| 摘要 |
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the ease of operation when a recording means is replaced with a new one by moving the recording means to a replacement position, if it is detected that the ink residue of the recording means is below the fixed ink level. SOLUTION: A means 13 for detecting an ink residue which detects the residual amount of ink in an ink jet cartridge 7, is provided on one of the end parts of a region for the movement of a carriage 9. The means 13 is composed of a photointerrupter, and detects 'no ink available', if the ink residue is below the fixed ink level, by reading a change in the output from the photointerrupter when the ink discharged to a space between a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element traverses the optical axis. If 'no ink- available' is detected, the ink jet cartridge 7 is replaced at a replacement position P2. That is, if 'no ink available' is detected, a control means which receives a signal moves the carriage 9, to automatically move the cartridge 7 to the replacement position P2. |
