Information management support system, information management support method and program

Abstract

To provide an information acquisition method, an information providing device, an information acquisition device, and a program that enhance the usefulness of information printed on a print target such as a nail.SOLUTION: In an information acquisition system in which a terminal device that is connected to a printing device wirelessly or wiredly and capable of transmitting and receiving information to / from the printing device, and an information providing device can communicate to each other via a network, an information acquisition method includes the steps of: acquiring an image including a design including a "motif" for specifying an "identifier" associated with "specific information" printed on a nail or the like being a print target; recognizing the "motif" included in the design from the image to specify the "identifier"; and acquiring the "specific information" associated with the "identifier".SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Nail printing has been practiced in the past, in which various designs are printed on nails, nail tips, nail stickers, and the like using a printing device. The contents printed on the nails, nail tips, etc. are not limited to designs consisting of pictures, etc. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a nail sticker is created on which a two-dimensional code in which personal information such as contact information is encoded is printed, and this is attached to the nails of a person in need of protection who is at risk of wandering, etc., so that when the person in need of protection is rescued as an unidentified person in a wandering location, etc., the registered contact information can be obtained by simply reading the two-dimensional code printed on the nail sticker, and the registered contact can be contacted. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-029452 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the configuration described in Patent Document 1 involves printing a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark) directly onto a nail sticker or the like and attaching it to a nail. For this reason, it cannot be said to have a good design, and there is a problem that it is difficult to widely apply it to other purposes.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and has an advantage of providing an information acquisition method, information providing device, information acquisition device, and program that can increase the usefulness of information printed on a printing target such as a nail. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the information acquisition method of the present invention includes: Acquire an image of a design including an identifier associated with specific information printed on a printing target; Identifying the identifier contained in the design from the image; The method is characterized in that the associated specific information is acquired from the identifier. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, the usefulness of information printed on a printing target such as a nail is increased. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 2 is a diagram illustrating the control configuration of an information providing device, a terminal device, and a printing device that configure the information acquisition system in the embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a control configuration of an information acquisition device that constitutes the information acquisition system in the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a reading screen in a reading unit of the information acquisition device. [Figure 4] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information acquisition process. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of printing results on the nails of five fingers. [Figure 6] 6 is a table showing an example of information read from the print result shown in FIG. 5. [Figure 7] 13A and 13B are diagrams showing modified examples of the arrangement of the claws. [Figure 8] 8 is a diagram showing an example of a print result read from the nails arranged as shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 9] 13 is a data configuration example showing a schematic image of specific information associated with an identifier when the identifier is a numeric string. [Figure 10]13 is a data configuration example showing a schematic image of specific information associated with an identifier when the identifier is a color scheme. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information acquisition process. [Figure 12] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a nail design applied to the nails of five fingers. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of area division of a nail design applied to a thumb nail. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 shows an example of a printed result including a motif on a thumb nail. [Figure 15] 13 is an example of association data indicating numbers associated with each graphic when the motif is a graphic. [Figure 16] This is an example of association data in which numbers are associated with each area. [Figure 17] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information acquisition process. [Figure 18] 13 is a data configuration example showing a schematic image of specific information associated with an identifier when the identifier is a string of numbers associated with an area. [Figure 19] 13 is a data configuration example showing a case where specific information associated with an identifier changes over time when the identifier is a string of numbers associated with an area. [Figure 20] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a nail design applied to the nails of five fingers. [Figure 21] 13 is an example of association data indicating a numerical value associated with each graphic when the motif is a graphic. [Figure 22] 13 is a data configuration example that shows a schematic image of specific information associated with an identifier when the identifier is the sum of numerical values ​​associated with a motif graphic. [Figure 23] 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an information acquisition process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of an information acquisition method, an information providing device, an information acquisition device, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 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] [Information provision system configuration] The information acquisition method of this embodiment functions in an information providing system that is composed of an information providing device and an information receiving device. In the information providing system, both the information provider and the information recipient may be companies, stores, etc., or individual users. Each device will be described below.

[0011] [Information provider configuration] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of devices constituting the information providing side of an information providing system, and the control configuration of an information providing device, a terminal device, and a printing device. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the information provider includes an information providing device 1, a terminal device 2 that can communicate with the information providing device 1 via a network N, and the like. In this embodiment, the terminal device 2 is connected to a printing device 3 wirelessly or via a wire, and is capable of transmitting and receiving information to and from the printing device 3. Note that while Fig. 1 illustrates an example in which there is one terminal device 2 and one printing device 3, the number of terminal devices 2 connected to the information providing device 1 via the network N and the number of printing devices 3 connected to the terminal device 2 are not particularly limited.

[0012] The information providing device 1 is, for example, a data providing server of a company or the like, and provides various types of information, services, and the like to those who wish to use them. As shown in FIG. 1, the information providing device 1 includes a control device 10, a communication unit 15, and the like. The control device 10 is a computer including a control unit 11 having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a storage unit 12 having a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

[0013] The control unit 11 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the information providing device 1. The control unit 11 cooperates with programs stored in the storage unit 12 to realize various functions for operating the information providing device 1.

[0014] The memory unit 12 has a program memory area 121 in which various programs and various data for operating each part of the information providing device 1 are stored, an identifier matching database (referred to as the identifier matching DB in the drawings and the following description) 122, a motif definition database (referred to as the motif definition DB in the drawings and the following description) 123, a nail design database (referred to as the nail design DB in the drawings and the following description) 124, etc.

[0015] The identifier association DB 122 functions as a first storage unit that stores first association data that predefines associations between "specific information" and "identifiers." "Specific information" refers to text information such as URL (Uniform Resource Locator) information of websites of companies or various stores, account information of various SNS (Social Networking Service) accounts, email addresses, telephone numbers, card numbers or security codes, and unique IDs for identifying individuals, such as various membership numbers. For example, "specific information" may be address information for accessing a membership registration page or product description page of a company or store. Furthermore, "specific information" may be, for example, a ticket number for participating in a specific event (such as a concert or a sporting event).

[0016] In addition, the "identifier" in this embodiment is a random number string, character string, figure, symbol, etc., or a combination of these, etc., that is associated with "specific information." In this embodiment, the "identifier" itself is not included in the design and printed, but rather a "motif" that specifies the "identifier" is incorporated into the design, so the "identifier" itself can be a simple string of characters (for example, the number string "28637" shown in Figure 9) or the like, without any design. In the drawings, the "identifier" is written as "ID." In the following explanation, the "identifier" is also called "ID." In this embodiment, the "identifier" is included as a component of the design in the print image (print result) of the design printed by the printing device 3 described below, and the "identifier" is specified, for example, by a motif or a combination of multiple motifs that are components of the design. The combination of characters, figures, etc. that the "identifier" is made up of, how many characters it is made up of, etc., are up to the settings and are not particularly limited. The security of the information is increased when the "identifier" is made up of multiple complex character strings, etc. The identifier association DB 122 stores combinations of "identifiers" consisting of character strings, numeric strings, etc., and "specific information" (for example, various types of address information, etc.) associated with the "identifiers."

[0017] The motif definition DB123 functions as a second storage means for storing second correspondence data that predefines rules (conditions) for identifying an "identifier" from a "motif" that is a component of a design when the "identifier" is a "motif" that is a component of a design. A "motif" is, for example, letters, numbers, symbols, figures, color schemes, etc. of the alphabet. In this embodiment, a "motif" can constitute a design, and unlike an "identifier", it has design properties in itself, for example, by deforming the shape of letters, numbers, etc. A "motif" can be read from an image to determine what kind of letters, numbers, etc. it is, such as the numbers inserted into the design in FIG. 5 or FIG. 8, but it is preferable that it does not look out of place when printed as a nail design. Note that letters, numbers, etc. as a "motif" may be blended in with the surrounding design even if they are not particularly deformed in shape, and it is sufficient that which letters are the "motif" can be identified from the image, such as when letters with different colors and orientations are mixed in as "motifs" in a general pattern of alphabets. The "identifier" may be identified from a "motif" contained in a design drawn on one nail, or from a "motif" that is divided and included in designs drawn on multiple nails.

