Printing control device, printer, printing control method, and program

Abstract

To correct deviation amounts of impact ink that differ for each ink discharge port, in accordance with curvature of a printing object to increase the printing accuracy.SOLUTION: A printing control device comprises storage means, calculation means, and control means. The storage means stores reference deviation amounts for correcting a deviation amount of impact ink corresponding to each ink discharge port of a nozzle of a print head 41. The calculation means acquires a distance d between nozzle claws from each ink discharge port (ink discharge surface 421) to a claw T as a curved printing object, and calculates a correction value for correcting a deviation amount of impact ink, from the distance d between nozzle claws and the reference deviation amount of each ink discharge port. The control means controls printing of the print head 41 on the basis of the calculated correction value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a print control device, a printing device, a print control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, printing devices such as nail printing devices are known that perform printing on a print medium by using shingling printing while moving an inkjet print head back and forth in both directions in a predetermined main scanning direction.

[0003] Also, an inkjet printer is known that uses a bidirectional printing nozzle to make the first and second judgment patterns different by using a first density measurement pattern and a first judgment pattern during the forward movement and a second density measurement pattern and a second judgment pattern during the return movement (see Patent Document 1). This inkjet printer can achieve a state in which the positional relationship between the first and second density measurement patterns is close to the ideal state by adjusting the positional deviation of the first and second judgment patterns. Therefore, it is possible to adjust the ejection of each nozzle after eliminating the influence of the deviation of the landing positions in both directions. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2014-14979 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When ink is ejected from an inkjet head, ejection control and image generation are performed on the assumption that it flies in a straight line perpendicular to the nozzle face (ink ejection surface), or, in the case of ejection while the nozzle is moving, that it flies at a certain angle to the direction of movement.

[0006] However, because ink may fly at an angle due to ink characteristics or nozzle dirt, for example in a nail printing device which prints on a nail, which is a printing object having a curved printing surface, where the gap distance between the ink ejection surface and the ink landing surface varies depending on the position, such as on both sides of the nail and near the center, in order to correct the amount of misalignment for each ink ejection port, it is necessary to measure the amount of misalignment for each gap distance between the ink ejection surface and the ink landing surface, making it difficult to print accurately.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to improve printing accuracy by correcting the amount of deviation of ink landing, which differs for each ink ejection port, in accordance with the curvature of a printing target. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The printing control device of the present invention comprises a memory means for storing a reference deviation amount for correcting the deviation amount of landed ink corresponding to each ink ejection port of a nozzle of a print head, a calculation means for acquiring the distance from each ink ejection port to a curved object to be printed, and calculating a correction value for correcting the deviation amount of landed ink from that distance and the reference deviation amount of each ink ejection port, and a control means for controlling printing of the print head based on the calculated correction value. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, the amount of deviation of the ink droplets that land on the ink ejection port, which differs from one ink ejection port to another, can be corrected in accordance with the curvature of the object to be printed on, thereby improving printing accuracy. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a nail printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control configuration of the nail printing device. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing nozzles of a print head and an image of ink landing at a nozzle portion of the nozzle. [Figure 4]FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the curvature of cyan ink depending on the gap distance. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the claws and the print head, as well as the nozzle-to-claw distance. [Figure 6] 13 is a diagram showing predicted and actually measured values ​​of deviation amounts of ink landing at ink ejection ports having different ink ejection port numbers. FIG. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing a first printing process. [Figure 8] 13 is a flowchart showing a first correction process of the first printing process. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing a second printing process. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart showing a second correction process of the second printing process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment and modifications of the present invention will be described. Note that the embodiments and modifications described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for implementing the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments, modifications, and illustrated examples. In the following embodiment, the print control device is described as a nail print device that prints on the print target of fingernails, but the print control device of the present invention is not limited to printing on fingernails, and may print on the print target of toes, for example. The print control device of the present invention can be widely applied to printing on print media that have a curved surface in part, and may print on things other than nails, such as nail tips and the surfaces of various accessories.

[0012] (Embodiment) First, an embodiment in which the present invention is configured as a single printing apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of a nail printing device 1 in this embodiment. In the following embodiment, the up-down, left-right, and front-rear directions refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1 with respect to the nail printing device 1. The X direction and Y direction refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. The X direction is the left-right direction and is the main scanning direction of the print head 41 (Fig. 2) of the printing unit 40. The Y direction is the front-rear direction and is the sub-scanning direction of the print head 41.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the nail printing device 1 as a printing device has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape. An operation unit 21 is provided on the top surface (top plate) of the housing 2. The operation unit 21 is used by the user to perform various inputs. The operation unit 21 has operation buttons for performing various inputs, such as a power switch button for turning on the power of the nail printing device 1, a stop switch button for stopping operation, and a print start button for instructing the start of printing. When the operation unit 21 is operated, an operation signal is output to the control device 30, and the control device 30 performs control according to the operation signal to operate each part of the nail printing device 1. In addition, in the case where a touch panel type input unit is provided on the display unit 22 described later, the operation unit 21 may include the touch panel type input unit.

