Printing apparatus, printing control method of printing apparatus, and program

Abstract

To improve the convenience for a user.SOLUTION: A printer 1 is the printer that performs printing on a printing object (the skin of a user). The printer 1 comprises, in a device body 100 of the printer 1, a printing head 41 which discharges a liquid formulation (ink for makeup) to the printing object (the skin of a user), a heating unit 413 which heats the printing head 41, and a control unit 7 which controls heating of the printing head 41 by the heating unit 413 according to the detection state of the printing object (the skin of a user).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method for the printing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In a thermal inkjet printer, it is necessary to perform a preheating process of preheating the inside of the cartridge before starting the ejection of ink. By performing this preheating process, an inkjet printer that heats the inside of the cartridge to a certain temperature and then ejects ink stably is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] After the inside of the cartridge is raised to a certain temperature by the preheating process, it is desirable to eject the ink immediately. Continuing the heating without ejecting the ink will have an adverse effect on the state of the nozzles.

[0005] However, in a handheld printer where the user determines the printing position and then performs printing, since the preheating process is performed after the user instructs the start of printing, the user has to wait until the ink is ejected, lacking convenience.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a printing apparatus, a printing control method for the printing apparatus, and a program that are more convenient for the user.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention includes: a printing head that discharges a liquid agent onto an object to be printed; a heating unit that heats the printing head; Movement of the printing device According to the detection state of, by the heating unit ru heating of the printing head Strength is Setting controlled; and a control unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, convenience for the user can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail in order. Note that, although various technically preferable limitations are imposed on the embodiments described below for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.

[0011] (First Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 1 to 7, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external configuration of the main part of the printing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the main part in a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction of the printing apparatus 1.

[0012] In the following embodiments, up and down, left and right, and front and rear refer to the directions shown in FIG. 1. Also, the X direction, Y direction, and Z direction refer to the directions shown in each figure. Further, in the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 operates in cooperation with a terminal device 8 which is an external device. FIG. 3 is a main part block diagram showing the functional configuration of the printing apparatus 1 and the terminal device 8 which cooperates with it.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100 described later) of the present embodiment is formed to be of a size that can be held by a user with one hand, and is a handy type inkjet printing apparatus (handheld printer) that can be used while being held by hand. The printing apparatus 1, for example, uses the surface of a person's skin as a printing object (coating object), and prints (coats) a liquid agent such as skin color (cosmetic ink) on the skin surface, and is carried by the user onto the printing object and used. Note that the printing object of the printing apparatus 1 in the present invention is not limited to the surface of a person's skin. For example, the printing apparatus 1 may be one that applies a color ink other than cosmetic ink or a base ink such as white as a liquid agent onto nails as a printing object.

[0014] The printing device 1 includes a device main body 100 and a stand 200 (Fig. 2). The device main body 100 is the main body portion of the printing device 1 that can be gripped by the user. The stand 200 is a stand on which the device main body 100 can be placed for charging when not in use (when not printing). The device main body 100 placed on the stand 200 is removed from the stand 200 by the user and used during use (when printing).

[0015] The device main body 100 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape, and has an operation unit 11 and a lamp unit 16, for example, on the front surface of the housing 2. The operation unit 11 is an operation unit that receives operation inputs from the user, and includes a power button 111 and a print button 112. The power button 111 is a button that receives a pressing input of an execution instruction for turning the power on / off from the user. The print button 112 is a button that receives a pressing input of a print execution instruction from the user. In the illustrated example, the print button 112 is arranged as a button extending in the left-right direction (Y direction) of the device main body 100. For example, when the user presses the power button 111, an instruction signal corresponding to the operation is output to a control unit 7 (see Fig. 3) described later, and the power of the device main body 100 is turned on / off.

[0016] The lamp unit 16 is composed of a light source that displays information of the apparatus main body 100 by lighting / extinguishing light. The lamp unit 16 includes a power LED (Light Emitting Diode) 161 and a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) LED 162. The power LED 161 has an LED as a light source, and the LED is lit when the power of the apparatus main body 100 is on and extinguished when the power is off. The wireless LAN LED 162 has an LED as a light source, and the LED is lit when the wireless LAN communication connection between the apparatus main body 100 and the terminal device 8 described later is in progress, and extinguished when the wireless LAN communication connection is not in progress. Note that the lamp unit 16 may be provided with an indicator (not shown), a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, instead of or together with a light source such as an LED. In addition, the shape of each part of the housing 2, the number and arrangement of the operation unit 11 and the lamp unit 16, etc. are not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, the operation unit 11 and the lamp unit 16 may be provided on the upper surface or side surface of the housing 2, etc.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2, the stand 200 is provided with a cap mechanism 201 and the like that cover and protect the discharge part (discharge surface) 412 of the print head 41 described later. The printing apparatus 1 is recommended to place the apparatus main body 100 on the stand 200 in order to cover the discharge part 412 when not in use (non-printing).

[0018] In addition, the apparatus main body 100 has an opening 21 provided at a position closer to the front in the front-rear direction and in the middle in the left-right direction on the lower surface of the housing 2. The opening 21 is formed to be large enough to expose the discharge part 412 of the print head 41 described later to the outside. Note that the specific shape, size, etc. of the opening 21 are not particularly limited to this configuration.

[0019] In addition, the apparatus main body 100 includes a printing unit 4, a photographing device 5, etc., which are provided inside the housing 2. The printing unit 4 includes a print head 41 and a head moving mechanism 45 (see FIG. 3) for moving the print head 41 in the front-rear direction of the apparatus (the X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). The print head 41 performs printing on a printing object (the skin surface in this embodiment). As the print head 41, a cartridge-integrated print head including a storage portion 411 for storing a liquid agent (cosmetic ink) and a discharge portion 412 (a discharge surface provided with nozzles not shown) for discharging this liquid agent is assumed.