[0018] The motif definition DB123 stores rules for determining what letters, numbers, shapes, color schemes, etc. should be treated as "motifs" for identifying "identifiers," as well as rules (conditions) for determining how to identify "identifiers" depending on the type, arrangement, order, etc. of the "motifs" such as letters, numbers, shapes, color schemes, etc. In other words, even numbers or letters of the alphabet may not be treated as a "motif" for identifying an "identifier." Even if the same letters or shapes are selected as "motifs" that are components of a design, the "identifier" that is identified will differ depending on the arrangement of each "motif" (numbers, etc.).

[0019] For example, when multiple characters, symbols, etc. are randomly arranged and printed on the design printed on the nail, which is the printing target (medium), a rule may be set so that the character printed occupying the most dominant area (largest relative to the area of ​​the nail) is recognized as a "motif" for identifying the "identifier". Also, for example, a rule may be set so that only those characters, symbols, etc. printed in a specific color are recognized as "motifs" for identifying the "identifier". Furthermore, for example, a rule may be set so that those characters, symbols, etc. printed in a specific position (for example, the center or the tip of the nail) are recognized as "motifs" for identifying the "identifier".

[0020] Furthermore, for example, if designs are printed on the nails of five fingers from the thumb to the little finger of one hand, a rule may be set for the order (reading order) of the recognized "motifs," such as whether to identify the "identifier" by arranging the "motifs" such as characters recognized from each nail in order from the thumb to the little finger, or from the little finger to the thumb. In this case, even if the "motif" printed on each nail is the same, a rule may be set so that it is identified as a different "identifier" depending on the order in which the "motifs" printed on the nail of which finger are arranged.

[0021] The nail design DB 124 stores multiple design data (basic design data that is the basis of designs including "motifs") that are information on nail designs. The information stored in the nail design DB 124 may be individual nail designs or a set of designs (for example, a set for five fingers on one hand).

[0022] Moreover, the control unit 11 in this embodiment functions as an information / identifier conversion means, a motif setting means, a data generation means, and so on. The control unit 11, acting as an information / identifier conversion means (conversion means), converts the "specific information" into an "identifier" that is associated with it based on association information (first association data) between the "specific information" and the "identifier" stored in the identifier association DB 122.

[0023] For example, when a person who has information that they would like to include in a design to be printed on their nails sends the information to the information providing device 1 as "specific information," the control unit 11 converts the information to an "identifier" and associates the two. When new "specific information" (for example, a new user's personal email address, etc.) is sent to the information providing device 1, the method of converting the information to an "identifier" consisting of characters, figures, etc. is not particularly limited. When the new "specific information" is converted into an "identifier," association information between the "specific information" and the "identifier" into which it is converted is stored in the identifier association DB 122.

[0024] In addition, the control unit 11, as a motif setting means, sets a "motif" that is a component of the design (i.e., that does not look out of place when included in a design) as corresponding to an "identifier" based on definition information (second correspondence data) regarding rules for identifying an "identifier" from a "motif" stored in the motif definition DB 123. For example, if an "identifier" converted from certain "specific information" is a number string of "12345," the control unit 11, which serves as a motif setting means, applies a rule that identifies the "identifier" by arranging "motifs" such as letters recognized from each nail in order from the thumb to the little finger, and a rule that, when multiple numbers, etc. are printed, recognizes the number, etc. that occupies the most dominant area as the "motif" for identifying the "identifier," and sets a "motif" so that each number is printed largest on each nail, including the numbers "1," "2," ..., "5," in that order from the thumb to the little finger.

[0025] The control unit 11 as a data generating means creates design data including a "motif" set according to rules as a motif setting means. Data on the basic design (e.g., small floral pattern, alphabet pattern, number pattern, etc.) from which the "motif" is to be included is stored in the aforementioned nail design DB 124, etc. The basic design from which the "motif" is to be included may be specified by the user who provides the information (e.g., the user who requests the embedding of "specific information"). Also, the user who prints on the nails using the printing device 3 may be able to select the basic design from which the "motif" is to be included. In these cases, for example, at the stage where the control unit 11 as the motif setting means sets the "motif," it selects and sets a "motif" that does not look out of place when incorporated into the design desired by the user (for example, if the user desires an alphabet pattern, the "motif" that specifies the "identifier" may also be composed of alphabets).

[0026] The communication unit 15 performs wired or wireless data communication via a network N, etc. As long as data communication with an external device such as the terminal device 2 or the printing device 3 is possible, the communication method of the communication unit is not particularly limited, and a method that matches the communication standard of the external device is applied.

[0027] The terminal device 2 functions as a user interface for operating the printing device 3, and is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, tablet, mobile phone, or personal computer. Note that the terminal device 2 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of communicating with the printing device 3 and the information providing device 1, and may be, for example, a notebook or fixed personal computer, a terminal device for games, or the like.

[0028] When a user uses a printing device 3 installed in a store such as a nail salon to print on a nail, the terminal device 2 is, for example, the user's smartphone, and when it receives design data including an "identifier" (a "motif" that specifies the "identifier") from the information providing device 1, the control unit 21, which will be described later, generates print data by fitting the design data to the printing area (nail area) of the nail to be printed on, and sends this to the printing device 3. This allows a design that includes an "identifier" that corresponds to "specific information" as a "motif" to be printed on the nail. On the other hand, when the user uses the printing device 3 at home, the terminal device 2 may be an operation terminal for operating the printing device 3, or may be configured integrally with the printing device 3.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 2 includes an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a communication unit 25, a control device 20, and the like. The operation unit 23 is capable of performing various inputs, settings, etc. in response to user operations, and an input signal corresponding to the operation received by the operation unit 23 is transmitted to the control device 20. A touch panel serving as the operation unit 23 is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 24, and the user can perform various inputs, settings, etc. by touching the touch panel. Note that the operation unit 23 is not limited to a touch panel, and for example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 23.

[0030] The display unit 24 is composed of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display (OLED), other flat displays, etc., and displays various information in response to display commands from the control unit. For example, an image of the print result when printing is performed on the user's nails based on the design data generated in the information providing device 1 may be displayed on the display unit 24.

[0031] The communication unit 25 performs wired or wireless data communication via the network N or the like. There are no particular limitations on the communication method of the communication unit 25 as long as data communication with the information providing device 1 and the printing device 3 is possible. As the communication unit 25, one that matches the communication standard of the external device such as the information providing device 1 and the printing device 3 is applied. In this embodiment, design data including an "identifier" as a "motif," which is a component of the design, is generated in the information providing device 1 and sent to the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 25. Upon receiving the design data, the terminal device 2 generates print data based on the design data and sends the print data to the printing device 3 via the communication unit 25.

[0032] The control device 20 is a computer including a control unit 21 having a processor such as a CPU, and a storage unit 22 having a ROM, a RAM, and the like. The control unit 21 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 2. The control unit 21 cooperates with a program stored in the storage unit 22 to realize various functions for operating the terminal device 2. The storage unit 22 stores various programs and various data for operating each unit of the terminal device 2. Specifically, the storage unit 22 stores various programs such as an operating program for overall control of each unit of the terminal device 2, as well as a nail print application program (referred to as "nail print AP" in FIG. 1) 221 for performing nail printing using the printing device 3, and the control unit 21 expands these programs in a working area of ​​the storage unit 22 and executes them to control the terminal device 2.

