Printing device, printing method and recording medium

Abstract

The printing device comprises: a printing head for printing a printing area of ​​a first nail of a finger, and then printing a printing area of ​​a second nail of the finger; a moving mechanism for moving the printing head; and a printing control unit for controlling the printing head and the moving mechanism so that printing is performed while moving along a main scanning direction from a printing start position of the printing area in the first nail, and after printing of the first nail is finished, printing of the printing area in the second nail is started from a printing start position set at an end portion on the side of the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail, among the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion of the printing area of ​​the second nail.

Description

[0001] Reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the priority of Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-171860 filed on September 20, 2019, and all contents of the basic application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a printing device, a printing method and a recording medium. Background Art

[0004] Conventionally, there is known a printing device (nail printing device) for printing a nail design on a fingernail or the like.

[0005] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-534083 discloses a device configured so that fingers of both hands can be placed in the device at the same time.

[0006] When printing on the nail of a finger, for example, reciprocating motion is performed: the print head prints while moving in the nail width direction (main scanning direction). If printing reaches the side end of the nail, it moves a given amount, for example, to the lower side in the extension direction of the nail (a sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction), and returns along the main scanning direction while printing. Summary of the invention

[0007] -Problems to be solved by the invention-

[0008] However, when a plurality of fingers can be placed at the same time, as in the device described in Patent Document 1, the positions of the nails of the respective fingers are different from the case where paper is used as the printing medium, and the printing areas are not continuous areas but are dispersed in the number of the nails. Therefore, the printing is performed on the nails one by one.

[0009] At this time, if the movement in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the movement direction of the print head (main scanning direction) during printing is fixed to a fixed direction, for example, from the tip of the nail toward the root, then after printing on one nail is completed, in order to start printing on the next nail, it is necessary to move to the printing start position determined by the nail tip position of the next nail.

[0010] Therefore, there is a problem that the moving distance of the printing head is uselessly extended, the efficiency is deteriorated, and the time required for printing is correspondingly prolonged.

[0011] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a printing device, a printing method, and a recording medium, which enable efficient printing on a plurality of nails in a printing device capable of placing a plurality of fingers at the same time.

[0012] -Methods for solving the problem-

[0013] The printing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0014] The printing head prints on the printing area of ​​the first nail of the finger, and then prints on the printing area of ​​the second nail of the finger;

[0015] A moving mechanism to move the printing head; and

[0016] The printing control unit controls the printing head and the moving mechanism so that printing is performed while moving along the main scanning direction from a printing start position of the printing area in the first nail, and after the printing on the first nail is completed, the printing of the printing area in the second nail is started from a printing start position set at an end portion on the side of the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail, among a nail tip side end portion and a root side end portion of the printing area of ​​the second nail.

[0017] -Effects of the Invention-

[0018] According to the present invention, in a printing device capable of placing a plurality of fingers at the same time, it is possible to efficiently print on a plurality of nails. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the external appearance structure of the nail printing device in this embodiment.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a main block diagram showing a control structure of the nail printing device in this embodiment.

[0021] Figure 3 It is an explanatory diagram showing the position coordinates of the ends of various printing fingers in the Y-axis direction.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the printing process in this embodiment.

[0023] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram for explaining a printing procedure when the printing start position is fixed to the upper side in the Y-axis direction of the nail.

[0024] Figure 6 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0025] Figure 7 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0026] Figure 8This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0027] Fig. 9 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0028] Fig.10 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0029] Fig.11 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed only on a part of the nails of a plurality of printing fingers.

[0030] Fig.12 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a path when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers and when the main scanning direction is the length direction of the nail when moving to the next printing area.

[0031] Fig.13 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0032] Fig.14 This is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0033] Fig.15 This is a diagram showing an example of a table that defines the printing direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers.

[0034] Fig.16 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of determining the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers based on the arrangement of nozzles of the print head.

[0035] Fig.17 This is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of determining the sub-scanning direction when printing is performed on a plurality of printing fingers based on the arrangement of nozzles of the print head. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Below, refer to Figures 1 to 13 , an embodiment of the printing device and the printing method involved in the present invention is described.

[0037] In addition, in the embodiment described below, various limitations which are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention are given, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment and the illustrated examples.

[0038] In addition, in the following embodiments, the printing device is described as a nail art printing device that prints on the nails of the fingers of the hand as an example, but the printing device in the present invention is not limited to printing on the nails of the fingers of the hand, and for example, the nails of the toes can also be used as the printing object. In addition, components other than nails, such as the surfaces of nail art stickers or various accessories, can also be used as the printing object.

[0039] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the external appearance structure of a nail printing device which is a printing device in this embodiment.

[0040] In the following embodiments, up and down, left and right, and front and back refer to Figure 1 In addition, the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction refer to Figure 1 Directions shown.

[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the nail print device 1 of the present embodiment includes a housing 2 formed substantially in a box shape.

[0042] An operation unit 21 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2 .

[0043] The operation unit 21 is a member for the user to perform various inputs.

[0044] The operation unit 21 is provided with operation buttons for performing various inputs, such as a power switch button for turning on the power of the nail printing device 1 , a stop switch button for stopping the operation, and a print start button for instructing to start printing.

[0045] When the operation unit 21 is operated, an operation signal is output to the control device 30 , and the control device 30 performs control based on the operation signal to operate each unit of the nail printing device 1 .

[0046] In addition, when the display unit 22 described later is provided with a touch panel type input unit, the operation unit 21 may also include a touch panel type input unit.

[0047] Furthermore, a display unit 22 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2 .

[0048] The display unit 22 is constituted by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic electroluminescent display, or other flat panel displays.

[0049] The surface of the display unit 22 of the present embodiment may also be integrally formed with a touch panel. In this case, the user is configured to be able to perform various inputs by a touch operation of touching the surface of the display unit 22 with a fingertip or a dedicated pen (not shown), and the touch panel-type input unit functions as the operation unit 21.

[0050] In this embodiment, the display unit 22 appropriately displays, for example, a photograph of the printing finger U (see Figure 3 The present invention also provides a nail image (i.e., an image of the printed finger U including the image of the nail T) obtained by a user (i.e., a nail image obtained by a user (i.e., an image of the printed finger U including the image of the nail T), an image of the outline shape of the nail T contained in the nail image or a range (printing area) to be printed therein, a design selection screen for selecting a nail art design to be printed in the printing area of ​​the nail T, a thumbnail image for confirming the design, an instruction screen for displaying various instructions, a notification screen, a warning screen, and the like.

[0051] Furthermore, on the front side of the housing 2 ( Figure 1 The front side of the middle heel) is the X-axis direction of the device ( Figure 1 In the almost central part (in the X direction in the middle, in the left-right direction of the nail art printing device 1), an opening portion for inserting fingers when printing based on the nail art printing device 1, namely a finger insertion port 23, is formed. The finger insertion port 23 is set at a position corresponding to the finger support portion 6 described later. In this embodiment, a maximum of five fingers (that is, all fingers of a single hand) can be placed on the finger support portion 6, and the finger insertion port 23 is formed to have a width (length in the X-axis direction) and height that allow a single hand to be inserted into the device as a whole.

[0052] The size of the finger insertion opening 23 is not limited thereto and can be set according to the number of fingers that can be inserted into the device at one time. For example, if it is assumed that there are only four fingers to be inserted at one time (for example, four fingers of one hand excluding the thumb), the finger insertion opening 23 is formed to have a width and height that can insert four fingers. In addition, if it is assumed that there are ten fingers to be inserted at one time (i.e., ten fingers of both hands), the finger insertion opening 23 is formed to have a width and height that can insert all the fingers of both hands at one time.

[0053] In addition, an opening 24 for replacing the print head 41 is provided in a part of the housing 2. A cover 25 configured to be openable and closable by a hinge (not shown) is provided in the opening 24. By closing the cover 25, the opening 24 is blocked, and dust and the like can be prevented from entering the device.

[0054] When the cover 25 is in the open state, the opening 24 allows the user to access the inside of the device from outside the device.

[0055] The cover 25 that closes the opening 24 may be opened and closed manually by a user, or may be automatically opened and closed by pressing a button (not shown) or the like.

[0056] The position where the opening 24 is set is a position where the printing head 41 of the printing unit 40 described later can move to a corresponding position. In this embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, an opening 24 is formed on the upper right side of the device. The position and size of the opening 24 are appropriately set.

[0057] That is, the print head 41 of the present embodiment is configured to be detachable from the carriage 42 and replaceable, and the opening 24 is formed at a position and size that allows the print head 41 to be smoothly attached and detached, taken out of the device, etc.

[0058] A device main body (not shown) is accommodated in the casing 2 .

[0059] The device body is constructed by assembling various components on a base.

[0060] A finger holder 6 is provided on the base, that is, on the front side of the device, at a position corresponding to the finger insertion opening 23. The printing finger U is a finger corresponding to the nail T to be printed by the printing unit 40.

[0061] A placement member 62 on which the finger pad portion of the printing finger U inserted into the finger rest portion 6 can be placed is provided on the lower side surface of the finger rest portion 6 .

[0062] The placement member 62 supports the printing finger U from the bottom inside the finger rest 6 and is formed of, for example, a flexible resin.

