Electronic device, printing control method and program

Abstract

To provide a printer capable of normal printing regardless of nail shapes such as curvature, an electronic apparatus, a printing control method and a program.SOLUTION: A printer 1 includes: a finger disposing table 3 as placing means which can place a finger U corresponding to a nail T to be printed and is rotatable around a shaft along the direction in which the finger U extends so that a first state can be shifted to a second state when the finger U is placed; a 3D sensor 6 as detection means which detects first coordinate value showing a position of the nail T placed on the finger disposing table 3 in the first state and second coordinate value showing a position of the nail T placed on the finger disposing table 3 in the second state; and a control part 11 as printing data generating means that generates printing data for printing by the print head 41 on the basis of the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, printing devices (nail printers) that print designs on fingernails are known. In the nail printer, the finger corresponding to the nail to be printed is placed on a finger placement table, and a printing process is performed on the nail using, for example, an inkjet method.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a nail printer (referred to as an "ejection device" in Patent Document 1 as "ejecting droplets" to print) that captures an image of a nail with a camera, recognizes the area of ​​the nail (printing area) from the captured nail image, and prints within that area. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 mentions a case where the "ejection device" is a printer that prints on a solid structure having a three-dimensional shape. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-018589 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, nail shapes and other characteristics vary from person to person. For example, in the case of an ingrown nail where the sides of the nail are curled inward beyond the range that can be recognized from the top image, simply photographing the nail from above does not allow for accurate recognition of the shape and range of the curled inward part. In this case, it is not possible to generate correct print data for the sides of the nail, and there is a risk of some areas being left unpainted. Furthermore, if the nail has a strong curvature and the depth (height position) of the side of the nail is extremely lower than the top surface of the nail (for example, if the side of the nail slopes significantly downward at an angle close to perpendicular to the top surface), simply photographing the nail from above cannot correctly recognize the shape and area of ​​the side of the nail, and correct print data cannot be generated for the side of the nail.

[0006] Furthermore, when a printing device (nail printer) performs printing processing using an inkjet method, there is a range in the distance from the surface to be printed (i.e., the surface of the nail) to the ink ejection surface of the print head (hereinafter referred to as the "nail-head distance") in which printing can be performed appropriately. For example, if the "nail-to-head distance" is too close, there is a risk that the print head will interfere with the nail; conversely, if the "nail-to-head distance" is too far, the droplets (ink, etc.) ejected from the print head will not land in the correct location, making it impossible to achieve high-quality printing.

[0007] As described above, when the nail is ingrown or has a large curvature, it is difficult to properly obtain an image of the nail including the sides of the nail in order to generate print data, and there is also the problem that it is difficult to properly maintain the "nail-to-head distance" for the entire nail when printing. In this regard, the device described in Patent Document 1 is not configured to solve these problems, and as a result, depending on the shape of the nail, it may not be possible to print properly up to the sides of the nail.

[0008] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and is not limited to the shape of the claws, such as their curvature. Electronic equipment that can print normally, printing control Method and program The purpose of this document is to: [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention includes a placement means on which a finger corresponding to a nail to be printed can be placed and which is rotatable so as to assume a first rotational position and a second rotational position around an axis along a direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed, a detection control means for causing a predetermined sensor to detect coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the nail of the finger placed on the placement means as first coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the first rotational position, and for causing the sensor to detect the coordinate values ​​as second coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the second rotational position, and generating first print data for printing on the nail based on the The second coordinate value Based on the above, second printing data for printing on the nail is obtained. A print data generating means for generating the print data; a printing means for printing on the nail, wherein when the second print data is generated by the print data generating means, the printing means prints on the nail based on the first print data when the placement means is located at the first rotation position, and the printing means prints on the nail based on the second print data when the placement means is located at the second rotation position. The present invention is characterized by comprising 。 Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, printing can be performed normally regardless of the shape of the nail, such as its curvature. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [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 schematic perspective view of a finger rest according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a schematic control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the print head and the nail of a finger placed on the finger rest when not rotating. FIG. [Diagram 5] 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the print head and the fingernail placed on the rotated finger rest. FIG. [Figure 6] 2. (a) is a plan view of the finger seen from above, (b) and (d) are views of the finger in an unrotated state seen from the direction of the thick arrow VI shown in FIG. 2, and (c) is a view of the finger in a rotated state seen from the direction of the thick arrow VI shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 7]2. (a) is a plan view of the finger seen from above, (b) and (d) are views of the finger in an unrotated state seen from the direction of the thick arrow VI shown in FIG. 2, and (c) is a view of the finger in a rotated state seen from the direction of the thick arrow VI shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 8] 7 is a diagram showing an example of print data generated for the nail shown in FIG. 6. [Figure 9] 8 is a diagram showing an example of print data generated for the nail shown in FIG. 7. FIG. [Figure 10] 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An embodiment of a printing device, an electronic device, a printing control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 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. In the following embodiment, the printing device is described as a nail print device that prints on the printing target of fingernails, but the printing target of the printing device in the present invention is not limited to fingernails, and may be, for example, toenails, etc. Furthermore, the printing target may be something other than nails, such as nail tips or the surfaces of various accessories.

[0013] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the main parts of a printing device (nail printer) according to the present embodiment, and Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main control configuration of the printing device. In the following embodiments, up / down, left / right, and front / rear refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. Also, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape. An operation unit 21 is provided on the top surface (top plate) of the housing 2. The operation unit 21 is used by the user to perform various input operations. The operation unit 21 is composed of operation buttons for performing various inputs, such as a power switch button for turning the power of the printing device 1 on / off, a stop switch button for stopping operation, and a print start button for instructing the start of printing. When the operation unit 21 is operated, an operation signal corresponding to the operation is output to the control device 10, and the control device 10 performs control according to the operation signal to operate each part of the printing device 1. For example, if the operated operation unit 21 is a power switch button, the power of the printing device 1 is turned ON / OFF in response to the button operation.

[0015] Furthermore, on the top surface (top board) of the housing 2, a display unit 22 is provided. The display unit 22 is configured with, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or another flat display. A touch panel for performing various inputs may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 22. In this case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 21.

[0016] The display screen of the display unit 22 is capable of displaying various kinds of guidance screens, warning display screens, and the like. For example, in this embodiment, the finger placement table 3 can rotate with the user's finger U placed thereon. When the finger placement table 3 rotates (turns), a message or image drawing the user's attention, such as "The finger placement table will now tilt to the right," may be displayed on the display unit 22. This prevents the user from being surprised when the finger placement table 3 rotates, and can prevent errors such as the user moving the finger U in a hurry. Note that the user's attention may be drawn not by a display on the display unit 22, but by a notification means such as a speaker or a light-emitting diode using sound or light. The display unit 22 may also display a nail design input / selected by the user via the operation unit 21, etc., a nail image captured by a camera 51 described later, a nail area (print area) detected from the nail image, a finished image in which a design is superimposed on the print area, etc.

[0017] A finger insertion opening 23, which is an opening for inserting a finger U corresponding to a nail T that is to be printed when printing by the printing device 1, is formed on the front side of the housing 2 of the printing device 1 (the front side in the Y direction in FIG. 1) and approximately in the center in the left-right direction of the device (the X direction in FIG. 1). Note that the position, size, etc. of the finger insertion opening 23 are not limited to the illustrated example.