[0033] For example, when there is text information that the user wants to include in the design to be printed on the nail as "specific information," such as the user's own SNS (Social Networking Service) account information or email address, the control unit 21 of the terminal device 2 requests the information providing device 1 via a dedicated application or the like to generate design data including this text information. Then, when design data including an "identifier" (a "motif" that identifies the "identifier") corresponding to the "specific information" is generated, the control unit 21 receives this data from the information providing device 1. Also, when design data including information on a ticket purchased by the user (ticket number, seat number, etc.) as the "specific information" is provided instead of the ticket, the control unit 21 receives this data from the information providing device 1.

[0034] In this embodiment, a nail image obtained by photographing the nail, which is the printing target placed in the finger placement section, is transmitted from the printing device 3 to the terminal device 2. The control unit 21 performs various image processing such as image analysis on this nail image to extract the nail area (the area inside the nail outline that separates the nail from the skin of the finger) from the photographed image and generates nail information including the shape of the nail area, etc. When the control unit 21 receives design data including a "motif" set as corresponding to the "identifier" from the information providing device 1, the control unit 21 generates print data based on the design data and nail information (nail outline, nail area, etc.) transmitted from the information providing device 1. Specifically, the control unit 21 appropriately enlarges or reduces the design data to fit the nail area, and generates print data that matches the shape of the user's nail. The generated print data is transmitted to the printing device 3 that the user uses to print on the nail.

[0035] The printing device 3 is assumed to be installed in a store such as a nail salon or a beauty salon, but may also be used in a user's home or the like. In this embodiment, the printing device 3 will be described taking as an example a case where the printing target is fingernails, but the printing target of the printing device 3 is not limited to fingernails. For example, the printing target may be toenails, or the printing target may be something other than nails, such as nail tips or the surfaces of various accessories.

[0036] 1, the printing device 3 includes a printing mechanism 31 that performs a printing operation, an imaging unit 32, a communication unit 33, a control device 30, etc. The printing device 3 may also include an operation unit and a display unit, and when the terminal device 2 functions as a user interface for the printing device 3, the operation unit 23 and the display unit 24 of the terminal device 2 may also function as the operation unit and the display unit of the printing device 3.

[0037] The printing mechanism 31 is a printing means that performs printing on nails, which are printing targets, that are placed in a finger placement section (not shown) within the printing device 3. Although not shown in the figure, the printing mechanism 31 includes a print head that performs the printing operation, a movement mechanism that moves the print head, and the like. The print head prints a design (nail design) on the nail, and can eject ink of various colors, such as cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW). The print head is not particularly limited, but is an inkjet head that can perform fine printing by spraying minute droplets of ink (liquid) from an ink ejection surface onto the nail surface. The type and number of print heads are not particularly limited, and for example, another print head that prints a liquid as a base may be installed in parallel. The movement mechanism is driven to move the print head relative to the surface of the nail of the finger placed on the finger placement section.

[0038] The photographing unit 32 is disposed inside the printing device 3 and above the finger placement unit. The photographing unit 32 includes a camera and a light source (not shown) and photographs the surface of a nail (a finger including the nail) to obtain a nail image (an image of the finger including the nail). In this embodiment, the nail image photographed by the camera of the photographing unit 32 and the like are transmitted to an external device such as the terminal device 2 via the communication unit 33 and the like.

[0039] The control device 30 includes a control unit having a processor such as a CPU, a storage unit having a ROM, a RAM, and the like (neither of which is shown). The storage unit stores various programs and various data for operating the printing device 3. Specifically, the ROM of the storage unit stores various programs such as a printing program for performing printing processing.

[0040] The control unit loads a program stored in the ROM of the storage unit into the working area of ​​the RAM and executes it, thereby comprehensively controlling the operation of each unit of the printing device 3. In other words, the control unit cooperates with the program to realize various functions for the printing device 3 to perform printing processes and the like. In this embodiment, the control unit controls the operation of the printing mechanism 31 to perform a printing operation based on the print data. The control unit also operates each unit of the photographing unit 32 to obtain a nail image, and transmits the nail image to the terminal device 2 etc. via the communication unit 33. In this way, a nail print based on the print data of a design containing the "specific information" converted into an "identifier" as a "motif" constituting the design is applied to a nail or the like by the printing device 3.

[0041] [Configuration of the information retriever] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a control configuration of an information acquisition device that is an information acquisition (receiving) side of the information providing system. The information acquisition device 4 acquires an image of the print result printed on the printing target (medium), which is a nail, extracts (specifies) an "identifier" from the acquired image, converts the "identifier" into "specific information" associated with the extracted "identifier," and acquires the "specific information." As shown in FIG. 2, the information acquisition device 4 includes a control device 40, a communication unit 45, a reading unit 46, and the like.

[0042] In FIG. 2, the information acquisition device 4 is illustrated as an example of a device (a read-only device that reads the printout printed on the nail) that is expected to be installed, for example, at the entrance gate of a store, an event venue, etc., but the information acquisition device is not limited to such a dedicated machine (read-only machine). For example, a terminal device such as a user's smartphone may function as the information acquisition device. In this case, a camera function unit equipped in the terminal device functions as a reading unit. In this case, a dedicated application program or the like for identifying an "identifier" from the print result of the design printed on the nail and acquiring "specific information" associated with the "identifier" is stored in a storage unit or the like of the terminal device.

[0043] The communication unit 45 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of data communication with an external device such as the information providing device 1, and the communication method of the communication unit 45 is not particularly limited. As the communication unit 45, one that matches the communication standard of the external device such as the information providing device 1 is applied.

[0044] The reading unit 46 obtains an image of the print result printed on the nail, which is the printing target (medium), based on design data including an "identifier" previously associated with "specific information." Specifically, the reading unit 46 includes a camera (not shown) and obtains an image by photographing the nail held over the reading screen 461 (see FIG. 3) while scanning it in a predetermined reading direction (the reading direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5). The image captured by the camera of the reading unit 46 is sent to the control unit 41 of the control device 40, which functions as an image capturing means.

[0045] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a reading screen of a reading unit included in the information acquisition device. In order to obtain an image (print result) of the design printed on the nail, the reading unit 46 asks the user to hold his / her hand (left hand in the figure) over the camera or the like and show the printed nail. For example, the reading unit 46 has a reading screen 461 (see FIG. 3, for example) that shows the position and orientation of the hand and nail over the camera or the like with images and text and indicates the position of the hand, etc. Note that instructions to the user are not limited to images and text. For example, the orientation of the nail may be indicated by voice guidance, etc.

[0046] The control device 40 of the information acquisition device 4 is a computer including a control unit 41 having a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and a storage unit 42 having a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like.

[0047] The control unit 41 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the information acquisition device 4. The control unit 41 realizes various functions for operating the information acquisition device 4 in cooperation with programs stored in the storage unit 12.

[0048] The memory unit 42 has a program memory area in which various programs and various data for operating each part of the information acquisition device 4 are stored, an identifier matching database (referred to as identifier matching DB422 in the drawings and the following description), a motif definition database (referred to as motif definition DB423 in the drawings and the following description), etc.

[0049] The identifier correspondence DB422 stores "first correspondence data" that predefines correspondence between "specific information" and "identifiers", similar to the identifier correspondence DB122 stored in the storage unit 12 of the information providing device 1. When an "identifier" corresponding to new "specific information" is set in the information providing device 1, the pair of the "specific information" and the "identifier" is added to the identifier correspondence DB122, and the information is transmitted to the information acquiring device 4, so that both the identifier correspondence DB122 of the information providing device 1 and the identifier correspondence DB422 of the information acquiring device 4 are updated, allowing the latest information to be shared.

[0050] In addition, the motif definition DB423, like the motif definition DB123 stored in the memory unit 12 of the information providing device 1, stores "second correspondence data" that pre-defines rules (conditions) for identifying an "identifier" from a "motif" that is a component of a design. The motif definition DB 123 of the information providing device 1 and the motif definition DB 423 of the information acquiring device 4 are both capable of sharing the same definition information.

