JP2002078959A - Electronic jigsaw puzzle and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a jigsaw puzzle for a variety of uses (prize contest, or the like, for example) that have never been imagined by making a jigsaw puzzle electronically handleable. SOLUTION: The electronic jigsaw puzzle has a means to realize a process of splitting an original image into images of the pieces of a jigsaw puzzle, a means to realize a process of displaying the images of the split pieces in a randomly accumulated state, a means to realize a process of allowing the movement of the pieces to a jigsaw puzzle completion area to assemble the randomly accumulated pieces and complete the jigsaw puzzle by the operation of an operator, and a means to realize a process of displaying the pieces in normal positions in the jigsaw puzzle completion area if moved pieces are in the normal positions in the image.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electronic jigsaw puzzle capable of solving a jigsaw puzzle on a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is only a paper jigsaw puzzle, but no electronic jigsaw puzzle used on a computer.

[0003]

The pictures to be assembled in the conventional paper jigsaw puzzle are limited to those commercially available,
An arbitrary image could not be used as the subject of a jigsaw puzzle game. Therefore, no attempt has been made to use the jigsaw puzzle game for advertising on the Internet, for example.

[0004] An essential object of the present invention is to make it possible to handle jigsaw puzzle games electronically so that they can be used in various applications which have not been considered before.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a person who has completed the jigsaw puzzle game with the right to obtain a predetermined result, and to use the jigsaw puzzle game for a certain kind of prize, lottery, etc. Is to be able to use it.

Still another object of the present invention is to use an advertisement banner image of an advertiser (sponsor) or the like providing an advertisement or a prize as a material of a jigsaw puzzle so that the image of the advertiser's banner image can be displayed to the public. It is a tool that can be used as a tool that can be known and has a very effective advertising effect.

[0007] Still another object of the present invention is to enable a user to participate in a jigsaw puzzle game regardless of the communication environment and to enjoy the game without worrying about communication charges and the like.

[0008] Still another object of the present invention is to encrypt programs and data related to the completion of a game so that unauthorized use such as a prize or the like cannot be decrypted.

[0009]

An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1 of the present invention has means for realizing a step of dividing an original image image into image images of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and Means for realizing a process of displaying each of the image images in a state of being randomly accumulated, and moving each of the randomly accumulated pieces to a jigsaw puzzle completion area for assembling each piece by an operation of an operator and completing a jigsaw puzzle Means for realizing the step of permitting, and means for realizing a step of displaying the image image of the moved piece at a normal position in the jigsaw puzzle completion area when the moved piece is at a normal position in the image image. .

Thus, any image can be used as a material for the jigsaw puzzle game. Since the jigsaw puzzle is completed by electronic processing, distribution and storage can be performed at low cost and easily.

According to the electronic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention, when the jigsaw puzzle is completed, means for realizing a step of transmitting completion information relating to the completion through a network, and a right to obtain a product defined in advance by the completion information And means for realizing a step of giving the operator to the operator.

[0012] Thus, when a person who has completed the jigsaw puzzle is given a right to obtain a predetermined product, the right can be given to the participant through the network.

In the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to a third aspect of the present invention, the step of displaying each of the divided image images in a state of being randomly stored, and the step of displaying each of the randomly stored pieces by an operator's operation The step of allowing each piece to be assembled and completing a jigsaw puzzle, allowing the jigsaw puzzle to be moved to a jigsaw puzzle completion area; and, if the moved piece is at a regular position in the image image, completing the jigsaw puzzle image processing. The step of displaying at a regular position in the area is realized in the information processing apparatus of the operator by a command set transmitted and stored in advance to the information processing apparatus of the operator through the network. .

[0014] Thus, the processing of the jigsaw puzzle game is performed by the instruction set transmitted and stored in advance to the information processing device of the operator through the network, so that even a person who connects to the Internet through a low-speed modem can be used. You can enjoy jigsaw puzzle games without worrying about communication time and telephone charges. In addition, since it is not necessary to download the instruction set and answer the jigsaw puzzle game at the same time (in real time), it is possible to take a flexible action such as downloading at midnight and answering during the day.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic jigsaw puzzle, the step of dividing the original image into the image of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle, and a state in which each of the divided image of each piece is randomly stored. The step of displaying, and the step of allowing each piece of randomly accumulated pieces to be moved to a jigsaw puzzle completion area for assembling each piece by an operation of an operator to complete a jigsaw puzzle, At least one of the step of displaying the image image of the piece at a normal position in the jigsaw puzzle completion area when the piece is at a normal position in the image image,
The present invention is characterized in that the instruction set is sequentially transmitted to the information processing device of the operator through the network, and is realized in the information processing device of the operator.

