JP3202121B2 - Character input device, game device, and character input method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a character input device, a game device, and a character input method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, various character input devices for an operator to input characters have been known in game devices for home use and business use, and electronic devices such as electronic organizers.
Hereinafter, taking a game device such as a home game device as an example,
A conventional character input device will be described.

[0003] For example, a roll plane game (hereinafter referred to as RP)
In a game such as a G game, etc., it may be necessary to break through a barrier during the game or to input characters to input the name of the main character of the game. In such a case, the operator, that is, the player inputs characters by operating an operation unit such as a joypad or a joystick while watching a character input screen displayed on an image display unit such as a CRT or a television. FIG. 9A shows an example of a screen displayed on the image display unit at the time of such a character input operation.
FIG. 9B shows an example of the operation unit 12 operated by the player in this case.

As shown in FIG. 9A, in this case, a selection candidate display 50, a selected character character display such as a cursor 52, a mode display 54, and an input character display 56 are displayed on the screen.
Is displayed.

Here, the selection candidate display 50 is a display showing a plurality of character characters that are selection candidates. FIG.
In (A), 8 is composed of an uppercase letter of “A-”, a lowercase letter of “ぁ-”, a voiced sound of “Ga-bo”, and a semi-voiced sound of “ぱ-ぽ”.
Zero selection candidate character characters are displayed. The selected character character display is, for example, a display called a cursor 52, and is a display indicating a character character that the player is trying to select. The player is the operation unit 1
According to 4, the cursor 52 is sequentially moved one by one for each character character in the vertical direction or the horizontal direction, and a desired character character is selected.

[0006] The mode display 54 is a display for switching the screen mode. In FIG. 9A, for example, the above-mentioned cursor 5 is displayed on the display “Katakana”.
By moving and selecting 2, the "Hiragana character" shown in the selection candidate display 52 is switched to the "Katakana character". Similarly, if "return" is selected, the cursor 52 returns, and if "end" is selected, the character input mode ends. In addition, the input character display 56
Is a display indicating a character character input by the player. With this display, the player can confirm the character input by the player.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 9 (B), the operation unit 12 is provided with a cross button 14, a button 16, and a button 18. The cross button 14 is used to move the cursor 52 in the left, right, up and down directions and, in some cases, in an oblique direction, thereby enabling a digital azimuth input. The button 16 is a button for determining selection, input, and the like. For example, when this button 16 is pressed in the state of FIG. 9A, the selection and input of the character "ha" are determined. The button 18 is a button for canceling selection, input, and the like. For example, when this button 18 is pressed in the state of FIG. 9A, the selection and input of the character "wa" are canceled.

Next, the operation of the conventional character input device will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. First, at the start of input in step P1, a screen shown in FIG. 9A is displayed on the image display unit. Next, as shown in step P2, the player selects a desired character character from the 80 character candidates shown in the selection candidate display 50 by using the cursor 52. For example, it is assumed that the player moves the cursor to the position of the kana capital letter “ha” using the cross button 14 and selects and determines the button using the button 16. Then, as shown in Step P3, a kana capital letter "ha" is displayed on the input character display section 56. When the input is determined by the button 16, the process returns to Step P2. Next, the player moves the cursor to the position of a kana lowercase letter, for example, “ゃ” by using the cross button 14 and presses the button 1
It is assumed that selection and determination are made by step 6. Then, as shown in Step P4, a kana small letter "@" is displayed on the input character display section 56. When the input is determined by the button 16, the process returns to Step P2. Similarly, when the character of the kana cloud point, for example, “GA” is selected, step P5
Is displayed as shown in FIG.
Return to 2.

In this way, when the player inputs all the characters to be input and selects "end" on the mode display section 54, the character input operation ends as shown in step P6.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a screen displayed on the image display unit at the time of a character input operation in another conventional character input device.

As shown in FIG. 11, in this case, a selection candidate display 50, a cursor 52, a mode display 5
4. A display such as an input character display 56 is shown.
Then, in the selection candidate display 50, unlike the above-described FIG. 9A, a voiced / semi-voiced sound selection display 58 is displayed. The voiced / semi-voiced voice selection display 58 is a display for making a selection to add a voiced or semi-voiced voice to a previously input character. For example, after "ha" was entered last time,
When, for example, a turbid point is selected from the semi-dark point selection display 58,
"Ba" is selected and input.

