Patent ID: 7364246

Claim:
A method for supplying liquid to each of first liquid-tank components of a first liquid tank from a corresponding one of second liquid-tank components of a second liquid tank via negative pressure generated by a negative-pressure generating member provided in each first liquid-tank component, the first liquid tank being movable together with a liquid discharge unit during a printing operation, each first liquid-tank component storing the liquid to be discharged during the printing operation, each second liquid-tank component storing the liquid to be supplied to the corresponding first liquid-tank component, the method comprising: a first detecting step of detecting an amount of liquid consumption in each first liquid-tank component; a first determining step of determining whether each first liquid-tank component needs to be supplied with the liquid based on the amount of liquid consumption detected in the first detecting step; a controlling step of controlling the magnitude of the negative pressure generated by the negative-pressure generating member with respect to each first liquid-tank component based on the amount of liquid consumption detected in the first detecting step, wherein the magnitude of the negative pressure generated during a liquid-supply operation is greater than that in a state other than the liquid-supply operation; a second detecting step of detecting an orientation of one of the first liquid tank, the second liquid tank, and a printing device provided with the first liquid tank and the second liquid tank; and a second determining step of determining whether the orientation detected in the second detecting step is within a predetermined range, wherein the liquid is supplied to the first liquid tank from the second liquid tank when it is determined in the second determining step that the orientation detected in the second detecting step is within the predetermined range.