[0051] Moreover, the control unit 41 of this embodiment functions as an image acquisition unit, an extraction unit, a specification unit, an information acquisition unit, and the like. The control unit 41 as an image acquisition means acquires an image of the print result printed on the nail, which is the printing target (medium), based on design data including an "identifier" previously associated with "specific information", when the image is acquired by the reading unit 46. Note that acquisition of the image of the print result printed on the nail is not limited to when it is sent from the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4. An image captured by a reading unit separate from the information acquisition device 4 may be sent to the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means and acquired.

[0052] The control unit 41, acting as an extraction means, extracts an "identifier" from the image acquired by the reading unit 46. In this embodiment, as described above, the "identifier" is included in the design as a "motif" that is a component of the design, and the control unit 41, acting as an extraction means, extracts the "motif" from the image. Specifically, the control unit 41 extracts numbers, symbols, figures, and other things that resemble a "motif" from the image, and compares them with those registered as "motifs" in the memory unit 42 to determine whether or not they are a "motif" that identifies the "identifier." For example, in the motif definition DB423, if there are multiple numbers in an image, and the rule is that only the one that occupies the largest area in the design (the dominant one) is treated as the "motif," then the largest number drawn in the image is extracted as the "motif."

[0053] The control unit 41, as an identification means, identifies an "identifier" from a "motif" based on the "second correspondence data" stored in the motif definition DB 423 (i.e., data that predefines rules for identifying an "identifier" from a "motif" that is a component of a design).

[0054] The control unit 41, as an information acquisition means, converts the "identifier" extracted from the image (or the "identifier" identified from the "motif" extracted from the image) into "specific information" associated with the "identifier" based on the "first association data" (i.e., data that specifies the association between "specific information" and "identifier") stored in the identifier association DB422, and acquires it.

[0055] For example, if the "specific information" is the ticket number of an admission ticket for an event, the "specific information" is acquired by the control unit 41 of the information acquisition device 4 installed at the admission gate or the like, and the user who has the nail design (printed result) on their nails is permitted to pass through the admission gate. The "specific information" in this case is, for example, unlocking information for unlocking the admission gate. For example, if the "specific information" is a user number at a specific facility such as a sports facility, when the "specific information" is acquired by the control unit 41 of the information acquisition device 4 at the reception, the user who has the nail design (printed result) on their nails will be permitted to use the facility without presenting a membership card or the like.

[0056] Furthermore, a personal terminal device such as a user's smartphone may function as the information acquisition device 4 by providing a dedicated application program for this information provision system in the personal terminal device. In this case, for example, when a dedicated application program installed on the terminal device is launched and the nail design (print result) printed on the nail is photographed with a camera attached to the terminal device, the control unit within the terminal device may function as an image acquisition means, extraction means, identification means, information acquisition means, etc., and make it possible to access "specific information" (for example, the URL of a store's website) associated with an "identifier" included in the nail design.

[0057] In order for the information acquiring device 4 (including the case where the information acquiring device is a personal terminal device) to acquire "specific information" corresponding to an "identifier" included in a design from the print result based on the design data created by the control unit 11 (control unit 41 as data generating means) of the information providing device 1, it is necessary to convert the "specific information" into a previously associated "identifier" and store an "identifier association DB422" and a "motif definition DB423" with the same contents as the "identifier association DB122" and the "motif definition DB123" used to include the "identifier" in the design as a "motif". For this reason, the information acquiring device 4 is assumed to be connected to, for example, a network N, and is in an environment where it can acquire (update) the latest "identifier association DB" and "motif definition DB" at any time. For example, when the control unit 11 of the information providing device 1 converts an unknown address ("specific information") or the like into an "identifier" or "motif," if the conversion is only performed in accordance with certain rules or definitions, it is sufficient for the information acquiring device 4 to store the information on the specific rules or definitions as decoding information.

[0058] [Information acquisition method] Next, the information acquisition method of this embodiment will be described with reference to a specific example. Fig. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a procedure for identifying an "identifier" by reading the "motif" from each fingernail and acquiring the "specific information" associated with the "identifier" when a design including a "motif" for identifying the "identifier" is printed separately on the nails of multiple fingers. In Fig. 4, it is assumed that the information acquisition device 4 is not a dedicated reading device but a general terminal device such as a user's smartphone. For example, as shown in Figure 5, if the original basic nail design into which the "specific information" is to be added is a number pattern with numbers drawn randomly, and the "motif" for identifying the "identifier" is the number that occupies the largest area in the design, then when identifying the "identifier" from the printout and obtaining the "specific information" associated with the "identifier," the "specific information" is obtained using the flow shown in Figure 4.

[0059] For example, when the fingers corresponding to the nails are placed in the state shown in Fig. 3, the information acquisition device 4 (e.g., a smartphone) captures the nails in a certain reading direction in order and acquires the images. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, reading is performed from right to left, and the print results on the nails of five fingers from the thumb nail T1 to the pinky nail T5 are read in order. In this case, as shown in Fig. 4, first, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 captures an image of the first nail 1 to be read (the thumb nail T1 located at the right end in the example of Fig. 5), and the image is acquired by the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means (step S1). The control unit 41 performs image processing and the like on the acquired image to determine whether or not a number has been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S2).

[0060] For example, if the hand is tilted 90 degrees to the right (or left), the reading order may be from bottom to top, or a reading error may be detected and the user may be asked to reposition the hand so that the fingers corresponding to the nails are positioned as shown in FIG. 3. Also, the thumb nail T1 is basically the largest among the nails on the hand, and the little finger nail T5 is the smallest. Therefore, the size of the areas of the nails located at both ends in the image may be compared, and reading may be performed in order starting from the larger area (or the smaller area). By determining the positions of the thumb nail T1 and the little finger nail T5 in the image and deciding whether to read from the thumb nail T1 or the little finger nail T5, the reading order of the other fingers can be easily determined.

[0061] In reality, the fingers of a hand are of different lengths as shown in Fig. 3, so the nails T1 to T5 of each finger are not neatly aligned side by side as shown in Fig. 5. For this reason, when reading from the nail T1 of the thumb, the coordinate values ​​of the nails T1 to T5 of each finger may be obtained in advance in the image of Fig. 3, and the nails may be read in order according to the coordinate values. For example, reading may be performed from the larger coordinate (X coordinate) indicating the horizontal position to the smaller coordinate.

[0062] Also, in the case where only the thumb is positioned facing a different direction as shown in FIG. 7, only the thumb nail T1 may be read independently and stored in the memory unit 42 or the like as the end character, and the nails of the other fingers may be read in order from the smallest coordinate indicating the horizontal position (X coordinate) to the largest coordinate (from right to left in the example shown in FIG. 7) based on the coordinate of the little finger nail T5, which is the smallest and therefore easiest to recognize.

[0063] The reading order of the nails may also be determined in advance, for example, by the color scheme (or the background color if the nails include a motif such as text, as shown in Figures 5 and 8). In this case, it is determined in advance that the colors will be read in the order of "yellow," "gray," "orange," "red," and "white," and the color scheme (background color, etc.) of each nail is read, and the recognized nails are read in the order of "yellow," "gray," "orange," "red," and "white," regardless of the order in which the nails are arranged.

[0064] The number of nails (fingers) to be read is not limited to five, and may be four or less, such as four nails T2 to T5 excluding the thumb, or four nails T1 to T4 excluding the little finger. The nails (fingers) to be read may be the nails (fingers) of both hands. In this case, the nails of all the fingers of both hands may be read, or only the nails of some fingers, such as the nail T1 of the thumb of both hands, may be read. The control unit 41 determines the order in which to read the nail images, on which finger's nail to place the "motif" for identifying the "identifier", etc. by referring to the information stored in the motif definition DB 423.