[0018] Inside the housing 2, an apparatus main body (not shown) is housed. A finger placement platform 3 is provided on the device body in a portion corresponding to the finger insertion opening 23 as a placement means for placing a finger U (the finger U corresponding to the nail T to be printed) inserted through the finger insertion opening 23 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the main configuration of the finger rest 3. In Fig. 2, a finger U placed on the finger rest 3 is indicated by a two-dot chain line. The finger placement stand 3 of this embodiment includes a case 30 formed in a substantially box shape, and a finger receiving portion 31 for receiving the pad of a finger U is disposed within the case 30. The finger receiving portion 31 is preferably formed of a flexible resin such as urethane. As shown in Fig. 2 etc., the central portion in the width direction of the finger receiving portion 31 is slightly recessed along the length direction of the finger (Y direction in Fig. 2) so that the finger U placed on the finger receiving portion 31 can be stably received.

[0020] A frame-shaped portion 32 is formed on the front side of the case 30 (the front side in the Y direction in Figure 2) to surround the finger U, and the top surface of the upper frame portion 32 functions as a finger pressing portion 321 that regulates the height position of the upper surface of the finger U placed on the finger placement stand 3. In this embodiment, the finger receiving portion 31 is configured to be pushed upward by a biasing member such as a spring (not shown), and the position of the finger U placed on the finger placement stand 3 is fixed by being sandwiched between the finger receiving portion 31 and the top surface 321. In this manner, in this embodiment, the finger receiving portion 31 and the top surface 321 form a finger fixing means for fixing the finger U. Note that the configuration of the finger fixing means is not limited to this. For example, a belt or the like that restricts the movement of the finger U may be provided on the finger placement stand 3 to fix the finger U more reliably.

[0021] The finger placement platform 3, which is the placement means in this embodiment, is rotatable (pivotable) around an axis (axis 34 shown in FIG. 2) along a first direction (Y direction in this embodiment) which is the length direction of a finger U placed on the finger placement platform 3 (the direction in which the finger U extends, the direction shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2), that is, around the Y axis in FIGs. 6 and 7 described later, so that the finger placement platform 3 can take a first state to a second state. Also, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGs. 6 and 7, the height position of the pad of the finger placed on the finger placement platform 3 in the Z-axis direction is almost the same as the height position of the rotation center (origin position). Here, the "first state" refers to a state (initial state) in which the finger placement platform 3, which is the placement means, is not rotating, and the "second state" refers to a rotated state in which the finger placement platform 3 has rotated around an axis 34 along the first direction (a state in which the angle of the finger placement platform 3 with respect to the XY plane is different from that in the first state).

[0022] 2, the finger rest 3 is provided with a rest rotation motor 33 that rotates the entire finger rest 3 around an axis 34 along the first direction. In this embodiment, the "axis 34 along the first direction" is the rotation axis of the rest rotation motor 33. The placement table rotation motor 33 can rotate in either the forward or reverse direction, and rotates (swings) the finger placement table 3 and the finger U placed on the finger placement table 3 clockwise or counterclockwise as appropriate.

[0023] In this embodiment, while the finger placement table 3 on which the finger U is placed is rotated, the position of the nail T is detected (coordinate values ​​are acquired) by photographing with the camera 51 and measuring with the 3D sensor 6. Furthermore, if necessary, printing is performed on the nail T while the finger placement table 3 on which the finger U is placed is rotated. The angle by which the finger placement base 3 is rotated is a matter that is set appropriately. This angle may be a preset angle by default, or the finger placement base 3 may be rotated to an angle at which the entire range recognized as the nail T can be confirmed while observing the results of recognition by the camera 51 or the 3D sensor 6, which will be described later.

[0024] However, forcing the finger U to rotate is a burden on the user, and the user may intentionally or unconsciously try to resist the rotation and displace the position of the placed finger U. For this reason, it is generally preferable that an angle that does not force the user to rotate is set in advance, and the rotation stops when the finger U rotates to the set angle regardless of whether the entire range of the nail T has been recognized. In addition, since the movable range of the finger U differs depending on the user, the user may be able to set the rotation angle and rotation speed as appropriate. In addition, it is preferable that the print head 41 is at a height that does not come into contact with the finger U or the finger placement base 3 when the finger placement base 3 is rotated, and further, when the 3D sensor described later detects that the finger U is located at a coordinate where the print head 41 and the finger U are likely to come into contact with each other, an alarm may be displayed by the display unit 22, or an alarm may be issued by the notification means in the form of sound or light. Incidentally, the detection of the position of the nail T and the printing process while the finger rest 3 is rotated will be described in detail later.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main part of the control configuration of the printing apparatus according to this embodiment. The main body of the device is provided with a printing mechanism 4, an imaging unit 5, a 3D sensor 6, and the like, as shown in FIG.

[0026] The printing mechanism 4 is a printing means that performs printing on the nail T, which is a printing target, based on printing data described later. The printing mechanism 4 includes a print head 41, a movement mechanism that moves the print head 41 appropriately, and the like. The configuration of the print head 41 is not particularly limited, but for example it is a cartridge-integrated head in which a storage section (ink cartridge) for storing ink and an ink ejection section (not shown) are integrally formed. In this embodiment, an ink ejection surface 411 having ejection ports for ejecting ink is formed on the lower surface of the print head 41 (the surface facing the surface of the nail T placed on the finger placement table 3). The print head 41 is an inkjet type head that performs printing by spraying minute droplets of ink from the ink ejection surface 411 onto the printing target surface (the surface of the nail T).

[0027] The ink stored in the print head 41 is, for example, ink of each color, such as cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW) (hereinafter referred to as "color ink"). Note that the ink ejected from the print head 41 is not limited to this, and the print head 41 may be capable of ejecting ink of other colors. Also, the print head 41 is not limited to ejecting color ink, and may be, for example, ejecting a liquid agent (base ink, such as white) that serves as a base before printing a design. The printing device 1 may have any one print head 41, or may be equipped with multiple print heads 41.

[0028] When printing using the inkjet method, there is a range in the Z-axis direction in which printing can be performed appropriately for the distance from the surface to be printed (i.e., the surface of the nail T) to the ink ejection surface 411 of the print head 41 (hereinafter referred to as the "nail-head distance") (this is referred to as the "appropriate distance range Ra"; see Figures 4 and 5). For example, if the "nail-head distance" is too close, the ink ejection surface 411 may come into contact with the surface to be printed (the surface of the nail T), which may damage the ink ejection surface 411 or the surface to be printed (the surface of the nail T). On the other hand, if the "nail-head distance" is too far, the droplets (ink, etc.) ejected from the print head 41 will not land in the correct position, making it impossible to perform high-quality printing.

[0029] 4 and 5 are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the fingernail placed on the finger rest 3 and the print head, etc. Fig. 4 shows the state in which the finger rest 3 is not rotating, and Fig. 5 shows the state in which the finger rest 3 is rotated. In each figure, the "appropriate distance range Ra" is indicated by a dashed line. If the point on the printing surface (surface of the nail T) where you want the droplets (ink, etc.) ejected from the print head 41 to land is located within the "proper distance range Ra" defined by the two dashed lines, the ink will land correctly (without disruption of the landing), resulting in beautiful printing.

