Gift method, terminal device, printing system, and storage medium

Abstract

The present invention relates to a donation method, a terminal device, a printing system, and a storage medium. The donation method is performed by a terminal device equipped with a display. The method selects a print design to be donated to a second user, a recipient of the print design, based on an operation by a first user, the donor of the print design. Based on the operation by the first user, a hidden flag is set in the design information of the print design. The hidden flag prevents the print design from being visually displayed on the display when the print design selected in the selection process is printed on a print object owned by the second user.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority and the benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-207051, filed on December 21, 2021. The entire specification, claims, and drawings of Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-207051 are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a donation method, a terminal device, a printing system, and a storage medium. Background Art

[0004] In the past, known printing devices such as nail printing that prints the desired design on the nail of a finger have been used. In such printing devices, the finger of the nail of general wishing printing is placed on a finger placement table, and the nail is printed using an inkjet method.

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-527045 discloses that by permitting other users to access a storage area of a server itself, other users can use their own printed patterns (designs). Summary of the Invention

[0006] The donation method disclosed herein is executed by a processor, and is characterized in that it includes: a selection process for selecting the printing design to be donated to the recipient of the printing design, i.e., the second user, based on the operation of the donor of the printing design, and a setting process for setting a hidden mark for the design information of the printing design based on the operation of the first user, wherein the hidden mark prevents the printing design selected by the selection process from being displayed on the display unit in a visually recognizable state when the printing design is printed on the printing object owned by the second user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing a printing system according to an embodiment.

[0008] Figure 2A This is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of the printing apparatus.

[0009] Figure 2B This is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of a terminal device.

[0010] Figure 3 This is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of a management server.

[0011] Figure 4 This is a flowchart showing the flow of design submission processing according to the embodiment.

[0012] Figure 5A This is a diagram showing an example of display content on a terminal device during the design submission process.

[0013] Figure 5B This is a diagram showing an example of display content on a terminal device during the design submission process.

[0014] Figure 5C This is a diagram showing an example of display content on a terminal device during the design submission process.

[0015] Figure 6 This is a flowchart showing the flow of printing processing according to the embodiment.

[0016] Figure 7A This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing.

[0017] Figure 7B This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing.

[0018] Figure 7C This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing.

[0019] Figure 8A This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing.

[0020] Figure 8B This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing.

[0021] Figure 8C This is a diagram showing an example of display content of a terminal device or a printing device during printing processing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] refer to Figure 1 One embodiment of the donation method, terminal device, printing system, and program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG. 8 .

[0023] In addition, various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present disclosure are added to the embodiments described below, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0024] Furthermore, in the following embodiments, the printing system includes a printing device that prints on fingernails as an example. However, the printing device in the present disclosure is not limited to fingernails. For example, toenails can also be printed on, and objects other than nails, such as nail tips and the surfaces of various accessories, can also be printed on.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a diagram showing the printing system 1 .

[0026] As shown in the figure, a printing system 1 includes a printing device 2, multiple (two in this embodiment) terminal devices 4 (a first terminal 4A and a second terminal 4B), and a management server (nail server) 6. The printing device 2, multiple terminal devices 4, and management server 6 are configured to communicate with each other via a network N such as the Internet (or directly).

[0027] The printing device 2 is a nail printing device that prints a nail design (printing design, hereinafter simply referred to as "design") onto the fingernails of the hands. An opening is formed on the front of the printing device 2. Inside this opening is a finger placement unit 20, which is used to position the finger (printing finger) having the nail to be printed. The finger placement unit 20 supports the finger inserted through the opening from below using, for example, a flexible resin, and positions it within an area suitable for printing.

[0028] Figure 2A This is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of the printing device 2 .

[0029] As shown in the figure, the printing device 2 includes an operation unit 21 , a display unit 22 , a communication unit 23 , an imaging unit 25 , a printing unit 26 , and a control device 27 .

[0030] The operation unit 21 can perform various inputs and settings in response to user operations, and transmits input signals corresponding to the operations received by the operation unit 21 to the control device 27. In this embodiment, the operation unit 21 includes, for example, an operation button (power switch button) for turning the power of the printing device 2 on and off. However, the specific structure of the operation unit 21 is not particularly limited; for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch panel, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 21.

[0031] The display unit 22 is composed of, for example, an LCD, an organic ELD, or another flat panel display, and displays various information in response to a display command from the control device 27. In addition, various indicators may be provided as the display unit 22.

