Information processing device, printing device, information processing method and program

Abstract

To propose a design that enables printing to be appropriately performed even when a foundation is not formed properly.SOLUTION: A control device (an information control device ) 10 is provided with: detecting means that detects a non-foundation formed region NB in which a foundation of a predetermined color is not formed, of printing regions (nail regions) in a claw T that is a medium to be printed; and selecting means that selects, as a design for printing, a design D in which the non-foundation formed region NB is arranged in a region in which an unprinted part is permitted be left, in accordance with at least a size and a position of the detected non-foundation formed region NB, out of a plurality of designs D (nail designs) in which regions different from each other preset to match the printing regions (the nail regions), which are associated with the printing regions, as regions in which an unprinted part is permitted to be left.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, a printing device, an information processing method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a printing device (nail print device) that prints designs on fingernails or the like using an inkjet print head (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Nail print designs are created on the assumption that they will be printed on a uniform color such as white. Therefore, when printing on nails, a base is formed on the nail using a base ink such as white before printing the design in color. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2003-534083 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The base is formed, for example, by the user manually applying base ink (liquid agent) or by printing with a printing device. However, when the base is applied by hand, it is not always possible to apply the base evenly over the entire nail without leaving any areas unpainted. Even when the base is automatically applied by a printing device, it is possible that the density is not sufficient at the edge of the nail, or that after the base is applied neatly, part of it may peel off due to rubbing against a wall, etc. In areas where the base is not sufficiently formed, when a design is printed, the color will be darker than in areas where the base is formed, resulting in an unattractive or unnatural finish.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an advantage of providing an information processing device, a printing device, an information processing method, and a program that can propose designs that will produce good printing even if the base is not formed correctly. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problem, one aspect of the information processing device according to the present invention is A detection means for detecting a non-base forming area in a printing area of ​​the printing medium, the non-base forming area being an area where a base of a predetermined color is not formed; a selection means for selecting, as a design to be printed, a design in which a non-undercoat forming area is arranged within an area in which unpainted areas are permitted, according to at least a size and a position of the detected non-undercoat forming area, from a plurality of designs which are preset to fit the printing area and to which different areas each correspond as an area in which unpainted areas are permitted; The present invention is characterized by the following. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to propose a design that can be printed well even if the base is not formed correctly. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a main part of a printing device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart illustrating a print control process according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing an example of a nail image. [Diagram 5] 5 is a diagram showing an example of a nail region extracted from the nail image shown in FIG. 4. [Figure 6] 1 is a plan view showing an example of a nail image obtained by imaging the nail after a base is formed. FIG. [Figure 7] 7 is a plan view showing a base-free region identified from the nail image shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 8] 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a print result when design data of a nail design is matched to the nail area shown in FIG. 5 and printed, showing a case where there is no base non-forming area. FIG. [Figure 9] 6 is an example of a print result when design data of a nail design is matched to the nail area shown in FIG. 5 and printed, and is an explanatory diagram showing a case where there is a non-base formation area. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an unpainted area tolerance map; [Figure 11] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the results of a matching process between the unpainted area tolerance map of design a and a non-base formation area on a nail. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the results of a matching process between the unpainted area tolerance map of design b and a non-base formation area on the nail. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing an example of the results of a matching process between the unpainted area tolerance map of design c and a non-base formation area on the nail. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing an example of a nail image in which there is a non-base forming area near the nail root. [Figure 15] 15 is an example of a design proposal screen that proposes recommended designs to a user when there is a non-base formation area as shown in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 11 is a plan view showing an example of a nail image in which a streaky non-undercoat forming area is present in the vertical direction of the nail; FIG. [Figure 17] 17 is an example of a design proposal screen that proposes recommended designs to a user when there is a non-base formation area as shown in FIG. 16. [Figure 18] 11 is a plan view showing an example of a nail image in which there are multiple base-free areas on the nail; FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is an example of a design proposal screen that proposes recommended designs to a user when there is a non-base formation region as shown in FIG. 18. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] An information processing device, a printing device, an information processing method, and a program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the following embodiment, a case will be described in which the information processing device is a control device 10 (see FIG. 2) of a printing device 1 that prints nail designs on fingernails T or the like as described below. In addition, the embodiments 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 and illustrated examples.

[0010] [composition] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the main part of a printing device according to the present embodiment, Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main control configuration of the printing device. In the following embodiment, up / down, left / right, and front / rear refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. Additionally, the X direction and Y direction refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. In this embodiment, the X direction is the width direction (horizontal direction) of the printing device 1, and the Y direction is the depth direction of the printing device 1.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape. The housing 2 has an opening 21 on the front side (the front side of the printing device 1, the near side in the Y direction in FIG. 1) approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the device (the X direction in FIG. 1). The opening 21 is an insertion port through which a finger U (see FIG. 4, etc.) corresponding to the nail T to be printed is inserted into the device, and is formed in a size that does not interfere with inserting and removing the finger U. Furthermore, on the top surface (top board) of the housing 2, an operation unit 22, a display unit 23, etc. are provided. The shape and arrangement of each part of the housing 2 are not limited to the illustrated example, and can be set as appropriate.

