Nail production system and nail production method

A nail production system according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a first correction section and a first conversion section. The first correction section corrects shape data of an existing nail tip or an existing nail sticker on the basis of measurement data of a nail, to thereby generate shape data of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker. The first conversion section converts the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that is generated by the first correction section into print data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of International Application No. PCT/JP2017/020761, filed Jun. 5, 2017, which claims priority to Japanese Application No. 2016-142186, filed Jul. 20, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present technology relates to a nail production system and a nail production method.

In recent years, the number of people has been increasing who attach nail tips or nail stickers with designs arranged thereon on their own nails to enjoy dressing up. Typically, a user selects the nail tips or the nail stickers with shapes or sizes meeting user's own nails or preference from among ready-made products. However, the shapes and sizes of the user's own nails are different for every user, and therefore ready-made nail tips or nail stickers do not fit the user's own nails, which has caused an issue of awful looking or easy peel-off. In contrast, PTL 1 proposes to produce the nail tips using a mold manufactured on the basis of CAD data on the user's own nails that is obtained by measurement.

SUMMARY

However, in a method described in a PTL 1, it is necessary to manufacture a mold for each user, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs. It is therefore desirable to provide a nail production system and a nail production method that allow for producing a nail tip or a nail sticker that is easy to fit user's own nails at low cost.

A nail production system according to an embodiment of the disclosure includes a first correction section and a first conversion section. The first correction section corrects shape data of an existing nail tip or an existing nail sticker on the basis of measurement data of a nail, to thereby generate shape data of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker. The first conversion section converts the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that is generated by the first correction section into print data.

A nail production method according to an embodiment of the present technology includes two steps given below:

(A) correcting shape data of an existing nail tip or an existing nail sticker on the basis of measurement data of a nail, to thereby generate shape data of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker; and

(B) converting the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that is generated by the first correction section into print data.

In the nail production system and the nail production method according to the respective embodiments of the present technology, the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker is generated from the shape data of the existing nail tip or the existing nail sticker on the basis of the measurement data of the nail. Further, the generated shape data is converted into the print data. This makes it possible to obtain the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that fits a shape or size of user's own nail with use of a printer without using a mold.

According to the nail production system and the nail production method of the respective embodiments of the present technology, it is possible to obtain the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that fits a shape or size of user's own nail with use of a printer without using a mold. Therefore, this allows for producing a nail tip or a nail sticker that is easy to fit user's own nail at low cost. It is to be noted that the effects of the present technology are not necessarily limited to the effects described above, and may be any of the effects that will be described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present technology are described in detail with reference to the drawings. It is to be noted that the description is given in the following order.

An example where a recommended decorative design is presented to a user

An example where no decorative design is arranged on a nail tip or a nail sticker

An example where a user also performs correction of a decorative design

Descriptions are provided on a nail production system1according to an embodiment of the present technology.FIG. 1illustrates a schematic configuration example of the nail production system1. The nail production system1is a system that receives an order for a nail tip or a nail sticker over a network, and produces the nail tip or the nail sticker in a custom-made manner in accordance with contents of the received order.

The nail production system1includes a registration unit200, a data server unit300, a molding unit400, a printing unit500, a web server unit600, and a terminal unit700. The registration unit200, the data server unit300, the molding unit400, the printing unit500, the web server unit600, and the terminal unit700are coupled with one another over a network100. The network100is a network that carries out communication using, for example, a communication protocol (TCP/IP) available typically on the Internet. The network100may be, for example, a secure network that carries out communication with use of a communication protocol specific to the network. The network100is, for example, an internet, an intranet, or a local area network. Coupling between the network100and any of the registration unit200, the data server unit300, the molding unit400, the printing unit500, the web server unit600, or the terminal unit700may be made, for example, over a wired LAN (Local Area Network), or over a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi, or a mobile telephone line, etc.