[0030] For example, in the nail T shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the point represented by the coordinate values ​​(xd, zd) is within the "appropriate distance range Ra" even when printing is performed in a state where the finger placement table 3 is not rotated ("first state"). Therefore, printing can be performed appropriately. The coordinate values ​​(xd, zd) here are, for example, the coordinates at the limit at which the 3D sensor 6 can detect the edge of the nail T in the width direction in the first state, and a portion that is lower in height in the Z-axis direction than the minimum value (zd) of this z coordinate cannot be detected from above due to an ingrown nail or the like. Also, the point represented by the coordinate values ​​(x, z) does not fall within the "appropriate distance range Ra" in the "first state" where the finger placement table 3 is not rotated. Therefore, when printing is performed in the "first state" as shown in FIG. 4, droplets do not land on the edge of the nail T in the width direction, and printing is not performed cleanly. Even in this case, the point represented by the coordinate values ​​(x, z) falls within the "appropriate distance range Ra" when the finger placement table 3 is rotated ("second state") as shown in FIG. 5. Therefore, printing can be performed appropriately by performing printing in the "second state" where the finger placement table 3 is rotated. Note that the coordinate value (x, z) here refers to the coordinate of the extreme end of the nail T in the width direction (the boundary between the nail T and the skin) detected by the 3D sensor 6 when the finger placement table 3 is rotated, for example, and if the ingrown nail is severe, it is a coordinate that may not be detected in the "first state" where the finger placement table 3 is not rotated.

[0031] The movement mechanism moves a holder (not shown) that holds the print head 41 in the X direction, which is the left-right direction of the device, and in the Y direction, which is the front-rear direction of the device (see the X direction and Y direction in FIG. 1, etc.). The movement mechanism includes an X-direction movement motor 45 that drives when moving the print head 41 (holder) in the X direction, and a Y-direction movement motor 47 that drives when moving in the Y direction (see FIG. 3). The X-direction movement motor 45 and the Y-direction movement motor 47 are, for example, stepping motors, and their operations are controlled by the control unit 11. Furthermore, the movement mechanism has a position detection sensor 48 configured with an optical sensor or the like. The position detection sensor 48 is, for example, an origin sensor that acquires the origin position in the X direction and the origin position in the Y direction of the print head 41, an encoder sensor that grasps the current position of the print head 41, etc.

[0032] The photographing unit 5 also includes a camera 51 and a light source 52 . The camera 51 and other components constituting the photographing unit 5 are attached, for example, to the inside of the top surface of the housing 2 or to a support member (not shown) erected on the device main body. The arrangement of the camera 51 and other components of the photographing unit 5 is not particularly limited, but for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, the camera 51 is arranged above the nail T of a finger U placed on the finger placement stand 3, and the finger U including the nail T can be photographed from above to obtain a nail image.

[0033] The camera 51 is a small camera 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, and the like. In this embodiment, a finger U and its nail T placed on the finger placement table 3 are photographed by a camera 51 as an imaging means to obtain an image of the finger U including the nail T (referred to as a "nail image"). The obtained "nail image" is sent to the control unit 11, and as described later, the shape of the nail T to be printed ("nail contour") and the nail area which is the inner area of ​​the nail contour are detected (obtained) from this "nail image".

[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the camera 51 is disposed above the finger placement table 3, and captures an image of the finger U and its nail T placed on the finger placement table 3 from above. In a nail image taken of the nail T in the "first state" in which the finger placement base 3 is not rotating, for example, a point represented by coordinate values ​​(xd, zd) in FIG. 4 is captured, but points below this in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction) or in the inward curling direction are not captured. For this reason, for example, in the case of an ingrown nail where the side of the nail T is curled inward further than the range that can be recognized from the image of the top surface, or in the case where the nail T has a strong curvature and the side of the nail T slopes significantly downward at an angle close to perpendicular to the top surface, it is difficult to correctly recognize the shape and range of the side of the nail T from the nail image.

[0035] In contrast, when finger placement base 3 is rotated as shown in FIG. 5 ("second state"), points that could not be photographed by camera 51 in the "first state" (for example, the point represented by coordinate values ​​(x, z) in FIG. 5) are also captured in the nail image. For this reason, in this embodiment, when the camera 51 captures a nail image, the camera 51 captures an image in a "first state" where the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated and in a "second state" where the finger placement stand 3 is rotated, to obtain the nail image. This makes it possible to recognize the shape and range of the side of the nail T from the nail image, regardless of the shape of the nail T, such as its curvature.

[0036] The light sources 52 are arranged, for example, on both the left and right sides of the camera 51, and illuminate the subject to be photographed by the camera 51 (the surface of the nail T that is the printing subject and the finger U including the nail T). The specific configuration and arrangement of the light source 52 are not particularly limited, but for example, the light source 52 is an illumination unit including a plurality of LEDs. Note that the light source 52 is not limited to an LED as long as it can illuminate the subject to be photographed by the camera 51. The configuration and arrangement of the imaging unit 5 are not limited to those exemplified here.

[0037] Furthermore, the printing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a 3D sensor (three-dimensional sensor) 6. In this embodiment, the 3D sensor 6 is a detection means for detecting coordinate values ​​indicating the position of at least a part (for example, a side end in the nail width direction) of the nail T. The 3D sensor 6 captures the shape and the like of an object three-dimensionally, and unlike the camera 51 which obtains two-dimensional position information represented by x, y coordinates, the 3D sensor 6 obtains three-dimensional position information represented by x, y, z coordinates including information in the height direction.

[0038] The 3D sensor 6 as a detection means detects a "first coordinate value" which is the coordinate value of the nail T placed on the finger placement base 3 in the "first state" (see Figure 4), which is a non-rotated state (initial state), and a "second coordinate value" which is the coordinate value of the nail T placed on the finger placement base 3 in the "second state" (see Figure 5), which is a rotated state.

[0039] The 3D sensor 6 is not limited to a specific configuration as long as it can acquire three-dimensional information. For example, the 3D sensor 6 may be a stereo camera type consisting of two cameras, or a ToF (Time of Flight) camera type that calculates the depth of an object by irradiating an object with infrared rays, reflecting the infrared rays, and measuring the time it takes for the reflected infrared rays to return. The location of the 3D sensor 6 is not particularly limited, and it may be located near the camera 51, for example, as shown in FIGS.

[0040] The 3D sensor 6 determines which part of the object is the nail T and which part is the finger U, for example, by detecting the difference in depth at the boundary between the nail T and the skin. However, nails come in all shapes, and there may be cases where there is almost no difference in depth at the boundary between the nail T and the skin. For this reason, in this embodiment, the nail area is detected by image analysis from the nail image acquired by the camera 51 of the photographing unit 5, and further, coordinate values ​​indicating the position and shape of the side ends, etc. of the nail T are detected by observing three-dimensional information within the nail area.

[0041] The control device 10 installed in the printing device 1 is a computer having a control unit 11 (see FIG. 3) composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a memory unit 12 (see FIG. 3) composed of a ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (neither shown). The control device 10 is mounted on a board or the like (not shown) that is arranged on the inside (lower surface side) of the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2, for example.

[0042] The storage unit 12 stores various programs, data, and the like for operating the printing device 1. Specifically, the memory unit 12 stores various programs such as a print control program for performing printing processing, and a nail information detection program for performing nail information detection processing for detecting nail information such as the nail contour and nail area based on coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the nail T placed on the finger placement table 3, and the control unit 11 expands these programs, for example, in a working area of ​​RAM, and the programs are executed in the control unit 11, thereby providing overall control of each part of the printing device 1. Furthermore, the storage unit 12 stores various data related to the nail contour and nail shape acquired by the control unit 11. In addition, the memory unit 12 may store data such as nail images acquired by the camera of the photographing unit 5, three-dimensional coordinate information (coordinate values) acquired by the 3D sensor 6, and various other data.