[0065] As described above, the control unit 41 determines which number is to be determined as a "motif" for identifying the "identifier" by referring to information stored in the motif definition DB 423. For example, if the rule is that the number that occupies the largest area among multiple numbers included in a design is the "motif," then the "2" surrounded by a dotted line in FIG. 5 is the number that is the "motif." If the number is recognized as a "motif" (step S2; YES), the control unit 41 stores the number in the storage unit 42 (step S3). On the other hand, if the number cannot be recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S2; NO), the control unit 41 does not store the number for the first nail 1 in the reading order and proceeds to the next step. Note that a case in which a number cannot be recognized as a "motif" is, for example, a case in which all the numbers in the image are the same size and it is impossible to determine whether they are large or small, or a case in which nothing that can be recognized as a number can be read from the image.

[0066] Next, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 captures an image of the second nail 2 in the reading order (the index finger nail T2 located to the left of the thumb nail T1 in the example of FIG. 5), and the image is acquired by the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means (step S4). The control unit 41 performs image processing or the like on the acquired image to determine whether or not a number has been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S5). If a number has been recognized as a "motif" (step S5; YES, for example, the "8" surrounded by a dotted line on the index finger nail T2 in FIG. 5), the control unit 41 stores the number in the storage unit 42 (step S6). On the other hand, if a number has not been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S5; NO), the control unit 41 does not store a number for the second nail 2 in the reading order and proceeds to the next step.

[0067] Then, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 captures an image of the third nail 3 in the reading order (the nail T3 of the middle finger located to the left of the nail T2 of the index finger in the example of FIG. 5), and the image is acquired by the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means (step S7). The control unit 41 performs image processing or the like on the acquired image to determine whether or not a number has been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S8). If a number has been recognized as a "motif" (step S8; YES, for example, the "6" surrounded by a dotted line on the nail T3 of the middle finger in FIG. 5), the control unit 41 stores the number in the storage unit 42 (step S9). On the other hand, if a number has not been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S8; NO), the control unit 41 does not store a number for the nail 3 that is third in the reading order and proceeds to the next step.

[0068] Then, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 captures an image of the fourth nail 4 in the reading order (the nail T4 of the ring finger located to the left of the nail T3 of the middle finger in the example of FIG. 5), and the image is acquired by the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means (step S10). The control unit 41 performs image processing or the like on the acquired image to determine whether or not a number has been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S11). If a number has been recognized as a "motif" (step S11; YES, for example, the "3" surrounded by a dotted line on the nail T4 of the ring finger in FIG. 5), the control unit 41 stores the number in the storage unit 42 (step S12). On the other hand, if a number has not been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S11; NO), the control unit 41 does not store a number for the nail 4 that is fourth in the reading order and proceeds to the next step.

[0069] Then, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 captures an image of the fifth nail 5 in the reading order (the pinky nail T5 located to the left of the ring finger nail T4 in the example of FIG. 5), and the image is acquired by the control unit 41 as an image acquisition means (step S13). The control unit 41 performs image processing or the like on the acquired image to determine whether or not a number has been recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S14; YES, for example, "7" surrounded by a dotted line on the pinky nail T5 in FIG. 5), and the control unit 41 stores the number in the storage unit 42 (step S15). On the other hand, if the number cannot be recognized as a "motif" from the image (step S14; NO), the control unit 41 does not store a number for the fifth nail 5 in the reading order and proceeds to the next step.

[0070] When the reading process is completed for all nails to be read (in this example, nails T1 to T5 of five fingers from the thumb to the little finger), the control unit 41 sequentially reads out the numbers stored in the memory unit 42 as a number string (step S16).

[0071] FIG. 6 is a table summarizing the results of reading the design (nail design) printed on the nail, which is the print result, by reading it from right to left as shown in FIG. 5. It should be noted that the "finger number" here is a number assigned in the order in which the nails are read. As described above, the finger numbers assigned to each finger type (thumb to little finger) corresponding to the thumb nail T1 to the little finger nail T5 are "1" to "5", respectively, as shown in the first row of the table in FIG. 6. The second row of the table in Fig. 6 shows the dominant digit in each nail design when the nails are read in the reading order. Here, it is defined in the "motif definition DB" 423 that the digit that occupies the largest area in the design is treated as the "dominant digit." In this example, when reading from the rightmost thumb, the numbers stored in the memory unit 4 as the "motif" are "2," "8," "6," "3," and "7," respectively, and the number string extracted from the image by the control unit 41 as an extraction means as an "identifier" is "28637."

[0072] Note that a finger arrangement other than the arrangement shown in Fig. 3 may be specified as the way of holding the nails. In this case, the order of the fingers to be read may be specified in advance. For example, even if the same design as in FIG. 5 is printed on the nails of each finger, if the fingers (nails) are arranged as if they are clenched as shown in FIG. 7, the order of the fingers to be read will be from the little finger nail T5 to the thumb nail T1, as shown in FIG. 8, even if the reading direction is from right to left, which is the opposite to the case where the fingers are arranged as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the image to be read will be upside down except for the thumb. In this case, if the numbers are read in the reading order, the number string will be "73682". Note that the number on the middle finger nail T3, which is recognized as "6" in the case shown in FIG. 5, may be judged as "9" depending on the type of font. For characters that are recognized as different characters when reversed like this, it is possible to specify the direction in which the characters are read by putting dots or bars above and below the numbers, or to exclude them from the candidates for numbers that make up the "motif".

[0073] When the number string is extracted, the control unit compares the number string extracted from the image with a number string stored as an "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4 and the like) (step S17). The control unit 41 determines whether the numeric strings match (step S18), and if they match (step S18; YES), it identifies the numeric string as an "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4, etc.) (step S19). Then, when the "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4, etc.) is specified, the control unit 41, as an information acquisition means, refers to the "identifier correspondence DB" 422, and acquires the "identifier" by converting it into "specific information" associated with the "identifier" based on first association data that predefines the association between the "specific information" and the "identifier" (step S20).

[0074] FIG. 9 is a correspondence table showing an example of first association data that predefines associations between "specific information" and "identifiers." As shown in Figure 9, the numeric string "28637" recognized as an "identifier" ("ID" in Figure 4, etc.) becomes "specific information" to which the URL "https: / / www.*****.com / ****.jp / " corresponds, and when "28637" is read as an "identifier" from an image of a design printed on a nail, for example, access to "https: / / www.*****.com / ****.jp / " may be automatically performed. Furthermore, for example, if the nails are arranged in reverse as shown in Figures 7 and 8, and the "identifier" ("ID" in Figure 4, etc.) identified by reading them in order is "73682," the corresponding URL "http: / / www.△△△.com / ****.jp / " becomes the corresponding "specific information," and, for example, when "73682" is read as the "identifier" from the image of the design printed on the nail, access to "http: / / www.△△△.com / ****.jp / " may be automatically performed.

[0075] The "motif" for identifying the "identifier" is not limited to a pattern such as numbers. For example, the third row of the table in Figure 6 shows the results of reading the colors (color scheme) used in the design of each nail when the nails are read sequentially (e.g., from right to left). For example, the design of the thumb nail T1 has white numbers on a gray background, and the design of the index finger nail T2 has gray numbers on a yellow background. Such combinations of background colors and colors of patterns including "motifs" (numbers in the illustrated example) can also be "motifs" or combinations thereof for identifying an "identifier." That is, for example, if the reading order is specified by finger number and the color scheme (background color) of each nail design is used as an "identifier" ("ID" in Figure 4, etc.) and a URL is associated with each as "specific information", as in the example shown in Figure 10, when the nails are read in the order of finger numbers "1 → 2 → 3 → 4 → 5", and the background color is "gray → yellow → white → gray → orange", which is used as the "identifier" ("ID" in Figure 4, etc.), the URL "http: / / www.*****.com / ****.jp / " becomes the corresponding "specific information", and this address can be accessed. Furthermore, the "motif" may be a single-color design without any text or other characters. In this case, there is no particular limitation on how the color is recognized, but for example, the color is recognized as a numerical value (such as an RGB value), and if the recognized value is close to the numerical value registered as "yellow," the recognition result as "yellow" is stored in memory unit 42 or the like.

