JP2024044580A - Electronic device, program and method - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] An object of at least one aspect of the present invention is to prevent poor quality printing. [Solution] A printing device 1 as an electronic device includes a base 21 on which a target finger is placed, a first finger rest 26 disposed to the left of the base 21, a second finger rest 27 disposed to the right of the base 21, a first sensor 31 that detects a first non-target finger placed on the first finger rest 26, a second sensor 32 that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest 27, and a processing unit 81 that determines whether or not to print on the target finger based on an output signal from the first sensor 31 and an output signal from the second sensor 32. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

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

Patent Document 1 discloses a printing device in which when a user sets his/her own finger in a holder, a printer prints an image on the fingernail of the user.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-194838

In this type of printing device, in order to properly print on the nail, it is important that fingers other than the finger on which the image is printed are appropriately positioned with respect to the printing device. On the other hand, with the technique described in Patent Document 1, it was not possible to determine whether a finger other than the finger to be printed is placed correctly.
Therefore, at least one aspect of the present invention has been made in view of the above problem, and an object of at least one aspect of the present invention is to determine whether a finger other than the finger to be printed is appropriately placed. It is.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a pedestal on which a target finger is placed, a first finger rest disposed on the left of the pedestal, a second finger rest disposed on the right of the pedestal, and a second finger rest disposed on the right of the pedestal; A first sensor that detects a first non-target finger placed on the finger rest, and a second sensor that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest. An electronic device is provided.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a program is provided that causes a computer to acquire output signals from the first sensor and the second sensor of an electronic device that includes a base on which a target finger is placed, a first finger rest located to the left of the base, a second finger rest located to the right of the base, a first sensor that detects a first non-target finger placed on the first finger rest, and a second sensor that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest, and executes a process to determine whether or not printing can be performed on the target finger based on the output signal of the first sensor and the output signal of the second sensor.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a pedestal on which a target finger is placed, a first finger rest disposed on the left of the pedestal, a second finger rest disposed on the right of the pedestal, and a second finger rest disposed on the right of the pedestal; a first sensor for detecting a first non-target finger placed on the finger rest; a second sensor for detecting a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest; a processor; A process of acquiring output signals from the first sensor and the second sensor of the electronic device, and determining whether or not the target finger can be printed based on the output signal of the first sensor and the output signal of the second sensor. A method is provided to perform the following.

According to each of the above aspects, it is possible to determine whether a finger other than the finger to be printed is properly placed.

FIG. 1 shows a printing device and a terminal device. FIG. 2 shows each block of a printing device and a terminal device. FIG. 3 shows the flow of actions by the user, the flow of processing by the processing unit of the printing device, and the flow of processing by the processing unit of the terminal device. FIG. 4 shows a printing device and a terminal device in a modified example.

Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below. The scope of the invention is not limited to the illustrations of the drawings, as the drawings are provided for illustration only.

[1. Overview of Printing Device and Terminal Device]
Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a printing device 1 and a terminal device 101. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101.

In the following description, the main scanning direction X refers to the direction in which the carriage 65 and inkjet heads 68a, 69a described below move due to the power of the first motor 62 described below. The sub-scanning direction Y refers to the direction in which the carriage 65 and inkjet heads 68a, 69a described below move due to the power of the second motor 63 described below. The width direction of the printing device 1 is parallel to the main scanning direction X, which is also referred to as the left-right direction. The depth direction of the printing device 1 is parallel to the sub-scanning direction Y, which is also referred to as the front-rear direction. The height direction of the printing device 1 is perpendicular to the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y. The direction perpendicular to the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y is also referred to as the up-down direction. When the printing device 1 is placed on a horizontal surface, the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y are horizontal.

The printing device 1 as an electronic device is an inkjet printer. Specifically, the printing device 1 is a nail printer that forms an image on a user's nail by ejecting fine ink droplets onto the nail. The terminal device 101 as an electronic device is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet-type personal computer system. The terminal device 101 may be, for example, an information processing device such as a notebook-type personal computer system, a stationary personal computer system, or a game device.

When a user uses the printing device 1, the user selects either his or her left hand or right hand and inputs the selection result into the terminal device 101. Then, the selection result is transferred from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 1. Further, the user selects any one of the five fingers of the selected hand and inputs the selection result into the terminal device 101. Then, the selection result is transferred from the terminal device 101 to the printing device 1. Thereafter, the user places the selected finger on the printing device 1 and inputs a command to start printing into the printing device 1. Then, the printing device 1 forms an image on the selected finger. On the other hand, if the selected finger is not set correctly in the printing device 1, or if a finger other than the selected finger is set in the printing device 1, the user may issue a command to start printing to the printing device 1. 1, the printing device 1 does not start printing. Therefore, low quality printing is prevented.

In the following, the hand of the user that the user places in the printing device 1 is referred to as the target hand, and the other hand is referred to as the non-target hand. Of the five fingers of the target hand, the finger that the user places in the printing device 1 is referred to as the target finger, and the other four fingers are referred to as the non-target fingers.

The printing device 1 includes a housing 10, a finger holder 20, left and right finger rests 26, 27, left and right sensors 31, 32, a base 50, a printing section 60, an imaging device 71, an illuminator 72, an input section 75, and an alarm. 76, a communication section 77, and a control section 80.
The terminal device 101 includes an input section 111, a display section 112, a communication section 113, a control section 120, and the like.
The components of the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101 will be described in detail below.