[0043] From a functional standpoint, the control unit 11 mainly functions as a display control means, a photography control means, a nail information detection means, a print data generation means, a print control means, etc. The functions of the control unit 11 are not limited to those exemplified here. For example, the printing device 1 has a communication unit 25 for communicating with external devices such as various terminal devices, and the control unit 11 can control the operation of this communication unit 25 as a communication control means to communicate with the external devices. The functions of the display control means, the photography control means, the nail information detection means, the print data generation means, the print control means, and the like are realized by cooperation between the control unit 11 and the programs stored in the storage unit 12.

[0044] The control unit 11 as a display control means controls the display operation of the display unit 22 . In accordance with a display instruction signal from the control unit 11, various displays are performed on the display screen of the display unit 22.

[0045] The control unit 11 as an imaging control means controls the camera 51 of the imaging unit 5 to capture images and acquire them, and also functions as a light source control means for controlling the light source 52 . In this embodiment, the control unit 11, which serves as an imaging control means, controls the imaging unit 5 (the camera 51 and the light source 52 of the imaging unit 5) to capture an image of the nail T (the finger U including the nail T) placed on the finger placement stand 3, thereby acquiring a nail image.

[0046] The control unit 11, which serves as a nail information detection means, acquires (detects) information regarding the nail T of the finger U (referred to as "nail information") by having the photographing unit 5 (camera 51 of the photographing unit 5) photograph the finger U and nail T and analyzing the acquired nail images. The nail information acquired by the control unit 11 as the nail information detection means is, for example, the area (nail area) of the nail T that separates the nail T from other parts (such as the skin part of the finger U) and the nail contour that defines the nail area. In addition, if a white ink layer that serves as a base layer is formed in advance by hand painting or the like, the boundaries of the areas become clearer, making it easier to acquire (detect) the nail information.

[0047] In this embodiment, the control unit 11, which serves as a nail information detection means, detects the nail contour that defines the nail area to be printed by taking into consideration not only two-dimensional nail information from the nail image acquired by the camera 51, but also three-dimensional nail information acquired by the 3D sensor 6. With two-dimensional information detected from a nail image, for example, in the case of an ingrown nail where the widthwise end of the nail T is curled inward or when the widthwise end of the nail T is extremely curved, it is not possible to accurately grasp the z coordinate from an image taken from above the nail T, and it is not possible to detect the shape of the side end of the nail T. In this regard, when detecting nail information, the control unit 11 causes the camera 51 to acquire a nail image and also operates the 3D sensor 6 to acquire x, y, and z coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the object (finger U and nail T) placed on the finger placement platform 3. This allows the boundary (nail contour) between the nail T and other parts (finger U, etc.) to be detected from the nail image, and the coordinate values ​​indicating the three-dimensional position of the area inside the nail contour (nail area) can be obtained by the 3D sensor 6.

[0048] In this embodiment, the control unit 11 causes the camera 51 to photograph the nail T and the 3D sensor 6 as a detection means to acquire coordinate values ​​("first coordinate values") in a "first state" (see FIG. 4) in which the finger placement base 3 is not rotating (initial state). Furthermore, the control unit 11 appropriately operates the mount rotation motor 33 that rotates the finger mount 3, for example, to rotate the finger mount 3 to a preset rotation angle to set it in a "second state" (see FIG. 5), and causes the camera 51 to photograph the nail T and the 3D sensor 6 as a detection means to acquire coordinate values ​​("second coordinate values"). Note that the order of acquiring the first coordinate values ​​and the second coordinate values ​​may be reversed.

[0049] 6(a) to 6(d) are diagrams illustrating a typical nail T that is not an ingrown nail or the like and does not have a particularly large curvature in the nail width direction. 7(a) to 7(d) are diagrams illustrating a case where the nail T is a severe ingrown nail. 6(a) to 6(d) and 7(a) to 7(d), the line showing the location recognized as the widthwise end of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated is the two-dot chain line α in the figures (the line on the left side of the finger U (nail T) when viewed from above with the finger U placed in the orientation of FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) is "α" and the line on the right side is "α'"). Also, the line showing the widthwise end of the finger U when the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated is the two-dot chain line β in the figures (the line on the left side of the finger U (nail T) when viewed from above with the finger U placed in the orientation of FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) is "β" and the line on the right side is "β'").

[0050] 6(a) and 7(a) are top views of the nail T when the finger U is viewed from above. 6(b) and 7(b) show a state where a finger U having the nail T shown in Fig. 6(a) and Fig. 7(a) is placed on the finger placement stand 3 in an unrotated state (initial state, "first state") (where the nail T is in a first position), as viewed from the direction of the thick arrow VI shown in Fig. 2. Note that the coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the point (shown by a white circle in the figure) recognized as the end of the nail T in the width direction in an unrotated state are defined as reference coordinate values ​​xd,zd (or xd,yd,zd).

[0051] 6(c) and 7(c) are views of the finger U as viewed from the direction of the thick arrow VI in FIG. 2 when the finger placement table 3 is rotated by an angle of +θm while the finger U is placed on it, and is tilted by an angle of +θm in the x-axis direction + side from the state shown in FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 7(b) ("second state"). The angle between the x-axis and the coordinates x and z at this time is θ. Also, FIG. 6(d) and FIG. 7(d) are views of the finger U as viewed from the direction of the thick arrow VI in FIG. 2 when the finger placement table 3 is virtually rotated by an angle of -θm from the state shown in FIG. 6(c) and FIG. 7(c) and returned (converted) to a non-rotated state (initial state, "first state"). When the finger U is placed on the finger placement table 3 in the "second state", the nail T is in a "second position".

[0052] Furthermore, in Figures 6(d) and 7(d), the coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the point (indicated by a black circle in the figure) recognized as the widthwise end of the nail T when the finger placement table 3 is rotated in Figures 6(c) and 7(c) are indicated as x, z (or x, y, z). In addition, when the intersection of the x-axis, z-axis, and y-axis is taken as the origin, the distance from the origin to the position indicated by the coordinates x,z (or x,y,z) (i.e., the length of the line connecting the origin and x,z (or x,y,z)) is taken as the distance r, and the angle that the line connecting the origin and the coordinates x,z (or x,y,z) makes with the x-axis is taken as the angle θ. Note that the value of the distance r may vary slightly depending on the shape of the nail, but here it is unified to the distance r as an approximation.

[0053] 6(d) and 7(d), the point recognized as the end of the width direction of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is in a rotated state is designated as coordinates x, z (or x, y, z), and the coordinate values ​​indicating the position when the finger placement stand 3 is returned to the "first state" where the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated are designated as coordinates x', z' (or x', y', z'). The values ​​of the coordinates x', z' (or x', y', z') are values ​​calculated by converting the coordinates x, z (or x, y, z) using trigonometric functions.

[0054] The conversion using trigonometric functions is carried out, for example, as follows. rcos(θ)=x r = x / cos(θ) Equation 1 rcos(θ-θm)=x' r=x' / cos(θ-θm) Equation 2 From Equation 1 and Equation 2, x / cos(θ)=x' / cos(θ-θm) x'=x cos(θ-θm) / cos(θ) θ=tan-1(z / x) z'=x'tan(θ-θm) Similar conversions are performed for the other x and y coordinates.

