing is possible (step S 11 ) in the flowchart of  FIG. 15 ; 
       FIG. 20  is a view illustrating a first example embodiment of control without an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 21  is a view illustrating a second example embodiment of control without an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 22  is a view illustrating a third example embodiment of control without an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 23  is a view illustrating a fourth example embodiment of control without an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 24  is a view illustrating a fifth example embodiment of control without an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 25  is a flowchart that shows a second example embodiment of the process flow in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 26  is a flowchart that shows one example embodiment of a process of indicating the state of an ink level (step S 203 ) in the flowchart of  FIG. 25 ; 
       FIG. 27  is a view illustrating a first example embodiment of control with an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 28  is a view illustrating a second example embodiment of control with an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 29  is a view illustrating a third example embodiment of control with an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; 
       FIG. 30  is a view illustrating a fourth example embodiment of control with an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention; and 
       FIG. 31  is a view illustrating a fifth example embodiment of control with an ink level information button in the control unit of the optical disk apparatus according to the first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   In a disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus equipped with a disk drive and a printer, a single light-emitting indicator unit, an ink tank, an ink level detection unit, a printing operation detection unit, a drive operation detection unit and a light emission control unit are provided. Thus, a printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus is able to luminously indicate the degree of an ink level or the presence or absence of an ink by changing an indication mode using the single light-emitting indicator unit with a simple structure. 
     FIG. 1  to  FIG. 31  are views illustrating examples of an embodiment of the invention. Hereinafter, examples of the embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7  show an optical disk apparatus  1  according to a first embodiment of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention. The optical disk apparatus  1  is a disk tray type printer-equipped recording/reproducing apparatus that is able to record (write) new information signals into an information recording surface of an optical disk  2 , which is a specific example of a printed target disk-shaped recording medium, such as a CD-R (Recordable), a DVD-RW (Rewritable), a Blu-ray Disc (trademark), and an HD-DVD, and is able to reproduce (read) previously recorded information signals, while making it possible to print visual information, such as a character, a symbol, a photograph, a picture, and a pattern, onto a label surface, which is a printing surface, of the optical disk  2 . 
   However, the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention is not limited to the optical disk apparatus that is able to both record and reproduce information. Of course, the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus of the invention may be applied to a disk recording apparatus that is able to merely record information signals, or may be applied to a disk reproducing apparatus that is able to merely reproduce information signals instead. In addition, the disk-shaped recording medium is not limited to the optical disk that records or reproduces information signals using a laser beam. The disk-shaped recording medium may employ various disk-shaped recording media, of which the outer shape is a disk shape, such as an optical disk that uses near field light, a magneto-optical disk that uses light and magnetism and a magnetic disk that merely uses magnetism, as a recording medium. 
     FIG. 1  is an external perspective view of the optical disk apparatus  1 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the optical disk apparatus  1  in a state where an upper panel  5  of a casing  3  is removed.  FIG. 3  is a plan view of the optical disk apparatus  1  in a state where the upper panel  5  is removed in the similar manner. As shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the optical disk apparatus  1  includes the casing  3  formed of a hollow case, an apparatus body  8  accommodated in the casing  3 , an input device, such as a remote controller (not shown), and the like. An external device, such as an image display device or an audio output device (which are not shown), may be electrically connected to the optical disk apparatus  1 , and information read from an information recording portion of the optical disk  2  may be displayed or indicated by an image, a sound, or the like. The image display device may, for example, employ a liquid crystal display device, an organic EL display device, a plasma display device, or the like. In addition, the audio output device may, for example, employ a speaker device, or the like. 
   The casing  3  of the optical disk apparatus  1  includes a rectangular base panel  4 , an upper panel  5  that covers the upper face of the base panel  4 , a front panel  6  that covers the front face, and a rear panel  7  that covers the rear face, thus forming a hollow case as a whole. Side portions  4   a  are provided respectively at both widthwise sides of the base panel  4  of the casing  3 . Each side portion  4   a  extends longitudinally of the base panel  4  at a predetermined height. The upper panel  5  includes a rectangular upper portion  5   a  and right and left side portions  5   b  that are formed continuously at both widthwise sides of the upper portion  5   a  and that respectively cover the side faces. The upper panel  5  is mounted on the base panel  4  in such a manner that both side portions  5   b  are respectively fixed to the side portions  4   a  with fixation screws (not shown). A tubular front opening and a tubular rear opening are defined by the upper panel  5  and the base panel  4 . The front opening is closed by the front panel  6 , and the rear opening is closed by the rear panel  7 . Then, the front panel  6  and the rear panel  7  are screwed to the base panel  4  and the upper panel  5  by fixation screws (not shown). 
   A disk insertion opening  11  is provided at substantially the vertically middle of the front panel  6  so as to extend in the widthwise direction. A disk tray  12  is mounted in the disk insertion opening  11  so that it is insertable or ejectable. The disk tray  12  selectively transports the optical disk  2 , placed on the disk accommodating portion  13 , between a disk ejected position outside the casing  3  and a disk setting position of the disk drive  9 , at which information signals are recorded (written) into or reproduced (read) from the optical disk  2  inside the casing  3 . The disk tray  12  is formed of a tray body  14  and a screen panel  15 . The tray body  14  is formed of a plate-like material having a rectangular shape in plan view with a size slightly larger than that of the optical disk  2 . The screen panel  15  is fixed to a longitudinal one end of the tray body  14 . The disk accommodating portion  13  is formed on the upper face, which is one of the planar faces of the tray body  14 . The disk accommodating portion  13  has a circular recess for accommodating the optical disk  2 . 
   In addition, a cutout portion  16  is formed in the tray body  14  so as to avoid contact with a disk setting portion, which will be described later. The cutout portion  16  is formed so that the disk tray  12  is widely cut out from its one short side to the center of the disk accommodating portion  13 . The screen panel  15  is integrally formed at another short side of the tray body  14 , which is the side opposite to the cutout portion  16 . The screen panel  15  serves as a lid that closes the disk insertion opening  11  when the disk tray  12  is moved to the disk setting position. The screen panel  15  is formed into a horizontally-oriented rectangular shape that conforms to the shape of the disk insertion opening  11 , and is detachably fitted to the disk insertion opening  11 . 
   Furthermore, an indicator lamp  21 , an ink level information button  22 , and an eject button  30  are provided at the upper side of the front panel  6  with respect to the disk insertion opening  11 . The indicator lamp  21  is a specific example of a light-emitting indicator unit (access lamp/ink level indicator unit). The ink level information button  22 , which is a second light emission control unit, controls a luminous color and luminous state of the indicator lamp  21 . The eject button  30  inserts and ejects the disk tray  12 . The indicator lamp  21  lights up or blinks multiple colors of light, and assigns an emission color, lighting time or blinking time of each color, a change of color, and the like, to corresponding meanings to thereby indicate a recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk  2  by the disk drive  9 , a printing operation on the optical disk  2 , or an ink level, such as the amount of ink or the presence or absence of ink, and the like. Note that as in the case of a first example embodiment and a second example embodiment of control of an ink level indication, which will be described later, it is possible to separately handle the case in which no ink level information button  22  is provided and the case in which the ink level information button  22  is provided. 
   The indicator lamp  21  is desirably a light-emitting element that is able to luminously indicate at least four colors of light. However, even with three or two luminous colors, the embodiment of the invention may be carried out, and it is preferable that a light-emitting element luminously indicate four or more luminous colors. The above indicator lamp  21  may be, for example, a product named “full-color LED (type name: NSTM515)” produced by Nichia Corporation. The “full-color LED” is a full-color light-emitting element that is able to luminously indicate R (red), G (green), and B (blue) with a shell-shaped light-emitting portion. The indicator lamp  21  lights up and blinks colored light to indicate a status of recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk and a print function operation, such as an ink level, in regard to the printer, which will be described later. 
   The operation indication pattern of a recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk  2  by the disk drive  9 , for example, lights up (state that light is emitted continuously for a certain period of time) or blinks (state that light is intermittently emitted at certain intervals) at the time of operation, such as disk insertion, disk ejection, recording, and reproducing. In addition, the indication pattern in association with a printing operation on the optical disk  2  by the printer, for example, determines the indication pattern of a luminous color and lighting or blinking in order to indicate a status of a printing operation and a status of the printer, such as an ink level. Specifically, the indicator lamp  21  is controlled to light or blink at the time of operation, such as a printing operation and a cleaning operation, and/or state, such as a state that the ink level is low, a state that the ink is out, and a state that an ink tank is not installed. In this case, under an abnormal state, such as a status that the ink is out and a status that an ink tank is not installed, it is desirable for the indicator lamp  21  to continuously perform an indication when power is on irrespective of whether the printing operation is in progress. 
   The pattern of an operation indication by the indicator lamp  21  may be illustrated, for example, as shown in  FIG. 11 . The recording/reproducing operation of the optical disk may be, for example, indicated as follows at the time of respective operations. The indicator lamp  21  lights up in red at the time of disk insertion (red lighting). The indicator lamp  21  blinks in red at the time of disk ejection (red blinking). The indicator lamp  21  blinks in green at the time of recording operation (green blinking). Then, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green at the time of reproducing operation (green lighting). In addition, the printing operation on the optical disk and/or its status may be, for example, indicated as follows. The indicator lamp  21  lights up in white at the time of printing operation (white lighting). The indicator lamp  21  blinks in white at the time of cleaning operation (white blinking). 
   The indication of a status that the ink level is low may be as follows. For example, in a state where an ink tank containing three colors, that is, magenta (M), cyan (C), and yellow (Y), is used, when the ink level of one color (for example, magenta) is low, red and blue are emitted at the same time to thereby emit magenta light and blink the magenta light (magenta blinking). In addition, when the ink levels of two colors (for example, magenta and yellow) are low, magenta light (red and blue are emitted at the same time) and yellow light (red and green are emitted at the same time) alternately blink (magenta and yellow blinking). Furthermore, when the ink levels of three colors (magenta, yellow, and cyan all) are low, three magenta light (red and blue are emitted at the same time), yellow light (red and green are emitted at the same time) and cyan light (blue and green are emitted at the same time) alternately blink (magenta, yellow and cyan blinking). 
