Circuit and method for detecting an ink cartridge in an ink jet recording apparatus

摘要

A circuit and method detect whether or not an ink cartridge is mounted in an ink jet recording apparatus. The circuit comprises a driver 100 for driving a corresponding nozzle by applying a driving power supply voltage to a heating element RT. A voltage detector 102 detects a voltage level which drops upon driving the heating elements RT, the voltage detector 102 being connected between the heating elements RT and the power supply voltage Vpp. A controller 110 drives one or more of the heating elements RT through the driver 100 and compares a voltage level detected by the voltage detector 102 with a preset reference voltage level, thereby to detect whether or not the ink cartridge is mounted. An alternative embodiment of the invention detects the type of ink cartridge. <IMAGE>