[0020] The discharge portion 412 (discharge mechanism portion) is provided on the lower surface of the print head 41 (the surface facing the skin surface which is the printing object) and is normally exposed downward from the opening 21 of the housing 2. Note that the print head 41 is not limited to a configuration in which the storage portion 411 and the discharge portion 412 are integrated. For example, the storage portion 411 as a cartridge may be configured separately from the discharge portion 412 for discharging the liquid agent, and the storage portion 411 may be connected to the discharge portion 412 via a supply pipe or the like during printing.

[0021] The print head 41 of this embodiment is assumed to be a thermal inkjet head that discharges (sprays) the liquid agent atomized from the discharge portion 412 onto the printing object (skin surface) by heating the liquid agent (cosmetic ink) to perform printing. The print head 41 (discharge portion 412) has a plurality of nozzles for discharging the liquid agent and a plurality of heaters provided in the liquid chambers of the respective nozzles. In the print head 41 (discharge portion 412), by heating the heater in the liquid chamber, bubbles are generated, and the liquid agent in the liquid chamber is discharged as droplets from the nozzles according to the generated bubbles. Since the print head 41 is a thermal inkjet head, during the printing process, as a pre-treatment for printing, a preheating process for heating the temperature of the liquid agent (the temperature of the print head 41) to a constant target temperature (for example, 60 [°C]) appropriate for printing is required.

[0022] The liquid agent in this embodiment is a mixture in which various solutes are dissolved in a solvent. Specifically, the liquid agent is a cosmetic ink using water or the like as the solvent and titanium oxide or the like as the solute, and is a liquid agent having a color from white to skin color or a color close thereto (for example, light pink, light yellow, light orange, etc.). Note that a plurality of types of printing heads 41 each having a storage unit 411 for storing liquid agents with different blending ratios of various colors and solutes may be prepared. In this case, the user appropriately selects the printing head 41 to be used for printing according to preferences or the like and mounts it on the apparatus main body 100.

[0023] The printing head 41 (storage unit 411) is supported by an X-direction movement stage for moving (scanning) the carriage 42 in the X direction (front-rear direction) while being mounted (held) on the carriage 42 as a holding unit. The head movement mechanism 45 (see FIG. 3) is a mechanism for moving the printing head 41 in the front-rear direction of the apparatus (X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2). The head movement mechanism 45 includes an X-direction movement motor 46 (see FIG. 3) or the like as a drive unit for appropriately moving the printing head 41 (carriage 42) in the X direction. When the X-direction movement motor 46 is driven, the printing head 41 mounted on the carriage 42 moves in the X direction along the X-direction guide 43 provided on the X-direction movement stage.

[0024] The imaging device 5 is for imaging a printing object (in this embodiment, the skin surface), and includes an imaging unit 51 and an illumination unit 52 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 2, the imaging device 5 is disposed above the opening 21 inside the housing 2, illuminates the subject (printing object) from the opening 21 with the illumination unit 52, and images it with the imaging unit 51 to generate image data of the subject.

[0025] The imaging unit 51 is, for example, a small digital camera including a solid-state imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million pixels or more and a lens or the like. The illumination unit 52 is a light source such as a white LED.

[0026] In addition, the device main body 100 is disposed on the lower surface of the housing 2 and has a contact detection sensor 12 as a contact detection unit that detects whether or not the housing 2 around the opening 21 is in direct contact with the printing object (the user's skin). The contact detection sensor 12 is composed of a capacitance sensor. Note that the contact detection sensor 12 only needs to be able to detect the presence or absence of direct contact between the printing object and the housing 2, and its configuration is not particularly limited to the above configuration, and it may be a resistance film method, a surface acoustic wave method, an infrared touch sensor, a pressure sensor, a push button, etc.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3, the device main body 100 includes, as an internal circuit configuration, a power supply unit 10, an operation unit 11, a contact detection sensor 12, an acceleration sensor 13 as a motion detection unit, a wireless communication unit 14, an I / F (InterFace) 15, a lamp unit 16, a control unit 7, a printing unit 4, and a photographing device 5.

[0028] The power supply unit 10 includes a power supply circuit, a battery, etc., and when the power is turned on, it generates power of a power supply voltage corresponding to each part of the device main body 100 from the power supply power from an external power supply or a battery and supplies it to each part as appropriate. In addition, the power supply unit 10 turns on / off the device main body 100 in accordance with the power on / off control from the control unit 7. Further, when power supply power is supplied from an external power supply via the I / F 15, the power supply unit 10 supplies power to each part of the device main body 100 from the supplied power supply power and charges the battery.

[0029] The operation unit 11 receives an operation input from the user via a power button 111 and a printing button 112, and outputs operation information corresponding to the operation content to the control unit 7.

[0030] The contact detection sensor 12 detects the presence or absence of direct contact between the housing 2 of the device main body 100 and the printing object (the user's skin), and outputs the detection information to the control unit 7.

[0031] The acceleration sensor 13 is composed of a three-dimensional acceleration sensor, detects three-dimensional acceleration, and outputs the three-dimensional acceleration data to the control unit 7. The three-dimensional acceleration data is used by the control unit 7 to detect the posture, movement, etc. of the apparatus main body 100. In the present first embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100) may be configured not to include the acceleration sensor 13.

[0032] The wireless communication unit 14 has a wireless communication module of the wireless LAN communication method, and is a communication unit that wirelessly transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 8 as an external device. The control unit 7 transmits and receives information to and from the terminal device 8 via the wireless communication unit 14. However, the communication method of the wireless communication unit 14 is not limited to the wireless LAN communication, and other wireless communication methods such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) may be used.

[0033] The I / F 15 has a connector, a communication control circuit, etc., and is a communication unit that performs wired transmission and reception of information with an external device by a wired communication method such as USB (Universal Serial Bus). The control unit 7 transmits and receives information to and from the external device via the I / F 15. Further, the I / F 15 also functions as a power supply connector to which power supply power supplied from an external power source such as a commercial power supply and an external device is input. Note that the wireless communication unit 14 and the I / F 15 are not essential components of the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100), and the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100) may be configured not to have these, or may be configured to have only one of them.

