JP5432944B2 - Puzzle creating apparatus, puzzle solving game apparatus, puzzle creating method, puzzle solving game method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a puzzle creation device and a puzzle creation method for creating a puzzle using an image displayed on a display screen. The present invention also relates to a puzzle solving game apparatus and a puzzle solving game method for executing a game for solving a created puzzle.

  For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-79959) discloses an electronic jigsaw puzzle game in which an image (image image) displayed on a display screen is divided into a plurality of pieces. In the electronic jigsaw puzzle of Patent Document 1, as in the conventional jigsaw puzzle using cardboard, the entire predetermined one still image is disassembled into pieces of various shapes, and each piece is restored to the original in the original still image. The solution is to place it at the position of.

  The electronic jigsaw puzzle of this patent document 1 decomposes the entire still image into a plurality of pieces. For this reason, there is a problem that it is easy to get bored because the puzzle can only be changed by changing the shape of each of the plurality of pieces, and there is always one pattern to be completed.

  In view of this problem, Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-185454) discloses a puzzle game apparatus that is more difficult to get tired of by making a moving image an image to be decomposed into pieces.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-154793 discloses a puzzle creation method in which a display image is divided into small images and the divided small images are arbitrarily rotated.

JP 2002-78959 A JP 2007-185454 A JP 2008-154793 A

  However, the inventions of Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 3 also decompose the entire display image into a plurality of pieces, as in Patent Document 1. Therefore, even if you can diversify the form of the puzzle by turning the image into a movie or rotating the image of the piece, there are only one completed pattern when solving the puzzle. The degree of diversification is limited.

  In view of the above-described points, the present invention provides a puzzle creation device and method that enables more diversified puzzles, and a new puzzle solving game device for solving a puzzle created by the puzzle creation device and method And to provide a method.

In order to solve the above problems, the invention of claim 1
A setting means for setting a partial area for creating a puzzle in a target image for creating a puzzle;
Dividing means for dividing the partial area set by the setting means into a plurality of piece areas;
Piece area image changing means for changing each image of the plurality of piece areas divided by the dividing means according to the conditions for creating the puzzle;
Scale changing means for changing the scale of the image to be displayed in the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means ,
The piece region image changing unit changes the image of the piece region according to the changed scale,
There is provided a puzzle creating apparatus characterized in that as a condition for creating the puzzle, a change in scale of each piece region is included .

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the partial area set in the target image is used as an area for creating a puzzle. Therefore, by simply changing the position of the partial area in the target image, a puzzle with a different pattern can be easily obtained. Can be created.

Further, the invention according to claim 1 is configured such that the scale of the image can be changed for each piece region. Thereby, the conditions for creating the puzzle can include the change of the scale, and more various puzzles can be formed. In addition, in the present invention, since the object to be puzzled is a partial region set in the target image, even if the scale is changed, there is a high possibility that the problem can be avoided as the image after the scale change.

That is, when the scale after the change is large, the image displayed in the piece area is larger than the piece area when the image to be displayed in the piece area before the change is viewed in the original target image. It becomes the image of. Therefore, when the puzzle target is the entire target image, increasing the scale of the piece area reduces the image displayed in the original scale piece area, and the image exists in the piece area. An area that does not work is created. On the other hand, in the present invention, the object to be puzzled can be a partial area of the target image, and in that case, the target image also exists around the partial area. For this reason, even if the degree of scale is increased, an image is displayed over the whole piece region, and a puzzled image without a sense of incongruity can be obtained.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to create more various puzzles and to provide a puzzle solving game with improved entertainment.

It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of an example of the communication system containing embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention and embodiment of a puzzle solution game apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to explain the puzzle preparation processing in the embodiment of the puzzle preparation device by this invention. It is a figure used in order to explain the puzzle preparation processing in the embodiment of the puzzle preparation device by this invention. It is a figure used in order to explain the puzzle preparation processing in the embodiment of the puzzle preparation device by this invention. It is a figure used in order to explain the puzzle preparation processing in the embodiment of the puzzle preparation device by this invention. It is a figure used in order to explain the puzzle preparation processing in the embodiment of the puzzle preparation device by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the modification of embodiment of the puzzle preparation apparatus by this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure used in order to demonstrate the puzzle solution process in embodiment of the puzzle solution game apparatus by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle solving game device by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle solving game device by this invention. It is a figure which shows a part of flowchart for demonstrating an example of the puzzle preparation process operation | movement in embodiment of the puzzle solving game device by this invention.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an example of a communication system including an embodiment of a puzzle creating apparatus and a puzzle solving game apparatus according to the present invention. The example shown below is a case where the image to be puzzled is a map image. Further, the embodiment of the puzzle creation device and the embodiment of the puzzle solving game device can be configured by a personal computer, a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone terminal or a pad-type terminal, a dedicated device, etc. Therefore, it is assumed that it is configured with a personal computer.

[Outline of communication system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system of this example is configured by connecting a map site (Web site) 1, a personal computer 2, and a personal computer 3 through a communication network (including the Internet) 4.

  In this example, the map site 1 includes a map data providing unit (server) 11 and a map related information providing unit 12 (server). The personal computers 2 and 3 include personal computer main bodies 21 and 31, display devices 22 and 32, and mice 23 and 33 and keyboards 24 and 34 as operation input means, respectively.

  The personal computers 2 and 3 access the map site 1 through the network 4 and request a puzzle game service using a map, thereby receiving a program that supports the provision of the puzzle game service. Below, it is configured to be able to receive a puzzle game service.

  The programs that support the provision of the puzzle game service include a program that supports the puzzle creation and a program that supports the puzzle solving game. Each of the personal computers 2 and 3 can receive both programs from the map site, or can receive only one of them. Each of the personal computers 2 and 3 is configured as an embodiment of a puzzle creation device and an embodiment of a puzzle solving game device together with the map site 1 when both programs are received. Further, when each of the personal computers 2 and 3 receives only one program, according to the received program, as one of the embodiment of the puzzle creation apparatus or the puzzle solving game apparatus together with the map site 1 Composed. In FIG. 1, in order to facilitate understanding of the explanation, the personal computer 2 constitutes an embodiment of the puzzle creation device together with the map site 1, and the personal computer 3 constitutes an embodiment of the puzzle solving game device together with the map site 1. Shall be composed.

  That is, in the example of FIG. 1, the user of the personal computer 2 receives a program for supporting the puzzle creation from the map site 1 and creates a puzzle as will be described later. The personal computer 2 sends parameter information of the created puzzle (parameter information necessary for creating the puzzle) to the map site 1. When the map site 1 receives the parameter information of the puzzle, the map site 1 generates a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) including the parameter information.

  The generated URL is notified from the map site 1 to the personal computer 3 by e-mail or the like. Alternatively, the user of the personal computer 2 that has received the notification of the URL from the map site 1 notifies the user of the personal computer 3 of the URL by using e-mail or Twitter.

  Upon receiving this notification, the user of the personal computer 3 can access the map site 1 using the URL and request a puzzle solving game created by the user of the personal computer 2. In response to this request, the map site 1 provides a program for supporting the puzzle solving game to the personal computer 3 through the communication network 4.

  The personal computer 3 temporarily holds a program that supports the received puzzle solving game. When the user of the personal computer 3 starts a program that supports the puzzle solving game, the program uses the parameter information of the puzzle included in the URL to create a map necessary for creating a puzzle from the map site 1. Data is acquired, and the puzzle created by the creator is reconstructed and displayed on the display. The user of the personal computer 3 can execute the puzzle solving game on the reconstructed puzzle on the display as described later using a program that supports the puzzle solving game.

  Of course, the user of the personal computer 2 who has executed the puzzle creation process can also enjoy the puzzle solving game created by himself. In that case, the personal computer 2 can also receive the program for supporting the puzzle solving game from the map site 1 through the communication network 4 and execute the puzzle solving game.

  In the above-described example, as the information on the created puzzle, the parameter information is included in the URL as parameter information for creating the puzzle. Thereby, the map site 1 has an advantage that it is not necessary to hold puzzle information. However, the created puzzle information may be registered and held in the map site 1 in association with the creator ID and the created puzzle ID. In that case, it goes without saying that a person who intends to execute the puzzle solving game can access the map site 1 and specify the creator ID and the puzzle ID to obtain information on the puzzle. .

[Hardware configuration example of embodiment of puzzle creation apparatus]
Hereinafter, taking the case of the personal computer 2 as an example, the configuration of an embodiment of a puzzle creation device configured with the map site 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration including the functions of the program when the personal computer 2 accesses the map site 1.

  In this example, the personal computer 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202 for storing programs, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203 serving as a work area. It is connected.

  In this example, the system bus 200 further includes a display control unit 204, a display 22, a pointing device interface 205, a keyboard interface 206, a communication interface 207, a reception signal processing unit 208, a transmission signal generation unit 209, and a main memory 210. , Is connected.

  The CPU 201 controls the overall operation of the personal computer 2. The ROM 202 stores a program for executing various control processes in the personal computer 2. The CPU 201 uses the RAM 203 as a work area memory and executes control processing according to the program stored in the ROM 202.

  The display control unit 204 is connected to the display 22, generates a display image to be displayed on the display screen of the display 22, and performs display control.

  In this example, a mouse 23 is connected to the pointing device 205, and operation information such as a cursor movement operation, a click operation, and a drag and drop operation using the mouse 23 is transmitted to the CPU 201 through the system bus 200.

  A keyboard 24 is connected to the keyboard interface 206. The keyboard interface 206 transmits operation information indicating which key is operated on the keyboard 24 to the CPU 201 through the system bus.

  The communication interface 207 is an interface for accessing the map site 1 and the like through the communication network 4. The reception signal processing unit 208 is a function processing unit that analyzes a reception signal received through the communication interface 207 under the control of the CPU 201 and supplies the analysis signal to the main memory 210 or to the display control unit 204.

  The transmission signal generation unit 209 is a function processing unit that generates a transmission signal to be transmitted through the communication interface 207 under the control of the CPU 201.

