Staining data management methods and staining systems

Abstract

This invention provides a dyeing data management method and dyeing system that can uniformly improve dyeing quality across multiple dyeing systems located in different locations. In a first dyeing system, a lens is dyed (S1), and first result color information is obtained as color information of the dyed lens (S2). Based on the obtained first result color information, dyeing data is created that specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device onto the substrate for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color (S3). The created dyeing data is provided from the first dyeing system to a second dyeing system (S4). In the second dyeing system, dyeing of the lens according to the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system is performed (S6), and second result color information is obtained as color information of the dyed lens (S7).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a method for managing staining data in a staining system and a staining system for staining lenses. Background Technology

[0002] A technique for dyeing lenses by transferring dye onto the lens surface and then heating the dye-coated lens is proposed. In the transfer dyeing method, in order to dye the lens to a predetermined color, a printing device is used to print dye onto a substrate at an ejection volume corresponding to the predetermined color. However, even if the printing device is controlled to print dye at an ejection volume corresponding to the predetermined color, due to individual differences in the printing device, changes in the state of the printing device caused by use, the setting environment of the dyeing system (e.g., temperature), and individual differences in the heating unit that heats the lens, there are cases where the color of the dyed lens does not match the predetermined color.

[0003] The dyeing system described in Patent Document 1 corrects the amount of dye sprayed (i.e., the amount of dye sprayed to dye the lens to the predetermined color) based on the predetermined color to be dyed and the actual color of the lens after dyeing (the resulting color). Thus, the lens is appropriately dyed to the predetermined color.

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2021-21183 Summary of the Invention

[0007] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0008] According to the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to improve the dyeing quality within each dyeing system. In this case, even when dyeing a large number of lenses using multiple dyeing systems located in different locations, it is even more useful to be able to uniformly improve the dyeing quality across all the dyeing systems.

[0009] The typical objective of this disclosure is to provide a staining data management method and staining system that can uniformly improve staining quality across a group of multiple staining systems located in different locations.

[0010] Technical solutions for solving the problem

[0011] One aspect of the present invention relates to a dyeing data management method executed among multiple dyeing systems configured at different locations, characterized in that each of the dyeing systems comprises: a printing device for printing dye onto a substrate; a transfer device for transferring the dye onto a lens with the lens facing the substrate on which the dye is printed; a dye fixing device for fixing the dye onto the lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred; a color information measuring device for measuring the color information of the lens on which the dye is fixed; and a control unit, the dyeing data management method comprising the following steps: a first dyeing step, in which the lens is dyed using a first printing device, a first transfer device, and a first dye fixing device of a first dyeing system among the multiple dyeing systems; and a first result color information acquisition step, in which first result color information is acquired using a first color information measuring device of the first dyeing system, the first result color information being dyed in the first dyeing step. The process includes: a color information step for the lens; a dyeing data creation step, which, based on the amount of dye ejected from the first printing device in the first dyeing step and the first result color information obtained in the first result color information acquisition step, creates dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color, specifying the amount of dye ejected from the printing device to the substrate; a data provision step, which provides the dyeing data for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color from the first dyeing system to a second dyeing system, which is another dyeing system; a second dyeing step, which uses a second printing device, a second transfer device, and a second dye fixing device of the second dyeing system to perform dyeing of the lens according to the provided dyeing data; and a second result color information acquisition step, which uses a second color information measuring device of the second dyeing system to acquire second result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being dyed in the second dyeing step.

[0012] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a dyeing system for dyeing lenses, characterized in that it comprises: a printing device for printing dye onto a substrate; a transfer device for transferring the dye onto a lens with the lens facing the substrate on which the dye is printed; a dye fixing device for fixing the dye onto the lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred; a color information measuring device for measuring the color information of the lens on which the dye is fixed; and a control unit, wherein the dyeing system performs the following steps: a first dyeing step, in which the lens is dyed using the printing device, the transfer device, and the dye fixing device; a first result color information acquisition step, in which the first result color information is obtained using the color information measuring device, the first result color information being the color information of the lens after being dyed in the first dyeing step; and a dyeing data creation step, based on the dye ejected from the printing device in the first dyeing step. The dyeing data, which specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device onto the substrate, is generated based on the amount of dye ejected and the first result color information obtained in the first result color information acquisition step. A data provision step provides the dyeing data for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color to a second dyeing system, which is another dyeing system. A result acquisition step obtains second result color information from the second dyeing system according to the dyeing data; this second result color information is the color information of the lens actually dyed by the second dyeing system. A comparison step compares the second result color information obtained in the result acquisition step with the information of the predetermined color. A correction step corrects the dyeing data based on the comparison result in the comparison step, so that the color of the lens dyed in subsequent dyeing processes of the second dyeing system is close to the predetermined color.

[0013] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a dyeing system for dyeing lenses, characterized in that it comprises: a printing device for printing dye onto a substrate; a transfer device for transferring the dye onto the lens while the lens is facing the substrate on which the dye is printed; a dye fixing device for fixing the dye onto the lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred; a color information measuring device for measuring the color information of the lens on which the dye is fixed; and a control unit, wherein the dyeing system performs the following steps: a dyeing data acquisition step, acquiring information and dyeing data of a predetermined color to be dyed from another dyeing system, the dyeing data being used to dye the lens to the predetermined color, and the printing device spraying the dye onto the substrate. The dyeing process involves: a second dyeing step, in which the printing device, the transfer device, and the dye fixing device are used to dye the lens according to the dyeing data; a second result color information acquisition step, in which the color information measuring device is used to acquire second result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being dyed in the second dyeing step; a comparison step, in which the second result color information acquired in the second result color information acquisition step is compared with the information of the predetermined color; and a correction step, in which the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison result in the comparison step, so that the color of the lens dyed in subsequent dyeing processes is close to the predetermined color.