[0034] The power supply LED 161 of the lamp unit 16 is turned on / off according to the power-on / off under the control of the control unit 7. The wireless LAN LED 162 of the lamp unit 16 is turned on / off according to the on / off of the wireless LAN communication under the control of the control unit 7.

[0035] The control unit 7 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 71, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 72, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 73. The CPU 71 controls each part of the apparatus main body 100. The CPU 71 reads out various programs stored in the ROM 73 and expands them in the RAM 72, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded programs. The RAM 72 is a volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading and writing information, provides a working area for the CPU 71, and temporarily stores data and programs.

[0036] The ROM 73 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading information, and stores various data and various programs. In particular, it is assumed that the ROM 73 stores a first printing program for executing the first printing process described later. Further, the ROM 73 as a storage unit may be configured to be replaced with a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory that can read and write information.

[0037] The printing unit 4 includes a print head 41, a head movement mechanism 45, a temperature sensor 47, and a home sensor 48. Also, the print head 41 is assumed to have a heating unit 413 in addition to a storage unit 411 and a discharge unit 412. The heating unit 413 is a heating unit for preheating processing, and for example, uses a plurality of heaters for discharging a liquid agent respectively arranged in the liquid chambers of a plurality of nozzles of the discharge unit 412. The plurality of heaters of the heating unit 413 are heated without discharging the liquid agent for preheating processing by receiving a control signal for heating from the control unit 7, and heat the liquid agent stored by the heating without discharging the droplets of the liquid agent.

[0038] However, the heating unit 413 may be arranged separately from the plurality of heaters for discharging the liquid agent of the discharge unit 412, and may be a heating means such as a heater for heating the liquid agent stored in the storage unit 411. In this configuration, the heating unit 413 heats the liquid agent stored in the storage unit 411 by heating the heating means according to the control of the control unit 7.

[0039] The head movement mechanism 45 has an X-direction movement motor 46. The temperature sensor 47 is a temperature sensor such as a thermistor, and is arranged near the printing head 41, inside the printing head 41, etc., detects the temperature of the printing head 41 (the liquid agent), and outputs the detected temperature information to the control unit 7.

[0040] The origin sensor 48 is, for example, an optical sensor, and detects when the printing head 41 reaches the origin position (for example, the end on the front side (the left side in FIG. 1 etc.) of the X-direction movement stage), and outputs the detection information to the control unit 7. The X-direction movement motor 46 is, for example, a stepping motor. After the control unit 7 detects the origin position of the printing head 41 by the origin sensor 48, it drives the X-direction movement motor 46 and counts the number of pulses etc. input to the X-direction movement motor 46 (stepping motor), thereby grasping the X-direction position of the printing head 41 from the origin position at any time. Note that the method for grasping the X-direction position of the printing head 41 is not limited to this.

[0041] The printing unit 4 drives the head movement mechanism 45 according to the control of the control unit 7, moves the printing head 41 in the X direction, discharges the liquid agent (cosmetic ink) stored in the storage unit 411 from the nozzles of the discharge unit 412, and prints (applies) it on the printing object.

[0042] The photographing device 5 lights the lighting unit 52 according to the control of the control unit 7, photographs the printing object (the user's skin) exposed from the opening 21 by the photographing unit 51 to generate image data (moving image data), and outputs the generated image data to the control unit 7.

[0043] Note that the stand 200 may have a power supply unit as its internal circuit configuration. The power supply unit has power supply power input from an external power supply such as a commercial power supply or an external device, and outputs the input power supply power to the power supply unit 10 of the apparatus main body 100 for power supply.

[0044] In addition, the terminal device 8 is an external device that is the communication destination of the wireless LAN communication of the device main body 100. The printing device 1 cooperates with external devices such as the terminal device 8 and operates according to instructions input from the terminal device 8 or the like. As the terminal device 8, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet is assumed, but it is not limited thereto. The terminal device 8 is not particularly limited as long as it can communicate with the printing device 1, and may be, for example, a notebook or stationary personal computer, a terminal device for games, or the like.

[0045] Specifically, the terminal device 8 includes a control unit 80, an operation unit 84, a wireless communication unit 85, and a display unit 86.

[0046] The control unit 80 includes a CPU 81, a RAM 82, and a ROM 83. The CPU 81 controls each part of the terminal device 8. The CPU 81 reads out various programs stored in the ROM 83 and expands them in the RAM 82, and executes various processes in cooperation with the expanded programs. The RAM 82 is a volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading and writing information, provides a working area for the CPU 81, and temporarily stores data and programs.

[0047] The ROM 83 is a non-volatile semiconductor memory capable of reading information, and stores various data and various programs. Further, the ROM 83 as the storage unit may be configured to be replaced with a non-volatile storage unit such as a flash memory capable of reading and writing information.

[0048] The operation unit 84 is composed of a touch panel integrally provided on the display unit 86, various keys, etc., receives touch operation inputs and key operation inputs from the user, and outputs the operation information to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 can perform various information inputs and settings of the terminal device 8 according to the operation inputs of the operation unit 84. Further, the control unit 80 may be configured to be able to perform various information inputs and settings of the printing device 1 according to the operation inputs of the operation unit 84. For example, in response to an operation input for printing execution from the user via the operation unit 84, the control unit 80 may transmit instruction information for printing execution to the printing device 1 via the wireless communication unit 85 and start the printing operation of the printing device 1.

[0049] The wireless communication unit 85 has a wireless communication module of the communication method (here, wireless LAN communication) of the wireless communication unit 14, and transmits and receives information to and from the printing device 1 (wireless communication unit 14). For example, the control unit 80 receives data such as image data of the printing object from the printing device 1 via the wireless communication unit 85.

[0050] The display unit 86 is composed of a display panel such as an LCD or an EL display, and displays the display information on the display panel according to various display information input from the control unit 80 and the like. For example, the control unit 80 displays (live view display) the image data (moving image data) of the printing object (the user's skin) photographed by the photographing device 5 of the apparatus main body 100 on the display unit 86.