  The main memory 210 is composed of a hard disk device or a semiconductor memory device, and temporarily stores a puzzle creation support program received from the map site 1, map data, and the like. Then, the CPU 201 executes processing according to the puzzle creation support program written in the main memory 210 at the time of puzzle creation. In this example, the personal computer 2 is a processing function means according to this puzzle creation support program. In this example, the target image display means 2101, the partial area setting means 2102, the dividing means 2103, the piece area image changing means 2104, the scale changing means 2105, the hint The information providing means 2106 is provided. Further, the main memory 210 is formed with a map data temporary storage unit 2107 that temporarily stores map data for displaying a map image that is a target image for puzzle formation acquired from the map site 1.

  Next, each of the above-described functional units 2101 to 2106 constituted by the puzzle creation support program temporarily held in the main memory 210 of the personal computer 2 will be described while explaining the puzzle creation processing operation executed by each.

  The target image display means 2101 uses the map data acquired from the map site 1 stored in the map data temporary storage unit 2107 and displays it on the display screen 220 of the display 22 through the display control unit 204 as shown in FIG. The map image 221 is displayed as a target image for puzzle formation. The map image displayed on the display screen 220 may be a part or all of a map that can be drawn with the map data held in the map data temporary storage unit 2107. The target image display means 2101 has an enlargement / reduction function, and can also change the scale of the map image of the target image displayed on the display screen 220 of the display 22.

  In addition, when the user of the personal computer 2 (hereinafter referred to as the creator) wants to use a wider range of maps as a target image, the personal computer 2 sends a map information acquisition request to the map site 1, It is also possible to reacquire the map image obtained from the map site 1.

  The partial area setting means 2102 is a functional means for setting a partial area that is an area for creating a puzzle in a part of the displayed map image that is the target image. In this example, FIG. As shown, a partial area setting icon 224 is presented on the display screen 220 of the display 22 for activation of the function.

  When the creator clicks the partial area setting icon 224 with the mouse 23, although not shown, a list of partial area shapes is displayed, and various partial area shapes such as rectangles, circles, triangles, hexagons, and clouds are provided. Is done. When the creator selects the shape of one of the partial areas, the partial area 222 of the designated shape is displayed as a partial area frame (partial area of the partial area) at the initial position (may be an arbitrary position) on the map image 221. An outer frame) 222L is displayed. The example of FIG. 3 is a case where the selected shape of the partial area is a rectangle.

  Then, the partial area setting unit 2102 includes a function capable of enlarging and reducing the size of the partial area 222 as indicated by a dotted arrow in FIG. The creator can change the size of the partial area 222 in the map image 221 that is the target image by giving an instruction to enlarge or reduce the partial area 222 with the mouse 23. When the creator gives an instruction to enlarge or reduce the partial area 222, the size of the partial area frame 222L changes according to the enlargement or reduction instruction.

  The partial area setting unit 2102 includes a function of moving the position of the partial area 222 in the map image 221. For example, the creator can move the partial area 222 from the drag position to the drop position by dragging the partial area 222 to an arbitrary position in the map image 221 and dropping it. In the example of FIG. 3, the partial area 222 at the solid line position is moved to the partial area 222 ′ at the broken line position.

  The function of the partial area setting means 2102 is effective not only before the puzzle processing is performed on a plurality of piece areas divided within the partial area, but also after the puzzle processing. Has been.

  The dividing unit 2103 is a functional unit that divides the partial area 222 into a plurality of piece areas 223 for puzzle formation. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, a division icon 225 is used to activate the function. Presented on the display screen 220 of the display 22.

  In this example, the partial areas 222 are all configured to be divided into piece areas 223 having the same shape. When the creator clicks the division icon 224 with the mouse 23, the illustration is omitted, but a rectangle, a triangle, A list of shapes of the piece regions after the division including various shapes such as hexagons is displayed. Depending on the shape of the partial region 222, the region near the partial region frame 222L may not be divided into the specified shape, but this is allowed.

  Further, the dividing means 2103 includes a setting function for the division number N (N is an integer of 2 or more). That is, when the creator clicks the division icon 224 with the mouse 23, although not shown, a list of the number of divisions N is displayed together with the shape of the piece area 223 after the division described above. The division number N may be set and inputted as an arbitrary numerical value instead of selecting a numerical value from the list.

  When the creator clicks the division icon 225 and selects and designates the shape of the piece region and the number of divisions, the dividing unit 2103 designates the set partial region 222 with the shape of the designated piece region 223. Divide into the number of divisions. In the example described below, as shown in FIG. 3, the designated piece region 223 has a rectangular shape and the designated number of divisions is “9”.

  When the piece region image changing unit 2104 detects a puzzle conversion start instruction from the creator, in this example, the piece region image changing unit 2104 performs a puzzle processing based on the puzzle creation conditions. This puzzle process is a process in which the piece area image changing unit 2104 draws each image of the plurality of piece areas of the partial area on an image that has been changed according to the puzzle creation conditions. In this example, when the creator specifies and determines the shape of the piece region 223 and the number of divisions, the operation becomes a puzzle conversion start instruction.

  As a condition for creating a puzzle, in this embodiment, a piece image replacement condition for replacing images (referred to as piece images) at positions of a plurality of piece regions 223 in the partial region 222 based on a predetermined conversion table, and a piece region 223. Scale conditions for changing the scale of each of the images from the original scale to any predetermined scale are prepared.

  In this embodiment, the piece image replacement condition is selected and specified in advance on the map site 1 side for each access that has requested the puzzle game service, and the condition is incorporated into the puzzle-supporting program. Therefore, in this example, the creator does not know the piece image replacement condition in the puzzle formation. In this embodiment, the scale condition can be set by the creator using the scale changing means 2105.

  It should be noted that both the piece image replacement condition and the scale condition may be designated on the map site 1 side, or may be designated by the creator on the personal computer 2 side. The piece image replacement condition may be specified by the creator on the personal computer 2 side, and the scale condition may be specified on the map site 1 side.

  The piece area image changing unit 2104 performs processing for changing each image of the plurality of piece regions 223 formed by dividing the partial region 222 by the dividing unit 2103 according to the above-described puzzle creation conditions. . In this embodiment, the process of creating a puzzle when creating a puzzle is a process of changing the image displayed in each of the plurality of piece areas 223 according to the conditions for creating the puzzle, and is not a process of replacing the piece areas 223 itself. . Also, the puzzle solving process is a process of returning the image displayed in each of the plurality of piece regions 223 to the original image.

  An image to be displayed in each piece area 223 after being puzzled by the piece image replacement condition will be described. In this example, each image of the piece area 223 is changed by drawing a map image in each of the piece areas 223.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that a plurality (nine) piece regions 223 formed by dividing the partial region 222 are composed of an image “A” to an image “I”. Then, the nine piece regions of the partial region 222 are set as piece regions 223a to 223i as shown in FIG. Therefore, the original images (images before puzzle formation) of the piece regions 223a to 223i are the images “A” to “I” as shown in FIG.

  And when the image which should be displayed on each piece area | region 223a-223i after making into a puzzle by piece image replacement conditions shall be replaced as shown in FIG.4 (B), the piece area image change means 2104 is a piece area | region. The map image to be displayed in each of 223a to 223i is drawn as follows.

  First, the piece region image changing unit 2104 is set as a base point position of an image drawn in each of the plurality of piece regions 223a to 223i in the partial region 222 at this time, as shown by black dots in FIG. The center position of each piece region is determined. In this example, since the piece areas 223a to 223i have the same rectangular shape, the relative positions of the center positions of the piece areas 223a to 223i are the same.

  Next, the piece area image changing unit 2104 has the position information Pa on the map image 221 corresponding to the center position of each of the plurality of piece areas 223a to 223i at the position in the target image at that time of the partial area 222. Pi (latitude and longitude on the map) is obtained and stored in association with each piece area. The position information Pa to Pi obtained here is the position information of the base point positions for drawing the images “A” to “I” of the piece regions 223a to 223i before puzzle formation. That is, the piece area image changing unit 2104 includes the position information of the base position of the image originally displayed on each of the plurality of piece areas 223a to 223i of the partial area at the current position and the piece areas 223a to 223i. The correspondence is stored and held as pre-puzzle correspondence table information.

  Next, the piece area image changing means 2104 includes the positional information of the base position of the image displayed on each of the piece areas 223a to 223i after being puzzled by the piece image replacement condition, and the piece areas 223a to 223i. The correspondence table information after creating a puzzle indicating the correspondence is created.

  In the example of FIG. 4B, the piece area 223a is preliminarily programmed to be an image “C”, the piece area 223b is an image “H”, the piece area 223c is an image “E”,. Therefore, the piece area image changing means 2104 has Pc as the position information of the base point position of the image of the piece area 223a, Ph as the position information of the base point position of the image of the piece area 223b. As the positional information of the base point position of the image in the region 223c, Pe,...

  Next, the piece area image changing unit 2104 uses the corresponding position information Pa to Pi of the created correspondence table information after the puzzle to generate map data of the images to be displayed in the respective piece areas 223a to 223i. Obtained from the temporary data storage unit 2107. Then, the piece area image changing unit 2104 draws an image to be displayed in each of the piece areas 223a to 223i after making a puzzle using each of the acquired map data.

  For example, in the post-puzzling correspondence table information, position information Pc of the base point position of the image “C” is stored corresponding to the piece region 223a. Therefore, the piece region image changing unit 2104 obtains, from the map data temporary storage unit 2107, map data of a map image (image “C”) to be displayed on the piece region 223a using the position information Pc as a base point. Then, the position information Pc is aligned with the center position of the piece region 223a, and the image “C” is drawn on the piece region 223a using the acquired map data as a base point.

  The piece area image changing unit 2104 similarly draws the map image information after making the puzzle for the other piece areas 223b to 223i. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4B, a puzzled image of the partial region 222 after being puzzled by the piece image replacement condition is obtained.

  As described above, the partial area 222 can be moved within the target image by the partial area setting unit 2102 not only before the puzzle formation but also after the puzzle formation. The piece area image changing means 2104 is also activated when the partial area 222 in the puzzle state is moved, and the respective images of the piece areas 223a to 223i are processed in the same manner as described above. A process for changing to an image is performed.