[0014] According to the staining data management method and staining system disclosed herein, the staining quality is uniformly improved in the overall system of multiple staining systems located in different locations. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 It is a block diagram representing the general structure of multiple staining systems 1A and 1B.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a block diagram representing the system structure of staining system 1 (1A, 1B).

[0017] Figure 3 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the process of staining data management and processing performed by the staining systems 1A and 1B of the first embodiment.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the process of staining data management and processing performed by the staining systems 1A and 1B of the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0019] <Summary>

[0020] Each of the multiple dyeing systems illustrated in this disclosure includes a printing device, a transfer device, a dye fixing device, a color information measuring device, and a control unit. The printing device prints dye onto a substrate. The transfer device transfers the dye onto the lens with the dye-printed substrate facing each other. The dye fixing device fixes the dye onto the lens by heating it. The color information measuring device measures the color information of the fixed-dye lens. The control unit controls the dyeing system. The multiple dyeing systems include a first dyeing system and a second dyeing system. The printing device, transfer device, dye fixing device, color information measuring device, and control unit of the first dyeing system are configured as a first printing device, a first transfer device, a first dye fixing device, a first color information measuring device, and a first control unit. The printing device, transfer device, dye fixing device, color information measuring device, and control unit of the second dyeing system are configured as a second printing device, a second transfer device, a second dye fixing device, a second color information measuring device, and a second control unit.

[0021] In a multi-coloring system, a first coloring step, a first result color information acquisition step, a coloring data creation step, a data provision step, a second coloring step, and a second result color information acquisition step are executed. In the first coloring step, the lens is colored using a first printing device, a first transfer device, and a first dye fixing device of the first coloring system. In the first result color information acquisition step, first result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being colored in the first coloring step, is acquired using a first color information measuring device of the first coloring system. In the coloring data creation step, based on the amount of dye ejected from the first printing device in the first coloring step and the first result color information acquired in the first result color information acquisition step, coloring data is created that specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device to the substrate for coloring the lens to the predetermined color. In the data provision step, the coloring data for coloring the lens to the predetermined color is provided from the first coloring system to the second coloring system. In the second coloring step, the lens is colored according to the coloring data provided from the first coloring system using a second printing device, a second transfer device, and a second dye fixing device of the second coloring system. In the second result color information acquisition step, the second result color information is obtained by using the second color information measuring device of the second dyeing system. The second result color information is the color information of the lens after it has been dyed in the second dyeing step.

[0022] According to the dyeing system disclosed herein, dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color is created based on the amount of dye ejected during dyeing in a first dyeing system and the first result color information of the actually dyed lens. The created dyeing data is provided from the first dyeing system to a second dyeing system. In the second dyeing system, the lens is actually dyed based on the provided dyeing data, and second result color information is obtained as the color information of the dyed lens. Therefore, in addition to sharing dyeing data between the first and second dyeing systems based on the actual dyeing result of the lens, the second result color information is also used to confirm the dyeing result based on the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system to the second dyeing system. Therefore, the dyeing quality is uniformly improved across the multiple dyeing systems as a whole.

[0023] According to the staining system disclosed herein, staining data created at various locations can be appropriately applied to other locations. For example, staining data can be appropriately shared between a main staining system that oversees the staining of lenses performed by multiple staining systems and a secondary staining system that performs the lens staining process according to instructions from the main staining system. For example, staining data created by the main staining system can also be appropriately applied to secondary staining systems located in different locations.

[0024] In this disclosure, a vapor phase transfer method is exemplified as a method for transferring dye to a lens: In a vacuum, with the lens and a dye-laden substrate facing each other in a non-contact manner, the sublimable dye printed onto the substrate is sublimated, thereby transferring the dye to the lens. However, the transfer method can also be modified. For example, the dye can be transferred to the lens while the dye-laden substrate is in contact with the lens.

[0025] Furthermore, the specific method for providing staining data from the first staining system to the second staining system can be appropriately selected. For example, the first staining system can provide staining data by sending it to the second staining system via a network. Alternatively, the staining data can also be provided to the second staining system via a storage medium removable from the device (e.g., a USB memory, CD-R, etc.).

[0026] Alternatively, the following comparison step can be performed: the second result color information obtained in the second result color information acquisition step is compared with the predetermined color information. In this case, based on the comparison result between the second result color information and the predetermined color information, it is appropriately confirmed whether the predetermined color has been correctly applied to the lens based on the dyeing data. As a result, the dyeing quality is further improved.

[0027] Furthermore, the comparison result between the second result color information and the predetermined color information can be output in various ways. For example, the comparison result can be output by displaying it on a display unit. Alternatively, the comparison result can be output by sending it to another dyeing system.

[0028] At least one of the multiple dyeing systems may further perform a correction step. In this correction step, the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison result from the comparison step, thereby ensuring that the color of the lens dyed in the subsequent dyeing process of the second dyeing system is close to the predetermined color. That is, the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison result between the predetermined color information and the second result color information, so that a color closer to the predetermined color set in the first dyeing system is also dyed onto the lens in the second dyeing system. Therefore, the possibility of differences in lens dyeing quality between the first and second dyeing systems is further suppressed.

[0029] The specific method for the correction steps can be appropriately selected. For example, the control unit can automatically correct the dyeing data based on at least one of the difference and ratio between the resulting color information and the color information of the predetermined color. Alternatively, the control unit can output a comparison result between the resulting color information and the predetermined color information, and correct the dyeing data according to instructions input by the operator who has confirmed the output comparison result. That is, the dyeing data can also be manually corrected by the operator.

