JP2022012133A - Printer, printing control method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a printer, a printing control method and a program which can correctly perform printing at a correct position by obtaining correction information for correcting a deviation in various printing positions by confirming the printing position on the device side.SOLUTION: A printer 1 for performing printing in a printing region of a nail T being a printing object surface comprises: a head 41a for base which prints a base; a head 41b for design which prints design; and a control unit 31 which controls each part. The control unit 31 operates the head 41a for base to print a pattern M for correction that can specify at least two positions in the printing region on the basis of a target printing position, and acquires information about a deviation between the target printing position and an actual printing position where the pattern M for correction is actually printed as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the printing position.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a printing control method and a program.

Conventionally, a printing device (nail printing device) for printing a nail design on a fingernail or the like is known.
If such a printing device is used, nail printing can be easily enjoyed.

When realizing nail printing with a printing device, it is necessary to print accurately in the area of the nail. In this regard, the print head that prints is used by mounting it on the carriage of the main body of the device. However, since the carriage and the print head have mounting play due to tolerances at the manufacturing stage, when the print head is mounted or replaced. There is a risk of misalignment or backlash.
If printing is performed with the print head misaligned, the design printed on the nail may be misaligned, or the print may protrude from the skin other than the nail.

Therefore, for example, in Patent Document 1, a position adjustment mark is printed on a nail to be printed by a print head, and the print position by the print head is adjusted based on an image of an object on which the position adjustment mark is output. Is disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-18589

However, the mounting position deviation and backlash appear as various printing position deviations such as the X-axis direction, the Y-axis direction, and the tilt θ direction, and the position adjustment mark corresponding to each deviation is printed and the adjustment is repeated. It takes time and effort, and it is not possible to perform a quick printing process.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and by confirming the print position on the device side and obtaining correction information for correcting various print position deviations, printing can be performed accurately at the correct position. It is an advantage to provide a printing device, a printing control method and a program that can be performed.

In order to solve the above problems, the printing apparatus of the present invention is used.
A printing device that prints within the print area of the print target surface.
The head to print on the print target surface and
A control means for controlling the head and
Equipped with
The control means is
The head is operated to print a correction pattern capable of specifying at least two positions in the print area based on the target print position.
It is characterized in that information regarding the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed is acquired as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.

According to the present invention, by confirming the print position on the apparatus side and obtaining correction information for correcting various print position deviations, it is possible to accurately print at the correct position.

It is a figure which shows the schematic structure of the printing apparatus in this embodiment. It is a block diagram of a main part which showed the control composition of the printing apparatus and the terminal apparatus associated with this in this Embodiment. (A) to (e) are plan views of a nail schematically showing an example of a correction pattern printed on a nail in the present embodiment. (A) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of detecting a deviation in the X-axis direction and a deviation in the Y-axis direction using a correction pattern composed of two points, and (b) is an explanatory diagram at two points. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of detecting the deviation of the inclination θ using the configured correction pattern. (A) is an explanatory diagram for explaining a method of detecting a deviation in the X-axis direction and a deviation in the Y-axis direction using a correction pattern composed of triangles, and (b) is a correction diagram composed of triangles. It is explanatory drawing explaining the method of detecting the deviation of the inclination θ by using the pattern. It is a flowchart which shows the printing process which concerns on this embodiment. (A) to (e) are explanatory views schematically showing a printing procedure when printing an entire design, (a) shows a state in which the contour of a nail is detected from a ground nail, and (b) is. , A state in which a pattern print area is set in the print area is shown, FIG. 3C is a diagram for explaining acquisition of an alignment value, FIG. Indicates a state in which the design is printed in the print area where the background is printed. (A) to (e) are explanatory views schematically showing a printing procedure when printing a partial design, (a) shows a state where the contour of a nail is detected from a ground nail, and (b) is. , A state in which a pattern print area is set in the print area is shown, FIG. 3C is a diagram for explaining acquisition of an alignment value, FIG. Indicates a state in which the design is printed in the print area where the background is printed.

An embodiment of a printing apparatus, a printing control method, and a program according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8 (a) to 8 (e).
Although the embodiments described below are provided with various technically preferable limitations for carrying out the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments and illustrated examples.
Further, in the following embodiment, a printing device in which the printing device prints on the fingernail of the hand as an example will be described, but the printing target of the printing device in the present invention is limited to the fingernail of the hand. Instead, for example, toenails and the like may be printed. Further, a nail-like object other than a human nail, such as a nail tip or the surface of various accessories, may be printed.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a main part of a printing apparatus according to the present embodiment.
In the following embodiments, up / down, left / right, and front / back refer to the directions shown in FIG. Further, the X direction and the Y direction are the directions shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 1 has a housing 2 formed in a substantially box shape.
The housing 2 covers almost the entire surface in the left-right direction (horizontal direction of the printing device 1, left-right direction, X direction in FIG. 1) on the lower portion of the front side (front side of the printing device 1, front side in FIG. 1). Has an opening 21 formed in the above. Further, a notch 22 is continuously formed on the upper side of the opening 21 at substantially the center of the housing 2 in the left-right direction. The cutout portion 22 functions as an entrance / exit when attaching / detaching the print head 41, which will be described later, to / from the apparatus.
Although not shown, the housing 2 may be provided with a cover member or the like that covers the opening 21 or the notch 22. The cover member may be separated from the housing 2, or may be attached to the housing 2 so as to be openable and closable via a hinge or the like.