Next, the operation of the conventional character input device will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, input is started in step Q1, and then, in step Q2, the player selects a desired character character from the 61-character candidates shown in the selection candidate display 50 using the cursor 52. For example, it is assumed that the player selects and decides a kana capital letter “wa”. Then, as shown in step Q3, a kana capital letter "wa" is displayed on the input character display section 56. Similarly, when the player selects and determines the lowercase kana character "@", the lowercase kana character "@" is displayed as shown in step Q4.

Now, for example, when the player wants to select and input a muddy "ba", the following is performed. That is, in this case, first, in steps Q2 and Q3, the kana capital letter "ha" is selected and input. Then, step Q
The user is caused to select a cloud point from the cloud point / semi-voice point selection display 58 by step 2. Then, in step Q5, "ba" with a kana capital letter "ha" with a cloud point is displayed. Thereafter, when the player decides the selection with the button 16, "ba" is input. When all the inputs have been completed, the character input operation ends in step Q6.

[0014]

The conventional character input device described above has a problem that the character input operation is very complicated and time-consuming.

For example, consider the case where the character "Shizukada" is input with the character input device described with reference to FIG.
In this case, first, "S" at the point K1 in FIG. 9A is selected and input. Next, the cross button 14 is used to move the cursor 52 rightward by six characters and downward by four characters.
Move the character (10 characters in total), select and enter "Z" at point K2. Next, the user moves the cursor 52 two characters to the left and five characters upward (total of seven characters), and selects and inputs "?" At point K3. And
Finally, move 5 character characters leftward and 6 character characters downward (total 11 character characters),
Select and input "da" at 4 points.

As described above, in the conventional character input device, the cursor must be moved by a total of 28 character characters to select and input the character characters. For this reason, there has been a problem that the character input operation becomes very complicated and complicated, and the operation takes a very long time. This has caused a situation in which the player feels a great deal of stress or performs an erroneous character input operation.

Such a problem also occurs in the conventional character input device described with reference to FIG. That is, in the conventional character input device shown in FIG. 11, when "Shizukada" is input, the following is performed.

First, "S" at the point L1 in FIG. 11 is selected and input. Next, the cursor 52 is moved one character character to the right by the cross button 14 (total character character movement), and "su" at the L2 point is selected and input. Next, the cursor 52 is moved to the right by eight character characters and upward by two character characters (total of ten character characters), and a cloud point at the L3 point is selected. As a result, "Z" is input. Next, the cursor 52 is moved to the left by 10 character characters and downward by 1 character character (11 character characters in total), and the "ka" at the L4 point is selected and input. Next, the cursor 52 is moved downward by two characters (total two characters), and "ta" at the L5 point is selected and input. Finally, the cursor 52 is moved to the right by 10 character characters and upward by 3 character characters (total of 13 character characters), and a cloud point at the L3 point is selected. As a result, "da" is input.

As described above, in this conventional character input device, the cursor must be moved by a total of 37 characters to select and input the character. For this reason, there has been a problem that the character input operation is more complicated and complicated than the character input operation shown in FIG. This has caused a situation in which the player further feels stress or performs an incorrect character input operation.

The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional problem, and an object of the present invention is to perform a character input operation at high speed without being complicated and complicated, and to make an operator feel stressed. An object of the present invention is to provide a character input device, a game device, and a character input method that are less likely to cause an incorrect character input operation.

[0021]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an operation unit for performing an operation for inputting characters by an operator, and a process for performing a process for image synthesis based on an operation signal from the operation unit. A character input device including: a unit; an image combining unit configured to combine images based on the image combining processing in the processing unit; and an image display unit on which the combined image is displayed.
By the image synthesizing process in the processing unit, a plurality of character characters that are selection candidates are displayed on the image display unit, and when an operator performs a character selection operation on any of the character characters using the operation unit, the character is selected. A modified character selection display is performed on the image display unit so that a character selection operation can be performed on a modified character character of the character character.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the modified character selection display on the image display section is performed by displaying a list of the selected character characters and the modified character characters as selection candidates. It is characterized by the following.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the modified character selection display on the image display section alternately displays the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. It is characterized by being performed by.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a plurality of windows including a first window and a second window are displayed on the image display unit by the image synthesizing process in the processing unit. A plurality of character characters are displayed in the first window, and the operator
When any one of the character characters is operated by the operation unit from the window of the above, the character character selected so that the character selection operation can be performed also on the modified character character of the selected character character and the modified character character are changed to the second character character. It is characterized in that a list is displayed in a window.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the character selecting operation by the operating unit is performed by:
For the plurality of character characters arranged at predetermined intervals in a matrix, the display is performed by sequentially moving the selected character character indicating the character character to be selected for each character character.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the deformed character character is an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a voiced sound, or a semi-voiced sound of the selected character character.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game apparatus including the character input device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, wherein an operator performs a game operation using the operation unit, and the processing unit transmits a command from the operation unit. Performing a process for synthesizing a game image based on the game operation signal of the game, the image synthesizing unit synthesizing a game image based on the game image synthesizing process in the processing unit, and a game synthesized on the image display unit. An image is displayed.

[0028] The invention according to claim 8 is a character input method in which an operator can perform a character input operation with the operation unit while looking at the character characters displayed on the image display unit, and (A) a plurality of characters which are selection candidates. Displaying a character on the image display unit; (B) allowing an operator to select one of the plurality of character characters displayed on the image display unit using the operation unit; After the step (B), a step of selecting and displaying a deformed character on the image display section so that a character selection operation can be performed on a deformed character character of the selected character character; and (D) an operator based on the deformed character selection display And performing a character input operation.

In a ninth aspect of the present invention, the modified character selection display in the step (C) is performed by collectively displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. It is characterized by the following.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect,
The modified character selection display in the step (C) is performed by alternately switching and displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates.

[0031] According to the eleventh aspect, in the eighth aspect,
A plurality of windows including a first window and a second window are displayed on the image display unit. In the step (A), a plurality of character characters that are selection candidates are displayed in the first window. In B), the operator causes any one of the plurality of character characters displayed in the first window to perform a character selection operation using the operation unit. In the step (C), after the step (B), a selection is made. In the second window, a character character selected so as to be able to perform a character selection operation and a modified character character of the selected character character are displayed in the second window, and in (D), display of the second window screen is performed. The character input operation is performed by causing the operator to perform a character selection operation based on the above.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to eleventh aspects, the character selecting operation in the step (B) is performed on the plurality of character characters arranged at predetermined intervals in a matrix. The display is performed by sequentially moving the selected character character display indicating the character character to be selected for each character character.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the eighth to twelfth aspects, the deformed character that can be selected by the character in the step (C) is an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a voiced sound, or a half-voiced sound of the selected character. It is characterized by being.

[0034]

According to the present invention, a plurality of character characters as selection candidates are displayed on the image display unit. Then, when the operator performs a character selection operation on any of the character characters, a modified character selection display is performed so that the character selection operation can be performed on the modified character character of the selected character character. Accordingly, it is not necessary to display the deformed character character as the first selection candidate on the image display unit, so that the range of the selection candidate display can be made a very narrow range. Thus, the operator can perform a character selection operation in a very narrow range. Then, the modified character character is displayed on the modified character selection display.
Therefore, by selecting a desired modified character character from the modified character selection display, a character input operation can be performed for the modified character character.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, the above-described modified character selection display is performed by displaying a list of selected character characters and the modified character characters as selection candidates. Therefore, the operator can perform a character input operation by selecting a desired character character or a modified character character from the modified character selection display displayed in the list.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention,
The above-described modified character selection display is performed by alternately switching and displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. Therefore, the operator can perform a character input operation by selecting a desired character character or a modified character character from the modified character selection display alternately displayed.

According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention,
A plurality of windows are displayed on the image display unit. Then, when the operator performs a character selection operation on any of the character characters from the first window, the selected character character and the modified character character are changed so that the character selection operation can be performed on the modified character character of the selected character character. A list is displayed in the second window. Then, when the character selection operation is performed in the first window, the character selection operation for the deformed character characters listed in the second window can be performed. As described above, by dividing the display into the first and second windows, the character selection operation by the operator becomes very simple.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention,
The character selection operation by the operation unit is performed by sequentially moving the display of the selected character characters for a plurality of character characters arranged at predetermined intervals in a matrix. As described above, in the case where the character selection operation is performed by moving the selected character character display for each character character, the present invention enables the character input operation to be performed particularly easily and at high speed.