2. Components of the Printing Device
(1) Housing The housing 10 is shaped like a box. The housing 10 has a hollow inside. The housing 10 has openings 11 and 12 on its front surface. The first opening 11 is formed in the lower part of the front surface of the housing 10, so as to be cut out almost entirely across the entire width of the housing 10. The first opening 11 is an entrance through which a user inserts or removes a target hand. The second opening 12 is formed in the center of the upper part of the front surface of the housing 10, so as to be cut out from the upper part of the first opening 11 upward. The bottom of the second opening 12 is connected to the top of the first opening 11. The second opening 12 is an entrance for attaching and detaching cartridges 68 and 69 with print heads, which will be described later.

(2) Finger Holder and Finger Rest The finger holder 20 is attached to the housing 10 inside the housing 10. The front end of the finger holder 20 is arranged at the center of the first opening 11 in the width direction, and the finger holder 20 is arranged at a depth from the center of the first opening 11 in the width direction. The finger holder 20 holds the target finger with the claw of the target finger exposed.

The finger holder 20 has a base 21, a cover 22, an insertion port 23, and an opening 24. The base 21 and the cover 22 are attached to the housing 10 on the inside of the housing 10. The top surface of the base 21 is formed in a concave shape to fit the shape of the pad of a finger. The cover 22 is spaced above the top surface of the base 21 and covers the base 21 from above. The insertion port 23 is surrounded by the front end of the base 21 and the front end of the cover 22. The opening 24 is formed in the cover 22. When the target finger is inserted into the insertion port 23, the target finger is placed on the base 21. The pad of the target finger contacts the top surface of the base 21, and the nail of the target finger is exposed above the cover 22 through the opening 24.

The left finger rest 26 is attached to the housing 10 inside the housing 10. The front end of the finger rest 26 is arranged on the left side of the first opening 11 in the width direction, and the finger rest 26 is arranged to be set back from the center part of the first opening 11 in the width direction. Finger rest 26 is adjacent to finger holder 20 on the left side of finger holder 20 . The finger rest 26 extends from the finger holder 20 to the left edge of the first opening 11.

The right finger rest 27 is attached to the housing 10 inside the housing 10. The front end of the finger rest 27 is arranged on the left side of the first opening 11 in the width direction, and the finger rest 27 is arranged to be set back from the center part of the first opening 11 in the width direction. Finger rest 27 is adjacent to finger holder 20 on the right side of finger holder 20 . The finger rest 27 extends from the finger holder 20 to the right edge of the first opening 11.

The finger rest 26, the pedestal 21, and the finger rest 27 are arranged in order from left to right along the same straight line extending left and right. The finger rests 26 and 27 are arranged at a position lower than the upper surface of the base 21. Spaces 28 and 29 are formed above the finger rests 26 and 27, respectively, and the spaces 28 and 29 communicate with the outside of the housing 10 through the first opening 11. A non-target finger is placed on one or both of the finger rests 26, 27. Specifically, it is as shown in Table I below.

If the non-target finger is placed exactly as shown in Table I, the posture of the target finger placed on the base 21 is good. However, if the non-target finger is not placed exactly as shown in Table I, the posture of the target finger placed on the base 21 is poor. For example, when the middle finger of the left hand is placed on the base 21, if the index finger of the left hand is above the finger rest 27, the middle finger will tilt to the left. In such a case, even if an image is printed on the nail of the middle finger of the left hand, the quality of the image may be poor or a blank space may be formed in the left area of the nail of the middle finger.

In this printing device 1, printing is started if the non-target finger is placed accurately as shown in Table I. However, if the non-target finger is not placed accurately as shown in Table I, printing will not start and the user will be notified of the error. Therefore, low-quality printing is prevented. Details will be described later.

(3) Sensors The sensors 31 and 32 are, for example, capacitance sensors, pressure sensors, push button switches, reflective optical sensors, or transmissive optical sensors. The sensors 31 and 32 are connected to a control section 80.

The left sensor 31 is attached to the upper surface of the left finger rest 26. The sensor 31 may be provided so as to extend along the upper surface of the finger rest 26. When at least one non-target finger is placed on the finger rest 26, the sensor 31 detects the non-target finger and outputs a signal to the control unit 80 indicating that the non-target finger has been detected. When the non-target finger is not placed on the finger rest 26, the sensor 31 outputs a signal to the control unit 80 indicating that the non-target finger has not been detected.

The right sensor 32 is attached to the upper surface of the right finger rest 27. The sensor 32 may be provided along the upper surface of the finger rest 27 and spread over the upper surface. When at least one non-target finger is placed on the finger rest 27, the sensor 32 detects the non-target finger and outputs a signal indicating detection of the non-target finger to the control unit 80. If the non-target finger is not placed on the finger rest 27, the sensor 32 outputs a signal indicating that it has not been detected to the control unit 80.

The sensor 31, the pedestal 21, and the sensor 32 are arranged straight from left to right in order along the same straight line extending left and right.
Alternatively, the sensors 31 and 32 may be arranged linearly in order from left to right.

Note that when the sensor 31 is a reflective optical sensor or a transmissive optical sensor, the arrangement of the sensor 31 is not limited to the upper surface of the finger rest 26. For example, the sensor 31 as a reflective optical sensor or a transmissive optical sensor may be arranged above the finger rest 26, below the finger rest 26, or beside the space 28. When the sensor 31 is disposed below the finger rest 26, the finger rest 26 may be transparent or a hole for passing light may be formed in the finger rest 26 so that the light emitted from the sensor 31 passes through the finger rest 26. It may have been done.

