Drawing device, drawing method, and storage medium storing a program

Abstract

The present invention provides a drawing device that automatically identifies a drawing object and can perform drawing corresponding to the drawing object. The drawing device includes: a drawing data generation unit (815), which, as a processor (81), based on the image information of the drawing object arranged in the drawable area (21a), determines whether the type of the drawing object is a nail or a recording medium other than a nail, and generates drawing data corresponding to the type of the drawing object; and a drawing head (41) that performs drawing on the drawing object arranged in the drawable area (21a) according to the drawing data generated by the drawing data generation unit (815) serving as the processor (81).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with the filing date of July 18, 2018, application number 2018107908114, and invention title "Drawing device, drawing method, and recording medium having a program". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a drawing device, a drawing method, and a storage medium having a program. Background Art

[0003] Conventionally, a drawing device for drawing a nail art design on a nail or the like has been known (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

[0004] In such a drawing device, the nail is placed at a predetermined position, and a nail art design selected by the user or the like is drawn on the nail.

[0005] According to such a device, it is possible to perform a nail art design on the nail without using a nail salon or the like.

[0006] In addition, the user desires to print the nail art design drawn on the nail onto a recording medium such as a sticker or a card for personal collection and retention for future reference.

[0007] Therefore, it has also been considered to provide a mode in the drawing device for drawing on a nail that can also print on a recording medium such as paper.

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-534083 Summary of the Invention

[0009] However, it is time-consuming and troublesome to separately provide a recording medium such as paper for printing after drawing on the nail.

[0010] In addition, the situations required by the user are diverse, such as cases where only drawing on the nail is required, especially when there is no need to retain a record on the recording medium, on the contrary, cases where only drawing on the recording medium before drawing on the nail to confirm the completion status, and cases where drawing on both the nail and the recording medium is attempted.

[0011] In addition, there are times when, for example, drawing is attempted on a sticker for transfer such as a tattoo sticker or a recording medium other than a nail such as a nail sticker.

[0012] In this regard, it is laborious for the user to set each time what type of object to draw on. In addition, there is a problem that the drawing settings corresponding to each drawing object are complicated for the user.

[0013] The present invention has been completed in view of the above circumstances, and has the advantage of providing a drawing device, a drawing method, and a storage medium storing a program that can automatically identify a drawing object and perform drawing corresponding to the drawing object.

[0014] To solve the above problems, the drawing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising:

[0015] a processor that discriminates whether the type of the drawing object disposed in the drawable area is a nail or a recording medium other than the nail based on image information of the drawing object, and generates drawing data corresponding to the type of the drawing object; and

[0016] a drawing head that performs drawing on the drawing object disposed in the drawable area according to the drawing data generated by the processor.

[0017] According to the present invention, the drawing object is automatically identified, and drawing corresponding to the drawing object can be performed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the drawing device according to the first embodiment.

[0019] Figure 2 is a partial perspective view showing the internal structure with the housing removed from the drawing device.

[0020] Figure 3A is a schematic top view showing the drawable area, Figure 3B is a schematic front view of the drawable area, Figure 3C is a schematic side view showing the drawable area.

[0021] Figure 4 is a partial block diagram showing the control structure of the drawing device according to the first embodiment.

[0022] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the drawing process of the drawing device according to the first embodiment.

[0023] Figure 6A is a top view showing an example of the nail after drawing when only the nail is placed in the drawable area, Figure 6B is a top view showing an example of the nail and the recording medium after drawing when the nail and the recording medium are placed in the drawable area, Figure 6C is a top view showing an example of the recording medium after drawing when only the recording medium is placed in the drawable area.

[0024] Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of the drawing device according to the second embodiment.

[0025] Figure 8A It is a schematic top view when the finger holding member is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion. Figure 8B It is a schematic front view when the finger holding member is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion. Figure 8C It is a schematic side view when the finger holding member is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion.

[0026] Figure 9A It is a schematic top view when the medium holding member 60 is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37. Figure 9B It is a schematic front view when the medium holding member 60 is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37. Figure 9C It is a schematic side view when the medium holding member 60 is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37.

[0027] Figure 10 It is a main part block diagram showing the control structure of the drawing device according to the second embodiment.

[0028] Figure 11 It is a flowchart showing the drawing process of the drawing device according to the second embodiment.

[0029] Figure 12 It is a flowchart showing the drawing process of the drawing device according to the second embodiment.

[0030] Figure 13A It is a top view showing an example of the drawable area when the nail art sticker of the recording medium and the note medium as the recording medium are placed in the drawable area. Figure 13B It is a top view showing an example of the nail art sticker and the note medium after drawing.

[0031] Figure 14A It is a top view showing an example of the drawable area when the tattoo sticker of the recording medium and the note medium as the recording medium are placed in the drawable area. Figure 14B It is a top view showing an example of the tattoo sticker and the note medium after drawing. Detailed Embodiment

[0032] [First Embodiment]

[0033] Refer to Figures 1 to 6A ~ Figure 6C The first embodiment of the drawing device, drawing method, and storage medium recording a program according to the present invention will be described.

[0034] In addition, in the embodiments described below, various technical preferred limitations are added for implementing the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0035] In addition, in the following embodiments, a drawing device that draws on fingernails as a drawing object is exemplified. However, the drawing object of the drawing device of the present invention is not limited to fingernails. For example, toenails or the like can also be used as a drawing object.

[0036] Furthermore, as described later, the drawing device of the present embodiment uses not only nails but also a recording medium such as paper as a drawing object.

[0037] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing the appearance of the drawing device of the present embodiment.

[0038] As Figure 1 shown, the drawing device 1 of the present embodiment has a housing 11 that is roughly box-shaped.

[0039] An operation unit 12 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 11.

[0040] The operation unit 12 is an input unit for the user to make various inputs.

[0041] In the operation unit 12, for example, operation buttons for making various inputs are arranged, such as a power switch button for turning on the power of the drawing device 1, a stop switch button for stopping the operation, a design selection button for selecting a design image to be drawn on the nail T, and a drawing start button for instructing the start of drawing.

[0042] In addition, a display unit 13 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 11.

[0043] The display unit 13 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD: Liquid Crystal Display), an organic electroluminescence display, or other flat panel displays.

[0044] In the present embodiment, various instructions and the like are appropriately displayed on the display unit 13, such as a nail image (finger image including the image of the nail T) obtained by photographing the printed finger U1, an image such as the contour line of the nail T included in the nail image, a design selection screen for selecting a design image to be drawn on the nail T, a thumbnail image for design confirmation, and an instruction screen for displaying various instructions.

[0045] In addition, a touch panel for making various inputs may be integrally formed on the surface of the display unit 13. In this case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 12.

[0046] And, an opening 15 is formed on the front side of the housing 11 (the proximal side in Figure 1 ), and the opening 15 is inserted with a drawing object when drawing is performed by the drawing device 1 and placed at a drawable position where it can be drawn by the drawing unit 40.

[0047] In the present embodiment, as described later, the finger corresponding to the nail T that is the object to be drawn (this finger is referred to as "printing finger U1") and a recording medium P such as paper are placed at the drawable position as the objects to be drawn, and the opening 15 is formed to have a width such that when these printing finger U1 and recording medium P are inserted and removed from inside and outside the apparatus, there is no interference.

[0048] Figure 2 is from Figure 1 Fig. is a perspective view of the main part showing the internal structure of the drawing apparatus 1 with the housing 11 removed from the drawing apparatus 1 shown.

[0049] As Figure 2 shown, inside the housing 11, there are provided a drawing object holding part 2, a drawing part 40, a photographing part 50, etc. The drawing object holding part 2 holds the nail T of the printing finger U1 and the recording medium P when they are inserted into the apparatus, the drawing part 40 performs drawing on the nail T of the printing finger U1 and the recording medium P, and the imaging part 50 photographs the printing finger U1 and its nail T and the recording medium P.

[0050] The drawing object holding part 2 is a table-like member extending in the width direction of the drawing apparatus 1 (in the Figure 1 and Figure 2 X direction in

[0051] ), and has an upper panel 21 for placing the drawing object and a pair of leg parts 22 for supporting the end parts in the width direction of the upper panel 21. Figure 1 In a state where the drawing object holding part 2 is housed in the housing 11, the upper panel 21 of the drawing object holding part 2 is disposed at a substantially central part in the vertical direction of the drawing apparatus 1 (in the

[0052] vertical direction in

[0053] Figure 3A ), and also functions as a partition for vertically partitioning the space in the opening 15. Figure 3B That is, above the upper panel 21 in the opening 15 becomes a space for receiving the drawing object (that is, the nail T of the printing finger U1 and the recording medium P), and below the upper panel 21 in the opening 15 becomes a space for retracting, for example, fingers that are not the drawing object (this finger is referred to as a non-printing finger (not shown)). Figure 3C is a top view schematically showing the main part structure of the upper panel 21,

[0054] As Figures 3A to 3CAs shown, in the upper panel 21, at approximately the center in the width direction of the area (this area is referred to as the "drawable area 21a") where drawing can be performed by the drawing head 41 of the drawing unit 40 described later (in the Figure 1 and Figure 2 the X direction), a finger fixing part 3 is provided. The finger fixing part 3 inserts and fixes the finger U1 of the nail T to be drawn, that is, the printing finger U1.

