JP7632263B2 - Electronic device, printing control method and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electronic device, a print control method, and a program.

Conventionally, printing devices (nail printers) that print designs on fingernails are known. In a 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.

For example, Patent Document 1 describes a nail printer that captures an image of a nail with a camera, recognizes the area of the nail (printing area) from the acquired nail image, and prints within that area (Patent Document 1 describes an "ejection device" that "ejects droplets" to print).
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.

JP 2017-018589 A

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 nearly 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.

Furthermore, when a printing device (nail printer) performs printing processing using an inkjet system, 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 "jaw-to-head distance" is too close, there is a risk that the print head will interfere with the nail; conversely, if the "jaw-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.

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.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide an electronic device, a printing control method, and a program that can print normally regardless of the shape of the nail, such as its curvature.

In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device according to the present invention includes 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 the direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed on the placement means, 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 coordinate values as second coordinate values when the placement means is located at the second rotational position, and a device for printing on the nail based on the first coordinate values. and a printing means for printing on the nail , wherein when the second print data is generated by the printing data generating means, printing on the nail based on the first print data by the printing means is performed when the placement means is located at the first rotation position, and printing on the nail based on the second print data by the printing means is performed when the placement means is located at the second rotation position .

According to the present invention, printing can be performed normally regardless of the shape of the nail, such as its curvature.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a main part of a printing device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a finger rest according to the embodiment. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a schematic control configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 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. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the print head and the fingernail placed on the rotated finger rest. FIG. 2. (a) is a plan view of a finger seen from above, (b) and (d) are views of a finger in an unrotated state seen from the direction of thick arrow VI in FIG. 2, and (c) is a view of a finger in a rotated state seen from the direction of thick arrow VI in FIG. 2. (a) is a plan view of a finger seen from above, (b) and (d) are views of a finger in an unrotated state seen from the direction of thick arrow VI in FIG. 2, and (c) is a view of a finger in a rotated state seen from the direction of thick arrow VI in FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of print data generated for the nail shown in FIG. 6; 8 is a diagram showing an example of print data generated for the nail shown in FIG. 7; 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment. 4 is a flowchart of a print control method according to the embodiment.

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.

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, 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.

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.

A display unit 22 is provided on the top surface (top plate) of the housing 2 .
The display unit 22 is configured by, 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.

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 platform 3 can rotate with the user's finger U placed thereon. When the finger placement platform 3 rotates (turns), a message or image drawing the user's attention, such as "The finger placement platform 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 platform 3 rotates, and can prevent errors such as the user hastily moving the finger U. 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 from the operation unit 21, etc., a nail image captured by the camera 51 described later, a nail area (print area) detected from the nail image, and a finished image with the design superimposed on the print area.

A finger insertion opening 23 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) into which a finger U corresponding to a nail T to be printed is inserted when printing with the printing device 1. Note that the position and size of the finger insertion opening 23 are not limited to the illustrated example.

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).

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 platform 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.

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 base 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.

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).

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.

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 described later.

However, forcing the finger U to rotate may be a burden on the user, and the user may consciously 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 is stopped 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 a 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 a sound or light.
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.

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 apparatus is provided with a printing mechanism 4, an imaging unit 5, a 3D sensor 6, and the like, as shown in FIG.

The printing mechanism 4 is a printing means that performs printing on the nail T, which is the printing target, based on printing data described below. 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 underside 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 fine droplets of ink from the ink ejection surface 411 onto the printing target surface (the surface of the nail T).

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 it may be possible to eject ink of other colors. Furthermore, the print head 41 is not limited to ejecting colored 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.

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.

4 and 5 are schematic diagrams showing the positional relationship between the print head, the nail of a finger placed on the finger rest, 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 the droplets (ink, etc.) ejected from the print head 41 are to land is located within the "proper distance range Ra" defined by two dashed lines, the ink will land correctly (without disruption of the landing), resulting in beautiful printing.

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 rotating ("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 widthwise end of the nail T in the first state, and the part whose height in the Z-axis direction is lower 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 rotating. Therefore, when printing is performed in the "first state" as shown in FIG. 4, droplets do not land on the widthwise end of the nail T, 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 properly if printing is performed in the "second state" in which the finger placement platform 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 platform 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" in which the finger placement platform 3 is not rotated.