  That is, when the partial area 222 is moved, the piece area image changing unit 2105 updates the pre-puzzle correspondence table information to the information corresponding to the position of the partial area 222 after the movement on the target image. When the image of the partial area 222 has already been puzzled, a post-puzzling correspondence table is created from the updated pre-puzzling correspondence table in the same manner as described above. Then, the piece area image changing unit 2104 generates and displays a puzzled image in the partial area after movement based on the information in the post-puzzling correspondence table.

  That is, when the partial area 222 moves on the target image, the puzzled image formed of the images of the plurality of piece areas 223a to 223i of the partial area 222 becomes the target image content corresponding to the moved partial area 222. It will be changed according to your needs.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a puzzled image (see FIG. 4B) of a partial region that is puzzled based on the piece image replacement condition is displayed on the target image as shown in FIG. 5. When moved from the region position 222A to the partial region position 222B, the image “C ′” at the partial region position 222B, from the images “C”, [H], “E”,. [H ′], “E ′”,...

  Therefore, the creator looks at the image content of the puzzled image of the partial area 22 before and after the movement to determine which partial area 222 on the target image is easy to solve or difficult to solve. Judgment can be made.

  Further, the size of the partial area 222 can be changed by the partial area setting means 2102 even after being formed into a puzzle. Also at this time, the piece area image changing means 2104 is activated, and the respective images of the piece areas 223a to 223i are processed in the same manner as described above using the position information of the corresponding base point position in the post-puzzling correspondence table as the base point. By drawing, a process for changing to a size corresponding to the designated size is performed.

  Furthermore, the piece area image changing unit 2104 is activated when the scale of the image of the piece areas 223a to 223i of the partial area after the puzzle is changed, and changes to an image corresponding to the change of the scale. Also performs drawing processing. The drawing process when changing the scale will be described together with the description of the next scale changing means 2105.

  The scale changing unit 2105 is a functional unit that changes and sets the scale of the image displayed in each of the plurality of piece regions 223 of the partial region 222. In this example, when the creator double-clicks, for example, one piece region 223 out of the plurality of piece regions 223 with the mouse 23, the scale changing means 2105 is activated, and the double-clicked piece region An image scale instruction can be received. The scale is changed, for example, by turning the mouse wheel. In addition, since the scale change of the images of the piece regions 223a to 223i is a condition for creating a puzzle, the scale changing unit 2105 stores and holds the original scale as an answer to the puzzle according to the scale condition and creates as described later. The information is included in the puzzle information (parameter information for creating the puzzle) and sent to the map site 1.

  In this example, the wheel rotation operation of the mouse 23 after the double click is used as a scale instruction operation, and the scale changing means 2105 reduces the scale according to the wheel rotation direction of the mouse 23 (enlarges the map area). And an instruction for enlarging the scale (reducing the map area).

  Since the map image has different contents to be displayed in detail according to the scale, map data corresponding to each scale is stored in the map database of the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1. Needless to say, map data of each scale includes position data of latitude and longitude, and positions on map data having different scales can be associated with each other based on the position data.

  Upon receiving a scale instruction from the creator, the scale changing unit 2105 sends a map data acquisition request for the partial area 222 with the received scale to the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1.

  Then, the map data providing unit 11 is the map data of the area including the partial area 222, and sends the map data of the specified scale to the personal computer 2. Therefore, the scale changing means 2105 receives the map data, It is temporarily stored in the map data temporary storage unit 2107. Further, the scale changing unit 2105 sends an image drawing request for the piece area including the information on the piece area to be scaled instructed by double-clicking to the piece area image changing unit 2104.

  The piece area image changing unit 2104 receives the information from the scale changing unit 2105, and is instructed to select an image of the piece area that is instructed to change the scale among the plurality of piece areas 223a to 223i of the partial area 222. A process of changing and rendering the image on the scale of the street is performed. With reference to FIG. 6, the scale change processing of this image by the piece region image changing means 2104 will be described. Note that FIG. 6A shows images of a plurality of piece regions 223a to 223i of the partial region after being puzzled up to a scale change. That is, in FIG. 6A, the scales of the images of the plurality of piece regions are the same. FIG. 6B shows a state in which the scales of some images of the plurality of piece regions 223a to 223i are changed.

  That is, for example, in the example of FIG. 6B, the scale of the image “C” in the piece area 223a is large (the map image area is large, so the image is reduced), and the scale of the image “H” in the piece area 223b is. Is small (the map image area is small, so the image is enlarged), the scale of the image “E” in the piece area 223c is left as it is, and the scale of the image “F” in the piece area 223i is small (map image) Since the area is smaller, the image is enlarged).

  Also in this scale change process, the center positions (latitude and longitude) are set in each piece area 223a to 223i, as in the case of drawing an image for the plurality of piece areas 223a to 223i in the puzzle processing based on the above-described piece image replacement condition. ) Is drawn with the drawing base point position.

  The piece area image changing unit 2104 first recognizes the piece area whose scale has been changed from the information from the scale changing unit 2105. And the positional information (latitude, longitude) of the base point position of drawing of the recognized piece region image is acquired from the puzzle correspondence table information. Then, the piece area image changing unit 2104 aligns the point of the acquired position information with the center position of the recognized piece area 223a, and uses this as a base point to newly store the map data temporarily stored in the map data storage unit 2107. Using the map data of the designated scale acquired from the site 1, the image of the recognized piece area is drawn in each piece area.

  Each time the creator specifies a piece area and the scale is changed, the scale changing means 2105 and the piece area image changing means 2104 execute the above-described processing.

  In this way, in this example, the scale of the images of the piece regions 223a to 223i formed by dividing the partial region 222 can be changed, so that the puzzle can also be created as a condition for creating the puzzle. . Even after the scale changing process using the scale changing means 2105 and the piece area image changing means 2104, the partial area 222 can be moved on the target image by the partial area setting means 2102.

  After the movement operation is performed, the scale region changing unit 2105 and the piece region image changing unit 2105 perform the same processing as described above on the image of the partial region 222 after the movement, and the images of the piece regions 223a to 223i are Each image is a specified scale. For this reason, in the same manner as in the case of replacing piece images described above, the creator looks at the image contents of the puzzled image of the partial area 22 before and after the movement, and adds the scale condition to the puzzle creation condition. In addition, it is possible to determine which partial area 222 on the target image is easy to solve or difficult to solve.

  In the above-described embodiment, the piece image replacement condition for puzzle formation is set in advance on the map site side 1, and when the division of the partial area is completed, the puzzle conversion processing based on the piece image replacement condition is automatically executed. Accordingly, the scale condition is used in combination with the puzzle piece image replacement condition.

  However, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a puzzle creation condition based only on the scale condition may be used instead of performing the puzzle based on the piece image replacement condition. In this case, in this embodiment, the images of the piece regions 223a to 223i are drawn with the center position of each piece region as a base point, so that the scale is a scale in which the pattern is continuous in the adjacent piece regions (the answer is the answer). (Scale) is determined uniquely.

  Next, the hint information providing unit 2106 will be described. As described above, the map site 1 includes the map data providing unit 11 and the map related information providing unit 12. The map-related information providing unit 12 stores information on a base (POI (Point Of Interest)) displayed on a map as a database (POI database), and requests information using position information (latitude, longitude) as a searcher. Provide information about locations when they are.

  Here, the base is a store such as a restaurant or a department store whose address is determined in a point, a facility such as a main road, a railway, a golf course, a mountain, a park, or a beach where a representative point is determined Including natural objects such as waterfalls. The bases are not limited to those that can be displayed as points on a map, but also include those defined by polygons (polygons), such as parks and golf courses.

  The POI database stores information on a POI table composed of detailed information on each base in Japan. In the POI table, base information including position information on the map of each base and other information about the base is recorded. For example, in the POI table, identification information (ID), name, address, latitude / longitude, genre, introduction sentence, and the like are recorded in association with each site.

  In this embodiment, by using the information in the POI database, hint information for solving a puzzle can be created. That is, in this embodiment, the hint information providing means 2106 is a functional means for creating a hint for solving the puzzle in the partial area 222. In this example, as shown in FIG. It is presented on the display screen 220 of the display 22 for activation of the function.

  In this embodiment, when the creator clicks the hint icon 226, two types of hints, which are an image hint displayed on the map image of the partial area 222 and a text hint made up of text characters, are omitted. The selection window opens.

  When the creator selects an image hint in this selection window, in this example, a list of bases, for example, railways, main roads, rivers, facilities, and the like to be displayed highlighted on the map image as a hint is presented. The creator selects base information to be used as a hint from the list. Then, the hint information providing unit 2106 sends a request for emphasizing the base information to the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1 and acquires the map data of the map image in which the base information is emphasized from the map data providing unit 11. The map data is temporarily stored in the storage unit 2107. Then, the hint information providing unit 2106 makes an image change request for each piece region of the partial region 222 to the piece region image changing unit 2104.

  In response to the request from the hint information providing unit 2106, the piece region image changing unit 2104 uses the map data of the map image stored in the map data temporary storage unit 2107 to emphasize the designated base, and the partial region 222 The image of each piece area is rewritten and drawn. Thereby, although illustration is omitted, the image of the partial area 222 of the display screen 220 of the display 22 becomes a puzzled image by the map image in which the selected base is emphasized, and how the image hint is displayed on the image. The creator is notified of this. When the creator confirms the puzzled image and decides to use the selected base information as an image hint, the hint information providing unit 2106 holds the base information selected by the creator as hint information.

  The map image is image information that can be individually drawn using, for example, bases such as railway lines, main roads, and stores as drawing objects. Therefore, by selecting the base information to be used as a hint, it is possible to easily highlight the selected railway line, main road, store, and the like.

  For example, if a map highlighting a main road is provided as a hint, when a map image with the main road emphasized is displayed in each piece area, by using the connection of the main road as a clue, It becomes easy to detect adjacent piece regions.

