JP2016041277A - Game control device, game system, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game control device which can assist a user so as to easily perform a direction input operation to be received through a touch panel.SOLUTION: A direction input reception section 50 receives a direction input by determining in which area a contact position detected by a touch panel is included out of a plurality of areas set so as to correspond respectively to a plurality of directions. A determination section 52 determines whether or not the contact position is changed from within one area to within another area in the plurality of areas. A vibration control section 54 executes control to vibrate the touch panel, when the contact position is changed from within one area to within another area.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

  The present invention relates to a game control device, a game system, and a program.

  A game pad of a stationary game machine or a portable game machine is provided with a direction button or a direction lever for receiving a direction input operation. On the other hand, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer is provided with a touch panel, and is often not provided with a direction button or a direction lever as described above. In such a terminal device, a direction input operation is received via a touch panel by displaying a virtual direction button or direction lever on a screen.

JP 2014-028059 A

  In the case of an actual direction button or direction lever provided on a game pad or the like of a stationary game machine, the user can get a feeling of operating the direction button or direction lever. In the case of the direction button or the direction lever, the user cannot obtain a feeling of operating the direction button or the direction lever. As a result, when the user performs an operation to change the input direction, it may be difficult for the user himself to grasp whether or not the input direction has really changed by the operation, and it may be difficult to perform the direction input operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its object is to provide a game control device, a game system, and a game system that can assist a user to easily perform a direction input operation accepted via a touch panel. To provide a program.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the game control device according to the present invention determines which of the plurality of regions in which the contact positions detected by the touch panel are set to correspond to a plurality of directions, respectively. Direction input receiving means for receiving a direction input by determining, determination means for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from within one of the plurality of areas to the other area; and the contact Vibration control means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the position changes from the one area to the other area.

  Further, the game system according to the present invention determines the direction input by determining which of the plurality of regions set so as to correspond to the plurality of directions, respectively, of the contact position detected by the touch panel. Direction input receiving means, determination means for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from within one area of the plurality of areas to the other area, and the contact position within the one area Vibration control means for executing control to vibrate the touch panel when it changes into the other area.

  Further, the program according to the present invention includes a plurality of areas in which the contact positions detected by the touch panel are set to accept a direction input, and are set to correspond to the plurality of directions, respectively. Means for obtaining a determination result of a determination means for determining whether or not the area has changed from within one area to another area; and the contact position from within the one area to the other area. A program for causing a computer to function as vibration control means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when changed.

  An information storage medium according to the present invention is a computer-readable information storage medium recording the above program.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to assist so that it may become easy for a user to perform direction input operation received via a touch panel.

It is a figure which shows an example of the hardware constitutions of a game device (game control apparatus). It is a figure which shows an example of a game screen. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a direction pad. It is a figure for demonstrating an upper image, a lower image, a left image, and a right image. It is a figure for demonstrating a butterfly character. It is a figure for demonstrating a butterfly character. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of a vibration standby area | region. It is a figure for demonstrating the standby of a vibration. It is a figure for demonstrating the standby of a vibration. It is a functional block diagram of a game device. It is a figure which shows an example of the data memorize | stored in a memory | storage part. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with a game device. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the process performed with a game device. It is a functional block diagram of a game device. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of an area | region setting part. It is a figure for demonstrating the function of an area | region setting part. It is a functional block diagram of a game device. It is a figure which shows an example of correspondence data. It is a figure which shows another example of correspondence data. It is a functional block diagram of a game device. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole structure of a game system.

  Hereinafter, examples of embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of a game device (game control device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game apparatus 10 is a computer used by a user to play a game. For example, the game apparatus 10 is realized by a mobile phone (including a smartphone) or a portable information terminal (including a tablet computer). Note that the game apparatus 10 may be realized by a portable game machine, a stationary game machine, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, or the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 10 includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, a communication unit 13, an operation unit 14, a vibration unit 15, a display unit 16, and an audio output unit 17.

  The control unit 11 includes one or a plurality of microprocessors and the like, and executes processing according to an operating system and other programs. The storage unit 12 includes a main storage unit (for example, RAM) and an auxiliary storage unit (for example, a hard disk drive or a solid state drive). The communication unit 13 is for performing data communication via a communication network.

  The operation unit 14 is for a user to perform a game operation. For example, the operation unit 14 includes a touch panel 14T that can detect a position touched by the user, and the user performs a game operation by touching the touch panel 14T. For example, the touch panel 14T is provided so as to overlap the display unit 16, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result. For example, the detection of the contact position is repeatedly performed every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 seconds). It should be noted that various types of touch panels can be employed as the touch panel 14T. For example, a capacitive touch panel can be used. In a capacitive touch panel, a position touched by a user is detected based on a change in charge that occurs when the surface of the touch panel is touched by the user. As a matter of course, it is possible to employ a touch panel of a method other than the capacitance method.

  The vibration unit 15 is for vibrating the operation unit 14. For example, when the operation unit 14 is formed integrally with the casing, such as a mobile phone (smart phone) or a portable information terminal (tablet computer), vibration for vibrating the casing is built in the casing. The motor corresponds to an example of the vibration unit 15. The control unit 11 generates vibration by driving the vibration unit 15. For example, the control unit 11 can control the mode of vibration. For example, the control unit 11 can control the magnitude (amplitude), length, or interval (frequency) of vibration.

  The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display, and displays a screen according to instructions from the control unit 11. The audio output unit 17 is, for example, a speaker or headphones, and outputs audio data according to instructions from the control unit 11.

  Programs and data are supplied to the game apparatus 10 via a communication network. Note that the game apparatus 10 may include a component for reading a program or data stored in an information storage medium (for example, an optical disc or a memory card). The program and data may be supplied to the game apparatus 10 via the information storage medium.

  The game apparatus 10 can execute various games. Hereinafter, as an example of a game executed on the game apparatus 10, a game in which a user's operation target moves in the game space according to the user's operation will be described. The “game space” may be a virtual three-dimensional space whose position is indicated by three coordinate axes orthogonal to each other, or a virtual space whose position is indicated by two coordinate axes orthogonal to each other. It may be a two-dimensional space.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of a game screen displayed on the display unit 16. As shown in FIG. 2, a user character 22 is displayed on the game screen 20. The user character 22 is a character to be operated by the user, and moves in the game space according to the user's operation.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a butterfly character 24 is displayed on the game screen 20. The butterfly character 24 is displayed in association with the user character 22. The butterfly character 24 is displayed near the user character 22 and follows the user character 22. The role of the butterfly character 24 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a virtual direction pad 30 (direction button) is displayed on the game screen 20. The direction pad 30 is a direction input area set for inputting (instructing) a direction, and is used for a user to perform a direction input operation. Here, the “direction input operation” means an operation for inputting (instructing) one of a finite number of directions such as four directions or eight directions. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 2, the direction pad 30 is used to indicate the direction (movement direction) of the user character 22. For example, the user instructs the direction (movement direction) of the user character 22 by moving (sliding) the finger while keeping the finger in contact with the direction pad 30.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the direction pad 30. In addition, although the case where it is possible to input four directions of up, down, left, and right is described here, it is possible to input more directions than the four directions or input only less directions than the four directions. Good. For example, it may be possible to input eight directions of upper, lower, left, right, upper left, upper right, lower left, and lower right.

