JP7779135B2 - printing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing device .

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a printing device that allows users to enjoy nail printing by printing on the nails or the like of a finger placed inside the device.
Users who insert their fingers into the device want to be able to visually check the placement of their fingers inside the device, such as how far they should insert their fingers. They also feel uneasy about inserting their fingers into a device they are unsure of.

In this regard, for example, Patent Document 1 describes a configuration in which a window (referred to as a "viewport" in Patent Document 1) is provided in the housing, and by looking through this viewport into the finger placement section (referred to as a "finger holder" in Patent Document 1) from outside the housing, the user can align the fingernail on the finger placement section.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-035745

However, in a printing device that prints on nails or the like, it is necessary to accurately recognize the contour shape of the nail or the like to be printed on, and to generate printing data that matches this contour shape.
For this purpose, a camera or the like is provided within the device to capture images of fingers including nails, and nail shape recognition and the like are performed from these images.

In this regard, when a window (viewport) is provided, as in the device described in Patent Document 1, external light, such as sunlight or fluorescent light, enters the device through the window. However, shape recognition of objects such as nails is intended to be performed using images captured with a predetermined amount of light. This poses the problem that the light entering through the window acts as disturbance light, reducing the recognition accuracy of nails, etc.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an advantage of providing a printing device that enables highly accurate shape recognition while ensuring visibility from outside the device.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing device of the present invention comprises:
an imaging unit that images an object placed within the device;
a light control unit that can adjust the transmittance of a wavelength range of visible light so that the target can be in a light- transmitting state where the target is visible from outside the device or in a light- blocking state where the target is not visible from outside the device;
a printing mechanism for printing on the object;
Equipped with
the photographing unit photographs when the light adjusting unit is in the light blocking state,
The printing mechanism is characterized by performing printing when the light adjusting unit is in the light transmitting state, in accordance with the object photographed by the photographing unit .

The present invention has the advantage of enabling highly accurate shape recognition while ensuring visibility from outside the device.

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a perspective view of the printing apparatus shown in FIG. 1, seen from above on the front side of the apparatus, with a hand placed inside the apparatus. FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of the functional configuration of the present embodiment. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a process according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to a modified example of the present embodiment.

An embodiment of a printing apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. FIG.
It should be noted that the embodiments described below are subject to various limitations that are technically preferable for carrying out the present invention, but the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
For example, in the following embodiments, the printing device is described as a nail printing device that prints on fingernails as the target (printing object), but the printing device of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the printing device may be any device that has the function of recognizing the contour shape of an object placed within the device. The printing object of the printing device is not limited to fingernails, and may be, for example, toenails. Furthermore, the printing object may be anything other than nails, such as nail tips, the surfaces of various accessories, or test printing paper.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a printing device according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the printing device shown in Fig. 1 from above the front side with a hand inside, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main parts of the functional configuration according to this embodiment.
In the following embodiments, up/down, left/right, and front/rear refer to the directions shown in Fig. 1. The X direction, Y direction, and Z direction refer to the directions shown in each figure.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing device 1 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape.
The housing 2 comprises an upper housing 21 which is approximately the upper half in the height direction, and a lower housing 22 which is approximately the lower half.
The upper housing 21 may be detachable from the lower housing 22. The front side of the upper housing 21 may be configured to be rotatable and openable via a hinge mechanism or the like (not shown).

A light control unit 23 is provided in the upper housing 21 at approximately the center in the device width direction (the left-right direction of the printing device 1, the X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2).
The light adjusting unit 23 is capable of adjusting the transmittance of the wavelength range of visible light so that the target nail T can be visible from outside the device or the nail T cannot be visible from outside the device.
In this embodiment, the light adjusting unit 23 is a window provided at a position where at least the nail T, which is an object placed inside the device, can be seen.
Specifically, the light control unit 23 is configured by fitting a transparent or nearly transparent glass plate, acrylic plate, or the like into a cutout portion of the upper housing 21. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the light control unit 23 has a size sufficient to check the state of the finger U including the nail T placed inside the device. Specifically, the light control unit 23, which is a window, is provided in a position where at least the object placed inside the device (the nail T placed in the finger placement unit 3) can be seen, and the size of the light control unit 23 is preferably large enough to allow the finger placement unit 3, which will be described later, and its surroundings to be seen.