Further, an operation unit 12 of the printing device 1 is provided on the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2. The operation unit 12 is, for example, an operation button (power switch button) for turning on / off the power of the printing device 1. When the operation unit 12 is operated, an operation signal is output to the control device 30, and the control device 30 performs control according to the operation signal to operate each part of the printing device 1. For example, when the operation unit 12 is a power switch button, the power of the printing device 1 is turned on / off according to the button operation.
Instead of the operation unit 12, each unit of the printing device 1 may operate according to an operation signal input from the operation unit 71 of the terminal device 7 described later.
The shape of each part of the housing 2 and the arrangement of each part are not limited to the illustrated examples and can be set as appropriate. For example, the operation unit 12 may be provided on the side surface, the back surface, or the like instead of the upper surface of the housing 2. Further, the housing 2 may be provided with various other operation buttons as the operation unit 12, or may be provided with various display units, indicators, and the like.

The apparatus main body 10 is housed inside the housing 2.
The apparatus main body 10 includes a base 11, a finger holding portion 6 attached to the base 11, a printing portion 40, and the like.

The finger holding portion 6 is arranged substantially in the center of the base 11 in the left-right direction (X direction) on the front surface side of the device, and is a position suitable for printing the finger U having the claw T, which is the printing target in the present embodiment. It is a finger holding means to hold the fingernail.
The finger holding portion 6 has an opening 61 on the front surface side of the device. Further, a finger fixing member 62 is provided inside the finger holding portion 6. The finger fixing member 62 pushes up and supports the finger U inserted from the opening 61 from below, and is made of, for example, a flexible resin or the like.
A window portion 63 is formed on the upper surface of the finger holding portion 6 to expose the claw T portion of the finger U inserted through the opening 61 and held by the finger fixing member 62.

The printing unit 40 is a printing means that prints on the surface of the claw T, which is the printing target surface, according to the printing data generated by the printing data generation unit 315 (see FIG. 2) described later.
The printing unit 40 includes a printing head 41 that performs a printing operation, a carriage 42 on which the printing head 41 is mounted and held, a head moving mechanism 49 for moving the printing head 41 and the carriage 42 (see FIG. 2), and the like. ..

As shown in FIG. 1, a head (hereinafter referred to as “print head 41”) is mounted on the carriage 42. In the present embodiment, the base head 41a for printing the base and the design head 41b for printing the design are mounted as the print head 41. In the following, when the term "print head 41" is simply used, it means that both the base head 41a and the design head 41b are included. The arrangement of the base head 41a and the design head 41b is not limited to the illustrated example.

Before printing the design, the base head 41a prints a liquid agent (hereinafter referred to as “base ink”) as a base on the print area Dar on which the design is printed. The base ink printed by the base head 41a is preferably white or a color close to the white color so that the color of the ink is improved when the design is printed. By forming the base with white or the like, it becomes easy to distinguish it from the skin color (skin color, etc.) around the nail T, and it becomes easier to recognize the region of the nail T from the nail image more accurately.
Further, in the present embodiment, a correction pattern M (see FIGS. 3A to 3E, etc.) for performing alignment correction using the base head 41a is printed.
The correction pattern M printed by the base head 41a will be described in detail later.

The design head 41b prints the design in the print area Dar after the base printing by the base head 41a, and each color such as cyan (C; CYAN), magenta (M; MAGENTA), and yellow (Y; YELLOW). Ink (hereinafter referred to as "color ink") can be ejected. The type of color ink that can be ejected by the design head 41b is not limited to this, and ink of other colors may be ejected.

In the present embodiment, both the base head 41a and the design head 41b have an ink ejection surface (not shown) having a plurality of nozzle openings for ejecting ink on the surface facing the nail surface. This is an inkjet head of an inkjet type that prints by spraying ink directly from the ink ejection surface onto the surface of the nail to be printed (claw T).

The head moving mechanism 49 includes an X-direction moving mechanism (not shown) for moving the print head 41 in the left-right direction (X direction) of the device, and a Y (not shown) for moving the print head 41 in the front-back direction (Y direction) of the device. It consists of a directional movement mechanism.
The X-direction moving mechanism includes an X-direction moving motor 46, and the X-direction moving motor 46 is driven to move the print head 41 in the left-right direction (X direction) of the apparatus. Further, the Y-direction moving mechanism includes a Y-direction moving motor 48, and the printing head 41 is moved in the front-rear direction (Y direction) of the apparatus by driving the Y-direction moving motor 48.

The operations of the X-direction moving motor 46, the Y-direction moving motor 48, and the print head 41 (the ejection mechanism portion of the print head 41) of the head moving mechanism 49 are controlled by the print control unit 316 (see FIG. 2) of the control device 30.

Further, a claw T (finger U including the claw T) exposed from the window portion 63 is photographed at a position above the window portion 63 of the finger holding portion 6 inside the upper surface (top plate) of the housing 2. An imaging unit 50 for acquiring an image of the nail T (an image of a finger U including the nail T, hereinafter referred to as a “nail image”) is provided.
The photographing unit 50 includes, for example, a photographing device 51 such as a camera and a lighting device 52 composed of a white LED or the like that illuminates the nail T to be photographed (see FIG. 2).
The photographing unit 50 is connected to the photographing control unit 312 (see FIG. 2) of the control device 30 described later, and is controlled by the photographing control unit 312.
The nail image captured by the imaging device 51 is acquired by the imaging control unit 312.
The image data of the image taken by the photographing unit 50 may be stored in the storage unit 32 described later.

In the present embodiment, the photographing device 51 and the lighting device 52 are located inside the top surface of the housing 2 so as to face the fingernail T (the surface of the fingernail T) of the finger U placed on the finger holding portion 6. Although the case of fixed arrangement is illustrated, the photographing unit 50 may be provided at a position where the fingernail T of the finger U placed on the finger holding unit 6 can be photographed, and the specific arrangement is particularly limited. Not done.
For example, the photographing unit 50 may be configured to be movable in the XY directions by the head moving mechanism 49 that moves the print head 41.