FIG. 2illustrates a schematic configuration example of the registration unit200. The registration unit200measures nails or a skin of a user, and registers resulting measurement data of the nails or the skin onto the data server unit300. The registration unit200measures shapes of user's nails using a predetermined distance measuring method. Examples of the predetermined distance measuring method include an optical cutting method, a TOF (Time Of Flight) method, a monocular camera measuring method, or a compound-eye camera measuring method.

The optical cutting method is a method that irradiates an object with light in a slit-shaped, dot-shaped, or lattice-shaped pattern to acquire coordinate data of a surface of the object by triangulation. The TOF method is a method that acquires coordinate data of a surface of an object on the basis of a time period from when an object is irradiated with light until when light reflected from the object enters a light receiving device. The monocular camera measuring method is a distance measuring method with use of a natural law of perspective. The compound-eye camera measuring method is a camera-based triangulation method. The optical cutting method and the TOF method achieve higher accuracy than the monocular camera measuring method and the compound-eye camera measuring method. Further, in the optical cutting method, a color texture is achievable in a case where a white light source is used as a light source, which allows a skin color to be discriminated from the obtained color texture. Additionally, in a case where a white LED is used as the white light source, a speckle noise is made smaller than that generated in a case where a white laser is used, which makes it possible to obtain the coordinate data of the surface of the object with a high degree of accuracy.

Therefore, hereinafter, it is supposed that the registration unit200acquires the coordinate data of the surface of the object in the optical cutting method using the white LED as the light source. Thus, the registration unit200makes it possible to measure shapes of user's nails as well as a color of a user's skin with use of the optical cutting method.

The registration unit200has, for example, an optical scanning section210, a camera220, a drive section230, a communication section240, an operating section250, a storage section260, and a control section270.

For example, the optical scanning section210emits slit light Ls toward a surface of a nail101(a finger tip including the nail101) that is an object, and scans the slit light Ls on the surface of the nail101(the finger tip including the nail101). The optical scanning section210has, for example, a light source section211that emits the slit light Ls, and a movable mirror212that causes the slit light Ls from the light source section211to be scanned on the surface of the nail101(the finger tip including the nail101). The camera220detects reflected light Lr from the surface of the nail101(the finger tip including the nail101) that is the object.

The drive section230drives the optical scanning section210and the camera220under control performed by the control section270. The control section270controls driving of the optical scanning section210and the camera220through the drive section230, and acquires coordinate data (measurement data262of the nail101) of a surface of the nail101(the finger tip including the nail101) by the triangulation using a detection result from the camera220. At this time, the control section270acquires the coordinate data (the measurement data262of the nail101) by causing slit-shaped white LED light extending in a finger width direction to be scanned in an extending direction of the finger. Further, the control section270acquires a color of a skin (measurement data263of the skin) with use of the detection result (color image) from the camera220. It is to be noted that acquisition of the measurement data263of the skin may be omitted on an as-needed basis.

The control section270causes the measurement data262of the nail101and the measurement data263of the skin to be stored in the storage section260as well as in a storage section310inside the data server300. Further, the control section270causes user information261inputted through the operating section250to be stored in the storage section260as well as in the storage section310inside the data server300. The storage section260stores the measurement data262of the nail101, the measurement data263of the skin, and the user information261. The user information261is information serving to identify a user, and includes a user ID, for example. The operating section250accepts an input from a user. The operating section250includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, or a touch panel. The communication section240carries out communication with the other units (the data server unit300, etc.) in the nail production system1over the network100.

FIG. 3illustrates a schematic configuration example of the data server unit300. The data server unit300stores shape data of existing nail tips (three-dimensional data) or shape data of existing nail stickers (two-dimensional data). Further, the data server unit300stores information acquired from the registration unit200(the user information261, the measurement data262of the nail, and the measurement data263of the skin).

The data server unit300has, for example, the storage section310, a communication section320, and a control section330.