According to the invention of claims 6 and 13,
The deformed character character becomes the uppercase character, lowercase character, voiced sound, or semi-voiced sound of the selected character character. Thus, when a character string in which these uppercase letters, lowercase letters, voiced sounds, and semi-voiced sounds are mixed is input, the character input operation can be performed very easily and at high speed.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the operator performs a game operation using the operation unit, and the processing unit performs a predetermined process based on a game operation signal from the operation unit. The synthesis of the game image is also performed. As described above, the present invention can be applied not only to a normal character input device but also to character input in a game device.

[0041]

【Example】

1. First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a character input device according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first embodiment includes an operation unit 12, a processing unit 100, an image synthesizing unit 200, and an image display unit 10.

The operation section 12 is used by an operator to perform an operation for inputting characters. As the operation unit 12 used in the first embodiment, for example, as shown in FIGS. 8A to 8F, a very large number of types can be considered. However, in the following, for simplicity of description, the operation unit 12 shown in FIG.
The case where the one shown in (A) is used will be described. That is, the operation unit 12 is provided with the cross button 14, the buttons 16, and 18 in the same manner as described in the conventional example. The operator operates these cross buttons 14, 16 and 18 to perform a character input operation.

The processing section 100 performs predetermined processing for image synthesis and the like based on an operation signal from the operation section. That is, the processing unit 100 performs a process of determining which character character is to be arranged at which position, for example. Further, when the operator inputs an operation signal to the operation unit 12, a process of displaying a selected character character, for example, moving a cursor, is performed in response thereto. In addition, according to an operation signal from the operation unit 12, a process of changing a character to be displayed, or performing selection, input determination, cancellation, or the like is also performed.

In the image synthesizing section 200, the processing section 100
, Image synthesis such as a character image is performed. For example, image synthesis for displaying a character character at a position determined by the processing of the processing unit 100 is performed. Further, image synthesis such as moving a cursor or the like to a position determined by the processing of the processing unit 100 is performed. Further, when selection, input is determined, or canceled by the processing of the processing unit 100, image synthesis such as displaying or erasing a character character is performed accordingly.

The image display unit 10 displays an image synthesized by the image synthesis unit 200. This image display unit 10
Various devices such as a CRT, a television, and a liquid crystal display device can be considered.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a screen displayed on the image display unit 10 in the first embodiment. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of windows,
That is, the first to fifth windows 60 to 68 are displayed.

In the first window 60, a selection candidate display 50 is shown. This selection candidate display 50 is a display showing a plurality of character characters that are selection candidates as in the above-described conventional example. However, in the selection candidate display 50 in the first embodiment, only the uppercase character “A” and the other character characters “Mode”, “END”, “Susume”, and “Return” are displayed. The small letters “ぁ-っ”, the voiced sound “ga-bo”, and the semi-voiced sound “ぱ-ぽ”, which are displayed in the conventional example shown in FIG. In addition, the small letter “ぁ-」 ”and the voiced / semi-voiced point selection display 58 displayed in the conventional example shown in FIG. 11 are not displayed. As a result, the number of selection candidate characters, which was 80 characters in the conventional example of FIG. 9A and 61 characters in the conventional example of FIG. 11, is reduced to 51 characters in the first embodiment. Therefore, the range in which the cursor 52, which is the display of the selected character, can be moved can be made very narrow, and the types of character that the operator must select can be greatly reduced. This makes it possible to simplify and speed up character input, prevent erroneous character input operations, reduce operator stress, and the like.

The selected character character display is a display indicating the character character that the operator is trying to select as described above. In the first embodiment, for example, a cursor 52 is used as the selected character display. The operator moves the cursor 52 one by one for each character character to perform the selection operation of the character character. As a method of displaying the selected character character, various methods other than the method called cursor display shown in FIG. 2 can be used. For example, a method of making the color of the character character selected by the operator different from the color of the non-selected character character can be considered. Further, a method of blinking the character character selected by the operator, or displaying an arrow in the immediate vicinity of the selected character may be considered.