The control device 30 mounted on the printing device 1 includes a control unit 31 (see FIG. 2) composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory). It is a computer including a storage unit 32 (see FIG. 2) composed of the like (neither is shown).

The storage unit 32 has a program storage area 321 in which various programs and the like for operating the printing device 1 are stored. Various programs such as a print program for performing print processing are stored in the program storage area 321. The control unit 31 expands these programs into, for example, a RAM work area, and the program is executed by the control unit 31. By doing so, each part of the printing apparatus 1 is controlled in an integrated manner.
Further, the storage unit 32 has a claw information storage area 322. Various information about the nail T detected by the nail information detection unit 313, which will be described later, is stored in the nail information storage area 322.

From a functional point of view, the control unit 31 includes a communication control unit 311, an imaging control unit 312, a claw information detection unit 313, an alignment correction unit 314, a print data generation unit 315, a print control unit 316, and the like. The functions of the communication control unit 311, the photographing control unit 312, the claw information detection unit 313, the alignment correction unit 314, the print data generation unit 315, the print control unit 316, etc. are the program storage areas 321 of the control unit 31 and the storage unit 32. It is realized by collaboration with the program stored in.

The communication control unit 311 controls the operation of the communication unit 13.
The communication unit 13 includes a wireless communication module and the like capable of communicating with the communication unit 73 of the terminal device 7, and the communication control unit 311 transmits and receives various data and the like between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 7. At the same time, the operation of the communication unit 13 is controlled.
The printing device 1 of the present embodiment is designed to print a nail design (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “design”) in cooperation with a terminal device 7 described later. For example, the design data to be printed on the claw T is stored in the terminal device 7, the communication control unit 311 appropriately controls the communication by the communication unit 13, and the design data is stored from the terminal device 7 side via the communication unit 13. get.

The communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 7 may use a network line such as the Internet, or may be wireless based on a short-range wireless communication standard such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or Wi-Fi. It may be one that communicates. When communicating via a network, any line may be used as the network used for communication. Further, the communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 7 is not limited to wireless communication, and various data may be transmitted / received between the two by a wired connection.
The communication unit 13 may be any as long as it can communicate with the terminal device 7, and a communication unit 13 that matches the communication standard of the communication unit 73 of the terminal device 7 is applied.

The photographing control unit 312 controls the photographing device 51 and the lighting device 52 of the photographing unit 50, and the image of the finger U (claw) including the image of the finger U's claw T placed on the finger holding unit 6 by the photographing device 51. Image) is taken.
In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the ground nail before forming the base is photographed by the photographing unit 50, and an image (nail image) of the nail T is acquired. Further, after printing the correction mark M on the nail, the nail is photographed again by the photographing unit 50, and an image (nail image) of the nail T is acquired. After printing the base on the ground nail and before printing the design, the nail T in the base-coated state may be further photographed by the photographing unit 50 to acquire an image (nail image) of the nail T.
The image (nail image) of the nail T acquired by the photographing unit 50 is sent to the photographing control unit 312. The photographing control unit 312 functions as an image acquisition means for acquiring such a nail image (data of an image of the nail T). The photographing control unit 312 may store the nail image in the storage unit 32.

The nail information detection unit 313 is a control means for detecting the nail information about the nail T of the finger U based on the image (nail image) of the nail T acquired by the photographing control unit 312 which is an image acquisition means. In the present embodiment, the nail information detection unit 313 uses the nail information as the nail information to define the contour information of the nail T (contour TL (FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (e), 4 (a), and FIG. 4 (b), FIG. 5 (a), FIG. 5 (b), etc.) are detected.
The claw information detected by the claw information detection unit 313 is not limited to this.
The claw information detected by the claw information detection unit 313 may include, for example, an inclination angle of the surface of the claw T with respect to the XY plane (inclination angle of the claw T, claw curvature) and the like. Further, when the height of the nail T (the position in the vertical direction of the nail T) can be obtained from the image or the like taken by the photographing device 51, the height of the nail T may be included in the nail information.
Various information detected by the claw information detection unit 313 is stored in the claw information storage area 322.

The alignment correction unit 314 causes the base head 41a to print a correction pattern M for performing alignment correction on a part of the print area Dar of the claw T, and the position of the correction pattern M actually printed (this). Is called "actual print position") and information about the deviation from the target print position that should be printed is acquired as correction information (this is called "alignment value"), and this alignment value (correction information) is used. , Performs alignment correction of the print position in the subsequent printing operation.

The correction pattern M can specify at least two positions. In the present embodiment, the alignment correction unit 314, as the alignment value (correction information), information on the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position in the surface direction of the print target surface in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction, and the print target surface. Information on the deviation of the inclination θ in the plane direction (that is, the deviation of the angle around the axis of the Z axis when the Z axis perpendicular to the XY plane is assumed) is acquired.
By using at least two positions, that is, two points on the XY plane, as the correction pattern M, the deviation (Δx) in the X-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface as described above, Y It is possible to detect the deviation in the axial direction (Δy) and the deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface (Δθ).

3 (a) to 3 (e) are diagrams showing an example of a correction pattern.
The correction pattern M may be two points as shown in FIG. 3A, or may be a linear one connecting the two points as shown in FIG. 3B. However, it may be a polygonal shape such as a triangle shape shown in FIG. 3 (c) or a quadrangular shape shown in FIG. 3 (d), or a “+” mark or the like as shown in FIG. 3 (e). good.
It is still preferable that the correction pattern has a non-rotational symmetric shape. When the correction pattern has a non-rotational symmetric shape, even if there is a deviation that rotates 180 degrees around a certain point, it does not match the original figure, so the deviation can be detected accurately. can.
The correction pattern M may be any as long as it can specify at least two positions, and is not limited to the example shown here. For example, the correction pattern M may be composed of three or more points or the like.

