U.S. patent application number 14/020665 was filed with the patent office on 2014-03-06 for nail printing apparatus and printing control method.
This patent application is currently assigned to CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Hiroyasu BITOH.
Application Number | 20140060560 14/020665 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50185714 |
Filed Date | 2014-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140060560 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BITOH; Hiroyasu |
March 6, 2014 |
NAIL PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINTING CONTROL METHOD
Abstract
A nail printing apparatus to perform printing on a nail includes
an imaging device, an illuminating device, a printing section and a
movement mechanism. The imaging device photographs a specific
finger including the nail to be printed from a plurality of
directions different from each other and acquires a plurality of
nail images of the nail. The illuminating device is disposed at a
certain position relative to the imaging device and illuminates the
nail when the imaging device photographs the nail. The printing
section performs the printing on the nail. The movement mechanism
moves the imaging device, the illuminating device and the printing
section together with one another.
Inventors: |
BITOH; Hiroyasu; (Tokyo,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD. |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
CASIO COMPUTER CO., LTD.
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
50185714 |
Appl. No.: |
14/020665 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
132/73 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20130101;
A45D 2029/005 20130101; B41J 3/407 20130101; A45D 29/004
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
132/73 |
International
Class: |
A45D 29/00 20060101
A45D029/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2012 |
JP |
2012-195735 |
Jul 19, 2013 |
JP |
2013-150332 |
Claims
1. A nail printing apparatus to perform printing on a nail, the
apparatus comprising: an imaging device which photographs a
specific finger including the nail to be printed from a plurality
of directions different from each other and acquires a plurality of
nail images of the nail; an illuminating device which illuminates
the nail when the imaging device photographs the nail, the
illuminating device being disposed at a certain position relative
to the imaging device; a printing section which performs the
printing on the nail; and a movement mechanism which moves the
imaging device, the illuminating device and the printing section
together with one another.
2. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of directions include a first direction from just above
the nail toward the nail and a second direction shifting from the
first direction to one side of the nail in a width direction of the
nail.
3. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the
movement mechanism moves the imaging device to a first position and
a second position when the imaging device acquires the nail images,
wherein a direction from the first position toward the nail is the
first direction, and a direction from the second position toward
the nail is the second direction.
4. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 3, further
comprising a printing maintenance section which maintains a print
head, the print head being included in the printing section to
apply ink to the nail, wherein the imaging device and the printing
section are disposed so that the print head is over the printing
maintenance section when the imaging device is in the first
position.
5. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the
printing section includes a carriage supporting the print head; and
wherein the imaging device is fixed to a position lateral to the
carriage.
6. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
illuminating device includes only one pair of light sources
arranged in a longitudinal direction of the nail, with the imaging
device disposed between the pair of light sources; and wherein the
light sources are turned on when the imaging device photographs the
nail.
7. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a nail information detecting section which detects a
contour of the nail and at least one of a height and a curvature of
the nail as nail information on the basis of the nail images
acquired by the imaging device; and a print data generating section
which corrects image data on the basis of the nail information to
generate print data, wherein the printing section is moved by the
movement mechanism in accordance with the print data to print an
image on the nail.
8. The nail printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
printing section includes a print head which applies ink to the
nail; wherein the print head includes at least one printing tool
which applies the ink to the nail when a tip of the printing tool
touches the nail; and wherein the print head allows the tip of the
printing tool to touch the nail when the printing is performed on
the nail, and the print head keeps the printing tool at such a
position that the tip does not touch the nail when the imaging
device is moved by the movement mechanism and acquires the nail
images.
9. A printing control method of a nail printing apparatus to
perform printing on a nail, the apparatus including an imaging
device which photographs a finger, an illuminating device which is
disposed at a certain position relative to the imaging device and
which illuminates the nail of the finger, a printing section which
prints an image on the nail, and a movement mechanism which moves
the imaging device, the illuminating device and the printing
section together with one another, the method comprising: moving
the imaging device and the illuminating device using the movement
mechanism to a plurality of positions, wherein a plurality of
directions from the plurality of respective positions toward a
specific finger including the nail to be printed are different from
each other; illuminating the nail using the illuminating device at
each of the positions; photographing the specific finger from the
plurality of directions using the imaging device to acquire a
plurality of nail images of the nail; and printing the image on the
nail using the printing section on the basis of the nail
images.
10. The printing control method according to claim 9, wherein the
plurality of directions include a first direction from just above
the nail toward the nail and a second direction shifting from the
first direction to one side of the nail in a width direction of the
nail; and wherein the movement mechanism moves the imaging device
to a first position and a second position when the imaging device
acquires the nail images, wherein a direction from the first
position toward the nail is the first direction, and a direction
from the second position toward the nail is the second
direction.
11. The printing control method according to claim 10, wherein the
printing section includes a print head which applies ink to the
nail; wherein the nail printing apparatus further comprises a
printing maintenance section which maintains the print head;
wherein the imaging device and the printing section are disposed so
that the print head is over the printing maintenance section when
the imaging device is in the first position; and wherein the
printing maintenance section maintains the print head when the
imaging device is moved to the first position by the movement
mechanism.
12. The printing control method according to claim 9, further
comprising: acquiring a contour of the nail and at least one of a
height and a curvature of the nail as nail information on the basis
of the nail images acquired by the imaging device; and correcting
image data on the basis of the nail information to generate print
data.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No.
2012-195735 filed on Sep. 6, 2012 and No. 2013-150332 filed on Jul.
19, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a nail printing
apparatus.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] A nail printing apparatus which is a printer to apply colors
and/or designs on finger nails of a person has been known and is
disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication (Translation of PCT Application) No. 2003-534083.
[0006] Such a nail printing apparatus needs to detect the shape of
a finger nail to be printed, for example, in order to identify a
region to be printed.
[0007] Therefore, the nail printing apparatus is provided with an
imaging device (camera) to photograph a nail to detect a nail
shape, for example, from a photographed nail image.
[0008] In such a conventional nail printing apparatus, however, the
imaging device is fixed to the upper part of the apparatus, for
example, and the position of the imaging device cannot be adjusted.
Accordingly, there may be a case where a nail image cannot be
acquired from just above a nail depending on the position of the
finger nail to be printed.
[0009] Further, when a plurality of fingers are inserted in the
nail printing apparatus at one time to be printed in series, the
finger nails to be printed are disposed over a large area. This
requires the imaging device to photograph a large area.
[0010] For example, when four fingers (e.g., index, middle, ring
and little fingers) of one hand and one finger (e.g., thumb) of the
other hand, for example, are inserted in the nail printing
apparatus at one time, a wide-type imaging device to acquire an
image with an aspect ratio (i.e., screen size) of 16:9 is necessary
so as to photograph all the nails including a nail positioned at
the edge part. In this case, the imaging device needs to have a
wide-angle lens having a horizontal angle of view (i.e., the angle
of view from the left end to the right end of a frame) of about
105.degree. and a diagonal angle of view (i.e., the angle of view
from one corner to the other corner of a frame) of about
120.degree..
[0011] The use of such a wide-angle lens, however, causes the
amount of light at the periphery part of an image to be smaller
than that of the center part of the image owing to the cosine
fourth law where incident light inclined with respect to the
optical axis decreases in amount of light in proportion to the
cosine to the power of four of the inclination angle. Therefore,
more illuminating devices such as LEDs are necessary as going
toward the edge in order to make up for the deficiency in the
amount of light. For example, the amount of light in the case where
the incidence angle of light at the edge part is 52. 5.degree. is
COS (52.5.degree.).sup.4=0.13733 . . . , which is about one-seventh
of the amount of light at the center part of the image. This means
that seven times as many illuminating devices need to be provided
at the edge part as at the center part in order to make the amount
of light of the both parts the same. As a result, the apparatus
increases in weight and cost.
[0012] Further, the image of a nail positioned at the edge part
inclines as going toward the edge because the image is taken from a
diagonal direction. Therefore, photographing with a wide-angle lens
produces an image with a large distortion and makes it difficult to
detect an accurate nail shape even when correction processing is
performed.
