Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus includes a liquid ejecting head disposed on a transport path of a target to eject liquid from nozzles at a nozzle forming surface, a target transport unit transporting the target on the basis of a driving force of a first driving source such that the target passes through a position opposite the nozzle forming surface on the transport path, a liquid receptor transport unit transporting a liquid receptor for receiving the liquid ejected from the nozzles as a waste liquid on the basis of a driving force of a second driving source such that the liquid receptor passes through the position opposite the nozzle forming surface on the transport path, and a control unit controlling a driving state of the second driving source in order to change a transport velocity of the liquid receptor by the liquid receptor transport unit while the liquid receptor is transported.

Abstract: An ink jet printer is provided with an ink circulation route which includes an ink jet head, an ink supply tank and an ink collection tank. A measuring unit obtains a value indicative of the flow resistance measured when ink flows from the ink supply tank to the ink collection tank through the ink jet head. A control unit is operable to select one of maintenance operations on the basis of the value indicative of measured flow resistance. When the flow resistance value is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit selects the operation of circulating ink around the ink circulation route as a maintenance operation, and the maintenance unit does not perform the maintenance operation which consumes some amount of ink. This configuration makes it possible to perform maintenance in accordance with the ink viscosity by use of a simple structure.

Abstract: A liquid storage device includes a storage portion that is configured to store liquid therein, a rotating member that is provided in a bottom portion at inside of the storage portion so as to be capable of rotating, a driving member that is provided at outside of the storage portion in a non-contact state with respect to the rotating member so as to drive the rotating member by magnetic force, the driving member rotating to allow the rotating member to rotate, a detecting portion that is capable of detecting a degree of rotation of the rotating member, and a determining portion that is capable of acquiring difference information of rotation between the rotating member and the driving member on the basis of a detection result by the detecting portion and determining presence of liquid in the storage portion on the basis of the difference information.

Abstract: A method of generating an authentication code for a consumable in an imaging device, includes the steps of: an identification number assigned to the consumable; processing an indemnification number assigned to the consumable using a first algorithm to generate a preliminary number different from the identification number; and compressing the preliminary number using a compression algorithm that utilizes the identification number to generate the authentication code.

Abstract: The present invention provides an automated system for refilling printer ink cartridges. The system includes a computer with memory provided to store information relating to a plurality of ink cartridges, and a user interface that is connected to the computer and can receive a model number of a particular ink cartridge to be refilled. Moreover, the system employs a vacuum chamber with one or more needles provided to add ink into the ink cartridge. The vacuum chamber is connected to a vacuum pump that draws a suction on the vacuum chamber to reduce pressure in the vacuum chamber. In operation, the computer controls the vacuum pump to reduce the pressure in the vacuum chamber to a specific pressure based on the model number of the ink cartridge, and once this pressure is reached, ink is added to the ink cartridge by the needle accordingly.

Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure provide a printing method that can utilize a lightly pigmented toner along with a darkly pigmented toner to improve the image quality. The method can include receiving a dataset corresponding to a printing of a printing system using a darkly pigmented toner. The printing system may have an undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner. Further, the method can include converting the dataset to a first dataset corresponding to a first printing of the printing system using the darkly pigmented toner, and a second dataset corresponding to a second printing of the printing system using a lightly pigmented toner. The first dataset can avoid the undesirable optical density printing range for the darkly pigmented toner, and a combination of the first printing and the second printing providing a substantially same printed optical density corresponding to the received dataset.

Abstract: A liquid supply controller includes a liquid circulation controller that includes supply and recovery units of a liquid droplet discharge unit, and that circulates liquid according to a differential pressure between the supply unit and the recovery unit, a back pressure setting unit that sets a back pressure that is a discharge pressure based on supply and recovery pressures set by the liquid circulation controller, a circulation amount obtaining unit that obtains a flow rate of the liquid circulated; a judging unit that judges whether or not the obtained flow rate is a proper value, and a differential pressure adjusting unit that adjusts the differential pressure while maintaining the back pressure within an allowable range when it is judged that the flow rate is not the proper value.