[0012] The operation unit 22 is used by the user to input various information. The operation unit 22 is, for example, an operation button (power switch button) for turning the power of the printing device 1 on and off. When the operation unit 22 is operated, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is output to a control unit 11 of the control device 10 described below, and the control unit 11 performs control according to the operation signal, causing each unit of the printing device 1 to operate. In addition, when the printing device 1 is linked to an external device such as various terminal devices (e.g., a smartphone) not shown, each part of the printing device 1 may operate in accordance with an operation signal input from an operation part of the external device instead of the operation unit 22.

[0013] Furthermore, on the top surface (top board) of the housing 2, a display unit 23 is provided. The display unit 23 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or another flat display. In particular, in this embodiment, as described below, when a recommended design is selected based on the base formed on the nail T, a design proposal screen 231 (see Figure 15, etc.) that proposes the design to the user is displayed on the display unit 23. A touch panel for performing various inputs may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 23. In this case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 22.

[0014] The housing 2 accommodates an apparatus main body (not shown) provided with a placement unit 3, a printing mechanism 4, an imaging unit 5 (see FIG. 2), and the like. The placement portion 3 is disposed at a position corresponding to the inside of the opening 21 so as to be able to receive a finger U inserted through the opening 21.

[0015] The lower surface of the placement portion 3 is a portion that receives the pad of the finger U, and may be provided with a cushion member made of a flexible material such as resin. When the finger U is inserted into the housing 2 from the opening 21 and inserted all the way to the back side of the placement unit 3 (the rear side of the device), the nail T of the finger U and the fingertip around the nail T are exposed from a window portion not shown. In this state, the nail T is positioned in an appropriate position suitable for imaging by the camera 51 of the imaging unit 5, which will be described later, and for performing a printing operation by the print head 41 of the printing mechanism 4, etc.

[0016] 2, the printing mechanism 4 includes a print head 41, an X-direction movement motor 45, and a Y-direction movement motor 47. The print head 41 is a printing means that prints on a nail T, which is a print medium in this embodiment.

[0017] The print head 41 of this embodiment is an inkjet head that uses an inkjet system in which the surface facing the surface to be printed (for example, the surface of a nail T) is an ink ejection surface (neither of which is shown) equipped with a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting ink, and prints by forming the ink into fine droplets and spraying the ink from the ink ejection surface directly onto the surface of the print target, such as the nail T. The configuration of the print head 41 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a cartridge-integrated head in which an ejection mechanism such as the ink ejection surface is integrated with an ink cartridge (neither of which is shown) that stores ink. The print head 41 is capable of ejecting ink (color ink for design printing) for printing (design printing) a nail design (hereinafter also simply referred to as "design D"), such as cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW). The printing device 1 may be provided with a base head as the print head 41, capable of ejecting base ink, such as white, as paint for forming the base. The type of ink provided in the print head 41 is not limited to this.

[0018] The X-direction movement motor 45 is a motor for moving the print head 41 in the left-right direction (X direction) of the device, and the Y-direction movement motor 47 is a motor for moving the print head 41 in the front-rear direction (Y direction) of the device. The X-direction movement motor 45 and the Y-direction movement motor 47 are, for example, stepping motors, and constitute a head movement mechanism for moving the print head 41. Furthermore, the printing mechanism 4 of this embodiment is provided with a position detector 48 for detecting the position of the print head 41. The position detection unit 48 includes, for example, a linear scale (not shown) and a scale sensor for reading the linear scale, etc. Specifically, a linear scale in which light-shielding portions and light-transmitting portions are alternately formed is provided within the range in which the print head 41 moves, and the scale sensor is attached to the print head 41, etc.

[0019] When the scale sensor detects that light has been blocked by the light blocking portion, a detection signal is output to the control unit 11, and the control unit 11 can identify the position of the print head 41 based on this detection signal. Note that the specific configuration of the position detection unit 48 is not limited to the one exemplified here. The operations of the print head 41, X-direction movement motor 45, and Y-direction movement motor 47 that constitute the printing mechanism 4 are controlled by a control unit 11, which will be described later. The control unit 11 grasps the position of the print head 41 from a detection signal from a position detection unit 48, and moves the print head in the X and Y directions as appropriate, causing ink to be ejected from the print head 41 and performing a printing operation.