[0015] A display unit 22 is provided on the top surface (top panel) of the housing 2. The display unit 22 is, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or other flat display. A touch panel may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 22 in this embodiment. In this case, the display unit 22 is configured so that various inputs can be made by touching the surface of the display unit 22 with a fingertip or a dedicated pen (not shown), and the touch panel type input unit functions as the operation unit 21. In this embodiment, the display unit 22 appropriately displays, for example, a nail image (i.e., an image of the printing finger including an image of the nail T) obtained by photographing a printing finger (not shown) which is a user's finger corresponding to the curved nail T (FIG. 5) which is a target to be printed, an image of the outline shape of the nail T included in the nail image and an area (printing area) where printing is planned, a design selection screen for selecting a nail design to be printed in the printing area of ​​the nail T, a thumbnail image for design confirmation, an instruction screen for displaying various instructions, a notice screen, a warning screen, and the like.

[0016] Furthermore, on the front side of the housing 2 (the front side in FIG. 1) and approximately in the center of the device in the X direction, there is formed a finger insertion opening 23, which is an opening for inserting a finger when printing with the nail print device 1. The finger insertion opening 23 is provided at a position corresponding to the finger placement unit 6 described below. In this embodiment, one finger can be placed on the finger placement unit 6, and the finger insertion opening 23 is formed with a width (length in the X direction) and height sufficient to allow the finger to be inserted into the device. The size of the finger insertion opening 23 is not limited thereto and is set appropriately according to the size, shape, etc. of the finger placement unit 6.

[0017] In addition, an opening 24 through which the print head 41 can be replaced is provided in a part of the housing 2. The opening 24 is provided with a lid 25 configured to be openable and closable by a hinge (not shown). By closing the lid 25, the opening 24 is blocked, and it is possible to prevent dust and the like from entering the inside of the device. When the lid 25 is in an open state, the opening 24 allows the user to access the inside of the device from outside the device. The lid 25 that closes the opening 24 may be opened and closed manually by the user, or may be configured to be opened and closed automatically by pressing a button (not shown). The position at which the opening 24 is provided is a position at which the print head 41 can move to a corresponding position, and in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the opening 24 is formed on the upper right side of the device. The position and size of the opening 24 are appropriately set. That is, the print head 41 in this embodiment is configured to be removable from a carriage (not shown) and replaceable. The opening 24 is formed in a position and size that allows the print head 41 to be smoothly attached and detached, and removed from the inside of the device.

[0018] An apparatus main body (not shown) is housed inside the housing 2. The apparatus main body is configured by assembling each component part on a base. On the base and at the front side of the apparatus, a finger placement unit 6 is provided at a position corresponding to the finger insertion opening 23 described above, on which a printing finger inserted through the finger insertion opening 23 is placed. Here, the printing finger is a finger corresponding to the nail T that is to be printed by the printing unit 40.

[0019] The lower surface of the finger placement section 6 is provided with a placement member 62 on which the pad of the printing finger inserted into the finger placement section 6 is placed. The placement member 62 supports the printing finger from below in the finger placement section 6, and is formed of, for example, a flexible resin. The placement member 62 in this embodiment is formed with a recessed portion 62a that is recessed along the Y-axis direction according to the number of fingers that can be inserted into the finger placement section 6. As a result, when the printing finger is placed on the placement member 62, the pad portion of the printing finger is received by the recessed portion 62a, and it is possible to prevent each printing finger from shaking in the left-right direction. The placement member 62 may be configured to be movable up and down. In this configuration, the height of the placement member 62 can be adjusted according to the thickness of the printing finger. In addition, the back side of the top surface of the finger placement section 6 is open, and the nail T of the printing finger inserted into the finger placement section 6 is exposed from this opening. In this embodiment, printing is performed by the printing unit 40 in the open area.

[0020] The device body also includes a printing unit 40 that prints on the surface of the nail T of the printing finger, and an imaging unit 50 that captures an image of the printing finger including the nail T (a nail image including the nail T) (Figure 2).

[0021] The printing unit 40 prints on a print medium having a curved surface in part, and in this embodiment, prints on the surface of the nail T. The printing unit 40 includes a print head 41 supported by a carriage or the like, and a head movement mechanism 49 (FIG. 2) for moving the print head 41 in the X direction and Y direction. The head movement mechanism 49 includes an X-direction movement motor 46 and a Y-direction movement motor 48 for appropriately moving the print head 41 in the X direction and Y direction. The printing unit 40 is connected to a control unit 31 (FIG. 2) of the control device 30 described later, and is controlled by the control unit 31.

[0022] The print head 41 ejects ink onto the surface of the nail T while moving over the nail T (i.e., above the nail surface) of the printing finger held on the finger placement unit 6, thereby printing a nail design. The print head 41 ejects first droplets of ink while moving in a first direction (e.g., a direction from left to right in the X direction) onto the surface of the nail T, which is a printing medium having a curved surface in part. The print head 41 also ejects second droplets corresponding to the first droplets onto the surface of the nail T while moving in a second direction (e.g., a direction from right to left in the X direction) opposite to the first direction.

