JP2013138299A - Character input device, game machine with the same applied, control method for use with them, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a character input device that recommends a different character array state for each character type.SOLUTION: The character input device, which provides a first keyboard state and a second keyboard state having different array positions of each character used for input to allow input of characters of a plurality of character types using the character array states, includes an external storage device 20 for storing use history data 23 for determining use histories of the character array states for each character type. The character input device determines a character array state to be provided for each character type out of the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state on the basis of the use history data 23, and in response to a character type used, provides the character array state corresponding to the character type used as an initial character array state on the basis of the determination result.

Description

  The present invention is applied to, for example, a game machine, provides a plurality of character arrangement states, and is capable of inputting characters of a plurality of character types, a game machine to which the character input apparatus is applied, a control method used therefor, and It relates to a computer program.

  There are character input devices that are used to input characters. As one of game systems to which such a character input device is applied, there is known a game system that uses a character input device for inputting answers to a quiz game (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2011-189072 A

  In a game system like patent document 1, the character type used for a quiz answer is not limited to one. That is, various character types such as hiragana, katakana, and alphanumeric characters can be requested as an answer. Accordingly, a character input device provided in such a game system may be required to input a plurality of character types. Further, in such a case, if an arrangement of characters corresponding to the character type requested to be input is provided in advance, it is possible to reduce the labor of the input person who inputs the characters. On the other hand, there can be a plurality of types of arrays as the arrays of the characters constituting the character type. As such a plurality of types of character arrays, there are, for example, an alphabetical array of alphanumeric character types, a so-called QWERTY array generally applied to keyboard character arrays applied to personal computers and the like. There is a character input device capable of providing such a plurality of character arrangement states, and the character arrangement state used immediately before is provided next time as an initial display. However, the state of the character arrangement suitable for use is often different for each character type depending on the usage tendency of the input person. Therefore, in the current character type input, the state of the character array used immediately before is not always appropriate. For this reason, the input person may have to change the state of the character arrangement. In such a case, the labor of the input person increases.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a character input device that can recommend different character arrangement states for each character type, a game machine to which the character input device is applied, a control method used therefor, and a computer program.

  The character input device of the present invention provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which the arrangement positions of the characters used for input are different from each other, and can input characters of a plurality of character types using the plurality of character arrangement states. It is a character input device, and the usage record data storage means (20) for storing the usage record data (23) for discriminating the use record of each of the plurality of character arrangement states for each character type, and the use record data Based on the determination result of the character arrangement determination means, the character arrangement determination means (3) for determining, for each character type, the character arrangement state to be provided from the plurality of character arrangement states, and the character type to be used And a character arrangement providing means (3) for providing the character arrangement state to be provided corresponding to the character type to be used as an initial character arrangement state.

  According to the present invention, the character arrangement state corresponding to the character type to be used is initially provided based on the usage record for each character type. That is, based on the past usage record for each character type, a character arrangement state that is different for each character type can be recommended as the initial character arrangement state. In addition, since the past use record is reflected in the recommended character arrangement, there is a high possibility that the recommended character arrangement is in line with the use tendency of the input person. Accordingly, it is possible to make a more appropriate recommendation, and it is possible to reduce the input effort.

  Any result may be used as the use result. For example, in one aspect of the character input device of the present invention, the last use record for each character type is used as the use record, and the use record data is last for each character type based on the last use record. The character arrangement determining means is configured to be able to determine the character arrangement state used for the character type, and the character arrangement determining means determines the character arrangement state used last for each character type based on the usage record data. You may discriminate | determine as an arrangement | sequence state. In this case, it is possible to recommend a character arrangement state corresponding to each character type by covering past results for each character type. Further, for example, in one aspect of the character input device of the present invention, the last use record for each character type is used as the use record, and the use record data is based on the last use record for each character type. The character arrangement determining unit is configured to be able to determine the last used character arrangement state, and the character arrangement determining unit provides the character arrangement state used last for each character type based on the usage record data. It may be determined as a power character arrangement state. In this case, the character arrangement state corresponding to each character type can be recommended based on the latest usage tendency for each character type.

  Multiple character arrangement states may be provided in any manner. For example, in one aspect of the character input device of the present invention, the display device (4) for displaying the input screen (GS) for providing the plurality of character arrangement states, and the display device so as to cover the input screen A touch panel (7) that is superimposed and capable of detecting the touch position of the input person, and is configured to input characters arranged at the touch position on the touch panel among the characters provided by the input screen. It may be.

  In one aspect of the character input device of the present invention, requested character type data storage for storing requested character type data (24) in which requested character type information for determining a character type that requires input from the input person among the plurality of character types is described. Means (20) and requested character type discriminating means (3) for discriminating a character type to be requested based on the requested character type information, wherein the character arrangement providing means comprises the character arrangement discriminating means, Based on the determination result of the required character type determination means, the character type to be requested for input is used as the character type to be used, and the character arrangement state to be provided corresponding to the character type to be requested for input is the initial character state. You may provide so that the character type which requires the said input as a character arrangement state can be input. In this case, it is possible to recommend a character arrangement state corresponding to the character type requested to be input. In addition, since it is possible to input the character type to be input according to the recommended character arrangement state, it is not necessary to consider the character type to be input. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of input.

  The game machine of the present invention includes the character input device described above, question data storage means (20) for storing question data (24) in which a plurality of questions to the player are described, and a plurality of each corresponding to the plurality of questions. Answer data storage means (20) for storing answer data (25) in which the answer is described, questions are given based on the question data, and the character input device is used based on the answer data. The quiz game in which the answers inputted in this way are evaluated is configured to be executable. According to the game machine of the present invention, it is possible to realize a quiz game that can recommend a different character arrangement state for each character type when an answer is input.

  In addition, the game machine of the present invention, when a character input device capable of recommending a character arrangement state according to a character type to be requested among the character input devices described above is applied, Question data storage means for storing question data described so that each and the requested character type information are associated with each other, and answer data storage for storing answer data describing a plurality of answers respectively corresponding to the plurality of questions And the question data is used as the required character type data, the question data storage means is used as the required character type data storage means, and a question is given as a game based on the question data, and the answer A quiz game in which an answer input using the character input device is evaluated based on data is configured to be executable. Good. In this case, it is possible to realize a quiz game that can recommend a character arrangement state corresponding to a character type that should be requested as an answer.

  The control method of the present invention provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which the arrangement positions of the characters used for input are different from each other, and a character capable of inputting characters of a plurality of character types using the plurality of character arrangement states. It is an input device, and is incorporated in a character input device provided with use record data storage means (20) for storing use record data (23) for determining each use record of each of the plurality of character arrangement states for each character type. A character arrangement determining step of determining, for each character type, a character arrangement state to be provided from among the plurality of character arrangement states based on the usage record data; and determination of the character arrangement determination step Based on the result, according to the character type to be used, the character arrangement providing device that provides the character arrangement state to be provided corresponding to the character type to be used as an initial character arrangement state If is intended to run.

  Further, the computer program for the character input device of the present invention provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which the arrangement positions of the characters used for input are different from each other, and uses the plurality of character arrangement states for a plurality of character types. A character input device capable of inputting characters, comprising: use record data storage means (20) for storing use record data (23) for determining the use record of each of the plurality of character arrangement states for each character type A character arrangement determining means for determining, for each character type, a character arrangement state to be provided from the plurality of character arrangement states based on the usage record data; and a computer (3) incorporated in the character input device provided Based on the determination result of the character array determination means, the character array state to be provided corresponding to the character type to be used is displayed as an initial sentence according to the character type to be used. Those that are configured to function as a character array providing means for providing as an array state. The character input device of the present invention can be realized by executing the control method of the present invention or the computer program for the character input device.

  In addition, in the above description, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the reference sign of the accompanying drawing was attached in parenthesis, but this invention is not limited to the form of illustration by it.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the character arrangement state corresponding to the character type to be used is initially provided based on the usage record for each character type. Thereby, as an initial character arrangement state, a different character arrangement state for each character type can be recommended using a past use record for each character type.

The functional block diagram of the game machine to which the character input device which concerns on one form of this invention was applied. The figure which shows typically an example of the game screen of a quiz game in the case of a 1st keyboard state. The figure which shows typically an example of the game screen of a quiz game in the case of a 2nd keyboard state. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of the 1st keyboard state in case the katakata input is requested | required. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of a 2nd keyboard state in case the input is required. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of the 1st keyboard state in case alphanumeric input is requested | required. The figure which shows an example of the game screen of a 2nd keyboard state in case the alphanumeric input is requested | required. The figure which shows an example of the content of use performance data. The figure which shows an example of the content of question data. The figure which shows an example of the content of reply data. The functional block diagram of a game control part. The figure which shows an example of the flowchart of a use arrangement | sequence determination processing routine.

  Hereinafter, a game machine to which a character input device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a game machine to which a character input device according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the game machine 1 includes a control unit 3 as a computer, a monitor 4 as a display device, and a speaker 5. A transparent touch panel 7 is superimposed on the surface of the monitor 4 so as to cover a game screen described later. The touch panel 7 is a known input device that outputs a signal corresponding to the contact position when the player touches with a finger or the like. In addition, the game machine 1 may be provided with various input devices and output devices provided in a normal business game machine such as a button for selecting or determining, a power switch, and a volume switch.

  The monitor 4, the speaker 5, and the touch panel 7 are connected to the control unit 3. The control unit 3 includes a game control unit 11 as a control subject, a display control unit 12 that operates according to an output from the game control unit 11, and an audio output control unit 13. The game control unit 11 is configured as a unit in which a microprocessor and various peripheral devices such as an internal storage device (for example, ROM and RAM) necessary for the operation of the microprocessor are combined.

  The display control unit 12 draws an image corresponding to the image data given from the game control unit 11 in the frame buffer, and outputs a video signal corresponding to the drawn image to the monitor 4, whereby a predetermined signal is displayed on the monitor 4. Display an image. The sound output control unit 13 generates a sound reproduction signal corresponding to the sound reproduction data given from the game control unit 11 and outputs the sound reproduction signal to the speaker 5, thereby including predetermined sound (music, sound effect, etc.) from the speaker 5. ).

  An external storage device 20 is connected to the game control unit 11. As the external storage device 20, a storage medium that can hold the storage without power supply, such as an optical storage medium such as a DVDROM or a CDROM, or a nonvolatile semiconductor memory such as an EEPROM, is used.

  The external storage device 20 stores a game program 21 and game data 22. The game program 21 is a computer program necessary for executing a predetermined game according to a predetermined procedure on the game machine 1. For example, a quiz game is adopted as the predetermined game. Therefore, for example, the game program 21 is a computer program configured to be able to execute a quiz game.

  On the other hand, the game data 22 is various data used when the game machine 1 executes a predetermined game based on the game program 21. As such data, the game data 22 includes, for example, sound effect data for reproducing various sound effects, and image data for displaying various objects such as characters to appear in the game on the monitor 4. Contains data. In addition, illustration of these data was abbreviate | omitted.

  As an example of a predetermined game, the game data 22 includes question data 24 and answer data 25 in order to execute a quiz game. The question data 24 is data in which a plurality of questions presented as quizzes in a quiz game are described. The answer data 25 is data in which each answer corresponding to each question described in the question data 24 is described.

  Further, the game data 22 includes usage record data 23. The usage record data 23 is data for assisting input of characters or the like when input of characters or the like is requested in the game. In the usage record data 23, information on past usage records concerning characters and the like is described. Details of the question data 24, the answer data 25, and the usage record data 23 will be described later.

  Next, an example of a predetermined game executed on the game machine 1 will be described. In the game machine 1, for example, a quiz game is executed as the predetermined game. The quiz game is provided in exchange for consumption of a predetermined game value, for example. When the quiz game is started, the player is asked a quiz (question). In addition, the player is requested to answer the quiz that has been filed. A plurality of types of characters are used as answers to the quiz. Therefore, a plurality of types of characters to be used as answers are prepared so as to correspond to each quiz. As such character types, for example, hiragana, katakana, and alphanumeric characters are used. Quiz questions and answers are executed through a game screen as an input screen. A plurality of character buttons for inputting characters corresponding to the answer are displayed on the game screen. Further, as the arrangement of the character buttons, a first keyboard state and a second keyboard state are prepared as character arrangement states in which the positional relationship of the character buttons is different from each other. Then, the player's answer input using the character buttons is evaluated, and when the answer is correct (when the answer is correct to the quiz), a score is given to the player. In order to compete with other players (including other players who have played in the past and their own players), the score obtained is the condition for proceeding to the next quiz, the condition for proceeding to a new development such as the next stage, etc. Used.

  The game screen of the quiz game will be further described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the game screen of the quiz game in the first keyboard state. FIG. 2 shows a case where the use of hiragana is requested as an answer. As shown in FIG. 2, the game screen GS1 includes a game area 31 and a keyboard area 32A. In the game area 31, a quiz (question) and a player's answer to the quiz are displayed. In the example of FIG. 2, a question is displayed as a quiz “What do you use to check the meaning of a word? Do not answer with three hiragana characters”. On the other hand, as an answer input by the player, a hiragana “Joshi” is displayed in the answer column AC.

  The keyboard area 32A includes a character button CB, a switching button SB, a cancel (delete) button DB, and a confirmation button (OK button) OB. The character button CB is used for inputting a character corresponding to the answer. As shown in FIG. 2, in the first keyboard state, the character button CB is provided for each character constituting the hiragana. That is, in the keyboard area 32A, each character button CB associated with a character of a character type requested to be used as an answer is displayed. In addition, each character button CB corresponding to each character is arranged in a predetermined positional relationship. More specifically, in each character button CB, each hiragana character constituting the hiragana is arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary from the left.

  On the other hand, the cancel button DB is used to cancel the character input through the character button CB. The confirmation button OB is used to confirm the answer. That is, the confirmation button OB is used when an answer to be input is formed by the input characters. The switch button SB is used to switch the arrangement of the character buttons CB between the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state. That is, the predetermined positional relationship (arrangement position) of the character buttons CB constituting the character type is changed by the switching button SB. In addition, between the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state, even when the input of the character type of the same hiragana is requested, the type of each character prepared as the character button CB may be different.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically illustrating an example of a game screen of a quiz game in the second keyboard state. FIG. 3 shows a game screen GS2 when the arrangement of the character buttons CB on the game screen GS1 of FIG. 2 is switched by the switching button SB. As shown in FIG. 3, when the game screen GS1 of FIG. 2 is compared with the game screen GS2 of FIG. 3, the contents of the game area 31 are common.

  On the other hand, when the keyboard area 32A of FIG. 2 is compared with the keyboard area 32B of FIG. 3, the arrangement of the character buttons CB is different from each other. Specifically, in the keyboard area 32A in the first keyboard state, the character buttons CB constituting the hiragana are arranged in alphabetical order, whereas in the keyboard area 32B in the second keyboard state, alphabets (Roman characters) are displayed. Each character button CB to be configured is arranged in a so-called QWERTY array. The QWERTY layout is a well-known character layout generally used for a keyboard character layout applied to a personal computer or the like as a character input means. That is, the arrangement positions of the character buttons CB are different between the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state. The keyboard area 32 in the second keyboard state also includes character buttons CB corresponding to numbers respectively on the letters of the alphabet. The character buttons CB corresponding to the numbers are arranged so that the number increases in order from left to right.

  Furthermore, between the keyboard area 32A of FIG. 2 and the keyboard area 32B of FIG. 3, the type of each character prepared as each character button CB is different. That is, the function of each character button CB is also different between the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, in the first keyboard state, each character button CB in the keyboard area 32A is provided so as to correspond to each character constituting the hiragana. Each character button CB is used to input each hiragana character associated with each character button CB.

  On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the second keyboard state, each character button CB in the keyboard area 32B is provided so as to correspond to each character constituting the alphabet (Romaji). However, what is required as an answer is hiragana even in the second keyboard state. In the second keyboard state, each character input through each character button CB is set in advance as a character type to be used as an answer. Therefore, in this case, hiragana conversion by Roman character input is executed through the alphabet associated with each character button CB.

  Specifically, in the second keyboard state, for example, the character button CB associated with “A” is used to input “a” in hiragana. Similarly, for example, “ka” in hiragana is input by successively using each character button CB associated with “K” and “A” in this order. Similarly, for other hiragana characters, in the second keyboard state, an answer is input through hiragana conversion by romaji input. The keyboard area 32B in the second keyboard state includes information indicating the character type that is requested to be input (that is, the character type to be converted), such as hiragana, katakana, and alphanumeric characters. In this case, as this information, information “Hiragana” is displayed in the keyboard area 32B.

  The first keyboard state and the second keyboard state are prepared not only for hiragana but also when each of Katakata input and alphanumeric input is required. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen GS3 in the first keyboard state when the Kata Kata input is requested. The character type to be used in the answer, such as katakana input or hiragana input, is determined according to the quiz to be given, and character buttons CB corresponding to the determined character type are displayed in the keyboard areas 32A and 32B. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4, in the keyboard area 32A of the game screen GS3, the character buttons CB associated with the characters constituting the shape are arranged in a predetermined positional relationship. Moreover, the predetermined positional relationship is in the order of the Japanese syllabary as in the case of hiragana. That is, in the keyboard area 32A, the character buttons CB associated with the characters constituting the katakana are arranged in the order of the Japanese syllabary. Then, as an answer input through each character button CB, a katakana character “cake” is displayed in the answer field AC of the game area 31.

  On the other hand, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the game screen GS4 in the second keyboard state when the input is requested. As shown in FIG. 5, in the keyboard area 32B of the game screen GS3, as in the case of hiragana, the character buttons CB corresponding to the alphabet (Roman characters) are arranged in the same arrangement as in the case of hiragana, that is, in the QWERTY arrangement. Yes. However, it is Katakana that requires input. For this reason, the input of the alphabet through each character button CB is converted into katakana. The conversion method is the same as in the case of hiragana. In the keyboard area 32B in the second keyboard state, information “katakana” is displayed as information indicating the character type (that is, the character type to be converted). Then, in the answer field AC of the game area 31, katakana “K” and the alphabet “k” being converted are displayed.

  Similarly, FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen GS5 in the first keyboard state when alphanumeric input is requested. As shown in FIG. 6, in the keyboard area 32A of the game screen GS5, each character button CB associated with each character (or numeral) constituting the alphanumeric characters requested to be input has a predetermined positional relationship. Is arranged in. The predetermined positional relationship in this case is an alphabet (alphabet) arrangement in alphabetical order from the left, and an arrangement in which numbers increase in order from the left to the right. Then, the alphabet “O” is displayed in the answer column AC of the game area 31.

  On the other hand, FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the game screen GS6 in the second keyboard state when alphanumeric input is requested. As shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard area 32B of the game screen GS6 has the same arrangement as in the case of hiragana etc., that is, each character button CB corresponding to the alphabet (Roman characters) as in the case of hiragana or katakana, that is, the QWERTY arrangement. Is arranged in. The character buttons CB include buttons associated with numbers in the same arrangement as in the case of hiragana and the like. However, in the case of alphanumeric input, unlike the case of hiragana or the like, the alphabet or numeric character associated with each character button CB matches the type of character requested to be input. Therefore, unlike the case of hiragana or the like, in the case of alphanumeric input, the character input through each character button CB is not converted. As in the case of other character types, the keyboard area 32B in the second keyboard state includes information indicating the character type requested to be input. Specifically, as this information, in this case, information “alphanumeric characters” is displayed in the keyboard area 32B. Then, the alphabet “O” is displayed in the answer column AC of the game area 31.

  In this way, the character type used for each quiz content is different, and each character type is displayed on the game screen GS (hereinafter referred to as the game screen GS when the above-described game screens GS1 to GS6 are not distinguished). A character button CB for inputting a character corresponding to is displayed in the keyboard area 32 (hereinafter, when the keyboard areas 32A and 32B are not distinguished from each other, they may be referred to as the keyboard area 32). The character buttons CB are initially displayed in an arrangement corresponding to either the first keyboard state or the second keyboard state. The keyboard state to be displayed as the initial display is set for each character type. That is, for example, when the character type is hiragana or katakana, the first keyboard state is initially displayed, and when it is alphanumeric, the second keyboard state is initially displayed. Change.

  The keyboard state initially displayed is set according to the past usage record. Specifically, the keyboard state with the most past usage record for each character type is set as the initial display of each character type. For example, when the keyboard state with the highest past usage record in the hiragana character type is the first keyboard state, the first keyboard state is set as the initial display of the hiragana character type. On the other hand, when the keyboard state with the highest past usage record in the katakana character type is the second keyboard state, the second keyboard state is set as the initial display for the katakana character type. Thus, the character type to be input is determined according to the quiz, and the keyboard state according to the past usage tendency is displayed on the game screen GS as an initial display. That is, use of an appropriate character type is set according to the contents of the quiz, and a keyboard state corresponding to past input results is initially displayed.

  Next, details of the usage record data 23, the question data 24, and the answer data 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. The usage record data 23 is used to determine the keyboard state to be initially displayed for each character type as an aid for inputting characters and the like. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the usage record data 23. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the usage record data 23 is data in which information on the number of used records in the first keyboard state and information on the number of used records in the second keyboard state are described for each character type. In the example of FIG. 8, information on the number of used records in the first keyboard state is described as “5” for hiragana input, “3” for katakana input, and “2” for alphanumeric input. On the other hand, as information on the number of used records in the second keyboard state, information of “1” for hiragana input, “2” for katakana input, and “4” for alphanumeric input are described. When such usage record data 23 is used, the first keyboard state is initially displayed for hiragana input and katakana input, and the second keyboard state is initially displayed for alphanumeric input. Note that the usage record number may be counted in any way. For example, after switching by the switching button SB, when one or more characters are input, a usage record that is counted once and increases in number may be used. Therefore, the number of used results may be used such that the number of used results in both keyboard states increases when an answer is input to one quiz.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the question data 24. As shown in FIG. 9, the question data 24 includes information about the question ID, information about the contents of the question, and information about the requested character type as requested character type information. The question data 24 is configured as a set of a plurality of records in which these pieces of information are described in association with each other. As information about the question ID, for example, a unique number is used for each question content. As information about the question content, for example, the question content, that is, the quiz content is described. For example, information corresponding to the quiz (question) shown in the example of FIG. 2 is described as “What do you use to check the meaning of words? Please answer with three hiragana characters”. For example, information such as “Hiragana”, “Katakana”, and “alphanumeric characters” is used as information about the requested character type. In addition, as information about the requested character type, a number associated with “Hiragana” or the like may be used. By including information on the requested character type, the question data 24 functions as the requested character type data of the present invention.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the contents of the answer data 25. As shown in FIG. 10, the answer data 25 includes information related to the answer ID, information related to the question ID, and information related to the content of the answer. The answer data 25 is configured as a set of a plurality of records in which these pieces of information are described in association with the outside. As information about the answer ID, for example, a unique number is used for each answer content. The information related to the question ID corresponds to information related to the question ID included in the question data 24. That is, the answer ID information and the answer content information are associated with each record of the question data 24 using the question ID information as a key. The information on the answer content corresponds to an answer to the question content associated through the question ID information. Accordingly, for example, the answer content for the question content corresponding to the question ID is described as the answer content information. For example, information “joshi” is described as the information of the response content corresponding to the example of FIG. A plurality of answers may be prepared for one question. That is, the answer data 25 may include a plurality of records (answer IDs) associated with one question ID.

  Next, a configuration for recommending a keyboard state for each character type will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram of the game control unit 11 for recommending the keyboard state. As shown in FIG. 11, the game control unit 11 is provided with a first keyboard providing unit 61, a second keyboard providing unit 62, a switching unit 63, and a switching determination unit 64. The first keyboard providing unit 61, the second keyboard providing unit 62, the switching unit 63, and the switching determination unit 64 are all logical devices realized by a combination of computer hardware and a computer program.

  The first keyboard providing unit 61 executes processing for providing the first keyboard state on the game screen GS. On the other hand, the 2nd keyboard provision part 62 performs the process for providing a 2nd keyboard state to the game screen GS. The processing executed by the first keyboard providing unit 61 and the second keyboard providing unit 62 includes, for example, a keyboard area in which buttons such as character buttons CB are displayed in a predetermined positional relationship (first keyboard state or second keyboard state). The generation of 32 image data is included.

  The switching unit 63 switches the processing result to be output between the processing result of the first keyboard providing unit 61 and the processing result of the second keyboard providing unit 62. The switching determination unit 64 determines which of the processing results of the first keyboard providing unit 61 and the processing result of the second keyboard providing unit 62 should be output based on the usage record data 23. Then, the switching determination unit 64 outputs the determination result to the switching unit 63. That is, the switching unit 63 switches the processing result to be output between the processing result of the first keyboard providing unit 61 and the processing result of the second keyboard providing unit 62 based on the determination result of the switching determination unit 64. Thus, each button such as the character button CB is displayed so that the first keyboard state or the second keyboard state is provided in the keyboard area 32. Further, the keyboard state provided as the initial display is switched between the first keyboard state and the second keyboard state based on the usage record data 23.

  Next, a use sequence determination process routine executed by the game control unit 11 will be described. The game control unit 11 executes a use sequence determination processing routine to recommend a keyboard state for each character type. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a flowchart of a use sequence determination processing routine. For example, the game control unit 11 executes the routine of FIG. 12 for each application of a quiz (question). Further, the game control unit 11 executes the routine of FIG. 12 using the switching determination unit 64. In addition, the game control unit 11 is well-known such as processing for providing each keyboard state by the first keyboard providing unit 61 and the second keyboard providing unit 62, game processing necessary for realizing a quiz game, and the like. The detailed description is omitted.

  When the routine of FIG. 12 is started, the switching determination unit 64 first acquires the usage record data 23 in step S11. In the next step S12, the switching determination unit 64 determines the character type to be used. This determination is performed based on various types of information included in the question data 24, for example. Specifically, the question ID corresponding to the next quiz (question) is specified, and a record including the specified question ID is acquired from the question data 24. Then, based on the requested character type information associated with the acquired question ID, the character type to be used for the next quiz is determined. The determination in step S12 is realized in this way, for example.

  In the next step S13, the switching determination unit 64 determines a keyboard state to be recommended as an initial display, that is, a character arrangement to be recommended, based on the usage record data 23 acquired in step S11 and the determination result in step S12. . This determination is performed as follows, for example. First, the switching determination unit 64 specifies information to be used among the pieces of information included in the usage record data 23 based on the determination result of step S12. Specifically, if the discrimination result in step S12 is hiragana, the number of actual results of “Hiragana input” is used, if it is katakana, the number of actual results of “katakana input” is used, The number of used “inputs” is specified as information to be used. Next, the specified number of used results is compared between the “first keyboard” and the “second keyboard”. Then, the keyboard state corresponding to the person who is determined to have a large number of used records as a result of the comparison is determined as a character arrangement to be recommended. Specifically, the first keyboard state is determined as a recommended character arrangement when the number of used records is “first keyboard” is large, and the second keyboard state is determined when there are many “second keyboards”. The

  In the next step S14, the switching determination unit 64 outputs the determination result of step S13 to the switching unit 63, and ends the current routine. Thereby, the keyboard state which should be recommended as an initial display is determined based on the past use results. Then, the switching unit 63 switches the processing result to be output according to the determination result. Specifically, when the determination result is that the first keyboard state should be recommended, the switching unit 63 determines that the processing result of the first keyboard providing unit 61 should recommend the second keyboard state. In this case, the processing result to be output is switched so that the processing result of the second keyboard providing unit 62 is output. Thus, either the first keyboard state or the second keyboard state is provided to the keyboard area 32 based on the result of the routine of FIG.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, when a plurality of character types are required during a game, such as a quiz of a quiz game, characters corresponding to the character types required for use or conversion settings are provided. Is done. In addition, a plurality of keyboard states, that is, a plurality of character arrangement states are prepared for character input, and the initial display of the plurality of character arrangement states (keyboard states) is performed for each character type in accordance with the past usage results for each character type. Can be switched to. That is, a character arrangement state (keyboard state) that is considered to be more appropriate for each character type can be recommended as an initial display according to past usage results. Thereby, the trouble of character input can be reduced.

  In the above embodiment, when the control unit 3 executes the routine of FIG. 10 using the switching determination unit 64, the control unit 3 functions as a character arrangement determining unit, a character arrangement providing unit, and a requested character type determining unit. Further, by storing the usage record data 23, the external storage device 20 functions as the usage record data storage means of the present invention. Further, by storing the question data 24, the external storage device 20 functions as the required character type data storage means and the question data storage means of the present invention. By storing the answer data 25, the external storage device 20 also functions as the answer data storage means of the present invention.

  This invention is not limited to the above-mentioned form, It can implement with a suitable form. In the above-described form, the past use record number is used as the use record for each character type. However, the usage record is not limited to such a form. For example, the last use record for each character type may be used as the use record. And the character arrangement state used last for every character type may be provided as an initial display. In this case, the latest usage tendency for each character type can be reflected in the character arrangement state.

  In the above-described form, the character arrangement state is displayed on the monitor 4 as a part of the game screen GS. However, the form in which the character arrangement state is provided is not limited to such a form. For example, a monitor for displaying the input screen may be provided separately, and the character arrangement state may be provided on a monitor different from the game screen. For example, the plurality of character arrangement states may be realized by mechanical buttons. As such a mechanical button, for example, a button capable of electronically displaying a function or the like such as an LCD may be provided for each button, and a button capable of changing the function or the like of each button by this means may be used. In this case, a plurality of character arrangement states can be provided by electronically changing the display and function of each mechanical button arranged in a fixed manner.

  In the above-described form, the requested character type information is described in the question data 24. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the requested character type information may be described in the answer data. In the above-described form, the character type to be input is determined based on the requested character type information. However, the present invention is not limited to such a form. For example, the character type used for input may be selected by the input person. In this case, it is only necessary to provide a character arrangement state corresponding to the character type, starting from when the character type is selected by the input person and switched to the character type. In other words, when the character type is selected by the input user, the character arrangement state corresponding to the character type is provided, or the character arrangement state corresponding to the character type requested based on the requested character type information is provided. It corresponds to the early stage of. As described above, the requested character type data including the requested character type information may be omitted.

  In the above-described form, a quiz game is executed as the predetermined game. However, the predetermined game is not limited to a quiz game. As long as character input is required during the game, for example, various games such as a shooting game, a simulation game, and a role playing game may be employed as the predetermined game. As game machines, various game machines such as business use, home use, stationary type, and portable type, personal computers, mobile phones, and the like may be used.