(4) Base The base 50 is attached to the housing 10 on the inside of the housing 10. The base 50 is disposed above and spaced apart from the finger rests 26, 27. A space 28 is formed between the finger rest 26 and the base 50, and a space 29 is formed between the finger rest 27 and the base 50. The base 50 has attachment spaces in its front and lower parts, and the finger holder 20 is disposed in the space. The base 50, the finger holder 20, and the finger rests 26, 27 are assembled together or formed together.

(5) Printing section The printing section 60 is assembled to the base 50. The printing unit 60 prints an image on the nail of the target finger.

The printing unit 60 has a drive mechanism 61, a carriage 65, and cartridges 68 and 69. The carriage 65 is connected to the drive mechanism 61, and the cartridges 68 and 69 are mounted on the carriage 65. The cartridges 68 and 69 are consumables that can be attached to and detached from the carriage 65. The drive mechanism 61 drives the carriage 65 to move the carriage 65 in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y.

The drive mechanism 61 has a guide, a main scanning direction transmission mechanism, a sub-scanning direction transmission mechanism, a first motor 62, and a second motor 63. A carriage 65 is attached to the guide, and the guide guides the carriage 65 in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y. The first motor 62 is a motor for driving in the main scanning direction. The first motor 62 is connected to the main scanning direction transmission mechanism, and the main scanning direction transmission mechanism is connected to the carriage 65. The first motor 62 outputs power to the main scanning direction transmission mechanism, and the main scanning direction transmission mechanism converts the rotational motion of the first motor 62 into linear motion in the main scanning direction X of the carriage 65. As a result, the first motor 62 drives the carriage 65 in the main scanning direction X. The second motor 63 is a motor for driving in the sub-scanning direction. The second motor 63 is connected to the sub-scanning direction transmission mechanism, and the sub-scanning direction transmission mechanism is connected to the carriage 65. The second motor 63 outputs power to the sub-scanning direction transmission mechanism, which converts the rotational motion of the second motor 63 into linear motion of the carriage 65 in the sub-scanning direction Y. As a result, the second motor 63 drives the carriage 65 in the sub-scanning direction Y.

The cartridge 68 has a plurality of ink cases and a plurality of inkjet heads 68a (see FIG. 2). The plurality of inkjet heads 68a are provided at the lower ends of the plurality of ink cases, and the inkjet heads 68a and the ink cases are integrated. For example, inks of multiple colors such as cyan, magenta, yellow, etc. are stored in multiple ink cases, and each of the multiple inkjet heads 68a receives ink supply from the multiple ink cases, and each of the multiple inkjet heads 68a stores ink of multiple colors. each ink is ejected.

The cartridge 69 has an ink case that stores the base or covering ink, and an inkjet head 69a (see FIG. 2) that is provided at the bottom end of the ink case. The inkjet head 69a receives a supply of base or covering ink from the ink case and ejects the ink.

(6) Imaging Device and Illuminator The imaging device 71 and illuminator 72 are attached to the base 50 inside the housing 10. The imaging device 71 and illuminator 72 are disposed above the finger holder 20. The illuminator 72 irradiates light toward the opening 24 of the finger holder 20 to illuminate the nail of the target finger through the opening 24. The imaging device 71 periodically captures images of the nail of the target finger through the opening 24 at a predetermined frame rate, and outputs an image including an image of the nail of the target finger to the control unit 80 each time an image is captured. A video in which images captured sequentially by the imaging device 71 are arranged in chronological order is a moving image.

(7) Input unit The input unit 75 is provided on the top surface of the housing 10. The input section 75 has a push button. When the user performs a gesture on the input unit 75, such as pressing once, pressing multiple times, pressing for a long time, etc., the input unit 75 outputs a signal according to the content of the gesture to the control unit 80. Thereby, the user can give input, information, or commands to the control unit 80 according to the content of the gesture through the gesture. Note that gestures are also referred to as operations.

In addition to or instead of the push button, the input unit 75 may have an input device other than a push button, for example, one or more of a touch panel, a switch, a key, an input lever, a joystick, a dial, a mouse, a trackball, a starry skype, a touchpad, and a keyboard. In the case of a touch panel, when a user performs a gesture such as a single tap, multiple taps, tapping in multiple places, a long tap, a swipe, a pinch in, a pinch out, etc. on the touch panel, the touch panel outputs a signal according to the content of the gesture to the control unit 80.

Types of commands include, for example, power on, power off, communication on, communication off, printing start, and forced stop of printing.

(8) Alarm The alarm 76 is provided on the top surface of the housing 10. The alarm 76 has at least one of an LED lamp, a speaker, a matrix display, and a segment display, for example. When the processing unit 81 described below operates the alarm 76, the alarm 76 notifies of an error. Notification of an error refers to, for example, lighting up, changing the lighting color, flashing, emitting a warning sound, emitting a voice, or displaying an error.

(9) Communication unit The communication unit 77 communicates with the communication unit 113 of the terminal device 101 in accordance with communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), or USB (Universal Serial Bus). This is a communication circuit that performs wireless or wired communication between When the communication unit 77 performs wireless communication, the communication unit 77 includes at least an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and an LSI (Large Scale Integration).

(10) Control Unit and Storage Unit The control unit 80 is a computer. The control unit 80 has a processing unit 81, a storage unit 82, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a main board, etc. The main board has a bus controller, a bus, a power supply line, a power conversion circuit, a motor driver, a head driver, an illuminator driver, a captured image processing circuit, an interface circuit, etc. The processing unit 81 has a hardware processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processing unit 81 manages and controls the sensors 31, 32, the motors 62, 63, the inkjet heads 68a, 69a, the imaging device 71, the illuminator 72, the input unit 75, the communication unit 77, and the storage unit 82 through the main board.