[0013] In the case where an imaging device and an illuminating
device are fixed to the upper part of the nail printing apparatus,
print heads which move for printing and a carriage which supports
the print heads have to avoid touching the imaging device and the
illuminating device. Accordingly, the heights of the imaging device
and the illuminating device need to be higher than those of the
print heads and the carriage. This means the height of the whole
apparatus needs to be relatively high.
[0014] Further, the distance between a nail and the imaging device
has to be large in order to make a photographable area large. This
requires a large height of the whole apparatus, resulting in
further increase in size of the whole apparatus.
[0015] Providing a plurality of pairs of imaging device and
illuminating device might allow large-area photographing. This is
impracticable, however, because this not only increases the number
of components and apparatus cost but also makes its circuits and
software complicated.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention advantageously provides a nail
printing apparatus capable of acquiring nail images appropriately
regardless of the nail position without a complicated and large
structure, which leads to relatively low cost.
[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a nail printing apparatus to perform printing on a
nail, the apparatus including: an imaging device which photographs
a specific finger including the nail to be printed from a plurality
of directions different from each other and acquires a plurality of
nail images of the nail; an illuminating device which illuminates
the nail when the imaging device photographs the nail, the
illuminating device being disposed at a certain position relative
to the imaging device; a printing section which performs the
printing on the nail; and a movement mechanism which moves the
imaging device, the illuminating device and the printing section
together with one another.
[0018] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a printing control method of a nail printing apparatus
to perform printing on a nail, the apparatus including an imaging
device which photographs a finger, an illuminating device which is
disposed at a certain position relative to the imaging device and
which illuminates the nail of the finger, a printing section which
prints an image on the nail, and a movement mechanism which moves
the imaging device, the illuminating device and the printing
section together with one another, the method including: moving the
imaging device and the illuminating device using the movement
mechanism to a plurality of positions, wherein a plurality of
directions from the plurality of respective positions toward a
specific finger including the nail to be printed are different from
each other; illuminating the nail using the illuminating device at
each of the positions; photographing the specific finger from the
plurality of directions using the imaging device to acquire a
plurality of nail images of the nail; and printing the image on the
nail using the printing section on the basis of the nail
images.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The above and other objects, advantages and features of the
present invention will become more fully understood from the
detailed description given hereinbelow and the appended drawings
which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not
intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention,
and wherein:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view conceptually showing a nail
printing apparatus in a first embodiment, the cover of the nail
printing apparatus being open;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view conceptually showing the main
body of the nail printing apparatus in the first embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a front view of the main body of the nail printing
apparatus in the first embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view, along the line IV-IV, of
the main body shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, along the line V-V, of the
main body shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, along the line VI-VI, of
the main body shown in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the principal control
configuration of the nail printing apparatus in the first
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a view to explain a printing pitch for printing
data in the first embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 9 is a perspective view conceptually showing the main
body of a nail printing apparatus in a second embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main body of the nail
printing apparatus in the second embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, along the line XI-XI, of
the main body shown in FIG. 10 in the second embodiment;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a top view of a finger accepting section of the
nail printing apparatus in the second embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 13 shows a sketch of the main body of a nail printing
apparatus in a modification; and
[0033] FIG. 14 is a view to explain the structure of the main body
of the nail printing apparatus shown in FIG. 13 at the time of
printing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0034] A nail printing apparatus in accordance with the present
invention is described below in detail through the explanations for
the embodiments.
[0035] The embodiments described below have various features which
are technically preferable to carry out the present invention. The
scope of the present invention, however, is not limited to the
embodiments below and the examples shown in the drawings.
First Embodiment
[0036] A nail printing apparatus in a first embodiment of the
present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the
nail printing apparatus in the present embodiment.
[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the interior
construction of the nail printing apparatus.
[0039] The nail printing apparatus 1 includes a case body 2 and a
cover 4 as shown in FIG. 1.
[0040] The cover 4 is rotatably connected with the case body 2 with
a hinge 3 disposed at the rear end of the upper surface (top board)
of the case body 2.
[0041] The cover 4 is rotatable about the hinge 3 between the
position where the cover 4 overlaps the top board of the case body
2 and the position where the cover 4 stands upright with respect to
the top board of the case body 2 (see FIG. 1).
[0042] The case body 2 is formed to be substantially oval in a
planar view.
[0043] At the front side of the case body 2, an open-and-close
plate 5 is provided to be able to rise and fall. The open-and-close
plate 5 is connected to the case body 2 with a hinge (not shown)
disposed at the lower end of the front surface of the case body 2.
The open-and-close plate 5 is for opening and closing the front
surface of the case body 2.
[0044] The shapes and configurations of the case body 2 and the
cover 4 are not limited to those exemplified here.
[0045] An operation section 22 is disposed on the upper surface
(top board) of the case body 2.
[0046] The operation section 22 receives various inputs from a
user.
[0047] The operation section 22 includes operation buttons 221 to
receive various inputs, such as an electrical power switch button
to power on the nail printing apparatus 1, a stop switch button to
stop its operation, a design selection button to select a design
image to be printed on a nail T, and a printing start button for
starting printing.
[0048] A display section 23 is disposed on the upper surface (top
board), almost in its center, of the case body 2.
[0049] The display section 23 is constituted of a liquid crystal
display (LCD), an organic electroluminescence display, or another
flat-panel display.
[0050] In the present embodiment, the display section 23 displays
as appropriate an image acquired by photographing a printing finger
U1 (hereinafter referred to as a "finger image"), a nail image
included in the finger image (i.e., the image of the contour of a
nail T), a design selection screen for selecting a design image to
be printed on a nail T, a thumbnail image for confirming a design,
an instruction screen to provide various instructions, and the
like.
[0051] A touch panel may be integrally formed on the surface of the
display section 23. In this case, various instructions can also be
inputted through a touching operation with a stylus pen (not
shown), which is a wand writing tool with a sharp end, and with a
finger tip, for example.
[0052] The case body 2 contains the main body 10 of the nail
printing apparatus 1.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a front view of the main body 10 in the present
embodiment.
[0054] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of
FIG. 3 viewed from the direction of the arrows.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the main body 10 substantially has
the shape of a box and includes a lower machine casing 11 and an
upper machine casing 12. The lower machine casing 11 is disposed at
a lower part in the case body 2. The upper machine casing 12 is
disposed over the lower machine casing 11 inside the case body 2,
so as to be disposed at an upper part in the case body 2.
[0056] In the lower machine casing 11 and the upper machine casing
12, a finger fixation section 30, a printing unit 40, a
photographing section 50, a printing maintenance section 60, a
cartridge fitting section 70 and a control device 80 (see FIG. 7)
are disposed.
[0057] The lower machine casing 11 is described below.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the lower machine casing 11
includes a back plate 111, a bottom plate 112, a pair of side
plates 113 and 114, a cartridge container 115 and a dividing wall
116.
[0059] The lower ends of the side plates 113 and 114 are connected
to the both ends of the bottom plate 112, respectively, so that the
side plates 113 and 114 are upright with respect to the bottom
plate 112.
[0060] The back plate 111 is connected to the rear of the bottom
plate 112 and the side plates 113 and 114 so as to cover the back
of the space enclosed by the bottom plate 112 and the side plates
113 and 114.
[0061] The lower part of the back plate 111 is curved forward to
form a recess. The space formed at the back of the lower part of
the back plate 111 (i.e., the recess) serves as the cartridge
container 115 (see FIG. 4).
[0062] In the cartridge container 115, the cartridge fitting
section 70 is provided where ink cartridges 71 are attached.
[0063] The dividing wall 116 is disposed in the lower machine
casing 11 so as to vertically partition the space inside the lower
machine casing 11 (i.e., the space enclosed by the back plate 111,
the bottom plate 112 and the side plates 113 and 114).
[0064] The dividing wall 116 lies substantially horizontally so
that the left and right ends of the dividing wall 116 are connected
to the side plates 113 and 114, respectively, and so that the rear
end of the dividing wall 116 is connected to the back plate
111.