[0023] The print head 41 has a nozzle N (FIG. 2) that ejects ink on a surface facing the surface of the nail T. The nozzle N has a plurality of ink ejection ports (nozzle ports). The ejection surface on which the plurality of ink ejection ports of the nozzle N are arranged is called the ink ejection surface 421 (FIG. 5). The print head 41 is an inkjet type head that prints by forming ink into fine droplets by the nozzle N and spraying the ink from the ink ejection surface 421 directly onto the surface of the nail T of each ink ejection port. The print head 41 is, for example, an integrated cartridge type that contains ink of each color, and is capable of ejecting yellow, magenta, and cyan ink. The nozzles N are arranged in a matrix in the X and Y directions. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the nozzle N is arranged in order from left to right in the X direction, with a plurality of ink ejection ports OM that eject magenta ink, a yellow ink ejection port OY, and a cyan ink ejection port OC arranged in the Y direction.

[0024] Note that the inks that the print head 41 can eject are not limited to these. For example, the print head 41 may also have black (K) ink built in and be able to eject black ink. The configuration of the print head 41 is also not limited to the examples shown here. For example, the print head 41 may be configured separately from the cartridge.

[0025] The photographing section 50 includes an imaging device 51 and an illumination device 52. The imaging device 51 is, for example, a small digital camera including a solid-state imaging element having about 2 million pixels or more, a lens (both not shown), etc. The illumination device 52 is, for example, an illumination lamp including a white LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like.

[0026] The photographing unit 50 illuminates the nail T of the printing finger placed on the finger placement unit 6 with the lighting device 52. Then, the imaging device 51 photographs an area corresponding to the nail T of the printing finger to obtain image data of the nail image (an image of the printing finger including an image of the nail T). The photographing unit 50 is connected to the control unit 31 of the control device 30 and is controlled by the control unit 31. The photographed image data acquired by the photographing unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 32 described later.

[0027] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the control configuration of the nail printing device 1. As shown in Fig. 2, the nail printing device 1 includes a control device 30 as a print control device. The control device 30 is a computer including a control unit 31 as a calculation means and control means, and a storage unit 32 as a storage means. The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) not shown, and a random access memory (RAM). The storage unit 32 includes a read only memory (ROM) and a flash memory. The control device 30 is installed on a board not shown, for example, located on the underside of the top surface of the housing 2.

[0028] The storage unit 32 stores various programs and various data for operating the nail printing device 1. Specifically, for example, the storage unit 32 stores various programs such as a first printing program P1 for performing a first printing process described below. In the control unit 31, the CPU reads out the program and loads it in the RAM, and the control unit 31 controls each part of the nail printing device 1 in cooperation with the CPU and the loaded program.

[0029] The storage unit 32 also stores design data 321, which is data on a nail design, and correction information 322.

[0030] The correction information 322 has curvature shape data for each curvature level of the nail. Here, the shapes of human nails are divided into five curvature levels according to the degree of curvature. Among them, curvature level 2 covers the shapes of approximately 80% of all people's nails. For this reason, the correction information 322 stores curvature level shape data for curvature levels 1 to 5, with the default set curvature level being 2. However, the set curvature level may be changed to another curvature level by a setting input from the user via the operation unit 21.

[0031] Furthermore, the correction information 322 has a reference deviation amount Δe associated with the ink color and the ink ejection port number (block) for each ink ejection port of the nozzle N. The reference deviation amount Δe is information for calculating a correction value e by a correction equation (equation (1) described later) used to correct the deviation amount of the landed ink according to the nozzle-to-claw distance d (FIG. 5).

[0032] The control unit 31 controls the display unit 22 to display various display screens on the display unit 22. For example, the control unit 31 causes the display unit 22 to display a design selection screen for the user to select a plurality of nail designs of the design data 321. The design data 321 is assumed to be stored in the storage unit 32 by default. However, the design data 321 may be acquired from an external device such as an external terminal device or a server device on a communication network. It is preferable that the control unit 31 causes the display unit 22 to display nail designs in sequence or in a list on the design selection screen. Furthermore, the control unit 31 may be configured to display an image of the nail T on the display unit 22 in which the nail design selected by the user is superimposed, so that the user can check the finished image before the actual printing starts. If the user does not like the design, the user may be allowed to select and input a new nail design via the operation unit 21. In addition, the control unit 31 causes the display unit 22 to display various messages and instructions for the user.

[0033] The control unit 31 also controls the imaging device 51 and the lighting device 52 to cause the imaging device 51 to capture an image of the printing finger placed on the finger placement unit 6 and to acquire nail image data of the nail image including an image of the nail T. The image data of the nail image acquired by the imaging unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 32.

[0034] Furthermore, the control unit 31 acquires the nail width as nail information from the nail image data of the nail T of the printing finger, and sets the nail shape data according to the nail width and the curvature level shape data according to the set curvature level.