[0032] Furthermore, the printing device 2 may be operated in accordance with an operation signal input from an external device such as the terminal device 4 . In this case, the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 may not be provided.

[0033] The communication unit 23 performs data communication using wired or wireless means via the network N. However, as long as data communication with the terminal device 4 and the management server 6 is possible, the communication method of the communication unit 23 is not particularly limited. For example, a network line such as the Internet may be used, or wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi may be used.

[0034] The imaging unit 25 is disposed inside the printing device 2, above the finger placement unit 20. The imaging unit 25 captures the surface of the nail (the finger including the nail) exposed above the finger placement unit 20 and acquires an image thereof (the image of the finger including the nail, hereinafter referred to as a "nail image").

[0035] The imaging unit 25 includes an imaging camera 251 and an illumination light 252 .

[0036] The imaging camera 251 is a small video camera including a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million pixels or more, a lens, and the like.

[0037] The lighting lamp 252 is a light source disposed on the side of the imaging camera 251 to illuminate the nail of the subject, and is, for example, a white LED.

[0038] The printing unit 26 is a printing unit that prints on nails, which are printing objects, and includes a printing head 261 that performs printing operations, an X-direction moving motor 263 and a Y-direction moving motor 264 that move the printing head 261 , and the like.

[0039] Print head 261 is designed for printing on nails and can eject various colors of ink, such as cyan (C), magenta (M), and yellow (Y). Print head 261 is not particularly limited; it is an inkjet head capable of finely printing by depositing droplets of ink (liquid) from an ink ejection surface onto the nail surface. Furthermore, the type of ink that print head 261 can eject is not limited to this; it can also eject inks of other colors. Furthermore, the type and number of print heads 261 are not particularly limited; additional print heads for printing base inks may be provided in conjunction.

[0040] The X-direction movement motor 263 is driven to move the print head 261 in the left-right direction (X-direction) of the device.

[0041] The Y-direction movement motor 264 is driven to move the print head 261 in the front-rear direction (Y-direction) of the apparatus.

[0042] The control device 27 is a computer, comprising: a control unit 270 having at least one CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown; and a storage unit 280 having at least one memory such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 281 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 282.

[0043] The storage unit 280 stores various programs, various data, and the like for operating the printing device 2 .

[0044] Specifically, various programs such as a print program for performing printing processing are stored in the ROM 281 of the storage unit 280 . When these programs are executed by the control device 27 , the various components of the printing device 2 are controlled overall.

[0045] The control unit 270 includes functional units such as an imaging control unit 271 , a printing control unit 272 , and a communication control unit 273 . The functions of these functional units are realized by the cooperation of the CPU of the control unit 270 and the programs stored in the ROM 281 of the storage unit 280 .

[0046] The imaging control unit 271 controls the camera 251 and the lighting 252 of the imaging unit 25, causing the camera 251 to capture an image of a finger (nail image) including an image of the nail of a printing finger placed on the finger placement unit 20. The image data of the acquired nail image may be transmitted to the terminal device 4 or the management server 6 via the communication unit 23 and stored. Alternatively, the image data may be stored in the storage unit 280.

[0047] The print control unit 272 outputs a control signal to the print unit 26 based on print data sent from the terminal device 4 or the management server 6 , and controls the X-direction movement motor 263 , Y-direction movement motor 264 , print head 261 , etc. of the print unit 26 to perform printing in accordance with the print data.

[0048] The communication control unit 273 controls the operation of the communication unit 23. In the present embodiment, the communication control unit 273 controls the communication between the communication unit 23 and the terminal device 4 and the management server 6.

[0049] Figure 2B This is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of the terminal device 4.

[0050] As shown in the figure, each terminal device 4 functions specifically as a user interface and is, for example, a portable terminal such as a smartphone or tablet computer. The terminal devices 4 in this embodiment include a first terminal 4A operated by user A and a second terminal 4B operated by user B. In the following description, components of the first terminal 4A may be identified by suffixing their reference numerals with "A" and components of the second terminal 4B with suffixing their reference numerals with "B."

[0051] Each user can operate the terminal device 4 to register and manage user information on the management server 6, browse and purchase designs, and donate design data to other users. The terminal device 4 is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the printing device 2 and the management server 6. For example, it can be a notebook or desktop personal computer, a gaming terminal, etc.