[0020] In addition, on the inside of the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2, at a position corresponding to above the nail T of the finger U placed on the placement section 3, there is provided an imaging section 5 that can capture an image (nail image) of the nail T (finger U including the nail T) exposed from the window section of the placement section 3 (see FIG. 2). The imaging unit 5 may be disposed at a position where it can image the nail T of the finger U placed on the placement unit 3, and the specific placement is not particularly limited.

[0021] The imaging unit 5 includes a camera 51, which is a compact camera or the like equipped with a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million or more pixels, a lens, etc., and a light source 52, which is an LED or the like that illuminates the subject to be imaged (see FIG. 2). An image such as a nail image captured by the camera 51 of the imaging unit 5 is sent to the control device 10 and acquired by the control unit 11.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the printing device 1 includes a communication unit 25, a control device 10, and the like in addition to the printing mechanism 4 and the imaging unit 5 described above. The communication unit 25 is configured to enable transmission and reception of information between the printing device 1 and various external devices. The external devices are, for example, various terminal devices such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal. The communication between the printing device 1 and the external device is performed, for example, by wireless LAN or the like. However, the communication between the printing device 1 and the external device is not limited to this, and may be by any method. For example, it may be a method using a network line such as the Internet, or a method using wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi. This communication is not limited to wireless, and may be configured to enable transmission and reception of various data between the two devices via a wired connection. The communication unit 25 is equipped with an antenna chip or the like that corresponds to the communication method of the external device with which the communication is to be performed.

[0023] The control device 10 installed in the printing device 1 is a computer equipped with a control unit 11 having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a memory unit 12 having a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) (neither shown). The ROM or the like of the storage unit 12 is provided with a program storage area 121 that stores various programs for operating the printing device 1. The storage unit 12 also stores various data and the like required for various arithmetic processing and the like.

[0024] Moreover, the storage unit 12 in this embodiment has a design storage area 122 that stores data (also called design data) of a nail design (design D). The design storage area 122 stores a plurality of pieces of design data for the nail design (design D). Each piece of design data is associated in advance with an unfilled allowable map M that specifies an area in the nail design (design D) in which unfilled areas of the base are permitted ("unfilled allowable area Ark" in FIG. 10) (see FIG. 10). Note that what is permitted in the unfilled allowable area Ark in the unfilled allowable map M is not limited to the unfilled areas of the base, but may broadly include areas that may affect the color design printing that is printed on top of the base, such as areas with uneven paint. The area in design D where unfilled areas are permitted (i.e., the "unfilled permitted area Ark") is set, for example, based on the color density in design D. In dark colored areas, any unfilled areas of the base can be hidden, and are less likely to affect the finished printed design D. Note that the element that is defined as the "unfilled permitted area Ark" may be something other than the color density in design D, and may be set by taking multiple elements into consideration in a combined manner.

[0025] The unfilled allowable map M may be automatically created by the device for each design data, or may be created in advance by the user and registered in the storage unit 12 or the like. For example, in the case of a nail design (design D) created by the user himself, the user may want to specify the unfilled allowable area Ark. By allowing the unfilled allowable map M to be created manually, such cases can be accommodated. Even if the unfilled allowable map M is automatically created, it may be possible to modify it afterwards. For example, when the user wants to specify an area that the user thinks is allowable even if there is an unfilled part as the "unfilled allowable area Ark" or when the user wants to avoid having an unfilled part in an area that is allowed in the unfilled allowable map M, the unfilled allowable map M can be modified by the user to prepare the unfilled allowable map M according to the user's wishes.

[0026] In this embodiment, the control device 10 comprehensively controls the operations of each part of the printing device 1 by the control unit 11 expanding various programs stored in a program storage area 121 such as a ROM into a working area of ​​a RAM and executing them. The control unit 11 cooperates with a program (for example, a print control processing program) to realize various functions for the printer 1 to perform print control processing and the like.

[0027] First, the control unit 11 controls the camera 51 and the light source 52 of the imaging unit 5 to capture an image of the finger U including the nail T placed on the placement unit 3 (see FIG. 3) and obtain a nail image (an image of the fingertip including the area of ​​the nail T). The image captured by the camera 51 is the nail T after the base formation (see FIG. 6, etc.). That is, in this embodiment, when printing a nail design (design D), a white base or the like and an ink receiving layer (preprint coat) are formed before printing the design in color, and a finger U corresponding to the nail T after the base and the like are formed is placed on the placement unit 3. The base and the like may be formed by hand painting by a user or the like, or may be printed by the printing device 1, and either method is acceptable. An image of the nail T after the base formation is acquired by imaging with the camera 51 and sent to the control unit 11.