[0035] Furthermore, the control unit 31 specifies a printing area from the nail image data as a range to be printed by the printing unit 40. There are no particular limitations on the specific method by which the control unit 31 detects the printing area, but for example, the control unit 31 analyzes a nail image obtained by photographing a printing finger including the nail T and a nail T coated with a base of a different color from the nail T, detects the area where the base is coated, and sets it as the printing area.

[0036] That is, when the nail T is not painted, it is difficult to distinguish the color of the nail from the surrounding skin, such as the finger. For this reason, the user paints a base coat or white ink on the surface of the nail T in advance. The control unit 31 analyzes the brightness, luminosity, hue, etc. of the nail image to distinguish and recognize the part where the base coat is painted from the other parts. Then, the control unit 31 sets the area where the base coat is painted on the set nail shape data as the printing area.

[0037] The information for the control unit 31 to specify the printing area for the nail T of the printing finger is not limited to the nail image data. For example, if a sensor that detects the area where the nail T is arranged is provided, the information may be information detected by the sensor.

[0038] Here, the misalignment of landing images at different ink ejection ports (nozzle ports) of a nozzle N in a conventional printing device will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a diagram showing a nozzle N of a print head and ink landing images I1, I2, and I3 at nozzle portions N1, N2, and N3 of the nozzle N.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 3, in the nozzle N of the print head that moves back and forth in the printing device, the direction in which the print head mainly moves is the main scanning direction, and the direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction is the sub-scanning direction. The nozzle N has a plurality of ink ejection orifices IM that eject magenta (M) ink, a plurality of ink ejection orifices (nozzle orifices) IY that eject yellow (Y) ink, and a plurality of ink ejection orifices OC that eject cyan (C) ink. The ink ejection orifices OY, OM, and OC of the nozzle N are each arranged in a line of 337 pieces extending in the sub-scanning direction.

[0040] The ink orifices OM are assigned ink orifice numbers from 0 to 336 in order from bottom to top in the sub-scanning direction in Fig. 3. Similarly, the ink orifices OY are assigned ink orifice numbers from 0 to 336 in order. Similarly, the ink orifices OC are assigned ink orifice numbers from 0 to 336 in order. In this way, since the same ink orifice number is assigned to the ink orifices of each color, it is possible to identify an ink orifice by its color and ink orifice number.

[0041] Furthermore, among the nozzles N, a number of ink ejection ports near the ink ejection port number 336 are designated as nozzle section N1, a number of ink ejection ports near the ink ejection port number 200 are designated as nozzle section N2, and a number of ink ejection ports near the ink ejection port number 0 are designated as nozzle section N3.

[0042] In the nozzle units N1, N2, and N3, the state of ink landing on the printing medium at a position with a gap distance of 1.5 [mm] from the bottom surface of the ink ejection port was photographed to obtain ink landing images I1, I2, and I3. In the ink landing images I1, I2, and I3, the right column of landed ink shows the ink ejected from the ink ejection port of odd-numbered magenta and cyan ink ejection port numbers in the sub-scanning direction. The center column of landed ink shows the ink ejected using the ink ejection port of even-numbered magenta and cyan ink ejection port numbers in the sub-scanning direction. The left column of landed ink shows the ink ejected using the ink ejection port of odd-numbered magenta and cyan ink ejection port numbers in the sub-scanning direction. In the ink landing images I1, I2, and I3, the magenta ink is shown in dark gray. Similarly, the cyan ink is shown in light gray.

[0043] In the landing image I1 of the upper nozzle portion N1 of the nozzle N and the landing image I3 of the lower nozzle portion N3, the magenta and cyan inks land at approximately the same position. However, in the landing image I2 of the nozzle portion N2 near the center in the vertical direction of the nozzle N, the cyan ink has landed to the right of the magenta ink.

[0044] Fig. 4 is a diagram showing the curvature for each gap distance of cyan ink. The gap distance is the distance between the ink ejection surface of nozzle N and the printing medium. Fig. 4 shows the deviation amount [μm] of the ink landing position from the ink ejection port position for the ink ejection port number of cyan ink. The gap distances [mm] were 1.50, 2.00, 2.50, and 3.00.

[0045] When the gap distance is 1.50 [mm], the deviation is just under 20 [μm] at the position of ink outlet number 336. Similarly, the deviation is 30 [μm] at the position of ink outlet number 256. Similarly, the deviation is just over 30 [μm] at the position of ink outlet number 176. Similarly, the deviation is just under 30 [μm] at the position of ink outlet number 96. Similarly, the deviation is just over 10 [μm] at the position of ink outlet number 16.

[0046] That is, when the gap distance is 1.50 mm, the amount of deviation for each ink ejection port is curved so as to peak near the center in the sub-scanning direction of nozzle N. It can also be seen that the amount of deviation increases as the gap distance increases.