Abstract: A fluid ejection device ejecting a fluid, the fluid ejection device includes: a fluid ejection unit; a main chassis case; a fluid-containing pack; a container case; and a plurality of holders. The fluid ejection unit ejects a fluid onto an ejection target. The main chassis case houses the fluid ejection unit. The fluid-containing pack contains a fluid for ejection. The container case houses the fluid-containing pack. The plurality of holders is disposed inside the container case. Each of a plurality of holders includes an incline panel that inclines toward the inside base plane, and the fluid-containing pack rests on the incline panel.

Abstract: An ink jet printer which uses a common air pump to configure an air path system to supply purge air generated by the air pump to an ink tank and then supply the purge air discharged from the ink tank to a print head or an air path system to supply purge air generated by the air pump directly to the pint head. This solves the following problem inherent to a conventional ink jet printer which recovers ink not used for printing: since an air pump for supplying air to air-purge the print head and an air pump for supplying air to air-purge the ink tank are required, the cost and weight of the printer tends to increase.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a supply unit that supplies liquid recipient particles to receive liquid; a conveyance unit that conveys the liquid recipient particles supplied by the supply unit; a discharge unit that discharges liquid droplets to the liquid recipient particles conveyed by the conveyance unit; a humidity reducing unit that reduces relative humidity inside or around the supply unit; and a humidity increasing unit, on a downstream side of the supply unit, that increases relative humidity around at least one of the liquid recipient particles conveyed by the conveyance unit and the discharge unit.

Abstract: An inkjet printing system comprises: a liquid supply tank; a print device with at least one print cartridge, wherein there is an altitude difference between the print cartridge and the liquid supply tank; an internal pressure-adjusting device connecting to the liquid supply tank and the print cartridge; and working software for calculating a preliminary altitude, and a predetermined liquid supplementing altitude of the print cartridge. When a liquid level of a liquid inside the print cartridge is lower than the preliminary altitude and below an lower limit of the predetermined liquid supplementing altitude, the working software controls the internal pressure-adjusting device to suck partial gas from the print cartridge into the liquid supply tank to increase a negative pressure inside the print cartridge, and the liquid stored in the liquid supply tank is introduced into the print cartridge to balance the negative pressure inside the print cartridge.

Abstract: A printer has a thermal print unit that prints by heating a thermochromic medium, an inkjet print unit that prints on the thermochromic medium, a remaining ink detection unit that detects the remaining ink level of the inkjet print unit, a halftone processing unit that converts acquired print data to thermal print data and inkjet print data, and a control unit that controls the thermal print unit and inkjet print unit based on the thermal print data and inkjet print data. The control unit causes the thermal print unit to print the inkjet print data when the detected remaining ink level is less than the amount of ink required to print the acquired inkjet print data.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge is detachably mounted in a liquid ejecting device, and supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting device when mounted. The liquid cartridge includes a liquid accommodating chamber, a float member movably disposed in the liquid accommodating chamber, and a detection member moving in conjunction with the float member and being subject to be detected by an external light detector for determining remaining amounts of liquid in the liquid accommodating chamber. A part of the detection member is located at a detection position located above an uppermost liquid surface reached when a predetermined maximum amount of liquid is accommodated in the liquid accommodating chamber. At least a part of the liquid accommodating chamber has light transmissive characteristics so that light from the light detector can reach the detection position. The detection member passes the detection position in conjunction with the float member.

Abstract: An intermediately fluid supply apparatus is to fluidically couple a primary fluid supply to one or more fluid-ejection printheads. A reservoir of the apparatus has a bottom surface and a number of side surfaces, and is open at the top of the reservoir. The reservoir is to store fluid supplied by the primary fluid supply, for ejection by the fluid-ejection printheads. A flexible membrane of the apparatus seals the top of the reservoir. The flexible membrane is to expand and contract over the reservoir in accordance with the volume of the fluid currently stored within the reservoir. A sensing mechanism of the apparatus is to directly or indirectly sense the volume of the fluid currently stored within the reservoir.