[0052] Specifically, the terminal device 4 includes an operation unit 41 , a display unit 42 , a communication unit 44 , a control device 45 , and the like.

[0053] The operating unit 41 can perform various inputs and settings in response to user operations, and transmits input signals corresponding to the operations received by the operating unit 41 to the control device 45. In this embodiment, a touch panel serving as the operating unit 41 is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 42, and the user can perform various inputs and settings by touching the touch panel. Furthermore, the operating unit 41 is not limited to a touch panel; for example, various operating buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. may be provided as the operating unit 41.

[0054] The display unit 42 is composed of, for example, an LCD, an organic ELD, or another flat panel display, and displays various information in response to a display command from the control device 45 .

[0055] The communication unit 44 performs wired or wireless data communication via the network N or the like. However, the communication method of the communication unit 44 is not particularly limited as long as data communication with the printing device 2 and the management server 6 is possible, and the communication method used by the communication unit 44 is consistent with the communication standards of the printing device 2 and the management server 6.

[0056] The control device 45 is a computer and includes a control unit 46 having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) and a storage unit 47 including a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) (not shown).

[0057] The control unit 46 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 4. The control unit 46 realizes various functions for operating the terminal device 4 by cooperating with the program stored in the storage unit 47.

[0058] The storage unit 47 stores various programs and data for operating the various components of the terminal device 4. Specifically, in this embodiment, the storage unit 47 stores various programs, such as a nail printing application for performing nail printing using the printing device 2, in addition to the operating programs for comprehensively controlling the various components of the terminal device 4. The control device 45 controls the terminal device 4 by developing these programs in, for example, a work area of the storage unit 47 and executing them.

[0059] Figure 3 1 is a control block diagram showing a schematic control structure of the management server 6 .

[0060] As shown in the figure, the management server 6 is a server that manages design data and user data.

[0061] Specifically, the management server 6 includes an operation unit 61 , a display unit 62 , a communication unit 64 , a storage unit 67 , a control unit 68 , and the like.

[0062] The operation unit 61 can perform various inputs and settings in response to user operations, and transmits input signals corresponding to the operations received by the operation unit 61 to the control unit 68. The specific structure of the operation unit 61 is not particularly limited; for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. can be provided as the operation unit 61.

[0063] The display unit 62 is composed of, for example, an LCD, an organic ELD, or another flat panel display, and displays various information in response to a display command from the control unit 68 .

[0064] The communication unit 64 performs data communication using wired or wireless means via the network N or the like. However, the communication method of the communication unit 64 is not particularly limited as long as data communication with the printing device 2 and each terminal device 4 is possible, and a communication standard consistent with the communication standards of the printing device 2 and each terminal device 4 is used.

[0065] The storage unit 67 stores various programs, various data, and the like for operating each unit of the management server 6. In the storage unit 67 of this embodiment, a design DB (database) 671 and a user DB (database) 672 are stored.

[0066] A plurality of design data D1 (design information) as nail design information is stored in the design DB 671. As will be described later, a hidden flag can be set for hiding each design data D1 from the user to whom the design data D1 is presented.

[0067] The user DB 672 stores user data D2 of each user registered in the printing system 1. The user data D2 includes ID data D21, nail shape data D22, shared information data D23, and gift information data D24.

[0068] The ID data D21 is ID information for identifying the user, and includes, for example, a user name set when the user registers with the service program (application) provided by the printing system 1 .

[0069] The nail shape data D22 is information related to the shape of the user's nails, and includes, for example, an image and coordinate data of the nail outline detected from a nail image acquired by the imaging unit 25 of the printing device 2. The nail shape data D22 may be automatically stored in the management server 6 when the nail image is acquired by the printing device 2, or may be stored in response to a user operation.

[0070] Shared information data D23 contains information about other users with whom the user has shared nail shape data D22. Shared information data D23 includes the ID information of other users with whom the user's nail shape data D22 has been shared (disclosed), as well as the ID information of other users who have shared (disclosed) nail shape data D22 with the user. Sharing is set by the user who has the nail shape data D22 specifying other users.

[0071] The gift information data D24 is information related to the design data that the user has been gifted or has gifted (or is planning to gift). The gift information data D24 stores information indicating whether the user has gifted or received a design, and the ID information of the other user who is the recipient, in association with the design data.