The storage unit 82 has a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 82 stores a program 82a that can be executed by the processing unit 81. The processing unit 81 reads the program 82a from the storage unit 82 and loads the program 82a into RAM. When the processing unit 81 executes the program 82a, the program 82a causes the processing unit 81 to function as an input recognition unit 81a, a communication control unit 81b, an imaging control unit 81c, an illumination control unit 81d, a printing control unit 81e, and an alarm control unit 81f. As a result, the processing unit 81 comprehensively manages and controls each part of the printing device 1, that is, the sensors 31, 32, the motors 62, 63, the inkjet heads 68a, 69a, the imaging device 71, the illuminator 72, the input unit 75, the communication unit 77, and the storage unit 82.

The input recognition unit 81a recognizes the input, information, or command given by the user to the control unit 120 based on the signal output by the input unit 75, and acquires the input, information, or command. The input recognition unit 81a recognizes the signal indicating detection and the signal indicating non-detection output by the sensor 31, and acquires the signal indicating detection and the signal indicating non-detection. The input recognition unit 81a recognizes the signal indicating detection and the signal indicating non-detection output by the sensor 32, and acquires the signal indicating detection and the signal indicating non-detection.

The communication control section 81b controls the operation of the communication section 77. Specifically, the communication control unit 81b controls the operation of the communication unit 77 when transmitting and receiving various data and the like between the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101. For example, a design to be printed on a nail is stored in a design database 125 (described later) of the terminal device 101, and the communication control unit 81b controls communication of the communication unit 77 and acquires the design from the terminal device 101 via the communication unit 77. do. Further, for example, when the terminal device 101 generates print data and transfers it to the printing device 1, the communication control unit 81b controls the communication of the communication unit 77 and acquires the print data from the terminal device 101 via the communication unit 77. do.

The imaging control unit 81c controls the imaging device 71 and causes the imaging device 71 to capture a video. An image photographed by the imaging device 71 is transferred from the imaging device 71 to the control unit 80, and the imaging control unit 81c transfers the image from the communication unit 77 of the control unit 80 to the terminal device 101. The photographing control unit 81c extracts an image of a predetermined frame in the video and stores it in the RAM.

The lighting control unit 81d controls the illuminator 72 to turn the illuminator 72 on and off, and also adjusts the lighting intensity of the illuminator 72.

The print control unit 81e controls the motors 62, 63 to drive the carriage 65 in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y. As a result, the print control unit 81e controls the positions of the cartridges 68, 69 and the carriage 65 in the main scanning direction X and the sub-scanning direction Y, and the cartridges 68, 69 and the carriage 65 move along a predetermined path. The print control unit 81e also controls the ink ejection timing of the inkjet heads 68a, 69a in accordance with the movement of the cartridges 68, 69 and the carriage 65. The predetermined path of the cartridges 68, 69 and the carriage 65 and the ink ejection timing of the inkjet heads 68a, 69a are determined by print data (described below) transferred from the terminal device 101 to the control unit 80.

The notification control unit 81f controls the notification device 76.

3. Components of the Terminal Device
(1) Input Unit The input unit 111 is a touch panel. When a user performs a gesture such as a single tap, multiple taps, multiple taps, long tap, swipe, pinch in, pinch out, etc. on the input unit 111, the touch panel outputs a signal corresponding to the content of the gesture to the control unit 120. As a result, the user can provide input, information, or commands corresponding to the gesture through the gesture to the control unit 120. Note that the input unit 111 may have one or more input devices other than a touch panel, such as a button, a key, a switch, an operation lever, a joystick, a dial, a mouse, a trackball, a starry skype, a touch pad, and a keyboard, in addition to or instead of the touch panel.

In a predetermined usage situation, information such as an input, information, or command given by the user through the input unit 111, such as an instruction, is transmitted to the control unit 80 of the printing apparatus 1 by the communication unit 113. Thereby, the terminal device 101 also functions as an input device that provides input, information, or commands to the printing device 1.

(2) Display Unit The display unit 112 has a flat display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic electroluminescence display, etc. The touch panel of the input unit 111 may be overlaid on the display unit 112, and the touch panel and the display unit 112 may be integrated.

(3) Communication unit The communication unit 113 communicates with the communication unit 77 of the printing device 1 in accordance with communication standards such as Bluetooth (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Ethernet (registered trademark), or USB (Universal Serial Bus). This is a communication circuit that performs wireless or wired communication between When the communication unit 113 performs wireless communication, the communication unit 113 includes at least an antenna, a transmitter, a receiver, and an LSI.

(4) Control unit and storage unit The control unit 120 is a computer. The control unit 120 includes a processing unit 121, a storage unit 122, a RAM, a main board, and the like. The main board includes a bus controller, a bus, a power supply line, a power conversion circuit, an interface circuit, and the like. The processing unit 121 includes a hardware processor such as a CPU and a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The processing unit 121 manages and controls the input unit 111, the display unit 112, the communication unit 113, and the storage unit 122 through the main board.

The storage unit 122 has a semiconductor memory or a hard disk drive. The storage unit 122 stores a program 123, an application program 124, and a design database 125. The design database 125 has various designs to be printed on the nails. These designs may be existing designs prepared in advance, or designs created by the user. If the terminal device 101 can be connected to various networks, designs downloaded from a network-connectable server device or the like may be stored in the design database 125.

The program 123 causes the processing unit 121 to execute the operation system, and the processing unit 121 thereby comprehensively manages and controls the input unit 111, the communication unit 113, and the memory unit 122. The application program 124 is installed in the operation system.