[0065] The lower machine casing 11 is provided with the finger
fixation section 30 so that the casing 11 and the section 30 are
unified.
[0066] The finger fixation section 30 is described with reference
to FIGS. 3 to 6.
[0067] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the line V-V of FIG.
3 viewed from the direction of the arrows.
[0068] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line VI-VI of
FIG. 3 viewed from the direction of the arrows.
[0069] The finger fixation section 30 is constituted of a finger
accepting section 31 and a finger escape section 32. The finger
accepting section 31 is a section to accept a finger U1 whose nail
T is to be printed (printing finger, hereinbelow), and the finger
escape section 32 is a section where fingers U2 other than the
printing finger U1 (non-printing fingers, hereinbelow) are
inserted.
[0070] The finger accepting section 31 is disposed over the
dividing wall 116 and almost at the center of the lower machine
casing 11 in its width direction.
[0071] The lower space, formed by the dividing wall 116, of the
lower machine casing 11 constitutes the finger escape section
32.
[0072] The finger accepting section 31 opens toward the front side
(near side) of the lower machine casing 11 and is defined by a
printing finger placement section 116a at the bottom which
constitutes a part of the dividing wall 116, partitions 31a and 31b
at the both sides, a nail contact portion 31c at the back, and a
ceiling 31d at the top.
[0073] The ceiling 31d has a window 31e through which the nail T of
a printing finger U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 31 is
exposed.
[0074] Front walls 31f which cover the front side of the lower
machine casing 11 stand upright on the upper surface of the
dividing wall 116. The front walls 31f extend rightward and
leftward, respectively, on the front side of the lower machine
casing 11.
[0075] A pair of guide walls 31g to guide a printing finger U1 into
the finger accepting section 31 stands upright on the upper surface
of the dividing wall 116. Each of the guide walls 31g extends from
the end (i.e., the end nearer to the center) of the front wall 31f
toward the finger accepting section 31 so that the guide wall 31g
extends obliquely backward.
[0076] The dividing wall 116 can be held between a printing finger
U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 31 and non-printing
fingers U2 inserted in the finger escape section 32 by a user.
Thus, a printing finger U1 inserted in the finger accepting section
31 can be stably fixed.
[0077] In the present embodiment, the dividing wall 116 is provided
with a bulge 116b bulging downward at the front end portion of the
dividing wall 116. The bulge 116b may form a taper portion whose
thickness gradually decreases toward the near side and gradually
increases toward the back. Alternatively, the entire thickness of
the bulge 116b may be larger than that of the back part of the
dividing wall 116.
[0078] Providing the bulge 116b at the front end portion of the
dividing wall 116 in such a way creates an interspace between nails
T of non-printing fingers U2 and the dividing wall 116 when the
non-printing fingers U2 after printing are inserted in the finger
escape section 32. This can prevent the nails T to come into
contact with the bottom surface of the dividing wall 116 and thus
prevent ink from adhering to the apparatus. Further, this can also
prevent nail designs printed on the nails T from touching the
bottom surface of the dividing wall 116 and being rubbed or
spoiled.
[0079] The printing unit 40 includes guide rods 41, a main carriage
42, guide rods 44, a secondary carriage 45, print heads (printing
section) 46, a movement mechanism 47 and the ink cartridges 71.
These are disposed mainly in the upper machine casing 12.
[0080] That is, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the two guide rods 41
are bridged in parallel between two sideboards of the upper machine
casing 12. The main carriage 42 is attached to the guide rods 41 in
such a way as to slide thereon.
[0081] The two guide rods 44 are bridged in parallel between a
front wall 42a and a back wall 42b of the main carriage 42. The
secondary carriage 45 is attached to the guide rods 44 in such a
way as to slide thereon. The print heads 46 are mounted on the
secondary carriage 45 at the center of the lower surface
thereof.
[0082] In the present embodiment, the print heads 46 are inkjet
print heads which make ink fine droplets, and directly sprays the
fine droplets to a surface to be printed.
[0083] In the present embodiment, the print heads 46 of the
printing unit 40 print an image (e.g., a design image) on the
surface of the nail T of a printing finger U1 on the basis of print
data.
[0084] In the present embodiment, the printing unit 40 has the
print heads 46 for the inks of yellow (Y), magenta (M) and cyan
(C), for example. Each of the print heads 46 includes a nozzle
array having a plurality of nozzles to eject ink of one of the
colors.
[0085] The print heads 46 included in the printing unit 40 are not
limited to those for the three-color inks. The printing unit 40 may
further include a print head 46 for another color ink.
[0086] The ink cartridges 71 corresponding to ink to be ejected
from the respective print heads 46 are fitted in the cartridge
fitting section 70 disposed in the cartridge container 115. The ink
in the ink cartridges 71 is supplied to the print heads 46 as
appropriate through the cartridge fitting section 70 and ink supply
tubes (not shown).
[0087] The ink cartridges may be mounted on the print heads 46
themselves.
[0088] In the present embodiment, the movement mechanism 47
constituted of a main scanning motor 47a and a sub-scanning motor
47b, for example, allows the print heads 46 to move in the X and Y
directions in FIG. 6. The X direction is the width direction
(right-left direction) of the nail printing apparatus 1, and the Y
direction is the depth direction (front-back direction) of the nail
printing apparatus 1.
[0089] Specifically, the main carriage 42 is connected to the main
scanning motor 47a via a power transmitting unit (not shown), and
moves in the right-left direction along the guide rods 41 by
forward-reversal rotation of the main scanning motor 47a.
[0090] The secondary carriage 45 is connected to the sub-scanning
motor 47b via a power transmitting unit (not shown), and moves in
the front-back direction along the guide rods 44 by
forward-reversal rotation of the sub-scanning motor 47b.
[0091] The window 31e of the finger accepting section 31 is
disposed within the range of movement of the print heads 46 when
viewed from above. Accordingly, the print heads 46 can move to the
position to face the nail T of a printing finger U1 which is
exposed through the window 31e, so as to perform printing on the
nail T.
[0092] In the present embodiment, the photographing section 50,
described later, is also movable in association with the movement
of the print heads 46. That is, the movement mechanism 47 allows
both the print heads 46 and the photographing section 50 to be
movable.
[0093] The photographing section 50 includes an imaging device 51
and illuminating devices 52.
[0094] The photographing section 50 illuminates, with the
illuminating devices 52, the nail T of a printing finger U1
inserted in the finger accepting section 31 and exposed through the
window 31e. The photographing section 50 photographs the printing
finger U1 using the imaging device 51 to acquire nail images (or
finger images including nail images), which are the images of the
nail T of the printing finger U1.
[0095] In the present embodiment, the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 are fixed to a position lateral to the
carriage (i.e., the main carriage 42 in the present embodiment)
supporting the print heads 46.
[0096] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, a substrate 53 is
disposed on the upper surface of the main carriage 42 so that one
end portion of the substrate 53 protrudes in the lateral direction
from the main carriage 42. The imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 constituting the photographing section 50
are disposed on the lower surface of the protruding portion of the
substrate 53 above the dividing wall 116.
[0097] The size of the substrate 53 and the positions of the
imaging device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 on the substrate
53 are not particularly limited.
[0098] Preferable positional relation between the imaging device 51
and illuminating devices 52 and the print heads 46 is such that,
when the imaging device 51 and illuminating devices 52 are
positioned almost just above the nail T of a printing finger U1
inserted in the finger accepting section 31, the print heads 46 are
positioned over a head-cleaning cap mechanism 61 and a waste ink
section 62 of the printing maintenance section 60 described later
(see FIG. 3). Positioning the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 in such a way is preferable because the
print heads 46 can be cleaned or kept moisturized while the nail T
of a printing finger U1 is being photographed from just above.
[0099] The photographing section 50 is connected to and controlled
by a photographing controller 811 of the control device 80 (see
FIG. 7), described later.
[0100] The image data acquired by the photographing section 50 may
be stored in a storage section 82 described later.