[0030] For example, the control unit can correct the dye data by correcting the decision process for determining the amount of dye to be applied to the lens to a specific color. The decision process for determining the amount of dye applied (i.e., the algorithm for determining the amount of dye applied) can employ various procedures. For example, a table corresponding to the various colors applied to the lens and the amount of each dye applied can be stored in a storage device. The control unit can determine the application amount by retrieving the amount of each dye applied corresponding to the color to be applied from the table. In this case, the decision process can be corrected using the information from the correction table during the correction step. Alternatively, information (basic color information) regarding the amount of each dye applied to the lens at a predetermined concentration for applying multiple dyes of different colors (e.g., red, yellow, and blue) can be stored in a storage device. The control unit can determine the application amount by calculating the amount of each dye applied for applying a specific color based on the basic color information. In this case, the decision process can be corrected by correcting the basic color information during the correction step.

[0031] The predetermined color can also be a color dyed at a predetermined concentration using a specific dye from among a variety of dyes that the printing device can spray. The control unit can also correct the dyeing data during the calibration step based on the concentration indicated by the resulting color information and the concentration of the predetermined color. In this case, the amount of dye sprayed is corrected for the specific dye, thereby appropriately dyeing the lens at the predetermined concentration. Therefore, the color dyed with the specific dye is appropriately applied to the lens at the predetermined concentration.

[0032] The control unit can also repeatedly perform the calibration step using each of the various dyes that the printing device can eject as a specific dye. In this case, the ejection amount of each of the various dyes is calibrated to appropriately dye the lens at a predetermined concentration. Therefore, a large number of colors exhibited by the combination of various dyes are appropriately dyed onto the lens.

[0033] Alternatively, the predetermined color can also be a color of predetermined concentration achieved by combining multiple dyes that can be ejected by the printing device. The control unit can also, during the calibration step, calibrate the ejection amount of at least one of the multiple dyes based on the resulting color information and the predetermined color. In this case, it is also possible to centrally calibrate the ejection amounts of multiple dyes.

[0034] The control unit of the first dyeing system can also obtain the second result color information from the second dyeing system and perform comparison and correction steps based on the obtained second result color information. In this case, the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system is corrected on the first dyeing system side where the dyeing data was created. Therefore, it is easy to manage the dyeing data in the second dyeing system on the first dyeing system side. In addition, even if the operator on the second dyeing system side is not familiar with the business, the dyeing data can be properly corrected on the first dyeing system side.

[0035] Alternatively, the following correction data provision step can be performed: the corrected staining data from the first staining system is provided to the second staining system. In this case, the corrected staining data from the first staining system is appropriately used in the second staining system.

[0036] The control unit of the second staining system can also perform comparison and correction steps. In this case, the staining data used in the second staining system is appropriately corrected by the second staining system itself.

[0037] The control unit of the second staining system may also send at least one of the comparison result from the comparison step and the correction result of the staining data from the correction step to the control unit of the first staining system. In this case, the result of at least one of the comparison step and the correction step performed in the second staining system is also shared with the first staining system. As a result, the staining status in the second staining system is properly managed by the first staining system.

[0038] If the staining data has been corrected during the correction step, the staining data in a database storing staining data from multiple staining systems can also be updated based on the correction results. In this case, the staining data from each of the multiple staining systems is appropriately and uniformly managed within the database. Therefore, the staining quality is improved uniformly across all the staining systems.

[0039] In the dyeing data creation step, dyeing data can be created for each type of lens to be dyed (e.g., at least one of the following: lens substrate type, lens shape, lens thickness, lens power, etc.). In the data provision step, dyeing data can also be provided to a second dyeing system by establishing a correspondence with the type of lens to be dyed. In the second dyeing system, lenses of the type corresponding to the provided dyeing data can also be dyed. In this case, dyeing data is managed across multiple dyeing systems according to the type of lens. Therefore, the dyeing quality of lenses in multiple dyeing systems is further improved.

[0040] Furthermore, when creating staining data based on lens type, the staining data corresponding to the lens type can be corrected during the correction step based on the comparison results. In this case, the staining data corresponding to the lens type is appropriately corrected.

[0041] However, staining data can also be created regardless of the type of lens. Even in this case, according to the technology disclosed herein, the staining quality is uniformly improved across multiple staining systems as a whole.

[0042] The color information measuring device can also be a spectrophotometer that measures the color information by measuring the spectroscopic spectrum of the lens. In this case, compared to using an RGB camera or the like as the color information measuring device, color information that suppresses the influence of the lighting environment is obtained. Therefore, the dyeing quality is further improved. In addition, even when the lens is dyed with multiple dyes, a spectroscopic spectrum showing the intensity distribution of each wavelength can be obtained, thus allowing for appropriate correction of the ejection amount of each dye.

[0043] The specific method used to correct dyeing data based on spectroscopic spectroscopy can also be appropriately selected. For example, the control unit can obtain the spectroscopic transmittance of the dyed lens as the resulting color information, and correct the dyeing data (dye ejection amount) based on the transmittance of the maximum absorption peak of each dye and the transmittance of a predetermined color. That is, the control unit can increase the ejection amount of a specific dye compared to before correction when the transmittance of the color dyed with a specific dye is higher than predetermined, and decrease the ejection amount of a specific dye compared to before correction when the transmittance is lower than predetermined. When the lens is dyed using multiple dyes, the control unit can correct the ejection amount for each dye based on the transmittance of the maximum absorption peak of each dye.

[0044] However, other measuring instruments besides spectrometers (such as RGB cameras) can also be used as color information measuring instruments. Alternatively, color information can be inferred from the spectral characteristics of a lens by combining a regular camera with an RGB filter.