[0055] This makes it possible to convert the coordinate values ​​x, z (or x, y, z) indicating the position of the point confirmed as the end of the nail T when the finger placement platform 3 is rotated, as shown in Figures 6(d) and 7(d), into coordinate values ​​x', z' (or x', y', z') of the position when the finger placement platform 3 is not rotated. In the illustrated example, only the positive side in the x-axis direction is described, but the photographing of the nail T by the camera 51 and the measurement by the 3D sensor 6 with the finger placement base 3 rotated are performed in the same manner on the negative side in the x-axis direction.

[0056] For example, as shown in Figures 6(a) to 6(d), if the nail T is not an ingrown nail and the curvature is not particularly large, the widthwise end of the nail T when viewed from above without rotating the finger placement stand 3 approximately coincides with the widthwise end of the nail T that can be seen when the finger placement stand 3 is rotated. In this way, when comparing the coordinate value z in the height direction of the widthwise end of the nail T that can be detected with the finger placement table 3 rotated (coordinate value z' which is the value when this is converted to the state when the finger placement table 3 is not rotated) with the coordinate value zd acquired with the finger placement table 3 not rotated, if the two are almost the same, it is possible to photograph the entire nail T (i.e., from the center to the end of the nail T) from above even with the finger placement table 3 not rotated. Therefore, if the inner area (this will be referred to as the "main print area") of the nail outline detected from the nail image acquired by the camera 51 with the finger placement table 3 not rotated is used as the printing range and the design is aligned, the print data TD (see FIG. 8, etc.) can be printed neatly up to the end of the nail T.

[0057] 7(a) to 7(d), for example, when the nail T is an ingrown nail that curls inward significantly, or when the widthwise end of the nail T is extremely curved and deeply recessed, rotating the finger placement stand 3 reveals a part that could not be confirmed before the rotation. In such cases, the coordinate value z indicating the position of the end of the nail T that can be detected during rotation (the value z' when this is converted to a state where the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated) becomes smaller than the coordinate value zd of the widthwise end of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated and the nail T is viewed from above.

[0058] In areas where the coordinate value z' is smaller than the coordinate value zd (areas shaded in FIG. 9), if the printing range is simply the inner area ("main printing area") of the nail contour detected based on the nail image captured by the camera 51 when the finger placement platform 3 is not rotating, there will be areas left unpainted at the edges. Therefore, if there is a location where the coordinate value z' is smaller than the coordinate value zd, the control unit 11 determines that this is a "supplementary printing area" to be added to the "main printing area", and determines the area obtained by adding the "supplementary printing area" to the left and right in the nail width direction to the "main printing area".

[0059] The control unit 11 as a print data generating means generates print data for printing by the printing mechanism 4 as a printing means. Specifically, the print data is generated by fitting a desired design into a printing area set by the control unit 11 as a nail information detecting means. That is, the control unit 11 cuts out image data of the nail design selected by the user, appropriately enlarges or reduces it, adjusts the position, etc., and fits it within the range set as the printing area of ​​the nail T. In addition, when the curvature of the nail T is acquired as the nail information detection means, the control unit 11 may perform appropriate curve correction on the print data based on the curvature of the nail, etc. When the curve correction is performed, print data that is more suited to the shape of the nail T can be generated.

[0060] In this embodiment, print data is generated based on the detection result by the 3D sensor 6 serving as detection means and nail information based on the nail image acquired by the camera 51 of the photographing unit 5. The electronic device 100 (see FIG. 3) is configured to include the 3D sensor 6 serving as detection means for detecting a first coordinate value that is a coordinate value indicating a first position of the nail T (the position of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated) and a second coordinate value that is a coordinate value indicating a second position of the nail T (the position of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is rotated), and a control unit 11 serving as print data generating means for generating print data for printing on the nail T based on the detected first coordinate value and second coordinate value. In particular, the 3D sensor 6 of this embodiment is configured to detect "first coordinate values" (for example, coordinate values ​​(reference coordinate values) xd, yd, zd shown in Figures 6(d) and 7(d)) ​​which are the coordinate values ​​of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is in the "first state" (state before rotation) and "second coordinate values" (for example, coordinate values ​​x, (y,) z shown in Figures 6(d) and 7(d)) ​​which are the coordinate values ​​of the nail T when the finger placement stand 3 is in the "second state" (rotated state), and the control unit 11 compares the "first coordinate value" of the nail T with a conversion value based on the "second coordinate value" of the nail T and generates print data based on the comparison result.

[0061] More specifically, for example, the "second coordinate value" at the end of the width direction of the nail T (coordinate values ​​x, z (or x, y, z) in Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) and Figs. 7(a) to 7(d)) ​​converted into the coordinate value in the state before the finger placement stand 3 is rotated (coordinate values ​​x', z' (or x', y', z') in Figs. 6(a) to 6(d) and Figs. 7(a) to 7(d)) ​​is larger than the "first coordinate value" at the end of the width direction of the nail T (i.e., coordinate values ​​xd, zd). If there is no point at a height position lower than a predetermined threshold value (in the example shown in the embodiment, the coordinate value zd indicating the limit position of the side end of the nail T that can be detected when the finger placement base 3 is in the "first state" and not rotating) (see Figures 6(a) to 6(d), etc.), "first print data TD1" corresponding to the "main print area" is generated based on the "first coordinate value" and this is used as print data TD (an image of the print data TD in this case is shown in Figure 8).

[0062] On the other hand, if there is a location where the coordinate values ​​x',z' (or x',y',z') are at a height position lower than the coordinate value zd (see FIG. 7, etc.), "first print data TD1" corresponding to the "main print area" is generated based on the "first coordinate value", and "second print data TD2" corresponding to the "supplementary print area" is generated based on the "second coordinate value" for the location at a height position lower than the coordinate value zd (for example, the area at the width direction end of the nail T). Then, print data is generated so that the "first print data TD1" and the "second print data TD2" are combined to become print data TD corresponding to the design (an image of the print data TD in this case is shown in FIG. 9).

[0063] In addition, if there is a "supplementary printing area" in addition to the "main printing area" as a printing area, the control unit 11, as a printing data generation means, generates "first printing data TD1" and "second printing data TD2" by allocating design data to the entire printing area combining the "main printing area" and the "supplementary printing area" to create a single piece of data that will be printed on the entire nail.

[0064] Fig. 8 shows an example of print data for a relatively common nail as shown in Fig. 6(a) to Fig. 6(d). In this case, the print data TD is composed only of "first print data TD1", which is data corresponding to the "main print area". In contrast, Fig. 9 shows an example of print data for an ingrown nail that is rolled inward significantly as shown in Fig. 7(a) to Fig. 7(d). In this case, the print data TD is composed of "first print data TD1" which is data corresponding to the "main print area" and "second print data TD2" which is data corresponding to the "supplementary print area".

[0065] The control unit 11 as a print control means controls each part of the printing mechanism 4 so as to perform printing on the nail T according to the generated print data ("first print data TD1" and "second print data TD2"). Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to the printing mechanism 4 based on the printing data, and controls the X-direction movement motor 45, Y-direction movement motor 47, position detection sensor 48, printing head 41, etc. of the printing mechanism 4 so as to perform printing on the nail T in accordance with the printing data.