  Next, when the creator selects a text hint in the selection window, in this example, the attribute of the base to be displayed as a text character as a hint, for example, the address of the center position of the piece area, the name of the base, etc. is selected. Can do. As a free word hint, the creator can also choose to create a hint phrase from text characters. For example, the base information included in each of a plurality of piece areas is acquired from the map site 1, a base list is displayed for each piece area, and a hint by a text sentence is given while referring to the base list for each piece area. Can be created. For example, a text sentence such as “There is hospital A in a piece area and XX high school in a piece area adjacent to it” can be created and provided as a hint.

  The text character of the hint being created is displayed at a predetermined position on the display screen 220 of the display 22 and is notified to the creator for confirmation. The creator checks this display and decides whether to adopt the selected or set text hint. The hint information providing unit 2106 holds information on text hints created by the creator.

  The information of the image hint (such as the information on the highlighted site) and the text hint information held by the hint information providing unit 2106 and the information of the text hint are sent to the map site 1 as a part of the parameter information of the created puzzle. As shown, it is included in the URL. Note that the creator may select or set both the image hint and the text hint, or may select or set only one of them.

  The image hint can also be provided as follows. That is, the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1 emphasizes predetermined map attributes such as a map that mainly displays a main road and a map that mainly displays a railroad track in addition to the map data for each scale described above. The map data of the plurality of types of maps (hereinafter referred to as attribute emphasis maps) is stored.

  Then, when the creator selects an image hint, as a hint that can be selected, a list of attribute-emphasized map images that can be provided by the map data providing unit 12, for example, emphasized attributes such as railroad tracks, main roads, rivers, etc. Display a list of attribute-emphasized map images. The creator can select an attribute-emphasized map image to be provided as a hint from the list. In this case, when the creator decides to use the selected attribute emphasized map image as an image hint, the hint information providing unit 2106 displays the attribute emphasized map image selected by the creator as the map data providing unit 11. Information to be acquired from is stored as hint information.

  When the creation of the puzzle is completed as described above, the creator clicks the puzzle registration icon 227 shown in FIG. Then, the personal computer 2 sends the parameter information of the created puzzle, that is, parameter information necessary for creating the puzzle and parameter information such as hint information and other accompanying information to the map site 1 to request registration.

  When the creator clicks the puzzle registration icon 227 with the mouse 23, a window including a puzzle solver creation field is opened. Therefore, the creator inputs an e-mail address or the like when a friend or the like is used as an answerer of the puzzle. The solver of the puzzle can include the creator itself. When the registration request to the map site 1 is requested, information on the answerer of this puzzle is also sent.

  By the way, in this embodiment, the puzzle solving method is to return the arrangement relation of the images of the plurality of piece regions 223 to the original arrangement relation (answer of the piece image replacement condition), and to reduce the scale to the original scale. It is to return (an answer to the scale condition). For this reason, even when solving the puzzle, the image displayed in the partial area 222 may be changed as described later.

  However, since the creator can select the image content of the partial region 222 by moving the partial region 222 in the target map image 221 as described above, the puzzle can be selected using the image content of the selected partial region 222. You may want to solve For this reason, in this embodiment, in order for the answerer to solve the puzzle without moving the partial area 222, a puzzle lock that prohibits the movement of the partial area 222 on the answerer side can be performed.

  That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, when the puzzle registration icon 227 is clicked by the creator, the position of the created partial area 222 on the target map image 221 is locked (referred to as puzzle lock). A screen for setting whether or not is displayed. When the creator sets this puzzle lock, a puzzle lock flag is set. As will be described later, this puzzle lock flag is set on the puzzle solver side in that the position of the created puzzle-shaped partial area 222 on the target map image 221 and the size of the partial area 222 are the same. This means that you must solve the puzzle in a locked state. This puzzle lock flag information is also sent as part of the puzzle parameter information when a registration request to the map site 1 is requested.

  As described above, when the creator performs a registration execution operation, parameter information of the created puzzle, contact information such as the mail address of the puzzle solver, and the like are sent to the map site 1. The created puzzle parameter information includes the scale of the target map image 221, the size of the partial area 222, the number of divisions, the shape of the piece area 223, position information of the partial area 222 in the target map image 221, and the piece area 223. Information such as the scale of the image, the scale of the answer, and the puzzle lock flag are included.

  In this example, since the piece image replacement condition is set in advance by the map site 1 side, an image replacement conversion table (for example, pre-puzzling correspondence table information and post-puzzling correspondence table information) as an answer is as follows. It is not necessary to use the parameter information of the puzzle. The map site 1 can include this table information in a program that supports the puzzle solving game.

  When the map site 1 receives the registration information from the personal computer 2, in this embodiment, as described above, the map site 1 generates a URL including the received parameter information of the puzzle. Then, the map site 1 sends to the contact person such as the e-mail address of the answerer the fact that it has been selected as the answerer of the puzzle and the URL created by the map site 1.

  The answerer who has received this communication can enjoy the puzzle solving game for the created puzzle as described later by accessing the map site 1 using the received URL.

[Processing operation example of embodiment of puzzle creation apparatus]
Next, an example of the flow of processing operations of the personal computer 2 when enjoying the puzzle creation support service as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of each step described below is performed by the CPU 201 of the personal computer 2 executing using the RAM 203 as a work area according to a program acquired from the map site 1 stored in the ROM 202 and the main memory 210.

  That is, first, the CPU 201 determines whether or not an operation instruction to access the map site 1 is given by the user (step S101). If it is determined in this step S101 that an instruction to access the map site 1 has not been issued, the CPU 201 proceeds to another processing routine (step S102), and when that processing routine ends, the CPU 201 returns to step S101.

  When it is determined in step S101 that an instruction to access the map site 1 has been issued, the CPU 201 displays a service list sent from the map site 1 (step S103). Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a puzzle game service in the service list has been selected (step S104). When a puzzle game service other than the puzzle game service is selected, the CPU 201 proceeds to a processing routine for the selected service. (Step S105).

  If it is determined in step S104 that the puzzle game service has been selected, the CPU 201 here sends a request for a puzzle creation support service to the map site 1 (step S106). Then, since the puzzle creation support program and the map information of the target image are sent from the map site 1, the CPU 201 stores the puzzle creation support program in the main memory 210 and displays it on the display screen 220 of the display 22. In the displayed window, the entire map to be puzzled is displayed (step S107).

  Next, the CPU 201 waits until the setting icon 224 is clicked and the shape of the partial area 222 is selected (step S108), and when it is determined that the shape of the partial area 222 is selected, the CPU 201 displays the shape on the display screen 220. The partial area frame 222L having the designated shape is displayed at the default initial position on the map image 221 (step S109).

  Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the partial area 222 has been moved on the map image 221 of the target image by the drag-and-drop operation of the mouse 23 by the creator (step S111 in FIG. 9), and determines that it has been moved. Sometimes, the partial area frame 222L is displayed at the position instructed to move (step S112). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S111.

  If it is determined in step S111 that the partial area 222 has not been moved on the map image of the target image, it is determined whether or not an instruction to enlarge or reduce the partial area frame 222L has been issued (step S113). If it is determined in this step S113 that an instruction for enlarging or reducing the partial area frame 222L is given, the CPU 201 enlarges or reduces the partial area frame 222L as instructed (step S114). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S111.

  If it is determined in step S113 that the partial area frame 222L has not been instructed to be enlarged or reduced, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the shape of the partial area 222 has been changed (step S115). If it is determined in step S115 that the shape of the partial region 222 has been changed, the shape of the partial region frame 222L is changed to the designated shape (step S116). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S111.

  When it is determined in step S115 that the shape of the partial area 222 has not been changed, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the number of divisions of the partial area 222 and the shape of the piece area 223 have been determined by the creator (step S117). ) When it is determined that the number of divisions of the partial area 222 and the shape of the piece area 223 have not been determined by the creator, the process returns to step S111.

  If it is determined in step S117 that the number of divisions and the shape of the piece area 223 have been determined by the creator, the CPU 201 divides the partial area 222 into a plurality of piece areas 223 having the designated number of divisions. In the area, the image after being made into a puzzle in accordance with the puzzle image replacement condition is drawn (step S118).

  Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not an instruction to enlarge or reduce the size of the partial area 222 by the creator is received (step S119). If it is determined that the instruction has been received, the CPU 201 increases or decreases the size of the partial area 222 according to the instruction. The image is reduced, and the image of each piece region 223 is redrawn accordingly (step S120). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S119.

  Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the partial area 222 has been moved on the map image of the target image by the creator (step S121 in FIG. 10). The region 222 is moved, and the puzzled image in the moved partial region 222 ′ is drawn in each piece region 223 (step S122). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S119.

  When it is determined in step S121 that the movement operation for the partial area 222 has not been performed, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a scale change instruction has been received for any of the plurality of piece areas 223 (step S123). When it is determined in step S123 that a scale change instruction for any of the plurality of piece regions 223 has been received, the CPU 201 acquires map data of the specified scale from the map site 1, and acquires the acquired map data. Then, the image of the piece area 223 instructed to change the scale is redrawn so as to become an image of the instructed scale (step S124). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S119.

  If it is determined in step S123 that a scale change instruction for the piece region 223 has not been received, the CPU 201 determines whether a hint condition setting instruction from the creator has been received (step S125). If it is determined in step S125 that a hint condition setting instruction has been received, the CPU 201 temporarily holds the set hint condition (step S126). Next, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S119.

  If it is determined in step S125 that the hint condition setting instruction has not been received, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the puzzle registration icon 227 has been clicked (step S127), and determines that the puzzle registration icon 227 has not been clicked. If so, the process returns to step S119.

  When it is determined in step S127 that the puzzle registration icon 227 has been clicked, the CPU 201 determines whether or not a lock request for the partial area 222 has been received (step S128), and when it is determined that a lock request for the partial area 222 has been received, A puzzle lock flag is set (step S129).

  When it is determined in step S128 that the lock request for the partial area 222 has not been accepted, or when the process for setting the puzzle lock flag is completed in step S129, the CPU 201 sets the answerer of the created puzzle. It is determined whether or not (step S131 in FIG. 11).