[0016] Thus, for those who can make a high-speed connection,
You can answer jigsaw puzzle games in real time. Also, in the case where the command set is performed by the command set previously transmitted to the information processing device of the operator, it is necessary to consider such strict encryption and the like so that the command set and the data are not deciphered or illegally used. However, in the case of a sequentially transmitted instruction set, a relatively simple system for encryption can be provided.

The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 5 of the present invention is characterized in that the original image image that gives a right to obtain a result is a banner image used for advertisement or the like.

Thus, the electronic jigsaw puzzle can be used for advertisement.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the electronic jigsaw puzzle, in the means for implementing the step of dividing the original image into image images of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle, it is determined whether each piece is in a regular arrangement. A means for implementing a step of encrypting the information to be encrypted.

As a result, it is difficult to illegally decode the correct answer of each piece, and it is possible to make it difficult to illegally obtain the correct answer and obtain the product unfairly. Operation is planned.

An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the electronic jigsaw puzzle is provided with means for enabling information for determining whether each piece is in a regular arrangement to be changed for each section connected to the Internet.

[0022] This makes it possible to change the correct answer information for each connection session to the Internet, which makes it difficult for the user to misbehave by decrypting the correct answer information.

An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, if the jigsaw puzzle is not completed within a predetermined time, means is provided by lottery for giving an opportunity to complete the jigsaw puzzle.

As a result, even those who could not complete the jigsaw puzzle game are given a chance to draw lots to complete the jigsaw puzzle game, and motivate those who want to use the electronic jigsaw puzzle to participate.

An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the electronic jigsaw puzzle is provided with means for appropriately changing the predetermined time.

Thus, the predetermined time until the lottery can be appropriately changed in consideration of the operation results of the system using the electronic jigsaw puzzle, the policy of the advertiser, the amount of the prize of the prize, the winning probability, and the like.

An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the electronic jigsaw puzzle includes means for determining the predetermined time based on the total number of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle.

Thus, the time can be adjusted according to the total number of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle game (the difficulty of the problem).

[0029] A storage medium according to claim 11 of the present invention stores an instruction set, data, and the like used for executing the electronic jigsaw puzzle described in any of the above.

[0030]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An electronic jigsaw puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1) System Overview FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the present embodiment. The system configuration includes a user personal computer A, a puzzle game site B, and a customer website C, each of which is connected to the Internet. The user's personal computer A connects to the puzzle game site B using an information processing device such as a personal computer (including a mobile phone terminal) and browsing software such as a Web browser stored therein to connect to the puzzle game site B. Etc. can be browsed.

The customer website C is a website of an advertiser or the like (customer) who provides a jigsaw puzzle game, and it is preferable that a link to the puzzle game site B is placed in the content of the website C.

The puzzle game site B provides a comprehensive service such as setting a puzzle game and checking an answer. The system configuration of puzzle game site B is DNS
Server service D, Web server service E, authentication service F, question service G, piece generation service H, answer determination service I, respondent management service J, search service K, database service L, session management service M, application management service N Etc.

The DNS server service D is a normal DNS
It provides the service of the S server, and the DNS function attached to the OS is used in the initial stage of installation, but if high load measures are required, a dedicated DNS server is installed,
The load may be distributed by round robin DNS.

The Web server service E is a normal Web server service.
The server b provides a static portion of the content of the Web site of the puzzle game site B. In addition,
The dynamic part of the content is provided in a form of calling another service in the puzzle game site B. Note that a plurality of servers can be prepared according to the state of the load, and can be appropriately selected and used.

The authentication service F issues a session ID for distinguishing a connection session after registering a respondent profile (information), and records related information in a database in the database service L. In addition,
The items of the requested respondent profile can be appropriately selected according to the content of the question, the advertiser, and the like. Thereafter, the user is identified using the session ID issued by the authentication service F.

In the authentication service F, when user information is registered, a session ID is issued and notified to the user personal computer A. As described above, the user is identified using the session ID. Note that the session ID has a predetermined validity period, and an error occurs if a request for processing is made after the validity period has elapsed.

When registering user information, an encryption process is performed. For example, SSL (Secure Sooket Laye
r) and a method using public key cryptography are used.