The storage section260stores data inputted from the registration unit200(the user information261, the measurement data262of the nail101, and the measurement data263of the skin). It is to be noted that the measurement data263of the skin may be omitted on an as-needed basis. Further, the storage section310stores existing shape data312. The existing shape data312includes, for example, shape data of one or a plurality of existing nail tips (three-dimensional data), or shape data of one or a plurality of existing nail stickers (two-dimensional data). Additionally, the storage section310stores identification information311. The identification information311is an identifier that is assigned for each shape data included in the existing shape data312. The above-described identifier is at least one of a name and a thumbnail of a nail tip or a nail sticker, for example.

The storage section310stores, for example, existing decorative design data314. The existing decorative design data314includes, for example, image data of one or a plurality of decorative designs to be printed on a surface of a nail tip or a nail sticker. Further, the storage section310stores, for example, decorative design information313. The decorative design information313is information concerning the decorative design that is assigned for each image data of the decorative design that is included in the decorative design data314. The above-described “information concerning the decorative design” is at least one of a name or a thumbnail of the decorative design, for example. It is to be noted that the decorative design information313and the decorative design data314may be omitted on an as-needed basis.

FIG. 4illustrates a schematic configuration example of the molding unit400. The molding unit400produces a molded object on the basis of data (print data317) that is inputted over the network100. The molding unit400has, for example, a molding section410, a storage section420, a communication section430, and a control section440.

For example, the molding section410produces an original nail tip (for example, a nail tip102as illustrated inFIG. 5) by discharging resin on the basis of the print data317(to be described later). Further, the molding section410produces an original nail sticker (a nail sticker104), for example, as illustrated inFIG. 7by cutting or half-cutting a resin sticker103, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 6on the basis of, for example, the print data317. At this time, each of the nail stickers104is held in a cut or half-cut state with respect to the resin sticker103. It is to be noted thatFIG. 7illustrates how an end edge of each of the nail stickers104includes a cutting line104A or a half-cutting line104B.

FIG. 8illustrates a schematic configuration example of the printing unit500. The printing unit500performs printing on the basis of data (print data319(to be described later)) that is inputted over the network100. The printing unit500has, for example, a printing section510, a storage section520, a communication section530, and a control section540.

The printing section510prints a decorative design105on a surface of the original nail tip (the nail tip102), for example, as illustrated inFIG. 9by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the print data319, for example. Further, the printing section510prints the decorative design105on a surface of the resin sticker103, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 10on the basis of the print data319, for example. It is to be noted that the original nail sticker (the nail sticker104) with the decorative design105printed on a surface thereof is producible by cutting or half-cutting the resin sticker103on which the decorative design105is printed on the basis of the print data317.

FIG. 11illustrates a schematic configuration example of the web server unit600. The web server unit600provides a user interface in the terminal unit700. The web server unit600has, for example, a storage section610, a communication section620, and a control section630.

The communication section620carries out communication with the other units (the data server unit300, etc.) in the nail production system1over the network100. The storage section610stores programs, etc. (for example, a web server program613, a web application program614, etc.) that are executed by the control section630. The control section630includes a processor, and executes the web server program613, the web application program614, etc. that are stored in the storage section610. The function of the control section630is achieved in such a manner that the web server program613and the web application program614are executed by the control section630, for example. The web application program614corresponds to a specific example of a “nail production program” of the present technology.

Specifically, the control section630receives order information712(to be described later) and user information711(to be described later) through the terminal unit700and the communication section620. The order information712is information selected by a user, and includes identification information712A and decorative design information712B of a nail tip or a nail sticker, as illustrated inFIG. 12. Upon receiving the order information712and the user information711, the control section630corrects the existing shape data312corresponding to the inputted order information712(the identification information712A) on the basis of the measurement data262of a nail corresponding to the received order information712(the user information711). With such correction, the control section630generates shape data316of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker. The control section630converts the generated shape data316into the print data317, and outputs the print data317derived from the conversion to the molding unit400through the communication section620. The print data317is data described using a script understandable by the molding unit400. The communication section620carries out communication with the other units (the terminal unit700, etc.) in the nail production system1over the network100.