Abstract: A method of printing a time-based document is disclosed. The method includes the steps of associating each of a plurality of document print objects with a time-dependent attribute, mixing a plurality of inks having time dependencies corresponding to the document print object time-dependent attributes, and printing the time-based document using the plurality of inks, the time-based document being characterized by document print objects of varying durations.

Abstract: A liquid sensing device is for a liquid consuming system in which air is introduced from the upstream end in association with consumption of liquid at the downstream end. The liquid sensing device includes a sensor positioning member that defines a sensing flow channel including an inlet hole at the upstream end and a first outlet hole at the downstream end, a sensor positioned on the outside face of the sensor positioning member at a location facing the sensing flow channel as to sense whether liquid is present in the sensing flow channel, and a sensor positioning member mounting portion that mounts the sensor positioning member.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet apparatus which can accurately detect an ink remaining amount and shorten time necessary for an ink remaining amount detecting process. This apparatus has a first reservoir unit that reserves ink, a second reservoir unit that reserve the ink supplied from the first reservoir unit to supply the ink to a head, a calculation unit that calculates an ink remaining amount in the second reservoir unit based upon an ink ejection amount ejected from the head, a remaining amount detecting unit that detects the ink remaining amount in the second reservoir unit, a foam processing unit that executes a foam process to reduce foams of the ink generated in the second reservoir unit, and a control unit that controls the execution of the foam process by the foam processing unit based upon comparison between the ink remaining amount calculated and the ink remaining amount detected.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid detecting apparatus that drives a liquid detecting unit that outputs two detection signals having phases opposite to each other in accordance with the amount of liquid. The liquid detecting apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes: a driving unit that outputs a driving signal to the liquid detecting unit; a differential amplifying unit that performs differential amplification on said two detection signals that are output from the liquid detecting unit on the basis of the driving signal so as to output a differential amplification detection signal; and a signal detecting unit that makes a judgment as to whether the amount of liquid is not less than a predetermined amount or not by means of the differential amplification detection signal input from the differential amplifying unit.

Abstract: The liquid delivery system includes a liquid receptacle (1) installable on the liquid jetting device, a liquid supply device (900), and a liquid flow passage member (910). The liquid receptacle (1) has a liquid storage chamber for storing liquid, an air flow passage connecting the liquid storage chamber to the outside air, a liquid delivery port for delivering the liquid to the liquid jetting device, an intermediate flow passage leading from the liquid storage chamber to the liquid delivery port, and a sensor disposed in the intermediate flow passage to sense whether the liquid is present or not. The liquid storage chamber includes a top storage chamber that is located at an uppermost position in the liquid storage chamber. The intermediate flow passage has a buffer chamber disposed downstream of the sensor, at a location adjacent to the top storage chamber.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus capable of mounting an expendable cartridge thereon, including: a consumption amount counting unit that counts up the consumption amount of expendable cartridges in the apparatus when a change is detected for the first time during the continuous operation or the apparatus. The detected change is a residual expendable amount of the expendable cartridge decreasing from a value higher than a predetermined low residual level to a value lower than or equal to the low residual level. The consumption amount of the expendable cartridges is counted up and is detected in a number of different manners, depending on the circumstances surrounding the measured values of the residual expendable amounts and the replacement of the cartridges.

Abstract: Techniques for spoofing an imaging device adapted for reading data from an electrical storage device to determine a volume of ink in an ink container include providing a replacement electrical storage device for use with the ink container, the replacement electrical storage device comprising memory locations; and responding, by the replacement electrical storage device, to reads of memory locations of the replacement electrical storage device by returning data to the imaging device which causes the imaging device to calculate an inaccurate initial volume of ink stored in the ink container.

Abstract: An ink cartridge has a flexible ink bag that stores ink and undergoes expansion and contraction movement in accordance with fluctuations in the amount of ink stored. The ink bag is accommodated in a housing and has an ink inlet port for supplying ink into the ink bag and an ink outlet port for discharging stored ink. An inflow port and an outlet port are formed in a front surface of the housing for connection to the ink inlet port and ink outlet port, respectively, of the ink bag. First and second detection windows are formed on respective first and second opposite side surfaces of the housing. A plate member is mounted on the ink bag for movement therewith in response to fluctuations in the amount of ink stored in the ink bag. The plate member has a protruding portion that closes the second detection window during movement thereof to detect the full state of the ink bag.