[0101] The imaging device 51 is a miniature camera provided with a
lens and a solid-state image sensing element having about two
million pixels or more and including a built-in driver, for
example.
[0102] The imaging device 51 photographs a nail T from at least two
different positions by being moved by the movement mechanism 47 in
order to detect the curvature, for example, of the nail T of the
printing finger U1.
[0103] In the present embodiment, the movement mechanism 47 can
move the imaging device 51 to the position above the nail T of a
printing finger U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 31 to
photograph the nail T. Accordingly, the area covering one nail T is
sufficient as the area to be photographed by the imaging device 51
(hereinafter referred to as "photographable area").
[0104] Therefore, the aspect ratio (i.e., screen size) of an image
to be acquired by the imaging device (camera) 51 may be 4:3.
[0105] The imaging device 51 may be a wide type to acquire an image
whose aspect ratio is 16:9. The imaging device (camera) 51 may have
a horizontal angle of view of as small as 73. 3.degree. and does
not have to include a wide-angle lens in particular.
[0106] When the imaging device 51 is positioned just above the nail
T of a printing finger U1 inserted in the finger accepting section
31 and exposed through the window 31e, the photographable area Ar1
of the imaging device 51 is the area enclosed by the solid heavy
line in FIG. 6, for example.
[0107] When the imaging device 51 is shifted a little laterally
from just above the nail T so as to photograph the nail T from
diagonally above, the photographable area Ar2 is the area enclosed
by the broken heavy line in FIG. 6, for example.
[0108] The extent to which the photographing position is shifted
laterally from just above the nail T is set as appropriate.
[0109] The illuminating devices 52 are illuminators such as white
LEDs.
[0110] In the present embodiment, two illuminating devices 52 are
disposed at the near side and the back side, respectively, of the
imaging device 51, with the imaging device 51 disposed between the
two illuminating devices 52. The illuminating devices 52 emit light
downward to illuminate the area to be photographed below the
imaging device 51.
[0111] The number and the positions of illuminating devices 52 are
not limited to the example shown in the drawings.
[0112] A conventional imaging device (camera) 51 has a larger
horizontal angle of view, and conventional illuminating devices 52
can emit light having a larger incidence angle. This leads to
reduction in amount of light at the edge part of the area to be
photographed owing to the cosine fourth law. In such a conventional
case, many illuminating devices 52 are necessary to provide
sufficient amount of light at the edge part of the area to be
photographed.
[0113] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the horizontal angle
of view of the imaging device (camera) 51 may be as small as an
area enough to cover only one nail T, which means that the
horizontal angle of view can be smaller compared with a
conventional case. Accordingly, the number of illuminating devices
52 can be smaller than that in the conventional case.
[0114] Further, the position of a conventional imaging device is
fixed and performs photographing from only one position. In such a
case, it is necessary to turn on/off illuminating devices 52,
disposed at both sides of the imaging device 51, one at a time for
photographing to check the change in shading to estimate the
curvature of a nail T.
[0115] In contrast, in the present embodiment, the movable imaging
device 51 enables photographing of a nail T from at least two
different positions so that the area enclosed by the solid heavy
line and the area enclosed by the broken heavy line in FIG. 6, for
example, are both photographable areas. Thus, the values of
curvature and vertical position of a nail T, for example, can be
obtained on the basis of at least two acquired images.
[0116] In this case, taking the image of a nail T from just above
it and further taking multiple images of the nail T from multiple
different positions diagonally above it enables more accurate
recognition of the nail shape and more accurate determination of
the nail curvature on the basis of multiple images.
[0117] Since the illuminating devices 52 are fixed closely to the
imaging device (camera) 51, the direction from the illuminating
devices 52 toward a subject nail T substantially coincides with the
direction from the imaging device (camera) 51 toward the subject
nail T. This prevents photographed images from being dark and
always produces bright photographed images.
[0118] The printing maintenance section 60 is disposed on the same
level as the finger accepting section 31 above the finger escape
section 32, with the dividing wall 116 disposed between the
printing maintenance section 60 and the finger escape section
32.
[0119] The printing maintenance section 60 is disposed within the
range of movement of the print heads 46, when viewed from
above.
[0120] The printing maintenance section 60 is constituted of at
least one of the head-cleaning cap mechanism 61 and the waste ink
section 62, for example.
[0121] The head-cleaning cap mechanism 61 cleans the print heads 46
and puts a cap on the print heads 46 to keep the print heads 46
moist.
[0122] The waste ink section 62 catches excess ink discharged from
the print heads 46 to keep their nozzles in good condition, for
example.
[0123] The printing maintenance section 60 may include a head
cleaning mechanism and a cap mechanism independent from each other,
instead of the head-cleaning cap mechanism 61.
[0124] The control device 80 is disposed on the substrate 13
provided on the upper machine casing 12, for example.
[0125] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the principal control
configuration in the present embodiment.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 80 is a computer
including a control unit 81 constituted of a central processing
unit (CPU) and a storage section 82 constituted of a read only
memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM), for example (the
CPU, ROM and RAM are not shown).
[0127] The control device 80 may be configured as a microcontroller
unit where the CPU, ROM and RAM are mounted on a single chip.
[0128] The storage means is not limited to such a storage section
82 including the ROM and RAM provided in the control device 80, but
another storage means may be provided.
[0129] The ROM of the storage section 82 contains various programs
such as a nail information detection program to detect the shape,
height and curvature of nail T from nail images; a print data
generation program to generate print data; and a printing control
process program to perform a printing control process. Each section
of the nail printing apparatus 1 is comprehensively controlled
through the execution of these programs by the control device
80.
[0130] The storage section 82 includes a design image storage area
821 to store the data of original images Gd of nail designs (see
FIG. 8).
[0131] The number of pieces of data of the original images Gd of
nail designs stored in the design image storage area 821 is not
particularly limited.
[0132] The data of original images Gd of nail designs is not
limited to the data contained in the design image storage area 821
of the storage section 82, but may be loaded from an external
storage means, such as a memory card, a USB flash drive and various
types of hard disks, into the nail printing apparatus 1 for
printing.
[0133] The storage section 82 includes a nail information storage
area 822 where nail information detected by the nail information
detecting section 812 is stored. Nail images taken by the
photographing section 50 may also be stored in the storage section
82.
[0134] The storage section 82 further includes a correction value
storage area 823 containing a correction value for curved surface
correction for each type of nail T.
[0135] In the present embodiment, nails T of printing fingers U1
are categorized into five types of "flat type", "medium-flat type",
"standard type", "medium-round type" and "round type", as described
later. The correction value for curved surface correction is
prepared for each of the five types.
[0136] The control unit 81 includes the photographing controller
811, the nail information detecting section 812, the print data
generating section 813, a printing controller 814 and a display
controller 815, in terms of its function.
[0137] The functions as the photographing controller 811, the nail
information detecting section 812, the print data generating
section 813, the printing controller 814 and the display controller
815 are carried out through cooperation between the CPU of the
control unit 81 and the programs stored in the ROM of the storage
section 82.
[0138] The CPU constituting the control unit 81 may read, as
needed, a program and data contained in the ROM to execute a
process. Alternatively the CPU may execute a process after reading
the program and data into a cache in the CPU. In this case, the CPU
can perform high-speed processing.
[0139] The photographing controller 811 controls the imaging device
51 and the illuminating devices 52 so that the imaging device 51
takes a finger image including the nail image of the nail T of a
printing finger U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 31.
[0140] In the present embodiment, the photographing controller 811
controls the movement mechanism 47 (i.e., the main scanning motor
47a and sub-scanning motor 47b) to move the imaging device 51 and
the illuminating devices 52 in right-left, front-back, and oblique
directions. The photographing controller 811 controls the imaging
device 51 to photograph the nail T of a printing finger U1 from at
least two different positions (photographing angles) to acquire at
least two nail images.