[0028] When the control unit 11 acquires the nail image, it detects a nail contour that defines the area of ​​the nail T based on the nail image, and sets the area inside the nail contour (convex hull area) as the printing area Art. The method by which the control unit 11 detects the nail contour is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 11 performs various image analyses on the nail image to detect the brightness difference between the nail T and other parts (such as the skin of the finger U) and detects the nail contour that defines the area of ​​the nail T. In the embodiment, a base of white color or the like is formed on the nail T in advance. Therefore, the boundary with the surrounding skin can be extracted relatively easily based on the brightness difference or the like. The nail T is basically an ellipse, and the inside of the nail contour is not unnaturally concave. Therefore, even if the contour line of the nail T cannot be accurately obtained, if the characteristic points constituting the nail contour are obtained and the inside is smoothed, the area inside (convex hull area) can be considered to be the area of ​​the nail T (printing area Art).

[0029] The control unit 11 also extracts an area (base formation area B) where a base of a predetermined color (for example, white) is formed from the nail image. Note that since the base formation area B is an area painted white, it can be relatively easily detected by, for example, looking at the difference in brightness value. When the printing area Art (i.e., the convex hull area of ​​the nail contour) and base formation area B are extracted, the control unit 11 further specifies at least the size and position of the non-base formation area NB based on the difference between the printing area Art and the base formation area B. Specifically, the control unit 11 detects the part of the area determined as the printing area Art that is not determined as the base formation area B as the non-base formation area NB where no base is formed.

[0030] Then, the control unit 11 selects, from among the multiple designs D, a design D in which the non-base forming area NB is located within an area that allows unpainted areas ("unpainted area Ark"), depending on at least the size and position of the detected non-base forming area NB, as the design D to be printed. Here, the design D selected by the control unit 11 is a design D that can cover the non-base forming region NB or a design D that makes the non-base forming region NB less noticeable.

[0031] For example, in the case of design D (see design c in FIG. 10) having many dark colored areas, when printing is performed over the unpainted non-base forming areas NB, the non-base forming areas NB can be covered and hidden without being visible through the printing. Furthermore, for example, in the case of a border pattern design D (see, for example, design b in FIG. 10), if there are striped non-base forming areas NB, even if printed from above, the non-base forming areas NB will blend in with the whole and will not stand out.

[0032] In addition, in order to determine what kind of design D can be selected as the design D for printing by arranging the non-base-forming area NB in ​​the area that allows unpainted areas ("unpainted area Ark") and hiding (covering or making inconspicuous) the non-base-forming area NB in ​​relation to the size and position of the non-base-forming area NB in ​​the printing area Art, the control unit 11 sets each design D in advance so as to fit the printing area Art. That is, the design data is matched to the printing area Art extracted from the nail image to match the shape, size, etc., and the design D is made in a state where it can be compared with the non-base-forming area NB in ​​the printing area Art.

[0033] As described above, the design data of each design D is associated with a left-behind allowance map M that defines the area in which left-behind allowance is permitted (i.e., the "left-behind allowance area Ark"), and the control unit 11 selects the design D for printing by performing a matching process between the size and position of the identified non-base forming area NB and the size and position of the left-behind allowance area Ark defined in the left-behind allowance map M. The design D selected may be one or more.

[0034] When the control unit 11 selects a design D for printing, the control unit 11 functions as a suggestion unit that proposes to the user the selected design D for printing. Specifically, for example, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 23 to display a design proposal screen 231 on the display unit 23 that displays the design D proposed to the user. In addition, when the control unit 11 selects multiple designs D, it may derive the level at which the non-base forming area NB can be hidden (covered or made less noticeable) from the results of the matching process, and rank the designs D in order of how well they can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base forming area NB, and suggest them to the user (i.e., display them on the design proposal screen 231) starting from the top design D. The method by which the control unit 11 proposes the selected print design D to the user is not limited to displaying it on the display unit 23, but may also be displaying it on a display unit of an external device (not shown), such as a linked smartphone.

[0035] Furthermore, when the proposed design D for printing is selected by the user, the control unit 11 appropriately enlarges or reduces the design data of the design D to fit the printing area Art and generates print data. Note that, when generating the print data, it is preferable to appropriately perform necessary corrections such as curvature correction according to the curved shape of the nail T. When the print data is generated, the control unit 11 controls each part of the print mechanism 4 to execute printing. Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the print head 41 based on the print data to eject ink as appropriate, and also operates the X-direction movement motor 45 and the Y-direction movement motor 47 as appropriate to move the print head 41 in the X and Y directions as appropriate. As a result, the nail design (design D) is printed on the nail T on which the base has been formed, according to the print data.