The question service G is for generating a jigsaw puzzle problem, and uses the random number based on the session ID as a key to set the jigsaw puzzle problem.

In the question service G, division into pieces, number assignment to each piece, arrangement of pieces, and the like are determined and transmitted to the user personal computer A. Non-identical numbers (preferably random) are assigned to each piece, and a series of numbers that can be created when each piece is arranged in an array that completes a jigsaw puzzle was created by the questioning service When the number matches the correct answer, it is determined that the question has been answered. The number assigned to each piece by the question service is made different for each connection session so that an incorrect answer result obtained by decoding a program or the like is not transmitted. Since the contents of these question protocols are leaked without any particular harm, no encryption processing is performed.

The piece generation service H is for generating an image of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle corresponding to the jigsaw puzzle problem determined based on the session ID.

In the piece generation service H, an image of each piece divided from an image (eg, a banner image) serving as an original diagram of a puzzle is generated.
A random number based on the session ID is used.

The answer determination service I is for making a pass / fail judgment when an answer is received from the user. The question set by the question setting service G is generated based on a predetermined rule, and the answer judgment service I knows the rule, so that the pass / fail judgment can be independently performed. The answer from the user includes the user identification information, the session ID, the arrangement order of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle, the time required for the answer, and the like. If this information is valid,
It is stored in a database in the database service L.

The respondent management service J is for browsing the winners and the losers. Even if only the winner is selected, both the winner and the lost winner may be browsed.

The search service K is a service that collects information on prize applications scattered on the Internet and converts the collected information on the prize into a data format searchable on the Web provided at the puzzle game site B. It is.
For the collection, for example, a so-called robot-type search engine that automatically patrols based on a predetermined keyword is used.

The database service L includes information on the contents of game contents, personal information of game participants,
Sweepstake information describing the details of the sweepstakes is stored.

The session management service M manages a login session. For example, information such as a user ID can be provided by an inquiry.

The application management service N manages and operates an application provided for answering a jigsaw puzzle game.

The communication of each of the above services uses the HTTP protocol. This is because by using the HTTP protocol, it is possible to communicate with an environment protected by a normal firewall, embed a communication character string in a URL, and easily cope with Web-based programming skills.

(2) Contents of Processing The processing of the electronic jigsaw puzzle of the present embodiment includes user registration processing, login processing, application start processing, jigsaw puzzle processing, and the like. Hereinafter, each process will be sequentially described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS.

(A) User Registration Process (FIG. 2) In the user registration process, a user ID is issued and registered to become a registered user in order to receive services such as a jigsaw puzzle game.

When a menu item of "participation registration" is selected (clicked) from a browser screen displayed on a display device such as a CRT of the user personal computer A (step 1, described as S1 in the figure, the same applies hereinafter), a puzzle is obtained. An ID registration screen acquisition request is issued to the web server service E of the game site B (step 2). Web server service E
Transmits an ID registration screen to the user personal computer A (step 3). The user personal computer A displays an ID registration screen on the browser screen on the display device (step 4).

A person who intends to participate in the game (game participant) inputs information such as characters into necessary items displayed on the ID registration screen of the browser screen, and selects (clicks) a “registration button” (step). 6), an ID registration request is issued to the authentication service F of the puzzle game site B (step 7).

Upon receiving the ID registration request, the authentication service F:
An inquiry is made to the database in the database service L (step 9), and the validity of the registered contents is verified (step 10).

If the registration content is incorrect, an ID registration failure screen is transmitted to notify an input error (step 1).
1). Then, an ID registration failure screen is displayed on the user personal computer A (step 12).

On the other hand, if the registered contents are valid, an ID issuance processing request is transmitted to the database service L (step 13). The database service L registers the contents in the database (step 14). When the registration is completed, a completion notification is returned (step 15). An ID registration success screen is sent to the user PC (step 1
6), an ID registration success screen is displayed on the browser screen of the user personal computer A (step 17).

(B) Login Process (FIG. 3) In the login process, authentication is performed to receive the service of the jigsaw puzzle game, and a session ID is issued.

When a menu item “participation registration” is selected (clicked) from a browser screen displayed on a display device such as a CRT of the user personal computer A (step 1), the Web server service E of the puzzle game site B is displayed. A login screen acquisition request is issued (step 2). Web
The server service E transmits a login screen to the user personal computer A (step 3). The user personal computer A displays a login screen on the browser screen on the display device (step 4).