The mode display 54 is a display for switching the mode of the screen. In the first embodiment, the third to third modes are set.
It is displayed in fifth windows 64-68. These modes are selected by selecting a “mode” displayed on the selection candidate display 50. As a result, in the first embodiment, the character characters displayed on the selection candidate display 50 can be switched to "Hiragana characters", "Katakana characters", and "alphanumeric characters". It should be noted that “suggest” in the selection candidate display 50 is a display for moving the cursor to the right in the character input display 56, and “return” is a display for moving the cursor to the left. “END” is a display for ending the character input operation.

The input character display 56 is a display for indicating a character character input by the operator, and is displayed in the second window 62 in the first embodiment. This display allows the operator to confirm the character entered by the operator.

The modified character selection display 70 is a display displayed on the screen so that the character selection operation can be performed on the modified character character of the selected character character. Book first
In this embodiment, the modified character selection display 70 is displayed in the second window 62.

Here, the modified character character means, for example, a capital letter, a small letter, a voiced sound, a semi-voiced sound, etc. of the selected character character. For example, as the modified character character of the capital letter "tsu", a small letter "tsu", a muddy sound "zu", and the like can be considered. Also, as the modified character of the lowercase letter “j”, an uppercase letter “J” or the like can be considered. In FIG. 2, the modified character selection display 70 includes a selected character character, a capital letter “ha”, and the modified character character “Dakuon” “ba”,
The semi-voiced sound “ぱ” is listed as a selection candidate. In this case, in order to make it easier for the operator to confirm the character input or to select the modified character, the modified character selection display 70 is displayed immediately below the character input display 56. And its modified character characters are arranged in the vertical direction.

Next, the operation of the character input device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, at the start of input in step S1, a plurality of windows 60 to 58 as shown in FIG. 2 are displayed on the image display device. Next, as shown in step S2, the operator causes the cursor 52 to select a desired character from the 51 character candidates shown in the selection candidate display 50 in the first window 60.

Next, it is assumed that the operator moves the cursor to the position of a character having no lowercase letter, voiced sound or semi-voiced sound, for example, "na" by using the cross button 14, and selects and determines by pressing the button 16. Then, as shown in step S3, a kana capital letter "na" is displayed on the input character display section 56. When the input is determined by the button 16, "na" is input, and the process returns to step S2. Thus, the first book
In the embodiment of the present invention, when a character without a lowercase letter, a voiced sound, or a half-voiced sound is selected, no subsequent secondary processing is performed, and the character is input as it is by the selection decision.

Next, it is assumed that the operator moves the cursor to the position of a character having a lowercase letter, voiced sound, or semi-voiced sound, for example, "ha" by using the cross button 14, and selects and determines by pressing the button 16. Then, as shown in step S4, the following secondary processing is performed, and candidates for uppercase letters, lowercase letters, voiced sounds, and semi-voiced sounds are displayed. Specifically, when the cursor 52 is positioned at the M1 point in the first window 60 and the selection is determined by the button 16, the cursor 52 is moved to the second window 6.
Move to the position of point M2 of FIG. Then, in the second window 62, a modified character selection display 70, that is, “ha”,
“BA” and “ぱ” will be displayed.

Next, as shown in step S5, the operator is caused to select a desired character from a maximum of three candidates. Specifically, the operator moves the cursor 52 to the point M3, and selects a desired character from "ha", "ba", and "@". Then, the character character selected as shown in step S6 is displayed on the character input display 56, and when the player determines the selection with the button 16,
The character input for the character ends.

As described above, when the operator inputs all the characters to be input and selects "END" in the selection candidate display 50, the character input operation ends as shown in step S7.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, a character input operation can be performed very easily and at a high speed. This will be described below in comparison with the conventional example.