[0063] In the placing member 62 of the present embodiment, a concave portion 62a (see FIG. 1 ) having a concave shape along the Y-axis direction is formed according to the number of fingers that can be inserted into the finger rest portion 6. Figure 1 In addition, Figure 3 (illustration omitted in the figure).

[0064] exist Figure 1 In FIG. 1 , a case is illustrated in which five printing fingers U can be inserted from the finger insertion port 23 , and the recessed portions 62 a corresponding to five fingers are provided.

[0065] Thus, when the printing fingers U are placed on the placing member 62, the recessed portion 62a receives the fingertips of the printing fingers U, thereby preventing the printing fingers U from rattling in the left-right direction. In addition, the printing fingers U can be easily arranged one by one, and the positioning of the printing fingers U can also be easily performed.

[0066] In addition, the placing member 62 may be configured to be movable up and down. In this case, the height of the placing member 62 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printing finger U or the like.

[0067] The top surface of the finger rest 6 is opened to expose the nail T of the printing finger U inserted into the finger rest 6 from the opening. In the present embodiment, printing is performed in the opening region by the printing unit 40 described later.

[0068] The apparatus body is provided with a printing unit 40 for printing on the nail T of the printing finger U (the surface of the nail T), a photographing unit 50 for acquiring a photographed image of the printing finger U including the nail T (including a nail image of the nail T), and the like (see FIG. Figure 2 ).

[0069] The printing unit 40 is a member for printing the "printing area", and includes: a printing head 41 supported by a bracket (not shown); and a printing head 41 for moving the printing head 41 in the X-axis direction ( Figure 1 The X-axis direction, the left-right direction of the nail art printing device 1), the Y-axis direction ( Figure 1 The head moving mechanism 49 (refer to Figure 2 )wait.

[0070] The head moving mechanism 49 is constituted by an X-direction moving motor 46 and a Y-direction moving motor 48 as driving units for appropriately moving the printing head 41 in the X direction and the Y direction.

[0071] The printing unit 40 is connected to a printing control unit 315 (see Figure 2 ) and is controlled by the printing control unit 315.

[0072] In this embodiment, the "printing area" refers to an area set on the surface of the nail T of the printing finger U, which is the whole or part of the area of ​​the nail T. That is, the "printing area" is an area to be printed in the area of ​​the nail T of the printing finger U, and when nail art printing is performed on the entire surface of the nail T, the "printing area" is set to the entire surface of the nail T, which is consistent with the outline of the nail T. On the other hand, when nail art printing is performed on a part of the nail T, such as French manicure or single-point design, the "printing area" is set to a part of the area of ​​the nail T, which is not consistent with the outline of the nail T.

[0073] In this embodiment, the printing unit 40 sequentially prints on the nails T of the plurality of printing fingers U in their "printing areas". Figure 3 In FIG. 1 and the like, a case where nail art printing is performed on the entire surface of the nail T (a case where the “printing area” and the outline of the nail T coincide with each other) is shown.

[0074] In this embodiment, the printing head 41 moves above the nail T of the printing finger U held by the finger rest 6 (i.e., above the nail surface), and prints a nail design based on the printing data on the surface of the nail T (the range identified and set as the "printing area" by the nail information acquisition unit 313 described later).

[0075] The printing head 41 of this embodiment is an inkjet head, that is, the surface opposite to the surface of the nail T becomes an ink ejection surface (not shown) having multiple nozzle openings for ejecting ink, and the ink is dropletized and printed by spraying the ink directly from the ink ejection surface onto the surface of the nail T.

[0076] The print head 41, for example, is integrated with an ink cartridge that has inks of various colors built in, and can eject yellow (Y; YELLOW), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and cyan (C; CYAN) inks. In addition, the inks that the print head 41 can eject are not limited to these. For example, black (K; BLACK) ink may also be built in, and black (K) ink may also be ejected. In addition, the structure of the print head 41 is not limited to the structure shown in this example. For example, the print head 41 may also be a structure other than the inkjet method. In addition, the print head 41 may also be constructed separately from the ink cartridge.

[0077] The imaging unit 50 (see Figure 2 ) is equipped with a camera device 51 and a lighting device 52.

[0078] The imaging device 51 is, for example, a small camera including a solid-state imaging element having about 2 million pixels or more, a lens (neither of which is shown), etc. The lighting device 52 is, for example, a lighting lamp composed of a white LED or the like.

[0079] The imaging unit 50 illuminates the nail T of the printing finger U placed on the finger rest 6 using the illumination device 52. Then, the imaging device 51 images the area corresponding to the nail T of the printing finger U, thereby obtaining a nail image (an image of the printing finger U including the image of the nail T).

[0080] The imaging unit 50 is connected to an imaging control unit 312 (see Figure 2 ), thereby being controlled by the shooting control unit 312.

[0081] The captured image acquired by the imaging unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 32 described later.

[0082] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing a main part of the control structure of the nail printing device in this embodiment.

[0083] like Figure 2As shown, the nail printing device 1 includes a control device 30 .

[0084] The control device 30 is a computer including a control unit 31 including a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a storage unit 32 including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (neither of which are shown).

[0085] The control device 30 is provided on a substrate (not shown) or the like which is arranged on the lower surface side of the top surface of the housing 2 , for example.

[0086] The storage unit 32 stores various programs and data (not shown) for operating the nail printing device 1 .

[0087] Specifically, for example, various programs such as a print program for printing processing are stored in the ROM of the storage unit 32 , and the control unit 31 reads these programs, expands them in a work area of ​​the RAM, etc., and executes them, thereby comprehensively controlling each unit of the nail printing device 1 .

[0088] In addition, the storage unit 32 of the present embodiment is provided with: a design storage area 321 storing data of nail art design; or a nail information storage area 322 storing data of nail images acquired by the imaging unit 50, and various data acquired by the nail information acquisition unit 313 described later by analyzing the nail images. Examples of the data acquired by the nail information acquisition unit 313 by analyzing the nail images include the outline of the area depicting the nail T (coordinates indicating the outline shape of the nail T, etc.) or the coordinates of the range of the printing area (area where the nail art design is printed according to the printing data) included in the area depicting the nail T, and the curvature of the nail T (data indicating the degree of curvature). In addition, the data stored in the storage unit 32 is not limited to the data exemplified here.

[0089] From the functional aspect, the control unit 31 includes a display control unit 311, a photographing control unit 312, a nail information acquisition unit 313, a print data generation unit 314, a print control unit 315, etc. The functions of the display control unit 311, the photographing control unit 312, the nail information acquisition unit 313, the print data generation unit 314, the print control unit 315, etc. can be realized by the cooperation of the CPU of the control unit 31 and the program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 32.

[0090] The display control unit 311 controls the display unit 22 , whereby various display screens can be displayed on the display unit 22 .

[0091] For example, the display control unit 311 causes the display unit 22 to display a design selection screen that prompts the user to select a nail art design that the user wants to print on the nail T. When the nail art design is displayed on the design selection screen, the nail art design may be stored in the storage unit 32 or obtained from an external terminal device or a server device that provides cloud computing services. The display control unit 311 preferably causes the nail art designs to be displayed sequentially or in a list on the display unit 22 in the design selection screen.

[0092] Furthermore, the display control unit 311 may display an image obtained by superimposing the nail design selected by the user on the image of the nail T on the display unit 22 so that the user can check the finished image before actual printing begins and change the nail design if he does not like it.

[0093] Furthermore, the display control unit 311 may cause the display unit 22 to display various messages, various instructions, and the like to the user.

[0094] The imaging control unit 312 controls the imaging device 51 and the lighting device 52 of the imaging unit 50 to capture an image of the printing finger U placed on the finger rest 6 by the imaging device 51 , thereby acquiring a nail image including an image of the nail T.

[0095] The data of the nail image acquired by the imaging unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 32 .

[0096] Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 specifies the printing area of ​​the nail T based on the area (contour shape) of the nail T of the printing finger U or the information for specifying the printing area included therein.

[0097] In the present embodiment, the "information for specifying the printing area" is a nail image acquired by the imaging unit 50. The nail information acquisition unit 313 functions as a nail outline acquisition unit, that is, analyzes the nail image, etc., thereby acquiring the coordinates of the outline of the area (outline shape) depicting the nail T or the coordinates of the outline depicting the printing area.

[0098] In addition, it is preferred that the nail image of the nail T (second nail) of the next printing finger U to be printed after the first nail (for example, the nail T of the first printing finger U to be printed) is acquired after the printing of the first nail is completed and before the printing of the printing area of ​​the second nail is started. Thus, even if the printing finger U other than the printing finger U corresponding to the next printing nail T moves in the finger support 6, it will not affect the acquisition of the outline shape of the nail T or the subsequent printing.

[0099] In the present embodiment, the nail information acquisition unit 313 also functions as a coordinate acquisition unit, that is, it acquires the coordinate Na (refer to the coordinate Na of the position in the Y-axis direction (the length direction of the nail T) of the end portion on the nail tip side among the coordinates of the printing area depicting the nail T. Figure 3 ) and the coordinate Nb of the position of the root side end of the nail T in the Y-axis direction (the length direction of the nail T) (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0100] The nail tip side end portion and the base side end portion of the printing area are determined for the nail T (the second nail, etc.) of each printing finger U based on the contour shape of the nail T and the like.