A person who intends to participate in the game (game participant) inputs information such as characters into necessary items such as a user ID and a password displayed on the login screen of the browser screen (step 5), Is selected (clicked) (step 6), a user authentication request is issued to the authentication service F of the puzzle game site B (step 7).

The authentication service F transmits an authentication processing request to the database service L using the user ID as a search key (step 8). The database service L performs authentication (step 9), and returns the result to the authentication service F.

The authentication service F receiving the user authentication request
Makes an inquiry to the database in the database service L and verifies the validity of the registered contents (step 1)
0).

If the user ID is not registered and if the passwords are inconsistent, a user authentication failure screen is transmitted to notify an input error (step 11).
Then, a user authentication failure screen is displayed on the browser screen of the user personal computer A (step 12).

On the other hand, if the user ID and the password are valid, a session start processing request is transmitted to the database service L (step 13). The database service L generates a session and issues a session ID (step 14). When the issuance is completed, a session start notification is returned (step 15). The authentication service F transmits a user authentication success screen to the user personal computer A (step 16), and an authentication success screen is displayed on the browser screen of the user personal computer A (step 17).

(C) Application Start Process (FIG. 4) In the application start process, an application program such as a game selected by the user is downloaded to the user's personal computer A, and information necessary for executing this program is sent from the puzzle game site server B. What you get.

When a menu item of “application” in the “application selection menu” is selected (clicked) from a browser screen displayed on a display device such as a CRT of the user personal computer A (step 1), the Web page of the puzzle game site B is opened. An applet acquisition request is issued to the server service E (step 2). The Web server service E transmits an applet (a set of instructions) corresponding to the application to the user personal computer A (step 3).

"(3) Screen display during game" to be described later
The row of banner images (list display) corresponds to the “application selection menu”, and each banner image is associated with an application (for example, a game). Clicking the banner image corresponds to the “application”. Corresponds to the selection of the menu item.

The applet started to be executed on the user personal computer A transmits a resource information acquisition request to the application management service L (step 4).

The application management service L sends a session identification information acquisition request to the session management service M (step 5). In response to this, the session management service M notifies the application management service N of session identification information (for example, a user ID) (step 6). The user of the session can be confirmed by the notification of the session identification information.

After that, the application management service N transmits a resource information acquisition request associated with the session identification information to the database in the database service L (step 7). The database returns the resource information (step 8). "Resource information" refers to a generic term for data downloaded by an applet from a server, and refers to a set of identifiers used when an applet makes a request for acquisition to a server. For example, the resource information includes a banner image, a piece image, an animation image, an animation scenario program, an encryption module program, and the like.

The application management service N that has received the reply of the resource information transmits the resource information to the user personal computer A (step 9). The applet starts executing the application based on the resource information (step 10).

(D) Jigsaw Puzzle Processing (FIG. 5) Jigsaw puzzle processing means that an applet stored in a storage device such as a hard disk on the user's personal computer A obtains a jigsaw puzzle problem from the questioning service G, and Is transmitted to the answer determination service I.

The applet requests a cryptographic module from the question service G (step 1). An encryption module is a program that describes an encryption procedure / instruction, an encryption target, and the like.

The questioning service G issues an encryption key generation request to the session management service M (step 2). The encryption key is generated from information such as the serial number of the session and the connection start time based on a predetermined rule. In the session management service M, the encryption key is stored in the session I
Generated based on D (step 3). The questioning service G transmits the encryption key (step 4). A cryptographic module in which a cryptographic key is embedded is generated and transmitted to an applet (step 5).

The applet makes a puzzle problem acquisition request to the questioning service G (step 6). The questioning service G transmits the number or the like assigned to each piece of the jigsaw puzzle as a question issue record to the database service L (step 7), and records it in the database (step 8). Thereafter, a question including the number assigned to each piece is created (step 9) and transmitted to the applet (step 10).

The game participant answers the puzzle problem (step 11). When the answer is completed, the applet transmits the answer result to the answer determination service I (step 12). The answer determination service I instructs the database service L to record a question answer (step 13).
The database service L records the answer to the question (step 14). End processing is performed on the user personal computer A (step 15).

As described above, in the questioning service G, a process of cutting one banner image into pieces of a jigsaw puzzle is performed. An example of a method of generating a question in the question service will be described below with reference to FIG.

