The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 17, 2004
Filed:
Dec. 17, 2002
Atsushi Yamazaki, Matshumoto, JP;
Nobutoshi Otsuka, Hotaka-machi, JP;
Seiko Epson Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
A method of controlling an ink jet recording apparatus ensures safety in replacing main tanks or the like and at the same time enables stable supply of ink from main tanks to sub-tanks. The apparatus includes a main tank having an information storage section and accommodated in a pressure tank, a sub-tank communicating with an ink jet head for storing ink, a tank-accommodating block for accommodating the main tank, and a control section capable of storing ink information. Valve control is performed in response to respective signals indicative of an ink shortage condition and an ink fill-up condition of the sub-tank, to thereby supply ink to the sub-tank. During operation of the apparatus, in response to a signal indication of opening of a door of the tank-accommodating block, the driving of a pressure source for pressurizing the pressure tank is stopped and the inside of the pressure tank is opened to the atmosphere. At the same time, ink information stored in the control section is written into the storage section of the main tank.