[0101] The specific method by which the nail information acquisition unit 313 detects the printing area is not particularly limited, but for example, a nail image obtained by photographing a nail T coated with a base of a different color from the nail T and the finger (printing finger U) is analyzed, and the area coated with the base is detected and set as the printing area.

[0102] That is, the nail T is difficult to distinguish from the color of the skin around the finger etc. when nothing is applied. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a base such as white or white ink is applied to the surface of the nail T in advance, and the nail information acquisition unit 313 analyzes the brightness, lightness, coloring, etc. of the nail image to distinguish and recognize the portion where the base etc. is applied and the portion other than the base etc. Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 detects the area where the base etc. is applied as the printing area (i.e., the range to be printed).

[0103] exist Figure 3 The example shown is: when the outline of the printed area (the same as the area of ​​the nail T in the illustrated example) of the nail T of each finger (printed fingers Ua~Ud) when multiple fingers are arranged on the finger rest 6 is arranged on the XY coordinates, the coordinates Na of the nail tip side end of each printed area and the coordinates Nb of the nail root side end.

[0104] exist Figure 3 and the following Figure 5 In the following arrangement examples of the printing fingers U, a case where four fingers from the little finger to the index finger of the left hand or five fingers including the thumb are arranged on the finger rest portion 6 is shown.

[0105] That is, in Figure 3In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the printing finger Ua arranged on the far left is the little finger of the left hand, and the position of the end of the printing area of ​​the nail T on the nail tip side in the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Na1, and the position of the end of the root side of the nail T on the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Nb1. In addition, the printing finger Ub arranged on the right side is the ring finger of the left hand, and the position of the end of the printing area of ​​the nail T on the nail tip side in the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Na2, and the position of the end of the root side of the nail T on the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Nb2. Furthermore, the printing finger Uc arranged on the right side is the middle finger of the left hand, and the position of the end of the printing area of ​​the nail T on the nail tip side in the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Na3, and the position of the end of the root side of the nail T on the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Nb3. In addition, the printing finger Ud arranged on the far right is the index finger, and the position of the end of the printing area of ​​the nail T on the nail tip side in the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Na4, and the position of the end of the root side of the nail T on the Y-axis direction is set to coordinate Nb4.

[0106] In addition, the type and number of fingers arranged on the finger rest portion 6 are not limited to the example shown in the drawings.

[0107] In addition, as mentioned above, Figure 3 In the example of the case where nail art printing is performed on the entire surface of the nail T (the case where the "printing area" coincides with the outline of the nail T), the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion of the nail T of the printing area coincide with the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion of the nail T itself. In contrast, in the case where only a portion of the nail T becomes the printing area (for example, in the case of a French manicure where printing is performed only on the nail tip), the root side end portion of the nail T may be located in the printing area, such as near the middle of the Y-axis direction of the nail T. In this case, the printing process can also be performed by the same method as the following embodiment.

[0108] The nail information acquisition unit 313 is not limited to the nail image in order to identify the information of the printing area for the nail T of the printing finger U. For example, if a sensor for detecting the area where the nail T is arranged is provided, the information may be based on the detection information of the sensor.

[0109] Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 detects various types of nail information on the nail T of the printing finger U based on the nail image of the printing finger U captured by the imaging device 51 .

[0110] Here, the nail information refers to, for example, the outline of the nail T (nail shape, XY coordinates of the horizontal position of the nail T, etc.), the tilt angle of the surface of the nail T relative to the XY plane (tilt angle of the nail T, nail curvature), etc. In addition, when the height of the nail T (the vertical position of the nail T) can be obtained from an image captured by the camera 51, etc., the height of the nail T is also included in the nail information.

[0111] Information such as the coordinates of the outline of the drawing printing area and the coordinates and curvature of the outline of the nail T acquired by the nail information acquisition unit 313 is stored in the nail information storage area 322 of the storage unit 32 .

[0112] The print data generating unit 314 generates print data in correspondence with the region of the nail T or the print region (coordinates for outlining each region) specified by the nail information acquiring unit 313 .

[0113] Specifically, if the printing area (the area within the area of ​​the nail T that is scheduled to be printed) is set (determined) by the nail information acquisition unit 313, the printing data generation unit 314 intercepts the nail design data (original data) in accordance with the printing area, and appropriately adjusts and calibrates the shape or size, etc., thereby generating printing data.

[0114] In addition, when nail information such as the curvature of the nail T is detected by the nail information acquisition unit 313, the printing data generation unit 314 also adds this nail information, appropriately performs the required corrections such as curved surface correction, and generates printing data from the nail design data (original data) for the printing unit 40 to print in the printing area.

[0115] The print control unit 315 is a control unit that controls the head moving mechanism 49 (the X-direction moving motor 46 and the Y-direction moving motor 48 constituting the head moving mechanism 49 ) and the print head 41 of the print unit 40 .

[0116] The print control unit 315 controls each unit of the print unit 40 so that a nail design is printed in a “printing area” of the nail T based on the print data generated by the print data generation unit 314 .

[0117] In the present embodiment, the printing control unit 315 sets the printing start position (in the range of 1 to 400 sec) of the printing area of ​​each printing finger U. Figure 6 The printing start position Sp is set as such. ).

[0118] That is, the printing control unit 315 controls the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 so that the first nail to be printed (the first nail T of the printing finger U to be printed among the printing fingers U arranged on the finger support unit 6, for example) is printed. Figure 6The printing area of ​​the printing finger Ua in the printing finger Ua is printed while moving along the main scanning direction from the printing start position Sp in the printing area. After the printing of the first nail is completed, the second nail (the nail T of the printing finger U to be printed next among the printing fingers U arranged in the finger support part 6) which is the next printing object is printed. For example, Figure 6 The printing end position (at the end of the printing area near the first nail) is set at the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the nail T of the printing finger Ub in the printing finger Ub. Figure 6 The printing end position Ep is set as the printing end position Ep. ) From the printing start position Sp at the end portion on one side, printing on the printing area in the second nail is started.

[0119] For example, Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , when the end of the printing area on the nail tip side is set to the coordinates Na of the nail tip side end (coordinates Na1 to Na4 indicating the position in the length direction of the nail, i.e., the Y-axis direction), and the end of the root side of the nail T is set to the coordinates Nb of the root side end (coordinates Nb1 to Nb4 indicating the position in the length direction of the nail, i.e., the Y-axis direction), the printing control unit 315 functions as a coordinate comparison unit that compares the coordinates of the nail tip side end (coordinates Na1 to Na4) and the root side end Nb (coordinates Nb1 to Nb4) with the coordinates of the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the first nail. Further, based on the comparison result of the two, the printing control unit 315 determines / decides whether the printing start position Sp of the printing area of ​​the nail T (second nail) of the printing finger U to be printed next is set to the nail tip side end (coordinates Na1 to Na4) or the root side end (coordinates Nb1 to Nb4).

[0120] Note that specific setting of the printing start position Sp by the printing control unit 315 will be described later.

[0121] Next, refer to Figures 4 to 13 The printing method of the nail printing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0122] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the printing process in this embodiment.

[0123] When the power of the nail printing device 1 of this embodiment is turned on, for example, a message instructing selection of a nail design is displayed on the display unit 22. The user selects a nail design to be printed on the nail T by operating the operation unit 21 or the touch panel.

[0124] Thus, the operation signal is sent to the control device 30, such as Figure 4 As shown, a desired nail design is selected as a nail design to be printed on the nail T (step S1).

[0125] If the user selects a nail art design, the control unit 31 (display control unit 311) applies a base (or white ink if it contains white) on the nail T to be printed, and on this basis, the display unit 22 displays an instruction screen to insert the nail T (and the printing finger U) into the finger holder 6 of the nail art printing device 1, so as to urge the user to place the printing finger U.

[0126] When the printing finger U is placed on the finger support 6, the control unit 31 sets the first printing finger U (for example Figure 3 The nail T of the little finger of the printing finger Ua is taken as the first nail, and the imaging unit 50 images the printing finger Ua including the first nail to obtain a nail image of the first nail (the little finger nail T) (step S2).

[0127] When the nail image is acquired, the nail information acquisition unit 313 performs image analysis on the nail image to identify the print area of ​​the first nail. Specifically, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires XY coordinates that outline the print area (step S3).

[0128] Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires the Y coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end portion and the Y coordinate Nb1 of the base side end portion of the print region of the first nail (step S4 ).

[0129] Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires other nail information such as the curvature of the nail T based on the nail image.

[0130] The XY coordinates of the outline of the printing area or the Y coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end, the Y coordinate Nb1 of the root side end, and other various information acquired by the nail information acquisition unit 313 are stored in the nail information storage area 322. When the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires various nail information, the print data generation unit 314 appropriately corrects the nail design according to the printing area to generate print data.

[0131] When obtaining the XY coordinates of the outline of the printing area for the first nail as the printing object, the printing control unit 315 controls the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 so that the printing start position Sp is set at the nail tip side end Na1 or the root side end Nb1 of the first nail (the nail T of the little finger of the left hand as the printing finger Ua in the example shown in the figure), and the printing area is moved from the printing start position Sp in the main scanning direction ( Figure 6 The printing area ( FIG. 10 ) of the first nail (the nail T of the little finger of the left hand) is printed according to the printing data. Figure 6 The entire surface of the nail T is printed (step S5).