[0072] The control unit 68 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the management server 6. The control unit 68 realizes various functions for operating the management server 6 by cooperating with programs stored in the storage unit 67 and the like.

[0073] Next, a design donation process in which a user donates design data to another user will be described. Figure 4 FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of the design submission process, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of display content of the terminal device 4 during the design submission process.

[0074] Based on the user operation, the control unit 46 of the terminal device 4 used by the user expands a given program stored in the storage unit 47 , thereby executing the design submission process on the terminal device 4 .

[0075] Here, we will describe a case where user A operates first terminal 4A to send predetermined design data D1 to user B. Both users A and B register as users of the service program provided by printing system 1 and register their respective user data D2 in management server 6. Furthermore, it is assumed that user B's nail shape data D22 is shared with user A.

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, when the design submission process is executed on the first terminal 4A by a user operation (the operation of user A is the same in the design submission process), the control unit 46A of the first terminal 4A obtains a list of design data D1 (design list L1) from the design DB 671 of the management server 6 and displays it on the display unit 42 (step S1; Figure 5A ).

[0077] Next, the control unit 46A selects design data D1 to be donated to other users from the design list L1 based on the user operation (step S2 ).

[0078] Furthermore, the design data D1 available to users may include paid (charged) design data. In this case, for example, each piece of design data D1 may include price information, and the management server 6 may manage the design data D1 available to users, whether paid or free. If a user selects paid design data D1, a settlement server (not shown) capable of communicating with the management server 6 performs settlement processing for the purchase of the design data D1.

[0079] Furthermore, instead of a design pre-registered in the design DB 671 , a design newly created by the user on the terminal device 4 may be presented. In this case, the created design is transmitted to the management server 6 as new design data D1 and stored in the design DB 671 .

[0080] Next, the control unit 46A obtains a list of other users (user list L2) who share nail shape data with the user A from the shared information data D23 of the user DB 672 of the management server 6, and displays it on the display unit 42 (step S3; Figure 5B ).

[0081] Next, based on the user operation, the control unit 46A selects another user to whom the design data D1 selected in step S2 is to be donated from the user list L2 (step S4 ). In this embodiment, user B is selected as the other user.

[0082] In addition, the selection of other users (steps S3, S4) may be performed before the selection of the design (steps S1, S2).

[0083] Next, the control unit 46A acquires the nail shape data D22 of the other user (user B) selected in step S4 from the user DB 672 of the management server 6 (step S5 ).

[0084] Then, the control unit 46A generates a print image M when the design data D1 is printed based on the design data D1 selected in step S2 and the nail shape data D22 acquired in step S5, and displays it on the display unit 42 (step S6; Figure 5C ).

[0085] The print image M is generated by adapting the design data D1 to the nail shape data D22.

[0086] This allows the user A to confirm in advance the printed image M that will appear when the donated design data D1 is printed on the nail of the user B.

[0087] in addition, Figures 5A to 5C The illustrated design list L1, user list L2, and print image M may be displayed in combination with two or all of them on the display unit 42. Figure 5C , a design example of printing on the nails of ten fingers of both hands is shown, but the position and number of nails to be printed are not particularly limited, and printing may be performed only on the nails of specific fingers.

[0088] Next, the control unit 46A edits the print image M displayed on the display unit 42 based on the user operation (step S7). The user A operates the operation unit 41 as needed to edit the print image M. When editing is performed, the design data D1 is saved in the design DB 671 as new other design data D1.

[0089] Thus, user A can, for example, change the color of the gifted design to a color that user B likes, or deform the details of the design.

[0090] Next, the control unit 46A determines whether to hide the design of the donated design data D1 from another user (user B) during printing based on the user operation (step S8). In other words, user A sets whether to hide the design from user B during printing.

[0091] If it is determined that the design is not to be hidden (step S8 ; No), that is, if the user A has set not to hide the design during printing, the control unit 46A shifts the process to step S10 described later.

[0092] On the other hand, if the design is determined to be hidden (step S8; Yes), that is, if user A has set the design to be hidden during printing, the control unit 46A sets a hidden flag for the design data D1 (step S9). The hidden flag is a flag that prevents the design from being displayed in a visible state on the display unit (terminal device 4 or display unit 42 or display unit 22 of printing device 2) when user B prints the design data D1.