[0051] Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6, the operation of the printing device 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the apparatus main body 100 in a photographing state where photographing is performed by the photographing device 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the apparatus main body 100 in a printing state where the print head 41 performs printing. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the first printing process.

[0052] First, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the basic printing operation of the printing device 1 (apparatus main body 100) will be described.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the apparatus main body 100 of the printing apparatus 1 is in a placed state in which the discharge portion 412 is capped (fitted) to the cap mechanism 201 and placed on the stand 200 in advance. The position of the print head 41 in the X direction in the placed state is defined as the first position. Then, the apparatus main body 100 is removed from the stand 200 by the user and held, and is in a non-contact state where it is not in contact with the printing object (the user's skin).

[0054] Then, as shown in FIG. 4, when the apparatus main body 100 is powered on, the control unit 7 drives the head movement mechanism 45 to move the print head 41 in the X direction to a predetermined position set in advance on the right side (the rear side of the apparatus main body 100) in FIG. 4, and irradiates light on the printing object as a subject through the opening 21 by the imaging device 5 and takes a picture. The predetermined position of the print head 41 in the X direction during imaging is defined as the second position where the discharge portion 412 does not correspond to the opening 21 and the print head 41 does not interfere with the imaging by the imaging device 5.

[0055] At this time, the control unit 7 transmits the image data generated by being taken by the imaging device 5 to the terminal device 8 via the wireless communication unit 14 and performs a live view display on the display unit 86. The user places the opening 21 of the housing 2 against the skin surface S as the user's skin which is the printing object, visually confirms the display content of the display unit 86, and appropriately moves the apparatus main body 100 by hand. When the display content becomes the target of printing of the printing object (such as a stain on the skin surface S), the position of the apparatus main body 100 is finely adjusted. The state in which imaging is performed in this way and the apparatus main body 100 is moved is defined as the moving state of the apparatus main body 100. For example, the control unit 80 of the terminal device 8 displays a printing range corresponding to the discharge surface of the discharge portion 412 of the apparatus main body 100 as a dotted line area such as a rectangle on the display unit 86 in the live view, and moves the apparatus main body 100 so that the user puts the target within the printing range.

[0056] After the above fine adjustment, while the target object remains displayed within the printing range, the user stops the movement of the apparatus main body 100 and presses the printing button 112. Then, as shown in FIG. 5, in response to the depression input of the printing button 112, the control unit 7 heats the temperature of the print head 41 to the target temperature (for example, 60 [°C]) by controlling the heating unit 413, stops the imaging of the imaging device 5, and drives the head movement mechanism 45 to move the print head 41 to the first position on the left side (front side of the apparatus main body 100) in the X direction in FIG. 5, and the print head 41 prints (applies) a liquid agent (cosmetic ink) on the target object. This state is set as the printing state of the apparatus main body 100. After the temperature of the print head 41 reaches the target temperature, the control unit 7 controls the heating unit 413 so that the temperature of the print head 41 is near the target temperature. In this way, the apparatus main body 100 transitions from a non-contact state → a moving state → a printing state.

[0057] Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the first printing process executed by the apparatus main body 100 will be described. The first printing process is a printing process including preheating of the liquid agent of the print head 41. It is assumed that the apparatus main body 100 is in a non-contact state removed from the stand 200 in the placed state in advance.

[0058] In the apparatus main body 100, for example, triggered by the user turning on the power button 111, the control unit 7 executes the first printing process according to the first printing program stored in the ROM 73.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 6, first, the control unit 7 starts imaging by irradiating light from the opening 21 to the object to be printed (skin surface S) by the imaging device 5 (step S11). The image data of the subject generated by the imaging of the imaging device 5 is displayed as a live view on the display unit 86 of the terminal device 8.

[0060] Then, the control unit 7 acquires detection information on the contact of the housing 2 of the apparatus main body 100 with the printing object from the contact detection sensor 12, and determines whether or not there is (is in contact with) contact of the housing 2 of the apparatus main body 100 with the user's skin (skin surface S) according to the acquired detection information (step S12).

[0061] When there is no contact with the skin (step S12; NO), the process proceeds to step S12. When there is contact with the skin (step S12; YES), the control unit 7 acquires the temperature information of the print head 41 from the temperature sensor 47, and determines whether the acquired temperature information is equal to or lower than a preset predetermined temperature (step S13). The predetermined temperature in step S13 is a certain temperature equal to or lower than the target temperature.

[0062] When it is equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature (step S13; YES), the control unit 7 performs heating control on the heating unit 413 to turn on (execute) preheating (step S14). When the on-time of the heating unit 413 is greater than 0 and the print head 41 is in a state of being heated, it is defined as the preheating-on state, and when the on-time of the heating unit 413 is 0 and no heating is performed at all, it is defined as the preheating-off state.

[0063] Then, the control unit 7 determines whether the preheating-on in step S14 is the first time after the start of the first printing process or the first time after the timeout in step S19 (step S15). If it is the first time (step S15; YES), the control unit 7 starts measuring the preheating time (step S16).

[0064] Then, the control unit 7 determines whether the print button 112 has been pressed and input by the user (step S17). When it is greater than the predetermined temperature (step S13; NO), or when it is not the first time (step S15; NO), the process proceeds to step S17. When the print button 112 has not been pressed and input within a preset predetermined time (step S17; NO), the control unit 7 executes step S18. Step S18 is the same as step S12.

[0065] When there is contact with the skin (step S18; YES), the control unit 7 determines whether to time out the continuation of preheating when the measured preheating time has reached or exceeded a preset predetermined time (step S19). The predetermined time in step S19 is a predetermined timeout time provided to prevent the print head 41 from being heated for a long time due to continuous preheating, which may have an adverse effect on the state of the print head 41 (such as clogging of the nozzles of the print head 41 or abnormal ejection direction, etc.).