[0047] In the case of a nail printing device, where the gap distance between the ink ejection surface and the ink landing surface differs depending on the position of the nail, such as the sides and the center, in order to correct the amount of misalignment for each ink ejection port, it was necessary to measure the amount of misalignment for each gap distance between the ink ejection surface and the ink landing surface. Also, when measuring the amount of misalignment when the gap distance is 3.00 [mm], the landing is disturbed due to the increased gap distance as shown in Figure 4, making it difficult to obtain an accurate value.

[0048] Next, the nozzle-to-claw distance d of the claw T in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing the claw T, the print head 41, and the nozzle-to-claw distance d.

[0049] When printing on the nail T, the print head 41 is moved in the main scanning direction (left and right direction) by the X-direction movement motor 46, and scans back and forth while ejecting ink, and printing is completed by ejecting ink four times during the round trip. More precisely, after completing a scan to the left or right in the main scanning direction during the round trip, the print head 41 is shifted a predetermined distance in the sub-scanning direction (forward direction) by the Y-direction movement motor 48. In this way, the drive in the main scanning direction and sub-scanning direction and the ink ejection are controlled so that printing is completed in each part of the printing range of the nail T with four ink ejections.

[0050] The deviation of the ink landing at each ink ejection port of the nozzle N of the print head 41 is determined by the ink color, the ink ejection port number, and the nail nozzle distance d. As shown in FIG. 5, when the print head 41 is scanned in the main scanning direction X, the gap distance in the vertical direction between the ink ejection surface 421 and the surface of the nail T is the nail nozzle distance d. Here, the nail nozzle distance d at the nail width position where the nail T height is at its peak is set to 1.5 [mm]. Since the nail is curved, the nail nozzle distance d gradually increases from the peak nail width position toward both ends in the main scanning direction. As shown in FIG. 4, the larger the nail nozzle distance d, the larger the deviation of the ink landing.

[0051] Here, the calculation of the correction value for the deviation amount of the landed ink according to the inter-nozzle distance d will be described. Here, the deviation amount is the deviation amount of the landed ink in the main scanning direction from the position vertically below the print ejection port on the landing surface of the printing medium. Since the correction value is determined by the inter-nozzle distance d according to the inter-nozzle distance T's inter-nail width position, it is necessary to obtain the deviation amount for each inter-nozzle distance d. However, measuring the correction amount for each inter-nozzle distance d causes landing irregularities, and in order to obtain the correct correction value, it is necessary to perform multiple measurements and obtain the average or median value. Also, it is not practical to perform measurements at multiple distances.

[0052] Therefore, for the nail nozzle distance d, the accurate deviation amount [μm] is measured as the reference deviation amount Δe at a position where the gap distance where the ink droplets land cleanly is 1.5 [mm], and a correction value is obtained at the position where the gap distance is 1.5 [mm]. The gap distance of 1.5 [mm] is the shortest distance between the ink ejection surface 421 and the printing finger nail T on the finger placement unit 6. First, since the ink droplets fly linearly, the ink is ejected at a position where the gap distance is 1.5 [mm] to measure the reference deviation amount Δe. Then, the slope k at which the gap distance is 1.5 [mm] and the reference deviation amount Δe [μm] is calculated. Then, the correction value e [μm] at the nozzle nail distance d [mm] is calculated using the following formula (1). e=k d =(Δe / 1.5)·d …(1) In this manner, the correction value (deviation amount) e can be obtained from the nozzle-to-jaw distance d according to the jaw width position.

[0053] Here, as shown in Fig. 3, the amount of deviation of the impacted ink varies depending on the ink ejection port number (the position of the ink ejection port). For this reason, it is necessary to find a correction value for each ink ejection port, but this is not realistic. As shown in Fig. 3, the amount of deviation changes little by little depending on the ink ejection port number, and for example, the amount of deviation is almost the same for ink ejection ports adjacent to each other in the sub-scanning direction.

[0054] Therefore, we devised a method of dividing the ink ejection ports into blocks and obtaining the correction values. For example, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, all ink ejection ports are divided into five blocks. Specifically, a reference deviation amount Δe with a gap distance of 1.5 [mm] is obtained for a block near the ink ejection port number 336, a block near the ink ejection port number 256, a block near the ink ejection port number 176, a block near the ink ejection port number 96, and a block near the ink ejection port number 16. The ink ejection ports included in the five blocks may be corrected with a correction value e based on the same common reference deviation amount Δe within the blocks.

[0055] In the experiment, for the block near ink ejection port number 16, for example, the reference deviation amount Δe is measured for ink ejection ports with ink ejection port numbers 0 to 16. "Nearby" refers to the median value of the reference deviation amount Δe of the ink landing at approximately 10 to 20 ink ejection ports near a specific ink ejection port such as ink ejection port number 16. The reference deviation amount Δe for ink ejection ports other than the near area may be calculated by linear interpolation between two points, or may be calculated from an approximation curve of the reference deviation amounts Δe of five points in all blocks.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing predicted and measured values ​​of the displacement of the landed ink at ink ejection ports with different ink ejection port numbers. As shown in FIG. 6, the predicted and measured values ​​of the displacement of the landed ink at ink ejection ports with ink ejection port numbers of 336, 256, 176, 96, and 16 with respect to the gap distance [mm] are shown. In FIG. 6, the predicted value of the displacement [μm] is shown by a dotted line, and the actual measured value is shown by a solid line. The predicted value of the displacement [μm] is a value calculated by using the slope k of the actual measured value of the reference displacement Δe [μm] of the landed ink at a gap distance of 1.50 [mm] and the origin (gap distance [mm] = 0, displacement = 0 [μm]) to calculate the displacement [μm] at each gap distance (2.00 [mm], 2.50 [mm], 3.00 [mm]).