[0093] Furthermore, the phrase "not displaying the design in a visually recognizable state" naturally includes not displaying the design at all, and also includes displaying the design in an indistinguishable state (for example, displaying a design that has been masked or mosaicked). Furthermore, the phrase "user B prints the design" refers to when user B is recognized as the operator of printing device 2 by printing device 2 or terminal device 4 during the printing process described later. In this case, the term "operating user" naturally includes users who directly operate printing device 2 as well as users who indirectly operate printing device 2 via terminal device 4.

[0094] Next, control unit 46A sends a notification regarding the gift of the design (design data D1) to the other user (user B) to whom the design was gifted (step S10). This notification may include information about the gifted design data D1 (e.g., the design name), but not the design (image) itself. Furthermore, this notification may be sent directly between the terminals 4 of users A and B, or indirectly to user B's second terminal 4B via the management server 6.

[0095] Then, the control unit 46A associates the ID information of the user who submitted the design with the design data and stores it in the submission information data D24 of the management server 6, thereby completing the design submission process.

[0096] Next, a description will be given of a printing process in which another user who has received design data as a gift prints the design data.

[0097] Figure 6 FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of the printing process, and FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are diagrams showing examples of display contents of the terminal device 4 or the printing device 2 during the printing process.

[0098] Based on a user operation, the control unit 46 of the terminal device 4 used by the user expands a predetermined program stored in the storage unit 47 , and the printing process is executed by the terminal device 4 and the printing device 2 working together.

[0099] Here, we will describe a case where user B, who has received design data D1 from user A through the design donation process described above, operates second terminal 4B to print the design using printer 2. In this case, user B logs into the service program of printing system 1, which manages the user's account, and is recognized as the operating user by terminal 4 and printer 2.

[0100] like Figure 6 As shown, when the printing process is executed, the control unit 46B of the second terminal 4B obtains the design data D1 submitted by the user A from the design DB 671 of the management server 6 based on the user operation (the operation of the user B is the same in the printing process) (step T1).

[0101] Specifically, user B who receives the donation notification sent in the design donation process downloads the design data D1 from the design DB 671 by, for example, operating a link attached to the notification.

[0102] Next, the control unit 46B determines whether the hidden flag is set in the acquired design data D1 (step T2).

[0103] Here, when it is determined that the hidden flag is not set (step T2; No), the control unit 46B displays the acquired design data D1 (image) on the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B (or the display unit 22 of the printing device 2) (step T3; Figure 7A ).

[0104] Next, the control unit 46B obtains the nail shape data D22 of user B and generates a printed image M that matches the donated design data D1 with the nail shape data D22 (step T4). The nail shape data D22 of user B can be used if it is stored on the management server 6, or it can be obtained by photographing the nail using the imaging unit 25 of the printing device 2. The obtained nail shape data D22 of user B is transmitted to the management server 6 as user information and stored in the user DB 672.

[0105] Next, the control unit 46B displays the print image M generated in step T4 on the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B (or the display unit 22 of the printing device 2) (step T5; Figure 7B ).

[0106] Next, the control unit 46B displays the nail image and executes printing of the nail in the printing device 2 (step T6 ).

[0107] Specifically, first, the control unit 46B of the second terminal 4B generates print data based on the nail shape data D22 and the design data D1, and transmits it to the printing device 2. Then, the control device 27 of the printing device 2 controls the printing unit 26 based on the print data received from the second terminal 4B, and prints the nail of the finger of the user B placed on the finger placement unit 20. During this printing, the nail image G obtained by the imaging unit 25 is displayed on the display unit 22 of the printing device 2 (or the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B) ( Figure 7C ).

[0108] Then, when the printing of the user B's nails is completed, the printing process ends.

[0109] In this way, when the hidden flag is not set for the design data D1 (or, as described later, even if it is set, the printing is not the first time (second or later)), user B can confirm the content of the presented design data D1 and also see the captured image during printing.

[0110] On the other hand, when it is determined in step T2 that the hidden flag is set for the design data D1 (step T2; Yes), the control unit 46B determines whether the gifted user B has printed the gifted design data D1 (step T7).

[0111] If, at step T7, it is determined that user B has printed the presented design data D1 (not the first printing) (step T7; Yes), the control unit 46B shifts the process to step T3 described above. Thereafter, the process of steps T3 to T6 is performed, with the design displayed until printing.