[0055] As Figure 2 shown, etc., the finger fixing part 3 is a box-shaped part with an opening on the device proximal side. Inside the finger fixing part 3, a finger fixing member 31 for fixing the printing finger U1 is arranged. The finger fixing member 31 is a member that supports the printing finger U1 by pushing it upward from below and is formed of, for example, a flexible resin or the like. In addition, the finger fixing member 31 only needs to be able to support the printing finger U1 from below, and its structure is not particularly limited. For example, an elastic member such as a spring can also be used to apply a force from below. Also, for example, the finger fixing member 31 is configured to be able to expand and contract by changing the internal pressure, and it can also be set to a structure that fixes the position of the printing finger U1 by pushing it upward in the expanded state.

[0056] The distal side of the top surface of the finger fixing part 3 is a window part 33 that opens upward. The nail T of the printing finger U1 inserted into the finger fixing part 3 is exposed from the window part 33.

[0057] In addition, the proximal side of the top surface of the finger fixing part 3 is a finger pressing plate 34 that restricts the upward position of the printing finger U1. The printing finger U1 and its nail T are supported by the finger fixing member 31 from below, and the upper side of the printing finger U1 is pressed by the finger pressing plate 34, thereby being positioned at a specified position.

[0058] Inside the drawable area 21a, that is, on the side part of the finger fixing part 3 (on the Figure 2 side in the device width direction X), a medium placing part 35 for placing the recording medium P is provided.

[0059] In the present embodiment, a case where the medium placing parts 35 are provided on both side parts of the finger fixing part 3 is shown, but the medium placing parts 35 only need to be arranged inside the drawable area 21a, and their arrangement, size, etc. are not particularly limited.

[0060] For example, the medium placing parts 35 can also be connected and arranged together in a manner that largely surrounds the finger fixing part 3 in the area inside the drawable area 21a other than the part where the finger fixing part 3 is provided.

[0061] In addition, the medium placing part 35 can also be provided in either the right side part or the left side part of the finger fixing part 3. Also, multiple medium placing parts 35 with different sizes, depths, etc. can be prepared corresponding to the sizes, types, etc. of various recording media P.

[0062] Here, the recording medium P is, for example, sticker-shaped paper, card-shaped paper, stickers, cards, films, etc. formed of synthetic resin such as plastic.

[0063] In addition, the recording medium P is not limited to the parts exemplified herein, and any type of medium can be applied as long as it can be drawn by the drawing head 41 of the inkjet method of the present embodiment.

[0064] In the medium placement unit 35, lines indicating the position where the recording medium P should be placed, indicators indicating the four corners, etc. may be added.

[0065] In addition, the medium placement unit 35 may be formed of a color with a greater contrast with the surface color of the recording medium P to be placed. For example, when the surface of the recording medium P is a light color such as white, the surface of the medium placement unit 35 is preferably a dark color such as black.

[0066] As described later, in the present embodiment, the recording medium P is recognized as to whether it is placed in the medium placement unit 35 or the type, size, etc. of the placed recording medium P by the image captured by the imaging unit 50. Therefore, in image recognition, in a manner that makes it easy to grasp the presence, type, placed position, etc. of the recording medium P, as described above, it is preferable to clarify the color contrast between the medium placement unit 35 and the recording medium P or to provide easily recognizable indicators, etc.

[0067] As Figure 3B and Figure 3C shown by the dash-dot line of , the medium placement unit 35 is configured in terms of height and depth such that the height position of the surface of the nail T positioned in the finger fixing unit 3 is substantially flush with the height position of the surface of the recording medium P placed in the medium placement unit 35.

[0068] With this structure, even when drawing on both the nail T and the recording medium P, the distance (interval) between the drawing object and the drawing head 41 can be fixed and maintained, and even without adjusting the position in the height direction of the drawing head 41 (ink ejection control, etc.), it is possible to draw well on both the nail T and the recording medium P.

[0069] In addition, there may sometimes be a difference in thickness depending on the recording medium P, so it is also possible to prepare a variety of medium placement units 35 with different heights for thick media and thin media. In this case, for the medium placement unit 35 for placing a thicker recording medium P, a concave shape along the shape of the placed recording medium P may be formed.

[0070] The drawing unit 40 is configured to include a drawing head 41 as the main body of the drawing unit, a unit support member 42 that supports the drawing head 41, and a mechanism for moving the drawing head 41 in the X direction ( Figure 1an X-direction moving stage 45 that moves in the X direction (the left-right direction of the drawing device 1), an X-direction moving motor 46, a Y-direction moving stage 47 that moves in the Y direction (the front-back direction of the drawing device 1), a Y-direction moving motor 48, etc. In the present embodiment, the head moving unit 49 that moves the drawing head 41 is constituted by the X-direction moving motor 46, the Y-direction moving motor 48, etc. (refer to Figure 1 ). Figure 4 )

[0071] The drawing head 41 of the present embodiment is an inkjet head that performs drawing by an inkjet method.

[0072] The drawing head 41 is, for example, an ink cartridge (not shown) corresponding to yellow (Y; YELLOW), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and cyan (C; CYAN) inks, and a surface that is disposed opposite to the drawing object (the surface of the nail T) in each ink cartridge (in the present embodiment, Figure 1 and Figure 2 the lower surface). The ink discharging unit is integrally formed with the ink cartridge-integrated head. The ink discharging unit includes a nozzle array composed of a plurality of nozzles that eject inks of respective colors. The drawing head 41 atomizes ink droplets and directly ejects the ink from the ink discharging unit onto the drawing surface of the drawing object (the nail T, the recording medium P) to perform drawing. In addition, the drawing head 41 is not limited to a head that discharges the above three-color inks. It may also include an ink cartridge and an ink discharging unit that store other inks.

[0073] In addition, the unit support member 42 is fixed to the X-direction moving unit 451 that is mounted on the X-direction moving stage 45. The X-direction moving unit 451 moves in the X direction on the X-direction moving stage 45 along a guide member (not shown) by the drive of the X-direction moving motor 46. Thus, the drawing head 41 mounted on the unit support member 42 moves in the X direction ( Figure 2 the X direction of, the left-right direction of the drawing device 1).

[0074] In addition, the X-direction moving stage 45 is fixed to the Y-direction moving unit 471 of the Y-direction moving stage 47. The Y-direction moving unit 471 moves in the Y direction on the Y-direction moving stage 47 along a guide member (not shown) by the drive of the Y-direction moving motor 48. Thus, the drawing head 41 mounted on the unit support member 42 moves in the Y direction ( Figure 2 the Y direction of, the front-back direction of the drawing device 1).

[0075] In addition, in the present embodiment, the X-direction moving stage 45 and the Y-direction moving stage 47 are constituted by combining the X-direction moving motor 46, the Y-direction moving motor 48, and a screw and a guide member (not shown).

[0076] In the present embodiment, a head moving unit 49 that constitutes an XY driving unit for driving the drawing head 41 in the X and Y directions is configured by an X-direction moving motor 46, a Y-direction moving motor 48, and the like.

[0077] The drawing head 41, the X-direction moving motor 46, and the Y-direction moving motor 48 of the drawing unit 40 are connected to a drawing control unit 816 (see Figure 4 ) of a control device 80 described later and are controlled by the drawing control unit 816.

[0078] In addition, the imaging unit 50 includes an imaging device 51 and an illumination device 52.

[0079] The imaging unit 50 illuminates the nail T of the printed finger U1 that is inserted into the finger fixing unit 3 and visible through the window unit 33 by the illumination device 52. Then, the imaging device 51 captures the printed finger U1 to obtain a nail image (finger image including the nail image) that is an image of the nail T of the printed finger U1.

[0080] In addition, in the present embodiment, the imaging unit 50 operates the imaging device 51 and the illumination device 52 to capture the medium placement unit 35, and obtains an image of the medium placement unit 35 or the recording medium P placed on the medium placement unit 35.

[0081] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 51 and the illumination device 52 are fixedly arranged on the lower side surface of the top surface 421 of the unit support member 42 of the drawing unit 40, that is, on the side of the drawing head 41 (on the Figure 2 right side of the drawing head 41 in the figure). Thus, the imaging device 51 and the like can move within the same range as the drawing head 41 by the head moving unit 49.

[0082] In addition, the positions of the imaging device 51 and the illumination device 52 are not limited to the illustrated example.

[0083] The imaging device 51 is, for example, a small camera configured with a solid-state imaging element having a pixel count of about 2 million pixels or more and a lens.

[0084] The imaging device 51 captures the nail T to obtain a nail image (image of the nail T of the printed finger U1), and a nail information detection unit 812 described later detects nail information such as the contour (shape) of the nail T, the bending shape (curvature) of the nail T, and the vertical position of the nail T based on the nail image.