   The indication of a status that the ink is out may be as follows. For example, when the ink of one color (for example, cyan) is out, red and blue are emitted at the same time to thereby emit magenta (M) light and the magenta (M) light continues to light up (magenta lighting). In addition, when the inks of two colors (for example, cyan and magenta) are out, cyan (C) light and magenta (M) light alternately light up for a certain period of time (cyan and magenta alternate lighting). Furthermore, when the inks of all three colors (magenta, yellow and cyan all) are out, three cyan (C) light, magenta (M) light and yellow (Y) light alternately light up for a certain period of time (cyan, magenta and yellow alternate lighting). In addition, the indication of a status that an ink tank is not installed may be as follows. For example, four red (R) light, blue (B) light, green (G) light and white (W) light (red, blue and green are emitted at the same time) alternately light up for a certain period of time (three colors and white alternate lighting). 
     FIG. 12A  to  FIG. 12D  are views that show examples of the operation indication of the disk drive  9  and printer in order of time with the abscissa axis representing a lapse of time.  FIG. 12A  is a view that shows the operation indication at the time of recording/reproducing on the optical disk  2  by the disk drive  9 . In an initial status, at time T 1   a  at which the optical disk  2  is not set in the disk drive  9 , the indicator lamp  21  neither lights up nor blinks but it remains turned off. When the optical disk  2  is inserted in the disk drive  9  at time T 2   a , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in red until the insertion operation at time T 3   a  ends. After that, when the reproducing operation starts at time T 4   a , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in green when the reproducing operation ends at time T 5   a.    
   Next, when the recording operation starts at time T 6   a , the indicator lamp  21  blinks in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in green until the recording operation ends at time T 7   a . Then, when the reproducing operation starts at time T 7   a , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in green until the reproducing operation ends at time T 8   a . In this case, the printing operation is not performed from time T 1   a , at which the operation is started, to time T 8   a , at which the operation is completed. 
     FIG. 12B  is a view that shows the indication of a recording/reproducing operation and printing operation at the time of printing on the optical disk  2 . In an initial status, at time T 1   b  at which the optical disk  2  is not set in the disk drive  9 , the indicator lamp  21  neither lights up nor blinks but it remains turned off. When the disk drive  9  starts the recording operation on the optical disk  2  at time T 2   b , the indicator lamp  21  blinks in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in green until the recording operation ends at time T 3   b . Subsequently, when the reproducing operation starts at time T 3   b , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in green until the reproducing operation ends at time T 4   b.    
   Next, when the optical disk  2  is controlled to rotate for printing by the disk drive  9 , as will be described later, at time T 5   b , the printer starts the printing operation. At time T 5   b , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in white until the printing operation ends at time T 6   b . Then, when the ejecting operation of the optical disk  2  starts at time T 7   b , the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red. The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in red until the ejecting operation ends at time T 8   b.    
   Here, the operation to control the optical disk  2  to rotate for printing around time T 5   b  is characteristic because, in the example embodiment according to the configuration of  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , a so-called Rθ printing method based on the rotational movement of the optical disk  2  and the translational movement of the print head  31  is employed. In the Rθ printing method, the optical disk  2  is controlled to rotate appropriate for the purpose of printing, and the print head  31  is controlled to move to above the label surface of the optical disk  2 , and then the printing operation is started. Because an Rθ printing structure is employed in the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 3 , the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention may be reduced in size. 
   Of course, the indication method for an operation and a status using the indicator lamp  21  in the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention does not limit the printing method to the Rθ method. The indication method may also be used in a so-called XY printing method in which the print head  31  biaxially performs translational movement with respect to the optical disk  2 . That is, even in the case of the XY printing method, the print head  31  is controlled to move to above the label surface of the optical disk  2  and then the printing operation is started. Thus, the lighting status of the indicator lamp  21  is controlled in accordance with those operations. 
     FIG. 12C  is a view that shows the indication of a recording/reproducing operation, printing operation, and ink low and ink out at the time when printing is performed on the optical disk  2 . In an initial status, at time T 1   c  at which the disk drive  9  drives the optical disk  2  for rotation at a printing speed, that is, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. When the printing ends at time T 2   c , the disk drive  9  stops and enters an unoperated state. At this time, for example, if it is detected that the ink level of cyan (C) is low, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in cyan (C). The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in cyan until, for example, the reproducing operation starts at time T 3   c . When the reproducing operation starts at time T 3   c , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in green until the reproducing operation ends at time T 4   c.    
   It has been already detected at time T 4   c  that the cyan (C) ink level is low, and the indicator lamp  21  blinks in cyan (C) because the above low cyan (C) ink level is not resolved. The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in cyan until, for example, the rotation operation for printing starts at the following time T 5   c . Next, when the optical disk  2  is rotated at a speed for printing by the disk drive  9  at time T 5   c , the printer starts a printing operation. The indicator lamp  21  lights up in white from time T 5   c . The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in white until the printing operation ends at time T 6   c . Then, when the disk drive  9  is stopped at time T 6   c , the cyan (C) ink level is reduced from the status in which the cyan (C) ink level is low because of printing, and then it is detected that the cyan (C) ink is out. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (C). The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in cyan until the status that the cyan (C) ink is out is resolved or another operation indication is started. 
   In addition,  FIG. 12D  shows the indication of the recording/reproducing operation, printing operation, and ink low and ink out at the time of printing on the optical disk  2  in the status that the magenta (M) ink is out in addition to the cyan (C) ink level is low from a status similar to that before the operation of the example embodiment of  FIG. 12C . The operation from time T 1   d  through time T 2   d  to time T 3   d  is similar to that of the example embodiment of  FIG. 12C . Next, when the printing operation starts again at time T 3   d , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. Then, if it is detected, for example, that the cyan (C) ink level is low and the magenta (M) ink level is low when the printing ends and the disk drive  9  is stopped at time T 4   d , the indicator lamp  21  alternately blinks in cyan and magenta. The indicator lamp  21  continues to alternately blink in cyan and magenta until the printing operation starts again at time T 5   d.    
   When the printing operation starts again at time T 5   d , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white again. Then, if it is detected, for example, that the cyan (C) ink level is low and the magenta (M) ink is out when the printing ends and the disk drive  9  is stopped at time T 6   d , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta for a certain period of time and blinks in cyan alternately at a predetermined cycle until time T 7   d . Note that, after that, the above status of light emission of the indicator lamp  21  continues until the status in which the cyan (C) ink level is low and the magenta (M) ink is out is resolved or another operation indication is started. 
   When the ink level information button  22  is held pressed (switched on), the indicator lamp  21  blinks in an ink level indication mode. The ink level information button  22  indicates the degree of ink level in two or more stages to minutely indicate how much the ink level is. In the case of the above described example embodiment, a two-stage indication, that is, a status “ink level is low” and a status “ink is out”, is employed and the amount of ink is not known quantitatively; however, by setting the indication with three or more stages, it is possible to further minutely manage the ink level. Note that when the ink level information button  22  is not pressed, the indicator lamp  21  lights up or blinks in accordance with the above described operation indication mode. 
   When the ink level information button  22  is pressed, an ink level indication is performed, for example, as shown in  FIG. 13A  to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 13A  is a view that shows an ink level indication when cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink and yellow (Y) ink are substantially full. In this case, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (C) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (M) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (Y) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds. This will be repeated.  FIG. 13B  is a view that shows an ink level indication when cyan (C) ink and magenta (M) ink are reduced to substantially half (50%) and yellow (Y) ink is substantially full. In this case, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (C) for 1.0 second and is then turned off for 1.0 second, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (M) for 1.0 second and is then turned off for 1.0 second, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (Y) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds. This will be repeated. 
     FIG. 13C  is a view that shows an ink level indication when cyan (C) ink is reduced to substantially half (50%) and magenta (M) ink and yellow (Y) ink are reduced to substantially a quarter (25%). In this case, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (C) for 1.0 second and is then turned off for 1.0 second, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (M) for 1.5 seconds and is then turned off for 0.5 seconds, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (Y) for 1.5 seconds and is then turned off for 0.5 seconds. This will be repeated. In addition,  FIG. 13D  shows an ink level indication when cyan (C) ink, magenta (M) ink and yellow (Y) ink all are substantially out. In this case, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (C) for 2.0 seconds, then lights up in magenta (M) for 2.0 seconds and, subsequently, lights up in yellow (Y) for 2.0 seconds. This will be repeated. In this way, for example, by showing the turn-on time and turn-off time of the indicator lamp  21  in association with the ink levels, the user is able to recognize ink level information in further detail. 
     FIG. 14  is a view that shows the relationship between manipulation of the ink level information button  22  and the above described operation indication modes. In  FIG. 14 , in an initial status, at time T 1   e  at which the disk drive  9  neither performs recording nor performs reproducing on the optical disk  2 , the indicator lamp  21  neither lights up nor blinks, but it remains turned off. At this time, the printing operation is also not performed, and the indication mode is associated with the operation. Next, when the disk drive  9  starts the recording operation on the optical disk  2  at time T 2   e , the indicator lamp  21  blinks in green. 
   Next, when the user manipulates (turns on) the ink level information button  22  at time T 3   e , the indication mode is switched into the ink level indication. Thus, the indication of the indicator lamp  21  becomes an ink level indication. In this ink level indication, for example, the indications shown in the above  FIG. 13A  to  FIG. 13D  are performed. The ink level indication in this state continues without any changes even when the recording operation is switched to the reproducing operation at time T 4   e . After that, when the user releases (turns off) the ink level information button  22  to stop manipulation at time T 5   e , the indication mode is switched from the ink level indication mode to the operation indication mode. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green to indicate the reproducing operation. 
   Next, when the reproducing operation ends at time T 6   e , the green lighting of the indicator lamp  21  turns off. Subsequently, when the disk drive  9  rotates the optical disk  2  for printing at time T 7   e , the printing operation is started. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. The indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in white until the printing operation ends at time T 8   e . Then, when the ejecting operation of the optical disk  2  starts at time T 9   e , the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red. The indicator lamp  21  continues to blink in red until the ejecting operation ends at time T 10   e . As described above, with the ink level information button  22 , it is possible to notify the user in further detail of the operation or status of the optical disk apparatus  1  according to the embodiment of the invention. 
