| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To detect presence or absence of each of ink of yellow, magenta, cyan in a simple structure without providing a specific mechanism or function to an ink cartridge or a carriage. SOLUTION: A detection unit consisting of a fixing type light source 2-1 and a light receiving element 2-2 is provided to a position where the unit likely nip an ink cartridge on a carriage 4. The light source 2-1 comprises an LED for emitting an R light with a wavelength of 660 nm, an LED for emitting a G light with a wavelength of 525 nm and an LED for emitting a B light with a wavelength of 470 nm. The R light, G light and B light are sequentially emitted from the light source 2-1 at a periodic constant cycle and the light receiving element 2-2 detects the lights passing through the ink cartridge 1. When emitting the R light and the light receiving element 2-2 turns on, the cyan ink is supposed to be in the run-out condition, when emitting the G light and it turns on, the magenta ink is supposed to be in the run-out condition and when emitting the B light and it turns on, the yellow ink is supposed to be in the run-out condition. At that time, a user is alerted to the run-out condition. |