[0045] The dyeing system, in a first manner, executes a first dyeing step, a first result color information acquisition step, a dyeing data creation step, a data provision step, a result acquisition step, a comparison step, and a correction step. In the first dyeing step, a printing device, a transfer device, and a dye fixing device are used to dye the lens. In the first result color information acquisition step, a color information measuring device is used to acquire first result color information, which is the color information of the lens after dyeing in the first dyeing step. In the dyeing data creation step, based on the amount of dye ejected from the printing device in the first dyeing step and the first result color information acquired in the first result color information acquisition step, dyeing data is created that specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device to the substrate for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color. In the data provision step, the dyeing data for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color is provided to a second dyeing system, which is another dyeing system. In the result acquisition step, second result color information is acquired from the second dyeing system; this second result color information is the color information of the lens actually dyed by the second dyeing system according to the dyeing data. In the comparison step, the second result color information acquired in the result acquisition step is compared with the predetermined color information. In the correction step, the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison results in the comparison step, thereby making the color of the stained lens close to the predetermined color in the subsequent dyeing process of the second dyeing system.

[0046] In this case, in addition to sharing dyeing data between the first and second dyeing systems based on the actual lens dyeing results, second result color information is used to confirm the dyeing results based on the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system to the second dyeing system. Furthermore, the dyeing data is corrected based on a comparison between the predetermined color information and the second result color information, so that a color closer to the predetermined color set in the first dyeing system is also dyed onto the lens in the second dyeing system. Therefore, the dyeing quality is uniformly improved across the multiple dyeing systems as a whole.

[0047] The second method of the dyeing system executes a dyeing data acquisition step, a second dyeing step, a second result color information acquisition step, a comparison step, and a correction step. In the dyeing data acquisition step, information and dyeing data for the predetermined color to be dyed are obtained from another dyeing system. This dyeing data specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device onto the substrate to dye the lens to the predetermined color. In the second dyeing step, the lens is dyed according to the dyeing data using a printing device, a transfer device, and a dye fixing device. In the second result color information acquisition step, a color information measuring device is used to acquire second result color information, which is the color information of the lens after dyeing in the second dyeing step. In the comparison step, the second result color information acquired in the second result color information acquisition step is compared with the information of the predetermined color. In the correction step, the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison result in the comparison step, thereby making the color of the lens dyed in subsequent dyeing processes close to the predetermined color.

[0048] In this case, in addition to sharing dyeing data among multiple dyeing systems, second result color information is used to confirm the dyeing result based on the dyeing data. Furthermore, the dyeing data is corrected based on the comparison between the predetermined color information and the second result color information, so that a color closer to the predetermined color is dyed onto the lens in the second dyeing system. Therefore, the dyeing quality is uniformly improved across the multiple dyeing systems as a whole.

[0049] <Implementation Method>

[0050] Hereinafter, one of the typical embodiments involved in this disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] In this embodiment, multiple dyeing systems 1A and 1B are used. Each of the multiple dyeing systems 1A and 1B automatically and continuously dyes the lens (specifically, a plastic lens for eyeglasses). Furthermore, at least a portion of the techniques illustrated in this disclosure can also be applied to dyeing resin bodies other than eyeglass lenses. For example, at least a portion of the techniques illustrated in this disclosure can be applied when dyeing various resin bodies such as goggles, mobile phone covers, lamp covers, accessories, toys, films (e.g., with a thickness of 400 μm or less), and sheets (e.g., with a thickness of 400 μm or more). The resin body to be dyed also includes resin bodies attached to components different from the resin body (e.g., wood or glass).

[0052] (Brief Structure)

[0053] Reference Figure 1 The general structure of the multiple staining systems 1A and 1B in this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the case of using two staining systems (first staining system 1A and second staining system 1B) is illustrated. However, the technique illustrated in this embodiment can also be applied to cases using three or more staining systems.

[0054] The first dyeing system 1A includes a first conveying device 10A, a first printing device 30A, a first transfer device 40A, a first dye fixing device 50A, a first color information measuring device 60A, and a first control device 70A. The second dyeing system 1B includes a second conveying device 10B, a second printing device 30B, a second transfer device 40B, a second dye fixing device 50B, a second color information measuring device 60B, and a second control device 70B. Details about these components will be described later.

[0055] Multiple dyeing systems (two dyeing systems 1A and 1B in this embodiment) are interconnected via a network (e.g., the Internet) 9. As an example, in this embodiment, the first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A and the second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B are connected via the network 9.

[0056] The first staining system 1A and the second staining system 1B are located at different locations. In this embodiment, the first staining system 1A is located at location A, and the second staining system 1B is located at location B. Details will be described later. According to the technology illustrated in this disclosure, even if the country where the first staining system 1A is located is different from the country where the second staining system 1B is located, the staining quality is uniformly improved throughout the plurality of staining systems 1A and 1B.

[0057] In this embodiment, the first dyeing system 1A is located at the main location that oversees the dyeing of lenses by multiple dyeing systems 1A and 1B. Therefore, the first dyeing system 1A can also be considered a main dyeing system. Furthermore, the second dyeing system 1B is located at a secondary location that performs the lens dyeing process according to instructions from the main location. Therefore, the second dyeing system 1B can also be considered a secondary dyeing system.

[0058] (System Architecture)

[0059] Reference Figure 2 The system structure of the dyeing system 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the first dyeing system 1A and the second dyeing system 1B can adopt the same structure. Therefore, for the sake of simplicity, the first dyeing system 1A and the second dyeing system 1B will be described in summary. The dyeing system 1 (1A, 1B) of this embodiment includes a conveying device 10 (first conveying device 10A, second conveying device 10B), a printing device 30 (first printing device 30A, second printing device 30B), a transfer device 40 (first transfer device 40A, second transfer device 40B), a dye fixing device 50 (first dye fixing device 50A, second dye fixing device 50B), a color information measuring device 60 (first color information measuring device 60A, second color information measuring device 60B), and a control device 70 (first control device 70A, second control device 70B).