  When it is determined in this step S131 that the answerer of the created puzzle has been set, the CPU 201 accepts and temporarily stores contact information such as the e-mail address of the answerer input by the creator (step S132).

  When it is determined in step S131 that an answerer of the created puzzle has not been set, or in step S132, when the process of receiving and temporarily holding contact information such as the e-mail address of the answerer is ended, the CPU 201 Determines whether a puzzle registration execution operation has been performed (step S133). If it is determined in step S133 that the puzzle registration execution operation has not been performed, the CPU 201 returns the process to step S128.

  If it is determined in step S133 that the puzzle registration execution operation has been performed, the CPU 201 displays parameter information for creating the created puzzle, information on whether or not the puzzle is locked, contact information such as the e-mail address of the puzzle solver, and the like. Is sent to the map site 1 (step S134).

  Next, the CPU 201 determines whether or not the start instruction of the puzzle solving game has been given by the creator in consideration that the creator may be a puzzle solver (step S135). When it is determined in this step S135 that the start instruction has been made by the creator, the CPU 201 acquires a puzzle solving game support program from the map site 1 and executes a puzzle solving game processing routine (step S136).

  If it is determined in step S135 that the start instruction has not been made by the creator, it is determined whether or not an end operation has been performed by the creator (step S137). If it is determined that the end operation has not been performed, the process is performed. It returns to step S135.

  When it is determined in step S137 that the termination operation has been performed, the connection with the map site 1 through the network 4 is disconnected, and this processing routine is terminated.

[Modification of Embodiment of Puzzle Creation Device]
In the above description of the embodiment, the partial area 222 is set to a part of the displayed target image and the puzzle image is displayed in the partial area 222 of the target image. The partial area of the image may be shown only by the frame 222L, and the puzzled image of the partial area may be shown in an area different from the target image, for example, in an enlarged manner.

Moreover, in the above-mentioned embodiment, although the shape of the piece area | region in a partial area was made into the same shape, it is not necessary to limit to the same shape. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, each of the piece regions 223 _{1 to} 223 ₁₄ of the partial region may have an arbitrary shape. Even when the shape of each piece region is arbitrary as shown in FIG. 12, the map image in each piece region 223 _{1 to} 223 ₁₄ may be drawn with the center positions P _{1 to} P ₁₄ as base points. .

  In the case of the example of FIG. 12, the boundary of the map image of each piece region is different along the shape of the piece region. For this reason, when the image of the piece region is replaced for puzzle formation, the boundary of the original map image of the piece region is changed to a shape along the shape of the replaced piece region, and thus cannot be seen. Therefore, by making the shape of the piece region arbitrary as shown in FIG. 12, it is possible to easily create a puzzle that is more difficult to solve.

  If the shape of each piece region is different as shown in FIG. 12, the puzzle solver is provided with a puzzle by separating the image pieces of each piece region, and a rectangle as shown in FIG. 12 is completed. You may make it start from the assembly operation | movement of the conventional puzzle from which a shape differs. However, in that case, an image in a state where the assembly is completed as shown in FIG. 12 becomes a puzzle image at the start of a puzzle solving game of an embodiment described later.

  In addition, when the shape of each of the plurality of piece areas after division is changed as an arbitrary shape, and the target image is a map, the shape of the piece area after division is the prefectural border in the map. It is also possible to use administrative boundaries such as city boundaries.

  Further, it may be added as a condition for creating the puzzle that the image drawn in the piece area is rotated by a predetermined angle.

  In the above-described embodiment, the puzzle creation conditions are set in advance on the map site 1, but the creator sets the piece image replacement condition and the scale condition on the puzzle creation apparatus side. But of course.

  Next, an embodiment of a puzzle solving game apparatus will be described. The embodiment of the puzzle solving game apparatus described below is a case where the puzzle created as described above is solved using the map image created in the embodiment of the puzzle creating apparatus described above as a target image.

[Hardware configuration example of embodiment of puzzle solving game apparatus]
Hereinafter, taking the case of the personal computer 3 as an example, a configuration of an embodiment of a puzzle solving game apparatus configured with the map site 1 will be described. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration including the function of the support program for the puzzle solving game in a state where the personal computer 3 accesses the map site 1.

  In this example, the personal computer 3 is connected to a system bus 300 with a CPU 301, a ROM 302 that stores programs, and a RAM 303 that functions as a work area. Further, a display control unit 304, a display 32, a pointing device interface 305, a keyboard interface 306, a communication interface 307, a reception signal processing unit 308, a transmission signal generation unit 309, and a main memory 310 are connected to the system bus 300. ing.

  Since the hardware configuration including the CPU 301 to the main memory 310 is exactly the same as the hardware configuration including the CPU 201 to the main memory 210 of the personal computer 2 described above, the description thereof is omitted. The difference between the personal computer 2 and the personal computer 3 lies in functional means due to different support programs received when connecting to the map site 1.

  Therefore, the following describes the puzzle solving game processing operation executed by each functional means constituted by the puzzle solving support program temporarily held in the main memory 310 of the personal computer 3.

  In this example, the personal computer 3 serves as processing function means in accordance with the puzzle solution support program received from the map site 1. In this example, the target image display means 3101, partial area change means 3102, piece area image change means 3103, piece area enlargement means 3104 The scale changing means 3105 and the hint information providing means 3106 are provided. Further, the main memory 310 is formed with a map data temporary storage unit 3107 for temporarily storing map data for displaying the map image that is the target image of puzzle formation acquired from the map site 1.

  The target image display unit 3101 uses the map data acquired from the map site 1 stored in the map data temporary storage unit 3107 and the puzzle information on the display screen 320 of the display 32 through the display control unit 304, for example. An image 321 as shown in FIG. 14 is displayed as an initial image of the puzzle solving game. In this initial image, a partial area 322 where a puzzle image is displayed in each piece area is displayed on the target map image.

  The map image as the target image 321 in the initial image displayed on the display screen 320 may be a part of the map that can be drawn with the map data held in the map data temporary storage unit 3107, or may be the entire map image. good. The target image display unit 3101 has an enlargement / reduction function, and can also change the scale of the map image of the target image 321 displayed on the display screen 320 of the display 32.

  In addition, when the user of the personal computer 3 (hereinafter referred to as an answerer) wants to use a wider range of maps as the target image 321, a request for acquiring the map information is sent from the personal computer 3 to the map site 1, The map image to be obtained can be acquired again from the map site 1.

  The partial area changing means 3102 is a functional means for changing the size of the partial area 322 made up of the puzzle image and the position in the target image 321. In this example, as shown in FIG. An area change icon 324 is presented on the display screen 320 of the display 32 for activation of the function.

  Note that the size of the partial area 322 and the position of the partial area 322 on the target image 321 can be changed only when the puzzle lock is not set on the puzzle creation side. For this reason, the partial area change icon 324 is not displayed on the display screen 320 when the puzzle lock is set. In this embodiment, since the partial area change icon 324 is not displayed, the puzzle is locked, and “enlarge / reduce” and “move” of the partial area 322 cannot be used as processing functions. Is done.

  The processing function for enlarging / reducing the partial area 322 is exactly the same as the process for enlarging / reducing the partial area at the time of creating the puzzle. The processing function for moving the partial area 322 is also the same as the partial area moving process at the time of creating the puzzle. The image of the piece area in the partial area 322 when the partial area 322 is enlarged / reduced by the partial area changing unit 3102 or the partial area 322 is moved is displayed by the piece area image changing unit 3103. It is drawn and changed.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the puzzle lock is not applied, the answerer can move the partial area 322 to an arbitrary position such as the partial area 322 ′ by dragging and dropping the partial area 322 with the mouse. . By this movement, the images of the plurality of piece areas 323 in the partial area 322 change according to the image of the target image 321 at the position of the partial area 322 ′ after the movement. Although not shown, the size of the partial area 322 on the map image, which is the target image 321, can be changed by the enlargement / reduction function of the partial area 322, and a plurality of piece areas in the partial area 322 can be changed. 323 images can be changed.

  Therefore, when the puzzle lock is not applied, the solver changes the image content by changing the size of the partial region 322 or the position on the target image 321, thereby making it easier to solve the puzzle. You can enjoy the puzzle solving game by changing the size and position of the image content that you think.

  Although the puzzle solving game can be played with the partial area 322 displayed on the target image 321, the partial area 322 must be displayed as a small area on the target image 321. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the solver determines the size of the partial region 322 and the position on the target image 321, and operates the solution start icon 325 presented on the display screen 320, the display screen 320 displays Only the puzzled image of the partial area 322 is enlarged and displayed. The creator can play a puzzle solving game on the enlarged partial area 322.

  The piece area image changing means 3103 has the same function as the piece area image changing means 2104 at the time of puzzle creation, and each piece of the partial area 322 after the piece image replacement operation for solving the puzzle is performed. Redraw the image of the region 323, redraw the image of each piece region according to the scale change of the image of the piece region 323, and further according to the piece region enlargement operation as an auxiliary operation for solving the puzzle And a function for enlarging and displaying the designated piece area.

  Here, assuming that the puzzle to be solved is the one shown in FIG. 4 described above, the plurality of piece regions of the partial region 322 are as shown in FIG. That is, the partial area 322 is divided into a plurality (9 pieces in this example) of piece areas 323a to 323i, and the images “A” to “I” are puzzled as illustrated.

  The piece region image changing unit 3103 uses the piece parameter information included in the URL and the piece image replacement condition included in the support program acquired from the map site 1 to use the piece regions 323a to 323i of the partial region 322. Draw the image. That is, post-puzzling correspondence table information can be generated from the puzzle parameter information included in the URL and the piece image replacement condition. In the post-puzzling correspondence table information, each of the plurality of piece regions 323a to 323i of the partial region 322 and position information (latitude and longitude on the map) Pa to Pi of the base point position of the image to be drawn on each of the pieces are displayed. Since the correspondence is recorded, the piece region image changing unit 3103 draws the images of the piece regions 323a to 323i of the partial region 322 using the puzzle correspondence table information. Note that the piece region image changing unit 3103 holds the post-puzzle correspondence table information acquired from the map site 1 as the solution correspondence table and also holds the initial value of the table information before the puzzle solution operation.