[0066] If there is no timeout (step S19; NO), the process proceeds to step S13. When there is no contact with the skin (step S18; NO), or when there is a timeout (step S19; YES), the control unit 7 controls the heating unit 413 to turn off (stop) the preheating (step S20), and the process proceeds to step S12. After the timeout in step S19 occurs, to prevent the preheating from starting again immediately, it is determined in step S13 whether the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, and only when the temperature is below the predetermined temperature, the preheating is turned on in step S14.

[0067] When the print button 112 is pressed and input (step S17; YES), the control unit 7 acquires the temperature information of the print head 41 from the temperature sensor 47, and determines whether the acquired temperature information has reached the preset target temperature and preheating is necessary (whether the acquired temperature information has reached the target temperature and preheating is unnecessary) (step S21). Step S21 is a step to prevent preheating from being performed when the target temperature has been reached due to, for example, a long preheating time in step S14. If preheating is necessary (step S21; YES), the control unit 7 executes step S22. Step S22 is the same as step S14. Then, the control unit 7 acquires the temperature information of the print head 41 from the temperature sensor 47 and waits until the acquired temperature information reaches the preset target temperature (step S23).

[0068] Then, while monitoring the temperature information of the print head 41 detected by the temperature sensor 47, the control unit 7 performs heating control to make the temperature of the print head 41 near the target temperature (e.g., 60 [°C]) by controlling the heating unit 413, stops the light spot lighting and shooting of the imaging device 5, controls the head movement mechanism 45 to move the print head 41 to the first position, and controls the print head 41 to discharge a liquid agent (cosmetic ink) onto a target object (such as a stain on the user's skin surface S) within the printing range for printing (coating) (step S24). When preheating is unnecessary (step S21; NO), the process proceeds to step S24. Then, the control unit 7 executes step S25 to end the first printing process. Step S25 is the same process as step S20.

[0069] In the first printing process, by performing preheating even during the moving state, the time that the user waits for the end of preheating in the printing state can be shortened. Also, in the first printing process, when the printing target and the housing 2 are not in contact, preheating is turned off so as not to be left in a heated state for a long time.

[0070] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing device 1 is a printing device that performs printing on a printing target (the user's skin). The device main body 100 of the printing device 1 includes a print head 41 that discharges a liquid agent (cosmetic ink) onto the printing target, a heating unit 413 that heats the print head 41, and a control unit 7 that controls the heating of the print head 41 by the heating unit 413 according to the detection state of the printing target. More specifically, the control unit 7 controls the heating of the print head 41 according to the detection state of contact with the printing target.

[0071] Therefore, by performing preheating of the print head 41 before print positioning according to the detection state of contact between the device main body 100 and the printing target, the waiting time of the user from after print positioning to the start of printing can be shortened, improving convenience for the user.

[0072] Further, the apparatus main body 100 is disposed in the housing 2 of the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100), and includes a contact detection sensor 12 that detects contact between the housing 2 and the object to be printed. Therefore, contact between the apparatus main body 100 (housing 2) and the object to be printed can be accurately and reliably detected.

[0073] Further, when the control unit 7 detects contact between the housing 2 and the object to be printed, the control unit 7 starts heating the print head 41. Therefore, by starting preheating of the print head 41 in response to detection of contact between the apparatus main body 100 (housing 2) and the object to be printed, the waiting time of the user from after print positioning to the start of printing can be more reliably shortened, and convenience for the user can be improved.

[0074] Further, the apparatus main body 100 includes a print button 112 of an operation unit 11 that receives an operation input for print execution. The control unit 7 executes printing of a liquid agent on the object to be printed by the print head 41 in response to the operation input for print execution. Therefore, while shortening the waiting time of the user from after the operation input for print execution as print positioning to the start of printing, printing can be surely executed manually by the operation input for print execution, and convenience for the user can be further improved.

[0075] (Second Embodiment) With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a second printing process. FIG. 8 is a graph showing an example of characteristics of the temperature of the print head 41 with respect to time in a conventional printing process and the second printing process.

[0076] In the first embodiment described above, the apparatus main body 100 is configured to perform preheating of the print head 41 triggered by detection of contact between the housing 2 and the object to be printed (user's skin). However, in the second embodiment, preheating of the print head 41 is performed triggered by detection of contact between the housing 2 and the object to be printed (user's skin), and the intensity of preheating (strength, temperature rise per unit time) is changed according to the speed of the apparatus main body 100 (print head 41) of the printing apparatus 1.

[0077] As the apparatus configuration of the present embodiment, the printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment described above is used. However, it is assumed that the ROM 73 stores a second printing program for executing a second printing process described later instead of the first printing program.

[0078] Also, in the present embodiment, as described above, the speed of the apparatus main body 100 is detected. As this detection method, there are a first detection method in which the control unit 7 acquires the captured image data from the imaging device 5 (imaging unit 51) and performs image analysis to detect the speed of the apparatus main body 100, and a second detection method in which the control unit 7 acquires three-dimensional acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 13 and calculates and detects the speed of the apparatus main body 100 from the three-dimensional acceleration data. When the first detection method is applied, the acceleration sensor 13 is not an essential component in the apparatus main body 100.

[0079] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the operation of the printing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described.

[0080] As described in the first embodiment above, in the basic printing process of the printing apparatus 1 (apparatus main body 100), it transitions as follows: contactless state of the apparatus main body 100 → moving state → printing state. The moving state is divided into two stages. The state of the first stage is a state where the housing 2 of the apparatus main body 100 is applied to the printing object (the user's skin) by the user, the target object (such as a stain) of the printing object is searched for, and the movement (speed) of the apparatus main body 100 is fast (referred to as the first moving state). The state of the second stage after the first moving state is a state where the movement of the housing 2 of the apparatus main body 100 is finely adjusted by the user in order to align the target object (such as a stain) with the printing range, and the movement (speed) of the apparatus main body 100 is slow (referred to as the second moving state).