[0076] In contrast to the above, when the information acquisition device 4 is a dedicated reading device installed at the entrance of a store or the entrance gate of an event venue, etc., unlike when the print results on the nails are read with a user's smartphone, etc., when a dedicated reading device is used, the nails of multiple fingers, such as five fingers on one hand, can be photographed together and read all at once. In this case, the procedure shown in FIG. 11 is followed, for example. That is, the information acquiring device 4 instructs the user to hold up the nails on which the design is printed (step S31), and when the user holds up his / her nails in accordance with the instruction, the designs (printing results) printed on the nails are read all at once by the reading unit 46 of the information acquiring device 4 (step S32). The instruction to hold up the nails may be displayed on a reading screen 461 (not shown) of the information acquiring device 4, or may be guided by voice or the like.

[0077] The control unit 41 acquires the image and judges whether or not the "motif" has been extracted (recognized) from the read image (step S33). If the "motif" has not been extracted (step S33; NO), the process returns to step S32 and is repeated. On the other hand, if a "motif" has been extracted (step S33; YES), the control unit 41 further judges whether or not an "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4, etc.) has been specified by the extracted "motif" (step S34).

[0078] If the "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4, etc.) can be identified, then "specific information" corresponding to the "identifier" is obtained. For example, if the "specific information" is a membership number for using a facility or ticket number information for participating in an event, then if the "identifier" can be identified from the image of the printout, then the user who has had the printout printed on their nails is permitted to enter the facility or participate in the event (step S35).

[0079] On the other hand, if the "identifier" ("ID" in FIG. 4, etc.) cannot be specified, the "specific information" cannot be acquired. In this case, for example, the membership number for using a facility or ticket number information for participating in an event cannot be confirmed, and the user is not permitted to enter the facility or participate in the event (step S36).

[0080] Furthermore, the "motif" that identifies the "identifier" is not limited to being distributed among designs painted on the nails of multiple fingers. For example, the "identifier" may be identified from a "motif" included in a design painted on one nail. For example, in the case where geometric patterns are printed on the nails of five fingers from thumb nail T1 to pinky nail T5 as shown in Fig. 12, one of the nails may contain all of the "motifs" that specify the "identifier." If all of the "motifs" are to be included on one nail, it is preferable to print the design including the "motif" on a nail that is relatively large and has a sufficient printing area, such as thumb nail T1, rather than on a small nail such as pinky nail T5.

[0081] For example, Fig. 13 illustrates an example in which four areas (area ArA, area ArB, area ArC, and area ArD in Fig. 13) are provided on the thumb nail. Fig. 14 illustrates an example in which a symbol or figure serving as a motif is placed in each area (area ArA, area ArB, area ArC, and area ArD). The symbol or figure serving as a "motif" is associated with a number in advance, for example, in "motif definition DB" 423 or the like.

[0082] FIG. 16 shows an example of a list of figures as "motifs" and numbers associated with each figure. Also, as shown in FIG. 17, numbers may be associated with each area (area ArA, area ArB, area ArC, and area ArD in FIG. 13). FIG. 17 shows a flowchart for including all the "motifs" on one nail, specifying an "identifier," and acquiring "specific information."

[0083] As shown in FIG. 17, in this case, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 first captures an image of a nail on which a design including a "motif" for identifying an "identifier" is printed, and the control unit 41 captures an image of the print result (step S41). The control unit 41 extracts an image of the area ArA from the captured image as an extraction means (step S42) and checks whether or not a figure that is a "motif" is present (step S43). Then, it is determined whether or not a figure that is a "motif" is recognized (step S44), and if it is recognized (step S44; YES), the figure is converted into a corresponding number (step S45). Note that the control unit 41 refers to information stored in the motif definition DB 423 or the like to determine what kind of figure corresponds to the "motif" and which number it corresponds to.

[0084] On the other hand, if the controller 41 cannot recognize a figure as a "motif" from the image of the area ArA (step S44; NO), the controller 41 extracts the image of the next area (for example, the area ArB shown in FIG. 13) (step S46) and checks whether or not a figure that can be a "motif" is present, as in the case of the area ArA (step S47).The controller 41 then determines whether or not a figure as a "motif" has been recognized (step S48), and if it has been recognized (step S48; YES), converts the figure into a corresponding number (step S49).

[0085] On the other hand, if the control unit 41 cannot recognize a figure as a "motif" from the image of the area ArB (step S48; NO), the control unit 41 extracts the image of the next area (for example, the area ArC shown in FIG. 13) (step S50) and checks whether or not a figure that can be a "motif" is present (step S51). Then, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a figure as a "motif" is recognized (step S52), and if it is recognized (step S52; YES), converts the figure into a corresponding number (step S53).

[0086] On the other hand, if the control unit 41 cannot recognize a figure as a "motif" from the image of the area ArB (step S52; NO), the control unit 41 extracts the image of the next area (for example, the area ArD shown in FIG. 13) (step S54) and checks whether or not a figure that can be a "motif" is present (step S55). Then, the control unit 41 determines whether or not a figure as a "motif" is recognized (step S56), and if it is recognized (step S56; YES), converts the figure into a corresponding number (step S57).

[0087] After determining whether or not there is a figure for all areas (areas ArA to ArD in the example shown in FIG. 13), all the numbers converted from the figures are read out as a number string (step S58). Then, the control unit 41 compares the read number string with a number string stored as an "identifier" ("ID") (step S59). The control unit 41 determines whether or not the number strings match (step S60), and if they do not match (step S60; NO), it concludes that there is no "identifier" corresponding to the "specific information" and ends the process.

[0088] On the other hand, if the recognized numeric string matches a numeric string stored as an "identifier" ("ID") (step S60; YES), the control unit 41 identifies the "identifier" ("ID") (step S61) and obtains "specific information" associated with the "identifier" ("ID") (step S62). For example, if the areas are viewed in the order of area ArA, area ArB, area ArC, and area ArD, and the numbers indicated by the figures that are the "motifs" contained in each area are "9," "2," "3," and "8," and when viewed as a numeric string, these match the numeric string "9238" stored as an "identifier" ("ID"), then "https: / / www.*****.com / ****.jp / ," which is stored in the identifier correspondence DB422 as a URL corresponding to the numeric string "9238," becomes "specific information" (see Figure 18), and access to that address may be performed automatically.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 16, each area (area ArA to area ArD) may be assigned a number. In this case, when the areas are arranged in the specified order, the corresponding number string is identified as the "identifier" ("ID"). Note that even with the same number string, the associated "specific information" may differ depending on the time or time period when the printout image is read. For example, Fig. 19 shows an example in which, even when areas ArA to ArD are read in order and "9238" is identified as the "identifier" ("ID"), if the read time is "0:00 to 05:59", the corresponding code is "58akdo378", and if the read time is "06:00 to 11:59", the corresponding code is "98knfub88".

[0090] For example, if each code is a membership number for a facility user, it is possible to set it so that even if the same design is printed on the nails, the URL that can be accessed varies depending on the time of day, or security is disabled or not. Also, by changing the "identifier" ("ID") that is valid depending on the time of day, it is possible to set it so that even if the same design is applied to the nails, the facility can be used but not used depending on the time of day. In addition, the ID ("identifier") required for entry becomes invalid after a certain period of time, and it may be possible to set it so that a single ID can be reused by another person.