[0036] [Effect] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus of this embodiment and information processing relating to print control will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a print control process related to the print operation of the printing device in this embodiment.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3, when performing printing processing using the printing device 1, the control unit 11 first controls the display unit 23 to display a message or the like on a display screen (not shown) of the display unit 23 urging the user to place the finger U corresponding to the nail T after the base formation on the placement unit 3 of the printing device 1 (step S1). When the finger U is placed on the placement unit 3 in accordance with the instructions, the control unit 11 operates the camera 51 of the imaging unit 5 to capture an image of the finger U including the nail T with the camera 51, and obtains a nail image from the imaging unit 5 as illustrated in FIG. 4 (step S2).

[0038] When the nail image is acquired, the control unit 11 extracts a printing area Art (nail area, see FIG. 5) from the nail image (step S3). The control unit 11 also extracts a base formation area B (see FIG. 6) from the nail image (step S4). For example, the control unit 11 can extract an area (base formation area B) where a base of a predetermined color (e.g., white) is formed by looking at the difference in brightness value in the nail image. Once the printing area Art (i.e., the convex hull area of ​​the nail contour) and the base formation area B are extracted, the control unit 11 further calculates the difference between the printing area Art and the base formation area B, and based on this difference, identifies the size and position of the non-base formation area NB, which is at least the unpainted area, etc. (step S5).

[0039] For example, Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a nail image in which a non-base formation area NB exists in a print area Art, and Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a calculation result when calculating a difference between the print area Art extracted from the nail image shown in Fig. 6 and the base formation area B. The parts shown in white in Fig. 7 are parts identified as the non-base formation areas NB. When a base is formed uniformly within the printing area Art and there are no non-base forming areas NB (see Figure 8), for example, when design D, in which a star pattern is widely arranged across the entire area, is printed, a nail print with an overall beautiful finish can be produced, as shown by the tip of the white arrow in Figure 8. On the other hand, when the print area Art includes a non-base forming area NB on the nail T hairline side (see FIG. 9), if a design D with a wide star pattern is printed, the color of the non-base forming area NB may show through in the areas printed over the non-base forming area NB, resulting in a darker color than the original color, as shown by the white arrow in FIG. 9. In this case, the nail print will look unattractive.

[0040] Therefore, in this embodiment, when the non-base forming area NB is identified, the control unit 11 performs a matching process between the unpainted area tolerance map M that is pre-assigned to the nail design (design D) and the non-base forming area NB based on the calculation results (step S6), and based on the matching results, selects a design D for printing (design D suitable for printing, recommended design) that can achieve a beautiful finish even when design printing is performed with the non-base forming area NB present (step S7).

[0041] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of designs and an unpainted area tolerance map associated with each design. For example, design a shown in Fig. 10 is a so-called French nail, in which the design (a color design printed with color ink for design printing) is printed only on the tip of the nail. In this case, the base of the nail T, on which the design is not printed, is close to the boundary with the skin of the finger U, so even if some areas are left unpainted, it is unlikely to feel strange. For this reason, design a is associated with an unpainted area allowance map M (map Ma in Fig. 10) in which the area other than the tip of the nail, on which the design is printed, is an unpainted area allowance area Ark. For example, design b is design D that has a border pattern applied to the entire design, and in the border, even if there are some unfilled areas in the areas printed in relatively dark colors, they are not noticeable. For this reason, design b is associated with an unfilled area allowance map M (map Mb in FIG. 10) that sets the border areas printed in dark colors as the unfilled area allowance area Ark. Also, for example, design c is design D with many dark colored areas overall, and if printing is performed over the unpainted non-base forming area NB in ​​areas not covered by the star pattern, the non-base forming area NB can be covered without being visible. For this reason, design c is associated with an unpainted allowance map M (map Mc in FIG. 10) that sets areas other than the star pattern as unpainted allowance areas Ark.

[0042] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the results of a matching process with the unfilled allowable map M (map Ma) when there is a non-base forming area NB as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 11, the non-base forming area NB shown in Fig. 7 falls within the unfilled allowable area Ark of the unfilled allowable map M (map Ma) in light of its size and position. Therefore, the control unit 11 selects design a as design D (design D for printing) recommended for printing in the printing area Art in the state shown in Fig. 6.

[0043] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the result of matching processing with the unfilled allowable map M (map Mb) when there is a non-base forming area NB as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 12, the non-base forming area NB shown in Fig. 7 protrudes from the unfilled allowable area Ark of the unfilled allowable map M (map Mb) in light of its size and position. For this reason, the control unit 11 determines that it is not recommended to print the design b in the printing area Art in the state shown in Fig. 6.

[0044] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the result of matching processing with the unfilled allowable map M (map Mc) when there is a non-base forming area NB as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 13, the non-base forming area NB shown in Fig. 7 extends beyond the unfilled allowable area Ark of the unfilled allowable map M (map Mc) in light of its size and position and overlaps with the star pattern portion. For this reason, the control unit 11 determines that it is not recommended to print the design c in the printing area Art in the state shown in Fig. 6.