The specific configuration of the light adjustment unit 23, which can adjust the transmittance of the visible light wavelength range so that an object (such as a nail T) inside the printing device 1 can be viewed from outside the device and the nail T cannot be viewed from outside the device, is not particularly limited. In this embodiment, the light adjustment unit 23 is affixed to, for example, a glass plate fitted into a cutout portion of the upper housing 21, and includes a light adjustment film 231 that can be switched between a light-transmitting state (a state in which the transmittance of light in the visible wavelength range is high) and a light-blocking state (a state in which the transmittance of light in the visible wavelength range is low).

Specifically, the light control film 231 is a film-like liquid crystal sheet having a configuration in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between, for example, transparent resin films, etc. The liquid crystal sheet changes its transmittance in part of the wavelength range of visible light in response to an externally applied voltage, and in this embodiment, the voltage (driving voltage) applied to the light control unit 23 (light control film 231) is adjusted by a control unit 11 (see FIG. 3 ) serving as a state control unit described later.
For example, by controlling the ON/OFF of the driving voltage applied to the dimming section 23 (dimming film 231), the molecular arrangement and orientation (twisted structure/series structure) of the liquid crystal is controlled, and the light transmittance of the polarizer on the output side can be switched.
The configuration of the light control film 231 is not limited to the example shown here.

An opening 25 is formed on the front side of the lower housing 22 (the front side of the printing device 1, the front side in FIG. 1 etc.) across almost the entire surface in the device width direction (X direction).
An operation unit 26 (see FIG. 3 ) is also provided on the side of the lower housing 22. The operation unit 26 is, for example, an operation button (power switch button) for turning the power of the printing device 1 on and off. When the operation unit 26 is operated, an operation signal is output to the control device 7, and the control device 7 performs control in accordance with the operation signal to operate each part of the printing device 1. For example, if the operation unit 26 is a power switch button, the power of the printing device 1 is turned on and off in response to button operation.
Instead of the operation unit 26, each unit of the printing device 1 may be operated in accordance with an operation signal input from an operation unit 83 of the terminal device 8, which will be described later.
Furthermore, the shape and arrangement of each part of the housing 2 are not limited to the illustrated example, and for example, a display part, a lamp, an indicator, etc. may be provided.

1 and other figures, a device main body 15 is housed within the housing 2. The device main body 15 includes a substantially flat base 16 on which various structures are assembled.
A finger placement unit 3 is provided on the front side (near side) of the base 16, approximately in the center of the device width direction (left-right direction of the printing device 1, X direction in FIGS. 1 and 2).
The finger placement section 3 is a box-shaped member having an opening 31 that opens on the front side of the device, and as shown in FIG. 2, a finger U can be inserted through the opening 31.
A finger holding member 32 that holds the inserted finger U from below is disposed inside the finger placement section 3. The finger holding member 32 of this embodiment has a recessed shape at approximately the center in the width direction (left-right direction). As a result, when the finger U is placed on the finger holding member 32, the finger holding member 32 receives the pad portion of the finger U, preventing the finger U from shaking left-right.

The top surface of the finger placement section 3 is open at the back (rear side in the Y direction) and, as shown in FIG. 2, the nail T of the finger U inserted into the finger placement section 3 (the “target” of printing in this embodiment) is exposed from the opening.
In this embodiment, the area around this opening is the printing operation area where printing is performed by the print head 41.
The front side of the top surface of the finger placement section 3 (front side in the Y direction) is a finger holder 33 (see FIG. 2) that prevents the finger U from lifting up and regulates the position of the finger U in the upward direction (height direction).

The finger U is supported from below by the finger holding member 32, and the upper side of the finger U is pressed by the finger presser 33, so that the height position of the surface of the nail T of the finger U (surface to be printed) is positioned at a position suitable for printing by the printing mechanism 4.
As shown in FIG. 2, in this embodiment, the entire hand is inserted into the device, and the finger U corresponding to the nail T to be printed is placed in this finger placement section 3, and the opening 25 of the housing 2 is wide enough to allow the entire hand to be placed therein.

As shown in FIG. 3, the printing device 1 also includes a printing mechanism 4, a photographing unit 5, etc. The printing mechanism 4 and the photographing unit 5 are assembled to the device main body 15, etc.

The printing mechanism 4 performs printing on the nail T, which is the printing target, and includes a print head 41, a movement mechanism for moving the print head 41, and the like.
In this embodiment, the print head 41 is an ink cartridge with an integrated head that incorporates an ink storage section (not shown) and is equipped with an inkjet ejection mechanism that ejects ink as fine droplets from an ink ejection surface (not shown) to print on the printing target.
The ink reservoirs are provided corresponding to, for example, cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW) inks. Note that the inks that can be ejected from the print head 41 are not limited to the example shown here, and ink reservoirs that store inks of other colors may be provided. The print head 41 may also be configured to eject liquid agents for undercoating, overcoating, etc. Note that the configuration of the print head 41 is not limited to this, and various print heads (printing means) that perform printing using configurations other than inkjet printing are applicable.