[0085] In addition, in the present embodiment, the imaging device 51 captures the recording medium P and also acquires a medium image (the recording medium P placed in the medium placement unit 35). Moreover, a medium information detection unit 813, which will be described later, detects medium information such as the contour (shape) of the recording medium P and the vertical position of the recording medium P based on this medium image.

[0086] The lighting device 52 is, for example, a lighting lamp such as a white LED.

[0087] In the present embodiment, two lighting devices 52 are arranged on the near side and the far side of the imaging device 51 with the imaging device 51 therebetween. The lighting device 52 irradiates light downward to illuminate the imaging range below the imaging device 51. In addition, the number of lighting devices 52 provided, their configurations, etc. are not limited to the illustrated examples.

[0088] The imaging unit 50 is connected to an imaging control unit 811 (refer to Figure 4 ) of a control device 80, which will be described later, and is controlled by the imaging control unit 811.

[0089] In addition, the image data of the nail image captured by the imaging unit 50 is stored in a nail image storage area 821 of a storage unit 82, which will be described later. Additionally, the image data of the medium image acquired for the recording medium P can also be stored in the storage unit 82.

[0090] The control device 80 is, for example, provided on a substrate (not shown) such as the lower surface side of the top surface of the housing 11.

[0091] Figure 4 It is a main part block diagram showing the control structure of the present embodiment.

[0092] As Figure 4 shown, the control device 80 is a computer including a control unit 81 constituted by a CPU (Central Processing Unit, not shown) and a storage unit 82 constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) etc. (both not shown).

[0093] Various programs, various data, etc. for operating the drawing device 1 are stored in the storage unit 82.

[0094] Specifically, various programs such as a nail information detection program for detecting various nail information such as the shape of the nail T, the outline of the nail T, the width of the nail, and the area of the nail, a medium information detection program for detecting the presence or absence of the recording medium P and the type of the recording medium P based on the medium image, a drawing data generation program for generating drawing data, and a drawing program for performing drawing processing are stored in the ROM of the storage unit 82. These programs are executed by the control device 80, thereby comprehensively controlling each part of the drawing device 1.

[0095] In addition, in the present embodiment, a nail image storage area 821, a nail information storage area 822, a nail art design storage area 823, etc. are provided in the storage unit 82. The nail image storage area 821 stores the nail image of the nail T of the user's printed finger U1 acquired by the imaging unit 50. The nail information storage area 822 stores the nail information (the outline of the nail T, the inclination angle of the nail T, etc.) detected by the nail information detection unit 812. The nail art design storage area 823 stores the image data of the nail art design drawn on the nail T.

[0096] Functionally, the control unit 81 includes an imaging control unit 811, a nail information detection unit 812, a medium information detection unit 813, a drawing data generation unit 815, a drawing control unit 816, a display control unit 817, etc. The functions of these imaging control unit 811, nail information detection unit 812, medium information detection unit 813, drawing data generation unit 815, drawing control unit 816, display control unit 817, etc. are realized in cooperation with the programs stored in the CPU of the control unit 81 and the ROM of the storage unit 82.

[0097] The imaging control unit 811 controls the imaging device 51 and the lighting device 52 of the imaging unit 50 to cause the imaging device 51 to capture a finger image (hereinafter referred to as a "nail image") including the nail T of the printed finger U1 fixed to the finger fixing unit 3.

[0098] The image data of the nail image acquired by the imaging unit 50 is stored in the nail image storage area 821 of the storage unit 82.

[0099] The nail information detection unit 812 detects nail information related to the nail T of the printed finger U1 fixed to the finger fixing unit 3 based on the image of the nail T of the printed finger U1 captured by the imaging device 51.

[0100] Here, 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 height of the nail T (the position of the nail T in the vertical direction, hereinafter referred to as "the vertical position of the nail T" or simply "the position of the nail T"), the inclination angle of the surface of the nail T with respect to the XY plane (the inclination angle of the nail T, nail curvature), etc.

[0101] In addition, in the present embodiment, whether the printing finger U1 (the nail T of the printing finger U1) is fixed to the finger fixing portion 3, that is, the presence or absence of the nail T is also included in the nail information.

[0102] The medium information detection unit 813 detects medium information related to the recording medium P based on the image of the recording medium P placed on the medium placement unit 35 captured by the imaging device 51.

[0103] Here, the medium information refers to, for example, the type of the recording medium P (shape, size, thickness, etc.).

[0104] In addition, in the present embodiment, whether the recording medium P is placed on the medium placement unit 35, that is, the presence or absence of the recording medium P, the placement position of the recording medium P, the placement direction, the orientation, etc. are also included in the medium information.

[0105] As described above, in the present embodiment, the medium placement unit 35 is formed of a color that is easy to understand the contrast with the recording medium P or is provided with an index for identifying the recording medium P, etc.

[0106] Therefore, for example, if there is a portion whose color is significantly different from the medium placement unit 35 that serves as the background, its outline or shape can be extracted from the image, and thus the placement area of the recording medium P can be determined.

[0107] In addition, for example, in the case where an index for presenting the outline of the recording medium P is provided in the medium placement unit 35, when the index cannot be detected locally from the image, it can be determined that the recording medium P is placed on the index and is covered. In this case, the presence or absence or the outline shape of the recording medium P can also be detected.

[0108] Moreover, not only on the medium placement unit 35, but also marks for identifying its type, etc. can be added to the recording medium P side. In this case, the mark is detected by the medium image acquired by the imaging unit 50, and thus information related to the type of the recording medium P such as the shape, size, thickness, etc. of the recording medium P can be obtained. In addition, the medium information detection unit 813 can also obtain the paper quality (for example, whether it is ordinary paper or inkjet special paper, etc.), paper color, etc. of the recording medium P as medium information.

[0109] The medium information detected by the medium information detection unit 813 can also be stored in the storage unit 82 or the like.

[0110] In addition, in the present embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, a drawing object detection unit 814 for detecting the types of drawing objects (nail T and recording medium P) arranged in the drawable area 21a is constituted by the nail information detection unit 812 and the medium information detection unit 813.

[0111] In addition, as described above, the drawing object detection unit 814 of the present embodiment also detects the presence or absence of drawing objects (that is, nail T and recording medium P).

[0112] The drawing data generation unit 815 generates drawing data corresponding to the drawing objects (that is, nail T and recording medium P) detected by the drawing object detection unit 814.

[0113] First, when the nail information detection unit 812 of the drawing object detection unit 814 detects nail information, the drawing data generation unit 815 generates nail area drawing data for performing drawing on the nail T of the printed finger U1 by the drawing head 41 based on the detected nail information.

[0114] Specifically, the drawing data generation unit 815 enlarges, reduces, cuts out, etc. the image data of the nail art design according to the shape of the user's nail T detected by the nail information detection unit 812, and performs matching processing to match the shape of the nail T.

[0115] In addition, the drawing data generation unit 815 performs correction of the three-dimensional shape of the nail T such as surface correction in due consideration of the nail information detected by the nail information detection unit 812.

[0116] Thereby, the nail area drawing data of the nail art design to be drawn on the nail T by the drawing head 41 is generated.

[0117] In addition, when the medium information detection unit 813 of the drawing object detection unit 814 detects medium information, the drawing data generation unit 815 generates medium area drawing data for performing drawing on the recording medium P by the drawing head 41 based on the detected medium information.

[0118] Specifically, first, when the drawing objects are both the nail T and the recording medium P, the drawing data generation unit 815 enlarges, reduces, cuts out, etc. the image data of the nail art design according to the shape of the user's nail T detected by the nail information detection unit 812, etc., thereby performing matching processing that matches the shape of the nail T. In addition, different from the case of drawing on the curved nail T, in the process of generating the medium area drawing data for performing drawing on the recording medium P, no special correction (such as surface correction) etc. is performed when the drawing object is the nail T.

[0119] Moreover, when the recording medium P also becomes a drawing object, the text drawing data such as the time stamp at the time of drawing and the text information input by the user, etc. is synthesized in such a way that it is arranged at a specified position different from (not overlapping with) the position where the image of the nail T is drawn on the recording medium P.

[0120] Thereby, the medium area drawing data of the nail art design to be drawn on the recording medium P using the drawing head 41 is generated.

[0121] In addition, when the detection result of the drawing object detection unit 814 (that is, the nail information detection unit 812 and the medium information detection unit 813) is that the drawing object is only the recording medium P, the drawing data generation unit 815 enlarges, reduces, cuts out, etc. the image data of the nail art design according to the shape of the model nail stored in the storage unit 82, etc., thereby performing matching processing that matches the shape of the model nail. In addition, in this case, also different from the case of drawing on the curved nail, in the process of generating the medium area drawing data for drawing on the recording medium P, no special correction (such as surface correction) etc. is performed when the drawing object is the nail.

[0122] Moreover, when performing drawing on the recording medium P, the text drawing data such as the time stamp at the time of drawing and the text information input by the user, etc. is synthesized in such a way that it is arranged at a specified position different from (not overlapping with the image of the nail) the position where the image of the nail is drawn on the recording medium P.