[0132] For example, Figure 6 In the example, the printing start position Sp is set at the end Na1 on the nail tip side, and as shown in FIG. Figure 6 As indicated by the white arrow in the middle, the sub-scanning is performed from top to bottom in the Y-axis direction (ie, from the nail tip side toward the base side).

[0133] In addition, whether the printing start position Sp is set at the nail tip side end (coordinate Na1 in the Y-axis direction) or the base side end (coordinate Nb1 in the Y-axis direction) for the first nail is not particularly limited.

[0134] For example, at the printing time point for the first nail, the printing control unit 315 can grasp the position of the printing area of ​​the nail T that is scheduled to be printed after the first nail (for example, the printing area of ​​the nail T of the ring finger or the middle finger, etc.), and preferably consider the configuration of other printing fingers U placed on the finger rest 6, and set the printing start position Sp on the side where a smoother / quicker printing action can be performed.

[0135] When the printing of the printing area of ​​the first nail (the nail T of the little finger of the left hand) is completed, the printing control unit 315 sets the coordinates Na2 of the nail tip side end of the printing area of ​​the nail T of the printing finger U to be printed next (referred to as the "second nail") and the coordinates Nb2 of the base side end of the nail T (refer to Figure 3 ) is the printing end position Ep near the first nail (refer to Figure 6 The printing start position Sp of the printing area for the second nail is set on the side of the printing head 41, etc. Then, the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 are controlled so that printing is started from the printing start position Sp.

[0136] Specifically, the control unit 31 takes the nail T of the second printing finger U (for example, the ring finger in the example shown here) to be printed as the second nail, and uses the shooting unit 50 to shoot the printing finger Ub including the second nail to obtain a nail image of the second nail (the nail T of the ring finger) (step S6).

[0137] When the nail image is acquired, the nail information acquisition unit 313 performs image analysis on the nail image to identify the print area of ​​the second nail. Specifically, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires the XY coordinates that outline the print area (step S7).

[0138] Furthermore, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires the Y coordinate Na2 of the end portion on the nail tip side and the Y coordinate Nb2 of the end portion on the root side of the outline of the print area of ​​the second nail (see Figure 3 )(Step S8).

[0139] The printing control unit 315 controls the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 so that the nail tip side end Na2 and the nail root side end Nb2 (see Figure 3 ) is printed on the side closer to the printing end position Ep for the first nail (the nail T of the little finger of the left hand) as the printing start position Sp for the second nail.

[0140] Here, a method of setting the printing start position Sp of the second nail by the print control unit 315 in this embodiment will be described in detail.

[0141] When printing is performed on the printing area of ​​the nail T, for example, Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the reciprocating movement is repeated, that is, the printing start position Sp is set on one side of the coordinate Na of the nail tip side end of the printing area of ​​the nail T or the coordinate Nb of the nail root side end, and the printing operation based on the printing unit 40 is performed while moving along the main scanning direction (X-axis direction) indicated by the horizontal arrow. When the main scanning direction end of the printing area is reached, it moves one line in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) indicated by the vertical arrow, and returns to the opposite side of the printing area along the main scanning direction. For example, after two or three reciprocating movements, the printing operation for the printing area of ​​one nail T is completed. Then, the same operation is repeated while moving to the nail T that becomes the next printing area.

[0142] At this time, conventionally, the printing start position Sp is always fixed at one side in the Y-axis direction (i.e., the coordinate Na of the end portion on the nail tip side or the coordinate Nb of the end portion on the root side). Figure 5 When the printing start position Sp is set to the coordinate Na of the end portion on the nail tip side as shown in FIG. Figure 5 At the time when the printing finger Ua in the printing area ends the printing operation, the printing head 41 moves to the coordinate Nb of the root side end of the nail T, and even in this case, the next printing finger U (for example Figure 5 When printing the printing area of ​​the printing finger Ub), the printing head 41 is also moved in the Y-axis direction (sub-scanning direction) such as moving to the printing start position Sp at the end of the nail tip side. The movement direction of each printing finger U during the sub-scan is all downward along the Y-axis direction.

[0143] However, in Figure 5When printing is performed while moving from one end (e.g., end Na1 on the nail tip side) to the other end (e.g., end Nb1 on the root side of the nail T) in the Y-axis direction (sub-scanning direction) of the printing area as shown in FIG. 1 , generally, the printing end position Ep is often located at a position that is closer to the second printing finger U (e.g., Figure 5 The coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end of the nail T of the printing finger Ub in the figure is closer to the coordinate Nb2 of the root side end. On the contrary, when the printing start position Sp is set at the root side end Nb1 of the nail T and printing is performed while moving from the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end toward the coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end, the printing end position Ep is often located closer to the coordinate Nb2 of the second printing finger U to be printed next. Figure 5 The coordinate Nb2 of the root side end of the nail T of the printing finger (Ub) is closer to the coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end.

[0144] Therefore, when the nails T of a plurality of printing fingers U are printed sequentially, the printing Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the printing start position Sp is fixed at one end in the Y-axis direction (sub-scanning direction). Figure 6 As shown in the figure, in the Y-axis direction (sub-scanning direction) up and down ( Figure 6 The printing start position Sp is set alternately (up and down) such as Figure 6 As indicated by the white arrow in the middle, when printing is performed differently from each other along the Y-axis direction, the moving distance to the printing start position Sp of the finger to print next is shortened.

[0145] Among them, the shape of people's hands, the length of each finger, etc. are individual and do not necessarily have to converge to fixed rules.

[0146] For example, in Figure 7 In the illustrated example, when four printing fingers U are placed on the finger rest 6 , only the rightmost printing finger Ud (for example, the index finger) is arranged at an extremely low position in the Y-axis direction.

[0147] In this case, and Figure 6 Different from the situation of , compared with the up and down ( Figure 6 The printing start position Sp is set alternately (up and down) such as Figure 7As shown, when moving from the third printing finger Uc (for example, the middle finger) to the fourth printing finger Ud (for example, the index finger), no matter at which coordinate Na of the nail tip side end portion the printing start position Sp is set, by moving from top to bottom (i.e., from the nail tip side to the root side) based on the printing finger Uc (for example, the middle finger) and the printing finger Ud (for example, the index finger), printing is performed, thereby eliminating useless movement time and performing printing processing efficiently.

[0148] Therefore, in this embodiment, the printing control unit 315 controls the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 so that the coordinates Nb1 (refer to the coordinates Nb2 of the nail tip side end Na1 and the root side end Na1 of the printing area of ​​the nail T of a certain printing finger U (referred to as a "first nail") set among the nails T of the printing fingers U placed on the finger rest 6 are Figure 3 etc.) printing start position Sp (refer to Figure 6 After the printing of the "first nail" is completed, the print head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 are controlled so that the coordinates Na2 of the nail tip side end of the printing area in the nail T of the printing finger U (referred to as the "second nail") which is the next printing object and the coordinates Nb2 of the root side end of the nail T (refer to Figure 3 The printing end position Ep of the first nail (the coordinates Na1 of the nail tip side end where the printing end position Ep is located or the coordinates Nb1 of the root side end of the nail T, refer to Figure 6 The side (etc.) is used as the printing start position Sp of the "second nail" and printing is performed.

[0149] Specifically, when the printing of the "first nail" is completed, the printing control unit 315 determines whether the sub-scanning direction during the printing of the "first nail" is downward in the Y-axis direction ( Figure 6 etc.; pointing downward) (step S9).

[0150] When the sub-scanning direction is downward (step S9; yes), the printing control unit 315 determines whether the distance (interval |Nb1-Na2|) between the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end of the nail T where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located and the coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end of the printing area in the "second nail" is greater than the distance (interval |Nb1-Nb2|) between the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end and the coordinate Nb2 of the root side end (step S10).

[0151] When the coordinate Nb2 of the root side end portion in the "second nail" is closer to the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end portion of the nail T where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located (i.e., the interval |Nb1-Na2| is larger than the interval |Nb1-Nb2|, step S10; yes), the printing control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the "second nail" to the root side end portion (coordinate Nb2), and sets the sub-scanning direction Y during printing to upward from bottom to top (step S11).

[0152] On the other hand, when the coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end portion in the "second nail" is closer to the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end portion of the nail T where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located (step S10; No), the printing control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the "second nail" to the nail tip side end portion (coordinate Na2), and sets the sub-scanning direction Y during printing to downward from top to bottom (step S12).

[0153] In addition, when the sub-scanning direction is upward (step S9; no), determine whether the distance (interval |Na1-Na2|) between the coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end portion where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located and the coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end portion of the printing area in the "second nail" is greater than the distance (interval |Na1-Nb2|) between the coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end portion and the coordinate Nb2 of the root side end portion (step S13).

[0154] When the coordinate Nb2 of the root side end portion in the "second nail" is closer to the coordinate Na1 of the nail tip side end portion where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located (i.e., the interval |Na1-Na2| is larger than the interval |Na1-Nb2|, step S13; yes), the printing control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the "second nail" to the root side end portion (coordinate Nb2), and sets the sub-scanning direction Y during printing to upward from bottom to top (step S14).