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 the Y direction, which is the front-rear direction of the device (see the X direction and Y direction in Figure 1, etc.).
The movement mechanism includes an X-direction movement motor 45 that drives when moving in the X direction, and a Y-direction movement motor 47 that drives when moving in the Y direction. The X-direction movement motor 45 and the Y-direction movement motor 47 are, for example, stepping motors.
The movement mechanism also includes a position sensor 48. The position 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, or a position detection sensor configured with an optical sensor such as an encoder sensor that determines the current position of the print head 41, etc.
In this embodiment, the print head 41 is movable in the X and Y directions, and the movement mechanism includes an X-direction movement mechanism that is equipped with an X-direction movement motor 45 and various gears, belts, etc. that are operated by the X-direction movement motor 45 and moves the print head 41 in the X direction, and a Y-direction movement mechanism that is equipped with a Y-direction movement motor 47 and various gears, belts, etc. that are operated by the Y-direction movement motor 47 and moves the print head 41 in the Y direction.

The photographing unit 5 also includes a camera 51 and a light source 52 .
2, the imaging unit 5 is attached to a support member (not shown) erected on a base 16. The arrangement and specific configuration of the imaging unit 5 are not particularly limited.

The camera 51 is a small camera equipped with a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) type or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) type having 2 million or more pixels, a lens, and the like.
In this embodiment, the finger U and its nail T placed on the finger placement unit 3 are photographed by the camera 51 of the photographing unit 5 to obtain an image of the finger U including the nail T (referred to as a "nail image"). Then, as will be described later, the outline shape of the nail T to be printed (also referred to as a "nail outline") is detected (obtained) from this "nail image."

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

The camera 51 may take either still images or videos. The operation of the camera 5 is controlled by a control unit 11 of the control device 10, which will be described later. When the camera 51 takes videos, the control unit 11 extracts appropriate frames from the captured video and acquires them as still images (nail images).
Furthermore, if the camera 51 is capable of taking video, the photographing unit 5 may take a photograph while printing is being performed on the nail T, and the image of the nail T taken by the photographing unit 5 (such as the state of the design being printed on the nail T) may be displayed as a live view on the display unit 84 of the external terminal device 8, for example.
The image data acquired by the photographing unit 5 is stored in a storage unit 12 (to be described later) or the like. The image data may be transmitted to a terminal device 8 (to be described later) as appropriate.

The printing device 1 also includes a communication unit 27 (see FIG. 3).
The communication unit 27 is for the printing device 1 to communicate with various external devices such as the terminal device 8, for example.
Communication via the communication unit 27 may use a network line such as the Internet, or may be wireless communication based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi (registered trademark). When communication is performed via a network, any type of network line may be used for communication. Furthermore, communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 8, etc., is not limited to wireless communication, and may be configured to allow various data to be sent and received between them via a wired connection.
The communication unit 27 includes a wireless communication module or the like that can communicate with the communication unit 84 of the terminal device 8, which is the communication partner, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 71. The communication unit 27 may be any unit that can communicate with the terminal device 8, and a unit that conforms to the communication standard of the communication unit of the terminal device 8, etc. is applied.

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

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 print processing, and a dimming control program for performing dimming control processing, and the control unit 11 expands these programs, for example, into a working area of RAM, and the programs are executed in the control unit 11, thereby providing integrated control of each part of the printing device 1.
The storage unit 12 also stores various data related to the nail contour and nail shape acquired by the control unit 11 .
The storage unit 12 may store data such as nail images acquired by the photographing unit 5, as well as various other data.

From a functional perspective, the control unit 11 functions as a communication control unit, photography control unit, status control unit, information acquisition unit, print data generation unit, print control unit, etc. Note that the functions of the control unit 11 are not limited to those exemplified here. The functions of the communication control unit, photography control unit, status control unit, information acquisition unit, print data generation unit, print control unit, etc. are realized through cooperation between the control unit 11 and programs stored in the memory unit 12.

The control unit 11, which serves as a communication control unit, controls the operation of the communication unit 27 to communicate with external devices such as the terminal device 8 described below.