[0091] Also, for example, a "motif" that specifies an "identifier" ("ID") is a graphic that constitutes a design, and each "motif" may be associated with a numerical value in advance. For example, as shown in Figure 20, a reading area (area Ara to area Are in Figure 20) can be set for each nail, and numerical values ​​within each reading area can be obtained from the figures drawn within them and used as an "identifier" ("ID"). Since the print on the edge of the nail is likely to peel off or deteriorate, it is preferable that the reading target area in which the "motif" that specifies the "identifier" ("ID") is placed is set to a range excluding the edge of each nail. When setting the reading target area, information regarding which range is to be the reading target area is also stored, for example, in the motif definition DB 423.

[0092] 21 is a table in which each "motif" is associated with a corresponding numerical value, for example, a "●" corresponds to the numerical value "1." The association table is stored, for example, in the motif definition DB 423 or the like. Figure 22 is an example image of a data table that illustrates the "motif" placed in each reading target area (area Ara to area Are), the numerical value obtained by adding up the numerical value returned from the motif for each reading target area, and an image of a URL as "specific information" that is associated with each numerical value when this numerical value is used as an "identifier" ("ID").

[0093] FIG. 23 is a flowchart illustrating a process in which the sum of the numerical values ​​of the "motifs" within the region to be read is used as an "identifier" ("ID"). 23, in this case, the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4 first captures an image of a nail on which a design including a "motif" for identifying an "identifier" is printed, and the control unit 41 acquires an image of the print result (step S71). The control unit 41 extracts an image of a reading target area (area Ara to area Are by the nail as shown in FIG. 20) as an extraction means from the acquired image (step S72), and checks whether or not there is a figure that is a "motif" (a specified figure as shown in FIG. 21, etc.) within the reading target area (step S73).

[0094] The control unit 41 judges whether or not a figure (prescribed figure) as a "motif" is recognized (step S74), and ends the process if the figure (prescribed figure) cannot be recognized (step S74; NO). On the other hand, if a figure (prescribed figure) is recognized (step S74; YES), it is further determined whether there are multiple figures in the reading target area (step S75). If there is only one figure (step S75; NO), the figure is converted into a corresponding numerical value according to the correspondence table shown in Fig. 21 (step S76). For example, in the example shown in Fig. 20 to Fig. 21, there is one figure of "●" in the reading target area Ara set for the little finger nail T5, and the corresponding numerical value is "1".

[0095] On the other hand, if there are multiple figures within the reading target area (step S75; YES), the control unit 41 converts all the figures into corresponding numerical values ​​(step S77), and adds up the numerical values ​​to calculate the sum (step S78). For example, in the example shown in Figures 20 and 21, the reading area Arc set for the middle finger nail T3 contains four "!" shapes, and the numerical value corresponding to "!" is "2", so the sum of the converted numerical values ​​is "2" x 4 = "8".

[0096] In both cases where there is one figure in the area to be read or where there are multiple figures in the area to be read, when the figure as a "motif" in the area is converted into a numerical value, the control unit 41 compares this numerical value with a numerical value stored as an "identifier" ("ID") (step S79). It is then determined whether the numerical value converted from the "motif" matches the numerical value stored as the "identifier" ("ID") (step S80). If the two do not match, the process is terminated, but if they match, the "identifier" ("ID") is identified, and the control unit 41, acting as an information acquisition means, acquires the "specific information" associated with the "identifier" ("ID").

[0097] In this way, if an "identifier" ("ID") can be specified for each area, simply by holding a different nail over the reading unit 46 of the information acquisition device 4, multiple pieces of "specific information" can be acquired. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 22, when "1" is read as the "identifier" ("ID") from the reading target area Ara of the pinky finger nail T5, the URL "https: / / www.*****.com / ****.jp / " can be obtained as the "specific information", and the address can be accessed. Also, when "8" is read as the "identifier" ("ID") from the reading target area Arc of the middle finger nail T3, the URL "http: / / www.△△△.com / ****.jp / " can be obtained as the "specific information", and the address can be accessed.

[0098] By using the information acquisition method of this embodiment, it is possible to apply nail prints on nails that allow reading of "specific information" without compromising the visual design. Therefore, there is no impersonality or awkwardness that occurs when two-dimensional codes or the like are directly printed, and nail prints can be used as simple information tools in any situation.

[0099] The situations in which the nail designs printed on nails are used as information tools are not limited to the examples shown here, and various other uses are envisioned. For example, the "specific information" is not limited to complex text information such as a URL, but can be short phrases such as "thank you" or "I'm sorry." Even if it is a word that is difficult to convey directly, it is possible to convey a message without conversation by simply having the user read the image of the print result from the nail. In addition, if store discount information or recommended product information is printed as nail designs on the nails of store staff, customers can obtain the necessary and useful information simply by scanning the design printed on the staff's nails with a smartphone or other device, allowing them to communicate with each other contactlessly without having to provide verbal service.

[0100] Furthermore, the "specific information" that can be included in the design may be a PIN number, membership number, etc. Therefore, even information that you must not forget but do not want others to see can be worn as a nail design. Furthermore, if emergency contact phone numbers and the like are incorporated into the design as "specific information," while at first glance appearing as a fashion accessory, it can also be used as a tool to verify the identity of those in need of protection in an emergency. In addition, if information such as proof of vaccination or vaccination is included as "specific information" in the design printed on the nail, proof of entry to a participating store can be easily completed by simply scanning the nail.

[0101] As described above, according to the information acquisition method of this embodiment, an image of the print result when a design including an "identifier" that is pre-associated with "specific information" as a component is printed on the printing target such as a nail is obtained, the "identifier" contained in the design is extracted from the image, and the "identifier" is converted into the "specific information" that is pre-associated, thereby acquiring the "specific information." This allows various information ("specific information") to be printed on the nails as nail prints without compromising the design and aesthetic appeal.

[0102] In this embodiment, an "identifier" is specified by a combination of "motifs" that are components of a design. This allows you to use "specific information" without compromising the design.

[0103] In addition, the "identifier" in this embodiment may be identified by the arrangement of the "motifs" that are components of the design from a predetermined direction, or by the arrangement of the motifs that are components of the design within a predetermined area, or by a "motif" that is determined to be dominant based on at least one of its size and arrangement. This allows greater freedom in setting the "identifier" for acquiring the "specific information" in this embodiment, and allows the "identifier" (the "motif" for identifying the "identifier") to be included in the design in a way that blends more naturally with the nail design. This makes it possible to achieve both highly designed nail prints and access to various "specific information."

[0104] In this embodiment, the "motif" that is a component of the design includes at least one of letters, numbers, symbols, and figures. In this way, elements commonly used in nail designs can be used as "identifiers" ("motifs" for identifying "identifiers"), making it possible to print information that allows access to various "specific information" ("identifiers" associated with "specific information") on the nail with a more natural design.

[0105] In this embodiment, the printing target is a fingernail. For this reason, membership cards, tickets, and other items that would prevent you from receiving various services if you forget them can be printed on your nails, which are a part of your body, and can be carried around, making it possible to prevent you from forgetting them or leaving them behind. Also, by making it possible to read "specific information" such as ticket information from nails, it can contribute to reducing the waste of paper used to print tickets. In addition, various "specific information" can be accessed from the "identifier" printed on the nail (a "motif" to identify the "identifier"), making it possible to easily exchange information and communicate with others by simply holding your nail over them. In addition, when exchanging addresses, for example, information can be exchanged simply by holding each other's smartphones over each other's fingernails, making it possible to exchange information easily and without contact.