The processing unit 121 reads the application program 124 from the storage unit 122 and expands the application program 124 into the RAM. When the processing section 121 executes the application program 124, the application program 124 causes the processing section 121 to function as the input recognition section 121a, the communication control section 121b, the display control section 121c, and the print data generation section 121d.

The input recognition unit 121a recognizes the input, information or command given by the user to the control unit 120 based on the signal output by the input unit 111, and acquires the input, information or command.
The communication control unit 121 b controls the communication unit 113 .
The display control unit 121c controls the display unit 112 to cause the display unit 112 to display various display screens.
The print data generating unit 121d generates print data based on the designs stored in the design database 125. For example, the print data generating unit 121d performs editing such as enlarging, reducing, rotating, translating, and trimming the image data of the design selected by the user, fits the edited image data to the size of the nail, and generates print data based on the fitted image data.

[4. How to use and operate printing devices and terminal devices]
With reference to FIG. 3, a method of using the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101 will be described. Furthermore, the operations of the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101 when the user uses the printing device 1 and the terminal device 101 will be described. Furthermore, the flow of processing executed by the processing unit 81 of the printing apparatus 1 according to the program 82a will be explained. Furthermore, the flow of processing executed by the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 according to the application program 124 will be explained.

Here, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of actions by the user, the processing flow of the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1, and the processing flow of the control unit 120 (particularly the processing unit 121) of the terminal device 101.

(1) Power On and Program Start When the user gives a power on command to the processing unit 81 by making a gesture on the input unit 75 of the printing device 1 (step S11), the processing unit 81 starts the program 82a (step S41). When the user gives a command to start the application program 124 to the processing unit 121 by making a gesture on the input unit 111 of the terminal device 101 (step S12), the processing unit 121 starts the application program 124 (step S71). Then, the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 controls the communication unit 77 by the communication control unit 81b, and the processing unit 121 controls the communication unit 113 by the communication control unit 121b, so that the communication units 77 and 113 are connected to each other, and the communication units 77 and 133 can communicate with each other. As a result, if the sensors 31 and 32 are enabled, the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32 are transferred from the printing device 1 to the terminal device 101 by the communication units 77 and 133, and the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 acquires the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32. Of course, the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 also acquires the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32 .

(2) Display of Selection Screen The processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 causes the display control unit 121c to display a selection screen on the display unit 112 (step S71). The selection screen displays an inquiry as to which of the fingers of both hands are to be printed. Furthermore, the print screen displays an inquiry as to which of the five fingers of that hand are to be printed.

(3) Finger Selection The user selects a desired type of finger from among his or her own fingers while viewing the selection screen on the display unit 112 of the terminal device 101 (step S13). The type of finger is the left thumb, left index finger, left middle finger, left ring finger, left little finger, right thumb, right index finger, right middle finger, right ring finger, or right little finger. Say something.

The user provides selection information to the processing section 121 of the terminal device 101 by making a gesture on the input section 111 of the terminal device 101 (step S14). The processing unit 121 uses the input recognition unit 121a to acquire selection information based on the signal input from the input unit 111 (step S73). The selection information represents the desired finger type selected by the user as described above.

Then, the processing unit 121 controls the communication unit 113 via the communication control unit 121b to cause the communication unit 113 to transmit the selection information to the printing device 1 (step S74). Then, the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 controls the communication unit 77 via the communication control unit 81b to cause the communication unit 77 to receive the selection information. As a result, the processing unit 81 acquires the selection information (step S42).

Note that the selection information may be given to the processing section 81 of the printing apparatus 1 by the user making a gesture on the input section 75 of the printing apparatus 1 . In this case, the processing unit 81 uses the input recognition unit 81a to acquire selection information based on the signal input from the input unit 75 (step S42).

After acquiring the selection information, the processing unit 81 activates the sensors 31 and 32 so that they can detect a finger (step S43). As a result, the processing units 81 and 121 subsequently acquire the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32 continuously.

In the following, the type of finger indicated by the selection information is referred to as the selected finger.

(4) Editing the Design The processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 causes the display control unit 121c to display an editing screen on the display unit 112 (step S75). The user edits the design by making gestures on the input unit 111 while looking at the editing screen (step S15). Then, the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 causes the print data generation unit 121d to edit image data of the design selected from the design database 125, and generates print data based on the image data (step S76). Furthermore, the processing unit 121 controls the communication unit 113 by the communication control unit 121b, and causes the communication unit 113 to transmit the print data to the printing device 1 (step S76). Then, the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 controls the communication unit 77 by the communication control unit 81b, and causes the communication unit 77 to receive the print data. As a result, the processing unit 81 acquires the print data (step S43).

(5) Finger Setting After acquiring the print data, the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 causes the imaging device 71 to capture an image using the imaging control unit 81c (step S45). The image captured by the imaging device 71 is transferred from the control unit 80 of the printing device 1 to the control unit 120 of the terminal device 101. The processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 causes the display control unit 121e to display the transferred video on the display unit 112 (step S77).

When the user inserts his or her finger into the insertion port 23, the finger is displayed on the display section 112. The user inserts his or her finger into the insertion opening 23 and places it on the base 21 while checking the position and posture of his or her finger by looking at the display unit 112 (step S16). As mentioned above, this finger is called the target finger, and the hand of the target finger is called the target hand. Note that the type of target finger and the type of selected finger do not necessarily match. In other words, the user may place a finger other than the selection finger on the base 21 by mistake.