FIG. 4A schematically shows a state in which deviations in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface are detected when the correction pattern M is two points as shown in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 (b) detects a deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface when the correction pattern M is two points as also shown in FIG. 3 (a). It is a figure which showed the state of doing.
Further, FIG. 5A detects deviations in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface when the correction pattern M is a triangular mark as shown in FIG. 3C. FIG. 5B is a diagram schematically showing the state, and FIG. 5B shows an inclination θ in the plane direction of the print target surface when the correction pattern M is a triangular mark as also shown in FIG. 3C. It is a figure which showed the state of detecting the deviation of.

In FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 5 (a), and 5 (b), the target print position of the correction mark M is indicated by a broken line, and the actual print position is indicated by a solid line.
In FIGS. 4 (a), 4 (b), 5 (a), and 5 (b), deviations in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface are detected for convenience of illustration. The drawing and the state of detecting the deviation of the inclination θ in the plane direction of the print target surface are shown separately in the drawings, but in the present embodiment, one (in the case of the correction pattern M composed of points) is shown. The correction pattern M (a set of a plurality of points) makes it possible to detect both the deviation in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface and the deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface. ing.

For example, in the case shown in FIG. 4A, the deviation Δx in the X-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface is the axis line passing through the center of any of the points constituting the correction pattern M as the target print position and actual printing. The deviation in the X-axis direction when compared with the position is detected. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is shifted to the right side in the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 4A by Δx with respect to the target printing position.
Further, in the case shown in FIG. 4A, the deviation Δy in the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface is the axis line passing through the center of any of the points constituting the correction pattern M as the target print position. Detects deviation in the Y-axis direction when compared with the print position. In the example shown in FIG. 4A, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is displaced downward by Δy in the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 4A with respect to the target printing position.

Further, for example, in the case shown in FIG. 5A, pay attention to a certain angle of the triangle which is the correction pattern M (the lower left corner in FIG. 5A), and the target printing position and the actual printing position of this angle. By observing the deviation of the position of, the deviation in the X-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface is detected. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is shifted to the right side in the X-axis direction shown in FIG. 5A by Δx with respect to the target printing position.
Further, in the case of the case shown in FIG. 5A, the position of the base of the triangle of the correction pattern M is compared between the target printing position and the actual printing position for the deviation Δy in the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the printing target surface. Detects the deviation in the Y-axis direction. In the example shown in FIG. 5A, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is displaced downward by Δy in the Y-axis direction shown in FIG. 5A with respect to the target printing position.

Further, in the case shown in FIG. 4B, the deviation Δθ of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface is the target print position and the actual print position along the line passing through the centers of the two points constituting the correction pattern M. When compared with, the deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface is detected. In the example shown in FIG. 4B, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is shifted clockwise by Δθ in FIG. 4B with respect to the target printing position.
Further, for example, in the case shown in FIG. 5 (b), the line passing through a certain angle of the triangle which is the correction pattern M (the angle which is the upper vertex in FIG. 5 (b)) is defined as the target print position and the actual print position. Detects the deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface when compared with. In the example shown in FIG. 5B, the actual printing position of the correction mark M is shifted clockwise by Δθ in FIG. 5B with respect to the target printing position.

The method for comparing the target print position of the correction pattern M with the actual print position is not limited to the one illustrated here.
For example, the deviations Δx, Δy, and Δθ may be detected by comparing the circumscribed rectangles of the correction marks M with each other.

The alignment correction unit 314 sets a target print position on which the correction pattern M should be printed in advance inside the contour TL that demarcates the nail area (the area of the printing target surface).
When the design to be printed is the overall design AD (see FIG. 7 (e)) in which the entire surface of the nail T is printed, the entire surface of the nail T (the entire inside of the contour TL) is the print area Dar. Become. The overall design AD may be printed on the entire surface of the nail T, and may be used to fill the entire nail T with one or more colors, or to apply a floral pattern or a check pattern to the entire nail T. The design of the total pattern is also included.
On the other hand, in the partial design PD in which the design to be printed is printed only on a part of the nail T (for example, French nail or one-point design, FIG. 8 (e) exemplifies the star-shaped one-point design). In some cases, the area where the design is scheduled to be printed is the print area Dar in the entire surface of the nail T (the entire inside of the contour TL).
In the present embodiment, the alignment correction unit 314 prints the inside of the contour that demarcates the print area Dar (the entire inside of the contour TL of the claw T in the case of the overall design AD, and the design in the case of the partial design PD. A pattern print area Aar, which is a range in which the correction pattern M should be printed, is set in a part of (inside the planned area), and a target print position is set in the pattern print area Aar.
In this way, by setting the pattern print area Aar inside the print area Dar, even if the actual print position of the correction pattern M shifts, it does not protrude from the print area Dar, and the background is surely used. Can be filled.

The print data generation unit 315 generates print data by fitting a desired design into the print area detected by the claw information detection unit 313.
Specifically, the print data generation unit 315 cuts out the image data of the nail design (design) selected by the user, appropriately enlarges / reduces the image data, adjusts the arrangement, and adjusts the arrangement, and the print area detected from the image of the nail T. Fit to.
When the alignment correction is performed by the alignment correction unit 314, the print data generation unit 315 generates print data by reflecting the alignment correction.
When the curvature of the claw T is acquired by the claw information detection unit 313, the print data generation unit 315 may appropriately perform curved surface correction on the print data based on the curvature of the claw T or the like. .. When the curved surface is corrected, it is possible to generate printing data that more closely matches the shape of the claw T.