For example, as in the description of the conventional example, a case where the character "SHIZUKADA" is input according to the first embodiment will be considered. In this case, first, “S” at the point N1 in FIG. 2 is selected. Then, the cursor 52 jumps to the point M2, and “S” and “J” are displayed in the modified character selection display 70. Therefore, in this case, the button 16 is pressed while the cursor 52 is at the point M2, and the selection is determined. Then
The cursor 52 automatically returns to the position of "S" in the first window 60, that is, the point N1. Next, the cross button 14
To move the cursor 52 one character to the right (total one character), and select "su" at point N2. Then, the cursor 52 jumps to the point M2, and “S” and “Z” are displayed on the modified character selection display 70. Therefore, the operator moves the cursor 52 downward by two characters and selects and decides “Z” (total two characters move). Next, after the cursor 52 returns to the point N2, the cursor 52 is moved two character characters to the left and one character character upward (total three character characters), and selects "?" At the N3 point. And the above "shi"
Is selected and determined as in the case of. And the cursor 52
After the cursor returns to the point N3, the cursor 52 is finally moved downward by 2 points.
The character character is moved (two character characters are moved in total), and “ta” at the N4 point is selected. Then, the cursor 52 is moved downward by two characters in the same manner as in the case of "Z", and "DA" is selected and determined (two characters in total).

As described above, in the first embodiment, the input of "Shizukada" can be performed by moving the cursor by a total of 10 character characters. Therefore, compared to the conventional example shown in FIG. 9A in which the cursor movement of a total of 28 character characters is required and the conventional example shown in FIG. The amount can be significantly reduced. This makes it possible to speed up character input, for example, about three to four times faster than in the conventional example. In addition, the amount of cursor movement is reduced, the area of the selection candidate display 50, that is, the range of cursor movement is reduced, and the number of types of character characters to be selected in the primary processing is reduced. It will be greatly simplified. This can effectively prevent an erroneous character input operation from occurring,
It is possible to greatly reduce the stress of the operator.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a combination of the modified character selection display 70 when the selection candidate displayed on the selection candidate display 50 is "Hiragana". The same combination is obtained when the selection candidate is "Katakana". When the selection candidate is an "alphabet", a combination of uppercase and lowercase letters such as "J" and "j" can be considered. This makes it possible to input characters such as "James Adames" in a very simple and fast manner. Furthermore, a combination of full-width and half-width is also conceivable. When the selection candidate is “numerical”, a combination of full-width and half-width, and a combination of Chinese numerals and Arabic numerals are also conceivable.

Further, for example, when the kana capital letter “ha” is selected, “ha”,
Not only "ba" and "ぱ", but also katakana "c",
A list of “ba” and “pa” may also be displayed.

The form of the screen displayed on the image display unit 10 is not limited to the one shown in FIG. For example, a form in which a plurality of windows are not displayed as shown in FIG. 2 is also conceivable. Also, various methods can be considered for the display method of the modified character selection display 70.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the selected character character "ha" is not displayed at both the points M2 and M3.
As shown in (A), a method of displaying the selected character character "ha" at only one place and sharing the "ha" between the modified character selection display 70 and the character input display 56 is also conceivable.

Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a modified character selection display 70 is displayed only at one position, and at this position, the selected character character and the modified character character are alternately selected as selection candidates, for example, "ha". It is also conceivable to perform a modified character selection display by switching and displaying such as “ba” or “ぱ”.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when "ha" is selected by the cursor 52, a method of displaying a window 62 at a position immediately near "ha" is also conceivable. By doing so, it is considered that the character input operation is further simplified. In this case, the character input display 56 is fixedly displayed at another different position, and only the deformed character selection display is displayed.
It may be displayed in the immediate vicinity of the selected character character.

Further, the first embodiment can be applied to a case where a character which is initially input as "shisukada" is changed to "shizukada", for example. In this case, the user moves the cursor to the position of the character character "su" to be changed by selecting "suture", "return" or the like in FIG. Then, the character character "su" to be changed is selected, and the deformed character character 70 is displayed. After that, "Z" is selected from the modified character selection display 70.

2. Second Example A second example is an example of a game device to which the character input device and the character input method according to the present invention are applied.