The user also places the non-target finger of the target hand on the finger rests 26, 27 according to Table I (step S16). Note that when the target finger is the thumb, the user usually does not place the non-target finger on the finger rests 26, 27, but may mistakenly place the non-target finger on the finger rest 26 or 27.

When the non-target finger is placed on the finger rest 26, the sensor 31 detects the non-target finger and outputs a signal indicating detection of the non-target finger to the control unit 80. If the non-target finger is not placed on the finger rest 26, the sensor 31 outputs a signal indicating that it has not been detected to the control unit 80.
When the non-target finger is placed on the finger rest 27, the sensor 32 detects the non-target finger and outputs a signal indicating detection of the non-target finger to the control unit 80. If the non-target finger is not placed on the finger rest 27, the sensor 32 outputs a signal indicating that it has not been detected to the control unit 80.
Note that the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32 are controlled by the control unit of the printing apparatus 1 through the control of the communication unit 77 by the communication control unit 81b of the processing unit 81 and the control of the communication unit 113 by the communication control unit 121b of the processing unit 121. 80 may be transferred to the control unit 120 of the terminal device 101.

(6) Print Start Command When the user judges that the position and posture of the target finger displayed on the display unit 112 of the terminal device 101 are appropriate, the user issues a command to start printing to the processing unit 81 by making a gesture on the input unit 75 of the printing device 1 (step S17). The processing unit 81 acquires the command to start printing based on the signal input from the input unit 75 by the input recognition unit 81a (step S73).

The user may also give a command to start printing to the processing unit 121 by making a gesture on the input unit 111 of the terminal device 101. In this case, the processing unit 121 acquires the command to start printing based on the signal input from the input unit 111 using the input recognition unit 121a. The processing unit 121 then controls the communication unit 113 using the communication control unit 121b to cause the communication unit 113 to send the command to start printing to the printing device 1. The processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 then controls the communication unit 77 using the communication control unit 81b to cause the communication unit 77 to receive the command to start printing. As a result, the processing unit 81 acquires the command to start printing (step S75).

After receiving the command to start printing, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger placed on the base 21 based on the signals input from both sensors 31 and 32 (step S47). Specifically, the relationship between the signals input from the sensors 31 and 32 to the processing unit 81 and the recognition results is as shown in Table II below.

As is clear from Table II, when both sensors 31 and 32 output signals indicating detection, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger as the middle finger or ring finger of the left hand or the right hand. When the sensor 31 outputs a signal indicating detection and the sensor 32 outputs a signal indicating non-detection, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger as the index finger of the left hand or the little finger of the right hand. When the sensor 31 outputs a signal indicating that the finger is not detected, and the sensor 32 outputs a signal indicating that the finger is detected, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as the little finger of the left hand or the index finger of the right hand. When both sensors 31 and 32 output signals indicating that the finger is not detected, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as a left or right thumb.

Then, the processing unit 81 compares the selection information acquired in step S42 with the type of target finger recognized in step S47 and determines whether the two match (step S48).

If the processing unit 81 determines that the two match, the processing unit 81 recognizes that the setting state of the non-target finger is good or accurate, and the processing of the processing unit 81 proceeds to step S49 (step S48: YES). Details of the processing of step S49 will be described later.

If the processing unit 81 determines that the two do not match (step S48: NO), the processing unit 81 recognizes that the set state of the non-target finger is defective or incorrect, and the processing of the processing unit 81 is performed in step S51. to move to. In step S51, the processing unit 81 causes the notification control unit 81f to operate the notification device 76. Then, the annunciator 76 notifies the user of the error. Further, the processing section 81 causes the communication section 77 to transmit an error display command (step S51), and then the processing of the processing section 81 returns to step S45. The processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 causes the communication unit 113 to receive the error display command. The processing unit 121 that received the command displays an error screen on the display unit 112 (step S78). An error message is displayed on the error screen. More specifically, it is displayed that the wrong finger is being held in the finger holder 2. The incorrect finger refers to a finger other than the desired finger selected and input by the user in steps S13 and S14.

When the user notices the alarm 76, he/she recognizes that the wrong finger is held on the finger holder 2. When the user sees the error screen, he/she recognizes that the wrong finger may be held on the finger holder 2. Furthermore, when the user sees the error screen, he/she recognizes that the non-target finger is poorly or incorrectly set on the finger rests 26, 27. Therefore, the user holds the correct finger, that is, the desired finger selected and input by the user in steps S13 and S14, on the finger holder 2. Furthermore, when the user sees the error screen, he/she places the non-target finger well and accurately on the finger rests 26, 27. Therefore, when the user gives the processing unit 81 a command to start printing again (step S17), the type of the target finger re-recognized by the processing unit 81 in step S47 matches the selection information acquired in step S42, and the processing unit 81 proceeds to step S49 (step S48: YES).

When the user gives a command to start printing to the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 by making a gesture on the input unit 111 of the terminal device 101 in step S17, the processing unit 121 may execute the same processing as the recognition processing in step S47 and the determination processing in step S48. In this case, the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 recognizes the type of the target finger placed on the base 21 based on the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32 received from the printing device 1. Thereafter, the processing unit 121 compares the selection information acquired in step S75 with the recognized type of the target finger, similar to the determination processing in step S48. If the two match, the processing unit 121 displays an error screen on the display unit 112 (step S78). If the two match, the processing unit 121 causes the communication unit 113 to execute the transmission of a print start command. The processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 that received the command proceeds from step S45 to step S50.