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 the print head 41 (holder) 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 by an optical sensor, etc. 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.

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 location 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 and other components are arranged above the nail T of a finger U placed on the finger placement base 3, so that the finger U including the nail T can be photographed from above to obtain a nail image.

The camera 51 is a small camera equipped with a solid-state imaging element, such as a charge coupled device (CCD) type or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) type, having 2 million or more pixels, and a lens.
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".

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.

In contrast to this, when the finger placement platform 3 is rotated as shown in FIG. 5 ("second state"), points that could not be photographed by the camera 51 in the "first state" (for example, the point represented by the 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.

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 which is the printing subject and the finger U including the nail T).
The light source 52 is, for example, a lighting unit including a plurality of LEDs, but is not limited to a specific configuration or arrangement of the light source 52. 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.

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 (e.g., a side end in the nail width direction) of the nail T. The 3D sensor 6 captures the shape, etc. 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.

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 table 3 in the "first state" (see FIG. 4), which is a non-rotating state (initial state), and a "second coordinate value" which is the coordinate value of the nail T placed on the finger placement table 3 in the "second state" (see FIG. 5), which is a rotating state.

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 irradiates an object with infrared rays, reflects the infrared rays, and calculates the depth of the object by 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 as shown in FIGS.

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, nail shapes vary from person to person, 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 imaging 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.

The control device 10 installed in the printing device 1 is a computer including a control unit 11 (see FIG. 3) constituted by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) not shown, and a memory unit 12 (see FIG. 3) constituted by a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. (neither of which are shown).
The control device 10 is mounted on a board (not shown) disposed, for example, on the inside (lower side) of the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2 .

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 a 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 memory 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.

From a functional standpoint, the control unit 11 mainly functions as a display control unit, a photography control unit, a nail information detection unit, a print data generation unit, a print control unit, 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 unit 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, etc. are realized by cooperation between the control unit 11 and the programs stored in the storage unit 12.

The control unit 11 as a display control means controls the display operation of the display unit 22 .
Various displays are performed on the display screen of the display unit 22 in accordance with a display instruction signal from the control unit 11 .

The control unit 11 as an imaging control unit controls the camera 51 of the imaging unit 5 to capture images and acquire them, and also functions as a light source control unit that controls 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, and obtains a nail image.

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 image.
The nail information acquired by the control unit 11 as nail information detection means is, for example, the area of the nail T (nail area) and the nail contour that defines the nail area by separating the nail T from other parts (such as the skin part of the finger U). 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.

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, 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 acquires a nail image using the camera 51 and 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.

In this embodiment, the control unit 11 causes the camera 51 to photograph the nail T and the 3D sensor 6 serving as a detection means to acquire coordinate values ("first coordinate values") in a "first state" (see FIG. 4) in which the finger placement platform 3 is not rotating (initial state).
The control unit 11 also 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.

6(a) to 6(d) are diagrams illustrating a typical nail T that is not an ingrown nail or has 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 designated as a 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 positioned in the orientation of FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) is designated as "α" and the line on the right side is designated as "α'"). Also, the line showing the widthwise end of the finger U when the finger placement stand 3 is not rotated is designated as a 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 positioned in the orientation of FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) is designated as "β" and the line on the right side is designated as "β'").

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 thick arrow VI shown in Fig. 2. Note that the coordinate values indicating the position of a portion (shown by a hollow 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).

6(c) and 7(c) are views of the finger U 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 with the finger U placed thereon, 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 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 the "second position".

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 platform 3 is rotated in Figures 6(c) and 7(c) are indicated as x, z (or x, y, z).
Furthermore, 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 the coordinates 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.

6(d) and 7(d), the point recognized as the widthwise end of the nail T when the finger placement platform 3 is rotated is designated as coordinates x, z (or x, y, z), and the coordinate values indicating the position when the finger placement platform 3 is returned to the "first state" without rotation are designated as coordinates x', z' (or x', y', z'). The values of coordinates x', z' (or x', y', z') are calculated by converting the coordinates x, z (or x, y, z) using trigonometric functions.

The conversion using trigonometric functions is carried out, for example, as follows.
r cos(θ) = x
r=x/cos(θ)... Formula 1
r cos(θ-θm)＝x'
r=x'/cos(θ-θm)... Formula 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.