[0155] On the other hand, when the coordinate Na2 of the nail tip side end portion in the "second nail" is closer to the coordinate Nb1 of the root side end portion of the nail T where the printing end position Ep of the "first nail" is located (step S13; no), the printing control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the "second nail" to the nail tip side end portion (coordinate Na2), and sets the sub-scanning direction Y during printing to downward from top to bottom (step S15).

[0156] Reference Figure 6 to Figure 14, specifically explain how to use the printing start position Sp. In addition, the Y-axis coordinate Na of the end portion on the tip side of the nail and the Y-axis coordinate Nb of the end portion on the root side are recorded using Figure 3 The content of the example.

[0157] For example, Figure 6 In the example, the printing start position Sp of the nail T (first nail) of the little finger of the first printing finger Ua is set at the nail tip side end (coordinate Na1 in the Y-axis direction), and the surface of the nail T is scanned three times, thereby completing the printing of the printing area. In this case, the printing of the printing area of ​​the nail T (first nail) of the little finger is performed from the printing start position Sp set at the nail tip side end toward the root side end (that is, the sub-scanning direction is downward as shown by the white arrow, from the nail tip side to the root side of the nail T), and the position of the printing end position Ep in the Y-axis direction becomes the root side end of the nail T (coordinate Nb1 in the Y-axis direction).

[0158] Therefore, the printing control unit 315 compares the distance between a certain root side end (coordinate Nb1 in the Y-axis direction) of the printing end position Ep of the little finger nail T (first nail) and the nail tip side end (coordinate Na2 in the Y-axis direction) of the ring finger nail T (second nail) as the second printing finger Ub with the distance between the coordinate Nb1 and the root side end (coordinate Nb2 in the Y-axis direction) of the ring finger nail T. Figure 6 As shown, in this case, the coordinate Nb2 is closer to the coordinate Nb1, so the print control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the ring finger nail T (second nail) to the root side end of the ring finger nail T.

[0159] Moreover, in this case, the printing area of ​​the ring finger nail T (second nail) is printed from the printing start position Sp set at the root side end toward the nail tip side end (i.e., the sub-scanning direction is upward as shown by the white arrow), and the printing end position Ep becomes the nail tip side end of the nail T (coordinate Na2 in the Y-axis direction).

[0160] Therefore, the printing control unit 315 further compares the distance (interval) between a nail tip side end (coordinate Na2 in the Y-axis direction) of the printing end position Ep of the ring finger nail T (second nail) and the nail tip side end (coordinate Na3 in the Y-axis direction) of the middle finger nail T (next second nail) as the third printing finger Uc, and the distance (interval) between the coordinate Na2 and the root side end (coordinate Nb3 in the Y-axis direction) of the middle finger nail T. Figure 6As shown, in this case, since the coordinate Na3 is closer to the coordinate Na2, the print control unit 315 sets the printing start position Sp of the nail T of the middle finger (the next second nail) to the end of the nail T of the middle finger on the nail tip side.

[0161] Moreover, in this case, the printing area of ​​the middle finger nail T (the next second nail) is printed from the printing start position Sp set at the nail tip side end toward the root side end (that is, the sub-scanning direction is downward as shown by the white arrow), and the printing end position Ep becomes the root side end of the nail T (coordinate Nb3 in the Y-axis direction).

[0162] Similarly, the print control unit 315 repeats the same determination process for the nail T of the index finger as the fourth printing finger Ud and the nail T of the thumb as the fifth printing finger Ue as the “next second nail”, and prints in the print areas of all the nails T.

[0163] exist Figure 6 In the example shown, the movement of each printing finger U in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) is alternately up and down, that is, “down, up, down, up, down”.

[0164] In a normal finger of a person, relative to the nail T, in the up-down direction ( Figure 6 When printing from one end side toward the other end side (the up and down direction, the extending direction of the nail T), the moving distance of the end on the same side as the printing end position Ep for moving to the next printing area in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) is smaller.

[0165] Therefore, in order to perform printing efficiently, it is often preferred that the print start position Sp is set at a position that alternates up and down. If the print start position Sp of the first printing finger Ua in the sub-scanning direction is determined, the print start position Sp may be set alternately up and down based on this by default. In this case, even if the print control unit 315 does not set the print start position Sp for each finger, the printing operation can be performed with an appropriate streamline.

[0166] That is, in this case, when the printing start position Sp in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) of the first printing finger Ua is set to the end portion on the nail tip side, Figure 6 In the same situation, the moving direction of each printing finger U during the sub-scanning becomes "down-up-down-up-down". Conversely, when the printing start position Sp in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) of the first printing finger Ua is set to the root side end, the moving direction of the sub-scanning of each printing finger U becomes "up-down-up-down-up".

[0167] Next, in Figure 7 In the example shown, and Figure 6In this case, although the printing of the printing area of ​​the nail T of the third printing finger Uc (middle finger) ends at the root side end, when moving to the next fourth printing finger Ud (index finger), the moving distance to the nail tip side end is shorter than that to the same root side end.

[0168] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter movement distance, so that the movement direction of the sub-scanning of each printing finger U in this case becomes “down-up-down-down” as indicated by the white arrow.

[0169] also, Figure 8 The example shown is in Figure 7 In the example of , the thumb is further assumed to be the fifth printing finger Ue. In this case, the fourth printing finger Ud (index finger) and the fifth printing finger Ue (thumb) are of the same length. Therefore, after the printing of the nail T of the fourth printing finger Ud is completed, when moving to the printing area of ​​the fifth printing finger Ue, the end ( Figure 8 The moving distance in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) when moving (the root side end in the middle) is shorter.

[0170] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter movement distance, whereby the movement direction of the sub-scanning of each printing finger U in this case becomes “down-up-down-down-up” as indicated by the white arrow.

[0171] and then, Fig. 9 The example shown is an example in which the printing start position Sp of the first printing finger Ua in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) is set to the end portion on the root side.

[0172] When the printing area of ​​the first printing finger Ua is printed, it moves from bottom to top as indicated by the white arrow. In addition, in this example, the second printing finger Ub is long, and the position of the nail T is on the upper side of the secondary scanning direction (Y-axis direction). Therefore, in the process of moving from the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the first printing finger Ua to the printing area of ​​the second printing finger Ub, the moving distance toward the base side end is shorter than that toward the nail tip side end.

[0173] In addition, Fig. 9In the example of , the fourth printing finger Ud is much shorter than the third printing finger Uc. Therefore, although the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the third printing finger Uc reaches the root side end, when moving from the printing end position Ep of the third printing finger Uc to the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, the moving distance to the nail tip side end is shorter than the moving distance to the root side end.

[0174] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter moving distance, thereby Fig. 9 In the case of , the moving direction of the sub-scanning of each printing finger U becomes “up and down” as indicated by the white arrow.

[0175] also, Fig.10 The examples shown and Fig. 9 Unlike the example shown, the third printing finger Uc and the fourth printing finger Ud have almost the same length. Therefore, when the printing end position Ep of the third printing finger Uc reaches the root side end, when moving from the printing end position Ep of the third printing finger Uc to the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, the moving distance toward the root side end is shorter than that toward the nail tip side end.

[0176] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter moving distance, thereby Fig.10 The moving direction of the sub-scanning of each printing finger U in the case of Fig. 9 The situation is different, it becomes "up up down up" as shown by the white arrow.

[0177] In addition, when the nail is entirely applied with a nail design selected by the user, such as Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the outline of the printing area coincides with the outline of the area of ​​the nail T. Therefore, the Y coordinate Na of the nail tip side end portion becomes the coordinate of the nail tip side end portion of the area of ​​the nail T, and the Y coordinate Nb of the root side end portion becomes the coordinate of the root side end portion of the area of ​​the nail T.

[0178] On the other hand, when the nail design selected by the user is a French manicure or the like, the printed area becomes a part of the area of ​​the nail T.

[0179] For example Fig.11 An example is shown in which printing is performed only on the nail tip portion. Fig.11 In the figure, the shaded portion is the printing area where printing is performed.

[0180] In this way, when the contours of the printing area and the nail T are inconsistent, the Y coordinate Na of the end portion on the nail tip side in the printing area is also the coordinate of the end portion on the printing area that is closer to the front end side of the nail T, and the Y coordinate Nb of the end portion on the root side becomes the coordinate of the end portion on the printing area that is closer to the root side of the nail T.

[0181] Therefore, in this case, the determination of whether to set the printing start position Sp to the end portion on the nail tip side or the end portion on the root side is the same as Figure 3 , Figure 6 The same processing as in etc.

[0182] That is, the printing start position Sp in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) of the first printing finger Ua is set at the end on the nail tip side, and the printing end position Ep is at the root side end. The length of the second printing finger Ub is the same as that of the printing finger Ua. In this case, the printing start position Sp in the printing area of ​​the second printing finger Ub is set at the end on the same side as the printing end position Ep, that is, the root side end.

[0183] In addition, Fig.11 In the example shown, although the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the third printing finger Uc reaches the root side end, the fourth printing finger Ud is shorter than the third printing finger Uc. When moving from the printing end position Ep of the third printing finger Uc to the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, the moving distance toward the nail tip side end is shorter than that toward the root side end.