[0045] When the recommended design D is selected, the control unit 11 proposes the recommended design to the user (step S8). Specifically, the control unit 11 controls the display unit 23 to display a design proposal screen 231 that proposes the recommended design.

[0046] For example, FIG. 14 is an example of a nail image showing a case where there is a non-base formation area near the nail base, similar to FIG. 6, and FIG. 15 is an example of a design proposal screen displayed on the display unit in this case. In this case, as described above, design a shown in FIG. 10 is recommended, and a design proposal screen 231 proposing design a is displayed on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. Also, for example, FIG. 16 is an example of a nail image showing a case where the nail has a streak-like non-base formation region, and FIG. 17 is an example of a design proposal screen displayed on the display unit in this case. In this case, design b shown in FIG. 10 is recommended, and a design proposal screen 231 proposing design b is displayed on the display unit 23 as shown in FIG. For example, FIG. 18 is an example of a nail image showing a case where there are spot-like non-undercoat formation areas in multiple places on the nail, and FIG. 19 is an example of a design proposal screen displayed on the display unit in this case. In this case, although the range and number of non-base formation areas NB are large, none of them overlap the star pattern of design c, so design c shown in Figure 10 is recommended, and a design proposal screen 231 proposing design c is displayed on the display unit 23, as shown in Figure 19.

[0047] 15, 17, and 19, the design proposal screen 231 preferably displays a recommended design D ("recommended design" in the illustrated example) as well as a print image of the design D printed in the print area Art of the nail T. In addition, the design proposal screen 231 preferably includes a decision button 232 that allows the user to decide whether or not to print the recommended design D on the nail. The configuration, display contents, etc. of the design proposal screen 231 are not limited to the illustrated example. When the control unit 11 selects multiple designs D as recommended designs, a "Next" button for displaying the next design D, a "Back" button for returning to the original design D, etc. may be appropriately provided. In addition, the design proposal screen 231 may display the result of a matching process between the unpainted allowable map M (map Mc) of the recommended design and the non-base forming area NB (the degree to which the non-base forming area NB is hidden by the unpainted allowable area Ark) as a numerical value, etc. In addition, the design proposal screen 231 may be provided with only a "recommended design" column, or may be provided with only an image display column for displaying a print image when the recommended design is printed in the print area Art of the nail T. In addition, when there are multiple recommended designs, the multiple recommended designs may be displayed in a list on the design proposal screen 231.

[0048] When the design proposal screen 231 is displayed, the control unit 11 judges whether printing is permitted by the user (step S9). Whether printing is permitted is judged, for example, by whether the decision button 232 is operated on the design proposal screen 231. That is, if the user wants to print the recommended design displayed on the design proposal screen 231 on the nail T, the user operates the decision button 232. As a result, the control unit 11 judges that printing is permitted by the user (step S9; YES), and controls the operation of each part of the printing mechanism 4 to print the design D (recommended design) permitted by the user on the nail T (step S10). On the other hand, if printing is not permitted (step S9; NO), that is, if the decision button 232 is not operated, the control unit 11 proposes another design D to the user (step S11), returns to step S9, and repeats the process. Note that, if there is no design D that can be proposed other than the recommended design D, a message to that effect may be displayed on the display unit 23, and the printing process may be terminated.

[0049] In this way, even if there is a non-base forming area NB such as an unpainted portion of the base within the printing area Art, a design D that can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base forming area NB is proposed to the user, so that a good-looking, well-finished nail print can be produced without having to repaint the base, etc.

[0050] [effect] As described above, according to this embodiment, the control device (information processing device) 10 is equipped with a detection means for detecting a non-base-forming area NB where a base of a specified color is not formed within the printing area (nail area) of the nail T, which is the printing medium, and a control unit 11 that functions as a selection means for selecting, as the design to be printed, a design D in which a non-base-forming area NB is arranged within an area that allows unpainted areas, based on at least the size and position of the detected non-base-forming area NB, from a plurality of designs D (nail designs) that are pre-set to fit the printing area (nail area) and each of which has different areas associated with it as areas that allow unpainted areas. As a result, even if there are non-base-forming areas NB (for example, areas where the base has not been applied or has been applied unevenly) that would result in uneven color intensity depending on the location when printing a design and result in a poor finish (appearance), a recommended design that can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base-forming areas NB can be selected and shown to the user, and a nail print with a good finish can be achieved without forcing the user to take the trouble of reapplying the base.

[0051] In this embodiment, the design D selected by the selection means is a design D that can cover the non-base forming region NB or a design D that makes the non-base forming region NB less noticeable. In this way, the selected design D may be one that covers the non-base forming area NB, or one that hides the non-base forming area NB by blending it into the surrounding design such as a pattern or design. This allows for a wide range of choices for the design D.