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.

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 will approximately coincide with the widthwise end of the nail T that can be seen when the finger placement stand 3 is rotated.
In this way, when the coordinate value z in the height direction of the width direction 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 into the value when the finger placement table 3 is not rotated) is compared with the coordinate value zd acquired with the finger placement table 3 not rotated, if the two are substantially 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 fitted, the print data TD (see FIG. 8, etc.) can be printed neatly up to the end of the nail T.

In contrast, for example, as shown in Figures 7(a) to 7(d), 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 table 3 reveals parts that could not be seen 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 converted to a state in which the finger placement table 3 is not rotated) is smaller than the coordinate value zd of the widthwise end of the nail T when viewed from above with the finger placement table 3 not rotated.

In areas where the coordinate value z' is smaller than the coordinate value zd (areas shaded in Figure 9), simply setting the inner area (the "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 as the printing range will result in some areas being 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".

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, enlarges or reduces it as appropriate, adjusts the position, etc., and fits it within the range set as the printing area of the nail T.
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.

In this embodiment, print data is generated based on the detection result by the 3D sensor 6 serving as detection means, nail information based on the nail image acquired by the camera 51 of the photographing unit 5, etc. 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" (e.g., 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 platform 3 is in the "first state" (state before rotation) and "second coordinate values" (e.g., 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 platform 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.

More specifically, for example, the "second coordinate value" at the widthwise end of the nail T (coordinate values x, z (or x, y, z) in Figures 6(a) to 6(d) and 7(a) to 7(d)) converted into coordinate values in the state before the finger placement table 3 is rotated (coordinate values x', z' (or x', y', z') in Figures 6(a) to 6(d) and 7(a) to 7(d)) is smaller than the "first coordinate value" at the widthwise end 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 of the side edge position 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).

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 Figure 7, etc.), then "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 widthwise 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 Figure 9).

When there is a "supplementary printing area" in addition to the "main printing area" as a printing area, the control unit 11, which acts as a printing data generating means, generates "first printing data TD1" and "second printing data TD2" so that the design data is allocated to the entire printing area combining the "main printing area" and the "supplementary printing area" to form a continuous piece of data that is printed on the entire nail.

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".

The control unit 11 as a print control means controls each part of the print 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.

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).

In other words, up to a height position of about coordinate value zd, proper ink landing is possible by taking measures such as applying curved surface correction to the print data, but the "supplementary printing area" at a height position lower than this will fall outside the range suitable for printing (the "appropriate distance range Ra") shown in FIG. 4, for example, if the finger placement platform 3 is left in the "first state." When printing in such a "supplementary printing 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.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when printing on such a "supplementary printing area" based on the "second printing data TD2", the finger rest 3 is rotated to the same angle as when detecting the printing 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' (the coordinate value z before being converted to the "first state" in Figure 5) which is at a height position lower than the coordinate value zd can also be positioned within a range suitable for printing (the "appropriate distance range Ra").

Incidentally, the following cases are conceivable as cases in which 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 a "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 a "supplementary printing area" on the - 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."

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.

10, when printing is performed with the printing device 1 of this embodiment, 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 finger U being printed on the nail T (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 printing device 1 is provided 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).

Then, in this "second state", measurement is started using the 3D sensor 6 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.

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 in Figures 6(d) and 7(d)) (step S5).
The equation for calculating the angle θ is as follows:
tan-1(z/x)

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

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).

Next, as shown in "A" and subsequent parts of FIG. 11, the finger placement platform 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.

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)

Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not there is a location where the coordinates are "z' < zd" (step S16), and if there is a location where the coordinates are "z' < zd" (step S16; YES), it adds that location to the print area as a "supplementary print area" (step S17). On the other hand, if there is no location where the coordinates are "z' < zd" (step S16; NO), it proceeds to the next step S18 without setting a "supplementary print area".