[0141] Specifically, the photographing controller 811 controls the
movement mechanism 47 to move the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 to a position just above a nail T so that
the imaging device 51 photographs the photographable area Art shown
in FIG. 6 from just above the nail T to acquire a first nail image,
which is an image taken from just above the nail T. The
photographing controller 811 then controls the movement mechanism
47 to move the imaging device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 to
a position diagonally above the nail T so that the imaging device
51 photographs the photographable area Ar2 shown in FIG. 6 from
diagonally above the nail T to acquire a second nail image, which
is an image taken from diagonally above the nail T.
[0142] The number of times the imaging device 51 performs
photographing is not limited to two. The imaging device 51 may
perform photographing three or more times from different positions
and angles.
[0143] The positions from which the imaging device 51 photographs a
nail T preferably include at least a position just above the nail T
for detecting the nail shape.
[0144] The nail information detecting section 812 detects nail
information on the nail T of a printing finger U1 on the basis of
nail images acquired by the imaging device 51.
[0145] The nail information includes the information on the contour
of nail T (i.e., the nail shape), the height of nail T (i.e., the
position of the nail T in the vertical direction; hereinafter
referred to as "vertical position of the nail T" or merely as "the
position of the nail T"), and the curvature of nail T (i.e., the
nail curvature).
[0146] The nail information detecting section 812 detects at least
one of the nail shape, nail height and nail curvature as the nail
information.
[0147] In the present embodiment the nail information detecting
section 812 detects all of the nail shape, nail height and nail
curvature on the basis of nail images.
[0148] Specifically, the nail information detecting section 812
detects the contour (shape) and position of a nail T from the
finger image including the nail image of the nail T of a printing
finger U1 acquired by the imaging device 51. Thus, the contour is
acquired as the information represented by an X-Y coordinate, for
example.
[0149] The nail information detecting section 812 may employ any
method to detect the contour (shape) of a nail T.
[0150] For example, the nail information detecting section 812 may
detect the contour (shape) of a nail T on the basis of the
difference in color between the nail T and the other finger portion
in the finger image including the nail image of the nail T of a
printing finger U1 acquired by the imaging device 51.
[0151] The method for detecting the contour (shape) of a nail T is
not particularly limited to the above-described method.
[0152] The nail information detecting section 812 detects the nail
height and nail curvature of a nail T on the basis of a plurality
of nail images acquired from different positions (photographing
angles) by the imaging device 51 for the nail T of a printing
finger U1.
[0153] The nail height H is the level of the nail T in the vertical
direction thereof. Specifically, the nail height H is a dimension
Lh (see FIG. 8) from the printing finger placement section 116a to
the upper surface of the nail T, or from the bottom of the print
heads 46 to the upper surface of the nail T.
[0154] The nail curvature is the curvature of a nail T in the width
direction thereof.
[0155] The nail height H and the nail curvature can be estimated by
comparing a plurality of nail images acquired from a plurality of
different positions (photographing angles) and by detecting the
differences in nail shape and shading between the nail images. The
nail images may include, for example, an image taken from just
above the nail T and an image taken from diagonally above the nail
T.
[0156] The method for detecting the nail height and nail curvature
of a nail T is not limited to the above-described method, but the
nail information detecting section 812 may employ any method.
[0157] The print data generating section 813 generates data (i.e.,
the print data Gg in FIG. 8) to be printed on the nail T of a
printing finger U1 by the print heads 46 on the basis of the nail
information detected by the nail information detecting section
812.
[0158] Specifically, the print data generating section 813 performs
a fitting process such as reduction in size of an original image Gd
of nail design on the basis of the nail shape detected by the nail
information detecting section 812.
[0159] The print data generating section 813 categorizes the nail T
as one of several types according to the nail height and nail
curvature detected by the nail information detecting section
812.
[0160] The print data generating section 813 then performs curved
surface correction on the original image Gd of nail design on the
basis of a correction value to generate print data Gg. The
correction value is prepared for each nail type and stored in the
correction value storage area 823.
[0161] The curved surface correction corrects data so that the
printing pitch for printing by the print heads 46 is finer in the
regions corresponding to the both-side edge parts in width of a
nail T than in the center part in width of the nail T. In other
words, the curved surface correction corrects data so that more
pieces of pixel data are allotted to the regions corresponding to
the both-side edge parts in width, whose curvature is large, of a
nail T than to the region corresponding to the center part in width
of the nail T.
[0162] In the present embodiment, the nails T are categorized into
five types of "flat type", "medium-flat type", "standard type",
"medium-round type", and "round type". The "flat type" is a nail
substantially flat and having a small curvature, the "medium-flat
type" is a nail having a curvature a little larger than that of the
"flat type", the "standard type" is a nail having an average
curvature, the "medium-round type" is a nail having a curvature a
little larger than that of the "standard type", and the "round
type" is a nail having a large curvature.
[0163] The types of nail T are not limited to the five types
described above. The nails T may be categorized into about three
types or into six or more types. The thresholds of nail height and
nail curvature for categorizing may be set as appropriate.
[0164] The correction value for curved surface correction for each
nail type may be set as appropriate so that the printing pitch
becomes gradually finer as the position is closer to the edge of a
nail T according to its surface curvature. The extent to which the
printing pitch of the both-side edge parts of a nail T is made
finer than that of the center part is not particularly limited.
[0165] For example, when a nail T is categorized as the "flat type"
which is relatively close to a flat plate shape, the correction
value for curved surface correction is set to be small. The
correction value for curved surface correction is set to be larger
for a nail T having a larger nail height and nail curvature (e.g.,
"round type").
[0166] Specifically, when a nail T is categorized as the "standard
type", an average shape, and the printing pitch at the center part
in width is 600 dpi, the printing pitch at the right and left
farthest edge parts is set to 2400 dpi and the printing pitch at
the intermediate parts is set to 1200 dpi.
[0167] The printing pitch is set in accordance with the resolution
of the print heads 46. When the upper limit of the printing pitch
which can be printed by the print heads 46 is 1800 dpi, for
example, the printing pitch of the right and left farthest edge
parts is set to 1800 dpi:
[0168] Making the printing pitch finer for the regions
corresponding to the both-side edge parts of nail T achieves a
high-definition image regardless of the shape of a nail T to be
printed. Specifically, even when the both-side edge parts of a nail
T curve in the direction away from the print heads 46, a
high-definition image can be obtained which is free from distortion
of nail design and which is substantially free from reduction in
density at its edge parts.
[0169] The printing controller 814 outputs the print data Gg
generated by the print data generating section 813 to the print
heads 46 and controls the print heads 46 and the movement mechanism
47 to perform printing on a nail T according to the print data Gg.
The movement mechanism 47 includes the main scanning motor 47a and
the sub-scanning motor 47b to move the print heads 46.
[0170] The display controller 815 controls the display section 23
to display various types of screens.
[0171] In the present embodiment, the display controller 815
controls the display section 23 to display a nail design selection
screen, a finger image acquired by photographing a printing finger
U1, a nail image included in the finger image, and various types of
instruction screens, for example.
[0172] Next, the behavior of and how to use the nail printing
apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is described.
[0173] In performing printing with the nail printing apparatus 1, a
user first powers on the apparatus 1 to start the control device
80.
[0174] The display controller 815 controls the display section 23
to display the design selection screen.
[0175] The user operates an operation button 221 of the operation
section 22, for example, and selects a desired nail design among a
plurality of nail designs displayed on the design selection screen.
This causes the operation section 22 to output a selection
instruction signal so that a nail design to be printed on a nail T
is selected.
[0176] Next, the user inserts a printing finger U1 in the finger
accepting section 31 and inserts non-printing fingers U2 in the
finger escape section 32 so as to fix the printing finger U1. The
user then operates a printing switch.
[0177] In FIG. 6, for example, the left ring finger is inserted in
the finger accepting section 31 as a printing finger U1, and the
other fingers are inserted in the finger escape section 32 as
non-printing fingers U2.
[0178] Before the start of a printing operation, the photographing
controller 811 controls the photographing section 50 so that the
imaging device 51 photographs the printing finger U1 while the
illuminating devices 52 illuminate the printing finger U1 in
response to an instruction input from the printing switch.