[0184] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter moving distance, thereby Fig.11 In this case, the movement direction of the sub-scan of each printing finger U becomes "up, down, down, down" as shown by the white arrow. In this way, the printing start position of each finger may be set in consideration of the nails of all the printing fingers U so as to achieve the shortest movement route as a whole.

[0185] In addition, so far, the example has been shown where the scanning direction in the row direction (i.e., the main scanning direction) when printing in the printing area is the nail width direction (X-axis direction), and the moving direction to the next row (i.e., the sub-scanning direction) is the extension direction of the nail T (Y-axis direction), but the printing start position Sp for each printing area can also be set in the same way when the main scanning direction and the sub-scanning direction are opposite.

[0186] Fig.12 This is an example in which the main scanning direction when the print head 41 prints in the print area is the nail extension direction (Y-axis direction) and the sub-scanning direction is the nail width direction (X-axis direction). Fig.12In the figure, the main scanning direction is indicated by a solid line, and the sub-scanning direction is indicated by a dotted line.

[0187] When the main scanning direction is the extension direction of the nail (Y-axis direction), the moving direction of the sub-scanning is not necessarily the fixed direction toward the adjacent printing finger U that is not printed (the arrangement direction of the fingers according to the printing order of the printing finger U). Fig.12 In the figure, as indicated by the white arrow, it is from left to right.

[0188] However, depending on the length of the printing finger U or the size of the nail T, when moving from the printing end position Ep to the printing area of ​​the next printing finger U, the moving distance on the nail tip side may be shorter or the moving distance on the base side may be shorter.

[0189] For example, in Fig.12 In the case where the print end position Ep of the print area of ​​the first print finger Ua is at the end on the nail tip side, when moving from the print end position Ep to the print area of ​​the second print finger Ub, the moving distance toward the end on the nail tip side is shorter than that toward the end on the root side. Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp of the print area of ​​the second print finger Ub to the end on the nail tip side.

[0190] On the other hand, the third printing finger Uc is much longer than the second printing finger Ub, and when moving from the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the second printing finger Ub to the printing area of ​​the third printing finger Uc, the moving distance toward the base side end is shorter than the moving distance toward the nail tip side end. In addition, the fourth printing finger Ud is much shorter than the third printing finger Uc, and when moving from the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the third printing finger Uc to the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, the moving distance toward the base side end is shorter than the moving distance toward the nail tip side end.

[0191] Then, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp on the side determined to have the shorter movement distance, and performs printing on each print area.

[0192] Therefore, the printing start position Sp is set closer to the printing end position Ep of the previous printing finger U at the nail tip side end and the root side end. Figure 3 , Figure 6 The same processing as in etc.

[0193] Furthermore, depending on the size of the print head 41 or the field angle of the imaging device 51 , after printing is completed on the print area of ​​a certain printing finger U, the print head 41 may need to be temporarily moved from the print end position Ep in order to capture the nail image of the next printing finger U.

[0194] In this case, if Fig.13 As shown, if the print head 41 is moved in the X-axis direction, it only needs to be moved in the X-axis direction again to return to the print start position Sp during printing, and the print start position Sp set in the Y-axis direction will not be affected.

[0195] In addition, Figure 6 and Figure 8 In the example, when five fingers are arranged on the finger rest portion 6 , five fingers (printing fingers Ua to Ue) of one hand from the little finger to the thumb are arranged, but the printing fingers U arranged on the finger rest portion 6 are not limited to the fingers of one hand.

[0196] Due to the structure of a human hand, it is difficult to place the thumb side by side with the other fingers of the same hand, and even if it is possible to place the thumb nail T, it is difficult to properly position the thumb nail T against the ink ejection surface of the print head 41. In addition, the length of the thumb is often greatly different from that of the other four fingers, and it may be difficult to fit the printable range of the printing unit 40 within the imageable range of the imaging unit 50 (for example, within the range of the opening portion of the finger rest 6 where the nail T is exposed).

[0197] So, for example Fig.13 As shown in FIG. 1 , the thumb of the right hand may be arranged adjacent to the four fingers from the little finger to the index finger of the left hand ( Fig.13 Printing finger Uf).

[0198] In order to reduce the movement of the print head 41 as much as possible and to perform printing quickly and efficiently, it is preferable that the positions of the nails T in the sub-scanning direction (Y-axis direction) are aligned as much as possible.

[0199] Therefore, when the four fingers other than the thumb of one hand (for example, the left hand) are used Fig.13 The printed fingers Ua to Ue) and the thumb ( Fig.13 In the case of a structure in which the middle printing finger (f) is arranged on the finger rest portion 6, it is preferable to adopt a structure that urges the user to place the nail T support at the target position where the fingertip should be arranged, so as to place the fingertip of the thumb as close to the fingertips of the little finger to the index finger as possible. In addition, in this case, the nail T support may be set only at a position corresponding to the arrangement of the thumb, or may also be set at a position corresponding to the arrangement of the other four fingers.

[0200] In addition, the case where the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the "second nail" is set on the side closer to the printing end position Ep among the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area in the "second nail" has been described so far, but how to deal with the situation where the distance from the printing end position Ep (the coordinates Na, Nb of the nail tip side end or the root side end where the printing end position Ep is located, for example, the coordinates Na1 or Nb1) to the coordinates Na2 of the nail tip side end and the distance from the coordinates Na1 or Nb1 to the coordinates Nb2 of the root side end are equal or the same can be appropriately set.

[0201] For example, in the above-mentioned case, the printing start position Sp may be set at the nail tip side end or the base side end by default. In this case, the user may be able to change the default setting.

[0202] In addition, for example, when the printing control unit 315 is able to grasp factors other than the printing area in the "second nail" such as the position of the next nail T scheduled to be printed before setting the printing start position Sp for the "second nail", these factors can also be considered to determine the side that minimizes useless movement of the print head 41 and is suitable for efficient printing.

[0203] exist Fig.14 The coordinate Nb3 in the Y-axis direction of the printing end position Ep of the third printing finger Uc is shown as an example (see Figure 3 ) The distance from the coordinate Na4 of the nail tip side end of the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud and the distance from the coordinate Nb3 in the Y-axis direction of the printing end position Ep to the coordinate Nb4 of the root side end are almost equal.

[0204] In this case, the printing control unit 315 grasps the position of the printing area of ​​the next fifth printing finger Ue of the printing finger U (i.e., the fourth printing finger Ud) that sets the printing start position Sp, and in the process of setting the printing start position Sp in the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, considers at which position of the nail tip side end or the root side end of the printing area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud to set the printing start position Sp so that printing can be performed efficiently in the printing area of ​​the fifth printing finger Ue.

[0205] Fig.14 In the case shown, when printing the print area of ​​the fourth printing finger Ud, if the sub-scanning direction is downward from the nail tip side to the base side, the moving distance of the print head 41 when moving to the print area of ​​the fifth printing finger Ue is short.

[0206] Therefore, the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp at the end portion on the nail tip side with respect to the print area of ​​the printing finger Ud.

[0207] In addition, the example described above shows that the print control unit 315 determines whether the position of the nail tip side end or the base side end of the print area to be printed next is closer to the print end position Ep for each printing finger U, but the method of setting the print start position Sp is not limited to this.

[0208] For example, you can also Fig.15 The table shown is stored in advance in the storage unit 32 or the like, and the print control unit 315 sets the print start position Sp of the print area of ​​each printing finger U by referring to the table.

[0209] The content or holding method of the table is not particularly limited.

[0210] exist Fig.15 In FIG. 1 , two types of different lengths of the printing fingers U (characteristics of the arrangement of the printing fingers U) are exemplified when the four fingers (the little finger to the index finger) of the left hand are arranged on the finger rest 6 .

[0211] For example, left-hand type 1 is Fig. 9 The pattern in the sub-scanning direction is shown in the case where the middle finger (printing finger Uc) is the longest and the index finger (printing finger Ud) is much shorter than the middle finger (printing finger Uc). In this case, when the print start position Sp of the little finger (printing finger Ua) is set to the root side end, the print control unit 315 refers to the table and sets the print start position Sp at the root side end of the ring finger (printing finger Ub), the nail tip side end of the middle finger (printing finger Uc), and the nail tip side end of the index finger (printing finger Ud), respectively, and the movement in the sub-scanning direction becomes "up, down, up, down".

[0212] Furthermore, for example, left-hand type 2 is Fig.10 The figure shows a pattern in the sub-scanning direction in the case where the middle finger (printing finger Uc) is the longest and the index finger (printing finger Ud) and the middle finger (printing finger Uc) are of the same length. In this case, when the print start position Sp of the little finger (printing finger Ua) is set to the root side end, the print control unit 315 refers to the table and sets the print start position Sp to the root side end of the ring finger (printing finger Ub), the nail tip side end of the middle finger (printing finger Uc), and the root side end of the index finger (printing finger Ud).

[0213] It is preferable that a plurality of tables are prepared in advance according to the number or type of printing fingers U arranged on the finger rest 6, and whether the printing start position Sp is set at the end of the nail tip side or the end of the root side in the first printing finger U (the little finger in this embodiment). Alternatively, an arrangement pattern of fingers of ordinary people (for example, the middle finger is the longest, and the thumb or little finger is the shortest, etc.) may be obtained from an external server, and the pattern of the sub-scanning direction (that is, the setting pattern of the printing start position Sp) of each printing finger U set in the table may be set based on the arrangement pattern.