The print control unit 316 outputs the print data generated by the print data generation unit 315 to the print unit 40, and controls the print unit 40 so as to print on the claw T according to the print data.
Specifically, the print control unit 316 outputs a control signal to the print unit 40 based on the print data, and prints according to the print data on the claw T in the X direction of the print unit 40. It controls the moving motor 46, the Y-direction moving motor 48, the print head 41, and the like.

Further, as described above, the printing device 1 of the present embodiment prints on the nail T in cooperation with the terminal device 7.
The terminal device 7 is a mobile terminal device such as a smartphone. The terminal device 7 is not limited to the smartphone. For example, it may be a tablet-type personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "PC"), a notebook-type PC, a stationary PC, a terminal device for games, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal device 7 includes an operation unit 71, a display unit 72, a communication unit 73, a control device 80, and the like.

The operation unit 71 can perform various inputs and settings according to the user's operation, and is, for example, a touch panel integrally provided on the surface of the display unit 72. When the operation unit 71 is operated, the input signal corresponding to the operation is transmitted to the control unit 81.
The touch panel configured on the display unit 72 displays various operation screens according to the control of the display control unit 812, which will be described later, and the user can perform various input / setting operations by touching the touch panel. ..
The operation unit 71 for performing various input / setting operations is not limited to the touch panel. For example, various operation buttons, a keyboard, a pointing device, and the like may be provided as the operation unit 71.

In the present embodiment, when the user operates the operation unit 71, various instructions such as printing start are output from the terminal device 7 to the printing device 1, and the terminal device 7 is the printing device 1. It also functions as an operation unit.
Further, the user can select the nail design (design) to be printed on the nail T by operating the operation unit 71.

The display unit 72 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or a flat display.
As described above, a touch panel for performing various inputs may be integrally configured on the surface of the display unit 72. In this case, the touch panel functions as the operation unit 71.
In the present embodiment, the nail design input / selected by the user from the operation unit 71, various guidance screens, warning display screens, and the like can be displayed on the display unit 72.

The communication unit 73 is configured to be communicable with the communication unit 13 of the printing apparatus 1.
As described above, the communication between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 7 may be either a wireless connection method or a wired connection method, and the specific method is not limited. The communication unit 73 may be any as long as it can communicate with the printing device 1, and a communication unit 73 that matches the communication standard of the communication unit 13 of the printing device 1 is applied.
The communication unit 13 is connected to the communication control unit 811 (see FIG. 2) of the control device 80 described later, and is controlled by the communication control unit 811.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 80 of the terminal device 7 of the present embodiment includes a control unit 81 composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown), and a ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (not shown). It is a computer including a storage unit 82 composed of (Random Access Memory) and the like.

The storage unit 82 stores various programs, various data, and the like for operating each unit of the terminal device 7.
Specifically, in the ROM or the like of the present embodiment, in addition to the operation program 821a for comprehensively controlling each part of the terminal device 7, the nail print application program 821b for performing nail printing using the printing device 1 (hereinafter referred to as Various programs such as "nail print AP") are stored, and the control unit 81 expands these programs into, for example, a work area of the RAM, and the program is executed in the control unit 81 to execute the terminal. Each part of the device 7 is controlled in an integrated manner.

Further, the storage unit 82 of the present embodiment is provided with a design storage area 822 or the like for storing the data of the nail design (design).
The nail design (design) stored in the design storage area 822 may be an existing design prepared in advance, or may be a design created by the user. Further, when the terminal device 7 can be connected to various networks, it may be possible to capture the nail design (design) stored in a server device or the like (not shown) that can be connected to the network.

From a functional point of view, the control unit 81 of the terminal device 7 includes a communication control unit 811, a display control unit 812, and the like. These functions as the communication control unit 811 and the display control unit 812 are realized by the cooperation between the CPU of the control unit 81 and the program stored in the ROM of the storage unit 82. The function of the control unit 81 of the terminal device 7 is not limited to this, and various other functional units may be provided.
The communication control unit 811 controls the operation of the communication unit 73.
Further, the display control unit 812 controls the display unit 72 to display various display screens on the display unit 72.

Next, the printing control method by the printing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and the like.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the printing process in the present embodiment.
When performing nail printing using the printing device 1 of the present embodiment, the user first mounts the printing head 41 (base head 41a and design head 41b) on the carriage 42 (step S1).
Then, the user operates the operation unit 12 (operation button) of the printing device 1 to turn on the power and start the operation. Further, the power of the terminal device 7 is turned on, and the execution of the nail print process is selected from the operation unit 71 of the terminal device 7. This activates the nail print AP821b.

When the nail print AP821b is activated in the terminal device 7, the display control unit 812 of the terminal device 7 causes the display unit 72 to display a design selection screen (not shown) on which a design can be selected. When the user selects one of the designs and operates the operation buttons, the touch panel, or the like, an input signal to select the design is output to the control unit 81, and the design is set as a design to be printed on the claw T. (Step S2). The set design information is also sent to the printing apparatus 1 via the communication units 71 and 13.
Further, the display control unit 812 causes the display unit 72 to display an instruction screen prompting the finger holding unit 6 to set the finger U corresponding to the nail T to be printed (step S3).

When the finger U is placed on the finger holding portion 6, the finger U is photographed by the photographing unit 50, and the nail image of the nail before the base is applied is acquired (step S4). Then, the nail information detection unit 313 detects nail information such as the contour TL (contour information) of the nail T by performing image processing on the nail image acquired by the photographing unit 50 (see step S5 and FIG. 7A). ).
When the nail information is detected by the nail information detection unit 313, the alignment correction unit 314 sets a print area Dar for printing the nail design inside the contour TL of the nail T (step S6). In setting the print area Dar, the design selected by the user is also taken into consideration. For example, in the case of the overall design AD in which the nail design is printed on the entire surface of the nail T, the print area Dar coincides with the entire inner region of the contour TL of the nail T. When the print area Dar is set, the alignment correction unit 314 sets a pattern print area Aar for printing the correction pattern M for alignment correction in a part of the print area Dar (step S7). In FIG. 7B, the pattern print area Aar is shown by a broken line.