   The apparatus body  8  of the optical disk apparatus  1  includes the disk drive  9 , a printer  10 , a controller  80  (see  FIG. 10 ), and the like. The disk drive  9  records new information by writing information signals in an information recording portion of the provided optical disk  2  or reads and reproduces information that is previously recorded in the information recording portion. In addition, the printer  10  prints out and displays matters in association with information that is previously recorded in the information recording portion, newly recorded information, or the like, onto the label surface of the provided optical disk  2 , a label sheet adhered on the label surface, or the like, as visual information such as a character, a numeral, a photograph, a picture, and a pattern. Furthermore, the controller controls these disk drive  9  and printer  10  and, if needed, another device, to make the disk drive  9  perform a predetermined recording/reproducing operation and other operations, and to make the printer  10  perform a predetermined printing operation and other operations. Then, the above indicator lamp  21  notifies the user of the predetermined recording/reproducing operation and other operations, the predetermined printing operation and other operations, or the status within the apparatus. 
     FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the optical disk apparatus  1  in a state where the printer  10  is removed from the optical disk apparatus  1 . In this example embodiment, the disk drive  9  is arranged at the lower side inside the casing  3 , and the printer  10  is arranged at the upper side inside the casing  3 . To achieve this arrangement, a chassis plate  17  is arranged inside the casing  3  so as to vertically partition the space inside the casing  3 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view that shows a state in which the printer  10  is mounted on the chassis plate  17 . The chassis plate  17  is formed of a rectangular plate that is slightly smaller than the base panel  4 , and has a rectangular opening  18  formed to extend through the front and rear faces of the chassis plate  17 . The rectangular opening  18  with predetermined width extends longitudinally of the chassis plate  17 . The printer  10  is mounted on the upper face, which is one of the faces, of the chassis plate  17 , and the disk drive  9  is arranged so as to be located a distance from the lower face of the chassis plate  17 , which is the other one of the faces. 
   The configuration of the disk drive  9  is similar to that typically used in this type of optical disk apparatus, so the configuration, and the like, are simply described. The disk drive  9  includes a disk rotation mechanism, a disk setting portion elevating mechanism, the optical pick-up  23 , a pick-up actuating mechanism, a drive control circuit, and the like. The disk rotation mechanism has a disk setting portion  20  (see  FIG. 3 ) to which the optical disk  2  is detachably set. The mounting portion elevating mechanism raises or lowers the disk setting portion  20  to chuck or release the optical disk  2 . The optical pick-up  23  is a specific example of a pick-up device that records information signals into and reproduces information signals from the optical disk  2 . The pick-up actuating mechanism moves the optical pick-up  23  radially of the optical disk  2 . The drive control circuit drives these mechanisms, and the like. 
   The disk rotation mechanism, for example, includes a spindle motor and a turntable. The spindle motor employs a stepping motor or a DC servomotor. The turntable is fixed to the rotational shaft of the spindle motor. The turntable serves as the disk setting portion  20  to which the optical disk  2  is detachably set. The stepping motor equipped with the turntable is arranged so that, when the disk tray  12  is transported to the disk setting position, the stepping motor is located at substantially the center of the disk accommodating portion  13 . The turntable has a disk fitting portion and a disk support portion. The disk fitting portion is detachably fitted into the center hole of the optical disk  2 . The disk support portion supports the surrounding portion of the center hole of the optical disk  2 . 
   The disk setting portion elevating mechanism raises or lowers the disk rotation mechanism at the disk setting position to thereby set the optical disk  2  to the turntable or release the set optical disk  2 . The disk setting portion elevating mechanism includes, for example, a motor base, a cam mechanism, an electric motor, and the like. A spindle motor is mounted on the motor base, and the motor base is swingably supported by the base panel  4  of the casing  3 . The cam mechanism swings the motor base. The electric motor actuates the cam mechanism to raise or lower the spindle motor. A chucking plate  27  is arranged above the spindle motor. The chucking plate  27  is attracted by a magnet, incorporated in the turntable, to press the optical disk  2  raised by the elevating operation of the spindle motor from above. The chucking plate and the turntable hold the optical disk  2  to prevent the optical disk  2  from slipping out from the turntable and/or sliding on the turntable. 
   The chucking plate  27  is rotatably supported by a plate supporting plate  28  that is fixed to the upper end of the side portion  4   a  of the base panel  4 . The plate supporting plate  28  is formed of a rectangular plate-like member, and the chucking plate  27  is rotatably supported at a longitudinal one end of the plate supporting plate  28 . The plate supporting plate  28  is attached in a cantilever manner such that the longitudinal other end of the plate supporting plate  28  is fixed to the upper end of the side portion  4   a  of the base panel  4 . The plate supporting plate  28  is supported by an auxiliary plate  29  so that it is difficult to bend. The position of the chucking plate  27  supported by the plate supporting plate  28  corresponds to the disk setting position at which information signals are recorded (written) to and reproduced (read) from the optical disk  2  by the optical pick-up  23 . 
   The disk tray  12  may be transported by a tray transport mechanism between the disk setting position and the disk ejected position outside the casing  3 . The tray transport mechanism has a configuration similar to the one typically used in this type of optical disk apparatus, so the configuration, and the like, are simply described. The tray transport mechanism includes, for example, a rack portion, a pinion, an electric motor, and the like. The rack portion is provided in the disk tray  12 . The pinion engages the rack portion. The electric motor drives the pinion for rotation. By driving the electric motor to rotate the pinion, the rotational force is transmitted to the rack portion. By so doing, in accordance with the rotational direction of the electric motor, the disk tray  12  is transported from the disk setting position to the disk ejected position or transported from the disk ejected position to the disk setting position. 
   While the tray transport mechanism is being operated, the optical pick-up  23  of the disk drive  9 , particularly, a pick-up lens and its adjacent portions that face the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 , are located inside the cutout portion of the disk tray  12 . Then, when the optical disk  2  placed on the disk accommodating portion  13  of the disk tray  12  is set to the turntable and raised by a predetermined amount, the optical pick-up  23  enters to below the optical disk  2 . Thus, the optical pick-up  23  is able to write information signals to the information recording portion of the optical disk  2  and read information signals from the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 . Note that the reference numeral  30  shown in  FIG. 4  is an eject button for instructing the tray transport mechanism to perform an ejecting operation. 
   In this way, when the disk tray  12  is transported to the disk setting position, the motor base is raised by the disk setting portion elevating mechanism to move the spindle motor upward. At this time, the disk fitting portion of the turntable is fitted into the center hole of the optical disk  2 , and the optical disk  2  is raised from the disk accommodating portion  13  by a predetermined distance. Then, the chucking plate is attracted by the magnet incorporated in the turntable, and the chucking plate and the turntable hold the optical disk  2 . In addition, by actuating the disk setting portion elevating mechanism in the opposite direction to lower the motor base, the disk fitting portion of the turntable slips out from the center hole of the optical disk  2 . Thus, the optical disk  2  slips out from the turntable and is placed on the disk accommodating portion  13 . 
   The optical pick-up  23  includes, for example, a photodetector, an objective lens, a biaxial actuator that actuates the objective lens to face the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 , and the like. The photodetector of the optical pick-up  23  is formed of a semiconductor laser, which serves as a light source for emitting a light beam, a light-receiving element that receives a returned light beam, and the like. The optical pick-up  23  emits a light beam from the semiconductor laser, collects the emitted light beam by the objective lens and then irradiates the collected light beam to the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 , while the photodetector receives a returned light beam reflected on the information recording portion. Thus, the optical pick-up  23  is able to record (write) information signals into the information recording portion and reproduce (read) information signals that are previously recorded in the information recording portion. 
   The optical pick-up  23  is mounted on a sliding member  26 , and is integrally moved with the sliding member  26 . In addition, two mutually parallel guide shafts (not shown) are slidably inserted into the sliding member  26 . The two guide shafts are arranged substantially parallel to a principal plane that serves as a front face of the information recording portion of the optical disk  2  and extends in a direction in which the disk tray  12  moves. The sliding member  26 , which is held slidably by the two guide shafts, is movable radially of the optical disk  2  by the pick-up actuating mechanism. 
   The pick-up actuating mechanism may, for example, employ a feed screw mechanism formed of a combination of a feed screw and a feed nut. However, the pick-up actuating mechanism is not limited to the feed screw mechanism, and may, for example, employ a rack-and-pinion mechanism, a belt feed mechanism, a wire feed mechanism, or other mechanisms. When the sliding member  26  is moved by the pick-up actuating mechanism, the optical pick-up  23  records information signals into or reproduces information signals from the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the printer  10  of the optical disk apparatus  1  includes the print head  31 , a head actuator  32 , a distance detector, a cleaning mechanism (not shown), a printing and other operation control circuit (not shown), and the like. The print head  31  accommodates an ink tank. The head actuator  32  moves the print head  31  along a printing surface of the optical disk  2 . The distance detector detects a distance between the print head  31  and the printing surface. The cleaning mechanism cleans a sensing element, and the like, of the distance detector. The printing and other operation control circuit controls the operations of these print head  31 , head actuator  32 , distance detector, cleaning mechanism, and the like. 
   The print head  31  has a hollow head casing. The head casing accommodates the ink tank having an accommodating portion of one color (for example, black) or accommodating portions of two or more colors (for example, three colors of magenta, cyan and yellow, four colors of magenta, cyan, yellow and black, or the like), and an ink discharge mechanism (not shown) that separately discharges colors from nozzles. The head casing is formed so that a rectangular parallelepiped extended portion is provided on substantially half of one face of another rectangular parallelepiped in the longitudinal direction. An ink discharging unit  37  is provided at substantially the middle of the extended portion for discharging ink. The ink discharging unit  37  has a large number of nozzles having fine diameter holes (several hundreds of holes having a diameter of several μm to several tens of μm). These nozzles are arranged in the same number of columns as the number of colors used. For example, when the print head uses three colors of magenta, cyan and yellow, three columns of nozzles are provided. 
   The thus configured print head  31  is movable by the head actuator  32  along the printing surface of the optical disk  2 . The head actuator  32  includes a head holder  41  that holds the print head  31 , a head slider  42  that movably supports the head holder  41 , two head guide shafts  43 A and  43 B that movably support the head slider  42 , two guide shaft supports  44 A and  44 B that fixedly support the two head guide shafts  43 A and  43 B, a feed screw shaft  45  and a feed nut  46  that move the print head  31 , a head feed motor  47  that drives the feed screw shaft  45  for rotation, and the like. 
   The head holder  41  is a rectangular frame-shaped member to which the print head  31  is fitted.  FIG. 9  is a perspective view that illustrates a print head assembly  50 , which is formed by fitting the print head  31  into the head holder  41  as viewed obliquely from the side of the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31 . When the print head  31  is assembled, the ink discharging unit  37  extends through the head holder  41  and protrudes downward from the lower face, which is one of the faces of the head holder  41 . A portal U-shaped fitting bracket  48  is provided at the lower face of the head holder  41  so as to extend downward. 
