| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stably determine the presence of a predetermined or larger quantity of a fluid. SOLUTION: A method for detecting the state of fluids includes: the step of changing the relative positions of a cylindrical container for holding a liquid, a light source, and a light reception part in such a way that a major axis of the container may intersect with an optical axis connecting the light source to the light reception part; and the step of determining whether an occurrence pattern of comparison results between signals acquired from the light reception part while the relative positions are being changed according to the intensity of received light and a predetermined threshold value corresponds to a first pattern indicating an insufficient quantity of the fluid or a second pattern indicating a sufficient amount of the fluid. By determining not only whether the threshold value is exceeded or not but also whether the occurrence pattern corresponds to the first pattern or the second pattern, it is possible to stably determine whether a predetermined or larger quantity of the liquid is present in the container or not. COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT |
