JP2013075151A - Terminal device, central unit, game system, display control method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily understandably present a situation inside a virtual space presented to other player.SOLUTION: A setting unit 301 sets one view range within the virtual space on the basis of an instruction from one player. A transmission unit 302 transmits the view range to other terminal device 300 in use by a game system. A receiving unit 303 receives other view range transmitted from the other terminal device 300. A terminal display unit 304 displays one image showing the situation of the virtual space in the one view range and other image showing the situation of the virtual space in the other view range where the other view range does not overlap the one view range.

Description

  The present invention provides a terminal device, a central device, and a game system that are suitable for presenting a player with an easy-to-understand view of a virtual space presented to other players in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players. The present invention relates to a display control method and a program for realizing these by a computer.

  A game system is known that includes a plurality of game devices that can communicate with each other and allows a plurality of players to play one game at the same time. In such a game system, for example, each of a plurality of players operates any one of the plurality of game devices, and thereby any one of the plurality of characters existing in the virtual space. Manipulate human characters. In this case, for example, an image representing a state in the virtual space that can be seen from the viewpoint of the character operated by the player is displayed on the screen of the game device operated by the player.

  Here, when a plurality of characters exist at distant locations in the virtual space, images displayed on the screens of the plurality of game devices represent different ranges in the virtual space. In this case, the player cannot know where the character operated by the other player is doing in the virtual space. Accordingly, there is a demand for the player to know the state in the virtual space presented to the other player in order to grasp the play situation of the other player.

  Currently, various techniques for meeting such a demand are known. For example, in Patent Literature 1, when a battle is started by contact between an ally character and an enemy character on a field screen, a game screen of a player who operates a character within a predetermined range from the contact position is displayed on the field screen. A game apparatus is disclosed in which a battle screen is displayed, and a field screen on which the position and state of the battle are displayed is provided to other players. In the game device disclosed in Patent Literature 1, when a specific event of the start of a battle occurs, it is possible to guess the play situation of other players.

JP 2002-292139 A

  On the other hand, there is a demand not only for when a specific event occurs, but also for allowing a player to grasp the play status of other players at all times. In addition, there is a demand to prevent the player's play from being adversely affected, such as making it difficult to see the screen when grasping the play status of other players. Therefore, there is a demand for a technique that can easily show the player the state in the virtual space presented to other players.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players, the player is presented with an easy-to-understand view of the state in the virtual space presented to other players. It is an object of the present invention to provide a terminal device, a central device, a game system, a display control method, and a program for realizing these by a computer.

  In order to achieve the above object, a terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention is each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players, and includes a setting unit and a transmission unit A receiving unit and a terminal display unit, which are configured as follows. The game realized by the game system may be any game. Hereinafter, an example in which the game realized by the game system is a soccer game that simulates a soccer game in a virtual space will be described.

  First, the setting unit sets an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self attention range”) in the virtual space based on an instruction from a player who uses the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “self player”). The self-attention range is a predetermined range in the virtual space that is being noticed by the player, and is typically around a character operated by the player (hereinafter referred to as “self-character”) in the virtual space. Is a predetermined range. The position and size of the own attention range are set based on an instruction from the own player. The instruction of the player is, for example, an instruction to switch the player character to another character, an instruction to switch the viewpoint, or an instruction to move the player character.

  And a transmission part transmits a self-attention range to another terminal device among said several terminal devices. For example, the transmission unit may transmit coordinates representing the self-attention range to the other terminal device, or may transmit an image representing the self-attention range to the other terminal device.

  On the other hand, the receiving unit receives an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “other attention range”) transmitted from another terminal device. For example, the receiving unit may receive coordinates representing the other attention range from the other terminal device, or may receive an image representing the other attention range from the other terminal device.

  Here, the terminal display unit represents an image representing the state of the virtual space in the own area of interest (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”) and the state of the virtual space in the other area of interest that does not overlap the other area of interest. An image (hereinafter referred to as “other image”) is displayed on the terminal screen. According to this configuration, the state of the self-attention range and the state of the other attention range are displayed on the terminal screen as a self-portrait or another image. In this case, a range in which the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap can be displayed only as the self-image and not as the other image. Thereby, it can suppress that it becomes difficult to see a self-portrait by presence of other images.

  Note that the own attention range is typically a predetermined range in which the player is paying attention in the virtual space. On the other hand, the other attention range is typically a predetermined range in which the other player pays attention in the virtual space. Therefore, the player can grasp the state of the self-attention range in which the player is paying attention, and can also grasp the state of the other attention range at which another player is paying attention.

  Hereinafter, in the soccer game, the case where the player is operating the goalkeeper of the team and the other player is operating the forward of the opponent team will be described. In this case, the self-attention range is typically a predetermined range centered on the team keeper's goalkeeper, and the other attention range is typically a predetermined range centered around the opponent team's forward. is there.

  Here, when the distance between the goalkeeper of the teammate and the forward of the opponent team is relatively long, it is considered that the self-attention range and the other attention range do not overlap. Accordingly, in this case, the self-portrait representing the state of the self-attention range is displayed on the terminal screen, and the other image representing the state of the other attention range is displayed on the terminal screen.

  On the other hand, when the distance between the goalkeeper of the team of friends and the forward of the opponent team is relatively close, it is considered that the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap. In this case, the self-portrait representing the state of the self-attention range is displayed on the terminal screen, but no other image is displayed on the terminal screen. Note that the self-portrait represents at least a part of the other attention range.

  As described above, according to the terminal device of the present invention, it is possible to present to the player in an easy-to-understand manner the state in the virtual space presented to other players.

  In the terminal device of the present invention, a position and a region where the self-portrait is displayed on the terminal screen are determined in advance, and a position and a region where the other image is displayed on the terminal screen are determined in advance for each other terminal device. It may be done. In this case, the area where the own image is displayed is set larger than the area where the other image is displayed, and the other image is displayed so as to be superimposed on the own image.

  For example, the self-portrait may be displayed on the entire terminal screen, and one or more other images may be displayed over the self-portrait in a predetermined area of the terminal screen. Note that in the overlapping area where the self-portrait and the other image overlap on the terminal screen, the self-portrait may not be displayed at all and only the other image may be displayed, or both the self-portrait and the other image may be displayed translucently. When the self-portrait is not displayed at all and only the other image is displayed, the overlapping area is displayed according to the luminance of the pixels constituting the other image. On the other hand, when both the self-portrait and the other image are displayed translucently, the overlapping area is displayed according to the luminance obtained by combining the luminance of the pixels constituting the self-image and the luminance of the pixels constituting the other image at an arbitrary ratio. The

  In addition, the said overlap area | region is set to the edge part of a terminal screen, for example, typically the four corners of a terminal screen. In this case, it is possible to present another image while suppressing the self-portrait from becoming difficult to see.

  As described above, according to the terminal device of the present invention, the player in the virtual space presenting to other players can be displayed while properly presenting the player in the virtual space in which the player is focused. Can be presented.

  Further, in the terminal device of the present invention, the terminal display unit may highlight, in the self-image, an area for the overlapping range where the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap for each of the other attention ranges that overlap with the self-attention range. .

  In order to realize this highlighting, for example, the terminal display unit first determines whether or not each of the other attention ranges overlaps with the own attention range. Next, the terminal display unit specifies an overlapping range where the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap for each of the other attention ranges determined to overlap with the self-attention range. And a terminal display part highlights the area | region corresponding to the specified overlapping range.

  Note that the region corresponding to the overlapping range is a region in the self-image, and can be a region in which the positional relationship between the self-attention range and the other attention range can be specified. According to such a configuration, the player can grasp an approximate state in the virtual space presented to the other player based on the highlighted region in the own image.

  The method for highlighting the region corresponding to the overlapping range can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, a line surrounding a region to be highlighted may be displayed on the self-portrait. Or the brightness | luminance of the pixel of the said area | region may be adjusted so that the area | region corresponding to an overlapping range may approach a predetermined color.

  As described above, according to the terminal device of the present invention, the state in the virtual space presented to other players can be presented to the player in an easy-to-understand manner.

  Further, in the terminal device of the present invention, the terminal display unit, for each of the other attention ranges that overlap with the own attention range, when the position predetermined in advance relative to the other attention range is not included in the own attention range, A region corresponding to an overlapping range where the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap may be highlighted in the self-image.

  Here, the position determined in advance relative to the other attention range is, for example, the center position of the other attention range. When the other attention range is set so that the other character operated by the other player is at the center of the other attention range, the center position of the other attention range is a position where the other player exists. When such a position is not included in the self-attention range, it is considered that the degree of overlap between the self-attention range and the other attention range is small. In this case, the area corresponding to the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-image so that the state of the other attention range becomes clear from the self-image. On the other hand, when such a position is included in the self-attention range, it is considered that the degree of overlap between the self-attention range and the other attention range is large. In this case, since the state of the other attention range is already clear from the self-portrait, the region for the overlapping range is not highlighted in the self-image.

  As described above, according to the terminal device of the present invention, the situation in the virtual space presented to other players is considered appropriate for the player in consideration of the situation in the virtual space presented to the player. Can be presented.

  In order to achieve the above object, a central device according to another aspect of the present invention is a central device that communicates with a plurality of terminal devices, and each of the plurality of terminal devices is the above-described terminal device. The apparatus includes an acquisition unit and a central display unit, and is configured as follows.

  First, an acquisition part acquires the attention range which each of several terminal devices transmitted. The information indicating the attention range is, for example, coordinates indicating the attention range. The information indicating the attention range is transmitted from the terminal device to the central device by, for example, ad hoc communication or infrastructure communication.

  Then, the central display unit displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “central image”) on the central screen. Here, the central display unit highlights the region for each of the acquired attention ranges in the central image.

  For example, the central image can be an image representing a range that includes all of the acquired attention ranges. Then, the central image is displayed in such a manner that each of the acquired attention ranges can be identified in the virtual space. According to this configuration, it is presented how the attention range presented in each of the plurality of terminal devices is distributed in the virtual space. Therefore, for example, the player of the terminal device can know the positional relationship between the attention range presented to the player and the attention range presented to other players by referring to the central screen of the central device. .

  Note that the highlighting method can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, a line surrounding the area to be highlighted may be displayed in the central image. Or the brightness | luminance of the pixel of the said area | region may be adjusted so that the area | region to be highlighted may approach a predetermined color.

  As described above, according to the central device of the present invention, it is possible to appropriately present the positional relationship between the attention range presented to the player and the attention range presented to another player.

  In order to achieve the above object, a game system according to another aspect of the present invention is a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players each using a plurality of terminal devices, and includes a setting unit and a terminal display control unit And is configured as follows.

  First, the setting unit sets an attention range in the virtual space in each terminal device based on an instruction from a player who uses each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices. That is, a setting part sets the attention range based on the instruction | indication of the player of the said terminal device for every terminal device. The setting unit may be configured in any way. For example, the setting unit may be configured by a terminal device, may be configured by a central device (server), or may be configured by a terminal device and a central device.

  And a terminal display control part displays two images on the terminal screen of each terminal device. One image is an image representing the state of the virtual space in the range of interest set for each terminal device. The other image is an image representing the state of the virtual space in the attention range that does not overlap with the attention range set for each terminal device among the attention ranges set for other terminal devices other than the terminal devices. .

  Similarly to the setting unit, the terminal display control unit may be configured in any manner. For example, the terminal display control unit may be configured by a terminal device, or may be configured by a central device and each terminal device.

  As described above, according to the game system of the present invention, the terminal device can present to the player in an easy-to-understand manner the situation in the virtual space presented to other players.

  In addition, the game system of the present invention may include a central display control unit that displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “central image”) on the central screen. Here, the central display control unit highlights an area for each of the attention ranges set for each of the plurality of terminal devices in the central image.

  The central display control unit may be configured in any manner. For example, the central display control unit may be configured by a central device, may be configured by a terminal device, or may be configured by a central device and a terminal device. Further, the central screen may be provided in any of the central device, the terminal device, and other devices.

  As described above, according to the game system of the present invention, the positional relationship between the attention range presented to the player and the attention range presented to another player can be presented appropriately.

  In order to achieve the above object, a display control method according to another aspect of the present invention is a display control method executed by each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players. Each of the plurality of terminal devices includes a setting unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, and a terminal display unit, and includes a setting process, a transmission process, a reception process, and a terminal display process, and is configured as follows.

  First, in the setting step, the setting unit sets an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self attention range”) in the virtual space based on an instruction from a player who uses the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “self player”). . The self-attention range is a predetermined range in the virtual space that is being noticed by the player, and is typically around a character operated by the player (hereinafter referred to as “self-character”) in the virtual space. Is a predetermined range. The position and size of the own attention range are set based on an instruction from the own player. The instruction of the player is, for example, an instruction to switch the player character to another character, an instruction to switch the viewpoint, or an instruction to move the player character.

  In the transmission step, the transmission unit transmits the self-attention range to another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices. For example, the transmission unit may transmit coordinates representing the self-attention range to the other terminal device, or may transmit an image representing the self-attention range to the other terminal device.

  On the other hand, in the receiving step, the receiving unit receives an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “other attention range”) transmitted from another terminal device. For example, the receiving unit may receive coordinates representing the other attention range from the other terminal device, or may receive an image representing the other attention range from the other terminal device.

  Here, in the terminal display step, the terminal display unit displays an image representing the state of the virtual space in the self-attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”) and the virtual in the other attention range that does not overlap the self-attention range among the other attention ranges. An image representing the state of the space (hereinafter referred to as “other image”) is displayed on the terminal screen. According to this configuration, the state of the self-attention range and the state of the other attention range are displayed on the terminal screen as a self-portrait or another image. In this case, a range in which the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap can be displayed only as the self-image and not as the other image. Thereby, it can suppress that it becomes difficult to see a self-portrait by presence of other images.

  Note that the own attention range is typically a predetermined range in which the player is paying attention in the virtual space. On the other hand, the other attention range is typically a predetermined range in which the other player pays attention in the virtual space. Therefore, the player can grasp the state of the self-attention range in which the player is paying attention, and can also grasp the state of the other attention range at which another player is paying attention.

  As described above, according to the display control method of the present invention, it is possible to easily present to the player the state in the virtual space presented to the other player.

A program according to another aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer to function as each unit of the terminal device or the central device, or to cause the computer to execute each step of the display control method.
The program of the present invention can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory. The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players, a terminal device, a central device, and a device that are suitable for presenting to a player the state in the virtual space presented to other players in an easy-to-understand manner. A game system, a display control method, and a program for realizing these by a computer can be provided.