The control unit 11 as an imaging control unit controls the camera 51 and light source 52 of the imaging unit 5 to capture an image. In this embodiment, the image of the nail T (finger U including the nail T) placed on the finger placement unit 32 is captured to obtain a nail image.
In this embodiment, in order to recognize the outline shape (nail outline) of the nail T from the nail image, when acquiring the nail image, it is preferable to photograph the subject (nail T) under certain conditions, such as photographing the subject (nail T) from a certain direction under certain brightness (amount of light). Therefore, for example, the photographing conditions are a state in which the subject (nail T) is illuminated by the light source 52, and if there is light (particularly light in the visible light wavelength range) coming in from the dimming unit 23 in addition to the light from the light source 52, this becomes disturbing light and makes it impossible to obtain an appropriate nail image.
Therefore, when taking a photograph to obtain a nail image, it is preferable that the light adjusting unit 23 be in a light-blocking state (a state in which the transmittance of light in the visible wavelength range is low).

The control unit 11 as a state control unit is capable of adjusting the voltage applied to the light control unit 23 (light control film 231), which is a window unit. When the voltage adjusted by the control unit 11 as a state control unit is applied to the light control unit 23 (light control film 231), the transmittance of part of light in the visible wavelength range changes in the light control unit 23 (light control film 231 included in the light control unit 23) according to the applied voltage.
This allows the state of the dimming unit 23 (the dimming film 231 included in the dimming unit 23) to be switched so that the dimming unit 23 can be in a light-transmitting state (a state in which the transmittance of light in the wavelength range of visible light is high) or a light-blocking state (a state in which the transmittance of light in the wavelength range of visible light is low).

As described above, the light control film 231 of this embodiment is a liquid crystal sheet configured to be able to switch between light transmission and light blocking by controlling the ON/OFF of a driving voltage. For example, when a driving voltage is applied (ON), the molecular alignment and orientation of the liquid crystal aligns in a certain direction, resulting in a light-transmitting state that transmits light, and when the application of the voltage is stopped, the molecular alignment and orientation of the liquid crystal becomes disordered, resulting in a light-blocking state that does not transmit light. The control unit 11, which serves as a state control unit, controls the ON/OFF of the driving voltage applied to the light control unit 23 (the light control film 231 included in the light control unit 23) .
An example of the specific timing for switching the light-transmitting state and the light-blocking state of the light-adjusting unit 23 (the light-adjusting film 231 included in the light-adjusting unit 23) will be described later.

The control unit 11, which serves as an information acquisition unit, acquires information about the nail T, including the contour shape of the target nail T (referred to as "nail information"), based on the image (nail image) captured by the photographing unit 5.
Specifically, the nail image captured by the photographing unit 5 is analyzed (by various image analyses) to obtain information about the nail T.
The nail information acquired by the control unit 11 as an information acquisition unit is, for example, a nail contour that defines the area of the nail T (nail area) by separating the nail T from other parts (skin parts of the finger, etc.).
The nail information detected by the control unit 11 as an information acquisition unit is not limited to the nail contour. For example, it may include the inclination angle of the surface of the nail T relative to the XY plane (nail inclination angle, nail curvature), etc. Furthermore, if the height of the nail T (vertical position of the nail T) can be acquired from the nail image captured by the camera 51, the height of the nail T may also be included in the nail information.

The control unit 11 as a print data generating unit generates print data by, for example, matching a desired design to the nail contour as nail information detected by the control unit 11 as an information acquiring unit.
Specifically, the control unit 11 cuts out image data of the nail design selected by the user, appropriately enlarges or reduces it, adjusts its position, etc., and fits it within the nail contour detected from the image of the nail T.
When the information acquisition unit acquires the curvature of the nail T, the control unit 11 may perform appropriate curve correction on the print data based on the curvature of the nail, etc. When curve correction is performed, print data that better matches the shape of the nail T can be generated.

The control unit 11 as a print control unit controls each part of the printing mechanism 4 so as to perform printing on the nail T according to the generated print data.
Specifically, the control unit 11 outputs a control signal to the printing mechanism 4 based on the printing data, and while receiving appropriate position information from the position sensor 48, controls the X-direction movement motor 46, Y-direction movement motor 47, print head 41, etc. of the printing mechanism 4 so as to print on the nail T in accordance with the printing data.

Furthermore, the control unit 71 may operate the photographing unit 5 (the photographing device 51 of the photographing unit 5) to photograph an image of the nail T even during printing on the nail T. When an image of the nail T is acquired during printing, the control unit 71 may function as an image output unit that outputs the image (image data) of the nail T photographed by the photographing device 51 to the terminal device 8 or the like.
Note that the destination to which the control unit 71 as an image output unit outputs an image is not limited to an external device such as the terminal device 8. For example, if the printing device 1 itself is equipped with a display unit, the display unit may be the output destination of the image.
When the image is output, the display unit 85 or the like displays a live view of the process of printing being applied to the nail T based on the image.