  In this example, the operation of dragging one of the images in the piece area and dropping it in another piece area is the piece image replacement operation. When the solver repeats the piece image replacement operation for the plurality of piece regions 323a to 323i of the partial region 322, the puzzle solved as a puzzle can be solved according to the piece image replacement condition.

  When a piece image replacement operation is performed, the piece region image changing unit 3103 obtains the necessary piece region image based on the table information before the puzzle solving operation, and the position information of the base position of the image as described above. Redraw as base point. Then, the piece region image changing unit 3103 shows the correspondence between each piece region 323a to 323i after the replacement and position information (latitude and longitude on the map) Pa to Pi of the base point position of the image drawn on each piece region. It is stored as correspondence table information after the puzzle solving operation.

  Then, when the piece image replacement operation is further performed, the piece region image changing unit 3103 repeats the above-described operation using the previously held correspondence table information after the puzzle solving operation as table information before the puzzle solving operation.

  For example, in FIG. 16A, when the answerer drags the image “A” in the piece area 323e and drops it on the piece area 323a as indicated by an arrow, the image is displayed as shown in FIG. 16B. “A” is drawn in the piece region 323a, and the image “C” is drawn in the piece region 32e. Then, the position information Pc of the piece area 323a of the table information before puzzle solving operation is rewritten to the position information Pa, and the position information Pa of the piece area 323e is rewritten to position information Pc to generate correspondence table information after the puzzle solving operation. .

  Then, the piece region image changing unit 3103 repeats the piece image replacement operation so that the image of each piece region 323a to 323i of the partial region 322 is arranged as an image before puzzle formation as shown in FIG. When the relationship is established, the puzzle solution correspondence table information held matches the puzzle solution post-operation correspondence table information, so that the completion of the puzzle solution is determined. When the piece area image changing unit 3103 determines that the puzzle solution has been completed, the puzzle solution completion message 331 is displayed on the display screen 320 of the display 32 as shown in FIG. Notify the respondent.

  Then, the piece region image changing unit 3103 deletes the dividing line in the partial region 322 and displays the map image 332 corresponding to the partial region 322 on the display screen 320 as shown in FIG. This map image 332 is a normal map image. When the map image 332 is moved by dragging, the entire map image changes according to the movement, and when the scale is changed, the scale is changed as a whole.

  Next, the piece area enlarging means 3104 is a functional means that becomes effective after the solution start icon 325 is operated and the puzzle solving game is started, and can expand the display area of the map image displayed in each piece area. It is a functional means to make it. In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, a piece area enlargement icon 326 is presented on the display screen 320 of the display 32 for activation of the function. The answerer can click on the piece area enlargement icon 326, then click on the piece area to be enlarged, and rotate the mouse wheel, for example, to enlarge the display area of the piece area.

  After the answerer clicks on the piece area enlargement icon 326, for example, when the answerer clicks the piece area 323e of the partial area 322 in the example of FIG. 15 and rotates the mouse wheel, as shown in FIG. The area frame of the area 323e is enlarged like the area frame 323eL, and the map image in the piece area 323e is displayed from the image “A” of the original display area (map area range) indicated by the dotted line. The image is redrawn on the image “A ′” expanded to the frame 323 eL. When the answerer re-clicks the piece area enlargement icon 326, this piece area enlargement display function is terminated.

  This piece area enlargement display function can slightly expand the display area (map area range) of the map image displayed in each piece area, so that it is possible to display a map portion that overlaps the piece area that should be adjacent, It can be used as a reference when solving puzzles.

  The scale changing means 3105 is a functional means for changing and setting the scale of the image displayed in each of the plurality of piece areas 323a to 323i of the partial area 322, and the puzzle start game 325 is operated to start the puzzle solving game. It is a functional means that becomes effective after being executed. Since this scale changing means 3105 has the same processing function as the scale changing means 2105 by the puzzle creation support program, duplicate description is omitted. The link operation between the scale change unit 2105 and the piece area image change unit 3103 is also the same as the link operation between the scale change unit 2105 and the piece area image change unit 2104 according to the puzzle creation support program. Omitted.

  This scale changing means 3105 can be used not only when the scale is used as a condition for creating a puzzle, but also as a solution assist function when a puzzle is created only by the piece image replacement condition.

  For example, when the piece area 323e of the partial area 322 in the example of FIG. 15 is double-clicked with the mouse 33 and the mouse wheel is operated to increase the scale, for example, as shown in FIG. 19, the image “A” of the piece area 323e Is reduced and displayed. That is, the piece area image changing unit 3103 that has received the scale instruction information from the scale changing unit 3105 increases the range of the map image drawn in the piece area 323e from the position Pa of the base point of the image “A” of the piece area 323e. Display the selected image.

  As described above, when the scale of the image of one piece area is increased, the map range displayed in the piece area is widened. By referring to the map image whose scale has been changed, the map of the entire partial area 322 can be determined. You can see how it is.

  Moreover, the detailed information of the image of each piece area | region can be grasped | ascertained by reducing a scale by a scale change means and narrowing a map area.

  When the scale condition is a condition for creating a puzzle, the scale condition that is a condition for creating the puzzle can be solved by changing the scale of the image of each piece region 323a to 323i by the scale changing means 3105. As described above, the scale of the answer under the scale condition is unique, and the scale is sent from the map site 1. Therefore, the piece region image changing unit 3103 displays a scale matching message on the screen when the scale of the image of each piece region 323a to 323i as a result of the scale changing process by the scale changing unit 3105 matches the scale of the answer. To.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 20A, when the partial area 322 puzzled only by the scale condition is solved as shown in FIG. 20B, the scale matching message 333 is displayed on the display screen 320. At the same time, a puzzle solution completion message 331 is displayed.

  The hint information providing means 3106 is a functional means for providing a hint for solving the puzzle of the partial area 322. In this example, as shown in FIG. 14, a hint icon 327 is used to activate the function. Presented on the display screen 320 of the display 32.

  When the answerer clicks the hint icon 327, the hint information providing unit 3106 extracts a hint parameter included in the URL. Then, the extracted hint parameters and the position information (latitude and longitude) of the base point positions of the images of the piece areas 323a to 323i of the partial area 322 at that time are sent to the map site 1. Here, for the hint parameter, for example, when the hint is an image hint and emphasizes a base such as a railroad track or a main road, the base such as a railroad track or a main road to be emphasized is designated. It is a parameter, and when the hint is a text hint, for example, an address at the center position of the piece area is used as a hint, this is a parameter for requesting the address.

  Upon receiving this, the map site 1 sends the hint created by the creator to the answerer side. For example, when the hint is an image hint that is an emphasis display of a railway line on a map image, the map site 1 is centered on the position information of the base position of the image of each piece area 323a to 323i of the partial area 322. The map data for generating an image in which the railway line is highlighted is returned to the personal computer 3.

  In the personal computer 3, when this is received, the hint information providing unit 3106 passes the received information to the piece region image changing unit 3103. The piece area image changing unit 3103 redraws the images of the piece areas 323a to 323i of the partial area 322 into an image that emphasizes the railway line based on the received information. At this time, the map data sent from the map site 1 is set to a predetermined scale, but the piece area image changing unit 3103 changes the scale of the image of each piece area of the partial area 322 at that time. draw. The answerer can use the state of the railway line emphasized in each piece area of the partial area as a hint for piece image replacement.

  In addition, when the hint set by the creator is a text hint on the map site 1 and, for example, the address of the base position of the image of each piece region 323a to 323i is set, the map site 1 Each address is acquired from the information providing unit 12 and returned to the personal computer 3.

  In the personal computer 3 that has received this, the hint information providing unit 3106 displays the received address list 334 of the images “A” to “I” together with the images of the partial areas 322 on the display screen 320 as shown in FIG. indicate. The answerer can make a hint for piece image replacement by comparing and referring to this address and a map image which is a display image of the partial region 322.

[Processing operation example of embodiment of puzzle solving game apparatus]
Next, an example of the flow of processing operations of the personal computer 3 when receiving the support service for the puzzle solving game as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing of each step described below is performed by the CPU 301 of the personal computer 3 executing using the RAM 303 as a work area according to a program acquired from the map site 1 stored in the ROM 302 and the main memory 310.

  As described above, the solver is informed that the created puzzle solving game is possible by receiving an e-mail notified including the URL including the puzzle parameters through the map site 1. . Therefore, the solver accesses the map site 1 from the personal computer 3 using the notified URL. And the puzzle used as the object of the puzzle solution game as described above is reconstructed and displayed on the display. Then, the process is started from the start of FIG. 22 by starting the game.

  First, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the received puzzle is locked by referring to the puzzle lock flag (step S201). When it is determined that the puzzle lock is not applied, the CPU 301 uses the puzzle information received from the map site 1 to create a puzzle in the map image 321 as the target image on the display screen 320 as shown in FIG. The displayed partial area 322 is displayed (step S202).

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the partial area 322 has been moved on the map image 321 of the target image by the drag-and-drop operation of the mouse 33 by the answerer (step S203). The partial area 322 is moved to the instructed position, and puzzled images in the moved partial area 322 are drawn in the piece areas 323a to 323i (step S204). Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a puzzle solution disclosure instruction has been issued based on whether or not the puzzle solution start icon 325 has been clicked (step S207). Is returned to step S203.

  If it is determined in step S203 that the partial area 322 has not been moved on the map image 321 of the target image, the CPU 301 determines whether an instruction to enlarge or reduce the size of the partial area 322 has been received ( In step S205), when it is determined that it has been accepted, the size of the partial area 322 is enlarged or reduced as instructed, and the images of the piece areas 323a to 323i are redrawn accordingly (step S206). Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a puzzle solution disclosure instruction has been issued based on whether or not the puzzle solution start icon 325 has been clicked (step S207). Is returned to step S203.