Further, the alignment correction unit 314 sets in advance a target print position for printing the correction pattern M in a part of the set pattern print area Aar (step S8). In FIG. 7 (c), the target print position of the correction pattern M is shown by a broken line.
When the design is a partial design PD in which only a part of the print target surface is the print area Dar, the alignment correction unit 314 sets the target print position in a part of the print area Dar of the partial design PD. Set.

8 (a) to 8 (e) show an example in which the nail design selected by the user is a star-shaped one-point design which is a partial design.
When printing the partial design PD, the alignment correction unit 314 prints the design on the inside of the contour TL of the claw T (the print area Dar is shown by the alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 8B). Set in the area of the claw T). Then, the pattern print area Aar is set inside the print area Dar. In FIG. 8B, when printing a star-shaped design, the star-shaped pattern printing area Aar, which is one size smaller than the star-shaped printing area Dar (in FIG. 8B, the pattern printing area Aar is represented by a broken line. The case where (shown) is set inside the print area Dar is illustrated. The pattern print area Aar may be set in a part inside the print area Dar, and does not have to be an area similar to the print area Dar. For example, when printing a star-shaped design, a rectangular pattern print area Aar may be set in a part of the print area Dar. Then, the alignment correction unit 314 sets the target print position in a part of the pattern print area Aar set in a part of the print area Dar of the partial design PD (see FIG. 8C).

When the target print position is set, the alignment correction unit 314 operates the base head 41a according to the setting to print the correction pattern M (step S9).
When the correction pattern M is printed, the photographing unit 50 photographs the printed nail T and acquires a nail image (step S10).
Then, by performing image analysis or the like on this nail image, the alignment correction unit 314 acquires the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed (step S11).
In FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c), the actual printing position of the correction pattern M on which the correction pattern M is actually printed is shown by solid lines and white outlines.

When the actual print position is acquired, the alignment correction unit 314 acquires information regarding the deviation between the target print position of the correction pattern M and the actual print position as an alignment value (correction information) (step S12). For example, in FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c), the actual print position is shifted by Δx to the right side in FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c) in the X-axis direction with respect to the target print position. An example shows a case where the axial direction is deviated by Δy to the lower side in FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c).
The alignment correction unit 314 stores the alignment value in the storage unit 32 (step S13), and uses this alignment value to correct the alignment of the print position in the subsequent printing operation (step S14).
If there is no deviation between the target print position and the actual print position, the alignment correction may not be performed. That is, the alignment correction may be performed when it is determined that there is a deviation between the target print position and the actual print position based on the correction information. Further, for example, a threshold value regarding the degree of deviation may be set, and alignment correction may be performed when it is determined that the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold value based on the acquired correction information.

The print data generation unit 315 generates print data for printing the nail design by reflecting the alignment correction and the like, and outputs the print data to the print unit 40 (step S15).
The printing unit 40 operates according to the control of the printing control unit 316, and prints the background on the print area Dar based on the printing data by the background head 41a (step S15).
As described above, the base head 41a prints the base in the print area Dar of the design printed by the design head 41b, and the control unit 31 (print control unit 316) has an alignment value (alignment value (print control unit 316). After the correction information) is acquired and before the design is printed by the design head 41b, the base head 41a is operated to print the base in the print area Dar of the design including the pattern print area Aar.
The target print position of the correction pattern M is set to a part in the pattern print area Aar, and the pattern print area Aar is set to a part in the print area Dar where the design is finally printed (FIG. 7 (d). ) And FIG. 8 (d)). Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 (c) and 8 (c), even if the actual print position of the correction pattern M deviates from the target print position, it does not protrude from the print area Dar and is used as a base. The correction pattern M can be filled by printing the background by the head 41a.

After printing the base, the control unit 31 (print control unit 316) operates the design head 41b to print the nail design on the print area Dar on which the base is applied based on the print data (step S16).
That is, when the design is the overall design AD, the overall design AD is printed on the entire claw T as shown in FIG. 7 (e). When the design is a partial design PD, as shown in FIG. 8 (e), the partial design PD (star in FIG. 8 (e)) is located inside the contour TL of the claw T and in the print area Dar of the design. Shape design) is printed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the correction pattern M is printed by the base ink with the base ink, the alignment correction is performed, and then the correction pattern is filled and hidden by the final printing. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a paper or the like for printing the correction pattern, and the alignment correction can be performed without affecting the final nail print.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the printing device 1 includes a printing head 41 and a control unit 31 that controls each unit including the head 41, and the control unit 31 operates the base head 41a. Then, a correction pattern M capable of specifying at least two positions is printed in the print area Dar based on the target print position, and the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position where the correction pattern M is actually printed is related. The information is acquired as the alignment value which is the correction information.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the correction pattern M is printed within the range finally filled by the background and the design. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately prepare a paper or the like for printing the correction pattern, and the burden on the user can be reduced in terms of cost and labor. Further, when performing the alignment correction of the printing position in the subsequent printing operation, the alignment value can be used. Therefore, alignment correction can be performed without affecting the final nail print, and high-quality nail print can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the head (print head 41) includes a base head 41a for printing the base and a design head 41b for printing the design.
It is not essential that the head (print head 41) is provided with the base head 41a and the design head 41b, and the correction pattern M may be printed using either head (print head 41).
When the base head 41a and the design head 41b are provided as in the present embodiment, one printing device 1 can be used to perform the process from the formation of the base to the printing of the design, and the user can print the base. It is preferable because it saves the trouble of hand-painting.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 sets in advance a target print position for printing the correction pattern M for performing alignment correction in a part of the print area Dar.
In this way, by acquiring the alignment value from the deviation between the preset target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern M is actually printed, the carriage 42 may be affected by backlash during manufacturing or mounting. It is possible to accurately grasp the deviation caused in the print head 41 (base head 41a and design head 41b) attached to the print head 41 and perform appropriate alignment correction.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires the contour TL which is the contour information for drawing the claw T surface which is the print target surface, and sets the target print position in relation to the contour TL.
Therefore, it is possible to prevent the correction pattern M from being printed on the skin of the finger U other than the nail T.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 sets a pattern print area Aar, which is a range in which the correction pattern M should be printed, in a part of the print area Dar, and sets a target print position in the pattern print area Aar. ..
In this way, by setting the pattern print area Aar inside the print area Dar, even if the actual print position of the correction pattern M shifts, it can be prevented from protruding from the print area Dar. The correction pattern M can be reliably filled with the base.
Therefore, even if the correction pattern M is printed on the surface of the nail T, it does not affect the finish of the final nail design, and high quality nail print can be realized.