[0123] Thereby, the medium area drawing data of the nail art design to be drawn on the recording medium P using the drawing head 41 is generated.

[0124] In addition, when the medium information detected by the medium information detection unit 813 includes information such as the paper quality and color of the recording medium P, the drawing data generation unit 815 can also perform adjustments such as density and hue corresponding to the paper quality and color of each recording medium P in the process of generating the medium area drawing data.

[0125] The drawing control unit 816 outputs a control signal to the drawing unit 40 according to the drawing data generated by the drawing data generation unit 815, and controls the X-direction movement motor 46, Y-direction movement motor 48, drawing head 41, etc. of the drawing unit 40 in such a way as to perform drawing on the nail T based on the drawing data.

[0126] In the present embodiment, it is possible that the drawing data generation unit 815 generates nail area drawing data for performing drawing on the nail T and medium area drawing data for performing drawing on the recording medium P. The drawing control unit 816 controls the drawing unit 40 according to each drawing data.

[0127] The finger fixing unit 3 on which the nail T is disposed and the medium placing unit 35 on which the recording medium P is placed are both located within the drawable area 21a of the drawing head 41, so that the drawing operation can be appropriately performed.

[0128] In addition, in the case of performing both drawing on the nail T and drawing on the recording medium P, the two drawing operations can be performed simultaneously in parallel (i.e., for example, while the drawing head 41 reciprocates between the finger fixing unit 3 and the medium placing unit 35, drawing is performed, etc.), or either the drawing on the nail T or the drawing on the recording medium P can be performed first, and after the above drawing is completed, the drawing operation on the other drawing object is performed.

[0129] In addition, in the case of performing drawing on the nail T and in the case of performing drawing on the recording medium P, the specific drawing control method can also be changed. The surface of the recording medium P is not curved like the nail T, so in the case of performing drawing control corresponding to the curved surface on the nail T, it is also considered not to perform this special control when performing drawing on the recording medium P to better complete it.

[0130] The display control unit 817 controls the display unit 13 to cause the display unit 13 to display various display screens. In the present embodiment, the display control unit 817 causes the display unit 13 to display, for example, a nail art design selection screen, a thumbnail image for design confirmation, a nail image obtained by photographing and printing the finger U1, various instruction screens, operation screens, etc.

[0131] Next, with reference to Figure 5 and Figures 6A to 6C the operation of the drawing device 1 of the present embodiment will be described.

[0132] In the present embodiment, when using the drawing device 1 to draw on the nail T, if the user inputs a drawing start instruction from the operation unit 12 or the like to instruct the device to start drawing (step S1), the control unit 81 causes the display unit 13 or the like to display a nail art design selection screen to select the nail art design to be drawn. The user selects and inputs the desired nail art design, thereby selecting the nail art design to be drawn (step S2).

[0133] The control unit 81 determines whether the printing finger U1 is inserted into the finger fixing portion 3 (step S3). Specifically, an image is obtained by photographing the inside of the finger fixing portion 3 by the imaging unit 50, and this image is analyzed to determine whether the printing finger U1 and its nail T are present inside the finger fixing portion 3.

[0134] In the case where the printing finger U1 is inserted into the finger fixing portion 3 (step S3: "Yes"), the control unit 81 controls the imaging unit 50 to photograph a nail image for detecting nail information and obtains this image (step S4).

[0135] When the nail image is obtained, the nail information detection unit 812 obtains nail information such as the nail shape from the nail image (step S5). Then, the drawing data generation unit fits the selected nail art design to the user's nail T and generates user nail fitting data (step S6).

[0136] In addition, the control unit 81 determines whether a recording medium P is placed in the medium placement portion 35 (step S7). Then, in the case where the recording medium P is not placed in the medium placement portion 35 (step S7: "No"), nail area drawing data is generated based on the user nail fitting data generated in step S6 (step S8), and a drawing process is performed on the nail T based on the generated nail area drawing data (step S9).

[0137] Figure 6A FIG. is a drawing example showing a case where only the nail T is placed and only the nail T is drawn. In this case, the nail art design Pd is drawn on the user's nail T.

[0138] In addition, in the case where the printing finger U1 is not inserted into the finger fixing portion 3 in step S3 (step S3: "No"), the control unit 81 determines whether a recording medium P is placed in the medium placement portion 35 (step S10). Then, in the case where the recording medium P is not placed in the medium placement portion 35 (step S10: "No"), the process is directly ended without performing any drawing (step S11). In addition, in this case, the display unit 13 may also display a prompt or the like for prompting the user to place the printing finger U1 or the recording medium P at a specified position to draw the user's attention.

[0139] In addition, when a recording medium P is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S10: "Yes"), the selected nail art design is fitted to the model nail Tm to generate model nail fitting data (step S12).

[0140] Then, drawing data for text information such as a time stamp at the time of drawing, i.e., text drawing data, is generated (step S13).

[0141] And, medium area drawing data is generated based on the model nail fitting data and the text drawing data (step S14), and the recording medium P is subjected to a drawing process according to the generated medium area drawing data (step S15).

[0142] Figure 6C FIG. is a drawing example in the case of only placing the recording medium P and only drawing on the recording medium P. In this case, a nail art design is drawn on the recording medium P placed in the medium placement unit 35.

[0143] For example Figure 6C As shown, the content drawn on the recording medium P includes an image in which the nail art design Pd is fitted to the model nail Tm, a time stamp Ps indicating the date and time of drawing, and text information Pt such as opinions input by the user from the operation unit 12 or the like. In addition, the text information is not limited to the information input by the user, and may also be data such as a type number or an opinion corresponding to the data of the nail art design (for example, "Spring design No. 1", etc.).

[0144] In addition, in step S7, when a recording medium P is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S7: "Yes"), the drawing data generation unit 815 generates drawing data for text information such as a time stamp at the time of drawing, i.e., text drawing data (step S16).

[0145] Then, nail area drawing data is generated based on the user nail fitting data generated in step S6, and medium area drawing data is generated based on the user nail fitting data and the text drawing data (step S17). In addition, although this medium area drawing data is based on the user nail fitting data, nail-specific corrections such as surface correction are not performed.

[0146] And, the nail area drawing data and the medium area drawing data are combined to generate combined drawing data (step S18), and the nail T and the recording medium P are subjected to a drawing process according to the generated combined drawing data (step S19).

[0147] Figure 6BFIG. is a drawing example in the case where the fingernail T is placed on the finger fixing part 3 and the recording medium P is placed on the medium placing part 35, and drawing is performed on both the user's fingernail T and the recording medium P. In this case, nail art design drawing is performed on the fingernail T placed on the finger fixing part 3 and the recording medium P placed on the medium placing part 35.

[0148] In this case, the same drawing as the case where only the fingernail T is the drawing object shown in Figure 6A is performed on the user's fingernail T. In addition, the content drawn on the recording medium P is, for example, the same as the case where only the recording medium P is the drawing object shown in Figure 6C A time stamp Ps indicating the date and time of the drawing and text information Pt such as opinions input by the user from the operation unit 12 etc. are drawn, and an image fitting the nail art design Pd is drawn on the user's fingernail T.

[0149] In addition, in Figures 6A to 6C the example where the image of the nail art design applied to the fingernail includes not only the fingernail but also the finger part is illustrated, but the image of the drawing on the fingernail is not limited to this, and it may also be an image including only the fingernail without the finger part.

[0150] In addition, for Figure 6B and Figure 6C the content of the drawing on the recording medium P shown, its layout, etc. are not limited to the illustrated examples. The drawing content, layout, etc. can also be freely set by the user.

[0151] In this way, without any settings etc. by the user, an appropriate image is drawn on the placed drawing object.

[0152] As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is determined whether a drawing object is arranged within the drawable area 21a. In the case where a drawing object is arranged, the nail information detection unit 812 and the medium information detection unit 813 of the drawing object detection unit 814 detect what kind it is etc. Then, drawing data corresponding to the detection result is generated, and drawing is performed according to the drawing data.

[0153] Therefore, even if the user does not make settings etc. related to the drawing object in advance, by simply placing the object to be drawn on the device, appropriate drawing processing corresponding to the drawing object can be automatically performed.

[0154] In particular, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the nail T of the printing finger U1 and a recording medium P such as paper are drawing objects, and the drawing object detection unit 814 respectively detects their outlines to automatically obtain the presence or absence of the configuration of the nail T or the recording medium P, the position of the configuration, the range to be drawn, and the like. Thus, for nail art printing on the nail T and drawing on paper or the like for retaining the design for drawing on the nail T, it is possible to simply and effortlessly perform the operations without any special settings or the like. In addition, when performing nail art printing on the nail T, it is also possible to draw on paper or the like, so there is no need to re-perform settings and drawing processes or the like later.

[0155] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the nail T of the printing finger U1 is fixed to the finger fixing portion 3, it is configured such that the height position of the surface of the positioned nail T is substantially flush with the height position of the surface of the recording medium P placed on the medium placing portion 35.