[0066] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 11 generates "second print data TD2" in addition to "first print data TD1" as a print data generating means, printing on the nail T based on the "first print data TD1" by the printing mechanism 4 is performed with the finger placement platform 3 in the "first state" (i.e., a state in which it is not rotated), and printing on the nail T based on the "second print data TD2" by the printing mechanism 4 is performed with the finger placement platform 3 in the "second state" (i.e., a rotated state).

[0067] That is, up to a height position of about coordinate value zd, appropriate ink landing is possible by taking measures such as performing curved surface correction on the print data, but the "supplementary print area" at a height position lower than this will be outside the range suitable for printing ("appropriate distance range Ra") shown in Fig. 4 if the finger placement platform 3 is left in the "first state". When printing in such a "supplementary print area" (i.e., when printing based on the "second print data TD2"), the distance between the ink ejection surface 411 of the print head 41 and the surface of the nail T is too far, causing the ink to land irregularly and preventing clean printing.

[0068] Therefore, in this embodiment, when printing based on the "second print data TD2" for such a "supplementary print area," the finger rest 3 is rotated to the same angle as when detecting the print area (angle θm in this embodiment), and the control unit 11 controls the rest rotation motor 33, etc. so that printing is performed in this rotated state ("second state"). By rotating the finger placement platform 3, the location of coordinate value z' (coordinate value z before being converted to the "first state" in Figure 5) which is at a height position lower than coordinate value zd can also be positioned within a range suitable for printing ("appropriate distance range Ra").

[0069] Note that the following cases are possible when printing is performed in the rotated state ("second state"). That is, when first printing in a rotated state ("second state") for the area on the positive side of the x-axis, when printing in an area set as the "supplementary printing area" on the positive side of the x-axis, it is possible that the position indicated by coordinate value zd is not within the "appropriate distance range Ra" (see Figures 4 and 5), but the height indicated by coordinate value z is within the "appropriate distance range Ra," or that neither the position indicated by coordinate value z nor the position indicated by coordinate value zd is within the "appropriate distance range Ra," but the position indicated by coordinate value z is closer to the "appropriate distance range Ra." In addition, when printing in a rotated state ("second state") for the area on the - side of the x axis, when printing in an area set as the "supplementary printing area" on the - side of the x axis, it is possible that the position indicated by the coordinate value zd is not within the "appropriate distance range Ra" (see Figures 4 and 5) but the height indicated by the coordinate value z is within the "appropriate distance range Ra," or that neither the position indicated by the coordinate value z nor the position indicated by the coordinate value zd is within the "appropriate distance range Ra," but the position indicated by the coordinate value z is closer to the "appropriate distance range Ra."

[0070] Next, the operation of the printing device 1 and the print control method in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12 are flowcharts showing the print control process in this embodiment.

[0071] 10, when printing is performed with the printer 1 of this embodiment, first, a message or the like is displayed on the display unit 22 or the like to prompt the user to place a finger U on the finger placement table 3, the nail T of which is to be printed, (step S1). Note that the method of prompting the user to place the finger U is not limited to display, and may be, for example, an audio announcement if the printer 1 is equipped with an audio output unit (notification means) such as a speaker. When the finger U is placed on the finger rest 3, the control unit 11 operates the rest rotation motor 33 to rotate the finger rest 3 by +θm, changing the initial state, the “first state”, to the rotated state, the “second state” (step S2).

[0072] Then, in this "second state", the 3D sensor 6 starts measurement on the positive side of the x coordinate (step S3), and the 3D sensor 6 acquires (measures) the x, y coordinate values ​​of the nail T and the coordinate value z indicating the height position (step S4). The values ​​acquired by the 3D sensor 6 are, for example, (x1, y1, z11), (x2, y1, Z21), (xn, y1, zn1) (x1, y2, z12), (x2, y2, Z22), (xn, y2, zn2) ... (x1, yn, z1n), (x2, yn, Z2n), ..., (xn, yn, znn) It becomes.

[0073] Furthermore, the control unit 11 calculates each angle θ at each coordinate from the measurement results by the 3D sensor 6 (the angle between each straight line parallel to the X-axis direction and extended from the Y-axis to each coordinate and the XY plane, as shown in Figures 6(d) and 7(d)) ​​(step S5). The equation for calculating the angle θ is as follows: tan-1(z / x)

[0074] As a result, the control unit 11 outputs the calculation result as, for example, θ11, θ21, . . . , θn1, θ12, θ22, . . . , θn2, ... θ1n, θ2n, . . . , θnn You can get an angle like this.

[0075] Furthermore, the finger U and nail T placed on the finger placement table 3 are photographed by the camera 51 to obtain a nail image (step S6). When the control unit 11 acquires the nail image, it detects the nail region (the region inside the boundary line detected as the nail contour) from the nail image (step S7), and stores the x, y, and z coordinate values ​​of the region detected as the nail region and the angle θ of each coordinate in the storage unit 12 or the like (step S8).

[0076] Next, as shown in "A" and subsequent parts of FIG. 11, the finger placement table 3 is rotated by -θm to return from the rotated state "second state" to the initial state "first state" (step S9). Then, the 3D sensor 6 acquires (measures) the xd, yd coordinate values ​​of the nail T and the coordinate value zd indicating the height position (step S10). The values ​​acquired by the 3D sensor 6 are, for example, (xd1, yd1, zd11), (xd2, yd1, zd21), (xdn, yd1, zdn1) (xd1, yd2, zd12), (xd2, yd2, zd22), (xdn, yd2, zdn2) ... (xd1, ydn, zd1n), (xd2, ydn, zd2n), ..., (xdn, ydn, zdnn) It becomes.

[0077] Furthermore, the control unit 11 causes the camera 51 to capture an image of the finger U and nail T placed on the finger placement table 3 (step S11), obtains a nail image, and detects a nail region from the nail image (step S12). The control unit 11 then designates the area detected as the nail area in the "first state" as the "main printing area" (step S13), and stores the xd, yd, and zd coordinate values ​​of the area detected as the nail area in the memory unit 12, etc. (step S14). Furthermore, the control unit 11 converts the x, y, and z coordinate values ​​acquired in the "second state" into coordinate values ​​x', y', and z' in the "first state" using the following formula (step S15). x' = x cos(θ-θm) / cos(θ) θ = tan-1(z / x)

[0078] Then, the control unit 11 determines whether there is a position with coordinates where "z'<zd" (step S16). If there is a position with coordinates where "z'<zd" (step S16; YES), the control unit adds the corresponding position to the printing area as a "supplementary printing area" (step S17). On the other hand, if there is no position with coordinates where "z'<zd" (step S16; NO), the process proceeds to the next step S18 without setting the "supplementary printing area".

[0079] When the measurement of the + side area of the x-axis is completed as described above, the control unit 11 determines whether the measurement of the - side area of the x-axis has been completed (step S18). It is arbitrary which of the + side area and - side area of the x-axis performs the measurement process first. The measurement order may be determined by the default order on the device side. If the measurement of the - side area of the x-axis has not been completed (step S18; NO), the process returns to FIG. 10 and performs the processes after "B". That is, the finger placement table 3 is rotated -θm to change from the initial "first state" to the rotated "second state" (step S19). Then, in the "second state" (rotated state), the measurement by the 3D sensor 6 of the - side of the x coordinate is started (step S20). Since the subsequent processes from step S4 to step S17 are the same as those performed for the + side area of the x-axis, the description is omitted.