Further, upon receiving the order information712(the decorative design information712B), the control section630generates correction data318of existing decorative design data315corresponding to the received order information712(the decorative design information712B) by correcting such existing decorative design data315. The control section630converts the generated correction data318into the print data319, and outputs the print data319derived from the conversion to the printing unit500through the communication section620. The print data319is data described using a script understandable by the printing unit500.

FIG. 13illustrates a schematic configuration example of the terminal unit700. The terminal unit700is a terminal unit that a user uses to place an order for a nail tip or a nail sticker, and has, for example, a storage section710, a communication section720, a receiving section730, and a control section740. The receiving section730includes a keyboard, a touch panel, etc. The storage section710stores programs (for example, a web browser program710, an operating system, etc.) that are executed by the control section740. The user information711and the order information712are stored in the storage section710.

The control section740includes a processor, and executes a web browser program713, an operating system, etc. that are stored in the storage section710. The communication section720carries out communication with the other units (the web server unit600, etc.) in the nail production system1over the network100. A user interface (the receiving section730) in the terminal unit700is achieved in such a manner that an application (for example, html data) that is obtained from the web server unit600is processed by the web browser program713, for example.

The control section740(the receiving section730) receives the order information712including the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B of a nail tip or a nail sticker, and the user information711. Upon receiving the order information712, the control section740(the receiving section730) presents (displays) identification information611and decorative design information612to a user, and prompts the user to select specific identification information (the identification information712A) from within the identification information610, as well as to select specific decorative design information (the decorative design information712B) from within the decorative design information612. The identification information611is equivalent to the identification information311that is associated with the existing shape data312. The decorative design information612is equivalent to the decorative design information313that is associated with the existing decorative design data314. The control section740(the receiving section730) transmits the received order information712and the user information711to the web server unit600through the communication section720.

Next, the description is provided on an example of procedures of producing a nail tip or a nail sticker in the nail production system1.FIG. 14represents an example of procedures of generating print data in the nail production system1.

At first, a user registers the user information261, the measurement data262of a nail, and the measurement data263of a skin onto the registration unit200in advance. Next, the user places an order for the nail tip or the nail sticker using the terminal unit700. Specifically, at the beginning, the user starts the receiving section730in the terminal unit700. Thereafter, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) prompts the user to input the user information711. When the user inputs the user information711to the terminal unit700(the receiving section730), the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) receives the user information711from the user (step S101).

Next, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) presents (displays) the identification information611and the decorative design information612to the user (step S102). At this time, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) prompts the user to select specific identification information (the identification information712A) from within the identification information610, as well as to select specific decorative design information (the decorative design information712B) from within the decorative design information612. When the user inputs the order information712including the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B of the nail tip or the nail sticker, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) receives the order information712from the user (step S103). Thereafter, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) transmits the received order information712and the user information711to the web server unit600through the communication section720(step S104).

Thereafter, the web server unit600(the control section630) receives the order information712and the user information711through the communication section620(step S105). Next, the web server unit600(the control section630) corrects the existing shape data312corresponding to the received order information712(the identification information712A) on the basis of the measurement data262of the nail corresponding to the received order information712(the order information711). With such correction, the web server unit600(the control section630) generates the shape data316of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker (step S106). Further, the web server unit600(the control section630) generates the correction data318of the existing decorative design data315corresponding to the received order information712(the decorative design information712B) by correcting such decorative design data315(step S106).

Next, the web server unit600(the control section630) converts the generated shape data316into the print data317(step S107), and outputs the print data317derived from the conversion to the molding unit400through the communication section620(step S108). Further, the web server unit600(the control section630) converts the generated correction data318into the print data319(step S107), and outputs the print data319derived from the conversion to the printing unit500through the communication section620(step S108).

Thereafter, the molding unit400produces the original nail tip (for example, the nail tip102as illustrated inFIG. 5) by discharging resin on the basis of the inputted print data317. Next, the printing unit500prints the decorative design105on a surface of the original nail tip (the nail tip102), for example, as illustrated inFIG. 9by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the inputted print data319.