It is a mimetic diagram showing the outline composition of the typical information processor with which the terminal unit concerning the embodiment of the present invention is realized. It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the central apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a mode that the area | region corresponding to the attention range was highlighted in the center image. (A) is a figure which shows the area | region where another image is displayed. (B) is a figure which shows a mode that the other image was superimposed and displayed on the self-portrait. (A) is a 1st figure which shows a mode that the area | region corresponding to the duplication range was highlighted while the other image was superimposed and displayed on the self-portrait. (B) is the 2nd figure which shows a mode that the area | region corresponding to the duplication range was highlighted while the other image was superimposed and displayed on the self-portrait. It is a flowchart which shows the terminal screen display control process which the terminal device which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. It is a flowchart which shows the central screen display control process which the central apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention performs. (A) is a figure which shows a mode that the representative position of other attention range is not contained in the own attention range. (B) is a figure which shows a mode that the representative position of the other attention range is included in the own attention range. It is a figure which shows the image displayed on the terminal screen B when the representative position of other attention range is contained in the own attention range. It is a figure for demonstrating the method of determining whether the area | region corresponding to an overlapping range is highlighted according to the length and area of an overlapping range. It is a figure for demonstrating the other method of determining the range in the virtual space represented by the center image. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the game system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. Hereinafter, in order to facilitate understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a game device will be described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to an information processing apparatus such as a mobile phone. That is, the embodiment described below is for explanation, and does not limit the scope of the present invention. Here, those skilled in the art can adopt an embodiment in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones. Therefore, these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

(First embodiment)
(Description of information processing device)
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic configuration of a typical information processing apparatus 100 in which the terminal device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is realized.

  The information processing apparatus 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 103, an interface 104, an input unit 105, a memory cassette 106, and an image processing unit. 107, a touch screen 108, a NIC (Network Interface Card) 109, an audio processing unit 110, a microphone 111, a speaker 112, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 113, and a camera 114.

  The information processing apparatus 100 is turned on in a state in which a memory cassette 106 (details will be described later) storing a terminal device control program and data is mounted in a slot (not shown) connected to the interface 104. Then, a terminal device control program is executed. Thereby, the terminal device according to the present embodiment is realized. Note that the terminal device according to the present embodiment is a game device that controls a soccer game that simulates a situation in which a team of friends and an opponent team play in soccer in a virtual space.

  The CPU 101 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100. The CPU 101 is connected to each component and exchanges control signals and data. The CPU 101 acquires various data from each component. The CPU 101 processes the various data by various operations. The CPU 101 supplies data indicating a processing result and a control signal to each component. The CPU 101 includes a cache and a register inside. Various data acquired by the CPU 101 is temporarily stored in a cache. Thereafter, the various types of data are extracted into a register and subjected to various operations.

  The ROM 102 records an IPL (Initial Program Loader) that is executed immediately after the power is turned on. By executing the IPL, the program recorded in the memory cassette 106 is read out to the RAM 103, and execution of the program by the CPU 101 is started. The ROM 102 stores operating system programs and data necessary for operation control of the entire information processing apparatus 100.

  The RAM 103 temporarily stores data and programs. The RAM 103 holds programs and data read from the memory cassette 106. In addition, the RAM 103 temporarily stores information transmitted to the external device and information transmitted from the external device.

  The interface 104 is an interface for connecting the memory cassette 106 to the information processing apparatus 100.

  The input unit 105 is a control button or the like shown in FIG. 2, and receives an instruction input from the player. The input unit 105 includes direction buttons for designating up, right, down, or left, a determination button, and the like.

  The memory cassette 106 is detachably connected to the information processing apparatus 100 via the interface 104. The memory cassette 106 has a read-only ROM area and an SRAM area. The read-only ROM area is an area in which a program for controlling the terminal device and image data and audio data used in the program are stored. The SRAM area is an area where data such as a photographed image is saved. The CPU 101 performs a reading process on the memory cassette 106 to read out necessary programs and data, and temporarily stores the read data in the RAM 103 or the like.

  The image processing unit 107 processes the data read from the memory cassette 106. The image processing unit 107 includes an image arithmetic processor (not shown) and a frame memory (not shown). The processing is executed by an image arithmetic processor. The processed data (image information) is recorded in a frame memory (not shown). The image information recorded in the frame memory is converted into a video signal at a predetermined synchronization timing. The image information converted into the video signal is output to a touch sensor type display (touch screen 108). Thereby, various image displays are possible.

  The image calculation processor executes a two-dimensional image overlay calculation, a transmission calculation such as α blending, and various saturation calculations at high speed. In addition, the image arithmetic processor can also execute a calculation for obtaining a rendered image at high speed. The rendering image is an image representing a state where a polygon placed in the three-dimensional virtual space is looked down from a predetermined viewpoint position. The rendered image is generated by rendering polygon information by the Z buffer method. The polygon information is information representing a polygon arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space and to which various textures are added. The image arithmetic processor has a function of calculating the degree to which a polygon is illuminated by a typical (positive) light source such as a point light source, a parallel light source, or a cone light source. These functions are made into a library or hardware. Thereby, speeding up of these calculations is realized.

  Further, the image arithmetic processor draws the character string as a two-dimensional image on the frame memory or draws it on the surface of each polygon in accordance with the font information defining the character shape. The image arithmetic processor may use general font information recorded in the ROM 102, or may use dedicated font information recorded in the memory cassette 106. Note that the image arithmetic processor appropriately performs the various processes described above in cooperation with the CPU 101.

  The touch screen 108 is a liquid crystal panel configured by overlapping touch sensors. The touch screen 108 detects position information corresponding to the position pressed by the user with a finger or the touch pen 201 and inputs the detected position information to the CPU 101. That is, the touch screen 108 receives an instruction input from the player, like the input unit 105. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the touch screen 108 is disposed at the center of the front surface of the information processing apparatus 100.

  Note that data temporarily stored in the RAM 103 can be appropriately stored in the memory cassette 106 in accordance with an instruction input by the user via the input unit 105 or the touch screen 108.

  The NIC 109 is for connecting the information processing apparatus 100 to a computer communication network (not shown) such as the Internet. The NIC 109 is configured by, for example, an interface (not shown) that conforms to the 10BASE-T / 100BASE-T standard used when configuring a LAN (Local Area Network). Alternatively, the NIC 109 is connected to the Internet using an analog modem for connecting to the Internet using a telephone line, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) modem, an ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) modem, or a cable television line. And an interface (not shown) that mediates between the CPU 101 and the cable modem.

  The information processing apparatus 100 can obtain current date and time information by connecting to an SNTP server in the Internet via the NIC 109 and acquiring information from the SNTP server.

  The audio processing unit 110 converts the audio data read from the memory cassette 106 into an analog audio signal. The audio processing unit 110 supplies an analog audio signal to the speaker 112 connected to the audio processing unit 110, and causes the speaker to output audio based on the analog audio signal. In addition, the sound processing unit 110 generates sound effects to be generated during the game play under the control of the CPU 101, and outputs sound corresponding to the sound effects from the speaker 112.

  When the audio data recorded in the memory cassette 106 is MIDI data, the audio processing unit 110 refers to the sound source data included in the audio data and converts the MIDI data into PCM data. In addition, when the audio data recorded in the memory cassette 106 is compressed audio data in the ADPCM (Adaptive Differential Pulse Code Modulation) format or the Ogg Vorbis format, the audio processing unit 110 expands the PCM data. Convert to The PCM data is D / A (Digital / Analog) converted at a timing corresponding to the sampling frequency and output to the speaker 112 or the like, thereby realizing voice output.

  The audio processing unit 110 performs A / D (Analog / Digital) conversion on the analog signal input from the microphone 111 at an appropriate sampling frequency, and generates a digital signal in the PCM format.

  The microphone 111 converts sound into an analog signal, and supplies the analog signal obtained by the conversion to the sound processing unit 110. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the microphone 111 is disposed at the front end of the information processing apparatus 100.

  The speaker 112 converts the analog signal supplied from the sound processing unit 110 into sound and outputs the sound. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the speaker 112 is disposed at the front end of the information processing apparatus 100.

  The RTC 113 is a timekeeping device including a crystal resonator and an oscillation circuit. The RTC 113 is supplied with power from the built-in battery, and continues to operate even when the information processing apparatus 100 is powered off.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 includes a DVD-ROM drive that reads programs and data from a DVD-ROM instead of the memory cassette 106, and the DVD-ROM has the same function as the memory cassette 106. You may make it let. The interface 104 may be configured to read data from an external memory medium other than the memory cassette 106. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 100 may be configured to perform the same function as the ROM 102, the RAM 103, the memory cassette 106, and the like using a large-capacity external storage device such as a hard disk.