[0106] In this embodiment, the "specific information" is replaced with a "motif" (an "identifier" specified by the "motif") that constitutes the design and printed on the nail. This has the advantage that it is possible to use various services that require authentication while retaining the design, unlike a configuration where it is immediately obvious that "specific information" has been printed, as in the case of a printed QR code. Furthermore, after scanning the hand with the hand outstretched (in the open palm position as shown in Figure 3), the fingernails may be scanned in a different orientation, such as upside down as shown in Figure 7, or both hands may be scanned, thereby performing reading and authentication in two or more stages. In this case, it is possible to reduce the risk of having one's fingernails photographed without the user's knowledge and being misused.

[0107] 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.

[0108] For example, this embodiment illustrates a case in which the information providing device 1 and the information acquisition device 4 both have a common identifier matching DB122, 422 and motif definition DB123, 423, but the information acquisition device 4 may be configured not to have the identifier matching DB422 or the motif definition DB423. In this case, the information acquisition device 4 may access the information providing device as necessary via the network N etc., and perform information acquisition processing by referring to the contents stored in the identifier correspondence DB 122 and the motif definition DB 123.

[0109] In addition, in this embodiment, the case where nail printing is performed directly on nails has been mainly described, but the printing target of the printing device 3 is not limited to nails. For example, a design including an "identifier" (a "motif" for identifying the "identifier") corresponding to "specific information" may be printed on a nail-attached medium such as nail stickers or nail tips, and then the medium may be attached to the nail for use.

[0110] In this case, the information provider may provide the user with nail stickers or nail tips that have been printed based on the design data, rather than with the design data. When providing the user with nail stickers or the like that have already been printed based on the design data, the information acquisition system can be used even if the user is in an environment where he or she cannot use the printing device 3 (for example, the user does not own the printing device 3 and there is no nail salon nearby that has the printing device 3). In addition, nail stickers and nail tips may be used by cutting or filing the outer periphery to match the shape of the user's nail. For this reason, it is preferable to position numbers, figures, etc., which are the "motifs" for specifying the "identifier," as close to the center as possible.

[0111] For example, if the "specific information" is ticket information for a concert or event (such as the ticket number or seat number), nail stickers or nail tips with the ticket information of the user's purchase printed in the design may be sent to the user instead of a paper ticket. In this case, the user can easily enter the event venue by simply attaching the stickers to their nails and going to the event venue. Using printed nail stickers or nail tips is more durable than printing directly onto the nails based on data, so it is reassuring to use them instead of paper tickets, etc.

[0112] 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. The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are set forth below. The claim numbers in the appended claims are the same as those in the claims originally attached to this application. [Additional Notes] <Claim 1> Acquire an image of a design including an identifier associated with specific information printed on a printing target; Identifying the identifier contained in the design from the image; obtaining the specific information associated with the identifier; 23. An information acquisition method comprising: <Claim 2> The identifier is a component of a design and is identified by a motif or a combination of motifs printed on the printing object. 2. The information acquisition method according to claim 1, <Claim 3> At least one of the motifs is printed on each of the plurality of printing targets. 3. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, <Claim 4> The identifier is identified based on the arrangement of the motifs in the image. The information acquisition method according to claim 3, characterized in that: <Claim 5> The identifier is identified based on a motif that has the largest area within a printing target area of ​​the printing target among the motifs in the image. 5. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition method comprises: <Claim 6> the identifier is determined by the manner in which the motif in the image is positioned within a printing target area of ​​the printing target, 4. The information acquisition method according to claim 2 or 3. <Claim 7> The motif includes at least one of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, and color schemes. 7. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information on a first input / output line. <Claim 8> The identifier is identified by converting the motifs into corresponding numbers and adding them together. 8. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information from a plurality of sources. <Claim 9> The printing object is a fingernail or a nail-attached medium. 9. The information acquisition method according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information on a first or second input of the first input. <Claim 10> a first storage means for storing first association data that defines an association between specific information and an identifier; a conversion means for converting the specific information into an identifier associated with the specific information based on the first association data; A data generating means for generating design data including the converted identifier; An information providing device comprising: <Claim 11> The identifier is identified based on a motif that is a component of the design, a second storage means for storing second association data defining a condition for identifying the identifier from the motif; a motif setting means for setting the motif for identifying the identifier based on the second association data; Including, the data generating means generates design data including the motif set in accordance with the conditions; 11. The information providing device according to claim 10. <Claim 12> an image acquisition means for acquiring an image printed on a printing target based on design data including an identifier associated with specific information; A means for identifying the identifier from the acquired image; an information acquisition means for acquiring the specific information based on the identified identifier and first association data that predefines an association between the specific information and the identifier; An information acquisition device comprising: <Claim 13> The identifier is identified based on a motif that is a component of the design, The identification means identifies the identifier from the motif based on second association data that defines a condition for identifying the identifier from the motif; The information acquisition means acquires the specific information based on the identified identifier and the first association data. 13. The information acquisition device according to claim 12. <Claim 14> Computer, An image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a design including an identifier associated with specific information printed on a printing target; A means for identifying the identifier contained in the design from the image; an information acquisition means for acquiring the specific information associated with the identifier; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1 Information provision device 10 Control device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 2 Terminal Equipment 20 Control device 21 Control section 22 Memory section 3 Printing device 30 Control device 31 Printing mechanism 32 Photography Department 33 Communications Department 4 Information acquisition device 40 Control device 41 Control section 42 Storage section 46 Reading unit

Claims

1. Acquire an image of a design including an identifier associated with specific information printed on a printing target; Identifying the identifier contained in the design from the image; obtaining the specific information associated with the identifier; 23. An information acquisition method comprising:

2. The identifier is a component of a design and is identified by a motif or a combination of motifs printed on the printing object.

2. The information acquisition method according to claim 1,

3. At least one of the motifs is printed on each of the plurality of printing targets.

3. The information acquisition method according to claim 2,

4. The identifier is identified based on the arrangement of the motifs in the image. The information acquisition method according to claim 3, wherein the data is

5. The identifier is identified based on a motif that has the largest area within a printing target area of ​​the printing target among the motifs in the image.

5. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information on a first input of the ...

6. the identifier is determined by the manner in which the motif in the image is positioned within a printing target area of ​​the printing target, 4. The information acquisition method according to claim 2 or 3.

7. The motif includes at least one of letters, numbers, symbols, figures, and color schemes.

7. The information acquisition method according to claim 2, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information on a first input of the ...

8. The identifier is identified by converting the motifs into corresponding numbers and adding them together. The information acquisition method according to any one of claims 2 to 7.

9. The printing object is a fingernail or a nail-attached medium.

9. The information acquisition method according to claim 1, wherein the information acquisition method is a method for acquiring information on a first and second information acquisition unit.

10. a first storage means for storing first association data that defines an association between specific information and an identifier; a conversion means for converting the specific information into an identifier associated with the specific information based on the first association data; A data generating means for generating design data including the converted identifier; An information providing device comprising:

11. The identifier is identified based on a motif that is a component of the design, a second storage means for storing second association data defining a condition for identifying the identifier from the motif; a motif setting means for setting the motif for identifying the identifier based on the second association data; Including, the data generating means generates design data including the motif set in accordance with the conditions; 11. The information providing device according to claim 10.

12. an image acquisition means for acquiring an image printed on a printing target based on design data including an identifier associated with specific information; A means for identifying the identifier from the acquired image; an information acquiring means for acquiring the specific information based on the identified identifier and first association data that predefines an association between the specific information and the identifier; An information acquisition device comprising:

13. The identifier is identified based on a motif that is a component of the design, The identification means identifies the identifier from the motif based on second association data that defines a condition for identifying the identifier from the motif; The information acquisition means acquires the specific information based on the identified identifier and the first association data.

13. The information acquisition device according to claim 12.

14. Computer, An image acquisition means for acquiring an image of a design including an identifier associated with specific information printed on a printing target; A means for identifying the identifier contained in the design from the image; an information acquisition means for acquiring the specific information associated with the identifier; A program characterized by causing the program to function as a

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