[0156] Therefore, when drawing on the nail T and when drawing on the recording medium P, there is no need to adjust the height-direction position of the drawing head 41 of the drawing unit 40, and drawing can be performed starting from an appropriate height position in both cases.

[0157] In addition, in the present embodiment, the medium drawing data for drawing on the recording medium P includes image data for drawing on the nail T (i.e., data of the nail art design for drawing on the nail T) and arbitrary text data.

[0158] Therefore, regarding the design implemented on the nail T, opinions and remarks can be recorded on the recording medium P, and can be retained as valuable collections for future reference.

[0159] The arbitrary text data includes time information (moment information) drawn by the drawing unit 40 according to the drawing data. Therefore, the record of the drawing can be correctly retained including the time, and the function of making remarks can be appropriately fulfilled.

[0160] [Second Embodiment]

[0161] Next, with reference to Figures 7 to 1 4, a second embodiment of the drawing device, drawing method, and storage medium recording a program according to the present invention will be described. In addition, since the drawing objects and the like of the drawing device in the present embodiment are different from those in the first embodiment, hereinafter, the points different from the first embodiment will be particularly described.

[0162] Figure 7 is a perspective view of the main part of the drawing device according to the present embodiment. In addition, in Figure 7 in order to easily observe the internal structure, the illustration of the housing is omitted.

[0163] AsFigure 7 As shown, similar to the first embodiment, the drawing device 200 includes a drawing object holding unit 2.

[0164] In the drawable area 21a of the upper panel 21 of the drawing object holding unit 2 in the present embodiment, a medium placement unit 35 identical to that of the first embodiment is provided. Similar to the first embodiment, in the medium placement unit 35, a recording medium P such as a nail art design printed on the nail T, the date of printing the nail art design, and a memo medium for leaving comments, etc. is placed.

[0165] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the width direction of the upper panel 21 (in the Figure 7 , Figure 8A and Figure 9A the X direction), a holding member placement unit 37 is provided at approximately the central portion.

[0166] The holding member placement unit 37 is a cutout portion in a substantially Japanese character "コ" shape that opens to the front side of the device.

[0167] On both side surfaces inside the holding member placement unit 37, guide rails 38 extending in the front-rear direction of the device ( Figure 7 the Y direction) are provided.

[0168] In the holding member placement unit 37, a finger holding member 30 for holding the printed finger U1 and a medium holding member 60 for holding the recording medium S are selectively detachably installed. That is, as Figure 7 shown, either the finger holding member 30 or the medium holding member 60 can be installed in the holding member placement unit 37.

[0169] As Figure 7 etc. shown, the finger holding member 30 is a substantially box-shaped member that opens to the near side of the device, and the inner bottom surface of the finger holding member 30 serves as a finger placement portion 31a for placing the printed finger U1. The finger placement portion 31a supports the printed finger U1 from below upward, and is formed of, for example, a soft resin or the like. In addition, it is sufficient that the finger placement portion 31a can support the printed finger U1 from below, and its structure is not particularly limited. For example, elastic members such as springs can also be used to apply a force from below.

[0170] Similar to the finger fixing portion 3 of the first embodiment, the distal end side of the top surface of the finger holding member 30 is a window portion 33 that opens upward. The nail T of the printed finger U1 inserted into the finger holding member 30 is exposed from the window portion 33.

[0171] In addition, a finger pressing plate 34 that restricts the upward movement of the printing finger U1 is formed on the proximal side of the top surface of the finger holding member 30. The printing finger U1 and its nail T are supported from below by the finger placement portion 31a, and the upper side of the printing finger U1 is pressed by the finger pressing plate 34 to be positioned at a specified position.

[0172] On both side surfaces of the finger holding member 30, at positions corresponding to the guide rails 38 of the holding member arrangement portion 37 when the finger holding member 30 is installed in the holding member arrangement portion 37, in the front-rear direction of the apparatus ( Figure 7 the Y direction), a guide portion 36 is provided to extend.

[0173] The guide portion 36 engages with the guide rail 38 when the finger holding member 30 is attached to and detached from the holding member arrangement portion 37, and guides the movement along the Y direction (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0174] The medium holding member 60 is a substantially box-shaped member, and a recording medium S is placed on the upper surface of the medium holding member 60, forming a medium holding portion 61 for holding the recording medium S.

[0175] On both side surfaces of the medium holding member 60, at positions corresponding to the guide rails 38 of the holding member arrangement portion 37 when the medium holding member 60 is installed in the holding member arrangement portion 37, similar to the finger holding member 30, in the front-rear direction of the apparatus ( Figure 7 the Y direction), a guide portion 66 is provided to extend.

[0176] The guide portion 66 engages with the guide rail 38 when the medium holding member 60 is attached to and detached from the holding member arrangement portion 37, and guides the movement along the Y direction (refer to Figure 7 ).

[0177] In addition, in the present embodiment, on the outer side surfaces of the distal ends of the finger holding member 30 and the medium holding member 60 (i.e., Figure 7 the distal ends in the Y direction), component identification portions such as barcodes (not shown) are provided.

[0178] At positions corresponding to the component identification portions when the finger holding member 30 or the medium holding member 60 is installed in the holding member arrangement portion 37, such as on the back side of the upper panel 21, a holding member detection portion 25 capable of reading the component identification portions is provided (refer to Figure 7 , Figure 10 etc.).

[0179] In the present embodiment, the holding member detection portion 25 reads the component identification portion to be installed in the holding member arrangement portion 37, but it can detect whether it is the finger holding member 30 that holds the nail T of the printing finger U1 or the medium holding member 60 that holds the recording medium S such as a nail art sticker or a transfer paper (such as a tattoo sticker).

[0180] In addition, the finger holding member 30 and the medium holding member 60 are not limited to one type each.

[0181] For example, as the finger holding member 30, a plurality of finger holding members 30 corresponding to the thicknesses of fingers such as large, medium, and small fingers can be prepared, and the best member can be appropriately selected and used.

[0182] In addition, for example, as the medium holding member 60, medium holding members 60 with different heights of the medium holding portion 61 corresponding to the thickness of the recording medium S (Sn or St) can be prepared, and the best member can be appropriately selected and used.

[0183] In this case, different component identification portions are attached to each of the finger holding member 30 and the medium holding member 60, and the holding member detection portion 25 reads the component identification portion and is thus mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37, but it is also possible to detect which finger holding member 30 or medium holding member 60 it is.

[0184] Figures 8A to 8C and Figures 9A to 9C is a schematic view showing a drawable area, Figure 8A is a schematic top view when the finger holding member 30 is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37, Figure 8B is a schematic front view, Figure 8C is a schematic side view. In addition, Figure 9A is a schematic top view when the medium holding member 60 is mounted on the holding member arrangement portion 37, Figure 9B is a schematic front view, Figure 9C is a schematic side view.

[0185] As Figures 8A to 8C and Figures 9A to 9C shown, in the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, when the nail T of the printing finger U1 is held by the finger holding member 30, the height position of the surface of the positioned nail T is substantially the same as the height position of the surface of the recording medium S positioned when the recording medium S such as a nail art sticker or a transfer paper (such as a tattoo sticker, etc.) is held by the medium holding member 60 and the height position of the surface of the recording medium P (note medium, etc.) placed on the medium placement portion 35.

[0186] Therefore, in any case where the drawing object is the nail T, the recording medium S (Sn or St), or the recording medium P, it is not necessary to adjust the height direction position of the drawing head 41 of the drawing unit 40, and drawing can be performed starting from an appropriate height position.

[0187] Figure 10This is a main block diagram showing the control structure of the present embodiment.

[0188] As Figure 10 shown, the drawing device 200 of the present embodiment includes a holding member detection unit 25.

[0189] As described above, the holding member detection unit 25 reads the member identification unit of the finger holding member 30 or the medium holding member 60 installed in the holding member arrangement unit 37. For example, it is a barcode reader that reads barcodes. In addition, the member identification unit is not limited to being composed of barcodes, and may also be composed of other identification marks. In the case where the member identification unit is composed of an identification mark other than a barcode, the holding member detection unit 25 is also composed of various readers, sensors, etc. that can read the member identification unit.

[0190] By using the holding member detection unit 25, the type of the holding member installed in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (that is, the finger holding member 30 or the medium holding member 60) can be automatically detected. Thus, even if the user does not perform input each time, the drawing object can be correctly set.

[0191] In addition, in the present embodiment, similar to the first embodiment, a control unit 81 composed of a processor (CPU) or the like is provided.

[0192] For example, similar to the first embodiment, a drawing object detection unit 814 composed of a nail information detection unit 812 and a medium information detection unit 813 is provided in the control unit 81.

[0193] In the present embodiment, the medium information detection unit 813 detects whether a recording medium P is placed in the medium placement unit 35. In the case of placement, it detects the placed position or its range (size), etc.