  The directional pad 30 shown in FIG. 3 is a circular area having a predetermined radius with the reference position 32 as the center. The shape of the direction pad 30 is not limited to the circular area, and the direction pad 30 may be an area other than the circular area.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the directional pad 30 is set with four regions corresponding to the four directions of up, down, left, and right. That is, an upper area 34U corresponding to the upper direction, a lower area 34D corresponding to the lower direction, a left area 34L corresponding to the left direction, and a right area 34R corresponding to the right direction are set. Further, a neutral region 34N that is not associated with any direction is also set in the direction pad 30. In FIG. 3, the boundary line of the area is shown, but this boundary line may or may not be displayed on the game screen 20.

  The neutral region 34N is set near the reference position 32. For example, a region including the reference position 32 is set as the neutral region 34N. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the neutral region 34 </ b> N is a circular region having a predetermined radius with the reference position 32 as the center. Of course, the radius of the neutral region 34N is smaller than the radius of the directional pad 30.

  The upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R are set around the reference position 32. In the example shown in FIG. 3, these four regions are set radially with the reference position 32 as the center.

  The upper region 34U is located above the reference position 32. The upper region 34U is a region obtained by removing the neutral region 34N from the 90 ° fan-shaped region spreading upward from the reference position 32. Similarly, the lower region 34 </ b> D is located below the reference position 32. The lower region 34D is a region obtained by removing the neutral region 34N from the 90-degree fan-shaped region extending downward from the reference position 32.

  The left region 34L is located on the left side of the reference position 32. The left region 34L is a region obtained by removing the neutral region 34N from the 90-degree fan-shaped region spreading leftward from the reference position 32. Similarly, the right region 34 </ b> R is located on the right side of the reference position 32. The right region 34R is a region obtained by removing the neutral region 34N from the 90-degree fan-shaped region spreading rightward from the reference position 32.

  The user instructs one of the upper, lower, left, and right directions by bringing his / her finger into contact with any of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R. When any direction is instructed by the user, the game process is executed based on the direction instructed by the user. For example, the direction (movement direction) of the user character 22 is set based on the direction instructed by the user. For example, when the user brings his / her finger into contact with the upper region 34U, the direction (movement direction) of the user character 22 is set to the upper direction.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the direction pad 30 includes an upper image 36U corresponding to the upper direction, a lower image 36D corresponding to the lower direction, a left image 36L corresponding to the left direction, and a right corresponding to the right direction. An image 36R is included. The upper image 36U is displayed in association with the upper region 34U, and the lower image 36D is displayed in association with the lower region 34D. The left image 36L is displayed in association with the left region 34L, and the right image 36R is displayed in association with the right region 34R.

  Note that “an image is displayed in association with an area” means that the image is displayed so that the user can grasp that the image is associated with the area. For example, displaying an image so that at least a part of the image overlaps at least a part of the region, or displaying an image near the region corresponds to “displaying an image in association with the region”.

  The upper image 36U, the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image 36R serve to indicate the direction instructed by the user. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the upper image 36U, the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image 36R.

  FIG. 4 shows a case where the user is bringing the finger F into contact with the upper region 34U. That is, the case where the user is pointing upward is shown. In this case, the upper image 36U corresponding to the upper region 34U is highlighted. For example, the upper image 36U is displayed separately from other images (lower image 36D, left image 36L, and right image 36R).

  For example, the color of the upper image 36U is set to a different color from the other images. For example, the color of the upper image 36U is set to a lighter color than the colors of the other images. For example, the size of the upper image 36U is set to a size different from that of the other images. For example, the size of the upper image 36U is set larger than the other images. Further, for example, the upper image 36U moves in the outer direction of the direction pad 30. That is, the distance between the upper image 36U and the reference position 32 is set larger than the distance between the other image and the reference position.

  Thus, in the game apparatus 10, the upper image 36U is highlighted when the user is in contact with the upper region 34U. For this reason, the user can grasp at a glance that he is instructing the upward direction.

  In the above case, the position of the upper image 36U is displayed at a position outside the contact position of the user as viewed from the reference position 32. By doing so, the upper image 36U is prevented from being hidden by the user's finger, and the user can easily understand that he / she is pointing upward.

  In the game apparatus 10, the butterfly character 24 also plays a role of indicating the direction indicated by the user. 5 and 6 are diagrams for explaining the butterfly character 24. FIG. Note that a position P shown in FIG. 5 indicates a contact position of the user.

  As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, “the positional relationship between the user character 22 and the butterfly character 24” corresponds to “the positional relationship between the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 and the contact position P of the user” The position of the butterfly character 24 is set.

  For example, the position of the butterfly character 24 is such that “the direction from the representative point 22A of the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24” corresponds to “the direction from the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 to the contact position P of the user”. Is set.

  The position of the butterfly character 24 is set such that “the distance from the representative point 22A of the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24” corresponds to “the distance from the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 to the contact position P of the user”. You may make it set. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the center of the head (face) is set as the representative point 22A of the user character 22, but for example, the center of the torso (chest or abdomen) is set as the representative point 22A. It may be.

  By setting the position of the butterfly character 24 as described above, the user can grasp the position in the direction pad 30 in contact with the user from the positional relationship between the user character 22 and the butterfly character 24. In general, the user plays a game while paying attention to the user character 22, but according to the butterfly character 24, the user pays attention to the user character 22 in the direction pad 30 in which he / she is in contact. The position can be grasped.

  Here, the butterfly character 24 is displayed. However, as a matter of course, a character other than the butterfly character 24 may be displayed. Moreover, you may make it display images (for example, a mark, a cursor, or an icon) other than a character.

  By the way, in the conventional game device, when the user operates a virtual direction pad to change the input direction, it may be difficult for the user to grasp whether or not the input direction has really changed by the operation. There were cases where it was difficult to perform the operation. On the other hand, in the game apparatus 10, when the user operates the direction pad 30 to change the input direction, it is easy for the user to grasp whether or not the input direction has really changed by the operation.

  That is, in the game apparatus 10, the touch panel 14T vibrates when the area in contact with the user changes in the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, and the right area 34R. That is, the touch panel 14T vibrates when the area in contact with the user changes from one of the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, and the right area 34R to another area. As a result, the user can grasp that the input direction has changed.

  The touch panel 14T is vibrated even when the region in contact with the user changes from the neutral region 34N to any of the upper image 36U, the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image 36R. However, the touch panel 14T does not vibrate when the area in contact with the user changes from any one of the upper image 36U, the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image 36R to the neutral area 34N.

  When the user's contact position changes near the boundary of the region, if vibration occurs every time the contact position exceeds the boundary line, there is a risk that vibration will occur continuously more than necessary. In this regard, in the game apparatus 10, an area for waiting for the occurrence of vibration (hereinafter referred to as “vibration standby area”) is set near the boundary. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining an example of the vibration standby area.

  As shown in FIG. 7, vibration standby areas 40A, 40B, and 40C are included in the upper area 34U. The vibration standby area 40A is set near the boundary between the upper area 34U and the left area 34L. The vibration standby area 40A is set based on the boundary line between the upper area 34U and the left area 34L. For example, a region in the upper region 34U and a region including the boundary line is set as the vibration standby region 40A. Further, for example, an area in the upper area 34U and adjacent to the boundary line is set as the vibration standby area 40A. For example, the region within the upper region 34U and the distance from the boundary line within a predetermined distance is set as the vibration standby region 40A.