   Two distance detection sensors  51  and  52 , that is, a first distance detection sensor  51  and a second distance detection sensor  52 , which are one specific example of the distance detector, are fixedly arranged side by side at substantially the middle of the lower face of the fitting bracket  48 . The first and second distance detection sensors  51  and  52  detect a distance between the surface of the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  and the printing surface of the optical disk  2 , which is set to the disk setting portion  20  and rotated. The first and second distance detection sensors  51  and  52  may employ any sensors that are able to detect a distance between the ink discharging unit  37  and the printing surface of the optical disk  2 , and may desirably be, for example, a reflective photointerrupter. 
   The photointerrupter is an optical sensor formed of a set of a light-emitting diode (LED) and a photodiode, and mainly uses infrared rays. The photointerrupter includes a reflective type and a transmissive type. The reflective-type interrupter may be used in the embodiment of the invention. The reflective photointerrupter emits light from a LED and detects a reflected light, and the like, with the photodiode to obtain the light reflectance of an object, thus making it possible to accurately detect a distance from the object. A specific example of the reflective photointerrupter may be, for example, a reflective photointerrupter SG-105 produced by Kodenshi Corp. The reflective photointerrupter SG-105 has a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element arranged on the same face, and is able to detect a distance to a target object using light reflected from the object. 
   The two distance detection sensors  51  and  52  are arranged side by side at portions on the radially inner side of the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  and on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the optical disk  2  with respect to the optical disk  2 . The reason why the two distance detection sensors  51  and  52  are arranged on the upstream side in the rotational direction of the optical disk  2  is because part of ink discharged from the ink discharging unit  37  becomes mist to float in the air and, therefore, the mist is prevented from adhering on detecting portions of the distance detection sensors. In this example embodiment, the two distance detection sensors  51  and  52  are arranged on an extension from the substantially middle portion of the ink discharging unit  37  and on the rotational center side of the optical disk  2 . 
   Note that the printing surface of the optical disk  2  is a label surface  2   a , which serves as one of the faces of the optical disk  2 . In addition, when a label sheet  53  is adhered on the label surface  2   a  of the optical disk  2 , a surface  53   a  of the adhered label sheet  53  is the printing surface. The head holder  41 , to which the print head  31  is assembled, is movably supported by the head slider  42 . 
     FIG. 6  is a view that illustrates the head holder  41  and the head slider  42  that supports the head holder  41 . In addition,  FIG. 7  is a view that illustrates the positional relationship in level among the print head  31 , the optical disk  2  and the optical pick-up  23 . As shown in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , the optical disk  2  faces the head slider  42  from below at a predetermined gap. At this time, the optical disk  2  is set to the turntable (not shown) of the disk rotation mechanism of the disk drive  9  that is arranged on the opposite side of the chassis plate  17 , and the optical pick-up  23  is able to approach and leave the turntable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the principal plane of the optical disk  2 . 
   The head slider  42  includes a front-side member  42 A, a rear-side member  42 B, and right and left connecting members  54 A and  54 B. The front-side member  42 A and the rear-side member  42 B are arranged at an interval therebetween in the fore-and-aft direction, that is, the longitudinal direction of the print head  31 . The right and left connecting members  54 A and  54 B are arranged at an interval therebetween in the transverse direction and connect the front-side member  42 A with the rear-side member  42 B. The front-side member  42 A and the rear-side member  42 B each extend upward from both side ends at a predetermined interval in the transverse direction that intersects with the longitudinal direction. Then, first bearing portions  55   a  are provided at the distal ends of one upright sides so as to protrude laterally, and second bearing portions  55   b  are provided at the distal ends of the other upright sides so as to protrude laterally in the opposite direction. 
   The first bearing portions  55   a  each have a first bearing hole  56   a . The two first bearing holes  56   a  are aligned on the same axis. Similarly, the second bearing portions  55   b  each have a second bearing hole  56   b . The two second bearing holes  56   b  are aligned on the same axis. Then, bearing members  58  are respectively fitted in the first bearing holes  56   a  and the second bearing holes  56   b , and fixed by a fixation manner such as press fitting. Two guide shafts  43 A and  43 B are slidably inserted into these bearing members  58 . 
     FIG. 8  is a view that illustrates a state in which the print head  31  is held by the head holder  41  and a state in which the head holder  41  is supported movably with respect to the head slider  42  through three guide pins  59   a  and  59   b . A first support plate  61 A is attached to one long side portion of the head holder  41 , and a second support plate  61 B is attached to the other long side portion of the head holder  41 . The two support plates  61 A and  61 B each have an upper face portion  62   a  and a side portion  62   b , and is formed to have an L-shaped cross section by connecting the end of the upper face portion  62   a  with the end of the side portion  62   b.    
   The two support plates  61 A and  61 B each are united with the head holder  41  by fixing the side portion  62   b  to the long side portion of the head holder  41 . Thus, the upper face portion  62   a  of the first support plate  61 A faces the upper faces of the first bearing portions  55   a  that are arranged at a predetermined interval in the fore-and-aft direction at a widthwise one side of the print head  31 . Then, the upper face portion  62   a  of the second support plate  61 B faces the upper faces of the second bearing portions  55   b  that are arranged at a predetermined interval in the fore-and-aft direction at the widthwise other side of the print head  31 . 
   The guide pins  59   a  are provided at both longitudinal ends of the upper face portion  62   a  of the first support plate  61 A so as to extend downward, that is, a direction substantially parallel to the side portion  62   b  of the first support plate  61 A. The two guide pins  59   a  are slidably inserted respectively in guide holes  64   a  that are provided so as to open at the upper faces of the two bearing portions  55   a . In addition, the single guide pin  59   b  is provided at a longitudinally middle portion of the upper face portion  62   a  of the second support plate  61 B so as to extend downward, that is, a direction substantially parallel to the side portion  62   b  of the second support plate  61 B. The guide pin  59   b  is slidably inserted in a guide hole  64   b  that is provided so as to open at the upper face of the connecting member  54 B. These guide pins  59   a  and  59   b  and guide holes  64   a  and  64   b  constitute a first guide mechanism that serves to regulate movement of the head holder  41  to move the head holder  41  substantially parallel to the head slider  42 . 
   Furthermore, in order to enhance the parallel movement operation of the head holder  41  with respect to the head slider  42 , in this example embodiment, a second guide mechanism  65  is provided. The second guide mechanism  65  is formed of two oblong holes  65   a  and two protrusions  65   b  that are slidably engaged with the oblong holes  65   a . The two oblong holes  65   a  are formed in the side portion  62   b  of the first support plate  61 A. The oblong holes  65   a  are arranged at a predetermined interval in the transverse direction and are formed so as to extend in the vertical direction. In correspondence with the oblong holes  65   a , the two protrusions  65   b  are provided on the inner face of the first connecting member  54 A at a predetermined interval so as to protrude inward. 
   The reason why two types of guide mechanisms for moving the head holder  41  substantially parallel to the head slider  42  are provided is because an electric motor, which is a power source for actuating the head holder  41 , may be required to be arranged at a horizontal one side of the print head  31 . That is, an adjustment motor  66 , such as a stepping motor, for moving the head holder  41  with respect to the head slider  42  is arranged at a widthwise one side of the head holder  41 . 
   The adjustment motor  66  includes a fixing portion  66   a  fixed to the side of the head slider  42 , a rotating portion  66   b  having a feed nut that is rotatably held by the fixing portion  66   a , and a screw shaft  67  that extends through the rotating portion  66   b . The fixing portion  66   a  of the adjustment motor  66  is mounted on a shelf plate  68 , which is provided and integrally fixed on the first connecting member  54 A. In addition, the screw shaft  67  is attached to the head holder  41  in such a manner that one end of the screw shaft  67  is fixed to the lower surface of the first support plate  61 A. The screw shaft  67  extends vertically through the middle portion of the adjustment motor  66  and protrudes downward of the shelf plate  68 . 
   The above described adjustment motor  66  and screw shaft  67  constitute a distance adjustment unit  60  that adjusts a distance S by moving the print head  31  so as to approach or leave the printing surface. Thus, when the adjustment motor  66  is driven, rotation of the feed nut based on the rotation of the rotating portion  66   b  axially moves the screw shaft  67  in accordance with the rotational direction thereof. The movement of the screw shaft  67  moves the print head  31  together with the head holder  41  that is fixed through the first support plate  61 A in a direction (a direction normal to the principal plane of the optical disk  2 ) normal to a direction in which the head slider  42  moves (fore-and-aft direction). 
   At this time, the adjustment motor  66  is arranged at one side of the print head  31 , and the axis of the screw shaft  67  is located remote from the middle portion of the print head  31 . Thus, a rotation moment is generated at the print head  31  due to a moving force of the screw shaft  67  that is axially movable, and a component force applied in a direction perpendicular to the above normal direction acts on the print head  31 . This perpendicular component force acts as a resistance force that inhibits smooth movement of the print head  31  in the normal direction. 
   In contrast, in this example embodiment, the two support plates  61 A and  61 B are fixed to the head holder  41 , and the guide pins  59   a  and  59   b  are provided for the support plates  61 A and  61 B. Then, the guide pins  59   a  are slidably engaged with the guide holes  64   a  formed in the front-side member  42 A and rear-side member  42 B of the head slider  42  and the guide pin  59   b  is slidably engaged with the guide hole  64   b  formed in the second support plate  61 B. Moreover, these three guide pins  59   a  and  59   b  are arranged in a well-balanced manner so as to form a triangle, so the three guide pins  59   a  and  59   b  may be slid in the same condition. As a result, it is possible to smoothly move the head holder  41  parallel to the normal direction while maintaining substantially the horizontal state of the head holder  41 . 
   Furthermore, the two oblong holes  65   a  are formed in the side portion  62   b  of the first support plate  61 A, and the two protrusions  65   b  engaged slidably with these oblong holes  65   a  are provided on the first connecting member  54 A. Thus, it is possible to further accurately maintain the horizontal state of the head holder  41 , and it is possible to reliably and smoothly move the head holder  41  in the normal direction. 
   The print head  31  provided with the thus configured distance adjustment unit  60  is movably supported by the two head guide shafts  43 A and  43 B. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first head guide shaft  43 A is slidably inserted into the bearing members  58  in the two bearing holes  56   a  of the first bearing portions  55   a  provided at one side of the head slider  42 . Then, the second guide shaft  43 B is slidably inserted into the bearing members  58  in the two bearing holes  56   b  of the second bearing portion  55   b  provided at the other side of the head slider  42 . 