[0112] Furthermore, in step T7, when it is determined that user B has not printed the presented design data D1 (it is the first printing) (step T7; No), the control unit 46B causes the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B (or the display unit 22 of the printing device 2) to display the design data D1 (the image) in a hidden state (step T10; Figure 8A The image of the design data D1 in the "hidden state" is not particularly limited as long as it is an image in which the design cannot be identified. For example, the design data may be displayed in a mosaic state. Alternatively, nothing may be displayed.

[0113] Next, the control unit 46B acquires the nail shape data D22 of the user B and generates a print image M (step T11 ). This step T11 is performed in the same manner as the above-mentioned step T4 .

[0114] Next, the control unit 46B displays the print image M generated in step T11 on the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B (or the display unit 22 of the printing device 2) in a hidden state (step T12; Figure 8B The so-called "hidden" printed image M is not particularly limited as long as it is a printed image in a state where its design cannot be discerned. For example, mosaic-like design data may be displayed. Alternatively, nothing may be displayed.

[0115] Next, the control unit 46B hides the display of the nail image and executes printing of the nail in the printing device 2 (step T13 ).

[0116] Specifically, first, the control unit 46B of the second terminal 4B generates print data based on the nail shape data D22 and the design data D1, and transmits it to the printing device 2. Then, the control device 27 of the printing device 2 controls the printing unit 26 based on the print data received from the second terminal 4B, and prints the nail of the finger of the user B placed on the finger placement unit 20. During this printing, the nail image obtained by the imaging unit 25 is displayed in a hidden state on the display unit 22 of the printing device 2 (or the display unit 42 of the second terminal 4B) ( Figure 8C The so-called "hidden" nail image is not particularly limited as long as it is a nail image in which the printed design cannot be discerned. For example, mosaic-like design data can be displayed. Alternatively, nothing can be displayed.

[0117] Then, when the printing of the user B's nails is completed, the printing process ends.

[0118] Thus, if the donated design data D1 is marked as hidden and this is the first time printing, the contents of the design data D1 are not displayed during the printing process, and the captured image of the printing process is also not displayed. This allows the recipient, user B, to not confirm the design until they see the actual printed nails, creating a greater sense of surprise.

[0119] As described above, according to this embodiment, a hidden flag is set on the design data D1 of the design based on the operation of user A. The hidden flag prevents the design presented by user A from being displayed on the display unit in a visible state when user B prints the design.

[0120] Thus, the user B who receives the gift cannot confirm the design until he or she visually recognizes the actual printed nail, thereby creating a greater sense of surprise. Therefore, an interesting printing system 1 can be provided.

[0121] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, based on the nail shape data D22 of the user B and the design presented to the user B, a print image M is generated when the design is printed.

[0122] This allows user A who submitted the design to confirm the printed image of the design in advance.

[0123] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the generated print image is edited based on the operation of the user A.

[0124] As a result, user A can incorporate a desired arrangement into the design according to user B's preferences, for example.

[0125] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the nail shape data D22 of the user B acquired by the imaging unit 25 of the printing device 2 is transmitted to the management server 6 as user data and stored.

[0126] Thereby, the nail shape data D22 of the user B stored in the management server 6 can be made public (shared) to other users, for example, or can be used in subsequent printings.

[0127] Furthermore, according to the present embodiment, the management server 6 discloses the nail shape data D22 of the user B to the user A based on the operation of the user B.

[0128] Thus, when user A presents a design to user B, user A can confirm in advance the printed image of the design that matches the shape of user B's nails.

[0129] Furthermore, although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, it is needless to say that the present disclosure is not limited to the relevant embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure.

[0130] For example, in this embodiment, when printing a design, the user operates the terminal device 4 to operate the printing device 2. However, the user may also directly operate the operation unit 21 of the printing device 2. In this case, various controls are performed by the control device 27 of the printing device 2, and the display content is displayed on the display unit 22 of the printing device 2.

[0131] The hidden flag set for the design data D1 can be removed when the user who received the design has printed it once. In this case, step T7 (determining whether printing has been performed) in the printing process can be omitted.

[0132] In the design submission process, another user who has shared the nail shape data D22 is selected to submit a design, but a design may be submitted to another user who has not shared the nail shape data D22.

[0133] Furthermore, the acquisition of the nail shape data D22 (picture of the nail) may be performed not by the image capturing unit 25 of the printing device 2 but by a camera of the terminal device 4 or a terminal of a nail salon.