To cut out the pieces, a banner image 1 and
The outline of each piece is the outer ring, and the color information in the outer ring is, for example, "black"
, A piece of positional information (x, y) for each piece with respect to the banner screen 1, and a common rectangular dimension of each mask image.

The banner image 1 shown in FIG. 6 is a simplified banner image for advertisement. A plurality of mask images 2 are prepared corresponding to the shape of each piece. In FIG. 3A, only one shape of the mask image 2a is shown.
The banner image 1 is composed of one continuous image image, and the continuous image image has four rectangular areas 1a, 1b, 1 corresponding to a rectangular dimension common to each mask.
It is considered as a sequence of c and 1d. The boundary of the region is indicated by a dotted line in the figure.

First, an image corresponding to the predetermined mask image 2a is extracted from the banner image 1. That is, (b) in the figure
As shown in the figure, the mask image 2a is electronically superimposed on the banner image 1 from the position information of the mask image 2a (the upper left corner of the banner image 1 in the figure), and an image corresponding to a common rectangular dimension of the mask image 2a is displayed. Cut out and extract. The extracted image looks like the extracted image 3a as shown in FIG.

The above extraction operation is performed in the areas 1b, 1c, 1
A plurality of extracted images (not shown) are obtained by repeating for d. The plurality of extracted images are stored and arranged by giving a file name such as a serial number corresponding to the mask image separately from the banner image. Each of the extracted images and the mask image is an aggregate of a plurality of pixels, and has a common resolution (d
pi).

Next, a method of generating an image of a piece (an outline shape of each piece and an image inside the outline) will be described with reference to FIG. This is obtained by comparing the extracted image with the mask image. That is, color information is mutually compared between pixels at the same position in the extracted image and the mask image. Then, when the color information of the pixel of the mask image is “black”, the color information of the pixel of the extracted image is set as the color information of the image 4 of the piece.
When the color information of the pixel of the mask image is other than “black”, the color information of the pixel of the image 4 of the corresponding piece is set to “transparent”.

Then, all the pixels of the extracted image 3 and the mask image 2 are compared with each other, and the above processing is performed for each pixel.
An image of a portion where the mask image and the banner image 1 overlap can be cut out as a piece image. Similarly to the extracted image, the plurality of piece images are stored and arranged by giving a serial number corresponding to the piece number as a file name.

In the questioning service G, as described above, a number is assigned as each piece number according to a predetermined rule, and stored in a database together with information such as a session ID. A correct answer is determined by the answer determination service I depending on whether the numbers assigned to the pieces arranged according to the answer of the jigsaw puzzle match the numbers arranged in the arrangement order of the pieces.

Next, a method of processing on the applet side when a game participant answers a jigsaw puzzle will be described. The game participant drags and drops each piece of jigsaw puzzle stacked and accumulated in the piece accumulation area on the game screen to the jigsaw puzzle completion area on the game screen, arranges each piece in a regular position, and displays the banner image Is the same idea as the conventional paper jigsaw puzzle. The outline of the piece accumulation area and the jigsaw puzzle completed area is described in FIG. 11 described later.

The coordinates of each piece in the completed area of the jigsaw puzzle (hereinafter referred to as correct coordinates) and the attributes of a piece image 4a and a rectangular image including a "transparent" portion located in the periphery are shown. It has. Each of the correct coordinates is subjected to an encryption process in order to prevent unauthorized use by decoding.

Each piece is depressed by pressing the left mouse button while the pointer is positioned within the rectangular image.
It recognizes that the left mouse button has been released and that the mouse has been dragged.

Each piece is stored in the piece accumulation area as a group of pieces in a predetermined arrangement, and the order of overlapping of the piece accumulation areas on the screen is equal to the order stored in the arrangement. In the case where two pieces overlap, the operation of the mouse is recognized for the piece in the overlapping order (the storage in the array is the first one).

The initial arrangement of the pieces is performed as follows.
The arrangement coordinates are determined by a pseudo-random number within a rectangular range on the applet where pieces are accumulated and arranged. Then, the upper left coordinates of the rectangular image of each piece are set to the arrangement coordinates determined in this way, and each piece image is displayed.

The fitting of the pieces into the jigsaw puzzle completed area is performed as follows. As shown in FIG. 8, when a game participant tries to move a piece image 4a, he moves the mouse pointer 5 over the piece image 4a and clicks the left mouse button. At this time, the applet automatically acquires the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image 4a. In this example, (10, 10) is obtained.

