Abstract: A wavelength-variable laser outputting a predetermined wavelength of laser light includes: a quantum well active layer positioned between a p-type cladding layer and an n-type cladding layer in thickness direction; a separate confinement heterostructure layer positioned between the quantum well active layer and the n-type cladding layer; and an electric-field-distribution-control layer positioned between the separate confinement heterostructure layer and the n-type cladding layer and configured by at least two semiconductor layers having band gap energy greater than band gap energy of a barrier layer constituting the quantum well active layer.

Abstract: A recording material cartridge is attached to an image recording apparatus. A main body stores the recording material to be used in an image recordation process on a recording sheet by the image recording apparatus. A storage stores residual amount information indicating a current residual amount of the recording material. An interface receives consumption amount information. A reduction counter circuit subtracts a consumption amount based on the consumption amount information from the current residual amount to acquire the updated residual amount, and updates the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information indicates the updated residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is larger than zero. The reduction counter maintains the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information keeps on indicating the current residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is smaller than or equal to zero.

Abstract: A circuit board to be mounted on a casing of a cartridge includes an insulating substrate, an integrated circuit mounted on the substrate, terminals and a dummy electrode. The terminals are electrically connected to the integrated circuit, while the dummy electrode is electrically disconnected from the integrated circuit. The terminals and dummy electrode are formed on the substrate to satisfy an inequity of L1+L2<L3, where L1 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and an edge of the dummy electrode in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction in which the terminals are aligned with one another; L2 is a shortest distance between an edge of the dummy electrode and an edge of the casing in the predetermined direction; and L3 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and the edge of the casing in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: A liquid ejection apparatus includes a liquid ejector, a resin-made liquid container, a resin-made reference container, a first electrode pair, and a second electrode pair. The liquid ejector is configured to eject liquid. The liquid container defines a space storing liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejector. The liquid container is configured such that a remaining amount of liquid therein changes due to an ejection operation of liquid by the liquid ejector. The reference container defines a space in which no liquid flows to the liquid ejector or from the liquid ejector. The first electrode pair is provided to correspond to the liquid container. The second electrode pair is provided to correspond to the reference container.

Abstract: A recording material cartridge is attached to an image recording apparatus. A main body stores the recording material to be used in an image recordation process on a recording sheet by the image recording apparatus. A storage stores residual amount information indicating a current residual amount of the recording material. An interface receives consumption amount information. A reduction counter circuit subtracts a consumption amount based on the consumption amount information from the current residual amount to acquire the updated residual amount, and updates the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information indicates the updated residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is larger than zero. The reduction counter maintains the residual amount information in the storage so that the residual amount information keeps on indicating the current residual amount in a case where the consumption amount is smaller than or equal to zero.

Abstract: A wavelength-variable laser outputting a predetermined wavelength of laser light includes: a quantum well active layer positioned between a p-type cladding layer and an n-type cladding layer in thickness direction; a separate confinement heterostructure layer positioned between the quantum well active layer and the n-type cladding layer; and an electric-field-distribution-control layer positioned between the separate confinement heterostructure layer and the n-type cladding layer and configured by at least two semiconductor layers having band gap energy greater than band gap energy of a barrier layer constituting the quantum well active layer.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge accommodating apparatus configured to accommodate a cartridge having an electrical interface. The cartridge accommodating apparatus includes: a body having a first surface defining an internal space into which the cartridge is installed in a first direction; a substrate; a connector having a terminal and a casing. The terminal is provided with: a supporting part fixed to the casing; a first extending part; a second extending part, and a contact.

Abstract: A circuit board to be mounted on a casing of a cartridge includes an insulating substrate, an integrated circuit mounted on the substrate, terminals and a dummy electrode. The terminals are electrically connected to the integrated circuit, while the dummy electrode is electrically disconnected from the integrated circuit. The terminals and dummy electrode are formed on the substrate to satisfy an inequity of L1+L2<L3, where L1 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and an edge of the dummy electrode in a direction perpendicular to a predetermined direction in which the terminals are aligned with one another; L2 is a shortest distance between an edge of the dummy electrode and an edge of the casing in the predetermined direction; and L3 is a shortest distance among distances between edges of the terminals and the edge of the casing in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: There is provided a cartridge accommodating apparatus configured to accommodate a cartridge having an electrical interface. The cartridge accommodating apparatus includes: a body having a first surface defining an internal space into which the cartridge is installed in a first direction; a substrate; a connector having a terminal and a casing. The terminal is provided with: a supporting part fixed to the casing; a first extending part; a second extending part, and a contact.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a wireless communication unit, an image processing unit, and a controller configured to establish a wireless connection to perform wireless signal communication between the wireless communication unit and an external device, acquire a reception intensity of a wireless signal received from the external device via the wireless communication unit, determine whether the reception intensity is more than a threshold value, when determining that the reception intensity is more than the threshold value, control the image processing unit to execute an image processing instruction received from the external device via the wireless communication unit, and when determining that the reception intensity is not more than the threshold value, transmit an instruction to display a warning on the external device, to the external device via the wireless communication unit, without controlling the image processing unit to execute the image processing instruction.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including a wireless communication unit, an image processing unit, and a controller configured to establish a wireless connection to perform wireless signal communication between the wireless communication unit and an external device, acquire a reception intensity of a wireless signal received from the external device via the wireless communication unit, determine whether the reception intensity is more than a threshold value, when determining that the reception intensity is more than the threshold value, control the image processing unit to execute an image processing instruction received from the external device via the wireless communication unit, and when determining that the reception intensity is not more than the threshold value, transmit an instruction to display a warning on the external device, to the external device via the wireless communication unit, without controlling the image processing unit to execute the image processing instruction.