Alternatively, the printing unit500prints the decorative design105on a surface of the resin sticker103, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 10on the basis of the print data319. Next, the molding unit400produces the original nail sticker (the nail sticker104), for example, as illustrated inFIG. 15by cutting or half-cutting the resin sticker103with the decorative design arranged thereon, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 10on the basis of the inputted print data317. In such a method, the nail tip or the nail sticker is produced.

Effects

Next, the description is provided on effects of the nail production system1.

In recent years, the number of people has been increasing who attach nail tips or nail stickers with designs arranged thereon on their own nails to enjoy dressing up. Typically, a user selects the nail tips or the nail stickers with shapes or sizes meeting user's own nails or preference from among ready-made products. However, the shapes and sizes of the user's own nails are different for every user, and therefore ready-made nail tips or nail stickers do not fit the user's own nails, which has caused an issue of awful looking or easy peel-off. In contrast, it is considered to produce the nail tips using a mold manufactured on the basis of CAD data on the user's own nails that is obtained by measurement. In such a case, however, it is necessary to manufacture the mold for each user, resulting in an increase in manufacturing costs.

Meanwhile, in the nail production system1, the shape data316of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker is generated from the shape data of the existing nail tip or the existing nail sticker (the existing shape data312) on the basis of the measurement data261of a nail. Further, the generated shape data316is converted into the print data317. This makes it possible to obtain the original nail tip (the nail tip102) or the original nail sticker (the nail sticker104) that fits a shape or size of user's own nail with use of a printer (the molding unit400) without using a mold. As a result, this allows for producing the nail tips or the nail stickers that are easy to fit the user's own nails at low cost.

Further, in the nail production system1, the correction data318of the existing decorative design data314is generated by correcting the existing decorative design data314on the basis of the measurement data261of a nail. Further, the generated correction data318is converted into the print data319. This makes it possible to obtain the decorative design that fits shapes or sizes of the user's own nails with use of a printer (the printing unit500) without using a mold. As a result, this allows for producing the original nail tip (the nail tip102) or the original nail sticker (the nail sticker104) on which the decorative design is arranged in an attractive manner.

Additionally, in the nail production system1, it is possible to produce the original nail tip (the nail tip102) by discharging resin on the basis of the print data317. Thus, this makes it possible to obtain the original nail tip (the nail tip102) that fits a shape or size of the user's own nail with use of a printer (the molding unit400) without using a mold. As a result, this allows for producing the original nail tip (the nail tip102) that is easy to fit the user's own nail at low cost.

Moreover, in the nail production system1, it is possible to produce the original nail sticker (the nail tip102) by cutting or half-cutting a resin sticker on the basis of the print data317. Thus, this makes it possible to obtain the original nail sticker (the nail tip102) that fits a shape or size of the user's own nail with use of a printer (the molding unit400) without using a mold. As a result, this allows for producing the original nail sticker (the nail tip102) that is easy to fit the user's own nail at low cost.

Further, in the nail production system1, it is possible to print the decorative design105on a surface of the original nail tip (the nail tip102) by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the print data319. As a result, this allows for producing the original nail tip (the nail tip102) on which the decorative design is arranged in an attractive manner.

Additionally, in the nail production system1, it is possible to print the decorative design105on a surface of the resin sticker103by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the print data319. As a result, this allows for producing the original nail sticker (the nail tip102) on which the decorative design is arranged in an attractive manner.

2. Modification Examples

Modification Example A

Next, the description is provided on a modification example of procedures of producing the nail tip or the nail sticker in the nail production system1.FIG. 16represents an example of procedures of generating print data in the nail production system1.

The terminal unit700(the receiving section730) receives the user information711from a user (step S101), and thereafter transmits the received user information711to the web server unit600through the communication section720(step S109).

Thereafter, the web server unit600(the control section630) receives the user information711through the communication section620(step S110). Next, the web server unit600(the control section630) selects one or a plurality of recommended decorative designs from within the decorative design information612on the basis of the measurement data263of a skin corresponding to the received user information711. The web server unit600(the control section630) transmits the selected one or plurality of recommended decorative designs to the terminal unit700through the communication section620(step S111).