  If it is determined in step S207 that a puzzle solution disclosure instruction has been issued, the CPU 301 enlarges and displays only the partial area 322 in which the images of the piece areas 323a to 323i are made into a puzzle on the display screen 320 (step S208). If it is determined in step S201 that the puzzle is locked, the CPU 301 advances the process to step S208 to enlarge and display only the partial area 322 that has been made into a puzzle on the display screen 320.

  Next, the CPU 301 monitors the drag-and-drop operation for the piece area, and determines whether or not a piece image replacement operation has been performed (step S211 in FIG. 23). When it is determined in step S211 that the piece image replacement operation has been performed, the CPU 301 replaces and draws the dragged piece region image and the drop region piece region image (step S212). In this case, the scale of the image after replacement is the scale set in the piece area after replacement. Therefore, if necessary, the personal computer 3 causes the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1 to set the scale set in the piece area after replacement and the position information (latitude, longitude) of the reference point of the piece area. To obtain a map image of that scale.

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the puzzle has been solved by the replacement operation (step S213). If it is determined that the puzzle has not been solved, the process returns to step S211. When it is determined in step S213 that the puzzle has been solved, the CPU 301 displays completion of the solution on the display screen (step S214), cancels the piece area division by puzzle formation, and performs display processing as a normal map image. (Step S215). Then, the CPU 301 determines whether or not an end operation has been performed (step S216). When determining that the end operation has not been performed, the CPU 301 returns the process to step S215. If it is determined in step S216 that an end operation has been performed, the CPU 301 disconnects the connection with the map site 1 (step S217), and ends this processing routine.

  If it is determined in step S211 that the piece image replacement operation has not been performed, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a scale change instruction for any of the piece regions 323a to 323i has been received (step S218). If it is determined in step S218 that a scale change instruction for any of the piece areas 323a to 323i has been received, the CPU 301 renders the scale of the image of the piece area instructed to be reduced to the instructed scale. Re-execute (step S219). Also in this case, the personal computer 3 sends the scale instructed to change and the position information (latitude and longitude) of the reference point of the piece area that is the change instruction target to the map data providing unit 11 of the map site 1. To obtain the required map image.

  Next, the CPU 301 determines whether or not the scales of the images of all the piece areas match by changing the scale of the images of the piece areas (step S220), and determines that the scales of the images of all the piece areas match. If so, the scale match is displayed on the display screen 320 (step S221), and then the process returns to step S213.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S220 that the scales of the images of all the piece areas have not been matched, the CPU 301 returns the process to step S211.

  If it is determined in step S218 that a scale change instruction for any of the piece areas 323a to 323i has not been received, the CPU 301 has received a piece area enlargement instruction for any of the piece areas 323a to 323i. (Step S231 in FIG. 24).

  When it is determined in step S231 that a piece region enlargement instruction for any of the piece regions 323a to 323i has been received, as shown in FIG. 18, the display frame of the designated piece region is enlarged and the enlarged display is performed. In accordance with the frame, the image A ′ with the expanded display area is displayed in the piece area of the expanded display frame (step S232). Thereafter, the CPU 301 returns the process to step S211.

  If it is determined in step S231 that the piece area enlargement instruction for any of the piece areas 323a to 323i has not been received, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a hint display request has been made depending on whether or not the hint icon 327 has been clicked. A determination is made (step S233).

  When it is determined in this step S233 that a hint display request has been made, the CPU 301 transmits the position information of the piece areas 323a to 323i of the partial area 322 to the map site 1 to request a hint (step S234). The CPU 301 receives the hint information sent from the map site 1 and displays the hint as described above (step S235). Thereafter, the CPU 301 returns the process to step S211.

  If it is determined in step S233 that no hint display request has been made, the CPU 301 determines whether or not a give-up input has been made by the answerer (step S236). When it is determined that no give-up input has been made, The process returns to step S211. If it is determined in step S236 that a give-up input has been made, the CPU 301 indicates the puzzle solution to the solver, and displays the map image after the puzzle solution on the display screen 320 (step S237). Thereafter, the CPU 301 returns the process to step S215.

  The above is described as the case where the solver specified by the puzzle creator solves the puzzle, but the puzzle creator also gives instructions to start the solution game when enjoying the puzzle solving game created by himself. The game can be started by sending it to the map site 1.

[Modification of Embodiment of Puzzle Solving Game Device]
In the description of the above-described embodiment, the hint information is obtained from the map site 1 with the hint set on the puzzle creation side. However, even when the hint creation is not created on the puzzle creation side, the puzzle solving game The hint information may be acquired by a request for providing hint information to the map site 1 from the device.

  That is, a hint icon is displayed on the display screen of the puzzle solving game apparatus in the same manner as on the puzzle creation side, and when the answerer clicks the hint icon, a selection window for two types of hints, an image hint and a text hint, opens. Like that. When the answerer selects an image hint, a list of bases, such as railways, main roads, rivers, and facilities, to be displayed highlighted on the map image as a hint is presented, and the answerer can select a hint from the list. The base information to be selected can be selected. In addition, when a text hint is selected, a list of attributes such as the address and name of the base that should be the hint is presented, and the answerer can select the attribute of the base that should be the hint from the list. .

  The information on the base to be emphasized that should be used as the image hint and the attribute of the base that should be used as the text hint are selected from the personal computer 3 together with the position information (latitude and longitude) of the partial area and piece area. Sent to Site 1. The map site returns map data in which the designated base is emphasized and text information of the designated attribute to the personal computer 3. The personal computer 3 displays the image hint by reflecting it on the map image of the partial area, and the text hint is displayed by text characters on the display so that the hint is presented to the answerer.

  In the embodiment of the puzzle solving game apparatus described above, the piece image replacement operation is an operation of dragging one of the piece region images assembled as a partial region image and dropping it in another piece region. However, it is not limited to this. For example, images of a plurality of piece areas constituting a partial area are prepared separately, and each piece area image is dragged to select one piece selected from the plurality of piece areas of the partial area. It may be an operation of dropping in the area.

[Other Embodiments or Modifications]
In the above-described embodiment, the puzzle information is included in the URL as the parameter information of the puzzle and notified. However, as described above, the map site 1 is associated with the puzzle ID and the creator ID, You may make it memorize. In that case, when an acquisition request including the puzzle ID and the creator ID arrives, the map site 1 provides the information about the puzzle to the acquisition requester. In this case, the puzzle information is not limited to the parameter information, and may be any form of information as long as the information can reconstruct other puzzles.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information of the plurality of piece regions of the partial region is transmitted integrally with the partial region. However, the information of the puzzle solving game apparatus is transmitted by separating the plurality of piece regions. It can also be configured such that the answerer assembles one by one.

  In the above-described embodiment, the target image is a map image, but the target image is not limited to a map image. For example, a puzzle may be created by setting an image of one painting as a target image and setting a partial area in the painting. In that case, the position information corresponding to the latitude and longitude as the position information of the map image described above is assigned to the entire image of one picture.

  Further, when the target image of the above-described embodiment is a map image, when the scale is changed, a map image corresponding to the scale is requested from the map data providing unit 11 of the map site. In the same manner, an image whose resolution is changed according to the scale is prepared in the picture image information providing server, and when the scale is changed, an image having a different resolution is supplied from the providing server. be able to. By doing so, it is possible to provide an image with a predetermined resolution and a puzzle image whenever the scale of the painting is changed.

  Note that, when the scale is changed as in the above-described embodiment, it is not essential to acquire an image corresponding to the scale from the server. For example, when the target image data temporarily stored in the puzzle creation device or the puzzle solving game device is a vector image, an image corresponding to the scale can be formed from the temporarily stored target image data. it can. When the target image is composed of pixel data, an image corresponding to the scale can be generated from the temporarily stored target image data by pixel thinning processing or interpolation processing.

  In addition, as the target image, various images such as a photograph, a weather map, and a moving image can be set as the target image in the same manner as the above-described painting. In addition, when a moving image is a target image of a puzzle, not only when creating a puzzle by setting a partial area in the moving image, but also in a pause state while playing the moving image, It is also possible to set a partial area in the image at the moment of rest and cut out the image and use the image for puzzle creation.

  In the above-described embodiment, the puzzle creation device is configured as a system in which a map site and a personal computer are connected via a communication network. However, if the device includes target image data and related information, A puzzle creation device can be configured by the device alone. Similarly, the puzzle solving game apparatus can be configured as a single apparatus.

  As described above, the puzzle information is not limited to the case where it is sent from the puzzle creation device to the puzzle solving game device by e-mail or the like, but may be stored in a predetermined removable storage medium for transmission.