[0052] In this embodiment, the area in design D that is permitted to be left unpainted may be set based on the color density of design D. In the dark color portion, even if there is an unpainted portion on the base, color differences are unlikely to occur when design printing is performed, and the non-base forming area NB can be hidden or made inconspicuous to an extent that does not affect the finish or appearance.

[0053] For example, in Figures 10 and 14 to 19, French nail design D (design a), border pattern design D (design b), and design D with many dark filled-in areas (design c) are shown as examples of design D, but the types of design D are not limited to these. A recommended design may be one that can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base formation area NB. The recommended design is not limited to a design that completely hides the non-base forming area NB, but may be a design that blends in with the pattern to make it less noticeable. For example, in the case of design D that has a fine pattern such as a small floral pattern overall, even if multiple small non-base forming areas NB are scattered within the printing area Art, the color difference is relatively inconspicuous, and a good-looking finish can be achieved.

[0054] The control unit 11 of this embodiment also functions as a suggesting unit that suggests to the user the design D for printing selected as the selecting unit. For example, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 23 or the like to display a design proposal screen 231 that displays a design D recommended to the user. This allows the user to check the design D that corresponds to the current base before printing. In addition, since the user can know the design D recommended for printing before printing, it is possible to reselect if the recommended design D is not the desired design D. This makes it possible to avoid printing an undesired design D on the nail T.

[0055] In addition, the control unit 11 of this embodiment serves as a detection means and identifies at least the size and position of the non-base forming area NB based on the difference between the printing area Art (nail area) and the base forming area B, and each design D is associated with a leaving-behind tolerance map M that defines the leaving-behind tolerance area Ark, and the control unit 11 serves as a selection means and selects the design D for printing by matching the size and position of the identified non-base forming area NB with the size and position of the leaving-behind tolerance area Ark defined in the leaving-behind tolerance map M. This makes it possible to select a design D that can provide suitable print results regardless of the size of the base-free area NB.

[0056] In this embodiment, the printing device 1 includes a control device 10 which is an information processing device, and a print head 41 which serves as a printing means for printing on the nail T which is a print medium. This allows a design to be proposed that can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base-formed area NB using the printing device 1 alone, even if the base is not formed correctly on the nail T, and allows printing to be performed with a natural and good finish.

[0057] [Variations] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0058] For example, in the embodiment, the control unit 11 sets the convex hull area of ​​the characteristic points that make up the nail contour from the nail image captured of the nail T after the base formation as the printing area Art, which is the nail area, and identifies the non-base formation area NB from the difference between this printing area Art and the base formation area B that is painted white or the like, but the method of extracting (detecting) the printing area Art is not limited to this. For example, when a nail image of a natural nail before formation of a base can be obtained, a nail contour may be extracted from the nail image of the natural nail, and the inner area of ​​this nail contour may be set as the print area Art, which is the nail area. In this case, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the nail contour (nail area), for example, a method may be used in which data on the nail T and its contour is learned in advance using a method such as deep learning, and the learning result is applied to the captured nail image to perform detection.

[0059] In the present embodiment, the design data of each design D is associated with the unfilled allowable map M and stored in advance, and a recommended design is selected by matching the non-base forming area NB with the unfilled allowable area Ark defined in the unfilled allowable map M. However, the method of selecting the recommended design by the control unit 11 is not limited to this. For example, when the non-base forming area NB is specified without creating the unfilled allowable map M in advance, the control unit 11 may use a method of searching for a design D that does not affect or is unlikely to affect the print result even if the non-base forming area NB is present in the design data of all selectable designs D before printing. The method of searching in this case is not particularly limited, and for example, the control unit 11 may preferentially select a design D with a dark color or a design D with a fine pattern in which color differences are not easily noticeable without specifying a specific unfilled allowable area Ark. By performing the process without creating the unpainted area tolerance map M in advance, it is possible to perform the process without increasing the storage capacity of the design storage area 122 of the storage unit 12.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the control unit 11 selects a design D that can hide (cover or make less noticeable) the non-base forming area NB as the design D for printing according to the size and position of the detected non-base forming area NB, but the matters considered when the control unit 11 selects the design D for printing are not limited to the size and position of the non-base forming area NB. For example, the control unit 11 may select the design D for printing taking into consideration the shape of the non-base forming area NB, etc. For example, if the non-base forming area NB is small but long and narrow and covers a wide area, it may be determined that a border pattern design D is not noticeable, or if there are multiple non-base forming areas NB throughout the printing area Art but they are all circular, it may be determined that a polka dot design D will blend in easily and not stand out.