[0214] Furthermore, the print control unit 315 may automatically select a table based on the analysis result of the nail information acquisition unit 313 or the user may select a corresponding pattern based on the pattern of his or her own hand.

[0215] A form that is temporarily selected and applied can also be registered as being applied to the user, so that the same form can be automatically selected from the next time.

[0216] In addition, the pattern set based on the analysis result of the nail information acquisition unit 313 may be associated with the user and stored / registered as a table. In this case, when the registered user prints the same type / arrangement of printing fingers U (for example, four fingers from the little finger to the index finger of the left hand), appropriate printing processing can be performed from the next time by simply reading the table.

[0217] When the print start position Sp of the print area in the "second nail" is set, the print control unit 315 performs print processing on the print area in the "second nail" from the print start position Sp (step S16). When printing is completed, the print control unit 315 determines whether printing of the nails T of all the printing fingers U to be printed has been completed (step S17). And, when all printing is completed (step S17; yes), the printing process is completed.

[0218] On the other hand, when printing is not completed for the nails T of all the printing fingers U to be printed (step S17; No), the nail T to be printed next to the "second nail" that has been printed is used as a new "second nail" and the processing from step S6 to step S17 is repeatedly performed.

[0219] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing control unit controls the printing head 41 and the head moving mechanism 49 so that printing is performed while moving along the main scanning direction from the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the first nail as the printing object. After the printing of the first nail is completed, the printing of the printing area in the second nail, which is the next printing object, is started from the printing start position Sp set at the end on the side of the printing end position Ep of the printing area close to the first nail, among the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the second nail.

[0220] Therefore, after the printing of the printing area on the first nail is completed, the printing of the printing area on the next nail T can be efficiently started. Thus, even when nail art printing is performed on nails T of multiple fingers, the waiting time of the user can be shortened as much as possible, and a rapid printing process can be achieved.

[0221] In the present embodiment, the printing start position Sp of the printing area in the second nail is set at the tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the second nail in the length direction of the nail T ( Figure 3 , Figure 6 The coordinates Na and Nb in the Y-axis direction (in the middle) and the coordinates Na and Nb in the length direction (Y-axis direction) of the nail T of the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the first nail are close to one end.

[0222] Thus, in this embodiment, the Y-axis position of the print end position Ep of the print area of ​​the first nail is compared with the coordinates of the end of the print area of ​​the next nail T in the Y-axis direction, and the print start position Sp is set at the end on the side with a shorter moving distance. Thus, the next nail to be printed can be quickly accessed, and printing can be efficiently completed for the print areas of the nails T of multiple printing fingers U.

[0223] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the nail information acquisition unit 313 acquires the coordinates Na and Nb of the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the second nail in the length direction of the nail T, and compares the coordinates Na2 and Nb2 of the nail tip side end and the root side end with the coordinates Na1 and Nb1 of the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the first nail. And the printing control unit 315 determines the printing start position Sp of the printing area of ​​the second nail based on the comparison result.

[0224] Therefore, the nail printing device 1 can determine the printing start position Sp of the printing area of ​​the second nail, and the nail printing device 1 can perform smooth printing operations without being linked to external devices such as various terminal devices or external servers.

[0225] In the present embodiment, the printing start position Sp is set alternately to either the nail tip side end portion or the base side end portion of the printing area in the order in which the printing fingers U are placed.

[0226] The configuration of the fingers of an average person is as follows Figure 6 As shown in the figure, the middle finger is relatively long, the little finger and the thumb are relatively short, and the overall arrangement pattern is often in the form of a gentle arc. Therefore, by alternately moving the nails up and down in the length direction (Y-axis direction), the movement distance of the print head 41 in the sub-scanning direction when moving from the nail T of a certain printing finger U to the nail T of the printing finger U to be the next printing object can be shortened. By setting the printing start position Sp according to the arrangement pattern that matches most people as described above, the fastest and smoothest printing process can be performed in most cases.

[0227] Furthermore, by setting the above-mentioned pattern as a default, the setting process of the printing start position Sp can be easily performed.

[0228] In the present embodiment, the print start position Sp is set at either the nail tip side end or the base side end of the print area, but it can be predetermined according to the combination of a plurality of fingers placed inside the device.

[0229] That is, by storing a plurality of combination patterns in advance as a table in this manner, it is sufficient to select any pattern when setting the print start position Sp, and the setting process of the print start position Sp can be performed easily.

[0230] In addition, a plurality of patterns may be prioritized based on data related to the arrangement of human fingers. In addition, a photographing unit (camera unit) or the like may be provided that can photograph the arrangement of the user's printing fingers U arranged on the finger rest 6 from a bird's-eye view, and the data of the arrangement pattern of the user's printing fingers U obtained thereby that is closest to the user's printing fingers U may be selected. In this case, the user's inherent characteristics can be reflected, and the appropriate setting process of the printing start position Sp can be performed.

[0231] In the present embodiment, the print start position Sp is set at either the nail tip side end portion or the base side end portion of the print area, but it may be predetermined according to the length of the printing finger U.

[0232] If the length of the printing finger U is known, even if the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the nail T of each printing finger U cannot be obtained in detail, the contour shape of the nail T can be inferred to a certain extent, and the printing start position Sp can be set simply and appropriately.

[0233] Furthermore, it is considered that: for the length of ordinary people's fingers, there is a degree of correspondence between the type of finger and the length, for example, if the little finger is of a certain length, then the middle finger is of a certain length, etc. Therefore, for example, the coordinates of the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area can be detected for the nail of the first printing finger U such as the little finger or the index finger, and the lengths of other fingers can be estimated. Therefore, a table is prepared in advance to establish a correspondence between the length of the printing finger U and the setting position of the printing start position Sp, so that the printing start position Sp of each printing finger U can be easily and appropriately set.

[0234] In this embodiment, a nail information acquisition unit 313 is provided as a nail outline acquisition unit for acquiring the outline of the nail T. The nail tip side end and the base side end of the print area in the second nail are determined based on the nail outline acquired by the nail information acquisition unit 313 .

[0235] In this way, the nail printing device 1 can obtain the contour shape of the nail T, so the printing process can be easily performed without using an external device.

[0236] In addition, in the present embodiment, the nail information acquisition unit 313 as the nail contour acquisition unit acquires the contour shape of the nail T by analyzing the nail image.

[0237] Thus, by using image analysis, the shape of the nail T can be easily and accurately determined compared to the case of using a sensor, etc. Thus, the print start position Sp can be easily and appropriately set based on the contour shape of the nail T, and printing can be appropriately performed within the range to be printed.

[0238] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, after the printing on the first nail is completed, the nail image of the second nail is acquired before the printing on the print area of ​​the second nail is started.

[0239] In this way, by capturing the nail image before printing the print area on the second nail, even if the printing finger U moves before the capturing, the capturing or the setting of the print area determined by the captured nail image is not affected.

[0240] Therefore, it is possible to perform appropriate printing processing without causing the user pain of being unable to move the printing finger U for a long time.

[0241] Furthermore, although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0242] For example, in the present embodiment, a case is described in which the printing start position Sp of the printing area of ​​the nail T (the second nail) to be printed next is determined based on the positional relationship between the printing end position Ep of the printing area of ​​the printed nail T (the first nail) and the printing area of ​​the nail T (the second nail) to be printed next (i.e., whether the sub-scanning direction during printing is set to be downward from the nail tip side to the root side or upward from the root side to the nail tip side), but the method of setting the printing start position Sp is not limited to this.

[0243] For example, the printing start position Sp can also be determined based on the nozzle position when printing of the printing area of ​​the printed nail T (first nail) is completed and the nozzle position when printing of the printing area of ​​the next nail T (second nail) is started (that is, the sub-scanning direction during printing is set to be downward from the nail tip side to the root side, or to be upward from the root side to the nail tip side).

[0244] That is, the computer can infer the coordinates of the printing end position Ep based on the nozzle position when printing of the printing area of ​​the printed nail T (first nail) is completed and the nozzle position when printing of the printing area of ​​the next nail T (second nail) is started, and judge whether the coordinates of the nail tip side end and the root side end of the printing area of ​​the next nail T (second nail) to be printed are close to the coordinates of the printing end position Ep, thereby determining the printing start position Sp.

[0245] For example, Fig.16 In FIG. 1 , it is shown that: the printing area ( Fig.16 In the example shown, the contour shape of the nail T is consistent with that of the nail T. In the sub-scanning direction ( Fig.16 This is an example of the stop position of the nozzle (nozzle row 411) at the end of printing when printing is performed from top to bottom (from the nail tip side to the base side) in the Y-axis direction.

[0246] The print head 41 includes a nozzle array 411 in which a plurality of nozzles are arranged in a row on an ink ejection surface (not shown), and ink is ejected from the nozzle array 411 as appropriate to perform printing.

[0247] exist Fig.16 In FIG. 1 , the nail tip side end portion of the nail T serving as the printing area is represented by coordinates Na1 , and the base side end portion is represented by coordinates Nb1 .