The game participant drags the piece image 4a in the direction to move while keeping the left mouse button clicked (see FIG. 8B). In this example, drag to the right in the figure. Each time the mouse pointer moves, the applet automatically acquires the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image 4a. The piece image 4a is obtained from the coordinates and the coordinates of the upper left corner when the left button is clicked.
Is calculated, the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image 4a are reset to the calculated coordinates of the movement destination, and the piece image 4a is displayed again on the screen. In this example, the movement amounts are x = 10 and y = 0 in the x and y directions, respectively, and the coordinates of the upper left corner of the moved piece image 4a are (20, 1).
0) is displayed again.

When the game participant determines that the piece image 4a has reached the desired position, he releases the left mouse button. When the left button of the mouse is released, the applet automatically acquires the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image 4a at the time of release.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, when each piece image is arranged at a regular position, the coordinates of the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image are set as the correct coordinates. On the other hand, a predetermined error range is set in the x and y directions. This error range is variable by the system. It is determined whether the piece image has been placed at the correct position based on whether or not the coordinates of the corner acquired by the applet when the left button of the mouse is released are within an error range surrounding the correct coordinates. Here, as described above, since the correct coordinates are subjected to an encryption process in order to prevent abuse due to unauthorized decryption of the program, the encryption module obtained by the applet from the server is actually used by the normal coordinates. Alternatively, it is determined whether the error is within an error range.

In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the correct answer coordinates are (3
0, 10) and the automatically acquired piece image 4a
The coordinates of the upper left corner are (35, 10), within a predetermined error range, and are determined to be "correct." In this case, as shown in FIG. 9B, the correct coordinates (30, 10) are set as the coordinates of the upper left corner of the piece image 4a, and the piece image 4a is displayed again on the screen.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the coordinates of the upper left corner of the automatically acquired piece image 4a are (4
5, 40), which is outside the predetermined error range surrounding the correct answer coordinates, and is determined to be “incorrect”. In this case, the visible / invisible flag set in the piece image 4a is set to invisible. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10B, the display of the piece image 4a disappears.

After determining the “correct answer” and “incorrect answer” of the piece image as described above, the number of pieces determined to be correct is further checked. If the number of correctly answered piece images matches the number of piece images prepared at the start of the game (that is, if all the pieces are correct), after predetermined processing, etc.
The game result transmission process starts.

When the arrangement of the piece images is determined to be “incorrect”, the visible / invisible flag is set to “invisible”, and
Although it is not displayed, the piece image reproducing process is performed every predetermined time. The piece image reproduction process resets the arrangement coordinates in the same manner as the above-described initial arrangement, and sets the visible / invisible flag to the “visible” state. As a result of this processing, the piece image that has disappeared from the screen as being “incorrect” may be at a predetermined position on the screen (may be the same as the initial arrangement position or another position different from this). Will be displayed again.

(3) Screen Display During the Game, etc. A link to a jigsaw puzzle game with a prize is provided for each prize on the home page of the puzzle game site B (prize prize site). The link is used by superimposing the outline of each piece constituting the jigsaw puzzle on the banner image completed by the jigsaw puzzle game. This banner image may be displayed as a list on the entrance page of the home page, or may be displayed as a list on the entrance page or another page linked from another page when the number is large. Then, by positioning and clicking the mouse pointer on the banner image, the user jumps to a jigsaw puzzle page using the banner image through a predetermined authentication procedure.

As shown in FIG. 11, a page of a jigsaw puzzle is divided into a plurality of areas. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes an area for explaining the contents of the prize (commodity content, number of winners, deadline, presentation method, etc.) given when the jigsaw puzzle is completed, using a document and an image. A “Send” button and a “Cancel” button are displayed below the area.

In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a completed image display area showing the entire banner image completed in the jigsaw puzzle game.
Generally, a banner image corresponding to the entrance page is displayed. In this banner image, a link is provided to a page of a sponsor (advertiser) who is a prize provider or a product description thereof, and the advertising effect for game participants is enhanced.

In the figure, reference numeral 12 denotes a piece accumulation area for displaying the images of the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle by accumulating, depositing and stacking them. A game participant moves the mouse pointer to any of the pieces displayed in this area and clicks the left button to catch the piece in a movable manner.

In the figure, reference numeral 13 denotes a jigsaw puzzle completed area in which a caught piece is moved and assembled into a banner image. At the lower part of the jigsaw puzzle completion area, there is provided an elapsed time display area 14 for displaying an elapsed time after the start of the game. The elapsed time display is an analog display (for example, a bar display) of the elapsed time from the start to the end, and it is preferable that the elapsed time is color-coded so that the elapsed stage can be seen at a glance. A digital display may be added.