Further, the base head 41a of the present embodiment prints the base in the print area Dar of the design (nail design) printed by the design head 41b, and the control unit 31 is the alignment value (correction information). After acquisition and before printing the design by the design head 41b, the base head 41a is operated to print the base in the print area Dar of the design including the pattern print area Aar.
As described above, in the present embodiment, the base is printed in the print area Dar of the design including the pattern print area Aar on which the correction pattern M is printed. As a result, the correction pattern M is surely filled with the base, and does not remain on the final nail design, so that high-quality nail print can be realized.

When the design (nail design) is a partial design PD in which only a part of the claw T which is the print target surface is the print area Dar, the control unit 31 is one in the print area Dar of the partial design PD. Set the target print position for the part.
When the nail design is a partial design PD, there is an area where the base is not printed even inside the contour TL of the nail T, and when the correction pattern M is printed in such an area, it is finally printed. The correction pattern M cannot be filled with the base and remains on the nail T.
In this embodiment, since the correction pattern M is set to be printed in the print area Dar of the partial design PD, the correction pattern M may be filled with the background even when the partial design PD is printed. It is possible to realize high quality nail print without affecting the final nail print finish.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 obtains information regarding the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the claw T, which is the print target surface, as an alignment value (correction information). ).
Therefore, even if the print head 41 (base head 41a and design head 41b) mounted on the carriage 42 is displaced in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction due to play during manufacturing or mounting, it is actually possible. Alignment correction can be performed so that the position printed on is an appropriate position on the claw T.
As a result, high-quality nail print can be realized.

Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit 31 acquires information regarding the deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the claw T, which is the printing target surface, between the normal position and the actual printing position as an alignment value (correction information).
Therefore, even when the print head 41 (base head 41a and design head 41b) mounted on the carriage 42 has a deviation of inclination θ in the surface direction of the claw T due to play during manufacturing or mounting. Alignment correction can be performed so that the position actually printed is an appropriate position on the claw T.
As a result, high-quality nail print can be realized.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to such embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

For example, in the present embodiment, when setting the target print position where the correction pattern M should be printed, the contour TL (contour information) that defines the area of the nail T is acquired, and the target print position is related to this contour TL. However, it is not essential to detect the contour TL (contour information) of the claw T.
Since the finger U is held by the finger holding portion 6, the approximate position of the fingernail T can be grasped (estimated) without being precisely detected from the image. Therefore, for example, by setting the target printing position near the center of the claw T, it is possible to print the correction pattern M at an appropriate position.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case where a pattern print area Aar narrower than this is set in a part of the print area Dar and the target print position is set in a part of the pattern print area Aar is illustrated. It is not mandatory to set the print area Aar.
For example, the star-shaped partial design PD shown in FIG. 8 (e), such as the central portion of the print area Dar (for example, when the entire design AD shown in FIG. 7 (e) is printed, the central portion of the claw T, etc.) By setting the target print position in the center of the star shape, etc. if it is to be printed), even if the position of the correction pattern M is slightly displaced, it can be stored in the print area Dar, and the final nail can be printed. It is possible to print the correction pattern M so as not to affect the printing.

Further, in the present embodiment, the printing head 41 (base head 41a, design head 41b) of the printing apparatus 1 is provided with an inkjet printing head 41, but the configuration of the printing head 41 is not limited to this. ..
The base head 41a and / or one of the design head 41b may have a configuration other than the inkjet method, such as a pen plotter method.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the print head 41 (base head 41a and design head 41b) are both mounted on one carriage 42 and moved by the same head moving mechanism 49 is illustrated, but the configuration of the print head 41 is illustrated. Is not limited to this. For example, the base head 41a and the design head 41b may be configured to perform printing operations while moving separately.

Further, in the present embodiment, the case where the printing device 1 and the terminal device 7 cooperate with each other to perform printing is illustrated, but all the operations may be completed only by the printing device 1.
In this case, the printing device 1 may be provided with a display unit on which the image or design of the claw T can be confirmed.
Further, for example, a design storage area for storing the nail design may be provided in the storage unit 32 of the printing device 1, and the design stored in the design storage area may be proposed to the user so that one of the designs can be selected.
When the printing device 1 can be connected to various networks, it may be possible to capture the nail design stored in a server device or the like (not shown) that can be connected to the network. When the design acquired from the outside can be proposed to the user as a candidate for a selectable nail design in this way, it is possible to print a nail design rich in variation on the nail T.