[0060] The conveying device 10 transports the dyeing trays, which hold the lenses L as resin bodies, to various devices within the dyeing system 1. Specifically, in this embodiment, the conveying device 10 continuously transports multiple dyeing trays as a whole within the dyeing system 1. In this embodiment, the conveying device 10 follows the sequence of the printing device 30, the transfer device 40, the dye fixing device 50, and the color information measuring device 60 (i.e., Figure 2 The dyeing tray is conveyed from left to right.

[0061] The printing apparatus 30 prints dye (in this embodiment, dye-containing ink) onto a sheet-like substrate. In this embodiment, the substrate is paper of appropriate hardness or a metallic (aluminum) film. However, other materials such as glass, heat-resistant resin, and ceramic can also be used for the substrate. Furthermore, in the dyeing system 1 of this embodiment, in order to properly transfer the dye to the lens L while preventing dye aggregation, the dye on the substrate is heated in a vacuum (including near-vacuum) environment with the substrate and lens separated and facing each other, thereby transferring (vaporizing) the dye onto the surface of the lens (the dyeing method in this embodiment is referred to as a vapor phase transfer dyeing method). Therefore, the printing apparatus 30 uses an inkjet printer that prints ink containing sublimable dye onto the substrate. The printing apparatus 30 performs printing based on printing data (dyeing data) created by the control device 70, which is an information processing device (in this embodiment, a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC")). As a result, an appropriate amount of ink (dye) adheres to the appropriate position on the substrate. It is also easy to prepare the dye-containing matrix for gradient dyeing.

[0062] Alternatively, the structure of the printing device 30 can be modified. For example, the printing device can be a laser printer. In this case, the sublimation dye can be contained in the toner. Alternatively, the dye can be adhered to the substrate using a dispenser (liquid metering device), rollers, or the like.

[0063] The transfer apparatus 40 transfers dye from the substrate to the lens while the dye attached to the substrate is facing the lens. As described above, in this embodiment, the dye is transferred from the substrate to the lens by vapor phase transfer. However, the method of transferring dye to the lens can also be changed. For example, the dye can be transferred from the substrate to the lens while the dye on the substrate is in contact with the lens.

[0064] The dye fixing apparatus 50 fixes the dye adhering to the surface of the lens to the lens by heating the lens after the dye has been transferred by the transfer apparatus 40. In this embodiment, the dye fixing apparatus 50 heats the lens by irradiating it with a laser, which is an electromagnetic wave. However, a device that irradiates the lens with electromagnetic waves other than lasers (such as an oven) may also be used as the dye fixing apparatus.

[0065] The color information measuring device 60 is used to measure the color information of a lens after it has been fixed with dye by the dye fixing device 50. In this embodiment, the color information measuring device 60 measures the color information of the lens after the temperature of the lens heated by the dye fixing device 50 has been lowered.

[0066] The color information measuring device 60 of this embodiment is a spectrophotometer that measures the spectral spectrum of the lens (specifically, the transmission spectrum in this embodiment) as color information. Therefore, compared to using an RGB camera, color information is obtained while suppressing the influence of interfering light such as ambient lighting. Furthermore, even when the lens is dyed with multiple dyes, the spectral spectrum as the intensity distribution for each wavelength can be obtained, thus enabling appropriate acquisition of the color information of the dyed lens. The obtained spectral spectrum data can also be used with values ​​from the CIEL*a*b* color system, XYZ color system, L*C*h* color system, Munsell color system, etc. However, devices other than a spectrophotometer (such as an RGB camera) can also be used as the color information measuring device.

[0067] The control device 70 is responsible for various controls within the dyeing system 1. The control device 70 can be any of various information processing devices (e.g., at least one of a PC, server, and mobile terminal). The control device 70 includes a controller (e.g., a CPU) 71 responsible for control and a database 72 storing various data. Furthermore, the structure of the control device 70 can be modified. Firstly, multiple devices can cooperate to function as the control device 70. For example, the control device responsible for various controls within the dyeing system 1 and the control device containing the database 72 can be different devices. Secondly, the controllers of multiple devices can also cooperate to execute various controls within the dyeing system 1. For example, it is common for at least one of the conveyor device 10, printing device 30, transfer device 40, and dye fixing device 50 to have a controller. In this case, the controller of the control device 70 and the controllers of other devices can cooperate to control the dyeing system 1. Alternatively, a server located outside the dyeing system 1 (e.g., a cloud server) can be used instead of the database 72.

[0068] The dyeing system 1 includes a reading unit 2 that reads information related to the lens to be dyed for each unit being transported (including a dyeing tray and a lens placed on the dyeing tray). As an example, the reading unit 2 in this embodiment is an identifier reading unit that reads an identifier set on each unit being transported (e.g., each dyeing tray). The unit is determined using the identifier read by the reading unit 2. By determining the unit, information such as a predetermined color corresponding to the lens L contained in the unit is set.

[0069] (First Implementation)

[0070] Reference Figure 3 The staining data management process performed by the staining systems 1A and 1B of the first embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the staining data used in the second staining system 1B is corrected in the first staining system 1A located at the main site.