In the drawing, reference numeral 15 denotes an area for displaying the character A. The character A declares the start of the game and displays various actions and information according to the progress of the game. It is preferable that the character A be a sponsor (advertiser) character in order to enhance the advertising power to the customer.

In the drawing, reference numeral 16 denotes an area for displaying a trash can. As described above, when the piece images cannot be correctly arranged in the jigsaw puzzle completed area, the piece images temporarily disappear, but are moved to the trash box and displayed in a pile.

In the figure, reference numeral 17 denotes an area where a character B different from the character A is displayed. This character B
Is used to provide an action or information related or unrelated to the character A.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of the structure of the page of the jigsaw puzzle. In this embodiment, the content of the prize is a new car present, the banner image is composed of a horizon, a car, and clouds, character A is cheerleader, and character B is Ikyu.

Referring to FIG. 13, screen display during a game will be described. When the game participant indicates his intention to start the game (for example, clicking the start button), the applet starts a timer (step 1). The elapsed time starts to be displayed in the elapsed time display area 14 (step 2).

The character A is displayed in the character A display area 15
, "Good luck, good luck", "Furefure"
Is performed (step 3).
At predetermined time intervals, it is determined whether or not all of the puzzle piece images have been arranged at the specified positions (the puzzle has been completed) (step 4).

When it is determined that the puzzle has been completed,
"Congratulations" by the displayed character A,
A completion celebration display such as "I did it" is performed (step 5). Then, a record of completion information (user, completion time, etc.) is transmitted (step 6). This transmission is Step 5
Or after the game participant clicks the "send" button provided in the display area of the prize content.

If the puzzle is not completed, it is determined whether a predetermined determination time has elapsed since the game was started (step 7). The predetermined judgment time is, for example, 1
0 minutes is set. If this determination time has not elapsed, the process returns to step 3 and continues. If the determination time has elapsed, it is determined whether a predetermined time limit has elapsed (step 8). This time limit means the time when the game is over.

When the time limit has elapsed, the character A displays an incomplete notification such as "time out. Sorry.""Gameover", and terminates the game. (Step 9).

If the time limit has not elapsed,
It is determined whether the degree of completion is less than a predetermined percentage (step 10). Completion refers to the ratio of the number of pieces arranged at regular positions to the total number of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. Less than the predetermined percentage refers to, for example, a case where the percentage is less than 70%. If it is not less than the predetermined percentage, the process returns to step 3 and continues.

When the value is less than the predetermined percentage,
The character A displays a traffic jam such as "I'm tired" (step 11). The traffic congestion display includes an operation of the character A sitting down and then an operation of falling asleep.

Next, a lottery display is performed by the characters B and C (step 12). The lottery display is a display for announcing that a lottery (winning lottery) lottery will be performed. For example, the character C appears and disappears surrounded by smoke, saying, "The lottery begins." B moves from the character B display area to the character A display area, and indicates a series of displays that prompt the game participants to start the lottery, such as "Clicking on a part of me stops the lottery roulette."

When the game participant performs an operation to start the lottery, the applet performs a lottery process by generating a random number or the like (step 13). The generated random numbers are encrypted to prevent abuse. When the generated random number matches the prescribed number, that is, when a "big hit" is made, a hit display is performed by the character C and the character A (step 14). As the hit display, for example, “Character C toward character A
Calls for "Get up!", And the character A that flashes and disappears is used.

Thereafter, a display operation for completing an unfinished puzzle is performed (step 15). For example, after flashing, character A appears large on the screen holding a piece that is not yet buried in both arms, and throws the piece held in both hands toward the jigsaw puzzle completion area, saying "Etsutsu" A display is used in which the thrown piece is thrown into the void of the puzzle that was not completed.

[0116] Then, the character A says "big hit,
A completion celebration display such as "lucky", "congratulations" or "done" is performed (step 16). Recording and transmission are performed in the same manner as in step 6 (step 17).

On the other hand, if the above-mentioned random numbers do not match the prescribed numbers, that is, if the numbers are out of range, the following display is performed to notify the game participant that the game has been lost. For example, in response to the character C's call for "get up", the character A continues to display a traffic jam (step 18), smoke comes out, and covers the piece accumulation area 12 and the jigsaw puzzle completed area 13 to cover. After the repeated screen processing, the game over display is enlarged on the screen (step 1).
9).