Abstract: A liquid ejecting apparatus ejects a liquid supplied from a liquid container including a storage unit in which data is written and a liquid level detector which detects a liquid level of the contained liquid. The liquid ejecting apparatus includes: an abnormality detecting unit which receives a signal indicating the liquid level of the liquid from the liquid level detector and analyzes the signal to detect abnormality of the liquid level detector; and a writing unit which writes data indicating the abnormality in the storage unit when the abnormality is detected.

Abstract: A liquid detector includes: a case in which a flow channel is exposed from an opening; a sensor base, disposed in the opening of the case to face the flow channel; a sensor chip, mounted on a surface opposite to a surface of the sensor base which faces the flow channel and including a piezoelectric element; a film, adapted to hold the sensor base in the opening and sealing the opening; a circuit board, disposed in such a manner as to face the sensor chip; a relay terminal, electrically connecting the sensor chip and the circuit board; and a support member, adapted to support the circuit board and the relay terminal and fixed to the case. The relay terminal includes: a base end portion, fixed to the support member; and first and second free end portions, separately extending into two branches from the base end portion, and a first contact connected to the circuit board is formed in the first free end portion, and a second contact connected to the sensor chip is formed in the second free end portion.

Abstract: A bubble-bursting box for bursting bubbles of a liquid entering the box. The box comprising has one or more bubble-bursting chambers; each chamber has a respective chamber inlet for connection to a liquid conduit. The chamber inlets are defined in a base of each chamber. The box also has a common air chamber in fluid communication with each bubble-bursting chamber, the air chamber having an air outlet defined in the base. A cover for the bubble-bursting chambers and the air chamber; the cover forms a roof of the box. The cover has one or more air channels that provide in fluid communication between a respective bubble-bursting chamber and the common air chamber.

Abstract: A method of operating an imaging device comprises measuring an ink conductivity of an ink volume in an ink reservoir of an imaging device. The imaging device is operated in a conductivity fault tolerant mode in response to the measured ink conductivity being outside of a predetermined ink conductivity operational range. In the conductive fault tolerant mode, at least one parameter of a melt duty cycle for the ink reservoir is set to a corresponding conductivity fault tolerant (CFT) level.

Abstract: An ink cartridge determination system includes a cartridge mounting portion, an optical sensor positioned at the cartridge mounting portion, at least one ink cartridge configured to be inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and a determiner. The optical sensor includes a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. The optical sensor is configured to selectively output a first signal and a second signal based on an intensity of the light received by the light-receiving element. The at least one ink cartridge includes a first light altering portion, a second light altering portion, and a light passing portion, which are configured to sequentially intersect a optical path of the optical sensor when the at least one ink cartridge is inserted into the cartridge mounting portion, and the determiner is configured to determine a type of the at least one ink cartridge based on a time profile of a signal outputted from the optical sensor.

Abstract: A discharge amount calculating device for calculating the discharge amount of a fluid from a fluid ejecting apparatus is disclosed, in which the fluid ejecting apparatus is capable of ejecting at least one fluid onto a target at a discharge amount of multiple stages. The discharge amount calculating device includes a plurality of calculating sections that calculate the discharge amount of the fluid at the respective multiple stages based on a bit number of input data, a desired number of calculating sections not exceeding 2n being provided, in which n is a positive integer, and a converting section that converts the inputted discharge amount data of n bits into bit number data corresponding to any one of the plurality of calculating sections, and outputs the converted data to the plurality of calculating sections.

Abstract: A refill unit for a fluid container is providing. The refill unit has a housing defining a fluid path in fluid communication with an outlet and configured to be operatively engaged with the fluid container, a fluid reservoir having an ejection port arranged in fluid communication with the fluid path inside the housing, and an ejector assembly configured to incrementally eject between 6 ml and 50 ml per increment of fluid from the reservoir when the assembly is actuated by operative engagement of the fluid container with the housing.