[0071] First, the first printing device 30A, the first transfer device 40A, and the first dye fixing device 50A of the first dyeing system 1A perform a first dyeing process (S1) to dye the lens to a specific color. Specifically, the first conveying device 10A of the first dyeing system 1A conveys a dyeing tray containing the lens in the order of the first printing device 30A, the first transfer device 40A, the first dye fixing device 50A, and the first color information measuring device 60A. During this process, the first printing device 30A firstly prints dye on a two-dimensional area of ​​the substrate surface at an ejection amount corresponding to the color of the lens to be dyed. That is, in multiple pixels of a two-dimensionally expanded array, at least one of several dyes of different colors is printed at an ejection amount specified by printing data for each pixel to be coated with dye. Next, the first transfer device 40A transfers the dye printed on the substrate to the surface of the lens. Specifically, the first transfer device 40A heats the dye on the substrate using electromagnetic waves while the substrate and lens are facing each other in a non-contact manner and the area around the substrate and lens is in a state of approximately vacuum. As a result, the dye printed onto the substrate sublimates and transfers to the surface of the lens. Then, the first dye fixing device 50A heats the lens, causing the dye adhering to the surface of the lens to diffuse into the interior of the lens, thereby fixing the dye onto the lens.

[0072] Next, the first color information measuring device 60A of the first dyeing system 1A measures (acquires) the first result color information (S2), which serves as the color information of the lens after dyeing in the first dyeing process (S1). As an example, in this embodiment, the result color information (first result color information and second result color information) is obtained using spectral transmittance data (specifically, the L*a*b* color space and visible light transmittance Y value). The first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A (controller 71, which is the first control unit) creates dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color based on the amount of dye ejected from the first printing device 30A in the first dyeing process (S1) and the first result color information measured for the dyed lens, and stores it in the database 72 (S3). The dyeing data is data (i.e., printing data) that specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device 30 to the substrate (in this embodiment, the amount of ink containing dye ejected) for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color. For example, the first control device 70A can use the color represented by the first result color information as the predetermined color and use the printing data used by the first printing device 30A in the first dyeing process (S1) as the dyeing data to create the color.

[0073] Furthermore, in S3 of this embodiment, dyeing data is created according to each type of lens to be dyed (e.g., the type of substrate of the lens to be dyed). As a result, appropriate dyeing data corresponding to the type of lens is created, thus improving the dyeing quality.

[0074] Next, the first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A provides the dyeing data created in S3 to the second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B (S4). In this embodiment, along with the dyeing data, information about the predetermined color is also provided to the second control device 70B. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the dyeing data is provided to the second control device 70B corresponding to the type of lens to be dyed. Additionally, in this embodiment, the first dyeing system 1A sends the dyeing data to the second dyeing system 1B via network 9. However, the method of providing the dyeing data can also be changed. For example, the dyeing data can also be provided to the second dyeing system 1B via a storage medium that can be attached to a device (e.g., a USB memory, CD-R, etc.).

[0075] Next, the second printing device 30B, the second transfer device 40B, and the second dye fixing device 50B of the second dyeing system 1B perform a second dyeing process (S6) for dyeing the lens according to the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system 1A. Specifically, the second conveying device 10B of the second dyeing system 1B conveys the dyeing tray containing the lens in the order of the second printing device 30B, the second transfer device 40B, the second dye fixing device 50B, and the second color information measuring device 60B. During this process, firstly, the second printing device 30B prints dye onto the substrate according to the dyeing data provided by the first dyeing system 1A. Next, the second transfer device 40B transfers the dye printed onto the substrate onto the lens. The second dye fixing device 50B fixes the dye onto the lens by heating it. In S6 of this embodiment, the lens of the type corresponding to the provided dyeing data is dyed.

[0076] Next, the second color information measuring device 60B of the second dyeing system 1B measures (acquires) the second result color information (S7), which serves as the color information of the lens after dyeing in the second dyeing process (S6). Therefore, in addition to sharing dyeing data between the first dyeing system 1A and the second dyeing system 1B based on the results of the actual first dyeing process (S1), the second result color information is also used to confirm the dyeing result based on the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system 1A to the second dyeing system 1B. Next, the second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B (which serves as the controller 71 of the second control unit) provides (in this embodiment, sends) the second result color information to the first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A (S8).

[0077] The first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A compares the second result color information obtained in S8 with the information of the predetermined color corresponding to the dyeing data used in S6 (S10). As a result, it is appropriately confirmed whether the predetermined color has been correctly dyed onto the lens based on the dyeing data. In this embodiment, as a comparison process, the process of calculating the difference between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color is performed. However, processes such as calculating the ratio of the second result color information to the color information of the predetermined color can also be used as comparison processes.

[0078] The first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A determines whether the difference between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color is within an allowable range (S11). If it is not within the allowable range (S11: No), the first control device 70A corrects the dyeing data used in S6 based on the comparison result between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color, thereby making the color of the lens dyed in the subsequent dyeing process of the second dyeing system 1B close to the predetermined color (S12). In this embodiment, the dyeing data is automatically corrected based on at least one of the difference and ratio between the result color information and the color information of the predetermined color. Alternatively, the dyeing data can be corrected according to instructions input by the operator. For example, the dye data can be corrected by correcting the decision process when determining the amount of dye sprayed to dye the lens to a specific color. In addition, in S12 of this embodiment, the dyeing data corresponding to the type of lens is corrected.

[0079] Next, the first control device 70A updates the staining data used in the second staining system 1B in the database (database 72 of the first control device 70A in this embodiment) that stores staining data of multiple staining systems 1A and 1B to the corrected staining data in S12 (S13). As a result, the staining data of the multiple staining systems 1A and 1B are properly and uniformly managed in the database 72.