[0248] In addition, the Y-axis coordinate of the front end of the nozzle array 411 at the stop position of the print head is set to EN1. Fig.16In the example, the Y-axis coordinate of the front end of the nozzle array 411 at the stop position at the end of printing when printing is performed from bottom to top (from the base side to the nail tip side) is set to (EN1). In either case, the print head stops in a state where a portion of the nozzle array 411 overlaps with the amount printed in the last scan in the printing area in the Y-axis direction.

[0249] Next, in Fig.17 In FIG. 1 , it is shown that the printing area ( Fig.17 In the example shown, the contour shape of the nail T is consistent), the sub-scanning direction ( Fig.17 The positions of the nozzle array 411 when printing is performed from top to bottom (from the nail tip side to the base side) and the positions of the nozzle array 411 when printing is performed from bottom to top (from the base side to the nail tip side).

[0250] exist Fig.16 and Fig.17 In the illustrated print head, so-called single-loop printing is performed, that is, a portion of the end of the nozzle array 411 overlaps and shifts the position, and the entire printing area is filled with multiple scans. In actual single-loop printing, there are used nozzles that can actually eject ink and unused nozzles that cannot eject ink in the nozzle array 411, but the description here is based on the premise of used nozzles.

[0251] For example, when printing from top to bottom (from the nail tip side to the base side), the rear end SNU2 of the nozzle array 411 is located at a position that is lowered by WU from the upper side of the nail T as the printing area (i.e., the end of the nail tip side as the coordinate Na2). In this case, the front end of the nozzle array 411 is represented as SNU1. In this case, the printing width WU can be printed by the first scan.

[0252] On the contrary, when printing from bottom to top (from the root side to the nail tip side), the tip position SND of the nozzle array 411 is moved up by only WD from the bottom side of the nail T as the printing area (i.e., the root side end as the coordinate Nb2). In this case, the printing width WD can be printed by the first scan.

[0253] In addition, the initial printing width WU in the case of printing from top to bottom and the initial printing width WD in the case of printing from bottom to top often have the same value.

[0254] Since the contour coordinates of the nail T, the values ​​of the printing width WU and the printing width WD, and the length NL of the nozzle row 411 are all known on the device side, the values ​​of SNU1 and SND can be obtained by calculation.

[0255] Therefore, the distance (interval) between the front end position SND of the nozzle array 411 when printing on the second nail (for example, the printing finger Ub as the ring finger) from bottom to top (from the root side to the nail tip side) and the position (coordinate EN1) of the front end of the nozzle array 411 at the stop position of the print head when printing on the printing area of ​​the first nail (for example, the printing finger Ua as the little finger) and the distance (interval) between the front end position SNU1 of the nozzle array 411 and the coordinate EN1 when printing from top to bottom (from the nail tip side to the root side) are compared. When the coordinate EN1 is close to the front end position SNU1, printing is performed on the second nail from top to bottom (from the nail tip side to the root side), and when the coordinate EN1 is close to the front end position SND, printing is performed on the second nail from bottom to top (from the root side to the nail tip side).

[0256] In addition, when printing is performed on the first nail from bottom to top (from the root side to the nail tip side), and the front end of the nozzle array 411 at the stop position when printing is completed is at the coordinate (EN1) in the Y-axis direction, the same calculation as above can be used to calculate which upper and lower position of printing on the second nail will make the distance (interval) to the coordinate (EN1) closer.

[0257] In this way, when the printing start position Sp in the printing area of ​​the nail T of the printing finger U to be printed next is determined based on the position of the nozzle row 411 during printing, the print head 41 can be moved by selecting an effective moving path with higher accuracy.

[0258] This may further shorten the time required for nail art printing, and can be expected to achieve rapid printing processing and reduce the burden on users.

[0259] In addition, in the present embodiment, various methods are exemplified as methods for determining the print start position Sp: a method for determining in the control unit 31 which of the coordinates Na2 of the nail tip side end portion and the coordinates Nb2 of the root side end portion of the nail T in the print area of ​​the next printing finger U to be printed is close to the print end position Ep of the first nail; a method for setting the print start position Sp alternately to the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion according to the order in which the fingers are placed; a method for predetermining which of the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion the print start position Sp is to be set to for each printing finger U according to a combination of finger types or the length of the user's fingers (i.e., a method of preparing a table in advance); a method for inferring the coordinates close to the print end position Ep side based on the nozzle position, etc. These methods are not mutually exclusive.

[0260] For example, it is also possible to configure such that all or part of these techniques can be implemented in one device, and the user can select a desired technique from among these techniques. In addition, the best technique (mode) can be selected on the device side. In addition, in the case where the best mode is selected / applied on the device side, how to judge the best is not particularly limited. For example, in order to determine the printing area, the control unit can also determine which technique is the best to apply based on the user's nail information obtained by the nail information acquisition unit 313.

[0261] In addition, in this embodiment, the nail printing device 1 as a printing device is illustrated as having a nail information acquisition unit 313, a printing data generation unit 314, and a printing control unit 315 that determines the printing start position Sp for starting printing of the printing area, but it is not necessary for the control device 30 of the nail printing device 1 to have these functions.

[0262] For example, an external device such as a portable terminal device such as a smartphone may be linked to the nail printing device 1 to perform the functions of the nail information acquisition unit 313 and the print data generation unit 314 and to cause the printing unit 40 to perform functions other than printing processing.

[0263] In this case, the nail print apparatus 1 operates the printing unit 40 to print the print area based on the print data generated in the external device, starting from the print start position Sp set and instructed in the external device.

[0264] With the above configuration, the burden on the control device 30 of the nail printing device 1 can be reduced, and the data required for processing does not need to be stored, so the memory capacity of the storage unit 32 is small. In addition, by entrusting various processes to external devices, high-precision processing can be performed quickly.

[0265] Thus, rapid and high-definition nail art printing can be performed with a simple structure.

[0266] Several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the scope of equivalents thereof.

[0267] -Industrial Applicability-

[0268] There is industrial applicability in the field of printing devices that perform nail art printing.

Claims

1. A printing device, characterized in that: have: A printing head, printing on a printing area of ​​a first nail of a finger, and then printing on a printing area of ​​a second nail of the finger; A moving mechanism for moving the printing head; as well as The printing control unit controls the printing head and the moving mechanism so that printing is performed while moving along the main scanning direction from a printing start position of the printing area in the first nail, and after the printing of the first nail is completed, the printing of the printing area in the second nail is started from a printing start position set at an end portion on the side close to the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail among a nail tip side end portion and a root side end portion of the printing area of ​​the second nail.

2. The printing device according to claim 1, characterized in that The printing start position of the printing area in the second nail is set at an end of the nail tip side end and the root side end, where the coordinates of the nail tip side end and the root side end are close to the coordinates of the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail in the length direction of the first nail or the second nail.

3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: have: a coordinate acquisition unit that acquires coordinates of the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion of the printing area of ​​the second nail in the length direction of the first nail or the second nail; a coordinate comparing unit for comparing the coordinates of the nail tip side end portion and the root side end portion acquired by the coordinate acquiring unit with the coordinates of the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail; as well as The printing start position determination unit determines the printing start position of the printing area of ​​the second nail based on the comparison result of the coordinate comparison unit.

4. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The printing start position is set alternately at one of the nail tip side end portion and the base side end portion of the printing area in the order in which the fingers are placed.

5. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It is predetermined in advance whether the printing start position is set to be at the nail tip side end portion or the base side end portion of the printing area according to the combination of the plurality of fingers.

6. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: It is predetermined in advance whether the printing start position is set to be at the nail tip side end portion or the base side end portion of the printing area according to the length of the finger.

7. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The printing device includes a nail information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the nail. The nail tip side end portion and the base side end portion of the print region in the second nail are determined based on the outline of the nail acquired by the nail information acquisition unit.

8. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The printing device includes a nail information acquisition unit for acquiring information of the nail. The nail tip side end portion and the base side end portion of the print region in the second nail are determined based on the region of the portion of the nail surface acquired by the nail information acquisition unit.

9. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The printing head has a plurality of nozzles for ejecting ink. The printing start position of the printing area on the second nail is determined based on the position of the nozzle when printing of the printing area on the first nail ends and the position of the nozzle when printing of the printing area on the second nail starts.

10. A printing method, characterized in that: include: A first printing step of printing from a printing start position of a printing area in a first nail while moving along a main scanning direction; a starting position setting step of setting the printing starting position of the second nail at an end of the printing area of ​​the second nail on the nail tip side and the root side, which is close to the printing ending position of the printing area of ​​the first nail, after the first printing step is completed; as well as The second printing step starts printing on the print area on the second nail from the print start position set in the start position setting step.

11. A recording medium, which is a computer-readable recording medium storing a program, characterized in that: The program enables the computer of the printing device to: A first printing function performs printing while moving along the main scanning direction from a printing start position of a printing area in a first nail; a start position setting function for setting the printing start position of the second nail at an end of the printing area of ​​the second nail on the nail tip side and the root side, which is close to the printing end position of the printing area of ​​the first nail, after the printing based on the first printing function is completed; as well as The second printing function starts printing on the printing area on the second nail from the printing start position set by the start position setting function.

Images