(7) Printing In step S49, the processing unit 81 disables the sensors 31 and 32 so that they cannot detect a finger. After that, the processing unit 81 controls the motors 62 and 63 and the inkjet heads 68a and 69a based on the print data (step S50). Then, the printing section 60 operates, and the printing section 60 prints on the fingernail held by the finger holder 2. After the printing is completed, the processing unit 81 causes the communication unit 77 to transmit a notification that the printing has ended. When the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 receives the notification that printing has ended via the communication unit 113, the processing unit 121 displays a printing completion screen on the display unit 112 (step S79).

[5. Modified example]
The following describes changes from the above embodiment.

(1) In the above embodiment, the sensor 31 cannot individually detect multiple fingers. That is, the output signal of the sensor 31 when the sensor 31 detects one finger is the same as the output signal of the sensor 31 when the sensor 31 detects two or more fingers. The same applies to the sensor 32.

On the other hand, in modification example (1), the sensor 31 is a touch panel that individually detects contacts at multiple locations. That is, the sensor 31 detects one or more fingers individually, and the form of the output signal of the sensor 31 differs depending on the number of detected fingers. Therefore, the sensor 31 detects the number of fingers placed on the finger rest 26. The same applies to the sensor 32.

Even in this case, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger placed on the pedestal 21 based on the signals input from both sensors 31 and 32 in step S47. Specifically, the relationship between the number of fingers detected by the sensors 31 and 32 and the recognition results is as shown in Table III below.

As is clear from Table III, when the sensor 31 detects three target fingers and the sensor 32 does not detect any target fingers, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target fingers as the index finger of the left hand or the little finger of the right hand. When the sensor 31 detects two target fingers and the sensor 32 detects one target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger as the middle finger of the left hand or the ring finger of the right hand. When the sensor 31 detects one target finger and the sensor 32 detects two target fingers, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target fingers as the ring finger of the left hand or the middle finger of the right hand. If the sensor 31 does not detect a target finger and the sensor 32 detects three target fingers, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger as the little finger of the left hand or the index finger of the right hand. When neither of the sensors 31 and 32 detects the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as a left or right thumb. As described above, since the sensors 31 and 32 detect the number of fingers, there are many classifications of fingers recognized by the processing unit 81.

(2) Similarly to modification (1), also in modification (2), the sensor 31 detects the number of fingers placed on the finger rest 26. However, in the modification (1), the sensor 31 is a touch panel, whereas in the modification (2), the sensor 31 has three divided sensors 311 to 313. The divided sensors 311 to 313 are, for example, capacitance sensors, pressure sensors, pushbutton switches, reflective optical sensors, or transmissive optical sensors. The divided sensors 311 to 313 are arranged on the upper surface of the finger rest 26 at intervals in the width direction. Note that when the divided sensors 311 to 313 are reflective optical sensors or transmissive optical sensors, the arrangement of the divided sensors 311 to 313 is not limited to the upper surface of the finger rest 26. For example, divided sensors 311 to 313 as reflective optical sensors or transmissive optical sensors may be arranged above or below the finger rest 26. When the divided sensors 311 to 313 are arranged below the finger rest 26, the finger rest 26 is transparent or has holes for light passage so that the light emitted from the divided sensors 311 to 313 passes through the finger rest 26. may be formed on the finger rest 26.

Similar to the case of sensor 31, sensor 32 has three split sensors 321 to 323. Split sensor 311, split sensor 312, split sensor 313, base 21, split sensor 321, split sensor 322, and split sensor 323 are arranged in a straight line from left to right along the same straight line extending to the left and right. Note that split sensors 311 to 313 and split sensors 321 to 323 may also be arranged in a straight line from left to right.

Even in this case, in step S47, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger placed on the base 21 based on the signals input from the divided sensors 311-313, 321-323. Specifically, the relationship between the signals input from the divided sensors 311-313, 321-323 to the processing unit 81 and the recognition results is as shown in Table IV below.

As is clear from Table IV, if all of the divided sensors 311-312 detect the target finger and none of the divided sensors 321-322 detect the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as the index finger of the left hand or the little finger of the right hand. If two of the divided sensors 311-312 detect the target finger and one of the divided sensors 321-322 detects the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as the middle finger of the left hand or the ring finger of the right hand. If one of the divided sensors 311-312 detects the target finger and two of the divided sensors 321-322 detect the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as the ring finger of the left hand or the middle finger of the right hand. If none of the divided sensors 311-312 detect the target finger and all of the divided sensors 321-322 detect the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger as the little finger of the left hand or the index finger of the right hand. If none of the divided sensors 311-312, 321-323 detects the target finger, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of target finger as the thumb of the left hand or the right hand. As described above, because sensor 31 has divided sensors 311-312, sensor 31 can detect the number of fingers. Because sensor 32 has divided sensors 321-323, sensor 32 can detect the number of fingers. Because sensors 31 and 32 detect the number of fingers, there are many finger classifications recognized by the processing unit 81.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, the finger type in the selection information is provided by the user to the processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 or the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101. Alternatively, the processing units 81 and 121 may recognize the type of finger placed on the base 21 by image processing based on the image of the finger in the image captured by the imaging device 71. The finger type recognized in this way is used as the selection information. In this case, the processing units 81 and 121 may recognize the finger type by inputting the image of the finger in the image into a machine learning model that has been previously deep-learned using teacher data and outputting the finger type from the machine learning model.

(4) Furthermore, without being limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, it may be possible to simply determine whether the setting state of the non-target fingers is poor or inaccurate based on the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32. Furthermore, if it is determined that the non-target fingers are not properly placed, it may be possible to notify the fact that the non-target fingers are not properly positioned, or to notify the type of non-target fingers that are not properly positioned.