   The two guide shafts  43 A and  43 B extend longitudinally of the opening  18  formed in the chassis plate  17 , and are arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. Then, the two guide shafts  43 A and  43 B are fixedly supported by the two guide shaft supports  44 A and  44 B at both ends. The two guide shaft supports  44 A and  44 B are arranged on the longitudinal both sides of the opening  18 , and each are fixed to the chassis plate  17  with a fixation screw. 
   The feed screw shaft  45  is arranged at a predetermined interval on the outer side of the one guide shaft  43 B. The feed screw shaft  45  is provided parallel to the two guide shafts  43 A and  43 B, and is coupled to the rotating shaft of the head feed motor  47  by a joint  71  attached to one axial end of the feed screw shaft  45 . The head feed motor  47  is fixed to a motor bracket  72 . The motor bracket  72  is fixed to the chassis plate  17  by a fixation manner such as a fixation screw. The feed nut  46  is screwed to the feed screw shaft  45 . A nut fitting plate  73  is fixed to the feed nut  46 . The nut fitting plate  73  is fixed to the head slider  42  by a fixation screw. 
   Thus, when the head feed motor  47  is driven, rotational force of the rotating shaft is transmitted through the joint  71  to the feed screw shaft  45  and further transmitted to the feed nut  46 . At this time, the feed nut  46  does not rotate because it is fixed to the head slider  42  through the nut fitting plate  73 , but the head slider  42  is axially movable so that it is guided by the two head guide shafts  43 A and  43 B. Thus, the feed nut  46  selectively moves in a direction to approach the head feed motor  47  or a direction to leave the head feed motor  47  in accordance with the rotational direction of the feed screw shaft  45 . By so doing, the head slider  42  integrally moves with the feed nut  46  and, as a result, the print head  31  is moved in the fore-and-aft direction, which is the same direction as the axial direction of the feed screw shaft  45 . 
   Movement of the print head  31  in the fore-and-aft direction is detectable by two position detection sensors  74  and  75 . The first position detection sensor  74  detects a disk inner stop position at which the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  is located after the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  moves radially inward of the optical disk  2  and passes a portion closest to the center portion by a predetermined distance. In addition, the second position detection sensor  75  detects a disk outer stop position at which the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  is located farthest from the center portion after the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31  moves radially outward of the optical disk  2 . 
   In order to detect these positions, a position detection piece  76  is attached to the nut fitting plate  73 . When the first position detection sensor  74  detects the position detection piece  76 , the disk inner stop position is detected and the print head  31  is stopped at that position. Similarly, when the second position detection sensor  75  detects the position detection piece  76 , the disk outer stop position is detected, and the print head  31  is stopped at that position. 
     FIG. 3  shows a state in which the printer  10  is accommodated inside the casing  3  and is overlapped with the disk tray  12 , and the like, with the chassis plate  17  removed. In the optical disk apparatus  1 , a head center line Lb that passes through the ink discharging unit  37  located substantially in the middle of the print head  31  of the printer  10  is set at a position offset by a distance E from a body center line La that passes through a rotation center Oc of the disk setting portion (turntable)  20 , which is the middle portion of the disk drive  9 . Thus, the print head  31  executes a printing operation on the printing surface of the optical disk  2  while moving on the locus of the head center line Lb offset by the distance E from the rotation center Oc. 
   In addition, a head cap  77  and an ink reservoir  78  are arranged in the rear side of the casing  3  on the head center line Lb. The head cap  77  is assembled to the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31 . The head cap  77  prevents drying of the nozzles of the ink discharging unit  37  to thereby prevent ink from being clogged in the nozzles. In addition, the ink reservoir  78  prevents a print error that no ink is discharged by performing idle discharge so as not to entrap air into the nozzles of the ink discharging unit  37 .  FIG. 28  is a view that illustrates definition of direction of the optical disk  2 . That is, the radial direction Y of the optical disk  2  corresponds to a radial direction, and the tangential direction X perpendicular to the radial direction Y corresponds to a tangential direction. 
     FIG. 10  is a block diagram that shows the flow of signals in the optical disk apparatus  1 . The controller  80  of the optical disk apparatus  1  includes a central control unit  81 , an interface unit  82 , a drive control unit  83 , a tray driving circuit  84 , a recording control circuit  85 , a signal processing unit  86 , a print image generating unit  87 , a print control unit  88 , a distance sensor driving circuit  90 , a printing mechanism driving circuit  91 , an ink discharge driving circuit  92 , an ink level detection circuit  93 , and the like. 
   The central control unit  81  controls the drive control unit  83 , the print image generating unit  87  and the print control unit  88 . The central control unit  81  outputs a record data signal, supplied from the interface unit  82 , to the drive control unit  83 . In addition, the central control unit  81  outputs an image data signal, supplied from the interface unit  82 , and a positional data signal, supplied from the drive control unit  83 , to the print image generating unit  87  and the print control unit  88 . 
   The interface unit  82  is a connecting portion that electrically connects an external device, such as a personal computer and a DVD recorder, with the optical disk apparatus  1 . The interface unit  82  outputs a signal, supplied from the external device, to the central control unit  81 . The signal supplied to the central control unit  81  corresponds to externally stored information that is stored in the external device, and may be, for example, a record data signal corresponding to recording information to be recorded in the information recording portion of the optical disk  2 , an image data signal corresponding to visual information to be printed on the printing surface of the optical disk  2  (the surface of the optical disk  2  or the surface of a label sheet). Furthermore, the interface unit  82  outputs a reproduce data signal, which is read from the information recording portion of the optical disk  2  by the optical disk apparatus  1 , to the external device. An example of specifications of such electrical connection with the external device may be, for example, the ATA standard (AT Attachment), the Serial ATA standard (SATA), the SCSI standard (Small Computer System Interface), or the USB standard (Universal Serial Bus). 
   The drive control unit  83  controls rotation of the spindle motor  21  of the disk rotation mechanism, and controls operation of the tray driving circuit  84  and operation of the recording control circuit  85 . That is, the drive control unit  83  outputs a control signal on the basis of a control signal supplied from the central control unit  81  to thereby drive the spindle motor  21 . Thus, the optical disk  2  set to the turntable  20  of the spindle motor  21  is, for example, rotated at a constant linear velocity. Furthermore, in order to control operation of the tray driving circuit  84  and operation of the recording control circuit  85 , the drive control unit  83  outputs control signals to the tray driving circuit  84  and the recording control circuit  85 . In addition, the drive control unit  83  outputs a position data signal, supplied from the signal processing unit  86 , to the central control unit  81 . 
   The tray driving circuit  84  controls rotation of a drive motor (not shown) of the tray transport mechanism. The tray drive motor is driven on the basis of a control signal output from the tray driving circuit  84 . Thus, the disk tray  12  is transported between the disk setting position inside the casing  3  and the disk ejected position outside the casing  3 . In addition, the recording control circuit  85  controls the optical pick-up  23  to record a record data signal, reproduce a reproduce data signal, and the like. 
   The optical pick-up  23  has a laser light source  23   a  and a light-receiving element  23   b . A light beam emitted from the laser light source  23   a  and irradiated from the pick-up lens is reflected on the information recording portion of the optical disk  2  and then received by the light-receiving element  23   b . The recording control circuit  85  outputs, to the optical pick-up  23 , a control signal for executing a track servo and a focus servo in such a manner that the light beam tracks a track provided in the information recording portion. The pick-up drive motor is driven on the basis of a control signal supplied from the recording control circuit  85 . Thus, the optical pick-up  23  is moved radially of the optical disk  2  together with the sliding member. 
   The signal processing unit  86  demodulates an RF (Radio Frequency) signal supplied from the optical pick-up  23 , performs error detection, and the like, to generate a reproduce data signal. In addition, the signal processing unit  86  detects a signal having a specific pattern, such as a synchronization signal and a position data signal as a signal that indicates position data of the optical disk  2  on the basis of the RF signal. The position data signal may be, for example, a rotation angle signal that indicates a rotation angle of the optical disk  2  and a rotation position signal that indicates a rotation position of the optical disk  2 . These reproduce data signal and position data signal are output to the drive control unit  83 . 
   The print image generating unit  87  generates a print image on the basis of a control signal supplied from the central control unit  81 . In addition, the print control unit  88  controls the print head  31  of the printer  10 , a head driving mechanism that actuates the print head  31 , the distance detector that detects a distance between the print head and the printing surface, a cleaning mechanism, which will be described later, that cleans the print head  31  and the distance detector, and the like, on the basis of control signals supplied from the central control unit  81 . 
   The print control unit  88  generates ink discharge data on the basis of image data obtained through image data signals that are generated by the print image generating unit  87  and supplied from the central control unit  81 . Then, the print control unit  88  generates control signals for controlling the printer  10  on the basis of the generated discharge data and position data signals supplied from the central control unit  81 , and outputs the control signals to the printing mechanism driving circuit  91  and the ink discharge driving circuit  92 . The print control unit  88  controls the printing mechanism driving circuit  91  and the ink discharge driving circuit  92  to thereby print out desired visual information on the printing surface of the optical disk  2  through control of the print head  31 . 
   The access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89  is formed of the above described indicator lamp  21 . The access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89  is supplied with a control signal from the central control unit  81 , a control signal from the drive control unit  83 , and a control signal from the print control unit  88 . Then, through these control signals, the indicator lamp  21  is controlled to light up or blink in a predetermined color as described above. 
   The printing mechanism driving circuit  91  drives the head feed motor  47 , the head cap  77 , a vacuum pump  94 , and a blade  95  on the basis of control signals supplied from the print control unit  88 . At this time, when the head feed motor  47  is driven, the print head  31  is moved from radially inner side of the optical disk  2  toward the outer side. The direction in which the print head  31  moves may be set opposite to this example embodiment, that is, the print head  31  may be moved from the radially outer side of the optical disk  2  toward the inner side. 
   The ink discharge driving circuit  92  drives the print head  31  on the basis of control signals supplied from the print control unit  88 . Thus, ink droplets are discharged from discharge nozzles of the ink discharging unit  37  of the print head  31 , and the ink droplets are adhered onto the printing surface of the rotated optical disk  2 . The print head  31 , for example, accommodates three colors, that is, C (cyan), Y (yellow), and M (magenta). With a combination of these three types of ink, visual information formed of image data expressed by grayscale levels that represent brightness of each color of R (red), G (green), and B (blue) is displayed. 