[0080] When the measurements of both the + side area and - side area of the x-axis are completed (step S18; YES), the process proceeds to FIG. 12, and as shown below "C", the area detected as the claw area is displayed on the display unit 22 etc. as the printing area ("main printing area", "supplementary printing area") to prompt the user for confirmation (step S21). The control unit 11 determines whether a printing start instruction has been input from the operation unit etc. (step S22). If the printing start instruction is not input within a certain time or if a printing cancel input is received (step S22; NO), the printing process is aborted (step S23). On the other hand, if a print start command has been input (step S22; YES), the control unit 11 further determines whether or not there is an area to be printed in the "second state" in which the finger placement platform 3 has been rotated (step S24).

[0081] If there is an area to be printed in the "second state" (step S24; YES), the finger placement platform 3 is rotated by +θm from the initial state, the "first state", to the rotated state, the "second state" (step S25). Then, the control unit 11 controls the printing mechanism 4 to perform printing based on the "second print data TD2" (see FIG. 9) on the area on the + side of the x-axis among the areas to be printed in the "second state" (rotated state) (step S26). When printing of the area on the + side of the x axis is completed, the finger placement platform 3 is then rotated -2θm (step S27) and tilted to the opposite side (for example, the opposite to the state shown in FIG. 5).Then, the printing mechanism 4 is controlled to perform printing based on the "second print data TD2" (see FIG. 9) in the area on the - side of the x axis to be printed in the "second state" (step S28).

[0082] When printing on the positive side and negative side of the x-axis is completed, the control unit 11 controls the operation of the mount rotation motor 33 to rotate the finger mount 3 by +θm (step S29) and return it to the initial state, "first state."Then, the control unit 11 controls the printing mechanism 4 to perform printing based on "first print data TD1" (see FIG. 9) on the area to be printed in the "first state" ("main print area") (step S30). Also, if there is no area to print in the "second state" (see FIG. 7, step S24; NO), the process proceeds to step S30, and the printing mechanism 4 is controlled to perform printing based on the "first print data TD1" (see FIG. 9). In addition, the order of printing in the "supplementary printing area" on the + side of the x-axis and the "supplementary printing area" on the - side of the x-axis, and printing in the "main printing area" to be printed in the "first state" is not limited to that illustrated here; for example, printing in the "main printing area" may be followed by printing in the "supplementary printing area."

[0083] In this way, by dividing the printing area into an area to be printed in the "first state", the "main printing area", and an area to be printed in the "second state", the "supplementary printing area", and preparing corresponding printing data for each ("first printing data TD1" and "second printing data TD2"), high-quality printing can be performed regardless of the shape of the user's nail T, etc.

[0084] As described above, the electronic device 100 of this embodiment includes a 3D sensor 6 or the like as a detection means for detecting a first coordinate value which is a coordinate value indicating a first position of the nail T and a second coordinate value which is a coordinate value indicating a second position of the nail T, and a control unit 11 as a print data generation means for generating print data for printing on the nail T based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value. This makes it possible to accurately recognize the shape, height position, and the like up to the widthwise end of the nail T, which cannot be fully confirmed from only one direction, such as from above, and generate print data that can properly print up to the widthwise end of the nail T. This makes it possible to perform high-quality printing on the entire nail T.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the printing device 1 includes a print head 41 as printing means for printing on a nail T that is a printing target based on print data, a finger placement table 3 as placement means for placing a finger U corresponding to the nail T, a 3D sensor 6 or the like as detection means for detecting coordinate values ​​indicating the position of at least a part of the nail T, and a control unit 11 as print data generation means for generating print data for printing by the print head 41. The finger placement table 3 is arranged to be oriented in a first direction (in the present embodiment, The finger placement platform 3 is rotatable about an axis (in this embodiment, axis 34 of the placement platform rotation motor 33) along the Y direction (axis Y direction) so as to take a "first state" to a "second state", and the 3D sensor 6 etc. detect a "first coordinate value" that is the coordinate value of the nail T of the finger U placed on the finger placement platform 3 in the "first state" and a "second coordinate value" that is the coordinate value of the nail T of the finger U placed on the finger placement platform 3 in the "second state", and the control unit 11 as a print data generating means generates print data based on the detection results of the 3D sensor 6 etc. As a result, even if the user's nail T is an ingrown nail or the curvature of the widthwise end is extremely large, it is possible to accurately recognize the shape, height position, etc., of the widthwise end of the nail T, which cannot be fully seen from above, and generate print data that can properly print up to the widthwise end of the nail T. Even in such cases, printing can be performed with the distance between the nail T and the print head 41 within a range suitable for printing, so that high-quality printing without landing disturbances can be performed on the entire nail T, regardless of the shape, etc., of the nail T.

[0086] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "first state" is an initial state in which the finger placement platform 3, which is the placement means, is not rotating, and the "second state" is a rotated state in which the finger placement platform 3 has rotated around an axis 34 along the first direction, and the control unit 11, which serves as a print data generating means, compares the "first coordinate value" of the nail T with the "second coordinate value" of the nail T, and generates print data based on the comparison result. This allows the finger placement table 3 to be rotated, so that the shape, height position, etc. of the widthwise end of the nail T, which is difficult to see from above, can be accurately recognized, and printing data can be generated that can properly print up to the widthwise end of the nail T.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the "first state" is a state (initial state) in which the finger placement platform 3 is not rotated, and the "second state" is a rotated state after the finger placement platform 3 is rotated around an axis 34 along the first direction, and the control unit 11, as a print data generating means, generates "first print data TD1" based on the "first coordinate value" when the "second coordinate value" of the widthwise end of the nail T detected by the 3D sensor 6 or the like, converted into the coordinate value in the state before rotation, is a height position that is lower than the first coordinate value of the widthwise end of the nail T by a predetermined value or more, and generates "second print data TD2" based on the "second coordinate value" for the area of ​​the widthwise end of the nail T. This makes it possible to properly capture the three-dimensional shape of the end of the nail T, which cannot be fully understood from two-dimensional information detected from the nail image, and to prepare printing data that matches the shape of the nail T.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the "second print data TD2" is generated by the control unit 11 as a print data generating means, printing on the nail T by the print head 41 based on the "first print data TD1" is performed with the finger placement table 3 in the "first state", and printing on the nail T by the print head 41 based on the "second print data TD2" is performed with the finger placement table 3 in the "second state". By dividing the print data in this way and switching the state of the finger placement table 3 depending on the area to be printed, high-quality printing can be performed while maintaining the "nail-to-head distance" within a range that allows appropriate printing ("appropriate distance range Ra") regardless of which area of ​​the nail T is printed on.

[0089] In this embodiment, a stage rotation motor 33 is provided for rotating the finger stage 3 around an axis along the first direction. This allows the finger placement table 3 to be rotated more accurately than if it were operated manually.

[0090] In this embodiment, a camera 51 is provided as an imaging means for photographing the nail T to obtain a nail image. It is difficult to correctly grasp the boundary between the nail T and the finger U using only the coordinate values ​​that can be detected by the 3D sensor 6, but since the nail image can be acquired by the camera 51, the contour shape and nail area of ​​the nail T can be properly grasped by image analysis.

[0091] In this embodiment, the finger rest 3 includes a finger receiving portion 31 and a finger pressing portion 321 which function as a finger fixing means for fixing the finger U. As a result, even if the finger rest 3 is rotated from the "first state" to the "second state" and the finger U tilts together with the finger rest 3, the finger U does not shift and can maintain its position (tilt).

[0092] 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.