The printing device 1 of this embodiment also cooperates with an external device such as a terminal device 8, and operates according to instructions input from the terminal device 8 or the like.
The terminal device 8 is assumed to be, but is not limited to, a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet. The terminal device 8 is not particularly limited as long as it is capable of communicating with the printing device 1, and may be, for example, a notebook or stationary personal computer, a game terminal device, or the like.
Specifically, the terminal device 8 includes an operation unit 83, a communication unit 84, a display unit 85, a control device 80, and the like.

The operation unit 83 is capable of performing various inputs, settings, etc. in response to user operations, and when the operation unit 83 is operated, an input signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the control device 80. For example, in this embodiment, the user can operate the operation unit 83 to select a nail design to be printed on the nail T. In this embodiment, a touch panel is integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 85, and the user can also perform various inputs, settings, etc. by touching the touch panel.
The operation unit 83 for performing various input and setting operations is not limited to a touch panel. For example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, etc. may be provided as the operation unit 83.
By operating the operation unit 83, various inputs and settings may be made in the printing device 1.

The communication unit 84 communicates with the communication unit 74 of the printing device 1. For example, when data such as a nail image is transmitted from the printing device 1, the communication unit 84 receives the data. The communication unit 84 includes a wireless communication module or the like that can communicate with the communication unit 74 of the printing device 1.
The communication unit 84 may be any unit that can communicate with the printing device 1, and a unit that conforms to the communication standard of the communication unit 74 of the printing device 1 is applied.

The display unit 85 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or another flat display.
As described above, a touch panel for various inputs may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 85. In this case, the touch panel also functions as the operation unit 12, etc.
In this embodiment, the display unit 85 can display nail designs that the user inputs and selects from the operation unit 83, images sent from the printing device 1, and the like.

The display unit 85 is also capable of displaying various guidance screens, warning display screens, etc. under the control of the control unit 81.
Furthermore, if the camera 51 of the printing device 1 is capable of capturing moving images that can be displayed in live view, the display unit 85 may display the moving images captured by the camera 51 in live view at any time.

The control device 80 is a computer equipped with a control unit 81 consisting of a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and other components (not shown), and a memory unit 82 consisting of a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory) and other components (not shown).

The storage unit 82 stores various programs and data for operating each unit of the terminal device 8.
Specifically, the ROM etc. of this embodiment stores various programs (none of which are shown) such as an operating program for controlling each part of the terminal device 8 as well as a nail print application program for performing nail printing using the printing device 1, and the control device 80 controls the terminal device 8 by expanding and executing these programs, for example, in a working area of RAM.
The storage unit 82 of this embodiment is also configured to store, for example, nail design data, image data of nails T, and the like.

The control unit 81 comprehensively controls the operation of each unit of the terminal device 8. The control unit 81 works in conjunction with the program stored in the memory unit 82 to realize various functions for printing on nails using the printing device 1.

The operation of the printing device 1, including the dimming control process in this embodiment, will be described below with reference to Figure 4.

When printing using the printing device 1, the operation unit 12 is operated to turn on the power and start the printing device 1. In this embodiment, a nail print application program is also started up on the terminal device 8, and a mode linked to the printing device 1 is started.
When the printing device 1 is started, the control unit 11, which serves as a state control unit, adjusts the driving voltage applied to the dimming unit 23 (dimming film 231), and applies the adjusted voltage to the dimming unit 23 (dimming film 231) to make it translucent (step S1; dimming process).
For example, when the printing device 1 is not powered on (when no voltage is applied to the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231)), the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) is not in a light-transmitting state and is in a light-blocking state, as shown in Fig. 1. When the control unit 11 applies a drive voltage to the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231), the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) switches to a light-transmitting state, and the inside of the device can be seen from the outside through the light adjustment unit 23, as shown in Fig. 2.

When the mode for linking with the printing device 1 is activated in the terminal device 8, a message prompting the user to place a finger U on the finger placement section 3 of the printing device 1 is displayed on the display unit 85 of the terminal device 8 (step S2).
Then, the control unit 11, which functions as an imaging control unit, controls the imaging unit 5 to capture an image of the finger placement unit 3 and its surroundings with the camera 51, thereby acquiring an image (step S3). Furthermore, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the finger U and nail T have been recognized (step S4). Note that the image acquired here is a preview image, and detailed analysis of the image is not planned. The user can visually check the state inside the device through the light control unit 23 in a transparent state. This allows the user to set the finger while checking for themselves the location where the finger U will be placed, the position of the nail T, and so on. Note that the image acquired in step S3 may be sent to the terminal device 8 and displayed as needed on the display unit 85, etc.