   The ink discharge driving circuit  92  detects the ink levels contained in the print head  31 , and indicates the degrees of the ink levels with an indicator. The ink level is detected for each ink used; however, the amount of ink consumed depends on printing conditions, so normally, when any one of the ink levels is reduced to a predetermined amount or below, the low ink level is indicated. 
   Generally, not all ink droplets discharged from the print head  31  of the printer  10  land on the printing surface. Non-landed ink droplets become mist to float in the air inside the apparatus and then contaminate internal mechanisms and devices. In order to reduce the mist, it is desirable that the distance between the print head  31  and the printing surface is reduced. However, because the optical disk  2  may undergo surface runout, if the distance is reduced too much (the print head  31  is brought close to the printing surface too much), the print head  31  may possibly collide with the printing surface. In addition, the optical disk  2  has specifications in thickness, and the like, so the optical disk  2  having a predetermined thickness or above is not normally used. 
     FIG. 15  is a flowchart that shows a first example embodiment of control of an ink level indication by the access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89 . This example embodiment shows an example embodiment without the above described ink level information button  22 . First, when power is turned on to start the process, in step S 1 , the access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89  is supplied from the drive control unit  83  with a signal for detecting a recording/reproducing operation mode of the disk drive  9 . Next, in step S 2 , the access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89  is supplied from the print control unit  88  with signals for detecting a status of a printing operation of the printer  10  and a status of each ink level in the ink tank. 
   Next, in step S 3 , the access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89  determines whether there is an operation or a status to be indicated from among the operation and status of the optical disk apparatus  1 , detected in step S 1  and step S 2 . In step S 3 , when it is determined that there is no operation or status to be indicated, that is, there is no recording or reproducing operation on the optical disk  2  by the disk drive  9  or no inserting or ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 , and there is no printing operation by the printer  10 , the process ends. Then, the process of step S 1  to step S 3  is repeated until power is turned off. On the other hand, in step S 3 , when it is determined that there is an operation or a status to be indicated, the process proceeds to step S 4 . 
   In step S 4 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk  2 . In step S 4 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk  2 , the process proceeds to step S 5  and then executes an indication of the recording/reproducing operation on the optical disk  2  using the indicator lamp  21 . The process of indicating a recording/reproducing operation is, for example, executed by the process as shown in  FIG. 16 . 
   In  FIG. 16 , first, in step S 51 , it is determined whether it is an indication of an operation that the optical disk  2  is inserted into the disk drive  9  and set to the disk setting portion. In step S 51 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes an inserting operation, the process proceeds to step S 52  and then outputs a control signal for lighting the indicator lamp  21  in red. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red. After that, the process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 51 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  is inserted, the process proceeds to step S 53 . 
   In step S 53 , it is determined whether it is an indication of an operation that the optical disk  2  is detached from the disk setting portion and is ejected from the disk drive  9 . In step S 53 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes an ejecting operation, the process proceeds to step S 54  and then outputs a control signal for blinking the indicator lamp  21  in red. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red. After that, the process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 53 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  is ejected, the process proceeds to step S 55 . 
   In step S 55 , it is determined whether it is an indication of an operation that the disk drive  9  performs recording on the optical disk  2 . In step S 55 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes a recording operation, the process proceeds to step S 56  and then outputs a control signal for blinking the indicator lamp  21  in green. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in green. After that, the process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 55 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes a recording operation, the process proceeds to step S 57 . 
   In step S 57 , it is determined whether it is an indication of an operation that the disk drive  9  performs reproducing on the optical disk  2 . In step S 57 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes a reproducing operation, the process proceeds to step S 58  and then outputs a control signal for lighting the indicator lamp  21  in green. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in green. After that, the process ends and returns to step S 1 . When power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 57 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes a reproducing operation, the process ends and returns to step S 1 . After that, the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   Next, referring back to  FIG. 15 , in step S 4 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the operation that the optical disk  2  undergoes a recording/reproducing operation, the process proceeds to step S 6 . In step S 6 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a status that printing is difficult. That is, it is determined whether it is difficult for the printer  10  to normally perform printing because of, for example, the situation that ink is out in the ink tank. In step S 6 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the status that printing is difficult, the process proceeds to step S 7  and then executes an indication of the status that printing on the optical disk  2  is difficult using the indicator lamp  21 . The process of indicating the status that printing is difficult is, for example, executed as shown in  FIG. 17 . 
   In  FIG. 17 , first, in step S 71 , it is determined whether it is an indication of the status that ink is out in the ink tank. In step S 71 , it is determined that it is an indication of the status that ink is out, the process proceeds to step S 72  and then the indicator lamp  21  lights up in color corresponding to an ink-out color. For example, when only one color ink, that is, cyan (C) ink, is out, the indicator lamp  21  continuously lights up only in cyan. In addition, for example, when all three color inks, that is, cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) inks, are out, the indicator lamp  21  sequentially lights up in all three colors, that is, cyan, magenta and yellow, at predetermined equal time intervals and then repeats the lighting. The process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 71 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the status that ink is out, the process proceeds to step S 73 . 
   In step S 73 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a status that ink is not installed, that is, whether the print head  31  having an ink tank is set in the printer  10 . In step S 73 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the status that an ink tank (print head) is not installed, the process proceeds to step S 74  and then outputs a control signal for sequentially lighting all the ink colors (in this example embodiment, three colors) contained in the ink tank in addition to white color for respective predetermined time intervals. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  successively lights up in four colors at predetermined time intervals. After that, the process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 73 , it is determined that it is not an indication of the status that an ink tank (print head) is not installed, the process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   Next, referring back to  FIG. 15 , in step S 6 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the status that printing is difficult, the process proceeds to step S 8 . In step S 8 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a printing operation on the optical disk  2 . In step S 8 , the determination is made whether it is a cleaning operation, a printing operation, or not. In step S 8 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the printing operation on the optical disk  2 , the process proceeds to step S 9  and then executes an indication that the optical disk  2  undergoes a printing operation using the indicator lamp  21 . The process of indicating a printing operation on the optical disk  2  is, for example, executed as shown in  FIG. 18 . 
   In  FIG. 18 , first, in step S 91 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a cleaning operation. In step S 91 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the cleaning operation, the process proceeds to step S 92  and then blinks the indicator lamp  21  in white (this is generated by lighting three colors, that is, red, blue and green, at the same time). The process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 91 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the cleaning operation, the process proceeds to step S 93 . 
   In step S 93 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a printing operation by the printer  10 . In step S 93 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the printing operation, the process proceeds to step S 94  and then lights the indicator lamp  21  in white. The process ends and returns to step S 1 . When power is turned off, the last process ends. On the other hand, in step S 93 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the printing operation, the process ends and returns to step S 1 . After that, the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 15 , in step S 8 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the printing operation on the optical disk  2 , the process proceeds to step S 10 . In step S 10 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a status that printing is possible. In step S 10 , the determination is made as to how much the amount of ink is contained in the ink tank. That is, it is determined whether the printer  10  currently is able to normally perform printing but it may be difficult to normally perform printing later because consumables such as ink may be out when the printer is continuously used due to a low ink level in the ink tank. In step S 10 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the status that printing is possible, the process proceeds to step S 11  and then executes an indication that printing on the optical disk  2  is possible using the indicator lamp  21 . The process of indicating a status that printing on the optical disk  2  is possible is, for example, executed as shown in  FIG. 19 . 
   In  FIG. 19 , first, in step S 111 , it is determined whether it is an indication of a status of an ink level. In step S 111 , when it is determined that it is an indication of the status of an ink level, the process proceeds to step S 112  and then blinks the indicator lamp  21  in color(s) corresponding to the respective color ink level(s). For example, when only one color ink, that is, magenta (M) ink, is low, the indicator lamp  21  continuously blinks only in magenta. In addition, for example, when all three color inks, that is, cyan (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) inks, are low, the indicator lamp  21  alternately blinks in all three colors, that is, cyan, magenta and yellow. The process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   On the other hand, in step S 111 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the status of an ink level, the process ends. Then, the process returns to step S 1 , and repeats the process of step S 1  to step S 11  until power is turned off. In addition, referring back to  FIG. 15 , in step S 10 , when it is determined that it is not an indication of the status that printing is possible, the process returns to step S 1  and repeats the process of step S 1  to step S 11  until power is turned off. 
   Next, a series of flow when the user manipulates will be described with reference to the algorithms shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 24  are views that show an example embodiment without the ink level information button  22 . Here, the description provides the case in which the user conducts recording contents into the information recording portions of four optical disks  2  and printing on the label surfaces of them. In this example embodiment, although it does not usually occur, it is assumed that, while printing the four optical disks  2 , an ink level becomes low and then becomes out, and changes in the status of the ink level are described. 
   First, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the first optical disk. At the initial point of this manipulation, the amounts of three color inks all are adequate. In  FIG. 20 , first, when the user inserts the first optical disk  2  into the disk drive  9  at time t 1 , an inserting operation of the recording/reproducing operation is performed and, at the same time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red as an indicating operation. At this time, a printing operation is not performed, and there is no change in the status of ink of the print head  31 . Next, when the inserting operation ends and, subsequently, a reading operation starts at time t 2 , the indicator lamp  21  changes from red lighting into green lighting. 
   When the reading operation ends and, subsequently, a recording operation starts at time t 3 , the indicator lamp  21  changes from green lighting into green blinking. Next, when the recording operation ends and a verifying operation of that recording starts at time t 4 , the indicator lamp  21  switches from green blinking into green lighting. Then, when the verifying operation of the recording ends at time t 5 , the indicator lamp  21  turns off green lighting. At this time, a typical optical disk drive without printing function completes the recording/reproducing operation, such as the reading operation, the recording operation and the verifying operation. Next, when the disk drive  9  rotates the optical disk  2  for printing at time t 6 , the printer  10  starts a printing operation on the label surface. At this time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. 
   Next, when the printing operation ends at time t 7 , the indicator lamp  21  turns off white lighting. At this time, the main function of the printer-equipped disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention, that is, the recording/reproducing operation on the information recording surface of the optical disk  2  and the printing operation on the label surface, which is the printing surface, of the optical disk  2 , is completed. Then, when the user selects ejection of the first optical disk at time t 8 , the disk drive  9  starts an ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 . Thus, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red, and at time t 9  at which the optical disk  2  ends the ejecting operation, the indicator lamp  21  turns off red blinking. 