Thereafter, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) receives the one or the plurality of recommended decorative designs through the communication section720(step S112). Next, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) presents (displays) the received one or plurality of recommended decorative designs to a user along with the identification information611and the decorative design information612(step S113). The user inputs the order information712including the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B of the nail tip or the nail sticker while referring to the one or the plurality of recommended decorative designs. Thereafter, the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) receives the order information712from the user (step S103). The subsequent flow is similar to that in the above-described embodiment.

In the present modification example, the one or the plurality of recommended decorative designs are selected on the basis of the measurement data263of the skin, and information corresponding to the selected one or the plurality of recommended decorative designs is outputted (displayed). This makes it possible to produce the original nail tip (the nail tip102) or the original nail sticker (the nail tip102) on which well-suited decorative design is arranged.

Modification Example B

In the above-described embodiment and modification example thereof, the order information712includes the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B; however, the decorative design information712B may be omitted as illustrated inFIG. 17A, for example. Even in such a case, it is possible to produce the nail tip or the nail sticker that is easy to fit the user's own nail at low cost, as with the above-described embodiment.

Modification Example C

In the above-described embodiment and modification example thereof, the order information712includes the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B. However, for example, as illustrated inFIG. 17B, the order information712may further include correction information712C in addition to the identification information712A and the decorative design information712B. The correction information712C is, for example, information obtained in such a manner that the decorative design information712B selected by a user is displayed on the terminal unit700(the receiving section730) with the decorative design information712B overlaid on a thumbnail included in the identification information712A selected by the user, and the user is made to adjust a position, a direction, a size, etc. of the decorative design information712B relative to the thumbnail in the above-described state.

As described above, by including the correction information712C in the order information712, the web server unit600(the control section630) makes it possible to correct the existing decorative design data315corresponding to the received order information712(the decorative design information712B) with use of the received order information712(the order information712). As a result, the web server unit600(the control section630) allows for generating the correction data318that meets the user preference.

The present technology is described thus far with reference to the plurality of embodiments and modification examples thereof; however, the present technology is not limited to the above-described embodiment, etc., but various modifications may be made. It is to be noted that the effects mentioned herein are merely exemplified. The effects of the present technology are not limited to the effects described herein. The present technology may have any effects other than those described herein.

Further, for example, the present technology may be configured as follows.

A nail production system including:

a first correction section that corrects shape data of an existing nail tip or an existing nail sticker on the basis of measurement data of a nail, to thereby generate shape data of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker; and

a first conversion section that converts the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that is generated by the first correction section into print data.

The nail production system according to (1), further including:

a second correction section that corrects data of a decorative design to be printed on a surface of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker on the basis of the measurement data of the nail, to thereby generate correction data of the decorative design; and

a second generation section that converts the correction data of the decorative design that is generated by the second correction section into print data.

The nail production system according to (1) or (2), further including a first production section that produces the original nail tip by discharging resin on the basis of the print data derived from the first conversion section.

The nail production system according to (1) or (2), further including a first production section that produces the original nail sticker by cutting or half-cutting a resin sticker on the basis of the print data derived from the first conversion section.

The nail production system according to (2), further including a second production section that prints the decorative design on a surface of the original nail tip by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the print data derived from the second conversion section.

The nail production system according to (2), further including a second production section that prints the decorative design on a surface of a resin sticker by discharging resin or ink on the basis of the print data derived from the second conversion section.

The nail production system according to (2), further including an output section that selects one or a plurality of recommended decorative designs on the basis of measurement data of a skin to output information corresponding to the one or the plurality of recommended decorative designs that are selected.

A nail production method, the method including:

correcting shape data of an existing nail tip or an existing nail sticker on the basis of measurement data of a nail, to thereby generate shape data of an original nail tip or an original nail sticker; and

converting the shape data of the original nail tip or the original nail sticker that is generated by the first correction section into print data.