[0057] The actual measured value of the deviation [μm] is close to the predicted value, although there is some measurement error as the distance increases. Therefore, it can be seen that the actual measured value of the deviation [μm] can be predicted by the predicted value calculated using the slope k calculated from the reference deviation Δe [μm] for a gap distance of 1.50 [mm].

[0058] The amount of deviation of the landed ink also differs depending on the color of the ink. For this reason, the correction information 322 includes the reference deviation amount Δe corresponding to the block of ink ejection port numbers and the color of ink, as described above. The correction information 322 is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 32.

[0059] Next, the operation of the nail printing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 8. Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the first printing process. Fig. 8 is a flow chart showing the first correction process of the first printing process.

[0060] It is assumed that correction information 322 including each reference deviation amount Δe corresponding to the block of ink ejection port numbers and the ink color, and curvature shape data for each nail curvature level is stored in advance in the storage unit 32. It is also assumed that a set curvature level corresponding to the user's nail is set and stored in the storage unit 32. The user also applies a base coat and a preprint coat to the nail of the printing finger.

[0061] In the nail printing device 1, the control unit 31 receives an input of an instruction to execute a first printing process from a user via the operation unit 21. The input triggers the control unit 31 to execute the first printing process according to the first printing program P1 stored in the storage unit 32.

[0062] 7, the control unit 31 displays a design selection screen including a list of nail designs on the display unit 22, and accepts a selection input of a nail design to be printed from the user via the operation unit 21 (step S11). In step S11, the control unit 31 reads out nail design data 321 from the storage unit 32, and displays the design selection screen based on the design data 321.

[0063] Then, the control unit 31 reads out the set curvature level of the nail from the storage unit 32 (step S12). Here, the user places the printing finger on the finger placement unit 6. Then, the control unit 31 photographs the printing finger with the photographing unit 50 to obtain nail image data, which is a photograph of the nail to be printed (step S13).

[0064] Then, the control unit 31 performs image analysis on the nail image data acquired in step S13 to acquire nail information (step S14). The nail information includes the nail width and the printing area. The control unit 31 then generates print image data for printing the nail from the nail design selected in step S11 and the printing area of ​​the nail information acquired in step S13 (step S15). The print image data is generated by fitting the nail design to the printing area and making appropriate corrections.

[0065] Then, the control unit 31 generates, from the print image data generated in step S15, shingling data for printing by scanning the print head 41 in the main scanning direction (left or right) next time (step S16). Then, the control unit 31 causes the head moving mechanism 49 to move and set the print head 41 to the initial position for the next scan in the main scanning direction (step S17). The initial position is the left or right edge position after being shifted in the sub-scanning direction by a predetermined amount equivalent to the width of the shingling data (length in the sub-scanning direction).

[0066] Then, the control unit 31 executes a first correction process (step S18). Here, the first correction process of step S18 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. First, the control unit 31 acquires the nozzle-to-jaw distance according to the jaw width position (step S31).

[0067] In step S31, the control unit 31 reads out the curvature level shape data corresponding to the set curvature level acquired in step S12 from the correction information 322 of the storage unit 32. The control unit 31 generates the curvature shape data of the nail based on the read out curvature level shape data and the nail width acquired in step S14. The curvature shape data is the shape data of the thick line in FIG. 5 corresponding to the user's nail T. The control unit 31 sets the nozzle-to-nail distance d at the print reference position where the nail height is at its peak in the curvature shape data of the nail to a predetermined value (the nozzle-to-nail distance of the reference deviation amount Δe, for example, 1.5 [mm]). The control unit 31 acquires the difference between the nail height of the nail itself at the nail width position and the nail height at the nail width position in the curvature shape data of the nail, and acquires the nozzle-to-nail distance according to the nail width position by adding the nozzle-to-nail distance of the reference deviation amount Δe to the difference.

[0068] In step S31, the nail printing apparatus 1 may be provided with a distance measuring sensor, and the control unit 31 may be configured to actually measure and acquire the nozzle-to-nail distance d corresponding to the nail width position using the distance measuring sensor.

[0069] Then, the control unit 31 reads out the reference deviation amount Δe corresponding to the ink color and the block of the ink ejection port number for the ink ejection port of the nozzle N from the correction information 322 in the storage unit 32 (step S32). The reference deviation amount Δe and the correction coefficient k of the ink ejection ports in the same block are the same value. The control unit 31 then substitutes the nozzle-to-claw distance d corresponding to the claw width position obtained in step S31 and the reference deviation amount Δe of the ink ejection port obtained in step S32 into formula (1) to calculate the correction value e for each ink ejection port of each color at each claw width position (step S33).