[0080] Next, the first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A provides (in this embodiment, sends) the dyeing data corrected in S12 to the second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B (S15). In the second dyeing system 1B, based on the corrected dyeing data, the processes S6, S7, S8, S10, and S11 are executed again. If the difference between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color is within the allowable range (S11: Yes), the first control device 70A notifies the second control device 70B that the dyeing data used in the preceding S6 process has been determined to be the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B (S17). As a result, the dyeing data corrected on the first dyeing system 1A side is appropriately used in the second dyeing system 1B.

[0081] As explained above, in the first embodiment, the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B is corrected on the first dyeing system 1A side where the dyeing data was created. Therefore, it is easy to manage the dyeing data in the second dyeing system 1B on the first dyeing system 1A side. In addition, even if the operator on the second dyeing system 1B side is not familiar with the operation, the dyeing data can be properly corrected on the first dyeing system 1A side.

[0082] (Second Implementation)

[0083] Reference Figure 4 The staining data management processing performed by the staining systems 1A and 1B of the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, the staining data used in the second staining system 1B is corrected by the second staining system 1B itself. Furthermore, the system structure of the staining systems 1A and 1B of the second embodiment can adopt the same structure as that of the staining systems 1A and 1B of the first embodiment (see [reference]). Figure 1 and Figure 2 ).for Figure 4 The processing shown is the same as the processing in the first embodiment described above (refer to...). Figure 3 For the same process, label the same step numbers and simplify the description.

[0084] First, the first printing device 30A, the first transfer device 40A, and the first dye fixing device 50A of the first dyeing system 1A perform a first dyeing process (S1) to dye the lens to a specific color. Next, the first color information measuring device 60A of the first dyeing system 1A measures (acquires) first result color information (S2) as color information of the lens after dyeing in the first dyeing process (S1). Based on the amount of dye ejected from the first printing device 30A in the first dyeing process (S1) and the first result color information measured for the dyed lens, the first control device 70A of the first dyeing system 1A creates dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color and stores it in a database 72 (S3). The first control device 70A provides (sends) the dyeing data created in S3 and the corresponding predetermined color information to the second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B (S4).

[0085] Next, the second printing device 30B, the second transfer device 40B, and the second dye fixing device 50B of the second dyeing system 1B perform a second dyeing process (S6) to dye the lens according to the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system 1A. The second color information measuring device 60B of the second dyeing system 1B measures (acquires) second result color information (S7) as the color information of the lens after dyeing in the second dyeing process (S6). Therefore, in addition to sharing dyeing data between the first dyeing system 1A and the second dyeing system 1B based on the results of the actual first dyeing process (S1), the second result color information is also used to confirm the dyeing result based on the dyeing data provided from the first dyeing system 1A to the second dyeing system 1B.

[0086] The second control device 70B of the second dyeing system 1B compares the second result color information obtained in S7 with the information of the predetermined color corresponding to the dyeing data used in S6 (S10). The second control device 70B determines whether the difference between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color is within an allowable range (S11). If it is not within an allowable range (S11: No), the second control device 70B corrects the dyeing data used in S6 based on the comparison result of the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color, thereby making the color of the stained lens in subsequent dyeing processes of the second dyeing system 1B close to the predetermined color.

[0087] In the second dyeing system 1B, based on the corrected dyeing data, processes S6, S7, S10, and S11 are executed again. If the difference between the second result color information and the color information of the predetermined color is within an allowable range (S11: Yes), the second control device 70B sends at least one of the comparison result in S10 and the correction result of the dyeing data in S12 (both in this embodiment) to the first control device 70A (S20). As a result, the dyeing status in the second dyeing system 1B is properly managed by the first dyeing system 1A. Alternatively, even if the dyeing data correction process (S12) is not performed, this can be communicated to the first control device 70A in S20. If the dyeing data has been corrected, the first control device 70A updates the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B in the database stored in the database to the dyeing data corrected in S12 (S21). As explained above, in the second embodiment, the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B is appropriately corrected by the second dyeing system 1B itself.

[0088] The technology disclosed in the above embodiments is merely one example. Therefore, the technology exemplified in the above embodiments can be modified. For example, in the above embodiments, the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B is corrected based on the comparison result of the predetermined color information and the second result color information. However, a different process than the dyeing data correction process can be performed based on the comparison result of the predetermined color information and the second result color information. For example, the comparison result can be output by displaying it on a display unit. Alternatively, the comparison result can be output by sending it to another dyeing system. Furthermore, the comparison of the predetermined color information and the second result color information can be omitted, and only the second result color information can be output (e.g., at least one of display and sending). In this case, the operator can determine whether the dyeing data used in the second dyeing system 1B is appropriate by checking the second result color information.

[0089] exist Figure 3 and Figure 4 The first staining process performed in S1 is an example of the "first staining step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The process of obtaining the first result color information in S2 is an example of the "first result color information acquisition step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The process of creating staining data in S3 is an example of the "staining data creation step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The process in S4 that provides staining data from the first staining system 1A to the second staining system 1B is an example of the "data provision step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The second staining process performed in S6 is an example of a "second staining step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The process of obtaining the second result color information in S7 is an example of the "second result color information acquisition step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The process of comparing the information of the predetermined color with the information of the second result color in S10 is an example of a "comparison step". Figure 3 and Figure 4 The processing of staining data in S12 is an example of the "correction step". Figure 3 The processing of staining data provided in S15 is an example of the "correction data provision step". Figure 4 The processing of sending and receiving results in S20 is an example of the "result sending step" and "result receiving step". Figure 3 S13 and Figure 4 The database update process in S21 is an example of the "data update step".

