Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system in a specific environment – Mechanical measurement system
Reexamination Certificate
1996-07-29
2001-04-24
Stamber, Eric W. (Department: 2163)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system in a specific environment
Mechanical measurement system
C347S007000, C347S086000, C399S024000, C399S027000, C399S028000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223131
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an ink-jet recording apparatus such as an ink-jet printer, an ink jet facsimile printer or an ink-jet plotter, and particularly to an ink cartridge for an ink-jet recording apparatus which can accurately detect and display the consumption state of ink in the recording apparatus, thereby preventing an accidental event such as a sudden ink end from occurring, and also to an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge.
One method of detecting the quantity of remaining ink of an ink cartridge in an ink-jet recording apparatus is disclosed in FIG. 3 of Japanese patent Application Laid-open No. Hei. 7-125236. In the method, a scale for visual checking is formed on an ink chamber of an ink tank so that the number of sheets which can be further subjected to printing is displayed.
The above method technique has a convenience that the user can know the quantity of remaining ink as required by means of a relatively simple method. However, the user cannot know which size corresponds to the displayed number of sheets which can be further subjected to printing. Therefore, the conventional method technique has room for improvement.
Moreover, the above method has a drawback that an ink chamber in which a porous member is not housed is required and the ink chamber is required to be composed of a transparent material so that the quantity of remaining ink can be seen from the outside, thereby restricting the shape of an ink cartridge.
The conventional method technique has a further drawback that, in order to visually check the ink cartridge, it is necessary that the cover of a printer is opened or the ink cartridge is detached from the printer.
The detachment of an ink cartridge may cause the following problems. When an ink cartridge in use is detached, air is allowed to enter the ink supply path, thereby producing a problem that an ejection failure may occur. During the process of detaching an ink cartridge in use, there arise problems in that the user's hands or the like may be soiled with ink, and that the user may be anxious about damage to the printer or the ink cartridge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention has been conducted in order to improve the conventional method or solve the problems of the conventional method. It is an object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge which allows the user to readily know the consumption state of ink in the ink cartridge as required in a more easy-to-understand manner.
It is another object of the invention to provide an ink cartridge in which restriction in visual checking of ink level does not result from the material and shape of the ink cartridge.
It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge which allows the user to check the consumption state of ink in the ink cartridge and whether printing is enabled or not, without opening the cover of a printer or detaching the ink cartridge from the printer.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge which allows the user to determine the continuation of the printing process without feeling anxiety about the quantity of remaining ink.
It is a still further object of the invention to provide an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge which allows the user to visually check the consumption state of ink and the replacement of the ink cartridge, and which can more positively attract the attention of the user about the replacement of the ink cartridge.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an ink cartridge for an ink-jet recording apparatus, comprising: a tank housing which contains ink, the ink being visible from the outside; and displaying means, marked along a depth direction of the tank housing, for displaying the number and size of record sheets which can be subjected to printing, corresponding to a quantity of remaining ink.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge for an ink-jet recording apparatus, comprising: housing means for supporting the ink cartridge in a vertically movable manner in accordance with a weight of remaining ink; and displaying means, marked as a scale along a depth direction of at least one of the housing means and the ink cartridge, for enabling a quantity of remaining ink of the ink cartridge to be detected in accordance with a vertical moving state of the ink cartridge in the housing means.
According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein urging means for supporting the ink cartridge and urging the ink cartridge along a direction in which the ink cartridge is projected from the housing means is attached to an inner bottom face of the housing means.
According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the housing means is made of a material through which a body in the housing means can be seen.
According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the second aspect, wherein the ink cartridge is projected from the housing means, thereby enabling the displaying means to conduct detection.
According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge, wherein an ink-jet recording apparatus is connected to a host computer, and at least an ink consumption state and enablement or disablement of printing are displayed on a CRT screen as a result of operation of the host computer.
According to a seventh aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein the number and size of record sheets which can be subjected to printing are further displayed on the CRT screen, corresponding to a quantity of remaining ink.
According to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein instructions for replacement of the ink cartridge is further displayed on the CRT screen.
According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein a color of ink which is currently used is further displayed on the CRT screen.
According to a tenth aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for detecting and displaying an ink consumption state of an ink cartridge according to the sixth aspect, wherein a state for each of remaining inks of plural colors is displayed on the CRT screen.
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paten
Kanaya Munehide
Kobayashi Takao
Koshino Kazuo
Miyazawa Hisashi
Yanagida Eiko
Seiko Epson Corporation
Stamber Eric W.
Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP
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