[0134] Furthermore, various data such as the design data D1 and the nail shape data D22 may be stored (saved) in the printer 2 or terminal device 4 instead of in the management server 6. For example, data of family members or friends may be stored locally, such as in the storage unit of the printer 2 or terminal device 4, so that the user can check the printed image matched with the nail shape data D22 obtained therefrom.

[0135] Furthermore, the design data doesn't need to be the same for all fingers; it can be a different design for each finger. This allows user A, who submits the design, to edit the design for each finger, taking into account user B's preferences and adapting it to the shape of the nail. This allows user B to experience surprises every time they print on each finger.

[0136] Furthermore, to enhance the surprise factor, the order in which the fingernails are printed can be changed by user A's operation. For example, the default order of printing from thumb to pinky nails can be changed to, for example, printing the middle finger last. This allows the design, which is desired to be hidden as the most surprising, to be printed last, on the middle finger, which is more noticeable than the pinky.

[0137] Furthermore, the design can be revealed to user B from its hidden state at the moment printing is completed. In other words, the image captured by the camera unit of the printing device can be displayed on the display unit at the moment printing is completed. This can sometimes increase the surprise compared to user B directly confirming the printed design on the nail.

[0138] Several embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes the scope disclosed in the claims and the scope equivalent thereto.

Claims

1. A donation method, executed by a processor, wherein the donation method comprises: a selecting step of selecting the printed design to be presented to a second user, who is a recipient of the printed design, based on an operation by a first user, who is a presenter of the printed design; and A setting step of setting a hidden mark to the design information of the print design based on an operation of the first user, wherein: The hidden mark prevents the print design from being displayed on the display unit in a visible state when the print design selected in the selection step is printed on the print object owned by the second user. When the print design with the hidden flag set has been printed by the second user, printing is performed with the print design displayed.

2. The donation method according to claim 1, characterized in that: The donation method further includes: an acquisition step of acquiring information on the shape of the printing object; and The generating step generates a print image when the print design is printed on the print object based on the information on the shape of the print object and the print design presented to the second user.

3. The donation method according to claim 2, characterized in that: The donation method also includes: The editing step edits the print image based on the operation of the first user.

4. The donation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The donation method also includes: a printing step of printing the print design presented by the first user on the print object by a printing device, The selection step is performed by a first terminal that can communicate with a management server that manages print design information and user information and is operated by the first user. The printing process is performed by the printing apparatus based on print data transmitted to the printing apparatus from a second terminal that is communicable with the management server and the printing apparatus and is operated by the second user.

5. The donation method according to claim 4, characterized in that: The printing device includes: an imaging unit for acquiring information on the shape of the printing object; The donation method also includes: The storing step transmits the information on the shape of the printing object acquired by the imaging unit to the management server as the user information and stores the information.

6. The donation method according to claim 5, characterized in that: The donation method also includes: In a disclosure step, the management server discloses the information on the shape of the printing object to the first user based on an operation by the second user.

7. A terminal device, characterized in that: have: a selection unit for selecting the print design to be presented to the second user, who is the recipient of the print design, based on an operation by the first user, who is the presenter of the print design; The selection unit sets a hidden flag on the design information of the print design based on an operation by the first user, wherein the hidden flag prevents the print design from being displayed in a visually recognizable state on the display unit when the selected print design is printed on a print object owned by the second user. When the print design with the hidden flag set has been printed by the second user, printing is performed with the print design displayed.

8. A printing system, characterized in that: have: a terminal device that selects the printed design to be presented to a second user, who is a recipient of the printed design, based on an operation by a first user, who is a presenter of the printed design; and Printing device, The terminal device sets a hidden flag on the design information of the print design based on an operation by the first user, wherein the hidden flag prevents the print design from being displayed in a visually recognizable state on a display unit when the selected print design is printed on a print object owned by the second user by the printing device. When the print design with the hidden flag set has been printed by the second user, printing is performed with the print design displayed.

9. A storage medium, characterized in that: A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to function as: a selection unit for selecting the printed design to be presented to the second user, who is the recipient of the printed design, based on an operation by the first user, who is the presenter of the printed design; and a setting unit configured to set a hidden mark on the design information of the print design based on an operation of the first user, wherein the hidden mark prevents the print design from being displayed on the display unit in a visually recognizable state when the print design selected by the selection unit is printed on a print object owned by the second user; When the print design with the hidden flag set has been printed by the second user, printing is performed with the print design displayed.

Images