[0194] The method for the medium information detection unit 813 to detect the arrangement position or range (size), etc. of the recording medium P is not particularly limited. For example, it can also be detected based on the information input and set by the user from the operation unit 12 or the like. In addition, when the imaging device 51 of the imaging unit 50 can capture the medium placement unit 35, information related to the recording medium P placed in the medium placement unit 35 can also be obtained by analyzing the captured image. Moreover, the information related to the recording medium P detected by the medium information detection unit 813 is not limited to its position and range. For example, it is also possible to detect the paper quality, etc. (such as whether it is plain paper or inkjet-compatible paper, etc.) that governs the drawing conditions relative to the recording medium P. In this case, drawing can also be performed under appropriate drawing conditions using the recording medium P. In addition, when various conditions such as the size or paper quality of the recording medium P are standardized, a product number or the like is added to the surface or the like of the recording medium P, and the medium information detection unit 813 reads the product number or the like, whereby various information related to the recording medium P corresponding to the product number or the like can also be obtained.

[0195] In addition, in the present embodiment, when the medium holding member 60 is installed in the holding member arrangement unit 37, the medium information detection unit 813 detects the type, arrangement position, range (size), shape, etc. of the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60.

[0196] In this case, the method for the medium information detection unit 813 to detect the type, arrangement position, range (size), shape, etc. of the recording medium S is also not particularly limited. For example, it can also be detected based on the information input and set by the user from the operation unit 12 or the like.

[0197] The type of the recording medium S refers to, for example, a nail art sticker Sn for drawing a positive image of a nail art design or a transfer paper (such as a tattoo sticker) St for drawing a negative image of a nail art design, etc.

[0198] In addition, the medium information detection unit 813 can also capture the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60 with the imaging device 51 of the imaging unit 50 and analyze the obtained captured image to obtain information related to the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60. When various conditions such as the size and paper quality of the recording medium S are standardized, a product number or the like is added to the surface or the like of the recording medium S, and the medium information detection unit 813 reads the product number or the like, whereby various information related to the recording medium S corresponding to the product number or the like can also be obtained. For example, when various conditions such as the type and size of the recording medium S are standardized, a product number or the like is added to the surface or the like of the recording medium S, and the medium information detection unit 813 reads the product number or the like, and various information related to the recording medium S corresponding to the product number or the like can also be obtained.

[0199] In addition, in the present embodiment, the user inputs and sets in advance the type of the recording medium S (that is, whether it is a recording medium Sn such as a nail sticker or a recording medium St such as a tattoo sticker) from the operation unit 12 or the like, and the medium information detection unit 813 detects the type of the recording medium S based on the input information.

[0200] In addition, similar to the drawing data generation unit 815 in the first embodiment for drawing on the nail T, the nail drawing data generation unit 818 generates nail area drawing data for drawing on the nail T of the printed finger U1 using the drawing head 41 according to the nail information detected by the nail information detection unit 812. In addition, the specific method for generating the nail area drawing data is the same as the method generated in the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0201] Thus, nail area drawing data for a nail art design for drawing on the nail T using the drawing head 41 is generated.

[0202] In addition, when the drawing object is a medium other than the nail T, the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates drawing data corresponding to each drawing object (that is, the recording medium Sn, St, and the recording medium P).

[0203] Specifically, the medium drawing data generation unit 819 enlarges, reduces, cuts out, etc. the image data of the nail art design according to the position and shape of the drawing object, and generates drawing data corresponding to paper or the like. In addition, when the drawing object is a medium other than the nail T, it is not in a three-dimensional shape like the nail T, so surface correction or the like is not performed. In addition, when the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60 is not a flat nail sticker but a nail plate or the like having the same curved surface shape as the nail T, surface correction or the like can also be performed in the same manner as when the nail T is the drawing object, and drawing data identical to the nail area drawing data can be generated.

[0204] In addition, the medium drawing data generation unit 819 in the present embodiment generates drawing data according to the type of the recording medium S detected by the drawing object detection unit 814 in such a way that positive image drawing data is generated when the drawing object is a recording medium Sn such as a nail sticker, and negative image drawing data is generated when the drawing object is a recording medium St such as a tattoo transfer paper.

[0205] Thus, drawing data for a nail art design for drawing on the recording media Sn, St, and the recording medium P using the drawing head 41 is generated.

[0206] In addition, other structures are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the same reference numerals are attached to the same components and the description thereof is omitted.

[0207] Next, with reference to Figure 11 andFigure 12 Describe the function of this embodiment.

[0208] First, similar to the first embodiment, when a drawing start instruction is input (step S21), the user selects a nail art design (step S22). The control unit (processor) 81 determines whether a finger holding member 30 is arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (step S23).

[0209] When a finger holding member 30 is arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (step S23: "Yes"), the control unit (processor) 81 generates nail area drawing data corresponding to the nail T of the printed finger U1 held by the finger holding member 30, and based on this data, causes the drawing unit 40 to perform a drawing process on the nail T. In addition, steps S24 to S29 are the same as steps S4 to S9 of the Figure 5 first embodiment, and thus their descriptions are omitted.

[0210] When a finger holding member 30 is not arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (step S23: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81 then determines whether a medium holding member 60 is arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (step S30). When a medium holding member 60 is arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 (step S30: "Yes"), the control unit (processor) 81 causes the imaging unit 50 to operate to acquire an image of the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60 (step S31). Then, the control unit (processor) 81, as the medium information detection unit 813, acquires medium information such as the shape of the recording medium S from the medium image (step S32). And, the selected nail art design is fitted to the medium shape to generate medium fitting data (step S33).

[0211] In addition, the control unit (processor) 81, as the medium information detection unit 813, determines whether the user has selected the nail sticker mode member 31 (step S34). When the nail sticker mode is selected (step S34: "Yes"), the control unit (processor) 81 also determines whether a note medium or the like recording medium P is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S35). When a note medium or the like recording medium P is not placed in the medium placement unit 35, that is, when the drawing object is only the recording medium Sn held by the medium holding member 60 (step S35: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81, as the medium drawing data generation unit 819, generates positive image drawing data based on the medium fitting data (step S36). Then, the control unit (processor) 81 performs a drawing process on the nail sticker (recording medium Sn) based on the positive image drawing data generated by causing the drawing unit 40 to operate (step S37).

[0212] In addition, when the user does not select the nail art sticker mode, that is, when the transfer sticker mode such as generating tattoo stickers is selected (step S34: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81 determines whether a recording medium P such as a note medium is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S38). When the recording medium P such as a note medium is not placed in the medium placement unit 35, that is, when the drawing object is only the recording medium Sn held by the medium holding member 60 (step S38: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates inverted drawing data based on the medium fitting data (step S39). Then, the control unit (processor) 81 performs a drawing process on a transfer paper (recording medium St) such as a tattoo sticker based on the inverted drawing data generated by operating the drawing unit 40 (step S40).

[0213] In addition, when the medium holding member 60 is not arranged in the holding member arrangement unit 37 either (step S30: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81 then determines whether a recording medium P such as a note medium is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S41). When the recording medium P such as a note medium is not placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S41: "No"), the control unit (processor) 81 determines that no drawing object is set in the drawing device 200, and ends the process without performing any drawing process (step S42).

[0214] When the recording medium P such as a note medium is placed in the medium placement unit 35 (step S41: "Yes"), the control unit (processor) 81 fits the selected nail art design to the shape of the pre-prepared model nail Tm to generate model nail fitting data (step S43).

[0215] Then, the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates note medium drawing data based on the model nail fitting data (step S44).

[0216] In addition, the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates drawing data of text information such as a time stamp during drawing, that is, text drawing data (step S45).

[0217] Then, the control unit (processor) 81 performs a drawing process on the recording medium P as the note medium based on the generated note medium drawing data and text drawing data (step S46).

[0218] In addition, when the finger holding member 30 is arranged in the member arrangement unit 37 (step S23: "Yes") and a recording medium P such as a note medium is placed on the medium placement unit 35 (step S27: "Yes"), the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates note medium drawing data based on user nail fitting data that fits the nail art design to the nail T of the user held by the finger holding member 30 (step S47).

[0219] Moreover, the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates drawing data of text information such as a time stamp at the time of drawing, that is, text drawing data (step S49).

[0220] Then, the control unit (processor) 81 performs a drawing process on the recording medium P as the note medium based on the generated note medium drawing data and text drawing data (step S50).

[0221] In addition, when the medium holding member 60 is arranged in the member arrangement unit 37 (step S23: "Yes") and a recording medium P such as a note medium is placed on the medium placement unit 35 (step S27: "Yes"), whether the nail art sticker mode is selected or not (that is, when the transfer sticker mode is selected), the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates positive image drawing data based on the medium fitting data (step S48). In addition, when the transfer sticker mode is selected, negative image drawing data can also be generated when an inverse image similar to that in the case of actually drawing on the transfer paper (recording medium St) remains on the note medium (recording medium P).

[0222] Moreover, the control unit (processor) 81 of the medium drawing data generation unit 819 generates drawing data of text information such as a time stamp at the time of drawing, that is, text drawing data (step S49).