  Moreover, although the puzzle creation apparatus and the puzzle solving game apparatus are assumed to be a personal computer in the above-described embodiment, the puzzle creation apparatus and the puzzle solving game apparatus are not limited to a personal computer, and may be, for example, a mobile phone terminal such as a smartphone.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Map site, 2,3 ... PC, 221,321 ... Target image, 222,322 ... Partial area, 223a-223i, 323a-323i ... Piece area

Claims (22)

A setting means for setting a partial area for creating a puzzle in a target image for creating a puzzle;
Dividing means for dividing the partial area set by the setting means into a plurality of piece areas;
Piece area image changing means for changing each image of the plurality of piece areas divided by the dividing means according to the conditions for creating the puzzle;
Scale changing means for changing the scale of the image to be displayed in the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means ,
The piece region image changing unit changes the image of the piece region according to the changed scale,
The puzzle creation apparatus characterized in that the condition for creating the puzzle includes a change in scale for each piece region . In the puzzle preparation apparatus of Claim 1 ,
The target image is composed of a plurality of pieces of image information corresponding to the scale,
The piece area image changing means uses the image corresponding to the scale changed by the scale changing means from among a plurality of pieces of image information of the target image, and changes the piece area image according to the changed scale. A puzzle creation device characterized by changing. A setting means for setting a partial area for creating a puzzle in a target image for creating a puzzle;
Dividing means for dividing the partial area set by the setting means into a plurality of piece areas;
Piece area image changing means for changing each image of the plurality of piece areas divided by the dividing means according to the conditions for creating the puzzle;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means,
Using the positional information in the target image of the plurality of piece regions, the related information stored in association with each image position of the target image is acquired, and the puzzle is based on the acquired related information Provide means to provide hint information for solving the game
A puzzle creation device characterized by that. A setting means for setting a partial area for creating a puzzle in a target image for creating a puzzle;
Dividing means for dividing the partial area set by the setting means into a plurality of piece areas;
Piece area image changing means for changing each image of the plurality of piece areas divided by the dividing means according to the conditions for creating the puzzle;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means,
Means for providing, as hint information for solving the puzzle game, that the display mode of the target image is a predetermined display mode different from the original display mode
A puzzle creation device characterized by that. In the puzzle preparation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-4 ,
A partial region moving means for moving the partial region in which each image of the plurality of piece regions has been changed according to a puzzle creation condition in the target image by the piece region image changing unit;
When the partial area is moved by the partial area moving means, the dividing means divides the target image of the partial area after the movement into a plurality of piece areas, and the piece area image changing means is A puzzle creation device, wherein each image of the plurality of piece regions of the partial region after the movement divided by the dividing unit is changed according to a puzzle creation condition. In the puzzle preparation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-5 ,
The puzzle creation condition is such that the image layout for the plurality of piece areas is different from the image layout in the plurality of piece areas in the original target image. apparatus. In the puzzle preparation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-6 ,
A puzzle creating apparatus, comprising: means for changing a size of the partial area in the target image. In the puzzle generating apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 7,
The puzzle creating apparatus, wherein the number of the plurality of piece regions can be set to an arbitrary number. In the puzzle preparation apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8 ,
Each shape of the plurality of piece regions can be selected as an arbitrary shape. A puzzle creation method executed by a system including a setting unit, a dividing unit, a piece area image changing unit, and a scale changing unit ,
A setting step in which the setting means sets a partial region for creating a puzzle in a target image to be created as a puzzle;
A dividing step in which the dividing unit divides the partial region set in the setting step into a plurality of piece regions;
A piece region image changing unit is configured to change each image of the plurality of piece regions divided in the dividing step according to a condition for creating a puzzle;
A scale changing step in which the scale changing means changes the scale of the image displayed on the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means ,
The piece region image changing unit changes the image of the piece region according to the changed scale,
The puzzle creation method characterized in that as a condition for creating the puzzle, the scale of each piece region is changed . A puzzle creation method executed by a system including a setting unit, a dividing unit, a piece region image changing unit, a scale changing unit, and a hint information providing unit,
A setting step in which the setting means sets a partial region for creating a puzzle in a target image to be created as a puzzle;
A dividing step in which the dividing unit divides the partial region set in the setting step into a plurality of piece regions;
A piece region image changing unit is configured to change each image of the plurality of piece regions divided in the dividing step according to a condition for creating a puzzle;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means,
The hint information providing means acquires the related information stored in relation to each image position of the target image using the position information in the target image of the plurality of piece regions, and acquires the related And providing a hint information for solving the puzzle game based on the information.
A puzzle creation method characterized by that. A puzzle creation method executed by a system including a setting unit, a dividing unit, a piece area image changing unit, and a scale changing unit,
A setting step in which the setting means sets a partial region for creating a puzzle in a target image to be created as a puzzle;
A dividing step in which the dividing unit divides the partial region set in the setting step into a plurality of piece regions;
A piece region image changing unit is configured to change each image of the plurality of piece regions divided in the dividing step according to a condition for creating a puzzle;
A scale changing step in which the scale changing means changes the scale of the image displayed on the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region;
An image of the plurality of piece areas changed according to the puzzle creation conditions by the piece area image changing means,
The hint information providing means further includes means for providing, as hint information for solving the puzzle game, that the display mode of the target image is set to a predetermined display mode different from the original display mode.
A puzzle creation method characterized by that. A puzzle game in which a partial region set in a target image for creating a puzzle is divided into a plurality of piece regions of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece regions are changed according to the conditions for creating the puzzle Puzzle game image display means for displaying images of
An accepting means for accepting an operation for solving the puzzle;
A piece region image changing unit that changes an image of a necessary piece region among the plurality of piece regions in accordance with an operation for solving the puzzle received by the receiving unit;
When the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed by the piece area image changing means is an image obtained by solving the puzzle, the puzzle solver is notified to that effect. Means for informing,
A puzzle solving game apparatus comprising :
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of changing the scale of the image displayed in the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region.
The piece area image changing unit changes the image of the piece area on which the scale changing operation has been performed according to the changed scale.
A puzzle solving game apparatus characterized by that. A puzzle game in which a partial region set in a target image for creating a puzzle is divided into a plurality of piece regions of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece regions are changed according to the conditions for creating the puzzle Puzzle game image display means for displaying images of
An accepting means for accepting an operation for solving the puzzle;
A piece region image changing unit that changes an image of a necessary piece region among the plurality of piece regions in accordance with an operation for solving the puzzle received by the receiving unit;
When the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed by the piece area image changing means is an image obtained by solving the puzzle, the puzzle solver is notified to that effect. Means for informing,
A puzzle solving game apparatus comprising:
Using the positional information in the target image of the plurality of piece regions, the related information stored in association with each image position of the target image is acquired, and the puzzle is based on the acquired related information Provide means to provide hint information on how to solve
A puzzle solving game apparatus characterized by that. A puzzle game in which a partial region set in a target image for creating a puzzle is divided into a plurality of piece regions of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece regions are changed according to the conditions for creating the puzzle Puzzle game image display means for displaying images of
An accepting means for accepting an operation for solving the puzzle;
  A piece region image changing unit that changes an image of a necessary piece region among the plurality of piece regions in accordance with an operation for solving the puzzle received by the receiving unit;
When the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed by the piece area image changing means is an image obtained by solving the puzzle, the puzzle solver is notified to that effect. Means for informing,
A puzzle solving game apparatus comprising:
Means for providing, as hint information for solving the puzzle game, that the display mode of the target image is a predetermined display mode different from the original display mode
A puzzle solving game apparatus characterized by that. The puzzle solving game apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 15 ,
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of moving the partial area in the target image,
The puzzle solution game apparatus, wherein the piece region image changing means changes each image of the plurality of piece regions according to the image of the partial region after the movement. The puzzle solving game apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 16 ,
The puzzle creation condition is such that the image arrangement for the plurality of piece regions is different from the image arrangement in the plurality of piece regions in the original target image,
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of moving each image of the plurality of piece regions to another piece region of the plurality of piece regions,
The puzzle solution game apparatus, wherein the piece area image changing means changes the image of the piece area on which the movement operation has been performed to the image after the movement. The puzzle solving game apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 17 ,
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of changing the size of the partial area in the target image,
The piece area image changing means changes the images of the plurality of piece areas in accordance with the changed partial area. The puzzle solving game apparatus according to any one of claims 13 to 18 ,
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of enlarging each image area of the plurality of piece areas constituting the image of the puzzle game ,
The piece area image changing means changes the image of the piece area, which has been operated to enlarge the image area, to an image in which the area has been enlarged according to the enlargement operation of the image area. apparatus. A puzzle solving game method executed by a system comprising puzzled image display means, accepting means, piece area image changing means, and notifying means,
The puzzle image display means is configured to divide a partial area set as a target image for puzzle creation into a plurality of piece areas of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece areas are used for puzzle creation conditions. A puzzled image display process for displaying an image of a puzzle game changed according to
A receiving step for receiving an operation for solving the puzzle;
The piece region image changing means is configured to display the necessary piece region of the plurality of piece regions after the operation in accordance with the operation for solving the puzzle received in the receiving step. A piece region image changing step for generating and displaying an image;
When the informing means is the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed in the piece area image changing step, the fact is solved. Informing the puzzle solver of the problem,
In a puzzle solving game method comprising :
The operation for solving the puzzle includes an operation of changing the scale of the image displayed in the plurality of piece regions with respect to the target image for each piece region.
The puzzle solution game method, wherein the piece area image changing means changes the image of the piece area on which the scale changing operation has been performed according to the changed scale . A puzzle solving game method executed by a system comprising puzzled image display means, acceptance means, piece area image change means, notification means, and hint information providing means,
The puzzle image display means is configured to divide a partial area set as a target image for puzzle creation into a plurality of piece areas of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece areas are used for puzzle creation conditions. A puzzled image display process for displaying an image of a puzzle game changed according to
A receiving step for receiving an operation for solving the puzzle;
The piece region image changing means is configured to display the necessary piece region of the plurality of piece regions after the operation in accordance with the operation for solving the puzzle received in the receiving step. A piece region image changing step for generating and displaying an image;
When the informing means is the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed in the piece area image changing step, the fact is solved. Informing the puzzle solver of the problem,
In a puzzle solving game method comprising:
The hint information providing means acquires the related information stored in relation to each image position of the target image using the position information in the target image of the plurality of piece regions, and acquires the related Providing hint information for solving the puzzle based on the information
A puzzle solving game method characterized by that. A puzzle solving game method executed by a system comprising puzzled image display means, acceptance means, piece area image change means, notification means, and hint information providing means,
The puzzle image display means is configured to divide a partial area set as a target image for puzzle creation into a plurality of piece areas of a predetermined number of divisions, and the images of the plurality of piece areas are used for puzzle creation conditions. A puzzled image display process for displaying an image of a puzzle game changed according to
A receiving step for receiving an operation for solving the puzzle;
The piece region image changing means is configured to display the necessary piece region of the plurality of piece regions after the operation in accordance with the operation for solving the puzzle received in the receiving step. A piece region image changing step for generating and displaying an image;
When the informing means is the image of the partial area composed of the images of the plurality of piece areas including the piece area changed in the piece area image changing step, the fact is solved. Informing the puzzle solver of the problem,
In a puzzle solving game method comprising:
The hint information providing means includes a step of providing, as hint information for solving the puzzle game, a method of changing the display mode of the target image to a predetermined display mode different from the original display mode.
A puzzle solving game method characterized by that.

Images