[0081] Next, referring to FIG. 7, the second printing process executed by the apparatus main body 100 will be described. The second printing process is a printing process including preheating of the liquid agent of the print head 41, and is a process in which the intensity of the preheating is changed according to the speed of the movement of the apparatus main body 100. It is assumed in advance that the apparatus main body 100 is in a non-contact state removed from the stand 200 in the placed state.

[0082] In the apparatus main body 100, for example, triggered by the user turning on the power button 111, the control unit 7 executes the second printing process according to the second printing program stored in the ROM 73.

[0083] As shown in FIG. 7, steps S31 to S36 are the same as steps S11 to S16 of the first printing process in FIG. 6.

[0084] Then, as the first detection method, the control unit 7 acquires the captured image data from the imaging unit 51 of the imaging device 5, analyzes the acquired image data to detect the speed of the apparatus main body 100, and determines whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a preset predetermined speed (for example, 5 [mm / s]) (step S37). The predetermined speed in step S37 is a threshold value between the high speed of the movement of the apparatus main body 100 in the first moving state and the low speed of the movement of the apparatus main body 100 in the second moving state. Also, in step S37, as the second detection method, the control unit 7 may be configured to acquire three-dimensional acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 13 and calculate and detect the speed of the apparatus main body 100 from the acquired acceleration data.

[0085] When the detected speed is equal to or higher than the predetermined speed (step S37; YES), the control unit 7 sets the intensity of the preheating turned on in step S34 to "weak" (step S38). When the detected speed is less than the predetermined speed (step S37; NO), the control unit 7 sets the intensity of the preheating turned on in step S34 to "strong", which is stronger than "weak" in step S38 (the temperature increase per unit time is higher than "weak") (step S39).

[0086] In step S38, when the apparatus main body 100 is in the first moving state and the preheating is set to "strong", the time during which the temperature of the liquid agent in the print head 41 remains high becomes long, which may have an adverse effect on the state of the print head 41 (such as clogging of the nozzles of the print head 41 or abnormal ejection direction, etc.). Therefore, it is set to "weak". In step S39, since the apparatus main body 100 is in the second moving state and it is highly likely that the print button 112 will be pressed and input within a short period of time, it is set to "strong".

[0087] Steps S40 to S48 are the same as steps S17 to S25 of the first printing process in FIG. 6.

[0088] Here, with reference to FIG. 8, an example of the temperature change of the print head 41 in the second printing process will be described. As shown in the graph of FIG. 8, the room temperature is set to 20 [°C], the target temperature of the preheating of the print head 41 is set to 60 [°C], the horizontal axis represents time, and the vertical axis represents the temperature of the print head. Also, for comparison, the change in the temperature of the print head 41 in the conventional printing process is shown by a dashed line, and the change in the temperature of the print head 41 in the second printing process is shown by a solid line. The conventional printing process is a printing process that does not perform preheating before the print button 112 is pressed and input.

[0089] Also, in the second printing process, the distance from the position of the apparatus main body 100 where contact is detected to the position of the apparatus main body 100 where the target object is within the printing range is set to 10 [mm], the heating time from room temperature to the target temperature by "strong" preheating is set to 2 [s], the heating time from room temperature to the target temperature by "weak" preheating is set to 5 [s], and the predetermined speed as the speed threshold of the apparatus main body 100 (print head 41) is set to 5 [mm / s].

[0090] When the device main body 100 of the printing device 1 is powered on and in a non-contact state, the printing object (the user's skin) and the housing 2 are not in contact, and the temperature of the print head 41 in the second printing process and the conventional printing process is the same temperature (room temperature). Then, while the temperature of the print head 41 in the conventional printing process remains at the same temperature (room temperature), in the second printing process, when the speed of the device main body 100 becomes a predetermined speed or higher in step S38, "weak" preheating is executed to increase the temperature of the print head 41. When the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature or higher, "strong" preheating is executed in step S39 to increase the temperature of the print head 41 with a greater slope. When the print button 112 is pressed and input by the user, in the conventional printing process, preheating starts from room temperature, and when the temperature of the print head 41 reaches the target temperature, printing is executed. In the second printing process, when the preheating continues and the temperature of the print head 41 reaches the target temperature, printing is executed. Therefore, in the second printing process, compared with the conventional printing process, the time from the pressing and input of the print button 112 to the start of printing is shortened.

[0091] As described above, according to the present embodiment, the control unit 7 controls the heating of the print head 41 by the heating unit 413 according to the detection state of the printing device 1 (device main body 100). More specifically, the control unit 7 sets the heating intensity of the print head 41 according to the detection state of the movement of the device main body 100. Therefore, according to the detection of the movement of the device main body 100, by changing and setting the preheating intensity of the print head 41 in the first movement state where the movement (speed) of the device main body 100 is fast and the second movement state where the movement (speed) of the device main body 100 is slow, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of the user from after print positioning to the start of printing while reducing the adverse effects on the nozzles etc. of the print head 41, and improve the convenience for the user.

[0092] Further, the apparatus main body 100 includes an imaging unit 51 that images an object to be printed and generates image data. The control unit 7 detects the speed of the apparatus main body 100 from the generated image data, and sets the heating intensity according to whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Therefore, the speed of the apparatus main body 100 can be easily and reliably detected, and the heating intensity can be easily and reliably set.

[0093] Also, the apparatus main body 100 includes an acceleration sensor 13 that detects the movement of the apparatus main body 100 and generates three-dimensional acceleration data as movement data. The control unit 7 detects the speed of the apparatus main body 100 from the generated three-dimensional acceleration data, and sets the heating intensity according to whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a predetermined speed. Therefore, the speed of the apparatus main body 100 can be easily and reliably detected, and the heating intensity can be easily and reliably set.

[0094] In the above description, an example in which the ROM 73 is used as a computer-readable medium for the program according to the present invention has been disclosed, but the present invention is not limited to this example. As other computer-readable media, it is possible to apply flash memory, portable recording media such as CD-ROMs, etc. Further, a carrier wave is also applied to the present invention as a medium for providing the data of the program according to the present invention via a communication line.