[0179] Specifically, the photographing controller 811 allows the
movement mechanism 47 to move the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 to perform photographing from two
positions, just above the nail T and diagonally above the nail T,
to acquire two nail images taken at the different positions. In the
present embodiment, the two nail images are a first nail image
taken from just above and a second nail image taken from diagonally
above.
[0180] After the acquisition of the two nail images, the nail
information detecting section 812 detects the contour (shape) and
position of the nail T on the basis of the first nail image taken
from just above. The nail information detecting section 812 also
calculates the nail height (i.e., the vertical position of the
nail) on the basis of the first and second nail images to detect
(calculate) the nail curvature.
[0181] After the nail information detecting section 812 detects the
shape, height (i.e., vertical position), and curvature of the nail
T, the print data generating section 813 performs the fitting
process to change the shape of the original image Gd of nail design
to fit the nail T on the basis of the nail information.
[0182] The print data generating section 813 categorizes the nail T
of the printing finger U1 as one of the five types on the basis of
the nail information. The print data generating section 813 then
reads the correction value associated with the categorized type
from the correction value storage area 823 of the storage section
82. The print data generating section 813 then performs the curved
surface correction on the original image Gd of nail design using
the read correction value (see FIG. 8). Thus, print data Gg is
generated.
[0183] The printing controller 814 then outputs the generated print
data Gg to the print heads 46 so that the print heads 46 perform
printing on the nail T on the basis of the print data Gg.
[0184] When performing printing on the nails T of a plurality of
fingers, a finger whose nail T has been printed is pulled out of
the finger accepting section 31 and a finger whose nail T is to be
printed next is inserted in the finger accepting section 31 as a
printing finger U1. The nail images of the nail T are then
acquired, and the above-described processes are repeated.
[0185] As described above, the nail printing apparatus 1 in the
present embodiment includes the imaging device 51 which photographs
the nail T of a printing finger U1 to acquire nail images, the
imaging device 51 moved together with the print heads 46 by the
movement mechanism 47.
[0186] This enables the imaging device 51 to acquire nail images
appropriately regardless of the position of a nail T in the finger
accepting section 31 without a lot of imaging devices 51 and
illuminating devices 52.
[0187] This achieves high-precision nail printing without a
complicated and large apparatus. That is, high-precision nail
printing can be achieved with low cost.
[0188] Further, the movement mechanism 47, which is provided to
move the print heads 46, is also used to move the imaging device 51
and the illuminating devices 52. This makes efficient use of an
existing component, which prevents the apparatus from getting
complicated and larger and prevents increase in manufacturing
cost.
[0189] The photographing section 50 includes the illuminating
devices 52 to illuminate the nail T of a printing finger U1 when
the imaging device 51 photographs the nail T. The illuminating
devices 52, too, are moved together with the imaging device 51 by
the movement mechanism 47.
[0190] Therefore, a photographable area of the imaging device 51
(i.e., the areas Ar1 and Ar2 in FIG. 6) can be appropriately
illuminated regardless of the position and angle from which the
imaging device 51 photographs a nail T.
[0191] The imaging device 51 is fixed at a position lateral to the
carriage (i.e., the main carriage 42 in the present embodiment)
supporting the print heads 46. This enables the movement mechanism
47 to move not only the print heads 46 but also the imaging device
51.
[0192] Further, the imaging device 51, which is disposed at a
position lateral to the main carriage 42, is to be positioned above
a nail T to be photographed at some distance from the nail T.
Accordingly, sharp images of the nail T can be acquired even with
the use of a general camera as the imaging device 51.
[0193] Still further, disposing the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 at a position lateral to the carriage
(e.g., the main carriage 42) prevents the carriage from interfering
with the devices 51 and 52 when the carriage moves. This enables
the apparatus to be shorter in height than a conventional
apparatus, leading to reduction in height and size of the whole
apparatus.
[0194] Since the movement mechanism 47 allows the imaging device 51
to be movable, the imaging device 51 can move surely to a position
just above a nail T to take a nail image therefrom without
distortion regardless of the position of the nail T in the finger
accepting section 31. This allows accurate detection of a nail
shape based on the nail image taken from just above.
[0195] The movement mechanism 47 enables the imaging device 51 to
photograph the nail T of a printing finger U1 from at least two
different positions (e.g., positions just above and diagonally
above the nail T). That is, the imaging device 51 can acquire a
plurality of nail images taken from the different positions and
angles. This enables accurate estimation (calculation) of the nail
height (i.e., the vertical position of the nail) and the nail
curvature by comparing the images and detecting the difference in
shape and shading between the images.
[0196] The nail printing apparatus 1 in the present embodiment
includes the nail information detecting section 812 and the print
data generating section 813. The nail information detecting section
812 detects at least one of a nail shape, nail height (i.e., the
vertical position of the nail) and nail curvature as nail
information on the basis of the nail images acquired by the imaging
device 51. (In the present embodiment, the nail information
detecting section 812 detects all of the nail shape, nail height
and nail curvature.) The print data generating section 813
generates print data to be printed on the nail T of a printing
finger U1 by the print heads 46 on the basis of the nail
information detected by the nail information detecting section
812.
[0197] Thus, print data Gg can be generated from an original image
Gd of nail design in accordance with the shape, height, and
curvature of a nail T. This achieves high-definition printing
having a beautiful finish on any nail T.
Second Embodiment
[0198] Next, a nail printing apparatus in a second embodiment of
the present invention is described with reference to FIGS. 9 to
12.
[0199] The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment
only in the structure of a finger fixation section of the nail
printing apparatus. Therefore, the following description is focused
on the difference between the embodiments.
[0200] FIG. 9 is a perspective view conceptually showing the main
body of a nail printing apparatus in the second embodiment.
[0201] FIG. 10 is a front view of the main body of the nail
printing apparatus shown in FIG. 9.
[0202] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view, along the line XI-XI,
shown in FIG. 10 viewed from the direction of the arrows.
[0203] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the nail printing apparatus in
the second present embodiment is provided with a finger fixation
section 90 in a lower machine casing 11 in the same manner as the
first embodiment.
[0204] In the present embodiment, the finger fixation section 90 is
constituted of a finger accepting section 91 where printing fingers
U1 are inserted, a finger escape section 92 where non-printing
fingers U2 are inserted, and a grip portion 93 to be held tightly
between printing fingers U1 inserted in the finger accepting
section 91 and non-printing fingers U2 inserted in the finger
escape section 92.
[0205] The grip portion 93 is constituted of a dividing wall to
separate the finger accepting section 91 from the finger escape
section 92. The upper surface of the grip portion 93 serves as a
flat printing finger placement surface.
[0206] The edge part, from which a finger is inserted, of the grip
portion 93 preferably has a circular cross section along the finger
insertion direction, with the cross section bulging downward from
the bottom surface of the grip portion 93, so that the grip portion
93 can be firmly held between printing fingers U1 and non-printing
fingers U2 deeply inserted in the finger accepting section 91 and
the finger escape section 92, respectively.
[0207] The cross-sectional shape of the edge part of the grip
portion 93 may be an oval shape or a polygonal shape, instead of a
circular shape.
[0208] FIG. 12 is a top view of the finger accepting section 91 in
the second embodiment.
[0209] A plurality of printing fingers U1 can be inserted at a time
in the finger accepting section 91 in the present embodiment.
[0210] FIG. 12 shows a case where four left fingers except thumb
(i.e., index, middle, ring and little fingers) and a right thumb
are inserted in the finger accepting section 91 as printing fingers
U1.
[0211] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 12, the grip portion 93 has a first
finger locating portion 93a at the center part in width thereof.
The first finger locating portion 93a allows the position
adjustment of the four fingers (i.e., the index, middle, ring and
little fingers) inserted in the finger accepting section 91 in such
a way that the portion between the bases of the printing fingers U1
(i.e., the four fingers) and the non-printing finger U2 (i.e., the
thumb) inserted in the finger escape section 92 touches the edge
part of the first finger locating portion 93a.
[0212] The length of the first finger locating portion 93a in its
width direction X is not particularly limited as long as the grip
portion 93 can securely support the four fingers except thumb of
one hand.