[0223] Then, the control unit (processor) 81 performs a drawing process on the recording medium P as the note medium based on the generated note medium drawing data and text drawing data (step S50).

[0224] Figure 13A It is a top view of the drawable area 21a when the medium holding member 60 holding the nail art sticker as the recording medium Sn is arranged in the member arrangement unit 37 and a recording medium P such as a note medium is placed on the medium placement unit 35. In addition, Figure 13B It shows Figure 13A a drawing example in the case of performing drawing in the state shown.

[0225] In this case, as Figure 13B shown, a drawing of a nail art design is performed on the nail sticker (recording medium Sn) held by the medium holding member 60, and a drawing of a nail art design is also performed on the note medium (recording medium P) placed on the medium placing portion 35. In this case, a positive image of a nail art design that fits the nail sticker (recording medium Sn) is drawn on the note medium (recording medium P). In addition, a time stamp Ps indicating the date and time of the drawing and text information Pt such as opinions input by the user from the operation unit 12 and the like are also drawn on the note medium (recording medium P).

[0226] In addition, Figure 14A is a top view of the drawable area 21a in the case where the medium holding member 60 holding the transfer paper as the recording medium St is arranged in the holding member arranging portion 37 and the note medium and other recording media P are placed in the medium placing portion 35. In addition, Figure 14B is a diagram showing an example of a drawing in the case of performing a drawing in the state Figure 14A shown.

[0227] In this case, as Figure 14B shown, a drawing of a nail art design is performed on the transfer paper (recording medium St) held by the medium holding member 60, and a drawing of a nail art design is also performed on the note medium (recording medium P) placed on the medium placing portion 35. In this case, when the reverse image identical to the nail art design drawn on the transfer paper (recording medium St) is also drawn on the note medium (recording medium P), it is difficult to capture the image as a note medium to be retained in a recorded manner later, so it is not ideal. Therefore, as Figure 14B shown, it is preferable to draw a positive image of a nail art design that fits the transfer paper (recording medium St) on the note medium (recording medium P). In addition, a time stamp Ps indicating the date and time of the drawing and text information Pt such as opinions input by the user from the operation unit 12 and the like are also drawn on the note medium (recording medium P).

[0228] Thus, according to the present embodiment, even if the user does not make settings, it is possible to automatically perform a drawing corresponding to the drawing object.

[0229] In addition, other points are the same as those in the first embodiment, so the description thereof is omitted.

[0230] As described above, according to the present embodiment, in addition to achieving the same effects as those in the first embodiment, the following effects can also be achieved.

[0231] That is, in the present embodiment, a holding member arrangement section 37 is provided within the drawable area 21a. In the holding member arrangement section 37, a finger holding member 30 that selectively and detachably holds the printing finger U1 and a medium holding member 60 that holds the recording medium S are provided. When the finger holding member 30 holding the nail T of the printing finger U1 is installed in the holding section arrangement section 37, the control section (processor) 81 generates drawing data corresponding to the nail T of the printing finger U1. When the medium holding member 60 holding the recording medium S is installed in the holding section arrangement section 37, the control section (processor) 81 generates drawing data corresponding to the recording medium S.

[0232] Accordingly, not only can nail art printing be performed on the nail T, but also nail art stickers and the like can be set as drawing objects, enabling a single device to be widely applied to various uses.

[0233] In addition, users who find it difficult to directly perform nail art printing on their own nails T can also easily enjoy nail art designs using nail art stickers and the like.

[0234] Moreover, when it is possible to draw on various drawing objects in this way, various drawing objects are automatically recognized and drawing is performed on each drawing object, so that the user is not troubled and can simply enjoy nail art printing.

[0235] In addition, in the present embodiment, the recording medium S held by the medium holding member 60 includes a nail art sticker (recording medium Sn) and a transfer paper (recording medium St). When the recording medium Sn is a nail art sticker, the control section (processor) 81 generates drawing data for positive image printing. When the recording medium St is a transfer paper, the control section (processor) 81 generates drawing data for reverse image printing.

[0236] Accordingly, not only are recording media Sn such as nail art stickers that draw the same positive image as when printed on the nail T set as drawing objects, but also recording media St such as transfer papers that draw with the image reversed can be set as drawing objects, enabling a single device to be widely applied to various uses.

[0237] Moreover, when it is possible to draw on various drawing objects in this way, even if the user does not perform settings or the like, various drawing objects are automatically recognized and drawing is performed on each drawing object. Therefore, the user is not troubled and can simply enjoy nail art printing.

[0238] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it is obvious that various modifications can be made without departing from the gist thereof.

[0239] For example, in each of the above-described embodiments, although not particularly described, a nail placement portion for placing the fingertip of the nail T may be provided on the finger fixing portion 3 in the first embodiment, the distal end side of the finger holding member in the second embodiment, etc., and the fingertip of the nail T may be placed on this nail placement portion.

[0240] In this case, the height position of the nail T can be more reliably defined, and the surface height with the recording medium P can also be made more accurately consistent.

[0241] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, a case where each of the printing fingers U1 is inserted one by one for drawing is shown, but a finger fixing portion (finger fixing portion of the first embodiment) and a finger holding member (finger holding member of the second embodiment) capable of simultaneously holding and fixing a plurality of fingers may be provided, and drawing can be performed on a plurality of printing fingers U1 simultaneously.

[0242] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example is shown in which the drawing object detection unit 814 (nail information detection unit 812, medium information detection unit 813) analyzes the image acquired by the imaging unit 50 to determine the presence or absence and type of the drawing object, but the method for determining the presence or absence and type of the drawing object is not limited to this.

[0243] For example, a detection unit such as a contact sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the printing finger U1, the recording medium P, and S (Sn, St) is provided on the finger fixing portion 3 of the first embodiment, the finger holding member of the second embodiment, the medium placement portion 35, etc., whereby the presence or absence of the drawing object can also be detected.

[0244] In addition, particularly, if the specifications such as the size of the recording medium P and S (Sn or St) are preset in advance, the drawing object detection unit 814 only detects the presence or absence of the placement of the recording medium P and S (Sn or St) through, for example, the image acquired by the imaging unit 50, and in the case of placement, drawing is performed within a specified range, whereby drawing can also be performed on an appropriate range.

[0245] In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, in the case where the drawing object is a recording medium Sn such as a nail art sticker, the nail art design is matched with the shape of the nail art sticker, and drawing data for the recording medium Sn such as a nail art sticker and drawing data for the recording medium P such as a memo medium are generated, but the object for which the nail art design is matched is not limited to the shape of the nail art sticker.

[0246] For example, in the drawing data for the recording medium P such as a memo medium, the nail art design may also be matched with the shape of the user's nail T, the model nail Tm, etc. to generate the drawing data.

[0247] In addition, in the drawing data of the recording medium Sn such as a nail sticker, drawing data is also generated in accordance with the shape of the user's nail T or the like, and the outline of the user's nail T is drawn faintly. With such a configuration, when the recording medium Sn such as a nail sticker is larger than the user's nail T or when the sizes or shapes do not match, after drawing, the user can easily cut the recording medium Sn such as a nail sticker into a shape that conforms to their own nail T and use it.

[0248] In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, an example is shown in which a guide rail 38 is provided on the side of the holding member configuration unit 37, and guide portions 36 and 66 that are engaged with the guide rail 38 are provided on the side of the finger holding member 30 and the medium holding member 60. However, the structure for stably sliding the finger holding member 30 and the medium holding member 60 in the Y direction is not limited to this, and other structures may also be used.

[0249] In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, an example is shown in which a holding member detection unit 25 is provided. The holding member detection unit 25 detects whether the holding member mounted on the holding member configuration unit 37 is the finger holding member 30 or the medium holding member 60 by reading the member identification unit. However, it is not necessarily required to provide the member identification unit and the holding member detection unit 25 that reads the member identification unit.

[0250] For example, by only analyzing the image obtained by the imaging unit 50, the type of the holding member mounted on the holding member configuration unit 37 can also be detected.

[0251] With such a configuration, the device cost can be suppressed corresponding to the absence of the holding member detection unit 25.

[0252] In addition, in the above-described second embodiment, only the printed finger U1, the recording medium P, Sn, or St is placed and held in the finger holding member 30, the medium holding member 60, and the medium placement unit 35. However, the portion for placing the printed finger U1, the recording medium P, Sn, or St is not limited to the structure shown in this embodiment. For example, a mechanism for actively fixing and holding the printed finger U1, the recording medium P, Sn, or St may also be provided.

[0253] In addition, in the above-described embodiments, the drawing head 41 of the drawing devices 1 and 200 is configured to include an inkjet type drawing head 41. However, the structure of the drawing head 41 is not limited to this.

[0254] For example, a pen holder for holding a drawing pen may also be provided, and drawing may be performed using the pen. In this case, the tip of the drawing pen is placed on the surface of the nail T. In addition, it may also be configured to include both an inkjet type drawing head as in this embodiment and a pen holder for holding a drawing pen, and drawing may be performed using a plurality of drawing units.