  Further, the vibration standby area 40B is set near the boundary between the upper area 34U and the right area 34R. The vibration standby area 40B is set based on the boundary line between the upper area 34U and the right area 34R. For example, a region within the upper region 34U and including the boundary line is set as the vibration standby region 40B. Further, for example, a region in the upper region 34U and adjacent to the boundary line is set as the vibration standby region 40B. For example, a region within the upper region 34U and having a distance from the boundary line within a predetermined distance is set as the vibration standby region 40B.

  Furthermore, the vibration standby area 40C is set near the boundary between the upper area 34U and the neutral area 34N. The vibration standby area 40C is set based on the boundary line between the upper area 34U and the neutral area 34N. For example, a region in the upper region 34U and a region including the boundary line is set as the vibration standby region 40C. Further, for example, an area within the upper area 34U and adjacent to the boundary line is set as the vibration standby area 40C. For example, the region within the upper region 34U and the distance from the boundary line within a predetermined distance is set as the vibration standby region 40C.

  Similarly, vibration standby areas 40D, 40E, and 40F are included in the right area 34R. The lower region 34D includes vibration standby regions 40G, 40H, and 40I. Further, the left region 34L includes vibration standby regions 40J, 40K, and 40L. Hereinafter, the vibration standby areas 40A to 40L may be collectively referred to as “vibration standby area 40”.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining standby for vibration, and shows an example of a change in the contact position of the user. FIG. 8 shows a case where the contact position of the user changes in the order of positions P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6, P7, and P8. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the contact position of the user changes near the boundary between the left region 34L and the upper region 34U.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, when the user contact position changes from the position P2 to the position P3, the user contact position changes from the left region 34L to the upper region 34U. However, in this case, since the user's contact position (position P3) is included in the vibration standby area 40A, vibration does not occur at this point.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, after the user contact position changes from the left region 34L (position P2) to the upper region 34U (position P3), the user contact position returns to the left region 34L (positions P4 and P5). Yes. However, in this case, vibration does not occur when the user contact position changes from the left region 34L to the upper region 34U, and the user contact position returns from the upper region 34U to the left region 34L, and thus vibration occurs. It is supposed not to.

  In the example shown in FIG. 8, after the user contact position returns to the left region 34L, the user contact position changes from the left region 34L (positions P4, P5, P6) to the upper region 34U (position P7). . However, as in the case described above, the user's contact position (position P7) is included in the vibration standby area 40A, so that vibration does not occur at this point.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8, after the user contact position has changed to the position P7 in the upper region 34U, the user contact position has changed from the position P7 to the position P8 in the upper region 34U. At this time, the contact position of the user changes from the vibration standby area 40A to the outside of the vibration standby area 40A. In the game apparatus 10, vibration is generated at this point.

  For example, when the user contact position changes from position P2 to position P3, the user contact position changes from position P3 to position P4, or when the user contact position changes from position P6 to position P7. If it occurs, vibration will occur continuously more than necessary, and the user may be confused on the contrary. In this regard, the game apparatus 10 is configured not to cause such inconvenience.

  FIG. 9 is also a diagram for explaining the standby for vibration, and shows another example of the change in the contact position of the user. FIG. 9 shows a case where the contact position of the user changes in the order of positions P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the contact position of the user changes near the boundary between the neutral region 34N and the upper region 34U.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, when the user contact position changes from the position P1 to the position P2, the user contact position changes from the neutral region 34N to the upper region 34U. However, in this case, since the user's contact position (position P2) is included in the vibration standby area 40C, no vibration is generated at this point.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, after the user contact position changes from the neutral region 34N (position P1) to the upper region 34U (position P2), the user contact position returns to the neutral region 34N (position P3). As described above, when the user's contact position changes from the upper region 34U to the neutral region 34N, no vibration is generated.

  In the example shown in FIG. 9, after the user contact position returns to the neutral area 34N (position P3), the user contact position changes from the neutral area 34N (position P3) to the upper area 34U (position P4). . However, as in the case described above, the user's contact position (position P4) is included in the vibration standby area 40C, so that vibration does not occur at this point.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 9, after the user contact position has changed to the position P4 in the upper region 34U, the user contact position has changed from the position P4 to the position P5 in the upper region 34U. At this time, the contact position of the user changes from the vibration standby area 40C to the outside of the vibration standby area 40C. In the game apparatus 10, vibration is generated at this point.

  For example, if vibration occurs when the user's contact position changes from position P1 to position P2 or when the user's contact position changes from position P3 to position P4, vibration continuously occurs more than necessary. On the contrary, the user may be confused. In this regard, the game apparatus 10 is configured not to cause such inconvenience.

  Next, a configuration for realizing the functions described above will be described. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing functional blocks realized by the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 10, the game apparatus 10 includes a direction input reception unit 50, a determination unit 52, a vibration control unit 54, an operation target control unit 56, and a display control unit 58. For example, these functional blocks are realized by the control unit 11 of the game apparatus 10. That is, when the control unit 11 executes the process according to the program, the control unit 11 functions as the functional block.

  The direction input receiving unit 50 receives a direction input by determining which of a plurality of regions set so that the contact position detected by the touch panel 14T corresponds to each of a plurality of directions. . As described above, the “direction input operation” here means an operation for inputting any one of a finite number of directions such as four directions or eight directions. Yes.

  The determination unit 52 determines whether or not the contact position has changed from one area among the plurality of areas to another area. The vibration control unit 54 executes control for vibrating the touch panel 14T when the contact position changes from one region to another region.

  For example, the plurality of regions include a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and the second region is set near a boundary with the first region. 3 regions are included. Here, for example, the third region is a region in the second region and includes a boundary with the first region. For example, the third region is a region in the second region and is adjacent to the boundary with the first region. For example, the third region is a region in the second region, and the distance from the boundary with the first region is a predetermined distance or less. For example, when the contact position changes from the first region to the second region, the vibration control unit 54 is in a state where the contact position is included in a region other than the third region in the second region. Then, it waits for the touch panel 14T to vibrate.

  Further, for example, the plurality of areas are set around the reference position, and each of the plurality of areas includes a fourth area set near the reference position. Here, for example, the fourth region is a region whose distance from the reference position is a predetermined distance or less. For example, when the contact position changes within one of the plurality of regions, the vibration control unit 54 is in a state where the contact position is included in a region other than the fourth region in the one region. Until the touch panel 14T is vibrated.

  In the case of the example described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R correspond to an example of “a plurality of regions”. For example, each of the vibration standby areas 40A, 40B, 40D, 40E, 40G, 40H, 40J, and 40K corresponds to an example of a “third area”. For example, when the left area 34L corresponds to a “first area” and the upper area 34U corresponds to a “second area”, the vibration standby area 40A corresponds to a “third area”. For example, when the upper area 34U corresponds to a “first area” and the left area 34L corresponds to a “second area”, the vibration standby area 40K corresponds to a “third area”. Further, each of the vibration standby areas 40C, 40F, 40I, and 40L corresponds to an example of a “fourth area”.

  In the case of the example described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, in the direction input receiving unit 50, the contact position detected by the touch panel 14 </ b> T is included in any of the upper region 34 </ b> U, the lower region 34 </ b> D, the left region 34 </ b> L, and the right region 34 </ b> R. The direction instructed by the user is determined by determining whether or not

  The determination unit 52 determines whether the contact position has changed from one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to another region. When it is determined that the contact position has changed from one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to the other region, the vibration control unit 54 Vibration is generated by controlling.

  For example, when the contact position changes from the left region 34L to the upper region 34U, the vibration control unit 54 determines that the contact position is the vibration standby region 40A (that is, the vibration standby region 40 set in the upper region 34U). The touch panel 14T is allowed to vibrate until it is in a state other than the vibration standby area 40) set near the boundary between the left area 34L and the upper area 34U. In other words, the vibration control unit 54 suppresses vibration of the touch panel 14T while the contact position is included in the vibration standby area 40A.

  Further, for example, when the contact position changes from the neutral region 34N to the upper region 34U, the vibration control unit 54 determines that the contact position is the vibration standby region 40C (that is, the vibration standby region 40 set in the upper region 34U). In addition, the touch panel 14T is caused to wait until it is in a state other than the vibration standby area 40) set in the vicinity of the boundary between the neutral area 34N and the upper area 34U. In other words, the vibration control unit 54 suppresses vibration of the touch panel 14T while the contact position is included in the vibration standby area 40C.

  The operation target control unit 56 sets the orientation of the user's operation target so as to face the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position among the plurality of regions set to correspond to the plurality of directions, respectively. .

  In the case of the example described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, the user character 22 corresponds to an example of “user operation target”. That is, the operation target control unit 56 changes the orientation of the user character 22 so as to face the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position among the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R. Set. For example, when the contact position is included in the upper region 34U, the operation target control unit 56 sets the direction of the user character 22 in the upward direction.

  The display control unit 58 executes control for causing the display unit 16 to display the game screen 20. For example, the display control unit 58 includes an operation target display control unit 58A and an image display control unit 58B. The operation target display control unit 58A performs control for causing the display unit 16 to display a user operation target and a display target displayed in association with the user operation target.

  Here, the “display target displayed in association with the user's operation target” means that the user can recognize that the user's operation target and the display target are related, and display the display target. I mean. For example, the position of the display target is set based on the position of the user's operation target. For example, the display target is displayed in the vicinity of the user operation target and follows the user operation target.

  For example, in the case of the example illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 9, the user character 22 corresponds to an example of “user operation target”, and the butterfly character 24 corresponds to an example of “display target”.

  The operation target display control unit 58 </ b> A sets the position of the butterfly character 24 based on the position of the user character 22. For example, the operation target display control unit 58A sets the position of the butterfly character 24 such that the distance from the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24 is a predetermined distance. Further, for example, the operation target display control unit 58A determines the position of the butterfly character 24 so that the direction from the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24 corresponds to the direction from the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 to the contact position of the user. Set.

  The image display control unit 58B displays, on the display unit 16, an image indicating the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position detected by the touch panel 14T among the plurality of regions set to correspond to the plurality of directions, respectively. Execute control to display.

  For example, in the case of the example described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 9, the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R correspond to an example of “a plurality of regions”, and an upper image 36U, a lower image 36D, The highlighted image of the image 36L and the right image 36R corresponds to an example of “image”.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the user's contact position is included in the upper region 34U, the image display control unit 58B highlights the upper image 36U. That is, the image display control unit 58B changes the display mode (for example, color, size, shape, or distance from the reference position 32) of the upper image 36U to other images (the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image). 36R) to distinguish and display the upper image 36U.

  When the user's contact position is included in the lower region 34D, the image display control unit 58B highlights the lower image 36D. When the user's contact position is included in the left region 34L or the right region 34R, the image display control unit 58B highlights the left image 36L or the right image 36R.

  For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when the user's contact position is included in the upper region 34 </ b> U, the image display control unit 58 </ b> B looks at the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 and displays the upper image at a position outside the contact position. 36U is displayed. In other words, the image display control unit 58B sets the upper image so that the distance between the reference position 32 of the directional pad 30 and the upper image 36U is larger than the distance between the reference position 32 and the contact position of the user. A position of 36U is set. For example, the image display control unit 58B sets the position of the upper image 36U so that the distance from the contact position of the user to the upper image 36U is equal to or greater than a predetermined distance.

  When the user's contact position is included in the lower region 34D, the image display control unit 58B similarly sets the position of the lower image 36D. When the user's contact position is included in the left region 34L or the right region 34R, the image display control unit 58B similarly sets the position of the left image 36L or the right image 36R.

  Next, processing executed by the game apparatus 10 will be described. FIG. 11 shows an example of data stored in the storage unit 12, and FIGS. 12 and 13 show an example of processing executed by the game apparatus 10 every predetermined time (for example, 1/60 seconds).

  The data shown in FIG. 11 is data indicating the current situation of the game, and is necessary for executing the processing shown in FIGS. In addition to the data shown in FIG. 11, for example, there are data for specifying the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30, the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, the right region 34R, the neutral region 34N, and the like. Stored in the storage unit 12.

  For example, the data shown in FIG. 11 includes contact position data. The contact position data indicates the current contact position of the user. That is, the contact position data indicates the latest contact position detected by the touch panel 14T.

  The data shown in FIG. 11 includes contact area history data. This history data indicates a history of changes in the contact area of the user. In addition, here, the area touched by the user among the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, the right area 34R, and the neutral area 34N (that is, the area including the contact position of the user). Is described as “contact area”.

  In the data shown in FIG. 11, the current contact area (that is, the area where the user is currently in contact) and the previous contact area (that is, the area where the user has been in contact with the previous area) are stored. ing. The example illustrated in FIG. 11 illustrates a case where the region that the user is currently in contact with is the upper region 34U, and the region that the user has been in contact with before is the left region 34L.

  Further, the data shown in FIG. 11 includes a vibration standby flag. The vibration standby flag indicates whether or not it is in a state of waiting for the occurrence of vibration. For example, the value “0” or “1” is set in the vibration standby flag. The case where the value “0” is set in the vibration standby flag (that is, the case where the vibration standby flag is not set) corresponds to a state where the generation of vibration is not on standby. On the other hand, when the value “1” is set in the vibration standby flag (that is, when the vibration standby flag is set), this corresponds to a state in which the generation of vibration is on standby.

  Further, the data shown in FIG. 11 includes the position data and orientation data of the user character 22. These data indicate the current position and orientation of the user character 22. Further, the data shown in FIG. 11 includes position data of the butterfly character 24. This position data indicates the current position of the butterfly character 24.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 11 first determines whether or not the touch position is detected by the touch panel 14T (S101). When the contact position is detected by the touch panel 14T, the control unit 11 acquires the contact position (S102). In this case, the control unit 11 updates the contact position data.

  Thereafter, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the contact position acquired in step S102 is included in any of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, the right region 34R, and the neutral region 34N ( S103).

  When the contact position acquired in step S102 is included in any of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, the right region 34R, and the neutral region 34N, the control unit 11 has changed the user contact region. It is determined whether or not (S104). That is, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the current contact region indicated by the contact region history data is different from the region including the contact position acquired in step S102.

  When the contact area of the user changes, the control unit 11 updates the history data of the contact area (S105). Further, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the current contact area is the neutral area 34N (S106). When the current contact area is the neutral area 34N, the control unit 11 sets the vibration standby flag to “0” (S109). In the present embodiment, since the user contact area is changed from any one of the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, and the right area 34R to the neutral area 34N, vibration is not generated. Executed.

  On the other hand, when the current contact area is not the neutral area 34N, that is, when the current contact area is the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, or the right area 34R, the control unit 11 sets the vibration control flag to “0”. Is determined (S107). When the vibration control flag is “0”, the control unit 11 updates the vibration control flag to “1” (S108).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step S107 that the vibration control flag is not “0”, that is, when the vibration control flag is determined to be “1”, the contact position of the user is changed from the first region to the second. Without changing from the vibration standby area 40 (vibration standby area 40 set near the boundary between the first area and the second area) in the second area. This is a case of returning from the first area to the first area. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 8, the user's contact position changes from position P3 to position P4, or in the example shown in FIG. 9, the user's contact position changes from position P2 to position P3. In such a case, the control unit 11 resets the vibration control flag to “0” (S109).

  After step S108 or S109 is executed, as shown in FIG. 13, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the vibration standby flag is “1” (S110).

  When the vibration standby flag is “1”, the control unit 11 determines that the contact position acquired in step S102 is the vibration standby area 40 set in the current contact area, and the current contact area. It is determined whether it is included in the vibration standby area 40 set near the boundary with the previous contact area (S111). For example, when the current contact area is the upper area 34U and the previous contact area is the left area 34L, the control unit 11 includes the contact position acquired in step S102 in the vibration standby area 40A. It is determined whether or not.

  The case where the contact position acquired in step S102 is included in the vibration standby area 40 is, for example, the case where the contact position acquired in step S102 is the position P3 or P7 shown in FIG. 8, or step S102. This is a case where the contact position acquired in step S2 is the position P2 or P4 shown in FIG. In such a case, the control unit 11 executes step S114 without executing steps S112 and S113 described later. In this case, the vibration of the touch panel 14T is on standby.

  On the other hand, the case where the contact position acquired in step S102 is not included in the vibration standby area 40 is, for example, the case where the contact position acquired in step S102 is the position P8 shown in FIG. This is a case where the contact position acquired in step S5 is a position P5 shown in FIG. In such a case, the control unit 11 vibrates the touch panel 14T by driving the vibration unit 15 (S112). Further, the control unit 11 resets the vibration standby flag to “0” (S113).

  Further, the control unit 11 updates the position data and orientation data of the user character 22 (S114). For example, the control unit 11 sets the orientation of the user character 22 so that the user character 22 faces the direction corresponding to the current contact area. Moreover, the control part 11 updates the position of the user character 22 so that it may move to the direction where the user character 22 is facing.

  Further, the control unit 11 updates the position data of the butterfly character 24 (S115). For example, the control unit 11 causes the “direction from the representative point 22A of the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24” to correspond to “the direction from the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 to the contact position acquired in step S102”. Then, the position of the butterfly character 24 is set. Further, the control unit 11 updates the game screen 20 based on the data shown in FIG. 11 (S116).

  If it is determined in step S101 that the touch position is not detected by the touch panel 14T, the control unit 11 resets the touch position data, the touch area history data, and the vibration standby flag (S117). In this case, the contact position data indicates that the contact position is not detected. Further, the history of the contact area is deleted, and the vibration standby flag is set to “0”. Thereafter, the game screen 20 is updated (S116).

  In addition, when it is determined in step S103 that the contact position is not included in any of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, the right region 34R, and the neutral region 34N, the control unit 11 performs the contact. The position data, the contact area history data, and the vibration standby flag are reset (S117). Thereafter, the game screen 20 is updated (S116).

  In the game apparatus 10 described above, vibration is generated when the direction in which the user is inputting changes. Therefore, according to the game apparatus 10, when the user performs an operation to change the input direction, the user himself / herself can grasp whether or not the input direction has really changed by the operation.

  In the game apparatus 10, a vibration standby area 40 is set. As a result, according to the game device 10, even when the user's contact position changes near the boundary of the region, it is possible to ensure that vibrations do not continuously occur more than necessary.

  Further, in the game apparatus 10, an image corresponding to an area including the contact position of the user among the upper image 36U, the lower image 36D, the left image 36L, and the right image 36R is highlighted. According to the game device 10, the user himself / herself can easily understand the direction in which the user is inputting.

  In the game apparatus 10, the butterfly character 24 is displayed, so that the user can easily grasp the position in the direction pad 30 in contact with the user.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

  [Modification 1] In the embodiment described above, the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R are fixed. However, the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region The region 34R may be changed.

  FIG. 14 shows a functional block diagram in this case. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 14 is different from FIG. 10 in that the area setting unit 60 is included in the game apparatus 10. Similar to other functional blocks, the region setting unit 60 is also realized by the control unit 11. Since the functional blocks other than the region setting unit 60 are the same as those in FIG. 10, the region setting unit 60 will be described below.

  [Modification 1-1] For example, in the embodiment described above, it is ensured that even if the user's contact position changes near the boundary of the region, vibrations are not continuously generated more than necessary. In order to do this, the vibration standby area 40 is set. However, instead of setting the vibration standby area 40, the boundaries of the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, and the right area 34R may be changed.

  In this case, the area setting unit 60 has a second position (an area adjacent to the first area) from the first area among the upper area 34U, the lower area 34D, the left area 34L, and the right area 34R. ), The boundary between the first region and the second region is changed so that the second region expands toward the first region and the first region narrows.

  15 and 16 are diagrams for explaining the function of the area setting unit 60 in this case. FIG. 15 shows a case where the contact position of the user changes from the position P1 in the left area 34L to the position P2 in the upper area 34U. In this case, vibration is generated by the vibration control unit 54. Further, in this case, as shown in FIG. 16, the area setting unit 60 has a boundary between the left area 34L and the upper area 34U so that the upper area 34U extends toward the left area 34L and the left area 34L is narrowed. To change.

  In this case, even if the contact position of the user changes slightly from the position P2 toward the left area 34L, the boundary between the left area 34L and the upper area 34U is changed, so the user's contact position is the left area 34L. It becomes difficult to be included in. As a result, vibration is less likely to occur. That is, as shown in FIG. 16, even if the user contact position changes from the position P2 to the position P3, the user contact position is not included in the left region 34L, and as a result, vibration does not occur. Even in this case, even when the contact position of the user changes near the boundary of the region, it is possible to ensure that vibrations do not continuously occur more than necessary.

  [Modification 1-2] For example, the area setting unit 60 may set the direction pad 30 (upper area 34U, lower area 34D, left area 34L, and right area 34R) based on the contact position.

  For example, when the contact position is not detected, the region setting unit 60 determines the position of the direction pad 30 based on the contact position detected by the touch panel 14T. May be initialized. For example, the region setting unit 60 may determine the contact position detected by the touch panel 14T as the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30.

  Further, for example, when the contact position changes from the inside of the direction pad 30 to the outside of the direction pad 30, the region setting unit 60 may change (correct) the position of the direction pad 30 based on the contact position. For example, the area setting unit 60 may move the direction pad 30 so that the contact position is included in the area of the direction pad 30. For example, the area setting unit 60 may move the direction pad 30 in the direction from the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 to the contact position. However, when the direction pad 30 and the contact position are too far apart, the region setting unit 60 may not move the direction pad 30. For example, the area setting unit 60 may move the direction pad 30 only when the distance between the reference position 32 of the direction pad 30 and the contact position is within a predetermined distance.

  In this way, the position of the direction pad 30 can be set according to the contact position of the user, and as a result, the user's trouble of adjusting the contact position according to the position of the direction pad 30 is reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of user operation.

  [Modification 1-3] Also, for example, when the contact position is detected after the contact position is detected to be changed to a state where the contact position is not detected, the region setting unit 60 may change the direction pad 30 ( The upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R) may be moved based on the contact position.

  Here, it is assumed that the position P2 is detected as the contact position after the position P1 is detected as the contact position and the state is changed from the state where the contact position is not detected. The positions P1 and P2 are positions in the direction pad 30.

  In this case, for example, the region setting unit 60 determines whether or not the positions P1 and P2 are close. For example, the region setting unit 60 determines whether or not the distance between the positions P1 and P2 is within a predetermined distance. When the distance is within the predetermined distance, the region setting unit 60 determines that the positional relationship between the direction pad 30 (reference position 32) and the position P2 is the positional relationship between the direction pad 30 (reference position 32) and the position P1. The direction pad 30 may be moved so as to match. In other words, the region setting unit 60 may move the direction pad 30 so that the relative position of the position P2 with respect to the reference position 32 matches the relative position of the position P1 with respect to the reference position 32.

  If the positions P1 and P2 are close, the user is likely to be touching the same position in the direction pad 30. In this respect, if the above is performed, the position of the direction pad 30 can be set according to the user's intention, and as a result, the user has to adjust the contact position according to the position of the direction pad 30. Therefore, it is possible to improve the ease of user operation.

  [Modification 2] For example, the vibration control unit 54 may change the mode of vibration when the touch panel 14T is vibrated. Note that “changing the mode of vibration” means, for example, changing the magnitude (amplitude), length, or interval (frequency) of vibration.

  FIG. 17 shows a functional block diagram in this case. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 17 is different from FIG. 10 in that a vibration mode setting unit 54A is included in the vibration control unit 54. Since the functional blocks other than the vibration control unit 54 (vibration mode setting unit 54A) are the same as those in FIG. 10, the vibration control unit 54 (vibration mode setting unit 54A) will be described below.

  [Modification 2-1] For example, in the vibration mode setting unit 54A, the contact position changes from within one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to another region. In this case, the mode of vibration when the touch panel is vibrated may be set based on the change speed of the contact position at a predetermined timing.

  Here, the “predetermined timing” is a timing at which the contact position changes from one area to another area. The “predetermined timing” may be a timing immediately before the contact position changes from one area to another area, or the contact position changes from one area to another area. It may be a later timing. For example, “predetermined timing” means that after the contact position has changed from within one area to another area, the contact position has changed from within the vibration standby area 40 to outside the vibration standby area 40 within the other area. It may be timing.

  The “contact position change speed” is a change amount of the contact position per predetermined time (for example, unit time). In other words, “the change speed of the contact position” is a movement distance of the contact position during a predetermined time (for example, unit time). For example, the change speed of the contact position at a certain timing T1 is, for example, the distance between the contact position at the timing T1 and the contact position at the timing T2 before the timing T1 (change amount of the contact position) at the timing T1, Obtained by dividing by the time between T2.

  When the vibration mode is set based on the change speed of the contact position, correspondence data indicating the correspondence between the change speed of the contact position and the vibration mode is required. FIG. 18 shows an example of the correspondence data. FIG. 18 shows an example of correspondence data in the case where the magnitude of vibration is changed based on the change speed (v) of the contact position. In the example shown in FIG. 18, the magnitude of vibration increases as the change speed (v) of the contact position increases. In this case, the vibration mode setting unit 54A determines the magnitude of vibration based on the change speed of the contact position at a predetermined timing and the correspondence data shown in FIG.

  If it does in the above way, it will become possible to assist so that a user can grasp change rate of a contact position from a mode of vibration.

  [Modification 2-2] For example, in the vibration mode setting unit 54A, the contact position changes from within one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to another region. In this case, the mode of vibration when the touch panel is vibrated may be set based on the contact position at a predetermined timing. The “predetermined timing” is the same as that in the modified example 2-1.

  For example, the vibration mode setting unit 54A sets the mode of vibration when the touch panel is vibrated based on the distance between the contact position and the reference position 32 at a predetermined timing.

  When the vibration mode is set based on the contact position, correspondence data indicating the correspondence between the contact position and the vibration mode is required. For example, when the vibration mode is set based on the distance between the contact position and the reference position 32, correspondence data indicating the correspondence between the distance and the vibration mode is required. FIG. 19 shows an example of the correspondence data. FIG. 19 shows an example of correspondence data when changing the magnitude of vibration based on the distance (d). In the example shown in FIG. 19, the greater the distance (d), the greater the magnitude of vibration. In this case, the vibration mode setting unit 54A determines the magnitude of vibration based on the distance at a predetermined timing and the correspondence data shown in FIG.

  In this way, it is possible to assist the user so that the user can grasp the contact position (how far the user's contact position is away from the reference position 32) from the vibration mode when the user's contact area changes. become.

  [Modification 3] For example, even when the contact position changes from any one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to outside these regions, the vibration control unit 54 May execute control for vibrating the touch panel 14T.

  FIG. 20 shows a functional block diagram in this case. The functional block diagram shown in FIG. 20 is different from FIG. 10 in that the out-of-region determination unit 62 is included in the game apparatus 10. As with other functional blocks, the out-of-region determination unit 62 is also realized by the control unit 11. Since the functional blocks other than the out-of-region determination unit 62 and the vibration control unit 54 are the same as those in FIG. 10, the out-of-region determination unit 62 and the vibration control unit 54 will be described below.

  For example, the out-of-region determination unit 62 determines whether or not the contact position has changed from one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to the outside of the direction pad 30. . When it is determined that such a change has occurred, the vibration control unit 54 performs control for vibrating the touch panel 14T.

  The vibration control unit 54 changes the vibration mode (for example, the size, the length, or the frequency) in this case from one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R. You may make it differ from the aspect of the vibration at the time of changing to another area | region. For example, when the vibration control unit 54 changes the magnitude of vibration in this case from one of the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, the left region 34L, and the right region 34R to another region. You may make it make it larger than the magnitude | size of a vibration.

  If it does in this way, it will become possible to assist so that a user can grasp that a contact position changed from inside of direction pad 30 to outside of direction pad 30.

  [Modification 4] For example, the operation target display control unit 58A causes the butterfly character 24 so that “the direction from the user character 22 to the butterfly character 24” corresponds to “the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position”. You may make it set the position of.

  For example, when the contact position is included in the upper region 34U, the operation target display control unit 58A may display the butterfly character 24 directly above the user character 22. For example, when the contact position is included in the left region 34L, the operation target display control unit 58A may display the butterfly character 24 on the left side of the user character 22 as viewed from the user. Even in this case, it is possible to assist the user so that the user can grasp the direction instructed while paying attention to the user character 22.

  [Modification 5] The present invention can also be applied to a game system including a server and a game device. That is, the present invention can also be applied to a game executed while performing data communication between a server and a game device.

  FIG. 21 shows the overall configuration of a game system according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 21, the game system 100 includes a server 110 and a game apparatus 10. Server 110 and game device 10 are connected to communication network 120. Therefore, mutual data communication is possible between the server 110 and the game apparatus 10.

  The server 110 is realized by a server computer, for example. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the server 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, and a communication unit 113. The control unit 111, the storage unit 112, and the communication unit 113 are the same as the control unit 11, the storage unit 12, and the communication unit 13 of the game apparatus 10. Note that the programs and data are supplied to the server 110 via the communication network 120, for example. The server 110 may include a component for reading a program or data stored in an information storage medium (for example, an optical disk or a memory card). Then, the program and data may be supplied to the server 110 via the information storage medium.

  In this case, the functional blocks shown in FIGS. 10, 17, and 20 may be realized by the control unit 111 of the server 110, or may be realized by the control unit 11 of the game apparatus 10. . For example, all the functional blocks may be realized by the server 110 (game control device). Alternatively, some of the functional blocks may be realized by the game apparatus 10 and the remaining functional blocks may be realized by the server 110.

  For example, when the determination unit 52 is realized by the server 110, data indicating the reception result of the direction input reception unit 50 is transmitted from the game device 10 to the server 110, and the determination of the determination unit 52 is performed based on this data. The

  Further, for example, when the direction input receiving unit 50 is realized by the server 110, data indicating the detection result of the touch panel 14T is transmitted from the game apparatus 10 to the server 110, and the contact positions are the upper region 34U, the lower region 34D, and the left region 34L. And the right region 34R are determined by the direction input receiving unit 50 (server 110).

  Further, for example, when the vibration control unit 54 is realized by the server 110, the vibration control unit 54 (server 110) transmits the data instructing to drive the vibration unit 15 to the game apparatus 10, so that the touch panel 14 </ b> T is displayed. Vibrate.

  Further, for example, when the display control unit 58 is realized by the server 110, the display control unit 58 (server 110) displays the game screen 20 by transmitting data for displaying the game screen 20 to the game device 10. This is displayed on the part 16.

  [Other Modifications] For example, a plurality of Modifications 1 to 5 may be combined.

  For example, the operation target control unit 56, the operation target display control unit 58A, and the image display control unit 58B are not essential and may be omitted. For example, it is not essential to display the butterfly character 24. Further, for example, it is not essential to set the vibration standby area 40 and the neutral area 34N.

  Further, for example, in the embodiment described above, a human-type game character such as the user character 22 is the user's operation target, but the user's operation target is not limited to the human-type game character. In the embodiment described above, the butterfly character 24 is displayed in association with the user character 22, but a character other than the butterfly character 24 may be displayed in association with the user character 22. Other images (for example, a mark, a cursor, or an icon) may be displayed in association with the user character 22.

  For example, the present invention can be applied to a game in which a user performs a direction input operation. That is, the present invention can be applied to a game in which a user performs a direction input operation using a virtual direction pad (or direction button or direction lever), and is applicable to a game other than the game described above. Can also be applied. For example, the present invention can be applied to various games such as a sports game (for example, a soccer game, a baseball game, an ice hockey game, or a basketball game), a role playing game, a fighting game, an action game, a shooting game, or a puzzle game. Is possible.

  [Summary of the Invention] From the above description, the present invention can be understood as follows, for example.

  The game control device according to the present invention determines which of the plurality of regions set so that the contact position detected by the touch panel (14T) corresponds to each of a plurality of directions is included, Direction input receiving means (50) for receiving a direction input, determination means (52) for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from within one of the plurality of areas to another area; Vibration control means (54) for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from the one area to the other area.

  The game system according to the present invention determines the direction in which the contact position detected by the touch panel (14T) is included in a plurality of regions set so as to correspond to the plurality of directions, respectively. Direction input receiving means (50) for receiving an input; determination means (52) for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from one of the plurality of regions to another region; and the contact Vibration control means (54) for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the position changes from the one area to the other area.

  The program according to the present invention is a plurality of areas in which the contact positions detected by the touch panel (14T) are a plurality of areas set for receiving a direction input, and are set so as to respectively correspond to a plurality of directions. A means for obtaining a determination result of a determination means (52) for determining whether or not the area has changed from one area to another area, and the contact position from the one area to the other area. This program is for causing a computer to function as vibration control means (54) for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when it changes within the area.

  According to the present invention, when the user performs an operation to change the input direction, the user can grasp by vibration whether or not the input direction has really changed, so the direction performed via the touch panel It becomes possible to assist the user to easily perform the input operation.

  In one aspect of the present invention, operation target control means (58A) for setting the orientation of the user's operation target so as to face the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position among the plurality of regions is included. Also good. In this way, when the user performs an operation to change the direction of the operation target, the user can grasp by vibration whether or not the direction of the operation target has really changed by the operation. Since the user can visually grasp that the direction of the user has changed, it is possible to assist the user so that the user can easily perform the operation of instructing the direction of the operation target performed via the touch panel. .

  In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of regions include a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and the second region is a region between the first region and the first region. The vibration control means (54) includes a third region set in the vicinity of the boundary, and the vibration control means (54), when the contact position changes from the first region to the second region, Means for waiting for the touch panel to vibrate until it is in a state other than the third region in the second region may be included. In this way, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of continuous vibration more than necessary when the contact position changes near the boundary of the region.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of regions include a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region, and the game control device is configured such that the contact position is the first region. When the region changes from the region to the second region, the second region extends toward the first region, and the first region and the second region are narrowed so that the first region is narrowed. A means (60) for changing the boundary between the regions may be included. Even if it does in this way, when a contact position changes near the boundary of an area | region, it will become possible to suppress that a vibration generate | occur | produces continuously more than necessary.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of regions are set around a reference position, and each of the plurality of regions includes a fourth region set near the reference position, and the vibration control means (54) Waits for the touch panel to vibrate until the contact position is included in an area other than the fourth area in the one area when the contact position changes in the one area. It is also possible to include means for making them. In this way, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of continuous vibration more than necessary when the contact position changes near the boundary of the region.

  In one aspect of the present invention, a means (60) for setting the plurality of regions based on the contact positions may be included. In this way, a plurality of areas are set according to the contact position, and as a result, the user's trouble of adjusting the contact position according to the plurality of areas is reduced. It becomes possible to improve ease of operation.

  In one aspect of the present invention, when the contact position is detected after the contact position is detected to be changed to a state where the contact position is not detected, the plurality of regions are determined based on the contact position. Means for moving (60) may be included. In this way, when the contact position is detected after the contact position is detected and the contact position is not detected, a plurality of regions are moved in accordance with the contact position. As a result, the user's trouble of adjusting the contact position in accordance with a plurality of areas is reduced, and the ease of user operation can be improved.

  In one aspect of the present invention, image display control for executing control for causing an image indicating a direction corresponding to an area including the contact position among the plurality of areas to be displayed on a display unit including the touch panel. Means (58B) may be included. In this way, it becomes possible for the user to easily grasp the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position (that is, the input direction).

  In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of regions are set around a reference position, and the image display control means (58B) associates the image with the region including the contact position among the plurality of regions. And the image may be displayed at a position outside the contact position as viewed from the reference position. In this way, it is possible to prevent the image indicating the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position (that is, the input direction) from being hidden by the user's finger or the like and becoming difficult to see. Therefore, it becomes possible for the user to easily grasp the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position (that is, the input direction) visually.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the apparatus includes an out-of-region determination unit (62) that determines whether or not the contact position has changed from within any one of the plurality of regions to outside the plurality of regions. The control means (54) includes means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from within any of the plurality of regions to outside the plurality of regions. Also good. In this way, it becomes possible for the user to easily understand that the contact position has changed from within any one of the plurality of regions to outside the plurality of regions.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the vibration control means (54) is based on a change speed of the contact position at a predetermined timing when the contact position changes from the one area to the other area. A vibration mode setting means (54A) for setting a mode of vibration when the touch panel is vibrated may be included. In this way, when the contact position changes from one region to another region, it becomes possible for the user to grasp the change speed of the contact position from the vibration mode.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the vibration control means (54) is configured to change the touch panel based on the contact position at a predetermined timing when the contact position changes from the one area to the other area. A vibration mode setting means (54A) for setting the mode of vibration in the case of vibrating the lens may be included. In this way, when the contact position changes from one region to another region, the user can grasp the contact positions in the plurality of regions from the vibration mode.

  In one aspect of the present invention, the plurality of regions are set around a reference position, and the vibration mode setting means (54A) is based on a distance between the contact position and the reference position at the predetermined timing. A means for setting a mode of vibration when the touch panel is vibrated may be included. In this way, when the contact position changes from one region to another region, the distance between the contact position and the reference position (ie, how far the contact position is from the reference position). It becomes possible for a user to grasp | ascertain from the aspect of a vibration.

  One aspect of the present invention includes an operation target display control means (58A) for executing control for causing a display means to display a user operation target and a display target displayed in association with the user operation target, The plurality of regions are set around a reference position, and the operation target display control means (58A) is a means for setting the position of the display target based on the position of the operation target of the user, A means for setting the position of the display object may be included so that the direction from the operation object to the display object corresponds to the direction from the reference position to the contact position. In this way, it becomes possible for the user to grasp the direction from the reference position to the contact position (in other words, the relative position of the contact position with respect to the reference position) while paying attention to the operation target. .

  One aspect of the present invention includes an operation target display control means (58A) for executing control for causing a display means to display a user operation target and a display target displayed in association with the user operation target, The operation object display control means (58A) is a means for setting the position of the display object based on the position of the operation object of the user, and the direction from the operation object of the user to the display object is the contact Means for setting the position of the display target may be included so as to correspond to the direction corresponding to the region including the position. This makes it possible for the user to grasp the direction corresponding to the region including the contact position (that is, the input direction) while paying attention to the operation target.

  In addition, in the above, in order to make an understanding of this invention easy, the code | symbol described in drawing is described in the bracket | parenthesis, However, This invention is not limited to the aspect of illustration by this.

  10 game devices, 11, 111 control unit, 12, 112 storage unit, 13, 113 communication unit, 14 operation unit, 14T touch panel, 15 vibration unit, 16 display unit, 17 voice output unit, 20 game screen, 22 user character, 22A representative point, 24 butterfly character, 30 directional pad, 32 reference position, 34U upper area, 34D lower area, 34L left area, 34R right area, 34N neutral area, 36U upper image, 36D lower image, 36L left image, 36R right Image, 40A, 40B, 40C, 40D, 40E, 40F, 40G, 40H, 40I, 40J, 40K, 40L Vibration standby area, 50 direction input reception unit, 52 determination unit, 54 vibration control unit, 54A vibration mode setting unit, 56 operation target control unit, 58 display control unit, 58A operation target display control unit, 58B Image display control unit, 60 region setting unit, 62 out-of-region determination unit, 100 game system, 110 server, 120 communication network.

Claims (17)

A direction input receiving means for receiving a direction input by determining which of a plurality of regions set so as to correspond to a plurality of directions, respectively, of the contact position detected by the touch panel;
Determining means for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from one of the plurality of regions to another region;
Vibration control means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from within the one area to the other area;
A game control apparatus comprising: The game control apparatus according to claim 1,
Including an operation target control means for setting a direction of an operation target of the user so as to face a direction corresponding to a region including the contact position among the plurality of regions.
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of regions include a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region,
The second area includes a third area set in the vicinity of the boundary with the first area,
When the contact position changes from the first region to the second region, the vibration control unit includes the contact position in a region other than the third region in the second region. Including means for waiting for the touch panel to vibrate until a state is reached,
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to claim 1 or 2,
The plurality of regions include a first region and a second region adjacent to the first region,
When the contact position changes from the first area to the second area, the game control device is configured such that the second area extends toward the first area and the first area Means for changing a boundary between the first region and the second region such that
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The plurality of areas are set around a reference position,
Each of the plurality of regions includes a fourth region set near the reference position,
The vibration control unit vibrates the touch panel when the contact position changes in the one area until the contact position is included in an area other than the fourth area in the one area. Including means to wait for
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Means for setting the plurality of regions based on the contact positions;
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Means for moving the plurality of regions based on the contact position when the contact position is detected after the contact position is detected and changed to a state where the contact position is not detected;
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
Image display control means for executing control for displaying an image indicating a direction corresponding to an area including the contact position among the plurality of areas on a display means including the touch panel;
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control apparatus according to claim 8, wherein
The plurality of areas are set around a reference position,
The image display control means displays the image in association with an area including the contact position among the plurality of areas, and displays the image at a position outside the contact position when viewed from the reference position. Display,
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
Including an out-of-region determination means for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from within any one of the plurality of regions to outside the plurality of regions;
The vibration control means includes means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from within any one of the plurality of areas to outside the plurality of areas.
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
The vibration control unit is configured to reduce vibration when the touch panel is vibrated based on a change speed of the contact position at a predetermined timing when the contact position changes from the one area to the other area. Including vibration mode setting means for setting a mode,
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
The vibration control means sets a vibration mode when the touch panel is vibrated based on the contact position at a predetermined timing when the contact position changes from the one area to the other area. Including vibration mode setting means
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to claim 12, wherein
The plurality of areas are set around a reference position,
The vibration mode setting means includes means for setting a vibration mode when the touch panel is vibrated based on a distance between the contact position and the reference position at the predetermined timing.
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Operation target display control means for executing control for causing a display means to display a user operation target and a display target displayed in association with the user operation target;
The plurality of areas are set around a reference position,
The operation object display control means is a means for setting the position of the display object based on the position of the user's operation object, and the direction from the user's operation object to the display object is changed from the reference position to the display object. Means for setting the position of the display object so as to correspond to the direction to the contact position;
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. The game control device according to any one of claims 1 to 13,
Operation target display control means for executing control for causing a display means to display a user operation target and a display target displayed in association with the user operation target;
The operation target display control means is a means for setting the position of the display target based on the position of the operation target of the user, and the direction from the user operation target to the display target includes the contact position. Means for setting the position of the display object so as to correspond to the direction corresponding to the region to be displayed,
The game control apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A direction input receiving means for receiving a direction input by determining which of a plurality of regions set so as to correspond to a plurality of directions, respectively, of the contact position detected by the touch panel;
Determining means for determining whether or not the contact position has changed from one of the plurality of regions to another region;
Vibration control means for executing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from within the one area to the other area;
A game system comprising: The contact position detected by the touch panel is a plurality of areas set to accept a direction input, and from within one area among the plurality of areas set to respectively correspond to a plurality of directions Means for obtaining a determination result of a determination means for determining whether or not the change has occurred in another area; and
Vibration control means for performing control for vibrating the touch panel when the contact position changes from within the one area to the other area;
As a program to make the computer function as.

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