[6. summary]
(1) The sensor 31 is configured to detect the non-target finger placed on the left finger rest 26 of the base 21. A sensor 32 is configured to detect an asymmetric finger placed on the right finger rest 27 of the base 21. Therefore, the goodness or accuracy of the set state of the non-target fingers according to the type of the target fingers can be grasped from the detection results of the sensors 31 and 32. Further, whether or not the target finger is placed on the pedestal 21 in a good posture can be determined from the detection results of the sensors 31 and 32. Furthermore, it is possible to determine from the detection results of the sensors 31 and 32 whether the type of the target finger is correct, that is, whether the type of the target finger matches the type of the selected finger selected by the user.

(2) Sensor 31, base 21, and sensor 32 are arranged in a substantially collinear manner, with sensor 31 arranged individually to correspond to the non-target finger on the left of base 21, and sensor 32 arranged individually to correspond to the non-target finger on the right of base 21. Thus, the presence or absence of the non-target finger on the left and right of base 21 is detected by sensor 31 and sensor 32, respectively.

(3) The processing unit 81 of the printing device 1 determines whether printing is possible based on the output signals of the sensors 31 and 32, as in steps S47 and S48. If the set state of the non-target finger is poor or inaccurate, or if the user mistakenly places another finger on the pedestal 21, the processing unit 81 determines that printing is not possible, so printing will not start. . Therefore, low-quality printing is prevented. When the user places the correct finger on the pedestal 21 and sets the non-target finger well, the processing unit 81 determines that printing is possible, so printing is started. Therefore, high quality printing is provided. The same thing can be said about the case where the processing unit 121 of the terminal device 101 executes the same processing as the processing in steps S47 and S48.

(4) As in the above-mentioned modifications (1) and (2), since the sensors 31 and 32 detect the number of fingers placed on the finger rests 26 and 27, respectively, the recognition result by the processing unit 81 is subdivided. be converted into

(5) As in step S47, the processing unit 81 recognizes the type of the target finger placed on the base 21 based on the signals from the sensors 31 and 32. Thus, it is possible to determine whether the type of the target finger matches the type of the selected finger selected by the user.

(6) The processing unit 81 determines whether the type of the target finger recognized in step S47 matches the type of the selected finger selected by the user (step S48). Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the type of the target finger matches the type of the selected finger selected by the user without the user being aware of it.

(7) When the processing section 81 determines that printing is possible in step S48, the processing section 81 controls the printing section 60. Therefore, when the target finger is properly set on the pedestal 21, the printing unit 60 prints on the target fin bar, providing high quality printing.

(8) When the processing unit 81 determines in step S48 that printing is not possible, the processing unit 81 activates the alarm 76. The alarm 76 notifies the user that the non-target finger is not properly or incorrectly set, or that the wrong finger has been set on the base 21.

(9) Although one or more embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

1 Printing device (electronic device)
20 finger holder 21 pedestal 26 first finger rest 27 second finger rest 31 first sensor 32 second sensor 60 printing section 75 input section 76 alarm 77 communication section 81 processing section (processor)
81a Input recognition unit 81e Print control unit 81f Notification control unit 101 Terminal device (second electronic device)
113 Communication Department (Second Communication Department)
121 Processing unit (processor)
311, 312, 313, 321, 322, 323 split sensor

Claims (10)

a pedestal on which the target finger is placed;
a first finger rest located on the left side of the pedestal;
a second finger rest located to the right of the pedestal;
a first sensor that detects a first non-target finger placed on the first finger rest;
a second sensor that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest;
An electronic device characterized by comprising: 2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor and the base are arranged in a substantially collinear line, and the first sensor and the second sensor are individually arranged to correspond to the first non-target finger and the second non-target finger, respectively, that are to be detected. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a processing unit that determines whether printing is permitted on the target finger based on the output signal of the first sensor and the output signal of the second sensor. the first sensor detects the number of the first non-target fingers placed on the first finger rest;
The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the second sensor detects the number of the second non-target fingers placed on the second finger rest. 3. The processing unit includes a recognition unit that recognizes the type of the target finger placed on the pedestal based on the output signal of the first sensor and the output signal of the second sensor. Electronic devices listed in . 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the processing unit includes a determination unit that determines whether or not the type of the target finger recognized by the recognition unit matches the type of a selected finger selected by a user. further comprising a printing unit disposed on the pedestal and printing on the target finger;
7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processing section includes a print control section that operates the printing section when the judgment result of the judgment section is OK. Further comprising an alarm for notifying an error,
7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the processing section further comprises an alarm control section that operates the alarm when the determination result of the determination section is negative. to the computer,
a pedestal on which the target finger is placed; a first finger rest placed on the left of the pedestal; a second finger rest placed on the right of the pedestal; and a second finger rest placed on the first finger rest. The first sensor and the second sensor of an electronic device include a first sensor that detects a first non-target finger, and a second sensor that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest. Obtain output signals from two sensors,
A program that executes a process of determining whether or not the target finger can be printed based on an output signal of the first sensor and an output signal of the second sensor. a pedestal on which the target finger is placed; a first finger rest placed on the left of the pedestal; a second finger rest placed on the right of the pedestal; and a second finger rest placed on the first finger rest. The first sensor of an electronic device comprising: a first sensor that detects a first non-target finger; a second sensor that detects a second non-target finger placed on the second finger rest; and a processor. and obtaining an output signal from the second sensor;
A method of executing a process of determining whether or not printing is possible for the target finger based on an output signal of the first sensor and an output signal of the second sensor.

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