[0093] For example, in this embodiment, an example has been given of a base rotation motor 33 that rotates the finger base 3 around an axis along the first direction, but the configuration for rotating the finger base 3 is not limited to this. For example, finger rest 3 may be rotated manually by instructing the user via a display unit or the like.

[0094] Further, for example, in the present embodiment, an example has been given of the case where the entire finger placement stand 3 rotates, but it is sufficient if the finger U (nail T of the finger U) placed on the finger placement stand 3 can be rotated, and it is not necessary for the entire finger placement stand 3 to be rotated. For example, only the finger receiving portion 31 on which the finger U is placed may be configured to rotate.

[0095] In addition, in the present embodiment, the case where the 3D sensor 6 acquires the position coordinates (coordinate values) for the entire nail T has been exemplified, but the coordinate values ​​acquired by the 3D sensor 6 are not limited to the entire nail T. For example, the 3D sensor 6 may measure only the side end of the nail T, or other locations whose exact shape is difficult to grasp from two-dimensional information, to obtain information on three-dimensional coordinate values.

[0096] In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the 3D sensor 6, a camera 51 is provided as an imaging means to acquire nail information, but if the boundary between the nail T and the finger U can be recognized using only the information acquired by the 3D sensor 6, it is not necessary to capture images using the camera 51.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, the printer 1 is configured to be able to complete the printing operation by itself, but the printer 1 is not limited to the one shown here. For example, the printing system may be configured in cooperation with an external terminal device (such as a smartphone or tablet terminal). In this case, most of the processing other than the printing operation, such as selection of a nail design, acquisition of nail information, and generation of print data, may be performed on the external device side, such as the terminal device.

[0098] 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> a placement means on which a finger corresponding to the nail to be printed can be placed, and which is rotatable around an axis along the direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed so that the finger can take a first state to a second state; a detection means for detecting a first coordinate value which is a coordinate value indicating a position of the nail placed on the placement means in the first state, and a second coordinate value which is a coordinate value indicating a position of the nail placed on the placement means in the second state; a print data generating means for generating print data based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value; A printing device comprising: <Claim 2> The first state is a state in which the placement means is not rotated, and the second state is a rotated state in which the placement means is rotated around an axis along a direction in which the finger extends. 2. The printing device according to claim 1 . <Claim 3> the print data generating means generates first print data based on the first coordinate value when the second coordinate value of the width direction end of the nail detected by the detecting means is converted into a coordinate value in the first state by the placing means, the coordinate value being a position lower in height than a threshold value of the first coordinate value of the width direction end of the nail, and generates second print data based on the second coordinate value for an area of ​​the width direction end of the nail. 3. The printing device according to claim 1 or 2. <Claim 4> Further comprising a printing means for printing on the nail, When the second print data is generated by the print data generating means, The printing means performs printing on the nails based on the first print data when the placement means is in the first state, The printing on the nail based on the second print data by the printing means is performed when the placement means is in the second state. 4. The printing device according to claim 3 . <Claim 5> A motor is provided to rotate the placement means around an axis along the direction in which the finger extends. 5. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer. <Claim 6> A photographing means is provided for photographing the nail to obtain a nail image. 6. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer. <Claim 7> The placement means includes finger fixing means for fixing the finger. 7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is a printer. <Claim 8> A detection means for detecting a first coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a first state, and a second coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a second state, on a surface of a printing target that is rotatable so as to be able to take a first state to a second state; and a print data generating means for generating print data for printing on the print target based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value. 1. An electronic device comprising: <Claim 9> a detection step of detecting a first coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a first state, and a second coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a second state, on a surface of a printing target that is rotatable so as to be able to take a second state from a first state; a print data generating step of generating print data for printing on the print target based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value. A printing control method comprising: <Claim 10> On the computer, a detection function for detecting a first coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a first state, and a second coordinate value, which is a coordinate value in a second state, on a surface of a printing target that is rotatable so as to be able to take a second state from a first state; a print data generating function that generates print data for printing on the print target based on the first coordinate value and the second coordinate value; A program for realizing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1 Printing device 2. Chassis 3 finger placement table 31 Finger support 321 Finger holder 10 Control device 11 Control section 12 Storage section 4 Printing mechanism 41 Print Head 411 Ink ejection surface 5. Photography Department 51 Camera 6 3D Sensor

Claims

1. a placement means on which a finger corresponding to a nail to be printed can be placed, the placement means being rotatable so as to take a first rotation position and a second rotation position around an axis along a direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed; a detection control means for causing a predetermined sensor to detect coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the nail of the finger placed on the placement means as first coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the first rotation position, and for causing the sensor to detect the coordinate values ​​as second coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the second rotation position; a print data generating means for generating first print data for printing on the nail based on the first coordinate values, and generating second print data for printing on the nail based on the second coordinate values; A printing means for printing on the nail, When the second print data is generated by the print data generating means, the printing means prints on the nails based on the first print data when the placement means is located at the first rotation position; the printing means prints on the nails based on the second print data when the placement means is located at the second rotation position; 1. An electronic device comprising:

2. the first rotation position is set as a rotation position where the nail of the finger placed on the placement means faces the sensor with the pad side of the finger facing the placement surface, the second rotation position is set as a rotation position in which the nail of the finger placed on the placement means is oriented obliquely with respect to the sensor such that the pad side of the finger faces the placement surface; 2. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. the print data generating means generates the first print data based on the first coordinate value when a value obtained by converting the second coordinate value at the width direction end of the nail into a coordinate value at the width direction end of the nail when the placement means is located at the first rotation position indicates a position that is lower than a height indicated by the first coordinate value at the width direction end of the nail by a predetermined threshold value or more, and generates the second print data based on the second coordinate value for an area of ​​the width direction end of the nail.

3. The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The sensor is a stereo camera type or a ToF camera type 3D sensor.

4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are electrically connected to the first and second electrodes.

5. A detection and control process for causing a predetermined sensor to detect coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the nail of a finger placed on a placement means capable of rotating so that a finger corresponding to the nail to be printed can be placed on the placement means and can take a first rotational position and a second rotational position around an axis along the direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed on the placement means as a first coordinate value when the placement means is located at the first rotational position, and causing the sensor to detect the coordinate values ​​as a second coordinate value when the placement means is located at the second rotational position; a print data generating step of generating first print data for printing on the nail based on the first coordinate values, and generating second print data for printing on the nail based on the second coordinate values; a printing step in which, when the second print data is generated by the print data generating step, printing is performed on the nail based on the first print data when the placement means is located at the first rotation position, and printing is performed on the nail based on the second print data when the placement means is located at the second rotation position; A printing control method comprising:

6. To a computer a detection control means for causing a predetermined sensor to detect coordinate values ​​indicating the position of the nail of a finger placed on a placement means on which a finger corresponding to the nail to be printed can be placed and which is rotatable so as to take a first rotational position and a second rotational position around an axis along the direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed, as first coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the first rotational position, and for causing the sensor to detect coordinate values ​​as second coordinate values ​​when the placement means is located at the second rotational position; a print data generating means for generating first print data for printing on the nail based on the first coordinate values, and generating second print data for printing on the nail based on the second coordinate values; a printing means for printing on the nail; When the second print data is generated by the print data generating means, the printing means prints on the nails based on the first print data when the placement means is located at the first rotation position; the printing means prints on the nails based on the second print data when the placement means is located at the second rotation position; A program characterized by:

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