[0061] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example was given of a case where design data of a nail design (design D) is stored in the memory unit 12 of the printing device 1, but the design data is not limited to being stored in the memory unit 12 within the printing device 1. The design data may be stored together with the corresponding unfilled tolerance map M in a memory unit of various terminal devices (external devices) such as a smartphone that cooperates with the printing device 1, or may be stored in an external server or the like that is accessible by the printing device 1. In this case, there is no need to be concerned about the storage capacity of the storage unit 12, and design data for more designs D can be stored together with the unfilled tolerance map M.

[0062] In addition, in the embodiment, an example is given of the control unit 11 of the printing device 1 functioning as a detection means, selection means, suggestion means, etc., and the printing device 1 completing the printing process by itself, but the functioning as a detection means, selection means, suggestion means, etc. is not limited to the control unit 11 of the printing device 1. For example, when the printing device 1 is linked to an external device (for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone), the control unit of the external device may be an information processing device that functions as a detection unit, a selection unit, a proposal unit, or the like. In this case, for example, a storage unit of the external device stores a nail print application program for linking with the printing device 1, a program for causing the printing device 1 to perform predetermined control processing, and various data.

[0063] In this case, a control unit of the external device, for example, may obtain an image (nail image) of a finger U including a nail T from the printing device 1 and extract a printing area Art (nail area), or generate printing data for a nail design (design D) to match the printing area Art (nail area). In addition, when a control unit of an external device such as a smartphone functions as a suggestion means, a display unit of the external device such as a smartphone may display a design proposal screen that displays a recommended design D to be proposed to the user.

[0064] In this way, when the control unit or the like of an external device such as a smartphone functions as a detection unit, a selection unit, a suggestion unit, or the like, the control unit 11 on the printing device 1 side receives the detection results, selection results, processing results, various data generated, and the like calculated in the control unit or the like of the external device from the external device, and controls the operation of the printing mechanism 4, etc. based on the calculation results, various data, etc. This reduces the load on the control unit 11 and memory unit 12 of the printing device 1, and makes it possible to simplify the control configuration of the printing device 1.

[0065] In this embodiment, the printing device 1 is configured to include an inkjet print head 41 as the print head 41, but the configuration of the print head 41 is not limited to this. For example, a syringe-type head, a pen-type head, or the like, having a configuration different from the inkjet print head 41 may be provided. In this case, good printing is possible even when the printing mechanism 4 is printing liquids for forming a white base or ink receiving layer, various coating agents, liquids containing solutes with larger particles than normal ink, or liquids with high viscosity, etc.

[0066] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described above, 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]

[0067] 1 Printing device 3. Placement section 4 Printing mechanism 41 Print Head 5. Imaging unit 51 Camera 52 Light source 10 Control device (information processing device) 11 Control unit (detection means, selection means, proposal means) 12 Storage section D Design (Nail Design) T-nail U finger

Claims

1. A detection means for detecting a non-base forming area in a printing area of ​​the printing medium, the non-base forming area being an area where a base of a predetermined color is not formed; a selection means for selecting, as a design to be printed, a design in which a non-undercoat forming area is arranged within an area in which unpainted areas are permitted, according to at least a size and a position of the detected non-undercoat forming area, from a plurality of designs which are preset to fit the printing area and to which different areas each correspond as an area in which unpainted areas are permitted; An information processing device comprising:

2. The design selected by the selection means is a design that can cover the non-undercoat forming area or a design that makes the non-undercoat forming area less noticeable.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

3. the area in the design in which the unpainted portion is permitted is set based on the color density in the design; 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

4. The present invention further includes a suggestion unit that suggests to a user the design for printing selected by the selection unit.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

5. The detection means identifies at least a size and a position of the non-base formation area based on a difference between the print area and the non-base formation area, a fill tolerance map that defines an area in which the fill is permitted is associated with the design; the selection means performs a matching process between the size and position of the specified non-base forming area and the size and position of the area in which unpainted areas are permitted, which is defined in the unpainted area permitting map, to select a design for printing.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,

6. An information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, A printing means for printing on a print medium; A printing device comprising:

7. a detection step of detecting a non-base forming area in which a base of a predetermined color is not formed from a printing area on the print medium; a selection process for selecting, as a design for printing, a design in which a non-undercoating region is disposed within an area in which unpainted portions are permitted, according to at least a size and a position of the detected non-undercoating region, from a plurality of designs which are preset to fit the printing region and to which different areas are associated as areas in which unpainted portions are permitted; 13. An information processing method comprising:

8. On the computer, A detection function for detecting a non-base forming area in a printing area of ​​the printing medium, the non-base forming area being an area where a base of a predetermined color is not formed; a selection function for selecting, as a design for printing, a design in which a non-undercoating region is disposed within an area in which unpainted portions are permitted, according to at least a size and a position of the detected non-undercoating region, from among a plurality of designs which are preset to fit the printing region and to which different areas are associated as areas in which unpainted portions are permitted, A program for realizing the above.

Images