FIGS. 6A to 6D show an example of a game screen formed by the game device according to the second embodiment. This game is an RPG game in which a hero operated by a player travels around the world and searches for treasures. In the case of this RPG game, first, when the game is started for the first time, it is possible for the operator, that is, the player, to give his / her favorite name to the hero. For example,
If the player names the hero "Jaguar's Trouble", the player names the hero by the character input method of the present invention. In this character input method,
This is particularly effective when inputting characters such as "Jaguar's Trouble" in which mixed voices and non-voiced sounds, lowercase and uppercase letters, katakana and hiragana are mixed.

FIG. 6A shows a screen in which the player who is “Jaguar's Trouble” searches for treasures possessed by pirates. In this case, the pirates are asking the player to say a secret word. This "word"
Is a "keyword" that a player could know by talking to various people in various towns. The player
From the various "keywords" that one knows, a "keyword" suitable for this scene is selected and character input operation is performed. When a character input operation is performed, a plurality of character input windows are displayed on the game screen as shown in FIG. These windows are shown in Figure 2
It is the same as that described in the above. In FIG. 6 (B), the player has input the "keyword" of "blind" that he thinks is correct. In this case, this character input method is very effective when "ge" is input.

[0122] The “password” input by the player as characters
If "Megurijane" is correct,
The gatekeeper opens the door as shown in (C). vice versa,
If the "keyword" entered by the player is not the "keyword" in this scene, or if the wrong "keyword" or "blind" is entered by an incorrect character input operation, As shown in Fig. 6 (D), the hero is considered a suspicious guy and is hit by a gatekeeper. Then, after being hit by the gatekeeper, the player again inputs another "secret" or a correct "secret".

In the above-described game scene, for example, when there are many "keywords" that are candidates for character input, or when the "keywords" include a large number of voiced, semi-voiced, and small letters, On the other hand, in the conventional game apparatus, the character input operation is slow and complicated, so that the player feels very stress. Therefore, in such a case, a game device capable of performing a smooth and simple character input operation has been desired.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a game device according to the second embodiment. This game device includes an operation unit 12, a processing unit 100, an image synthesis unit 200, and an image display unit 10, as shown in FIG.

The operation unit 12 performs not only a character input operation but also
For example, game operations such as moving a character as a protagonist, casting magic, and operating a racing car are also possible.

The processing section 100 includes a central processing section 102 and a main storage section 108. Then, the processing unit 100
In, various processes such as a process for synthesizing a game image and a process for synthesizing a game sound effect, as well as a process for synthesizing a character image, are performed. The main storage unit 108 stores various information such as a game program for performing these processes. Then, the central processing unit 102 reads information such as the game program from the main storage unit 108,
Various processes for image synthesis and voice synthesis are performed.

The image synthesizing unit 200 includes an image processing unit 202,
An image information storage unit 204 and an image buffer 206 are included. Then, the image synthesizing unit 200 synthesizes a game image, a character image, and the like based on the image synthesizing process by the processing unit 100. Image information storage unit 20
Reference numeral 4 stores image information for performing the image synthesis. Specifically, the image information storage unit 204 stores character information such as a character representing a hero, a character representing an enemy, a terrain map, and a character character. When the game device is a three-dimensional game device, for example, a game device of a type that forms a game screen using polygons, the image information storage unit 204 stores the main character, a racing car, a fighter, a terrain map, The polygon information of the object representing the character or the like is stored.

The image processing section 202 reads out corresponding image information from the image information storage section 204 based on the image synthesis processing information from the processing section 100 and performs image synthesis for each field. Specifically, from the processing unit 100, in the field, the main character, the enemy, the racing car, the fighter, the terrain map, the character, and the like are displayed on a game screen or a virtual three-dimensional space (in the case of a three-dimensional game device). Image synthesis processing information for instructing where to place the image. Then, the image processing unit 202 reads out the corresponding image information from the image information storage unit 204 based on the image synthesis processing information, and performs processing such as arranging it at the corresponding position. And the image buffer 2
At 06, an image to be displayed on the game screen in each field is stored. As the image buffer 206,
For example, what is called a video RAM is used. In a three-dimensional game device, a device called a field buffer is used.

In the image display unit 10, the image buffer 206
Alternatively, an image to be displayed on the game screen in the field is read out from the image processing unit 204 and displayed to the player.

In FIG. 7, the external storage device 109 can be used as the main storage unit 108 and the image information storage unit 204. As the external storage device 109,
A game cartridge, a CDROM, a floppy disk, or the like can be used.