[0070] Then, the control unit 31 corrects the shingling data generated in step S16 so as to correct the amount of deviation of the landed ink based on the correction value e for each ink ejection port of each color at each nail width position calculated in step S33 (step S34). In step S34, for example, if the landed ink at a certain ink ejection port is deviated one pixel to the right from the original position at the ejection timing, the shingling data is image-corrected so that the pixel one pixel to the right is ejected at that timing.

[0071] Returning to FIG. 7, the control unit 31 drives the printing unit 40 to print the nail image for one direction in the main scanning direction on the nail of the printing finger based on the shingling data corrected in step S34 (step S19). Then, the control unit 31 determines whether printing of all the shingling data corresponding to the printing image data generated in step S15 has been completed (step S20). If printing has not been completed (step S20; NO), the process proceeds to step S16. If printing has been completed (step S20; YES), the first printing process ends.

[0072] In the first printing process described above, the shingled data is printed in step S20 while new corrected shingled data is created in steps S16 to S18, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the process in steps S16 and S18 may be performed for all shingled data, and then all corrected shingled data may be printed in order in steps S17 and S19.

[0073] As described above, according to this embodiment, the nail printing device 1 includes a storage unit 32 and a control unit 31. The storage unit 32 stores a reference deviation amount for correcting the deviation amount of the landed ink corresponding to each ink ejection port of the nozzle N of the print head 41. The control unit 31 acquires the nozzle-to-claw distance d from each ink ejection port to the nail T, calculates a correction value e for correcting the deviation amount of the landed ink from the nozzle-to-claw distance d and the reference deviation amount Δe of each ink ejection port, and controls printing of the print head 41 based on the correction value e.

[0074] Therefore, the amount of deviation of the ink landing, which differs for each ink ejection port, can be corrected in accordance with the curvature of the nail T, thereby improving printing accuracy.

[0075] The reference deviation amount is the deviation amount measured at the shortest distance from the ink ejection orifice to the nail (1.5 mm in this example). The shortest distance from the ink ejection orifice to the nail results in the least deviation of the ink landing from the ink ejection orifice to the nail. Therefore, even if the nozzle-to-nail distance d is changed (increased), the difference between the calculated correction value e and the actual measured deviation amount can be made small.

[0076] Furthermore, the memory unit 32 stores a common reference deviation amount for each block consisting of multiple ink ejection ports. The control unit 31 calculates a correction value e from the acquired nozzle-to-claw distance d and the reference deviation amount Δe for each block to which each ink ejection port belongs. This makes it possible to reduce the storage capacity of the memory unit 32 and also to reduce the processing load for calculating the correction value e for each ink ejection port.

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 31 corrects the shingling data to be printed by the print head 41 based on the calculated correction value e. This makes it possible to improve printing accuracy and reduce the processing load of ink ejection control.

[0078] Furthermore, the reference deviation amount Δe is information for each ink color, so the deviation amount based on the ink characteristics of each color can be corrected more accurately for each color, thereby further improving printing accuracy.

[0079] The nail print device 1 also includes a storage unit 32, a control unit 31, and a print head 41. This allows the device configuration to be simplified.

[0080] (Modification) A modified example of the above embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a flow chart showing the second printing process. Figure 10 is a flow chart showing the second correction process of the second printing process.

[0081] In the above embodiment, the image data (shingling data) is corrected to correct the amount of deviation in the landing of ink. In this modified example, the ink ejection timing is corrected to correct the amount of deviation in the landing of ink.

[0082] The device configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, and uses the nail print device 1. However, the storage unit 32 stores a second print program for executing a second print process, which will be described later, instead of the first print program P1.

[0083] Next, the operation of the nail printing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. It is assumed that correction information 322 including a reference deviation amount Δe corresponding to a block of ink ejection port numbers and ink colors, and curvature shape data for each nail curvature level is stored in the storage unit 32 in advance. It is also assumed that a set curvature level corresponding to the user's nail is set and stored in the storage unit 32. The user also applies a base coat and a preprint coat to the nail of the printing finger.

[0084] In the nail printing device 1, the control unit 31 receives an input of an instruction to execute a second printing process from a user via the operation unit 21. The input triggers the control unit 31 to execute the second printing process according to the second printing program stored in the storage unit 32.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 9, steps S41 to S47 are similar to steps S11 to S17 in the first printing process in Fig. 7. Then, the control unit 31 executes a second correction process (step S48). Here, the second correction process in step S48 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Steps S61 to S63 are similar to steps S31 to S33 in the first correction process in Fig. 8.

[0086] Then, the control unit 31 corrects the ejection timing of ink from each ink ejection port of each color at each nail width position so as to correct the amount of deviation of the landed ink based on the correction value e for each ink ejection port of each color at each nail width position calculated in step S33 (step S64). In step S64, for example, when printing by scanning from left to right in the main scanning direction, if the landing position is deviated to the right from the original position at the ejection timing, the ejection timing is corrected so that the ink is ejected one pixel earlier than the original ejection timing.