[0095] Note that the description in the above embodiment is an example of a printing apparatus, a printing control method of the printing apparatus, and a program according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0096] For example, in the above second embodiment, the configuration is such that the intensity of preheating according to the speed of the apparatus main body 100 is changed in two steps, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The configuration may be such that the intensity of preheating according to the speed of the apparatus main body 100 is changed in three or more steps.

[0097] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, the predetermined speed as the speed threshold of the apparatus main body 100 was configured to be a fixed value set in advance, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 7 detects (calculates) a plurality of speeds for several seconds from the detection of the contact of the housing 2 with the printing object (the user's skin) at the first use of the apparatus main body 100 as the predetermined timing, from the image data from the imaging unit 51 or the three-dimensional acceleration data from the acceleration sensor 13, calculates the average speed of these plurality of speeds for several seconds, stores it in a non-volatile storage unit (not shown, such as a flash memory), and sets a threshold value based on the average speed as the predetermined speed according to the user's usage. There is a possibility that 5 [mm / s], which is an example of the speed threshold of the print head 41, may be felt to be too fast or too slow by some users. According to this configuration, a predetermined speed corresponding to individual differences of the user can be set. Note that the predetermined timing for measuring the plurality of speeds for calculating the average speed is not limited to the first use, and may be, for example, at the time of an operation input of a predetermined speed setting instruction from the user via the operation unit 84, or at regular intervals.

[0098] Also, for each user who uses the apparatus main body 100, a predetermined speed corresponding to the above average speed is stored in a non-volatile storage unit, and according to a newly used user (for example, an operation input of a user ID via the operation unit 84), the control unit 7 reads and uses the predetermined speed of the corresponding user stored in the non-volatile storage unit.

[0099] Also, in the above-described second embodiment, the intensity of preliminary heating was changed (controlled) according to the speed of the apparatus main body 100, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the control unit 7 detects contact between the housing 2 and the printing object (user's skin) by the contact detection sensor 12, the control unit 7 may change (control) the intensity of preliminary heating according to the moving distance of the apparatus main body 100 from the contact detection position of the housing 2 to the printing object. For example, the control unit 7 acquires the image data captured by the imaging unit 51, analyzes the acquired image data, and calculates the moving distance of the apparatus main body 100 from the contact detection position (the relative moving distance of the apparatus main body 100 with respect to the printing object in the image of the image data). Alternatively, the control unit 7 acquires the three-dimensional acceleration data detected by the acceleration sensor 13, and calculates the moving distance of the apparatus main body 100 from the contact detection position from the acquired three-dimensional acceleration data. According to this configuration, the intensity of preliminary heating of the print head 41 can be changed and set according to the moving distance as the movement of the apparatus main body 100, and the time until printing starts can be shortened while reducing the adverse effects on the nozzles and the like of the print head 41, thereby improving convenience for the user.

[0100] Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, preliminary heating is started (turned on) according to the detection of contact between the housing 2 and the printing object (user's skin) by the contact detection sensor 12, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the control unit 7 starts imaging by the imaging device 5 in a state where there is no contact with the apparatus main body 100, acquires the captured image data from the imaging unit 51 at any time, and detects an image of a target object (such as a stain on the user's skin) of the printing object (user's skin) in the captured image (printing range) of the image data by image analysis (pattern recognition or the like), and when a target object of the printing object within the captured image (printing range) is detected, preliminary heating may be started (turned on).

[0101] More specifically, the control unit 7 detects a target object in the captured image (printing range), and when the target object is detected, starts (turns on) preheating, and further manually executes a printing process in response to the user pressing the print button 112 (similar to steps S17, S21 to S25 in FIG. 6 and steps S40, S44 to S48 in FIG. 7). According to this configuration, since preheating is started before the print button 112 is pressed, the waiting time of the user from after print positioning to the start of printing can be shortened, and convenience for the user can be improved.

[0102] Alternatively, the control unit 7 may be configured to detect a target object in the captured image (printing range), start (turn on) preheating when the target object is detected, and further automatically execute a printing process (similar to steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 6 and steps S44 to S48 in FIG. 7). According to this configuration, since preheating is automatically started in response to the detection of the target object, the time from when the housing 2 contacts the printing target to the start of printing can be shortened, and convenience for the user can be improved. Further, the control unit 7 may be configured to repeatedly perform the detection of the target object → automatic printing process a plurality of times until it is detected by image that the target object (such as a stain) has disappeared due to the liquid agent, and repeat printing on the same target object of the printing target (apply the liquid agent in multiple layers). Note that the control unit 7 may be configured to detect a printing target object within the captured image (printing range) of the image data captured by the imaging device 5, and start (turn on) preheating when the detection is made.

[0103] In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, the contact detection sensor 12 is configured to detect direct contact between the housing 2 and the object to be printed, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The contact detection sensor 12 may be configured to detect the distance between the housing 2 and the object to be printed, and the control unit 7 may determine whether or not the distance between the housing 2 and the object to be printed detected by the contact detection sensor 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance set in advance as a contact state equivalent to direct contact. When the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the preheating by the heating unit 413 may be started (turned on). In this configuration, the contact detection sensor 12 may be an optical distance measurement sensor or the like. According to this configuration, the start of preheating can be made earlier than detecting direct contact, the waiting time of the user from after the printing position is determined until the printing starts can be further shortened, and the convenience for the user can be improved.

[0104] In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, the printing button 112 is configured to receive an operation input for a printing execution instruction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Depending on the location of the target (such as a stain) on the object to be printed (the user's skin), there may be a situation where it is difficult for the user to press and input the printing button 112 while holding the apparatus main body 100. For this reason, the apparatus main body 100 or the terminal device 8 may have a voice input unit (not shown), and the control unit 7 may receive a voice input for a printing execution instruction from the user via the voice input unit, and when a voice input for a printing execution instruction is received, the printing unit 4 may execute a printing process of the liquid agent on the object to be printed (the target). Further, when preheating is in progress, the control unit 7 may be configured to notify that the preheating is in progress by means of the lamp unit 16 of the apparatus main body 100, the display unit 86 of the terminal device 8, a voice output unit (not shown) of the apparatus main body 100 or the terminal device 8, or the like.