As described above, according to the progress of the game,
Various displays are performed on the game screen. FIGS. 14 to 16 show one embodiment of a transition state of images at the time of a game in order to facilitate understanding of display contents.

[0119]

As described above, according to the electronic jigsaw puzzle of the present invention, the jigsaw puzzle game can be handled electronically and can be used for various uses which have not been considered before.

Also, a person who has completed the jigsaw puzzle game is given a right to obtain a predetermined product,
It can be used for certain types of prizes, lotteries, etc., and can be used as a tool for advertising.

Further, by using a banner image for an advertisement of a sponsor who provides an advertisement or a prize as a material of the jigsaw puzzle, the image of the advertiser can be widely known to the public, and can be used as a tool having a very high advertising effect. it can.

Also, regardless of the communication environment, the user can participate in the jigsaw puzzle game, and can enjoy the game without worrying about the communication fee and the like.

Further, by encrypting programs and data related to the completion of the game, even if electronic jigsaw puzzles are used for a prize or the like, unauthorized use by decrypting them becomes difficult.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing by an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing by an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing by an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing by an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a process of cutting into pieces by the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining processing for cutting into pieces by the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining piece fitting processing by the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining piece fitting processing by the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining piece fitting processing by the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a game screen of an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a specific embodiment of an electronic jigsaw puzzle game screen according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a progress example of a game using an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a transition state of images during a game of the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a transition state of images during a game of the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a transition state of images during a game of the electronic jigsaw puzzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A User PC B Puzzle game site G Questioning service H Piece generation service I Answer judgment service

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A means for realizing a step of dividing an original image image into image images of each piece of a jigsaw puzzle, and a step of displaying each image image of each divided piece in a state of being randomly accumulated. Means for assembling each piece of randomly accumulated pieces by an operator's operation to complete a jigsaw puzzle, and means for realizing a step of allowing a jigsaw puzzle to be moved to a jigsaw puzzle completion area, and Means for realizing a step of displaying an image image of the piece at a normal position in the jigsaw puzzle completion area when the piece is at a normal position in the image. 2. A means for realizing a step of transmitting completion information on completion of a jigsaw puzzle through a network when a jigsaw puzzle is completed, and a means for realizing a step of giving an operator a right to obtain a product defined in advance by the completion information. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, comprising: 3. The step of displaying each of the divided image images of each piece in a randomly accumulated state;
To assemble each piece from the randomly accumulated pieces by the operation of the operator and complete the jigsaw puzzle,
The step of allowing the jigsaw puzzle to be moved to the jigsaw puzzle completion area, and the step of displaying the image image of the moved piece at a normal position in the jigsaw puzzle completion area when the moved piece is at a normal position in the image image. 3. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, wherein the instruction jigsaw puzzle is realized in the information processing device of the operator by a command set previously transmitted to and stored in the information processing device of the operator through the network. 4. The step of dividing the original image into image images of each piece of the jigsaw puzzle; the step of displaying each of the divided image images of each piece in a random accumulation state; The step of allowing each piece to be moved to a jigsaw puzzle completion area for assembling each piece by an operation of an operator to complete a jigsaw puzzle, and when the moved piece is a normal position in the image image At least one of the step of displaying the image image of the piece at a regular position in the jigsaw puzzle completion area is performed by an instruction set sequentially transmitted to the operator's information processing device through a network in the operator's information processing device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step is realized.
Electronic jigsaw puzzle as described. 5. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, wherein said base image which gives a right to obtain a product is a banner image used for an advertisement or the like. 6. A means for implementing the step of dividing the original image image into image images of each piece of a jigsaw puzzle, wherein the step of encrypting information for judging whether or not each piece has a regular arrangement is implemented. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising means. 7. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising means for changing information for determining whether each piece is in a regular arrangement for each section connected to the Internet. Jigsaw puzzle. 8. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1, further comprising means for giving a chance to complete the jigsaw puzzle by a lottery if the jigsaw puzzle is not completed within a predetermined time. 9. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 8, further comprising means for enabling the predetermined time to be changed as appropriate. 10. The electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 8, further comprising means for determining the predetermined time based on the total number of pieces of the jigsaw puzzle. 11. A set of instructions used to execute an electronic jigsaw puzzle according to claim 1.
A storage medium that stores data and the like and is readable by an information processing device.