Abstract: The inkjet recording apparatus includes: an inkjet recording head which includes a nozzle through which liquid is ejected; a pressure regulating unit which includes a liquid chamber that communicates with the nozzle and a gas chamber that is partitioned from the liquid chamber by a flexible film; and a liquid chamber pressure controlling device which controls a pressure of the liquid chamber to a predetermined negative pressure when carrying out back pressure control in which back pressure is applied to the liquid inside the nozzle, wherein: the flexible film causes change in the pressure of the liquid chamber when the liquid is supplied for at least a predetermined supply amount to the liquid chamber in a state where the gas chamber is open to air; and the liquid chamber pressure controlling device carries out the back pressure control after controlling the pressure of the liquid chamber to a predetermined value of positive pressure by supplying the liquid of at least the predetermined supply amount to the l

Abstract: A pressure adjustment apparatus for adjusting a pressure of liquid inside a liquid ejection head including nozzles and flow channels includes: a tank; a pump; a buffer chamber; a first switching device; and a second switching device. The tank includes a movable film and a hermetically sealed container of a prescribed volume, the movable film dividing the hermetically sealed container into a gas chamber filled with gas and a liquid chamber filled with the liquid to be supplied to the liquid ejection head. The pump changes a pressure of the gas inside the gas chamber so as to adjust a pressure of the liquid inside the liquid chamber. The buffer chamber is filled with the gas and damps gas-flow pulsations caused by the pump. The first switching device connects and disconnects the buffer chamber and the gas chamber. The second switching device switches between a state where the pump is connected to the gas chamber without through the buffer chamber, and a state where the pump is connected to the buffer chamber.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a case, a translucent portion, an ink supply portion, and a movable member. The case defines a liquid chamber which is configured to store a predetermined amount of liquid. The translucent portion extends away from the liquid chamber in a predetermined direction, and has an inner space formed therein. The ink supply portion has a center line which is parallel to the predetermined direction. The movable member is pivotably positioned within the liquid chamber, and includes a signal blocking portion, a float portion, and an arm portion. At least a portion of the signal blocking portion is configured to be positioned within the inner space. Moreover, when the liquid chamber stores the predetermined amount of liquid, at least a portion of the arm portion is positioned further from the center line than the signal blocking portion is positioned from the center line.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of filling a tank with a fluid are provided. The method includes providing the tank including a porous media positioned therein, the tank having a length dimension and a width dimension; providing a plurality of needles, each needle having a first end connectable in fluid communication with a fluid source and a second end including a fluid outlet port, the fluid outlet port having an axis; orienting each needle such that the axis of the fluid outlet port is substantially parallel with a preferred direction, the preferred direction being along one of the length dimension and the width dimension of the tank; inserting each needle into the porous media positioned within the tank; and filling the tank with fluid from the fluid source.

Abstract: An ink level control system includes a first dividing wall that divides a reservoir of a printhead into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and the second chambers are each connected to the ink passages of the inkjet stack by an ink port. The first dividing wall includes an opening that connects the first chamber and the second chamber to enable ink to pass therebetween. The opening is located a predetermined distance above the bottom surface of the reservoir. An ink diverter is associated with the inlet opening that directs ink received through the inlet opening to one of the first and the second chambers in response to the reservoir being tilted in a first direction, and directs ink to the other of the first and the second chambers in response to the reservoir being tilted in a second direction.

Abstract: A liquid droplet jetting apparatus comprises a liquid droplet jetting head which jets liquid droplets, a storage tank which stores a liquid to be jetted by the liquid droplet-jetting head, a tube which connects the liquid droplet jetting head and the storage tank, and a liquid-state detecting mechanism which detects a state of the liquid contained in the tube at a plurality of positions in a longitudinal direction of the tube.