   Next, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the second optical disk. Here, the description provides the case in which the state where a certain amount of ink remains in the ink tank is changed into the state where the ink level is low after printing. In  FIG. 21 , when the user inserts the second optical disk  2  into the disk drive  9  at time t 10 , an inserting operation of the recording/reproducing operation is performed and, at the same time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red as an indicating operation. At this time, a printing operation is not performed, and there is no change in the status of ink of the print head  31 . The next operations and indications from time t 11  to time t 15  are similar to those of the process from time t 2  to time t 6  in  FIG. 20  as described above, so the description of them is omitted. 
   Next, when the cyan (C) ink is low at time t 16  and it is detected that the cyan ink is low, the indicator lamp  21  does not change an indication at time t 16 , but the indicator lamp  21  continues to light up in white in correspondence with the printing operation. After that, when the printing operation ends at time t 17 , the indicator lamp  21  switches white lighting into cyan blinking that indicates that the cyan ink is low. Thus, the user is able to recognize that the cyan ink in the ink tank is low. Next, when the user selects ejection of the second optical disk at time t 18 , the disk drive  9  starts an ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 . Thus, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red, and at time t 19  at which the optical disk  2  ends the ejecting operation, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in cyan again. In this way, the indicating operation of cyan blinking is performed at time t 17  and at time t 19 , so the user can make preparations, such as getting a replacement ink tank, for supplying cyan ink later. 
   Furthermore, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the third optical disk. Here, the description provides the case in which the status where ink still remains in the ink tank changes into the status where the ink is out after printing. In  FIG. 22 , because it has been already detected at time t 19  that the cyan ink is low, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in cyan. In this state, the ink tank is not replaced, and the user instructs printing while recognizing that the cyan ink is low. 
   Next, when the user inserts the third optical disk  2  into the disk drive  9  at time t 20 , an inserting operation of the recording/reproducing operation is performed and, at the same time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red as an indicating operation. At this time, a printing operation is not performed, and inks of the print head  31  are in a status that the cyan ink is low. The next operations and indications from time t 21  to time t 24  are similar to those of the process from time t 11  to time t 14  in  FIG. 21  as described above, so the description of them is omitted. 
   Next, when an verifying operation of the recording ends at time t 24 , the indicator lamp  21  switches from green lighting that indicates the verifying operation into cyan blinking again. Then, when the printer  10  starts the printing operation on the label surface at time t 25 , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in white. Next, when the printing operation ends and the ink level changes from “ink low status” into “ink out status” at time t 26 , the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan, indicating that the cyan ink is out. Thus, the user is able to recognize that the cyan ink in the ink tank is out. 
   Next, when the user selects ejection of the third optical disk at time t 27 , the disk drive  9  starts an ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 . Thus, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in red, and at time t 28  at which the optical disk  2  ends the ejecting operation, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan again. 
   In addition, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for replacing ink when the ink is out. Here, the user recognizes that the cyan ink is out, the ink tank is replaced, and in association with the replacement work, the disk drive performs a cleaning operation at the time of installing an ink tank. In  FIG. 23 , when the user replaces the ink tank, because an ink tank is not installed from time t 29  at which detachment of the ink tank is started, through time t 30  at which the old ink tank is replaced with a new ink tank, to time t 31  at which attachment of the new ink tank ends, the indicator lamp  21  alternately lights up in three colors and white, indicating a status that an ink tank is not installed. A specific example of an operation of alternate lighting of the three colors and white is, for example, such that, first, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan for a second, lights up in magenta for a second, lights up in yellow for a second and then lights up in white for a second. This is repeated until replacement of the ink tank ends. 
   After that, from time t 31  at which replacement of the ink tank ends, the cleaning operation at the time of ink tank installation is executed. At this time, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in white, indicating a status that the ink tank is installed and the cleaning operation is executed. Then, at time t 32  at which the cleaning operation at the time of ink tank installation, the indicator lamp  21  turns off. Thus, because the indicator lamp  21  is turned off at the next time t 33 , the user is able to recognize that there is no error status, such as the status of ink in the printer  10  in regard to the optical disk apparatus  1 . 
   Finally, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the fourth optical disk. Here, the inks sufficiently remain in the ink tank, so the user is able to perform printing on the optical disk using the inks. In  FIG. 24 , when the user inserts the fourth optical disk  2  into the disk drive  9  at time t 34 , an inserting operation of the recording/reproducing operation is performed and, at the same time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red as an indicating operation. The following operations and indications from time t 34  to time t 42  are similar to those of the process from time t 1  to time t 9  in  FIG. 20  as described above, so the description of them is omitted. As described above, according to the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 24 , the user is able to repeat recording and printing on a plurality of optical disks  2  while appropriately recognizing the ink level. 
   According to this example embodiment, it is possible to indicate an operation of printing function and a status thereof using only the single indicator lamp  21  that is provided at the front face of the optical disk apparatus  1 . Thus, it may be not necessary to provide an additional indicating component, and it is sufficient to just replace an existing indicating component. Thus, it is possible to reduce an increase in component cost. Furthermore, it may be not necessary to have a new indicating space on the front panel of the casing, so it may be not necessary to largely change the design and, therefore, it is possible to reduce design cost. In addition, the user is able to know the operation status of the disk drive through the indication pattern of the indicator lamp  21 , so it is possible to improve recognizability of the status of the apparatus. Furthermore, an indication regarding the operation status of the disk drive is indicated by the single indicator lamp  21  that indicates a status regarding the function of the printer, so it is possible to enhance convenience of status recognition. 
   In addition, in regard to the recording/reproducing operation, it is possible to implement a similar indication status to an existing optical disk apparatus that is not provided with printing function. Thus, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user may erroneously recognize the status of the apparatus. Furthermore, in regard to the printing function as well, if the user has used an existing printer-equipped optical disk apparatus, because the operation and status of the printing function are indicated by lighting or blinking of the access lamp, it is possible to improve user&#39;s recognizability of the operation and status. Yet furthermore, in regard to the ink level indication, because the access lamp lights up or blinks in the same color as the ink color, it is possible to improve recognizability of the ink level indication. 
     FIG. 25  is a flowchart that shows a second example embodiment of control of an ink level indication by the access lamp/ink level indicator unit  89 . This example embodiment shows an example embodiment with the above described ink level information button  22 . The process of this example embodiment is basically similar to that of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 15  as described above, and the second example embodiment differs from the first example embodiment in only three portions, that is, step S 201  to step S 203 . Thus, in  FIG. 25 , like reference numerals denote like components, the overlapped description is omitted, and the different process, that is, step S 201  to step S 203 , will be mainly described. Note that the priority of operation indication and status indication is “an indication of a status of ink level by pressing down the ink level information button  22 ”, “an indication of a recording/reproducing operation”, “an indication of a status that printing is difficult”, “an indication of a printing operation”, and “an indication of a status that printing is possible” in the stated order. 
   In  FIG. 25 , step S 1  and step S 2  are similar to those of the control of the ink level indication according to the first example embodiment, and step S 201  is provided after step S 2 . In step S 201 , it is detected when the ink level information button  22  is pressed down. This process is automatically detected when the ink level information button  22  is pressed down. The next step S 3  is similar to that of the above example embodiment, and in step S 3 , when it is determined that there is an operation or a status to be indicated, the process proceeds to the added step S 202 . 
   In step S 202 , it is determined whether the ink level information button  22  is being pressed. In step S 202 , when it is determined that the ink level information button  22  is not being pressed, the process proceeds to the determinations and processes described in the above example embodiment in step S 4  and the following steps. On the other hand, in step S 202 , when it is determined that the ink level information button  22  is being pressed, the process proceeds to step S 203 . In step S 203 , the status of ink level is indicated. The process of indicating the status of ink level is, for example, executed as shown in  FIG. 26 . 
   In  FIG. 26 , first, in step S 2031 , it is determined whether an ink tank is installed. This process in this example embodiment may be determined on the basis of whether the print head  31  in which the ink tank is accommodated is set at a predetermined position. In step S 2031 , when it is determined that an ink tank is not installed, the process proceeds to step S 2032 . In step S 2032 , an indication that an ink tank is not installed, that is, in this example embodiment, the indicator lamp  21  luminously indicates four colors that includes three colors of red (R), green (G) and blue (B), and white (W) respectively for a predetermined period of time in such a manner that the indicator lamp  21  sequentially switches lighting, that is, alternately lights up in three colors and white. The process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   On the other hand, in step S 2031 , when it is determined that the ink tank is installed, the process proceeds to step S 2033 . In step S 2033 , lighting and/or blinking control corresponding to the color ink levels are executed and the indicator lamp  21  luminously indicates the status of the ink levels. In this example embodiment, for example, when one color ink, that is, magenta (M) ink, is low, the indicator lamp  21  blinks in magenta, and when one color ink, that is, cyan (C) ink, is out, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan. The process ends and returns to step S 1 , and then the process of step S 1  to step S 11  is repeated. Then, when power is turned off, the last process ends. 
   Next, a series of flow when the user manipulates will be described with reference to the algorithms shown in  FIG. 25 ,  FIG. 26  and above described  FIG. 16  to  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 27  to  FIG. 31  are views that show an example embodiment with the ink level information button  22 . Here, the description provides the case in which the user conducts recording contents into the information recording portions of four optical disks  2  and printing on the label surfaces of them. In this example embodiment, although it does not usually occur, it is assumed that, while printing the four optical disks  2 , an ink level becomes low and then becomes out, and changes in the status of the ink level are described. 
   Note that  FIG. 27  to  FIG. 31  provide an indication mode in addition to the user operation, user manipulation, recording/reproducing operation, printing operation, status of the head, etc. and indicating operation of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 24 . In  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 24 , like reference numerals denote like components as those of the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 24 , and the overlapped description is omitted. 
   First, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the first optical disk. At the initial point of this manipulation, the amounts of three color inks all are adequate. In  FIG. 27 , first, when the user inserts the first optical disk  2  into the disk drive  9  at time t 1 , an inserting operation of the recording/reproducing operation is performed. The indication mode at this time is “operation/status indication”, and the indicator lamp  21  lights up in red as an indicating operation. At this time, a printing operation is not performed, and there is no change in the status of ink of the print head  31 . 
   The process from time t 1  to time t 3  is the same. Next, when the user presses (turns on) the ink level information button  22  at time t 3   a , the process of step S 202  and step S 203  shown in  FIG. 25  is executed. Then, the indication mode is switched to “ink level indication”, and the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is changed to an ink level indication. At this time, for example, when cyan (C) ink is 50%, magenta (M) ink is 25%, and yellow (Y) ink is 25%, green blinking, which is a luminous indication till then, is switched to an ink level indication corresponding to each color ink level. 