[0213] The grip portion 93 has second finger locating portions 93b
at both sides of the first finger locating portion 93a. The second
finger locating portions 93b allow the position adjustment of the
thumb inserted in the finger accepting section 91 in such a way
that the portion between the bases of the printing finger U1 (i.e.,
the thumb) and the non-printing fingers U2 (i.e., the four fingers)
inserted in the finger escape section 92 touches an edge part of
the second finger locating portions 93b.
[0214] The edge parts of the second finger locating portions 93b
are positioned posterior to that of the first finger locating
portion 93a in the finger insertion direction Y.
[0215] Although the extent to which the position of the edge parts
of the second finger locating portions 93b is different from that
of the first finger locating portion 93a in the finger insertion
direction Y is not particularly limited, the extent is preferably
determined so that the nails T of the thumb and the other four
fingers substantially align in the lateral direction.
[0216] A thumb of a human hand is shorter than the other four
fingers and the difference in length between the thumb and the
other four fingers is 40-75 mm, although there are differences
between individuals and depending on how to hold the grip portion.
Considering such a difference in length of the thumb and the other
fingers, the edge parts of the second finger locating portions 93b
are preferably positioned about 40-75 mm posterior to that of the
first finger locating portion 93a in the finger insertion direction
Y.
[0217] When using a conventional grip portion where the edge part
of a portion to locate four fingers and the edge part of another
portion to locate a thumb align, the nails T of the thumb and the
other four fingers are quite different in position in the finger
insertion direction Y.
[0218] In such a conventional case, it is necessary to expand a
photographable area which can be photographed by a photographing
section 50 and expand a printable area which can be printed by a
printing unit 40, described later, so that each area covers all of
the nails T of the thumb and the other four fingers.
[0219] In contrast, in the present embodiment, since the edge parts
of the second finger locating portions 93b for positional
adjustment of thumb lie about 45 mm posterior to the edge part of
the first finger locating portion 93a in the finger insertion
direction Y, the nails T of thumb and other four fingers
substantially align. This allows the photographable area of the
photographing section 50 and the printable area of the printing
unit 40 to be smaller than a conventional grip portion.
[0220] As shown in FIGS. 9 to 11, the nail printing apparatus of
the present embodiment includes a photographing section 50 fixed at
a position lateral to the carriage (i.e., a main carriage 42 in the
present embodiment) supporting the print heads 46 as in the first
embodiment.
[0221] A movement mechanism 47 (i.e., a main scanning motor 47a and
a sub-scanning motor 47b) allows an imaging device (camera) 51 and
illuminating devices 52 of the photographing section 50 to move in
front, back, right and left directions so that all the nails T of
printing fingers U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 91 can
be photographed from just above and diagonally above therefrom.
[0222] When photographing the left ring finger nail T inserted in
the finger accepting section 91 as shown in FIG. 12, for example,
the movement mechanism 47 first allows the imaging device 51 and
the illuminating devices 52 to move to a position just above the
ring finger nail T.
[0223] The area enclosed by the solid heavy line in FIG. 12 is the
photographable area Ar1 of the imaging device 51.
[0224] After that, when photographing the ring finger nail T from
diagonally left above (i.e., left in FIG. 12 or the side nearer to
the little finger), the movement mechanism 47 allows the imaging
device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 to move a little
leftward. In this case, the area enclosed by the broken line in
FIG. 12 is the photographable area Ar2 of the imaging device
51.
[0225] When photographing the ring finger nail T from diagonally
right above (i.e., right in FIG. 12 or the side nearer to the index
finger), the movement mechanism 47 allows the imaging device 51 and
the illuminating devices 52 to move a little rightward. In this
case, the area enclosed by the dashed-dotted line in FIG. 12 is the
photographable area Ar3 of the imaging device 51.
[0226] The number of times the imaging device 51 performs
photographing is not limited to three. The imaging device 51 may
perform photographing twice, i.e., from just above the nail T and
from diagonally left above or diagonally right above the nail T, as
in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the imaging device 51 may
perform photographing four or more times from different positions
and angles.
[0227] The positions from which the imaging device 51 photographs a
nail T preferably include at least a position just above the nail T
for detecting the nail shape.
[0228] Since the other structures are the same as those of the
first embodiment, the same numbers or alphabets are assigned to the
same components between the first and second embodiments and
repetitive explanations are omitted.
[0229] Next, the behavior of and how to use the nail printing
apparatus 1 in the present embodiment is described.
[0230] A user first powers on the nail printing apparatus 1 to
start a control device 80 and selects a nail design to be printed
on a nail T, as in the first embodiment.
[0231] Next, the user inserts a plurality of printing fingers U1 in
the finger accepting section 91 and inserts non-printing fingers U2
in the finger escape section 92 so as to fix the printing fingers
U1. The user then operates a printing switch.
[0232] In FIG. 12, for example, the left four fingers other than
thumb (i.e., index, middle, ring and little fingers) and the right
thumb are inserted in the finger accepting section 91 as printing
fingers U1, and the other fingers are inserted in the finger escape
section 92 as non-printing fingers U2.
[0233] Before the start of a printing operation, a photographing
controller 811 controls the photographing section 50 so that the
imaging device 51 photographs the printing fingers U1 one by one
while the illuminating devices 52 illuminate the printing fingers
U1 in response to an instruction input from the printing
switch.
[0234] When photographing the left ring finger nail T, for example,
the photographing controller 811 allows the movement mechanism 47
to move the imaging device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 to
perform photographing from three positions, just above, diagonally
left above and diagonally right above the ring finger nail T (i.e.,
the positions from which the areas Ar1-Ar3 in FIG. 12 are to be
photographed, respectively). Thus, three nail images taken from
different positions are acquired. Specifically, in the present
embodiment, a first nail image taken from just above, a second nail
image taken from diagonally left above, and a third nail image
taken from diagonally right above are acquired.
[0235] After the acquisition of the three nail images, a nail
information detecting section 812 detects the contour (shape) and
position of the nail T on the basis of the first nail image taken
from just above. The nail information detecting section 812 also
estimates (calculates) the nail height (i.e., the vertical position
of the nail) and the nail curvature on the basis of the first to
third nail images.
[0236] After the nail information detecting section 812 detects the
nail shape, nail height (i.e., vertical position of the nail), and
nail curvature, a print data generating section 813 performs the
fitting process to change the shape of the original image Gd of
nail design to fit the nail T on the basis of the nail information.
The print data generating section 813 then performs curved surface
correction on the original image Gd of nail design as appropriate,
and thus, print data Gg is generated.
[0237] The printing controller 814 then outputs the generated print
data Gg to the print heads 46 so that the print heads 46 perform
printing on the nail T on the basis of the print data Gg.
[0238] The photographing and printing of a plurality of nails T of
printing fingers U1 inserted in the finger accepting section 91 may
be performed in such a way that all the nails T are photographed to
generate print data Gg for each nail T, and after that, printing is
performed on the nails T in series. Alternatively, photographing
and printing may be performed individually for each nail T.
Specifically, one nail T is photographed, the print data Gg for the
nail T is generated, and then printing is performed on the nail T;
and after the printing for the nail T, the same processes are
repeated for the next nail T, and in the same manner, the same
processes are repeated individually for each nail T.
[0239] Since the other structures are the same as those of the
first embodiment, repetitive explanations are omitted.
[0240] As described above, the nail printing apparatus 1 in the
second embodiment brings about not only the advantageous effects
obtained in the first embodiment but also the following
effects.
[0241] In the present embodiment, a plurality of fingers, such as
the four fingers (e.g., index, middle, ring and little fingers) of
one hand and one finger (e.g., thumb) of the other hand, can be
inserted in the finger accepting section 91 at a time to be printed
in series.
[0242] This eliminates the need for a user to insert and pull out
fingers each time printing for one nail T is finished, which
achieves easy and quick printing of nail design for each finger of
one hand or both hands.
