Remaining-liquid-amount display apparatus and remaining liquid-amount display method
US7059696B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 31, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jun 13, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB41J2/17566
- WIPO fieldTextile and paper machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A remaining-liquid-amount apparatus for displaying an amount of conductive liquid (ink) remaining in a container includes electrode units which are arranged along a direction in which the liquid level falls when the amount of liquid in the container decreases and which conduct current when the electrode units are in contact with the liquid, a voltage source (pulse generator) which applies a voltage to the electrode units, a liquid detector (DFFs) which detects the presence/absence of the liquid at positions of the electrode units on the basis of whether or not the electrode units conduct current when the voltage is applied by the voltage source, and a remaining-liquid-amount display unit (LEDs) which displays, in steps, the amount of liquid remaining in the container on the basis of the detection result of the presence/absence of the liquid at positions of the electrode units obtained by the liquid detector.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.