[0090] Label Explanation

[0091] 1A First Staining System

[0092] 1B Second Staining System

[0093] 9. Network

[0094] 30A First Printing Device

[0095] 30B Second Printing Device

[0096] 40A First Transfer Device

[0097] 40B Second Transfer Device

[0098] 50A First Dye Fixing Unit

[0099] 50B Second Dye Fixing Apparatus

[0100] 60A First Color Information Measuring Instrument

[0101] 60B Second Color Information Measuring Instrument

[0102] 70A First Control Device

[0103] 70B Second Control Device

[0104] 71 Controller

[0105] 72 Databases

Claims

1. A staining data management method, executed among multiple staining systems configured in different locations, characterized in that, Each of the aforementioned staining systems comprises: A printing device that prints dye onto a substrate; The transfer device transfers the dye onto the lens while the lens is facing the substrate on which the dye is printed. A dye fixing device fixes the dye onto a lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred. A color information measuring device measures the color information of the lens fixed with the dye; and Control Department The staining data management method includes the following steps: The first dyeing step involves dyeing the lens using the first printing device, the first transfer device, and the first dye fixing device of the first dyeing system in the multiple dyeing systems. The first result color information acquisition step uses the first color information measuring device of the first dyeing system to obtain the first result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being dyed in the first dyeing step; The dyeing data creation step, based on the amount of dye ejected from the first printing device in the first dyeing step and the first result color information obtained in the first result color information acquisition step, creates dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color, specifying the amount of dye ejected from the printing device to the substrate. The data storage step stores the staining data created in the staining data creation step in a storage device. The data providing step involves providing the dyeing data for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color from the first dyeing system to a second dyeing system, which is another dyeing system. The second dyeing step involves using the second printing device, the second transfer device, and the second dye fixing device of the second dyeing system to perform dyeing of the lens according to the provided dyeing data. The second result color information acquisition step uses the second color information measuring device of the second dyeing system to obtain the second result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being dyed in the second dyeing step; The comparison step compares the second result color information obtained in the second result color information acquisition step with the information of the predetermined color. The correction step corrects the dyeing data based on the comparison results in the comparison step, so that the color of the stained lens in the subsequent dyeing process of the second dyeing system is close to the predetermined color. In the data update step, if the staining data has been corrected in the correction step, the staining data used in the second staining system stored in the storage device is updated to the corrected staining data in the correction step. and The correction data providing step provides the correction data, which has been corrected in the correction step, to the second staining system.

2. The staining data management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit of the first staining system obtains the second result color information from the second staining system and performs the comparison step and the correction step based on the obtained second result color information.

3. The staining data management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control unit of the second staining system performs the comparison step and the correction step.

4. The staining data management method according to claim 1, characterized in that, In the staining data creation step, staining data is created for each type of lens to be stained. In the data providing step, the staining data is correlated with the type of lens to be stained and provided to the second staining system. In the second dyeing step, lenses of the type corresponding to the dyeing data are dyed according to the dyeing data.

5. A staining system for staining lenses, characterized in that, include: A printing device that prints dye onto a substrate; The transfer device transfers the dye onto the lens while the lens is facing the substrate on which the dye is printed. A dye fixing device fixes the dye onto a lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred. A color information measuring device measures the color information of the lens fixed with the dye; and Control Department The staining system performs the following steps: The first dyeing step involves dyeing the lens using the printing device, the transfer device, and the dye fixing device. The first result color information acquisition step uses the color information measuring device to acquire the first result color information, which is the color information of the lens after being stained in the first staining step; The dyeing data creation step, based on the amount of dye ejected from the printing device in the first dyeing step and the first result color information obtained in the first result color information acquisition step, creates dyeing data for dyeing the lens to a predetermined color, which specifies the amount of dye ejected from the printing device to the substrate. The data storage step stores the staining data created in the staining data creation step in a storage device. The data providing step involves providing the dyeing data for dyeing the lens to the predetermined color to a second dyeing system, which is another dyeing system. The result acquisition step involves obtaining second result color information from the second dyeing system according to the dyeing data. This second result color information is the color information of the lens after actual dyeing by the second dyeing system. The comparison step compares the second result color information obtained in the result acquisition step with the information of the predetermined color. The correction step corrects the dyeing data based on the comparison results in the comparison step, so that the color of the lens dyed in the subsequent dyeing process of the second dyeing system is close to the predetermined color. In the data update step, if the staining data has been corrected in the correction step, the staining data used in the second staining system stored in the storage device is updated to the corrected staining data in the correction step. and The correction data providing step provides the correction data, which has been corrected in the correction step, to the second staining system.

6. A staining system for staining lenses, characterized in that, include: A printing device that prints dye onto a substrate; The transfer device transfers the dye onto the lens while the lens is facing the substrate on which the dye is printed. A dye fixing device fixes the dye onto a lens by heating the lens on which the dye has been transferred. A color information measuring device measures the color information of the lens fixed with the dye; and Control Department The staining system performs the following steps: The dyeing data acquisition step involves obtaining information and dyeing data of the predetermined color to be dyed from other dyeing systems. This dyeing data is used to dye the lens to the predetermined color and specifies the amount of dye sprayed from the printing device onto the substrate. The second dyeing step involves using the printing device, the transfer device, and the dye fixing device to perform dyeing of the lens according to the dyeing data. The second result color information acquisition step uses the color information measuring device to acquire the second result color information, which is the color information of the lens after it has been stained in the second staining step; The comparison step compares the second result color information obtained in the second result color information acquisition step with the information of the predetermined color. The correction step corrects the dyeing data based on the comparison results in the comparison step, so that the color of the stained lens in subsequent dyeing processes is close to the predetermined color; and The result transmission step involves sending at least one of the comparison result based on the comparison step and the correction result based on the staining data from the correction step to the other staining systems. If the staining data is corrected in the correction step, the staining data used in the staining system in the data stored in the storage device is updated to the corrected staining data in the correction step.

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