[0243] Further, since the imaging device 51 moves together with the
print heads 46, even a nail T of printing finger U1 positioned at
the edge part of the finger accepting section 91 can be
photographed from just above. This enables accurate detection of a
nail shape on the basis of high-definition images free from
distortion for all the nails T.
[0244] Further, since the imaging device 51 is moved by the
movement mechanism 47, a plurality of nail images taken from
different multiple positions and angles, such as the positions just
above and diagonally above a nail T, can be acquired regardless of
the position of the nail T in the finger accepting section 91.
[0245] Accordingly, the nail height (i.e., the vertical position of
the nail) and the nail curvature can be estimated (calculated)
accurately by comparing these images and detecting the differences
in shape and shading between the images for each of the nails T of
printing fingers U1 inserted in the finger accepting section
91.
[0246] Further, an original image Gd of nail design is changed in
shaped to fit to a nail T of a user on the basis of the nail shape,
nail height and nail curvature detected with high precision, and a
curved surface correction is performed on image data. Therefore,
print data to nails T in various shapes can be generated. This
achieves high-definition printing having a beautiful finish.
[0247] Further, even when a plurality of nails T of printing
fingers U1 are disposed over a wide area in the finger accepting
section 91, a photographable area may constantly be as small as an
area covering only one nail T because the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 move to the position suitable to photograph
each nail T.
[0248] This eliminates the need for a wide-angle lens for
photographing and prevents the problems of image distortion and
reduction in amount of light at the edge part. Therefore, it is
sufficient to provide a single set of small-sized imaging device 51
and illuminating devices 52 meant for ordinary photographing. This
prevents the apparatus from becoming large and complicated and
prevents increase in cost.
[0249] It should be understood that the present invention is not
limited to the above-described embodiments but may be modified in
various manners without departing from the spirit of the
invention.
[0250] For example, although the imaging device 51 and the
illuminating devices 52 of the above-described embodiments are
disposed on the lower surface of the protruding portion of the
substrate 53 which is disposed on the upper surface of the main
carriage 42 in the printing unit 40, the position of the imaging
device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 is not particularly
limited as long as the imaging device 51 can be moved together with
the print heads 46 by the movement mechanism 47. The imaging device
51 and the illuminating devices 52 may be fixed to the secondary
carriage 45 or may be directly fixed to the print heads 46, for
example.
[0251] The imaging device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 of the
above-described embodiments are fixed at a position lateral to the
carriage (i.e., the main carriage 42 in the present embodiment)
supporting the print heads 46. The position of the imaging device
51 and the illuminating devices 52, however, is not limited to a
position lateral to the print heads 46 or the carriage, such as the
main carriage 42 or the secondary carriage 45, which supports the
print heads 46. Alternatively, the devices 51 and 52 may be
disposed at the near side or back side of the print heads 46 or the
carriage.
[0252] Although the imaging device 51 and the illuminating devices
52 of the above-described embodiments are moved together with the
print heads 46 by the movement mechanism 47, the mechanism to move
the devices 51 and 52 is not limited thereto.
[0253] For example, another movement mechanism to move the imaging
device 51 and the illuminating devices 52 may be provided
separately from the movement mechanism 47 to move the print heads
46.
[0254] In the first embodiment, the imaging device 51 is moved by
the movement mechanism 47 to photograph the nail T of a printing
finger U1 from two different positions and acquires nail
information on the basis of the two images acquired in the two time
photographing.
[0255] Further, in the second embodiment, the imaging device 51
acquires nail information on the basis of three images acquired in
three time photographing.
[0256] The number of times the imaging device 51 photographs a nail
T to acquire nail information (i.e., the shape, height and
curvature of nail T), however, is not limited thereto as long as
the photographing is performed at least twice. That is, the
photographing may be performed four times or more.
[0257] For the photographing performed four times or more, for
example, a nail T is photographed from a position just above the
nail T, and from a plurality of positions with different shift
amounts from the just-above position.
[0258] In the above-described embodiments, the print data
generating section 813 performs the curved surface correction for
an original image Gd of nail design to generate print data Gg.
Generation of print data Gg by the print data generating section
813, however, is not essential for the present invention.
[0259] Alternatively, the data of an original image Gd of nail
design may be converted as appropriate using a lookup table (LUT)
in the printing controller 814 without separate generation of print
data Gg. In this case, the converted data is output to the print
heads 46 and printing is controlled to be suitable for the nail
shape, for example.
[0260] The photographing may be performed the moment the imaging
device 51 reaches a position just above a nail T and reaches the
position shifted from the just-above position by a predetermined
amount while the imaging device 51 is moved by the movement
mechanism 47. Alternatively, the imaging device 51 may be stopped
at a position just above a nail T and at the position shifted from
the just-above position by a predetermined amount to photograph the
nail in a stopped state.
[0261] Further, images taken by the imaging device 51 are not
limited to still images but may be moving images. In this case, the
imaging device 51 shoots a moving image while the movement
mechanism 47 moves the imaging device 51, and images taken from
just above and diagonally above a nail T are captured from the
moving image to be used to detect nail information.
[0262] Although the print heads 46 in the above-described
embodiments are inkjet print heads, the type of the print heads 46
is not limited thereto. For example, a printing tool such as a
ballpoint-pen tool and a felt-tip-pen tool may be used to directly
touch a nail T to draw a design thereon.
[0263] An example of the main body 10b of such a nail printing
apparatus is shown in FIG. 13.
[0264] As shown in FIG. 13, a printing unit 40b includes print
heads 46b including a plurality of drawing pens 48 as printing
tools and a movement mechanism 47 to move the print heads 46b in X
and Y directions.
[0265] The print heads 46b are attached to a carriage 43. FIG. 13
shows a case where four print heads 46b each holding a pen 48 are
attached to the carriage 43.
[0266] The number of print heads 46b attached to the carriage 43 is
not limited to four, but may be one or may be five or more.
[0267] In the present embodiment, the carriage 43, the print heads
46b, and the pens 48 held by the print heads 46b constitute a
printing section 402 to perform printing on a nail T.
[0268] As shown in FIG. 14, the pens 48 held by the print heads 46b
each have a pen shaft 481 and a pen tip 482.
[0269] The interior of each pen shaft 481 serves as an ink
container.
[0270] Various types of ink may be used as the ink contained in
each pen shaft 481. The viscosity and particle diameter (i.e.,
particle size) of coloring material are not particularly limited.
For example, ink containing gold and silver glitter, white ink,
UV-curable ink, material for gel nails, undercoats, topcoats, and
nail polish may be used.
[0271] Examples of the types of pen tips 482 include a
ballpoint-pen type which allows the ink in the pen shaft 481 to
come out through the pen tip 482 pressed against the surface of a
nail T for printing, a fiber-pen type which allows the ink to ooze
through the felt pen tip for printing, and a brush-pencil type
which has a bundle of hair and performs printing with the hair
soaked with the ink. The pen tips 482 may have various
thicknesses.
[0272] The print heads 46b may have a plurality of pens 48 having
colors different from one another. Alternatively, the pens 48 may
contain the same-color ink and may have pen tips 482 different from
one another only in shape and thickness, for example.
[0273] The pens 48 are preferably replaceable by a user.
[0274] As shown in FIG. 14, the heights of pens 48 are adjusted so
that the pen tips 482 touch a nail T when printing is performed.
The movement mechanism 47 moves the print heads 46b on the basis of
print data, and thus, the pens 48 are moved to draw an image on the
nail T.
[0275] When a photographing section 50 is photographing a nail T,
the pens 48 are kept at such a position that the pen tips 482 do
not touch the nail T.
[0276] The nail printing apparatus equipped with such print heads
46b also includes the photographing section 50 which includes an
imaging device 51 and illuminating devices 52 and fixed at a
position lateral to the carriage 43 as in the above-described
embodiments.
[0277] Such a nail printing apparatus brings about the same effects
as the above-described embodiments because the photographing
section 50 is moved in front, back, right and left directions by
the movement mechanism 47 as in the above-described
embodiments.
[0278] The scope of the present invention is not limited to the
above-described embodiments, but covers the scope of the claims and
its equivalents.
* * * * *