Patent ID: 8096646

Claim:
An ink cartridge comprising: a first member configured to either prevent a first signal having a first intensity from passing therethrough in its entirety, or to allow at least one portion of the first signal to pass therethrough, wherein the at least one portion of the first signal has a second intensity, and the first intensity is greater than the second intensity; a second member configured to either prevent a second signal having a third intensity from passing therethrough in its entirety, or to allow at least one first portion of the second signal to pass therethrough, wherein the at least one first portion of the second signal has a fourth intensity, and the third intensity is greater than the fourth intensity; a third member configured to either prevent the second signal from passing therethrough in its entirety, or to allow either the at least one first portion of the second signal or at least one second portion of the second signal to pass therethrough; an ink chamber configured to store ink therein; and an ink supply portion configured to dispense ink from an interior of the ink chamber to an exterior of the ink chamber, wherein the at least one second portion of the second signal has a fifth intensity, and the third intensity is greater than the fifth intensity, wherein the second member is positioned between the first member and the ink supply portion, wherein an intermediate portion is formed between the second member and the third member in a predetermined direction, and the intermediate portion is configured to allow at least one third portion of the second signal to pass therethrough, wherein the at least one third portion of the second signal has a sixth intensity, and the third intensity is greater than or equal to the sixth intensity, wherein the sixth intensity is greater than zero intensity and is not less than or equal to either the fourth intensity or the fifth intensity, wherein a first plane intersects each of the ink supply portion, the first member, and the second member, and the first plane extends in the first direction and in the second direction, wherein a second plane intersects each of the second member and the third member, and the second plane is perpendicular to the first plane, wherein the ink supply portion is offset from the second plane.