If it is determined from the image that no finger or nail is placed on the finger placement unit 3 (step S4; NO), the process returns to step S2 and repeats. On the other hand, if the control unit 11 determines from the image that a finger or nail is placed on the finger placement unit 3 (step S4; YES), it further determines whether a print start instruction has been input (step S5). For example, if a user inputs an instruction to start printing from the operation unit 26 of the printing device 1 or the operation unit 83 of the terminal device 8, the control unit 11 acquires the instruction signal (directly or via the control unit 81) and determines that a print start instruction has been input (step S5; YES). If a print start instruction has not been input (step S5; NO), the determination of step S5 is repeated, waiting for an instruction to be input.

When a print start command is input, the control unit 11, as a state control unit, turns off the application of the drive voltage to the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) to put the light adjustment unit 23 in a light-blocking state (step S6; light adjustment step).The control unit 11 then controls the photographing unit 5 to photograph the finger U and its nail T placed in the finger placement unit 3 with the camera 51, thereby acquiring a nail image (step S7).
When the nail image is acquired, the control unit 11 performs image analysis or the like to detect nail information such as the outline shape of the nail T from the nail image and recognizes the nail area (the area inside the outline of the nail T) that will be the printing area (step S8). Then, print data is generated according to the recognized nail area (step S9).

Next, the control unit 11, as a state control unit, applies a driving voltage to the dimming unit 23 (dimming film 231) to switch the dimming unit 23 to a light-transmitting state (step S10; dimming process), and as shown in Figure 2 again, the dimming unit 23 enters a light-transmitting state, making it possible to visually observe the inside of the device from the outside, and outputs the generated printing data to the printing mechanism 4 to start the printing operation (step S11).
The control unit 11 determines whether printing has been completed for the nails T of all fingers U to be printed (step S12), and if there are nails T that have not yet been printed (step S12; NO), the control unit 11 returns to step S2, places the finger U corresponding to the nail T that has not yet been printed on the finger placement unit 3, and repeats the subsequent processes.
On the other hand, if printing on all nails T is completed (step S12; YES), the series of processes ends.

The timing at which the light adjusting section 23 (light adjusting film 231) is set to the light blocking state and the timing at which the light adjusting section 23 (light adjusting film 231) is set to the light transmitting state are not limited to those exemplified in FIG.
The light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) only needs to be in a light-blocking state during at least the photographing period to acquire a nail image for recognizing the nail area, and may be switched to a light-transmitting state at any time after the timing at which acquisition of the nail image is completed (step S7 in FIG. 4). For example, if a user wants to observe the internal operation of the device during printing, etc., control may be performed to apply a voltage to the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) so that the light adjustment unit 23 (light adjustment film 231) is in a light-transmitting state as much as possible. In this case, the light adjustment unit 23 may be switched from a light-blocking state to a light-transmitting state, for example, immediately after step S7.

On the other hand, if the user is not interested in the internal mechanisms of the printing device 1, the control unit 11 may perform the printing process in a light-blocking state without applying voltage to the light-adjusting unit 23 (light-adjusting film 231) even when the device power is turned on. For example, if the light-adjusting unit 23 (light-adjusting film 231) becomes light-transmitting only when voltage is applied, the user may be able to select to perform the printing process in a light-blocking state in order to reduce power consumption.
Furthermore, when the printing device 1 is powered by an internal battery or the like, when the remaining battery charge falls below a certain value, the device may automatically enter a light-blocking mode in which no voltage is applied to the light-adjusting unit 23 (light-adjusting film 231).
Even if the dimming unit 23 remains in a light-blocking state, for example, if an image of the area around the finger placement unit 3 is displayed on the display unit 85 of the terminal device 8, the user can check the state of the fingers inside the printing device 1 through the display screen.

This allows nail images to be acquired under appropriate conditions with reduced ambient light, making it possible to recognize the nail area from the nail image with high accuracy, and on the other hand, since the inside of the device can be seen through the large dimming unit 23 except when the nail image is being taken, it is possible to meet the user's desire to visually check the inside of the device.
In this way, it is possible to satisfy both the user's desire to visually inspect the inside of the device and the desire to obtain nail images that eliminate external light during photography, do not result in erroneous recognition of the nail contour, and enable nail recognition with as high accuracy as possible.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the printing device 1 includes the photographing unit 5 that photographs the target nail T placed inside the device, and the dimming unit 23 that can adjust the transmittance of the wavelength range of visible light so that the target nail T can be either visible from outside the device or invisible from outside the device.
Because the device is provided with a light control unit 23 that allows the inside of the device to be seen, the light control unit 23 can be set to a light-transmitting state when not photographing a nail image, allowing the inside of the device to be seen through the light control unit 23. This meets the user's desire to directly visually check the inside of the device. Furthermore, because the light control unit 23 can be set to a light-blocking state, even if the light control unit 23 is set large to make the inside of the device easier to see, nail images can be photographed under appropriate conditions with reduced disturbance light by setting it to a light-blocking state. This allows the nail area to be recognized from the nail image with high accuracy, and print data that matches the shape of the user's nail T can be generated.