   In this case, when applied to the above example embodiment, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (blue and green) for 1.0 second and is then turned off for 1.0 second, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (red and blue) for 1.5 seconds and is then turned off for 0.5 seconds, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (red and green) for 1.5 seconds and is then turned off for 0.5 seconds. At these time intervals, the indicator lamp  21  repeats cyan lighting, turning off, magenta lighting, turning off, yellow lighting, and turning off. At this time, the user is able to roughly recognize the status of each color ink level on the basis of lighting time of each color and turn-off time therebetween. Note that when each ink level is specifically detected, the indicator lamp  21  performs an indication in such a manner that lighting time and turn-off time of the indicator lamp  21  are associated with the detected ink levels. Thus, it is possible to recognize that cyan ink is about 50%, and magenta and yellow inks are about 25%. 
   After that, when the user turns off the ink level information button  22  at t 4   a , the process in step S 203  shown in  FIG. 25  stops, and the indication mode switches from “ink level indication” to “operation/status indication”. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  changes from the ink level indication to green lighting that indicates a recording/reproducing operation (recording verification operation in this example embodiment) at that time. The process from time t 5  to time t 9  after that is the same as that of the above example embodiment. 
   Next, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the second optical disk. Here, the description provides the case in which the status where a certain amount of ink remains in the ink tank changes into the status where the ink level is low after printing. In  FIG. 28 , the process from time t 10  to time t 13  is the same as that of the above example embodiment. Next, when the user turns on the ink level information button  22  at time t 13   a , the indication mode is switched from “operation/status indication” to “ink level indication”. Then, the indicator lamp  21  changes from green lighting, which indicates recording/reproducing operation at that time, to the ink level indication. 
   At this time, for example, when cyan (C) ink is 40%, magenta (M) ink is 20%, and yellow (Y) ink is 20%, green blinking, which is a luminous indication till then, is switched to an ink level indication corresponding to each color ink level. In this case, when applied to the above example embodiment, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (blue and green) for 1.2 seconds and is then turned off for 0.8 seconds, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (red and blue) for 1.6 seconds and is then turned off for 0.4 seconds, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (red and green) for 1.6 seconds and is then turned off for 0.4 seconds. At this time, the user is able to roughly recognize the status of each color ink level on the basis of lighting time of each color and turn-off time therebetween. Note that when each ink level is specifically detected, it is possible to recognize that cyan ink is about 40%, and magenta and yellow inks are about 20%. 
   After that, when the user turns off the ink level information button  22  at t 15   a , the indication mode switches from “ink level indication” to “operation/status indication”. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  changes from the ink level indication to white lighting that indicates a recording/reproducing operation (rotation for printing in this example embodiment) at that time. Next, when, for example, magenta ink becomes low at time t 16  and the printing operation ends at time t 17 , the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched to magenta blinking that indicates that the magenta ink is low. In this way, the indicating operation according to “ink level indication” mode is performed from time t 13   a  to time t 15   a  and/or the indicating operation by magenta blinking is performed at time t 17  and at time t 19 . Thus, the user can make preparations, such as getting a replacement ink tank, for supplying magenta ink and/or yellow ink later. 
   Next, when the user selects ejection of the optical disk  2  at time t 18 , the recording/reproducing operation is switched to an ejecting operation. Thus, the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched from magenta blinking to red blinking that indicates the ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 . Then, when the ejection of the optical disk  2  ends at time t 19 , the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched again from red blinking to magenta blinking that indicates that the magenta ink is low. 
   Furthermore, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the third optical disk. Here, the description provides the case in which the status where ink still remains in the ink tank changes into the status where the ink is out after printing. It is assumed that the user instructs printing while recognizing that the magenta ink is low. In  FIG. 29 , the process from time t 19  to time t 26  is similar to the above example embodiment except that which color ink is low, that is, whether cyan ink is low or magenta ink is low. Next, when it is detected, for example, that magenta (M) ink changes from the status “ink is low” to the status “ink is out” when the printing operation ends at time t 26 , the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched from white lighting that indicates the printing status to magenta lighting that indicates that the magenta ink is out. Thus, the user is able to recognize that the magenta (M) ink is out. 
   Next, when the user selects ejection of the optical disk  2  at time t 27 , the recording/reproducing operation is switched to an ejecting operation. Thus, the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched from magenta lighting to red blinking that indicates the ejecting operation of the optical disk  2 . Then, when the ejection of the optical disk  2  ends at time t 28 , the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched again from red blinking to magenta lighting that indicates that the magenta ink is out. After that, when the user turns on the ink level information button  22  at time t 28   a , the indication mode is switched from “operation/status indication” to “ink level indication”. Then, the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched from magenta lighting, which indicates the status “magenta ink is out” at that time, to the ink level indication. Thus, at time t 26  and at time t 28 , the user is able to recognize that the magenta (M) ink is out. Then, the user turns on the ink level information button  22  in order to check the ink levels in further detail. 
   At this time, for example, when cyan (C) ink is 20%, magenta (M) ink is 0%, and yellow (Y) ink is 20%, magenta lighting, which is a luminous indication till then, is switched to an ink level indication corresponding to each color ink level. In this case, when applied to the above example embodiment, for example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (blue and green) for 1.6 seconds and is then turned off for 0.4 seconds, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (red and blue) for 2.0 seconds and, without turn-off time, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (red and green) for 1.6 seconds and is then turned off for 0.4 seconds. At these time intervals, the indicator lamp  21  repeats cyan lighting, turning off, magenta lighting, yellow lighting, and turning off. At this time, the user is able to roughly recognize the status of each color ink level on the basis of lighting time of each color and turn-off time therebetween. Note that when each ink level is specifically detected, it is possible to recognize that cyan ink is about 20%, magenta ink is 0%, and yellow ink is about 20%. 
   After that, when the user turns off the ink level information button  22  at t 29 , the indication mode switches from “ink level indication” to “operation/status indication”. Thus, the indicator lamp  21  changes from the ink level indication to magenta lighting that indicates the status “magenta ink is out”, which has been already detected. As a result, from time t 28   a  to time t 29 , the user is able to recognize that the magenta (M) ink is out. Note that when each ink level is specifically detected, it is possible to recognize that magenta ink is 0%, cyan ink is about 20%, and yellow ink is about 20%. 
   In addition, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for replacing ink when the ink is out. Here, the user recognizes that the cyan ink is out, the ink tank is replaced, and in association with the replacement work, the disk drive performs a cleaning operation at the time of installing an ink tank. In  FIG. 30 , the process from time t 29  to time t 33  is the same as that of the above example embodiment. Next, when the user turns on the ink level information button  22  at time t 33   a , the indication mode is switched from “operation/status indication” to “ink level indication”. Thus, the indicator lamp  21 , which has been turned off till then, starts an ink level indication. 
   At this time, because a new ink tank is installed in the printer  10 , the status of the print head, etc. is not changed. In addition, because it is detected that all color inks, that is, cyan, magenta and yellow inks, are substantially full, the indicator lamp  21  performs an ink level indication corresponding to this status. For example, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in cyan (blue and green) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in magenta (red and blue) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds, and subsequently, the indicator lamp  21  lights up in yellow (red and green) for 0.5 seconds and is then turned off for 1.5 seconds. At these time intervals, the indicator lamp  21  repeats cyan lighting, turning off, magenta lighting, turning off, yellow lighting, and turning off. At this time, the user is able to roughly recognize the status of each color ink level, that is, the status that all color inks are substantially full, on the basis of lighting time of each color and turn-off time therebetween. 
   Next, when the user turns off the ink level information button  22  at t 33   b , the indication mode switches from “ink level indication” to “operation/status indication”. Thus, the ink level indication of the indicator lamp  21  is turned off. Hence, the user is able to recognize that all three color inks are substantially full between time t 33   a  and time t 33   b.    
   Finally, it is assumed when the user conducts manipulation for recording and printing on the fourth optical disk. Here, the inks sufficiently remain in the ink tank, so the user is able to perform printing on the optical disk using the inks. In  FIG. 31 , the process from time t 34  to time t 36  and from time t 38  to time t 42  is the same as that of the above example embodiment. When the user turns on the ink level information button  22  at time t 36   a , the indication mode is switched from “operation/status indication” to “ink level indication” and, at the same time, the indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched to the ink level indication. At this time, the inks sufficiently remain in the ink tank, so the indicator lamp  21  performs an ink level indication corresponding to this status. 
   The ink level indication of the indicator lamp  21  does not change after the recording operation ends and then the verifying operation starts at time t 37 . Next, when the user turns off the ink level information button  22  at time t 37 , the indication mode is switched from “ink level indication” to “operation/status indication” and, at the same time, the ink level indication of the indicator lamp  21  is switched to green lighting that indicates the verifying operation of the recording. Hence, the user is able to recognize that all three color inks are substantially full between time t 36   a  and time t 37   a . As described above, according to the example embodiment shown in  FIG. 27  to  FIG. 31 , the user is able to repeat recording and printing on a plurality of optical disks  2  while appropriately recognizing the ink levels. 
   As described in this example embodiment, by performing the ink level indication through the ink level information button  22 , it is possible to detect the ink levels quantitatively and notify the user. In addition, it may be merely required to provide a press button as an additional component. This does not lead to a significant increase in cost. According to this example embodiment, irrespective of the recording/reproducing operation, the user is able to recognize the ink level quantitatively at selected time, and it is easy to determine how long replacement of ink may be necessary, or the like. Thus, it is possible to enhance convenience of preparations for printing, ink replacement, and the like. Furthermore, the indicator lamp  21  may be installed in a small space even in the narrow front panel, so it does not cause an increase in size of the apparatus and, therefore, it is possible to reduce design cost. 
   The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and shown in the drawings; it may be modified in various forms within the scope of the invention. For example, the DVD-RW is used as a recording medium in the example embodiments. Instead, the embodiment of the invention may be applied to a printer-equipped optical disk apparatus that uses a recording medium in another recording mode, such as a magneto-optical disk and a magnetic disk. Furthermore, the disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus according to the embodiment of the invention is not limited to an optical disk recording/reproducing apparatus that is capable of both recording and reproducing, but it may be applied to a disk recording apparatus, a disk reproducing apparatus, or another disk recording and/or reproducing apparatus, which is able to use this type of printer. 
   It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.