[0255] In addition, a drying unit may be provided in the drawing devices 1 and 200. The drying unit includes a heater and a fan for drying the ink after drawing.

[0256] In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, an example is given in which the single drawing devices 1 and 200 have all functions. However, for example, it may be configured as the following system: a control device, an operation unit, etc. for controlling drawing in cooperation with an external terminal device such as a smart phone are provided on the external terminal device side, and the drawing device side only has a drawing head 41 etc. required for drawing processing.

[0257] In this case, the structure of the drawing device can be simplified. In addition, it is also possible to input text information Pt etc. drawn on the recording medium P using a keyboard etc. on the terminal device side, which is more convenient.

[0258] In addition, the data of the nail art design may not be stored in the storage unit 82 of the drawing device, but may be stored in a storage unit on the terminal device side, a storage unit of the terminal device, etc. And if the terminal device can use design data etc. stored in an external server etc. that can be accessed via various networks, the number of nail art designs that can be drawn by the drawing device can be significantly increased.

[0259] As described above, several embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

[0260] Hereinafter, the invention described in the claims initially added to the application of this application is annexed. The item numbers of the claims described in the annex are the item numbers of the claims initially added to the application of this application.

[0261] [Annex]

[0262] <Claim 1>

[0263] A drawing device, characterized by comprising:

[0264] a processor that discriminates whether the type of the drawing object located within the drawable area is a nail or a recording medium other than the nail based on the image information of the drawing object, and generates drawing data corresponding to the type of the drawing object; and

[0265] a drawing head that performs drawing on the drawing object located within the drawable area according to the drawing data generated by the processor.

[0266] <Claim 2>

[0267] The drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that,

[0268] The above-mentioned drawing object includes a fingernail and a recording medium other than the above-mentioned fingernail.

[0269] <Claim 3>

[0270] The drawing device according to claim 2, characterized in that,

[0271] The above-mentioned processor detects the type of the above-mentioned drawing object arranged in the drawable area by detecting the contours of the above-mentioned fingernail and the above-mentioned recording medium.

[0272] <Claim 4>

[0273] The drawing device according to claim 2, characterized in that,

[0274] When the above-mentioned processor detects the above-mentioned fingernail as the above-mentioned drawing object, drawing data corresponding to the fingernail is generated,

[0275] When it is detected that the above-mentioned recording medium is the above-mentioned drawing object, drawing data corresponding to the detected recording medium is generated,

[0276] When the above-mentioned fingernail and the above-mentioned recording medium are simultaneously detected as the above-mentioned drawing objects, drawing data corresponding to the detected fingernail and recording medium is generated.

[0277] <Claim 5>

[0278] The drawing device according to claim 2, characterized in that,

[0279] A finger fixing part for fixing a finger and a medium placing part for arranging the above-mentioned recording medium are arranged in the above-mentioned drawable area,

[0280] It is configured such that the height position of the surface of the above-mentioned fingernail fixed to the above-mentioned finger fixing part is flush with the height position of the surface of the above-mentioned recording medium placed on the above-mentioned medium placing part.

[0281] <Claim 6>

[0282] The drawing device according to claim 2, characterized in that,

[0283] A holding member arranging part is arranged in the above-mentioned drawable area,

[0284] A finger holding member for holding a finger and a medium holding member for holding the above-mentioned recording medium can be selectively disassembled and assembled to the above-mentioned holding member arranging part,

[0285] When the finger holding member that holds the nail is installed in the holding member arranging section, the processor generates drawing data corresponding to the nail.

[0286] When the medium holding member that holds the recording medium is installed in the holding member arranging section, drawing data corresponding to the recording medium is generated.

[0287] <Claim 7>

[0288] The drawing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein

[0289] The recording medium held by the medium holding member includes a nail art sticker and a transfer paper.

[0290] When the recording medium is a nail art sticker, the processor generates drawing data for positive image printing.

[0291] When the recording medium is a transfer paper, drawing data for reverse image printing is generated.

[0292] <Claim 8>

[0293] The drawing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein

[0294] The drawing data corresponding to the recording medium includes image data to be drawn on the nail and arbitrary character data.

[0295] <Claim 9>

[0296] The drawing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein

[0297] The arbitrary character data includes time information of drawing performed by the drawing head according to the drawing data.

[0298] <Claim 10>

[0299] A drawing method of a drawing apparatus, wherein

[0300] Based on the image information of a drawing object arranged in a drawable area, the type of the drawing object is discriminated as a nail or a recording medium other than the nail.

[0301] Drawing data corresponding to the discriminated type of the drawing object is generated.

[0302] Drawing is performed in the drawable area according to the drawing data generated for the detected drawing object.

[0303] <Claim 11>

[0304] A storage medium records a readable program, characterized in that the computer of a drawing device equipped with a drawing head executes the following processes:

[0305] Based on the image information of a drawing object arranged within a drawable area, determine whether the type of the above-mentioned drawing object is a fingernail or a recording medium other than the above-mentioned fingernail.

[0306] Generate drawing data corresponding to the type of the above-mentioned drawing object determined.

[0307] Control the above-mentioned drawing head so that, according to the above-mentioned drawing data generated for the detected above-mentioned drawing object, draw on the above-mentioned drawing object within the drawable area.

[0308] Explanation of reference numerals

[0309] 1: Drawing device; 3: Finger fixing part; 21: Upper panel; 21a: Drawable area; 30: Finger holding member; 35: Medium placing part; 40: Drawing part; 41: Drawing head; 50: Imaging part; 60: Medium holding member; 81: Control part; 82: Storage part; 812: Fingernail information detection part; 813: Medium information detection part; 814: Drawing object detection part; 815: Drawing data generation part; 816: Drawing control part; P: Recording medium; T: Fingernail; U1: Printed finger.

Claims

1. A drawing device, characterized in that, Comprising: A processor that discriminates whether the type of the drawing object arranged in the drawable area is a fingernail or a recording medium other than the fingernail based on the image information of the drawing object, and generates drawing data corresponding to the type of the drawing object; and A print head that performs printing on the drawing object arranged in the drawable area according to the drawing data generated by the processor, The drawing object includes a fingernail and a recording medium other than the fingernail, The processor detects the type of the drawing object arranged in the drawable area by detecting the outlines of the fingernail and the recording medium.

2. The drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the processor detects the fingernail as the drawing object, it generates drawing data corresponding to the fingernail, When the processor detects the recording medium as the drawing object, it generates drawing data corresponding to the detected recording medium, When the processor simultaneously detects the fingernail and the recording medium as the drawing object, it generates drawing data corresponding to the detected fingernail and recording medium.

3. The drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A finger fixing portion for fixing a finger and a medium placing portion for arranging the recording medium are provided in the drawable area, It is configured such that the height position of the surface of the fingernail fixed to the finger fixing portion is flush with the height position of the surface of the recording medium placed on the medium placing portion.

4. The drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, A holding member arranging portion is provided in the drawable area, A finger holding member for holding a finger and a medium holding member for holding the recording medium can be selectively disassembled and assembled to the holding member arranging portion, When the finger holding member for holding the fingernail is installed in the holding member arranging portion, the processor generates drawing data corresponding to the fingernail, When the medium holding member for holding the recording medium is installed in the holding member arranging portion, drawing data corresponding to the recording medium is generated.

5. The drawing device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The recording medium held by the medium holding member includes a nail art sticker and a transfer paper, When the recording medium is a nail art sticker, the processor generates drawing data for positive image printing, When the recording medium is a transfer paper, drawing data for negative image printing is generated.

6. The drawing device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The drawing data corresponding to the recording medium includes image data drawn on the fingernail and arbitrary text data.

7. The drawing device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The arbitrary text data includes time information when the print head performs printing according to the drawing data.

8. A drawing method of a drawing device, characterized in that, Based on the image information of the drawing object arranged in the drawable area, discriminate whether the type of the drawing object is a fingernail or a recording medium other than the fingernail, Generate drawing data corresponding to the discriminated type of the drawing object, Perform printing in the drawable area according to the drawing data generated for the detected drawing object, The drawing object includes a fingernail and a recording medium other than the fingernail, Detect the type of the drawing object arranged in the drawable area by detecting the outlines of the fingernail and the recording medium.

9. A storage medium, recording a readable program, characterized in that, Cause a computer of a printing device having a print head to execute the following processing: Based on the image information of the drawing object disposed within the drawable area, determine whether the type of the above-mentioned drawing object is a nail or a recording medium other than the above-mentioned nail, Generate drawing data corresponding to the type of the above-mentioned drawing object determined, Control the above-mentioned drawing head so that, based on the above-mentioned drawing data generated for the detected above-mentioned drawing object, draw on the above-mentioned drawing object within the drawable area, The above-mentioned drawing object includes a nail and a recording medium other than the above-mentioned nail, Detect the type of the above-mentioned drawing object disposed within the drawable area by detecting the outlines of the above-mentioned nail and the above-mentioned recording medium.

Images