When the measurement for the region on the + side of the x-axis is completed in this manner, the control unit 11 judges whether or not the measurement for the region on the - side of the x-axis is completed (step S18).
It is arbitrary whether the measurement process is performed first on the positive side of the x-axis or on the negative side of the x-axis. The measurement order may be determined by default on the device side.
If the measurement has not been completed for the area on the negative side of the x-axis (step S18; NO), the process returns to FIG. 10 and performs the process from "B" onward. That is, the finger placement platform 3 is rotated by -θm from the initial state "first state" to the rotated state "second state" (step S19). Then, in the "second state" (rotated state), measurement is started by the 3D sensor 6 for the negative side of the x-coordinate (step S20). Note that the subsequent processes from step S4 to step S17 are the same as those performed for the area on the positive side of the x-axis, and therefore will not be described.

Once measurement has been completed for both the positive side of the x-axis and the negative side of the x-axis (step S18; YES), proceed to Figure 12, and as shown below at "C," the areas detected as nail areas are displayed on the display unit 22, etc. as printing areas ("main printing area,""supplementary printing area") (step S21), prompting the user to confirm.
The control unit 11 determines whether or not a print start instruction has been input from an operation unit or the like (step S22), and if the print start instruction has not been input for a certain period of time or if a print cancel instruction has been input (step S22; NO), it cancels the printing process (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).

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 print 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 positive side of the x-axis is completed, the finger placement platform 3 is then rotated -2θm (step S27) and tilted in the opposite direction (for example, the opposite direction 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 negative side of the x-axis to be printed in the "second state" (step S28).

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) to return the finger mount 3 to its initial state, "first state."Then, the control unit 11 controls the printing mechanism 4 to perform printing based on the "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 Figure 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 Figure 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 performed first, followed by printing in the "supplementary printing area."

In this way, by dividing the printing area into the area to be printed in the "first state", the "main printing area", and the 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"), it is possible to perform high-quality printing regardless of the shape of the user's nail T, etc.

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 that is a coordinate value indicating a first position of the nail T and a second coordinate value that 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 appropriately print up to the widthwise end of the nail T. This makes it possible to perform high-quality printing on the entire nail T.

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 rotatable 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 (the 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.

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 makes it possible, by rotating the finger placement platform 3, to accurately recognize the shape, height position, etc., all the way to the widthwise ends of the nail T, which are difficult to see from above, and generate printing data that can properly print all the way to the widthwise ends of the nail T.

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

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 platform 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 platform 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 where printing can be performed appropriately ("appropriate distance range Ra") regardless of which area of the nail T is printed on.

In this embodiment, a mount rotation motor 33 is provided to rotate the finger mount 3 around an axis along the first direction.
This allows the finger placement platform 3 to be rotated more accurately than if it were operated manually.

In this embodiment, a camera 51 is provided as an image capturing unit for capturing an image of the nail T.
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.

In this embodiment, the finger rest 3 includes a finger receiving portion 31 and a finger pressing portion 321 that 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 can maintain its position (tilt) without shifting.

Although the above describes an embodiment of the present invention, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, in this embodiment, an example is 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, the finger placement platform 3 may be rotated manually by instructing the user via a display unit or the like.

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

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 be used to measure only the side edges of the nail T, whose exact shape is difficult to grasp from two-dimensional information, to obtain three-dimensional coordinate value information.

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.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the printing device 1 is configured to be able to complete the printing operation by itself, but the printing device 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 a 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.

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, the placement means being rotatable around an axis along the direction in which the finger extends when the finger is placed so that the placement 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 apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.
<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 nails 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 first and second electrodes are arranged in a first direction.
<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 first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.
<Claim 7>
The placement means includes finger fixing means for fixing the finger.
7. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second printing units are arranged in a first direction.
<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 second state from a first state;
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, of a surface of a printing target that can be rotated so as to be able to take a second state from a first state;
a print data generating function for generating 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.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Printing device 2 Housing 3 Finger placement table 31 Finger receiving section 321 Finger pressing section 10 Control device 11 Control section 12 Memory section 4 Printing mechanism 41 Print head 411 Ink ejection surface 5 Photography section 51 Camera 6 3D sensor

Claims (6)

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: 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 . 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. 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. a detection control step of 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 assume a first rotation position and a second rotation 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 rotation position, and causing the sensor to detect these coordinate values as second coordinate values when the placement means is located at the second rotation 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: 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 capable of rotating 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 on the placement means as first coordinate values when the placement means is located at the first rotational position, and 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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