[0105] In addition, regarding the detailed configuration and detailed operation of each component of the printing apparatus 1 in the above embodiment, it goes without saying that they can be appropriately changed without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0106] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof. The invention described in the claims initially attached to the petition of this application is appended below. The claim numbers described in the appendix are as in the claims initially attached to the petition of this application. [Appendix] <Claim 1> A printing apparatus comprising: a print head that discharges a liquid agent onto a printing object; a heating unit that heats the print head; and a control unit that controls the heating of the print head by the heating unit according to a detected state of the printing object. <Claim 2> The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heating of the print head according to a detected state of contact with the printing object. <Claim 3> The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a contact detection unit that is disposed in a housing of the printing apparatus and detects contact between the housing and the printing object. <Claim 4> The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts heating of the print head when contact between the housing and the printing object is detected. <Claim 5> The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging unit that captures an image of the printing object to generate image data, wherein the control unit detects a target object of the printing object from the generated image data and controls the heating of the print head according to the detection of the target object. <Claim 6> The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an operation unit that receives an operation input for printing execution, wherein the control unit executes printing of the liquid agent onto the printing object by the print head according to the operation input for printing execution. <Claim 7> The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit sets an intensity of the heating according to a detected state of movement of the printing apparatus. <Claim 8> The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an imaging unit configured to image the object to be printed to generate image data. The control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus from the generated image data, and sets the heating intensity according to whether or not the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value. <Claim 9> The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a motion detection unit configured to detect the motion of the printing apparatus to generate motion data. The control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus from the generated motion data, and sets the heating intensity according to whether or not the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value. <Claim 10> The control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus, sets the heating intensity according to whether or not the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and sets the threshold value based on an average speed of a plurality of speeds of the printing apparatus detected at a predetermined timing. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 7 to 9. <Claim 11> The printing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a contact detection unit disposed on a housing of the printing apparatus and configured to detect contact between the housing and the object to be printed. The control unit sets the heating intensity according to a moving distance of the printing apparatus from the contacted position when the housing and the object to be printed are contacted. <Claim 12> A printing control method of a printing apparatus, including a step of controlling heating of a print head that discharges a liquid agent onto an object to be printed by a heating unit that heats the print head according to a detection state of the object to be printed. <Claim 13> A computer of a printing apparatus that performs printing on an object to be printed, a control unit configured to control heating of a print head that discharges a liquid agent onto the object to be printed by a heating unit that heats the print head according to a detection state of the object to be printed, A program for causing the computer to function as such.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0107] 1 Printing Device 100 Device Body 2 Housing 21 Opening 10 Power Supply Unit 11 Operation Unit 111 Power Button 112 Print Button 12 Contact Detection Sensor 13 Acceleration Sensor 14 Wireless Communication Unit 15 I / F 16 Lamp Unit 161 Power LED 162 Wireless LAN LED 7 Control Unit 71 CPU 72 RAM 73 ROM 4 Printing Unit 41 Print Head 411 Reservoir 412 Discharge Unit 413 Heating Unit 42 Carriage 43 X - direction Guide 45 Head Movement Mechanism 46 X - direction Movement Motor 47 Temperature Sensor 48 Origin Sensor 5 Imaging Device 51 Imaging Unit 52 Lighting Unit 200 Stand 201 Cap Mechanism 8 Terminal Device 80 Control Unit 81 CPU 82 RAM 83 ROM 84 Operation Unit 85 Wireless Communication Unit 86 Display Unit

Claims

1. A printing apparatus comprising: a print head that discharges a liquid agent onto an object to be printed; a heating unit that heats the print head; and a control unit that sets the intensity of heating of the print head by the heating unit according to a detected state of the movement of the printing apparatus.

2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the heating of the print head according to a detected state of contact with the object to be printed.

3. The printing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a contact detection unit that is disposed on a housing of the printing apparatus and detects contact between the housing and the object to be printed.

4. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the control unit starts heating of the print head when contact between the housing and the object to be printed is detected.

5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an imaging unit that captures an image of the object to be printed and generates image data, wherein the control unit detects a target object of the object to be printed from the generated image data, and controls the heating of the print head according to the detection of the target object.

6. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an operation unit that receives an operation input for printing execution, wherein the control unit executes printing of the liquid agent onto the object to be printed by the print head according to the operation input for printing execution.

7. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an imaging unit that captures an image of the object to be printed and generates image data, wherein the control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus from the generated image data, and sets the intensity of the heating according to whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

8. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a motion detection unit that detects the movement of the printing apparatus and generates motion data, wherein the control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus from the generated motion data, and sets the intensity of the heating according to whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

9. The printing apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the control unit detects the speed of the printing apparatus, sets the intensity of the heating according to whether the detected speed is equal to or higher than a threshold value, and sets the threshold value based on an average speed of a plurality of speeds of the printing apparatus detected at a predetermined timing.

10. The printing apparatus further comprising a contact detection unit that is disposed on a housing of the printing apparatus and detects contact between the housing and the object to be printed. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the control unit sets the intensity of the heating according to the moving distance of the printing apparatus from the contacted position when the housing and the object to be printed are contacted.

11. A printing control method for a printing apparatus, including a step of setting the intensity of heating of a print head that discharges a liquid agent onto an object to be printed by a heating unit that heats the print head according to a detected state of the movement of the printing apparatus.

12. A computer of a printing apparatus that performs printing on an object to be printed, a control unit that sets the intensity of heating of the print head that discharges a liquid agent onto the object to be printed by a heating unit that heats the print head according to a detected state of the movement of the printing apparatus, a program for causing the computer to function as such.

Images