Abstract: A liquid container includes: a bubble trapping section, disposed upstream of the upstream buffer chamber. The bubble trapping section includes: a bubble trapping chamber, adapted to trap bubbles upside by allowing the liquid level to be lowered with reduction in an amount of remaining liquid at a time of consuming the liquid; an inlet, communicating at a vertical upper position of the bubble trapping chamber to introduce the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid; and an outlet, communicating at a vertical lower position of the bubble trapping chamber to discharge the liquid at the time of consuming the liquid.

Abstract: A liquid container mounted on a liquid ejecting apparatus to supply a liquid to the liquid ejecting apparatus. The liquid container includes a storage unit which stores the liquid, an optical member having one portion which is exposed to an inside of the storage unit, and the other portion which is exposed to an outside of the liquid container, and a reflection portion which is provided at the same side as the other portion of the optical member on the outside of the liquid container, and is installed in front of a mounting direction of the liquid container to the liquid ejecting apparatus with the other portion of the optical member.

Abstract: There is provided an inkjet head assembly that can readily store ink by separating a passage for transferring ink from a passage for transferring ink between a first storage unit and a second storage unit inside an ink tank. An inkjet head assembly according to an aspect of the invention may include: an ink tank including a first storage unit receiving ink therein and a second storage unit receiving the ink from the first storage unit to maintain a full ink level within the ink, and having an ink transfer hole, through which the ink is supplied from the first storage unit to the second storage ink, and an air transfer hole, through which air from the second storage unit is transmitted to the first storage unit, between the first and second storage units; and an inkjet head connected to the second storage unit via an ink supply passage, the inkjet head receiving the ink from the second storage unit to eject the ink.

Abstract: A main ink tank side connector of an inkjet printer moves, with respect to a sub ink tank side connector, between a first positional relationship where the two connectors are connected, and a second positional relationship where the main ink tank side connector is disconnected from the sub ink tank side connector. A wall member surrounds at least a connection portion of the two connectors when they are in the first positional relationship. A breaking portion breaks an ink film formed within an inner space of the wall member. The ink film is formed when the main ink tank side connector moves with respect to the sub ink tank side connector from the first positional relationship to the second positional relationship. The breaking portion breaks the ink film in a state where at least a part of the ink film exists within the wall member.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, in which the case has an ink chamber defined therein, and the ink chamber is configured to store ink. The ink cartridge also includes an extension portion extending from the from the front face of the case in a predetermined direction, and the extension portion includes a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case, and a second end opposite the first end. The extension portion also includes an opaque first portion, an opaque second portion positioned adjacent to the first end of the extension portion, and a translucent third portion positioned between the opaque first portion and the opaque second portion in the predetermined direction.

Abstract: An ink cartridge includes a case including a front face and a rear face opposite the front face, an ink supply portion positioned at the front face of the case, an air intake portion positioned at the case, and a movable member configured to move between a first position and a second position relative to the case. The ink cartridge also includes a resilient member having a first end which is coupled to the front face of the case and a second end which is coupled to the movable member. The movable and member and the resilient member are positioned outside the case. Moreover, the resilient member is configured to expand and to contract to move the movable member relative to the case between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: Provided is an ink jet printing apparatus that receives light from the light emitting part of the ink tank in the light receiving part; on the basis of a result of the light reception, determines an attachment position of the ink tank; and controls the light from the light emitting part to inform the ink tank state, wherein the light emitting part has a plurality of light emitting elements that can respectively emit lights having different peak emission wavelengths. A peak sensitivity wavelength of the light receiving part is in the range not less than 760 nm and not more than 1100 nm; at least one of the plurality of light emitting elements has a peak emission wavelength in the range not less than 760 nm, and at least one has a peak emission wavelength in the range of 400 to 760 nm.