In this embodiment, the control unit 11 is provided as a state control unit that controls the state of the light adjustment unit 23 .
As a result, the control unit 11 switches the light control unit 23 so that it can assume the light-transmitting state or the light-blocking state. Therefore, the light-transmitting state and the light-blocking state can be switched without any user intervention.

In addition, the control unit 11 as a state control unit is capable of adjusting the voltage applied to the dimming unit 23 (dimming film 231), and the dimming unit 23 includes the dimming film 231 as a liquid crystal sheet whose transmittance in part of the wavelength range of visible light changes depending on the voltage adjusted by the control unit 11 as a state control unit.
The light control film 231 as a liquid crystal sheet can switch between a light-transmitting state and a light-blocking state relatively quickly in response to the applied voltage, so that it can quickly block external light that enters the device appropriately before, for example, taking a picture with the camera 51.

Furthermore, the light adjusting unit 23 of this embodiment is provided at a position where at least the nail T, which is an object placed inside the device, can be seen.
As a result, when the light adjusting section 23 is in the light transmitting state, the user can visually check the position of the nail T from the outside, and can therefore perform nail printing without anxiety.

The subject of this embodiment is a nail T that is to be printed.
This allows for highly accurate nail recognition and achieves high print quality while also meeting the needs of users who perform nail printing and want to visually check the condition of their fingers and nails T inside the device.

In addition, this embodiment includes an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the nail T, including the contour shape of the target nail T, based on the image captured by the imaging unit 5.
This allows nail printing to be performed using print data based on the nail area, etc., recognized from the nail image. In this case, in this embodiment, the nail T can be photographed while suppressing the effects of ambient light, so that a nail image suitable for nail recognition can be obtained, thereby achieving highly accurate nail recognition.

In addition, this embodiment includes a print control unit that controls the printing operation so that printing is performed in a print range that is set based on information about the nail T.
Nail recognition is performed based on nail images obtained by capturing images that minimize the effects of ambient light, enabling highly accurate nail recognition and achieving high print quality.

In addition, in the dimming process of this embodiment, at least when photographing the nail T, which is the target placed inside the device, using the photographing unit 5, the state of the dimming film 231 included in the dimming unit 23 is switched so that the dimming unit 23 is in a light-blocking state.
This allows nail recognition to be performed based on nail images captured with the effects of ambient light suppressed, enabling highly accurate nail recognition and achieving high print quality.

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 that various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For example, in each of the above embodiments, the light control unit 23 is a window provided in a part of the upper housing 21, but the light control unit 23 is not limited to this.
For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the entire upper housing 21a of the printing device 1a may be made of glass, resin, or the like that transmits light, and the entire upper housing 21a may serve as the light control unit 23.
In this way, not only the area around the finger placement section 3 but also the components of the printing mechanism 4 can be seen from the outside, and the user can directly see not only the placement of the fingers U and nails T but also the mechanical configuration and operation of the printing head 41, etc.
Even in this case, by providing a dimming film 231 such as a film-like liquid crystal sheet over the entire dimming section 23, nail images can be captured under conditions that reduce the effects of external light disturbances, and nail recognition is performed based on the nail images obtained through such capture, enabling highly accurate nail recognition and achieving high print quality.

Furthermore, the light control unit 23 is not limited to having the light control film 231 such as a liquid crystal sheet.
For example, the light control unit 23 itself may have a structure in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between glass or the like, and may have the same light control function as the light control film 231 such as a liquid crystal sheet. In this case, too, the structure can be configured to have a light-transmitting state and a light-blocking state, and there is no need to attach a film (light control film 231 such as a liquid crystal sheet) to transparent glass or the like, making manufacturing easier.
Furthermore, the light control unit 23 is not limited to an electronic type using a liquid crystal sheet (such as the light control film 231) as exemplified in this embodiment, as long as the state can be switched by a light control means (the control unit 11 of the printing device 1 in this embodiment) so that the light control unit 23 can be in a light-transmitting state or a light-blocking state. For example, it may be a mechanical type in which blinds, shutters, blackout curtains, etc. are driven by a motor or the like.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, an example was given in which the printing device 1 works in conjunction with the terminal device 8, and various instructions are input and images and messages are displayed on the terminal device 8 side, but the configuration of the printing device 1 is not limited to this.
For example, the printing device may be provided with a display unit or the like, and configured so that the printing device can complete the printing operation by itself without linking with a terminal device.