[0087] 9, the control unit 31 drives the printing unit 40 at the ejection timing corrected in step S64 based on the shingling data generated in step S46 to print the nail image in one direction in the main scanning direction on the nail of the printing finger (step S49). Step S50 is the same as S20 of the first printing process in FIG.

[0088] In the second printing process described above, for example, the processes in steps S46 and S48 may be performed for all the shingled data, and then in steps S47 and S49, all the shingled data may be printed with the corrected ejection timing.

[0089] As described above, according to this modification, the control unit 31 corrects the ink ejection timing of each ink ejection port of the print head 41 based on the calculated correction value e. This makes it possible to improve printing accuracy and reduce the burden of image processing.

[0090] In the above description, an example has been disclosed in which the storage unit 32, such as a ROM or a flash memory, is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, other non-volatile memories and portable recording media, such as a CD-ROM, can be applied. In addition, a carrier wave can also be applied to the present invention as a medium for providing data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0091] The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of the print control device, the printing device, the print control method, and the program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to this.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the control unit 31 of the nail printing device 1 executes the first print process or the second print process, and the nail printing device 1 completes the print process by itself. However, the print process is not limited to the configuration in which the control unit 31 is the main body. For example, if the nail printing device 1 is linked to an external device (e.g., a terminal device such as a smartphone), the control unit of the external device may function as the main body of the print process of the print control device. If the external device has a display unit and an operation unit, the nail printing device 1 may be configured not to have the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22. In addition, the external device and the nail printing device 1 are provided with a communication unit that performs communication with each other, such as wireless communication.

[0093] In this configuration, for example, in a memory section of an external device, various data such as a nail print application program for linking with the nail print device 1, a program for causing the nail print device 1 to perform a specified printing, design data 321, correction information 322, etc. are stored.

[0094] In this configuration, the control unit of the external device executes at least a part of each step of, for example, the first printing process or the second printing process. For example, the control unit of the external device controls the photographing unit 50 of the nail printing device 1 to acquire nail image data, receives the nail image data, and performs image analysis. In addition, for example, the control unit of the external device generates print image data and corrected shingling data (or shingling data and corrected ejection timing), transmits it to the nail printing device 1, and causes the printing unit 40 to print it.

[0095] According to this configuration, the load on the control unit 31 and the storage unit 32 of the nail printing device 1 can be reduced, and the control configuration of the nail printing device 1 can be simplified.

[0096] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1 Nail print device 2. Chassis 21 Control section 22 Display section 23 Finger insertion hole 24 Opening 25 Lid 7 Terminal Equipment 30 Control device 31 Control Unit 32 Storage section 40 Printing Department 41 Print Head N Nozzle 421 Ink ejection surface 46 X-direction movement motor 48 Y-direction movement motor 49 Head movement mechanism 50 Photography Department 51 Imaging device 52 Lighting Equipment 6 Finger rest 62 Mounting member 62a Recess T Claw

Claims

1. a storage means for storing a reference deviation amount for correcting the deviation amount of ink landing corresponding to each ink ejection port of a nozzle of a print head; a calculation means for acquiring a distance from each of the ink ejection ports to a curved target to be printed, and calculating a correction value for correcting a deviation amount of the landing ink from the acquired distance and the reference deviation amount of each of the ink ejection ports; and a control unit that controls printing by the print head based on the calculated correction value.

2. The print control device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference deviation amount is a deviation amount measured at the shortest distance from the ink ejection port to the printing object.

3. the storage means stores a common reference deviation amount for each block formed of a plurality of ink ejection ports; The print control device according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit calculates a correction value from the acquired distance and the reference deviation amount for each block to which each ink ejection port belongs.

4. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means corrects the shingling data to be printed by the print head based on the calculated correction value.

5. 2. The print control device according to claim 1, wherein the control means corrects the ink ejection timing of the ink ejection ports of the print head based on the calculated correction value.

6. The print control device according to claim 1 , wherein the reference deviation amount is information for each ink color.

7. A print control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A printing device comprising the print head.

8. a reading step of reading out a reference deviation amount for each ink ejection port from a storage means for storing a reference deviation amount for correcting the deviation amount of ink landing corresponding to each ink ejection port of a nozzle of a print head; a calculation step of acquiring a distance from each of the ink ejection ports to a curved target to be printed, and calculating a correction value for correcting a deviation amount of the landing ink from the acquired distance and the reference deviation amount of each of the ink ejection ports; and a control step of controlling printing by the print head based on the calculated correction value.

9. Computer, a storage means for storing a reference deviation amount for correcting the deviation amount of ink landing corresponding to each ink ejection port of a nozzle of a print head; a calculation means for acquiring a distance from each of the ink ejection ports to a curved target to be printed, and calculating a correction value for correcting a deviation amount of the landing ink from the acquired distance and the reference deviation amount of each of the ink ejection ports; a control unit that controls printing by the print head based on the calculated correction value.

Images