Further, in the present embodiment, a case where the control unit 31 of the printing apparatus 1 performs processing such as detection of claw information, acquisition of alignment values, and generation of printing data has been illustrated, but all of these processings are performed on the printing apparatus side. It is not mandatory to do it. A part or all of these may be performed by the control unit 81 on the terminal device 7 side.
When the various processes are shared with the terminal device 7 side in this way, the configuration of the printing device 1 can be made simpler, and the burden on the control device 30 on the printing device 1 side (control unit 31). The burden on the processing capacity and the burden on the memory capacity of the storage unit 32) can also be reduced.

Although some 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 the equivalent scope thereof. ..
The inventions described in the claims originally attached to the application of this application are described below. The claims described in the appendix are the scope of the claims originally attached to the application for this application.
[Additional Notes]
<Claim 1>
A printing device that prints within the print area of the print target surface.
The head to print on the print target surface and
A control means for controlling the head and
Equipped with
The control means is
The head is operated to print a correction pattern capable of specifying at least two positions in the print area based on the target print position.
A printing apparatus characterized in that information regarding a deviation between the target print position and an actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed is acquired as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.
<Claim 2>
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head includes at least one of a base head for printing a base and a design head for printing a design.
<Claim 3>
The control means sets a pattern printing area, which is a range in which the correction pattern should be printed, in a part of the printing area, and sets the target printing position in the pattern printing area.
The base head is for printing the base in the print area of the design printed by the design head.
The control means operates the base head to print the base in the print area of the design including the pattern print area after the correction information is acquired and before the design is printed by the design head. The printing apparatus according to claim 2.
<Claim 4>
When the design is a partial design in which only a part of the print target surface is the print area, the control means sets the target print position in a part of the print area of the partial design. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the printing apparatus is characterized by the above.
<Claim 5>
The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means sets a target printing position in a part of the printing area in advance.
<Claim 6>
One of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means acquires contour information that defines an area of the print target surface and sets the target print position in relation to the contour information. The printing device described in the section.
<Claim 7>
The claim is characterized in that a pattern printing area, which is a range in which the correction pattern should be printed, is set in a part of the printing area, and the target printing position is set in the pattern printing area. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
<Claim 8>
The control means is characterized in that information regarding a deviation between the target print position and the actual print position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface is acquired as the correction information. The printing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7.
<Claim 9>
Claim 1 to claim 1, wherein the control means acquires information regarding a deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface between the target print position and the actual print position as the correction information. 8. The printing apparatus according to any one of 8.
<Claim 10>
It is a print control method of a printing apparatus provided with a head for printing on a print target surface and printing in a print area of the print target surface.
A pattern printing step in which the head is operated to print a correction pattern capable of specifying at least two positions in the print area based on a target print position.
A correction information acquisition step of acquiring information on a deviation between the target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.
A print control method comprising.
<Claim 11>
A computer of a printing device provided with a head for printing on the print target surface and printing in the print area of the print target surface.
A pattern printing function that operates the head to print a correction pattern that can specify at least two positions in the printing area based on the target printing position.
A correction information acquisition function that acquires information on the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.
A program characterized by realizing.

1 Printing device 7 Terminal device 31 Control unit 32 Storage unit 40 Printing unit 41 Printing head 41a Base head 41b Design head 42 Carriage 313 Claw information detection unit 314 Alignment correction unit 315 Print data generation unit 316 Printing control unit T Claw U finger

Claims (11)

A printing device that prints within the print area of the print target surface.
The head to print on the print target surface and
A control means for controlling the head and
Equipped with
The control means is
The head is operated to print a correction pattern capable of specifying at least two positions in the print area based on the target print position.
A printing apparatus characterized in that information regarding a deviation between the target print position and an actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed is acquired as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the head includes at least one of a base head for printing a base and a design head for printing a design. The control means sets a pattern printing area, which is a range in which the correction pattern should be printed, in a part of the printing area, and sets the target printing position in the pattern printing area.
The base head is for printing the base in the print area of the design printed by the design head.
The control means operates the base head to print the base in the print area of the design including the pattern print area after the correction information is acquired and before the design is printed by the design head. The printing apparatus according to claim 2. When the design is a partial design in which only a part of the print target surface is the print area, the control means sets the target print position in a part of the print area of the partial design. The printing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the printing apparatus is characterized by the above. The printing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control means sets a target printing position in a part of the printing area in advance. One of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control means acquires contour information that defines an area of the print target surface and sets the target print position in relation to the contour information. The printing device described in the section. The claim is characterized in that a pattern printing area, which is a range in which the correction pattern should be printed, is set in a part of the printing area, and the target printing position is set in the pattern printing area. The printing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The control means is characterized in that information regarding a deviation between the target print position and the actual print position in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction in the surface direction of the print target surface is acquired as the correction information. The printing apparatus according to any one of items 1 to 7. Claim 1 to claim 1, wherein the control means acquires information regarding a deviation of the inclination θ in the surface direction of the print target surface between the target print position and the actual print position as the correction information. 8. The printing apparatus according to any one of 8. It is a print control method of a printing apparatus provided with a head for printing on a print target surface and printing in a print area of the print target surface.
A pattern printing step in which the head is operated to print a correction pattern capable of specifying at least two positions in the print area based on a target print position.
A correction information acquisition step of acquiring information on a deviation between the target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.
A print control method comprising. A computer of a printing device provided with a head for printing on the print target surface and printing in the print area of the print target surface.
A pattern printing function that operates the head to print a correction pattern that can specify at least two positions in the printing area based on the target printing position.
A correction information acquisition function that acquires information on the deviation between the target print position and the actual print position on which the correction pattern is actually printed as correction information used when performing alignment correction of the print position.
A program characterized by realizing.

Images