Abstract: There is provides an inkjet recording apparatus comprising: an inkjet head held in a head holder; and an ink tank mounted on the head holder. The ink tank has an ink chamber, a path for communicating the chamber with atmosphere, and an exit valve to open and close the path. The apparatus further comprises: an ink cartridge arranged below the ink tank for supplying the ink to the ink chamber through a channel; an operating member for opening and closing the exit valve; a ink transfer device; and a controller. The controller performs controls of causing the operating member to open the exit valve such that an atmosphere pressure affects an inside of the ink chamber, and such that the ink both in the chamber and in the channel returns to the ink cartridge through the channel; and causing the device to fill the chamber.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus is disclosed that includes an exhaust unit that discharges air accommodated in a second liquid accommodating unit; a liquid transfer unit that transfers liquid from a first liquid accommodating unit to the second liquid accommodating unit via a liquid supply path and retransfers liquid from the second liquid accommodating unit to the first liquid accommodating unit via the liquid supply path; and a control unit that activates the exhaust unit and the liquid transfer unit according to an air bubble detection result of an air bubble detection unit, controls the liquid transfer unit to transfer a predetermined amount of liquid from the first liquid accommodating unit to the second liquid accommodating unit, and controls the liquid transfer unit to retransfer liquid from the second liquid accommodating unit to the first liquid accommodating unit according to a liquid level detection result of a liquid level detection unit.

Abstract: An ink supply apparatus includes a sub tank connected to a printer head and having an ink reservoir chamber to store a liquid ink. A fluid level detector is configured to detect a fluid level of the liquid ink stored in the ink reservoir chamber. The fluid level detector has a light emitting device, a light receiving device, and a casing having a section through which a light is to pass and which has an outer surface that is to contact the liquid ink. The light emitting device is capable of emitting the light toward the outer surface through the section. The light receiving device is to receive reflected light reflected at the outer surface. A storage amount determining device is configured to determine whether a predetermined amount of the liquid ink is stored in the ink reservoir chamber based on detection results of the fluid level detector.

Abstract: A method detects the level of ink in a print head reservoir by monitoring the power drawn by a thermistor positioned within the print head reservoir by an electrical conductor.

Abstract: A liquid cartridge is detachable mounted in a liquid ejecting device and supplies liquid to the liquid ejecting device when mounted. The liquid cartridge includes a liquid accommodating chamber, a float member movably disposed in the liquid accommodating chamber, a detection member that moves in conjunction with the float member and is subject to be detected by an external light detector, and a restricting portion that restricts movements of the float member and the detection member along a predetermined path. The detection member includes a light transmission section and first and second light blocking sections and moves past a predetermined detection position when moving the predetermined path. The liquid accommodating chamber includes wall sections that interpose the detection position therebetween, a portion of which has light transmissive characteristics so that light from the light detector can exit outside via the detection position.

Abstract: There is a case where, in the individual tank number checking processing, usually it is determined that individual tank number agreement can not be confirmed due to a collision of response signals from two tanks. However, due to individual differences among main body side control circuit threshold values and the like, there may be a case that an agreement of the individual tank numbers is confirmed. In response to this, the tank that has the individual tank number whose agreement could be confirmed is put in a sleep state, and because a control code is sent, the other tank designated with color ID is able to return its individual tank number, and the main body side control circuit detects its individual tank number. Based on this it is possible to determine that multiple ink tanks with the same color ID are mounted.

Abstract: A refill unit for refilling an ink cartridge that forms part of an inkjet printer. The printer also having a printhead, control circuitry and an interface for releasably engaging the refill unit. The refill unit has a body containing a quantity of ink, an ink outlet, and a memory circuit for storing information relating to at least one characteristic of the ink. During use the memory circuit allows to the control circuit to interrogate it to verify that the ink in the refill unit is suitable for the printer.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes ink cartridges, image forming units, an ink-remaining-amount manager, a maintenance determiner, an information writer, an ink-amount estimator, and a maintenance-executability determiner. If an ink near-empty or empty state occurs in one of the ink cartridges due to image formation, the ink-amount estimator estimates an amount of ink required to execute the maintenance on the other ink cartridges based on the at least one of the need for and the type of maintenance determined by the maintenance determiner. If the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the maintenance is unexecutable on at least one of the other ink cartridges based on the required ink amount and a remaining ink amount, the maintenance-executability determiner determines that the unexecutable ink cartridge is at an ink near-empty or empty state and stops writing or updating information indicative of a spent state on the memory of the unexecutable ink cartridge.