  In the above-described form, the character input device is applied to the game machine 1, and the game machine 1 functions as a character input device through the game screen GS. However, the application of the character input device is not limited to game machines. The character input device may be applied to various devices such as a tablet personal computer and a mobile phone. That is, the character input device of the present invention can be applied to various devices that require input of characters of a plurality of character types.

1 Game console (character input device)
3 Control unit (character arrangement discriminating means, character arrangement providing means, requested character type discrimination means)
4 Monitor (display device)
7 Touch panel 20 External storage device (usage record data storage means, requested character type data storage means, question data storage means, answer data storage means)
23 Usage record data 24 Question data (requested character type data)
25 Response data GS Game screen (input screen)

Claims (9)

A character input device that provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which arrangement positions of characters used for input are different from each other, and is capable of inputting characters of a plurality of character types using the plurality of character arrangement states,
Use record data storage means for storing use record data for determining the use record of each of the plurality of character arrangement states for each character type;
Character arrangement determining means for determining, for each character type, a character arrangement state to be provided from among the plurality of character arrangement states based on the usage record data;
Character array providing means for providing the character array state to be provided corresponding to the used character type as an initial character array state according to the character type used based on the determination result of the character array determining unit; A character input device comprising: As the use record, the past use record number for each character arrangement state is used,
The usage record data is configured to be able to determine the number of past use records for each character type,
The character arrangement determining means determines, as the character arrangement state to be provided for each character type, the character arrangement state having the largest number of past usage results for each character type, based on the usage record data. The character input device described. As the usage record, the last usage record for each character type is used,
The usage record data is configured to be able to determine the character array state used last for each character type based on the last use record,
The character input according to claim 1, wherein the character arrangement determining unit determines a character arrangement state used last for each character type as the character arrangement state to be provided for each character type based on the usage record data. apparatus. A display device for displaying an input screen for providing the plurality of character arrangement states;
A touch panel superimposed on the display device so as to cover the input screen and capable of detecting the touch position of the input person,
The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the character input device is configured to input a character arranged at a touch position on the touch panel among the characters provided by the input screen. Requested character type data storage means for storing required character type data in which required character type information for determining a character type that requires input from the input person among the plurality of character types is described;
Request character type determining means for determining a character type to be requested based on the requested character type information; and
The character arrangement providing means uses the character type to be requested for input as the character type to be used based on the determination result of the character arrangement discrimination means and the requested character type discrimination means, and the character type to be requested for the input. 5. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the character arrangement state to be provided corresponding to the character string is provided as the initial character arrangement state so that the character type that requires the input can be input. . The character input device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Question data storage means for storing question data in which a plurality of questions to the player are described;
Answer data storage means for storing answer data describing a plurality of answers respectively corresponding to the plurality of questions,
A game machine configured to execute a quiz game in which a question is given on the basis of the question data and an answer input using the character input device is evaluated based on the answer data. A character input device according to claim 5;
Question data storage means for storing question data described so that each of a plurality of questions to the player and the requested character type information are associated with each other;
Answer data storage means for storing answer data describing a plurality of answers respectively corresponding to the plurality of questions,
The question data is used as the request character type data, and the question data storage unit is used as the request character type data storage unit.
A game machine in which a question is given as a game based on the question data, and a quiz game in which an answer input using the character input device is evaluated based on the answer data is executable. A character input device that provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which the arrangement positions of each character used for input are different from each other, and is capable of inputting characters of a plurality of character types using the plurality of character arrangement states, In a computer incorporated in a character input device provided with a use record data storage means for storing use record data for determining each use record of a plurality of character arrangement states for each character type,
A character arrangement determining step for determining, for each character type, a character arrangement state to be provided from among the plurality of character arrangement states, based on the usage record data;
A character array providing step of providing, as an initial character array state, the character array state to be provided corresponding to the character type used according to the character type used based on the determination result of the character array determination step; Control method to execute. A character input device that provides a plurality of character arrangement states in which the arrangement positions of each character used for input are different from each other, and is capable of inputting characters of a plurality of character types using the plurality of character arrangement states, A computer incorporated in a character input device including usage record data storage means for storing use record data for determining each use record of a plurality of character arrangement states for each character type,
Based on the use record data, the character arrangement determining means for determining the character arrangement state to be provided from the plurality of character arrangement states for each character type, and the character arrangement determining means used based on the determination result of the character arrangement determining means. A computer program for a character input device configured to function as character arrangement providing means for providing the character arrangement state to be provided corresponding to the character type to be used as an initial character arrangement state according to the character type to be used.

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