Furthermore, in each of the above embodiments, an example was given in which the control unit 11 of the printing device recognizes the contour shape of the nail T from the nail image acquired by the camera 51 and generates print data, but the configuration of the control unit 11 is not limited to this.
For example, the nail image captured by the camera 51 may be sent to the terminal device, and the control unit 81 of the terminal device may recognize the outline shape of the nail T from the nail image and generate print data. In this case, the control unit 11 of the printing device receives the print data from the terminal device 8 and operates the printing mechanism 4 to perform the printing operation.
This allows the control configuration of the printing device 1 to be simpler and less burdensome.

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 as follows. The claim numbers described in the appendix are the same as those of the claims originally attached to this application.
[Note]
<Claim 1>
an imaging unit that images an object placed within the device;
a light control unit that can adjust the transmittance of a wavelength range of visible light so that the target can be visible from outside the device or invisible from outside the device;
A printing device comprising:
<Claim 2>
The printing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a state control unit that controls the state of the light adjustment unit.
<Claim 3>
the state control unit is capable of adjusting a voltage applied to the dimming unit,
3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the light adjusting unit includes a liquid crystal sheet whose transmittance in a part of the wavelength range of visible light changes in response to the voltage adjusted by the state control unit.
<Claim 4>
4. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein the light adjusting unit is provided at a position where at least the object placed inside the device can be seen.
<Claim 5>
5. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the target nail, including the contour shape of the nail, based on the image captured by the photographing unit.
<Claim 6>
6. The printing device according to claim 5, further comprising a print control unit that controls the printing operation so that printing is performed within a print range that is set based on the information about the nail.
<Claim 7>
and a dimming step of switching the state of the dimming unit so as to adjust the transmittance of the wavelength range of visible light so that an object placed in the device can be visually recognized from outside the device or the object cannot be visually recognized from outside the device.
A dimming control method comprising:
<Claim 8>
In the light adjusting step, when an object placed inside the device is photographed by an imaging unit, the light adjusting unit is switched to a state in which the object cannot be seen from outside the device.
8. The light control method according to claim 7.
<Claim 9>
On the computer,
A dimming function is realized that switches the state of the dimming unit so that the target can be in a state where it is visible from outside the device or a state where it is not visible from outside the device.
A program characterized by:

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Printing device 11 Control unit 15 Device main body 2 Housing 23 Light control unit 231 Light control film 3 Finger placement unit 4 Printing mechanism 41 Print head 5 Photography unit 51 Camera 52 Light source T Nail U Finger

Claims (7)

an imaging unit that images an object placed within the device;
a light control unit that can adjust the transmittance of a wavelength range of visible light so that the target can be in a light- transmitting state where the target is visible from outside the device or in a light- blocking state where the target is not visible from outside the device;
a printing mechanism for printing on the object;
Equipped with
the photographing unit photographs when the light adjusting unit is in the light blocking state,
The printing device is characterized in that the printing mechanism performs printing when the light adjusting unit is in the light transmitting state, in accordance with the object photographed by the photographing unit . The printing device described in claim 1 further comprises a state control unit that controls the state of the dimming unit. the state control unit is capable of adjusting a voltage applied to the dimming unit,
3. The printing device according to claim 2, wherein the light adjusting unit includes a liquid crystal sheet whose transmittance in a part of the wavelength range of visible light changes in response to the voltage adjusted by the state control unit. A printing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the light adjustment unit is provided in a position where at least the object placed within the device can be seen. 5. The printing device according to claim 1, further comprising an information acquisition unit that acquires information about the nail region including the contour shape of the target nail based on the image captured by the photographing unit. 6. The printing device according to claim 5, further comprising a print control unit that controls the printing operation so that printing is performed within a print range that is set based on the information about the nail area . an imaging control unit that controls the imaging unit to perform imaging;
the photographing control unit controls the photographing unit to photograph the placement unit on which the object is placed and acquires an image when the light adjustment unit is in the light-transmitting state;
2. The printing device according to claim 1, wherein when the target can be recognized and a print start instruction is given, the light adjustment unit is set to the light blocking state.