(Description of game system)
Next, a game system including the terminal device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the game system according to the present embodiment is a game system in which a plurality of players can participate in one soccer game.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game system 1000 includes a terminal device 300A, a terminal device 300B, a terminal device 300C, a terminal device 300D, a terminal device 300E, and a central device connected to each other via a computer communication network such as the Internet. A device 350 is provided. The terminal device 300A, the terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, and the terminal device 300E basically have the same configuration and function. In the following description, terminal device 300A, terminal device 300B, terminal device 300C, terminal device 300D, and terminal device 300E are collectively referred to as terminal device 300 as appropriate.

  The terminal device 300A accepts an operation input related to the soccer game from one player (hereinafter referred to as “player A”) and provides the player A with a game screen related to the soccer game. That is, the terminal device 300A provides a user interface related to the soccer game to the player A. The terminal device 300A is an operation input accepted from the player A, and a player other than the player A accepted from a terminal device 300 other than the terminal device 300A (the terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, or the terminal device 300E). The soccer game is controlled based on the operation input by (Player B, Player C, Player D, or Player E).

  The terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, and the terminal device 300E basically have the same configuration as the terminal device 300A and realize the same operation as the terminal device 300A. That is, the terminal device 300B provides a user interface related to the soccer game to the player B, the terminal device 300C provides a user interface related to the soccer game to the player C, and the terminal device 300D provides the player D to the player D. On the other hand, the user interface regarding the soccer game is provided, and the terminal device 300E provides the user interface regarding the soccer game to the player E.

  Note that the terminal device 300 basically accepts an operation input for a character in a virtual space operated by a player who provides a user interface, and provides an image drawn around the character to the player. Therefore, basically, an image displayed by a certain terminal device 300 is different from an image displayed by a terminal device 300 other than the certain terminal device 300.

  The central device 350 presents an image representing a state in which a soccer game is being performed in the virtual space. Here, in the image presented by the central device 350, the area displayed by the terminal device 300 is highlighted. In other words, the central device 350 presents an image that indicates an area in the virtual space that each of a plurality of players playing a soccer game is paying attention to.

(Description of terminal device configuration)
Next, functions of the terminal device 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 4, the structure of the terminal device 300 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. Note that when the power of the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on while the memory cassette 106 is mounted on the interface 104, the terminal apparatus 300 according to the present embodiment is configured.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal device 300 includes a setting unit 301, a transmission unit 302, a reception unit 303, and a terminal display unit 304. The terminal device 300 is a terminal device used in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players.

  The setting unit 301 sets an attention range in the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “self attention range”) based on an instruction from a player who uses the terminal device 300 (hereinafter referred to as “self player”). The player's instruction is, for example, a movement instruction for a character (hereinafter referred to as “own character”) in a virtual space operated by the player, a switching instruction for switching the player character to another character, or a virtual displayed on the screen. For example, an instruction to change the range in the space. The self-attention range is a range in the virtual space that the player is paying attention to, and is typically a range in the virtual space that is displayed on the screen referenced by the player. The setting unit 301 is configured by the CPU 101, for example.

  The transmission unit 302 transmits the self-attention range to another terminal device 300 used by the game system 1000. For example, the transmission unit 302 included in the terminal device 300A transmits information indicating the range of interest to the terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, and the terminal device 300E. The transmission unit 302 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a NIC 109.

  The receiving unit 303 receives a range of interest (hereinafter referred to as “other range of interest”) transmitted from another terminal device 300. For example, the receiving unit 303 included in the terminal device 300A receives information indicating the other attention range from the terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, and the terminal device 300E. The receiving unit 303 includes, for example, the CPU 101 and the NIC 109.

  The terminal display unit 304 displays an image representing the state of the virtual space in the area of interest (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”) and an image representing the state of the virtual space in the other area of interest that does not overlap the area of interest of the other area of interest ( (Hereinafter referred to as “other image”) is displayed on the terminal screen. The self-portrait is typically an image depicting a state of a predetermined range in the virtual space centered on the self-character operated by the player. On the other hand, the other image is typically a predetermined image in a virtual space centered on a character (hereinafter referred to as “other character”) operated by a player (hereinafter referred to as “other player”) of another terminal device 300. Of the images depicting the state of the range, the drawn range is an image that does not overlap with the self-portrait. The terminal display unit 304 includes, for example, the CPU 101 and the image processing unit 107. The terminal screen is, for example, the touch screen 108.

(Description of the configuration of the central unit)
Next, functions of the central device 350 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. First, with reference to FIG. 5, the structure of the central apparatus 350 which concerns on embodiment of this invention is demonstrated. The central device 350 can be physically configured similarly to the terminal device 300. Accordingly, when the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on while the memory cassette 106 is attached to the interface 104, the central apparatus 350 according to the present embodiment is configured. Here, it is assumed that a program for controlling the central device 350 is stored in the memory cassette 106. The central device 350 may be configured by a personal computer or a television. In this case, the central device 350 can be configured by, for example, the information processing apparatus 100 employing a hard disk or a liquid crystal monitor instead of the memory cassette 106 and the touch screen 108 in the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the central device 350 includes an acquisition unit 351 and a central display unit 352. The central device 350 communicates with a plurality of terminal devices 300.

  The acquisition unit 351 acquires the attention range transmitted by each of the plurality of terminal devices 300. For example, the acquisition unit 351 includes information indicating the attention range transmitted by the terminal device 300A, information indicating the attention range transmitted by the terminal device 300B, information indicating the attention range transmitted by the terminal device 300C, and the attention transmitted by the terminal device 300D. Information indicating the range and information indicating the range of interest transmitted by the terminal device 300E are acquired. The acquisition unit 351 includes, for example, a CPU 101 and a NIC 109.

  The central display unit 352 displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “central image”) on the central screen. Here, the center display unit 352 highlights the area for each of the acquired attention ranges in the center image. A method for highlighting the region in the central image is arbitrary. For example, in the central image, the boundary between the region and the other region may be indicated by a color line associated with the terminal device 300 that has transmitted information indicating the range of interest corresponding to the region. Or the brightness | luminance of a center image may be adjusted so that the said area | region may approximate the color matched with the terminal device 300 which transmitted the information which shows the attention range corresponding to the said area | region in a center image. The central image may include all of the regions for each of the acquired attention ranges, or may include a part of the region for each of the acquired attention ranges. The central display unit 352 includes, for example, the CPU 101 and the image processing unit 107. The central screen is, for example, a touch screen 108 or a liquid crystal monitor (not shown).

(Explanation of the center screen)
Next, an image displayed on the central screen will be described.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which regions for each of the acquired attention ranges are highlighted in the central image. As shown in FIG. 6, the central image is displayed on the entire central screen 600. The central image is desirably an image that can present in an easy-to-understand manner what range in the virtual space each player is paying attention to. For this reason, it is desirable that the central image is an image representing a range including all of the attention ranges acquired from the terminal device 300A, the terminal device 300B, the terminal device 300C, the terminal device 300D, and the terminal device 300E, for example.

  In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the area 610A is an area for the attention range acquired from the terminal device 300A, the area 610B is the area for the attention range acquired from the terminal device 300B, and the area 610C is acquired from the terminal device 300C. The area 610D is an area for the attention range acquired from the terminal device 300D, and the area 610E is the area for the attention range acquired from the terminal apparatus 300E. In the example illustrated in FIG. 6, the region 610 </ b> B and the region 610 </ b> C partially overlap (intersect). Here, each of region 610A, region 610B, region 610C, region 610D, and region 610E is highlighted in the central image.

  The method of highlighting can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, a line surrounding the area to be highlighted may be displayed in the central image. In this case, the color of this line is associated with the terminal device 300 so that the region surrounded by the line is the region corresponding to the other attention range acquired from which terminal device 300. Can be different colors. For example, when the terminal device 300A is associated with red, the terminal device 300B is blue, the terminal device 300C is yellow, the terminal device 300D is green, and the terminal device 300E is pink, the color of the line surrounding the region 610A is red, The color of the line surrounding 610B can be blue, the color of the line surrounding area 610C can be yellow, the color of the line surrounding area 610D can be green, and the color of the line surrounding area 610E can be pink.

  Or the brightness | luminance of the pixel of the said area | region may be adjusted so that the area | region to be highlighted may approach a predetermined color. Also in this case, the color whose luminance is approximated is associated with the terminal device 300 so that the region whose luminance has been adjusted is a region corresponding to the other attention range acquired from which terminal device 300. Color.

  It should be noted that the highlighted area may be indicated by a character string instead of a color, indicating from which terminal device 300 the area corresponding to the other attention range is acquired. For example, “terminal apparatus 300A” near area 610A, “terminal apparatus 300B” near area 610B, “terminal apparatus 300C” near area 610C, “terminal apparatus 300D” near area 610D, and area 610E The character string “terminal device 300E” may be displayed.

(Description of terminal screen)
Next, an image displayed on the terminal screen will be described.

  FIG. 7A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the self-portrait A is displayed on the terminal screen 710 (terminal screen A) displayed by the terminal device 300A. Thus, the self-portrait A is displayed on the entire terminal screen 710. On the other hand, the other image is displayed on one of the predetermined areas 711 to 714 on the terminal screen 710 so as to be superimposed on the self-portrait. The self-portrait A and other images are defined for each terminal device 300.

  FIG. 7B is a diagram illustrating a state where the self-portrait A and other images are displayed on the terminal screen 710. The self-portrait A is an image representing a state in the virtual space in the self-attention range in the virtual space based on an instruction from the player A who uses the terminal device 300A. On the other hand, the other image is an image representing a state in the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the own attention range among the other attention ranges transmitted from the terminal device 300 other than the terminal device 300A. Note that the other attention range and the self attention range overlap means that at least a part of the region in the virtual space is included in both the other attention range and the self attention range. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the region 610A does not overlap any of the region 610B, the region 610C, the region 610D, and the region 610E. Therefore, the other image is another image B representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300B, the other image C representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300C, There are four images: another image D representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300D, and another image E representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300E.

  In FIG. 7B, the self-portrait A is displayed on the entire terminal screen 710, the self-portrait A is superimposed on the self-portrait A in the upper left area 711 of the terminal screen 710, and the self-portrait is displayed in the upper right area 712 of the terminal screen 710. The other image C is displayed superimposed on A, the other image D is displayed superimposed on the own image A in the lower left area 713 of the terminal screen 710, and is superimposed on the own image A in the lower right area 714 of the terminal screen 714. An example in which another image E is displayed is shown.

  Here, the method of displaying the self-portrait and the other image in an overlapping manner can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the self-image and the other image overlap each other by setting the luminance of the pixel included in the region where the self-image and the other image overlap as the average value of the luminance of the pixel in the self-image and the luminance of the pixel in the other image. In the area, the self-portrait and the other image may be displayed translucently. Alternatively, in the region where the self-portrait and the other image overlap, only the other image may be displayed by adopting the luminance of the pixel in the other image.

  FIG. 8A is a diagram illustrating a state in which the self-portrait B and other images are displayed on the terminal screen 720 (terminal screen B) displayed by the terminal device 300B. The self-portrait B is an image representing a situation in the virtual space in the self-attention range in the virtual space based on an instruction from the player B who uses the terminal device 300B. On the other hand, the other image is an image representing a state in the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the own attention range among the other attention ranges transmitted from the terminal device 300 other than the terminal device 300B. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the region 610B partially overlaps the region 610C. Therefore, the other image is another image A representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300A, the other image D representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300D, These are three other images E representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300E.

  In FIG. 8A, the self-portrait B is displayed on the entire terminal screen 720, the other image A is displayed superimposed on the self-portrait B in the upper left area 721 of the terminal screen 720, and the self-portrait is displayed in the lower left area 723 of the terminal screen 720. An example is shown in which another image D is displayed superimposed on B, and another image E is displayed superimposed on the self-image B in a lower right region 724 of the terminal screen 724. Here, since the region 610B partially overlaps the region 610C, the other image C is not displayed in the region 722. Instead, an area corresponding to the overlapping range in which the self-attention range in the virtual space based on the instruction of the player B using the terminal device 300B and the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300C overlap is highlighted in the self-image B. The The region 725 is a region corresponding to this overlapping range, and the region 610B and the region 610C overlap. That is, in the area 610B, since the lower right area overlaps the area 610C, the lower right area is highlighted in the self-portrait B.

  The method for highlighting the region corresponding to the overlapping range can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, a line surrounding a region to be highlighted may be displayed on the self-portrait. In this case, the color of this line is associated with the terminal device 300 so that the region surrounded by the line is the region corresponding to the other attention range acquired from which terminal device 300. Can be different colors.

  Or the brightness | luminance of the pixel contained in the said area | region may be adjusted so that the area | region to highlight may approach a predetermined color. Also in this case, the color whose luminance is approximated is associated with the terminal device 300 so that the region whose luminance has been adjusted is a region corresponding to the other attention range acquired from which terminal device 300. Color.

  It should be noted that the highlighted area may be indicated by a character string instead of a color, indicating from which terminal device 300 the area corresponding to the other attention range is acquired. For example, a character string “terminal device 300 </ b> C” may be displayed near the area 725.

  FIG. 8B is a diagram illustrating a state where the self-portrait C and another image are displayed on the terminal screen 730 (terminal screen C) displayed by the terminal device 300C. The self-image C is an image representing a state in the virtual space in the self-attention range in the virtual space based on an instruction from the player C using the terminal device 300C. On the other hand, the other image is an image representing a state in the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the own attention range among the other attention ranges transmitted from the terminal device 300 other than the terminal device 300C. Here, as shown in FIG. 6, the region 610C partially overlaps the region 610B. Therefore, the other image is another image A representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300A, the other image D representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300D, These are three other images E representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300E.

  In FIG. 8B, the self-portrait C is displayed on the entire terminal screen 730, the other image A is displayed on the self-portrait C in the upper left area 731 of the terminal screen 730, and the self-portrait is displayed in the lower left area 733 of the terminal screen 730. An example is shown in which another image D is displayed superimposed on C, and another image E is displayed superimposed on the subject image C in the lower right region 734 of the terminal screen 734. Here, since the area 610C partially overlaps the area 610B, the other image B is not displayed in the area 732. Instead, an area corresponding to the overlapping range in which the self-attention range in the virtual space based on the instruction of the player C using the terminal device 300C and the other attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300B are highlighted in the self-image C. The The region 735 is a region corresponding to this overlapping range, and is a region where the region 610B and the region 610C overlap. That is, in the area 610C, since the upper left area overlaps the area 610B, the upper left area in the self-portrait C is highlighted.

(Explanation of operation of terminal device)
Next, the operation of the terminal device 300 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a terminal screen display control process executed by the terminal device 300 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the terminal screen display control process shown in FIG. 9 is a process performed during the play of a soccer game, for example. In the following description, it is assumed that the terminal screen 700 is generated so that the character operated by the player using the terminal device 300 is always displayed in the center of the terminal screen 700.

  First, the CPU 101 receives an instruction from the player (step S101). Specifically, the instruction from the player is a tracing operation given to the touch screen 108 or a pressing operation on the buttons constituting the input unit 105.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S101, it sets a range of interest (step S102). The self-attention range is determined according to the instruction received in step S101. For example, when the instruction received from the player is a movement instruction for a character operated by the player, the position of the player's attention is changed because the position of the character in the virtual space is changed.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S102, the CPU 101 transmits the range of interest to the other terminal device 300 and the central device 350 (step S103). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to transmit information indicating the range of interest to all other terminal devices 300 and the central device 350. The information indicating the self-attention range may be any information as long as the information can identify the self-attention range in the virtual space. For example, information indicating the coordinates of the self-attention range in a predetermined coordinate system in the virtual space is information indicating the self-attention range.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step 103, it receives the other attention range from the other terminal device 300 (step S104). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to receive information indicating other attention ranges from all other terminal devices 300. The information indicating the other attention range may be any information as long as the information can identify the other attention range in the virtual space. The other attention range is the self attention range when viewed from the terminal device 300 that transmits the other attention range. On the other hand, the self-attention range is the other attention range when viewed from other terminal devices 300.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step 104, the CPU 101 generates a self-portrait based on the self-attention range (step S105). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to generate a self-image that represents the state of the virtual space in the self-attention range set in step S102. The generated self-portrait is, for example, an image that includes the self-character operated by the player at the center.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step 105, it selects another terminal device 300 (step S106). For example, the CPU 101 selects one terminal device 300 from the other terminal devices 300 in accordance with a predetermined order.

  When the CPU 101 finishes the process of step 106, it determines whether or not the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap (step S107). Here, the other attention range is the other attention range received from the terminal device 300 selected in step S106. The technique for determining whether or not the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, the CPU 101 determines whether at least a part of the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap based on the coordinates in the virtual space representing the self-attention range and the coordinates in the virtual space representing the other attention range. Determine whether or not. In the present embodiment, when at least a part of the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap, it is determined that the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap, and the self-attention range and the other attention range do not overlap at all It is determined that the self-attention range and the other attention range do not overlap.

  If the CPU 101 determines that the self-attention range and the other attention range do not overlap (step S107: NO), the CPU 101 generates another image based on the other attention range (step S108). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to generate another image representing the state of the virtual space in the other attention range received from the terminal device 300 selected in step S106. The other image to be generated is an image including in the center the other character operated by another player using the selected terminal device 300.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap (step S107: YES), the CPU 101 specifies the region to be highlighted in the self-image (step S109). Here, the region to be highlighted in the self-portrait is a region in the self-image corresponding to an overlapping range where the self-focused range and the other focused range overlap. For example, the CPU 101 first obtains the coordinates in the virtual space representing the overlapping range based on the coordinates in the virtual space representing the self-attention range and the coordinates in the virtual space representing the other range of interest. Then, the CPU 101 specifies an area corresponding to the overlapping range in the own image based on the obtained coordinates.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S108 or step S109, it determines whether there is another unselected terminal device 300 (step S110). That is, the CPU 101 determines whether all other terminal devices 300 have been selected in step S106.

  If the CPU 101 determines that there is another unselected terminal device 300 (step S110: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S106, and executes a process of selecting another terminal device 300.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is no other unselected terminal device 300 (step S110: NO), the CPU 101 generates an image signal (step S111). This image signal is a signal representing a self-portrait or another image displayed on the terminal screen 700. Therefore, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to use a self-portrait generated in step S105, another image generated in step S108, and the like to indicate a signal indicating an image displayed on the terminal screen 700. Generate. Note that an image signal is generated so that the area specified in step S109 is highlighted in the self-image.

  CPU101 displays the terminal screen 700, after complete | finishing the process of step S111 (step S112). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to supply the image signal generated in step S <b> 111 to the touch screen 108 and display the terminal screen 700 on the touch screen 108. When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S112, the process returns to step S101.

(Explanation of operation of central unit)
Next, the operation of the central apparatus 350 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a central screen display control process executed by the central device 350 according to the present embodiment. Note that the central screen display control process shown in FIG. 10 is a process executed during the play of a soccer game, for example.

  First, the CPU 101 receives a range of interest from the terminal device 300 (step S201). That is, the CPU 101 controls the NIC 109 to receive information indicating the attention range transmitted from all the terminal devices 300 in step S103.

  CPU101 produces | generates a center image, after complete | finishing the process of step S201 (step S202). The central image is an image displayed on the entire central screen 600, and is generated based on the attention range received in step S201, for example. Specifically, a central image representing a state of the virtual space in a range including all received attention ranges is generated.

  CPU101 selects the terminal device 300, after complete | finishing the process of step S202 (step S203). For example, the CPU 101 selects one terminal device 300 from all the terminal devices 300 according to a predetermined order.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S203, the CPU 101 specifies an area to be highlighted in the central image (step S204). Specifically, the CPU 101 specifies a region in the central image corresponding to the attention range based on the information indicating the attention range received from the terminal device 300 selected in step S203.

  When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S204, it determines whether there is an unselected terminal device 300 (step S205). That is, the CPU 101 determines whether all other terminal devices 300 have been selected in step S203.

  When the CPU 101 determines that there is an unselected terminal device 300 (step S205: YES), the CPU 101 returns the process to step S203 and executes a process of selecting the terminal device 300.

  On the other hand, when determining that there is no unselected terminal device 300 (step S205: NO), the CPU 101 generates an image signal (step S206). This image signal is a signal representing the self-portrait displayed on the central screen 600 and other images. Accordingly, the CPU 101 generates a signal indicating an image displayed on the central screen 600 by using the central image generated in step S202 by controlling the image processing unit 107, for example. In the center image, an image signal is generated so that the area specified in step S204 is highlighted.

  When the CPU 101 completes the process of step S206, it displays the central screen 600 (step S207). Specifically, the CPU 101 controls the image processing unit 107 to supply the image signal generated in step S206 to the touch screen 108 and the liquid crystal monitor, and display the central screen 600 on the touch screen 108 and the liquid crystal monitor. . When the CPU 101 ends the process of step S207, the process returns to step S201.

  According to the terminal device 300 according to the present embodiment, when the self-attention range and the other attention range do not overlap, the virtual space in the other attention range is represented on the self-image representing the appearance of the virtual space in the self-interest range. Another image is displayed on the terminal screen 700. On the other hand, when the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap, the region for the overlapping range where the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap is highlighted in the self-image. Therefore, according to the terminal device 300 according to the present embodiment, it is easy for the player who uses the terminal device 300 to understand the state in the virtual space that other players using the other terminal device 300 are paying attention to, and It can be presented in a way that does not get in the way.

  Further, according to the central device 350 according to the present embodiment, the region for each of the attention ranges transmitted by each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 is emphasized in the central image. For this reason, the player can grasp | ascertain the range in the virtual space which each of the player using the terminal device 300 pays attention with reference to a center image.

(Modification)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made.

  In the above embodiment, when the self-attention range and the other attention range partially overlap in the virtual space, an example is shown in which the region for the overlapping range where the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap is highlighted in the self-image. . However, the conditions under which the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-image can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, it may be determined whether or not the region for the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-image depending on whether or not the representative position of the other attention range is included in the self-observation range. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 11A shows an example in which the representative position of the other attention range is not included in the own attention range, and FIG. 11B shows an example in which the representative position of the other attention range is included in the own attention range. Here, an area in the central image corresponding to the self-interesting area is an area 610B, and an area in the central image corresponding to the other attention area is an area 610C. Further, the player character 910B operated by the player using the terminal device 300B is displayed at the center of the area 610B, and the player character 910C operated by another player using the terminal device 300C is displayed at the center of the area 610C. Is displayed. The representative position of the other attention range is the position of the character 910C.

  First, as shown in FIG. 11A, when the region 610B and the region 610C overlap so that the representative position of the other attention range is not included in the own attention range, the region corresponding to the overlapping range is highlighted in the own image. You can make it. Thus, when the representative position of the other attention range is not included in the own attention range, it is considered that the overlapping range of the other attention range and the own attention range is small. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 8A, the region 725 for the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-portrait B, so that the player C using the terminal device 300C is paying attention. The range can be presented to the player B who uses the terminal device 300B. In particular, in this case, since the overlapping range is also small, even if the region 725 for the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-image B, it is difficult to hinder the display of the self-image B.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11B, when the region 610B and the region 610C overlap so that the representative position of the other attention range is included in the own attention range, the region corresponding to the overlapping range is not highlighted in the own image. Can be. Thus, when the representative position of the other attention range is included in the own attention range, it is considered that the overlapping range between the other attention range and the own attention range is large. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 12, the display of the self-portrait B can be prevented from being hindered by preventing the region 725 for the overlapping range from being highlighted in the self-portrait B. However, even in this case, since the other image C is not displayed in the area 722, the player B who uses the terminal device 300B has the other attention range that the player C who uses the terminal device 300C is paying attention to. Can be recognized.

  In addition, the condition for highlighting the overlapping range in the self-image may be a condition based on the size and length of the overlapping range between the self-attention range and the other attention range. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG.

  First, each of the area 610B and the area 610C has a horizontal length LX and a vertical length LY, and an area corresponding to the overlapping range has a horizontal length LX1 and a vertical length LY1. Suppose that

  For example, the ratio of the size of the overlapping range to the size of the subject attention range or the other attention range (that is, the ratio of the size of the region to the overlapping range with respect to the size of the region 610B or the region 610C) is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Depending on whether or not there is, it may be determined whether or not an area for the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-portrait. In this case, for example, when (LX1 × LY1) / (LX × LY) is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the overlapping range is highlighted in the own image, and (LX1 × LY1) / (LX × LY) is the predetermined threshold. In the case of exceeding, it is possible to prevent the overlapping range from being highlighted in the self-portrait.

  Alternatively, the ratio of the length of the overlapping range to the length of the self-interesting range or other attention range (that is, the ratio of the length of the region to the overlapping range with respect to the length of the region 610B or the region 610C) is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Whether or not the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-portrait may be determined depending on whether or not it is. In this case, for example, when LX1 / LX or LY1 / LY is equal to or smaller than a predetermined threshold, the overlapping range is highlighted in the self-image, and when LX1 / LX or LY1 / LY exceeds the predetermined threshold, the overlapping range is the self-image. Can be prevented from being highlighted.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the range in the virtual space indicated by the central image is a range including all of the attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300 has been described. However, the range in the virtual space indicated by the central image is not limited to this example. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the range in the virtual space indicated by the central image may be a range including at least a part of each of a plurality of ranges of interest transmitted from the terminal device 300. Even in this case, the player can grasp which range in the virtual space the other player is paying attention to by referring to the central image.

  Further, the range in the virtual space indicated by the central image may be a predetermined range. For example, in the case of a soccer game, the central image may represent the state of the entire soccer field where the character can move. In this case, even if the central image is generated without considering the attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300, the central image represents a range including all the attention ranges.

  In addition, the range in the virtual space indicated by the central image may be a range including only a predetermined attention range among the attention ranges transmitted from the terminal device 300. For example, the attention range transmitted from the terminal device 300 is five, and the four attention ranges are concentrated in the virtual space, and the remaining one attention range is separated from the positions of these four attention ranges. If there is, the range in the virtual space including these four ranges of interest may be indicated by the central image. Even in such a case, by referring to the central screen 600, the player can roughly know which range in the virtual space is being watched by other players.

  In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which other images are displayed at the four corners of the self-portrait (four corners of the terminal screen 700), but the positions at which the other images are displayed are arbitrary. Note that the position where the other image is displayed is preferably a position where the self-portrait is not difficult to see. For example, the position where the other image is displayed includes the upper end portion of the self-portrait (upper end portion of the terminal screen 700), the lower end portion of the self-portrait (lower end portion of the terminal screen 700), the right end portion of the self-portrait (right end portion of the terminal screen 700), The left end of the self-portrait (the left end of the terminal screen 700) is desirable.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the other image representing the state in the virtual space in the other attention range is not displayed on the terminal screen 700 when the own attention range and the other attention range overlap is shown. However, even when the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap, for example, when the size of the overlapping range is equal to or smaller than a predetermined size, another image representing a state in the virtual space in the other attention range is displayed. It may be displayed on the terminal screen 700.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the size of the region with respect to the attention range in the central image is the same, but the size of the region with respect to the attention range in the central image may be different for each terminal device 300. Even in this case, when the overlap between the attention ranges is relatively small, the area corresponding to the overlap range can be highlighted in the own image, or another image can be displayed over the own image. .

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which an image is displayed on the touch screen 108 having an operation input receiving function has been described. However, an image may be displayed on a display device such as a liquid crystal display that does not have an operation input receiving function. Moreover, although the terminal device 300 showed the example which has two screens in the said embodiment, the terminal device 300 may have only one screen, or the terminal device 300 has three or more screens. Of course, it may have.

  In the present invention, the processing executed by the terminal device 300 and the processing executed by the central device 350 are not limited to the examples shown in the above embodiment. For example, the central device 350 may execute part or all of the processing shown as the processing executed by the terminal device 300, or part or all of the processing shown as the processing executed by the central device 350. May be executed. That is, in the game system 1000, since a plurality of terminal devices 300 and the central device 350 are connected to each other by an electric communication line, any device may execute any process. As described above, the process to be executed by the game system 1000 may be executed by the entire game system 1000, and the execution subject is not limited.

  For example, when the processing capability of the terminal device 300 is relatively high with respect to the processing capability of the central device 350, the terminal device 300 preferably executes most of the processing that the game system 1000 should execute. It is. On the other hand, when the processing capability of the terminal device 300 is not relatively high with respect to the processing capability of the central device 350, the central device 350 may execute most of the processing to be executed by the game system 1000. Is preferred.

  FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the game system 1000 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the game system 1000 includes a setting unit 361, a terminal display control unit 362, a terminal screen 363, a central display control unit 364, and a central screen 365. The game system 1000 may not include the central display control unit 364 and the central screen 365.

  The setting unit 361 sets an attention range in the virtual space in each terminal device 300 based on an instruction from a player who uses each terminal device 300 of the plurality of terminal devices 300. That is, the setting unit 361 sets an attention range for each terminal device 300 based on an instruction from the player of the terminal device 300.

  The terminal display control unit 362 displays two images on the terminal screen 363 of each terminal device 300. One image is an image representing the state of the virtual space in the range of interest set for each terminal device 300. The other image represents the state of the virtual space in the attention range that does not overlap with the attention range set for each terminal device 300 among the attention ranges set for the other terminal devices 300 other than each terminal device 300. It is an image.

  The central display control unit 364 displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “central image”) on the central screen 365. Here, the central display control unit 364 highlights the region for each of the attention ranges set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 in the central image.

  Here, the setting unit 361 may be an aggregate of a plurality of individual setting units each configured by one terminal device 300. In this case, each terminal device 300 sets an attention range in each terminal device 300 based on an instruction from a player who uses each terminal device 300. For example, such a form is suitable when the attention ranges set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 are independent of each other.

  Alternatively, the setting unit 361 may be configured by a central device (server) 350. In this case, for example, the central device 350 acquires information indicating an instruction of a player who uses each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 from each of the plurality of terminal devices 300. Then, the central device 350 sets the attention range in each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 based on the acquired information. For example, such a form is preferable when the attention ranges set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 have a mutually dependent relationship.

  Alternatively, the setting unit 361 may be configured by the terminal device 300 and the central device 350. In this case, for example, the terminal device 300 executes a part of the processing for setting the attention range, and the central device 350 executes the other processing of the processing for setting the attention range.

  Further, the terminal display control unit 362 may be configured in any manner. For example, the terminal display control unit 362 may be configured without including the central device 350 and may be configured by each terminal device 300. In this case, each terminal device 300 acquires a range of interest from the other terminal devices 300, generates an image to be displayed on the terminal screen 363 that the terminal device 300 has (or is connected to) itself, and displays the image on the terminal screen 363. To do.

  Alternatively, the terminal display control unit 362 may be configured by the central device 350 and each terminal device 300. In this case, the central device 350 acquires a range of interest from each terminal device 300, generates each image to be displayed on each terminal screen 363 included in each terminal device 300, and supplies the image to each terminal device 300. On the other hand, each terminal device 300 displays the image supplied from the central device 350 on the terminal screen 363 provided therein.

  Further, the central display control unit 364 may be configured in any manner. For example, the central display control unit 364 may be configured by the central device 350. In this case, the central device 350 generates a central image based on the attention range set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 and displays the central image on the central screen 365. For example, the central device 350 can acquire the attention range set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 from each of the plurality of terminal devices 300.

  Alternatively, the central display control unit 364 may be configured by the terminal device 300. In this case, the terminal device 300 generates a central image based on the attention range set for each of the plurality of terminal devices 300 and displays the central image on the central screen 365. In addition, the terminal device 300 which comprises the central display control part 364 can acquire the attention range set about each of the some terminal device 300 from the other terminal device 300, for example.

  Further, the central screen 365 may be provided by a device constituting the central display control unit 364, or may be provided by another device. When the other device includes the central screen 365, the devices constituting the central display control unit 364 supply the generated central image to the other device. On the other hand, the other devices display the supplied central image on the central screen 365 provided (or connected to) the central image.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the game system 1000 includes the plurality of terminal devices 300 and the central device 350 has been described. However, the game system 1000 may be configured by a plurality of terminal devices 300. Even in this case, by referring to the terminal screen 700, the player can know which range in the virtual space is being watched by other players. The game system 1000 may include a game server in addition to the plurality of terminal devices 300 and the central device 350. In this case, the game server controls the game, and the plurality of terminal devices 300 and the central device 350 mainly function as a user interface.

  In the above embodiment, the example in which the terminal apparatuses 300 communicate with each other or the terminal apparatus 300 and the central apparatus 350 communicate by infrastructure communication (communication in infrastructure mode) has been described. However, the terminal devices 300 or the terminal device 300 and the central device 350 may communicate with each other by ad hoc communication (communication in an ad hoc mode).

  In the above-described embodiment, the self-image displayed by the terminal device 300 has been described as an example representing the state of a predetermined range in the virtual space centered on the self-character operated by the player using the terminal device 300. However, the range in the virtual space where the state is represented by the self-portrait displayed by the terminal device 300 is not limited to this example.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a game device that exclusively controls a game is shown. However, the present invention can be applied to personal computers, mobile phones, and the like that additionally have a function of controlling a game.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players, it is suitable for presenting to a player the state in the virtual space presented to other players in an easily understandable manner. A terminal device, a central device, a game system, a display control method, and a program for realizing these by a computer can be provided.

100 Information processing apparatus 101 CPU
102 ROM
103 RAM
104 Interface 105 Input unit 106 Memory cassette 107 Image processing unit 108 Touch screen 109 NIC
110 Audio processing unit 111 Microphone 112 Speaker 113 RTC
201 Touch pen 300, 300A, 300B, 300C, 300D, 300E Terminal device 301 Setting unit 302 Transmission unit 303 Reception unit 304 Terminal display unit 350 Central device 351 Acquisition unit 352 Central display unit 361 Setting unit 362 Terminal display control unit 363 Terminal screen 364 Central display control unit 365 Central screen 600 Central screen 610A, 610B, 610C, 610D, 610E Area 710, 720, 730 Terminal screen 711-714, 721-725, 731-735 Area 910B Own character 910C Other character 1000 Game system

Claims (9)

Each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a game system for presenting a virtual space to a plurality of players,
A setting unit that sets an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-attention range”) in the virtual space based on an instruction from a player who uses the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “self-player”);
A transmitter that transmits the self-interesting range to another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices;
A receiving unit that receives an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “other attention range”) transmitted from the other terminal device;
An image representing the state of the virtual space in the self-attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-portrait”) and an image representing the state of the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the self-attention range among the other attention ranges (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”). A terminal display unit that displays “other images” on the terminal screen. The terminal device according to claim 1,
On the terminal screen, a position and a region where the self-portrait is displayed are determined in advance,
On the terminal screen, a position and a region where the other image is displayed are predetermined for each of the other terminal devices,
The area where the self-portrait is displayed is larger than the area where the other image is displayed,
The other image is displayed so as to be superimposed on the self-portrait. The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2,
The terminal display unit highlights, in the self-image, an area for an overlapping range in which the self-attention range and the other attention range overlap for each of the other attention ranges that overlap with the self-attention range. . The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2,
The terminal display unit, for each of the other attention ranges that overlap with the self-interesting range, if the position determined in advance relative to the other attention range is not included in the self-interesting range, A terminal device that highlights an area for an overlapping range that overlaps with the other range of interest in the self-portrait. A central device that communicates with a plurality of terminal devices, wherein each of the plurality of terminal devices is the terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An acquisition unit for acquiring the attention range transmitted by each of the plurality of terminal devices;
A central display unit that displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as a “central image”) on a central screen;
The central device, wherein the central display unit highlights the region for each of the acquired attention ranges in the central image. A game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players each using a plurality of terminal devices,
Based on an instruction from a player who uses each terminal device of the plurality of terminal devices, a setting unit that sets an attention range in the virtual space in each terminal device,
An image representing the state of the virtual space in the attention range set for each terminal device, and the attention range set for each terminal device among the attention ranges set for other terminal devices other than the terminal devices A game system, comprising: a terminal display control unit configured to display an image representing a state of the virtual space in an attention range that does not overlap on a terminal screen of each terminal device. The game system according to claim 6,
A central display control unit that displays an image representing the state of the virtual space (hereinafter referred to as “central image”) on a central screen;
The game system, wherein the central display control unit highlights, in the central image, an area for each of the attention ranges set for each of the plurality of terminal devices. A display control method executed by each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players,
Each of the plurality of terminal devices includes a setting unit, a transmission unit, a reception unit, a terminal display unit,
A setting step in which the setting unit sets an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-attention range”) in the virtual space based on an instruction of a player who uses the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “self-player”);
A transmitting step in which the transmitting unit transmits the self-interesting range to another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices;
A receiving step in which the receiving unit receives an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “other attention range”) transmitted from the other terminal device;
The terminal display unit displays an image of the virtual space in the self-attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”) and the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the self-attention range among the other attention ranges. A display control method comprising: a terminal display step of displaying an image representing a state (hereinafter referred to as “other image”) on a terminal screen. Computer
A program for functioning as each of a plurality of terminal devices used in a game system that presents a virtual space to a plurality of players,
The program causes the computer to
A setting unit that sets an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-attention range”) in the virtual space based on an instruction from a player who uses the terminal device (hereinafter referred to as “self-player”);
A transmitter that transmits the self-interesting range to another terminal device among the plurality of terminal devices;
A receiving unit that receives an attention range (hereinafter referred to as “other attention range”) transmitted from the other terminal device;
An image representing the state of the virtual space in the self-attention range (hereinafter referred to as “self-portrait”) and an image representing the state of the virtual space in the other attention range that does not overlap the self-attention range among the other attention ranges (hereinafter referred to as “self-image”). "Other image")) and a program that functions as a terminal display unit that displays on the terminal screen.

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