| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sense the remaining quantity of an ink in an ink cartridge by a simply structured sensor at a plurality of stages within a prescribed range. SOLUTION: Light is projected to the entirety of a first detection window 14a or a prescribed range thereof by a light projection means, and light passing through the interior of a container 12 and transmitting a second detection window 16a is converged by a converging means and received by a light receiving element 38. The quantity of light received by the light-receiving element is detected and a change in the remaining quantity of the ink in the container 12 is detected on the basis of the quantity. COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI |
