Printing Device Frame Member for Accurate Nail Tip Layout Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional printing devices face challenges in accurately recognizing and printing on three-dimensional objects placed arbitrarily on a tray, leading to difficulties in achieving high accuracy in printing.

Innovation Solution

A printing device equipped with a frame member that surrounds the recording medium, an acquisition part to capture and process image data to determine the layout, and a print control part to control the printing based on the acquired information, ensuring accurate placement and printing even when the object is positioned arbitrarily.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user places the three-dimensional object at an arbitrary position on the tray, then the ease of operation is improved, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates because the printing device cannot recognize the layout

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of placing objectVSAvoidprinting accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

A frame member is introduced as an intermediary element between the tray and the three-dimensional object. The frame member surrounds the object and provides reference information that enables the imaging part to accurately determine the object's layout position, thereby maintaining printing precision even when objects are placed arbitrarily on the tray.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging part captures an image of the frame member and the three-dimensional object to create a digital representation. This copied visual information is then processed to extract layout data, allowing the system to recognize and adapt to arbitrary object placements without physical repositioning requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If a frame member is added to surround the recording medium, then the measurement precision is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelayout recognition accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The frame member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support for the three-dimensional object, defines the printable area boundaries, and acts as a visual reference for the imaging part to detect layout information. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each purpose.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The frame member is designed with a color that differs from both the tray and the three-dimensional object. This color contrast enables the imaging part to easily distinguish and detect the frame member's position and shape, improving layout recognition accuracy without requiring complex detection algorithms or additional markers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentEP3825133B1Printing device and information processing device
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3825133B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3825133B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3825133B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Provided is a printing device that can accurately perform printing on a recording medium. The printing device (4) includes: a frame member (24) disposed to surround a nail tip (8); a printing unit (16) configured to perform printing on the nail tip (8) surrounded by the frame member (24); a communication part (42) configured to acquire print information which is generated based on an image (48) obtained by capturing the frame member (24) and the nail tip (8) and indicates a layout of printing to be applied to the nail tip (8) in a printable region defined by the frame member (24); and a print control part (44) configured to control the printing unit (16) based on the acquired print information.