Now, according to the present game apparatus, how FIG.
A brief description will be given as to whether to form a character screen as described above.

The main storage unit 108 stores information on where and how to display the character screen shown in FIG. 2 during the progress of the game. In the character screen shown in FIG. 2, information on which character character is arranged at which position is also stored. Central processing unit 102
Reads out this information from the main storage unit 108 and performs processing for combining character images. Then, for example, when a character input operation is performed by the operation unit 12 when a character screen is displayed, for example, how to move the cursor 52 or how to select and input characters. Will be performed. Then, based on this processing, the image processing unit 202 synthesizes an image to be actually displayed on the image display unit 10. Specifically, information such as the character number of the character character and its layout position information is input from the processing unit 100 to the image processing unit 202. Then, the image processing unit 202
Based on this information, the image information of the corresponding character is read from the image information storage unit 204. Then, the image information on the character screen to be displayed in the field is sequentially written into the image buffer 206. As for the character characters, a normal character character and its modified character character are paired and stored in the image information storage unit 2.
04 is desirably stored. By doing so, it is possible to further simplify the formation of the above-described modified character selection display 70.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

For example, FIG.
For example, FIGS. 8B to 8F are not limited to those shown in FIG.
Various forms as shown in FIG.
For example, in FIG. 8B, the selection and input determination buttons 1
6. Other buttons 20 and 22 other than the cancel button 18
Is provided. If the other buttons 20 and 22 are used for processing such as moving between windows and selecting and displaying a deformed character, the character input operation can be further simplified.

In FIG. 8C, a lever 28 is used in place of the cross button 14, and in FIG. 8D, a rotating ball 30 is used. For example, the cursor (selected character display) 52 can be moved right and left and up and down by tilting the lever 28 left and right and up and down or rotating the rotating ball 30 left and right and up and down. As described above, in the present invention, as the mode of the operation unit 12 for moving the display of the selected character (cursor or the like), not only the cross button 14 but also various types can be used.

FIG. 8E shows an example of the operation unit 12 when the present invention is applied to a racing car game. In this case, the display of the selected character can be moved by turning the handle 36 or the like. Further, by stepping on the accelerator 28 or the like, selection, input, cancellation, etc. of a character character can be performed.

FIG. 8F shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an electronic device such as an electronic organizer. In this case, a liquid crystal panel or the like is used as the image display unit 10.
The operation unit 12 includes buttons (keyboard) 42 to
49 is used. The display of the selected character character (cursor or the like) such as the cursor 52 is performed by pressing the buttons 42 to
48 or the like. Further, other instructions can be given by the button 49 or the like. By applying the present invention to such an electronic device such as an electronic organizer, it is possible to perform character input in data construction, data search, and the like very easily and at high speed.

Further, as the game to which the present invention can be applied, not only the above-mentioned RPG game but also all kinds of games can be considered. For example, the present invention can be applied to character input or the like when breaking through a gate in an adventure game. Further, the present invention can be applied to a game such as a quiz game in which a question is given to a player and answered by a character string. Further, the present invention can also be applied to a case where a player's own name is input in a martial arts game or the like to register a player's play record, or a case where his / her data is registered using a fortune-telling machine or the like. In addition, the present invention can be applied to games of all genres, as long as the system allows a player to name data created during the game, such as giving a favorite name to a character in the game. In addition, the present invention can be applied to continuation using a password.
For example, the present invention can be applied to a “password continuation method” which is employed when a game is temporarily interrupted in a device without a memory backup function and it is desired to continue the game from the same state.

Further, any type of modified character character in the present invention can be considered. For example, a character with a symbol on the character, such as a German or French inset, is referred to as a modified character character. You can also. In addition, it is also possible to use a character character whose color is changed as a modified character character.

[0090]

According to the first and eighth aspects of the present invention, it is not necessary to display the deformed character character as the first selection candidate on the image display unit. Therefore, the range of the selection candidate display can be made a very narrow range. Also, with regard to the deformed character character, the character input operation can be performed by selecting a desired deformed character character from the deformed character selection display.
Therefore, the operator can perform a character selection operation in a very narrow range,
Furthermore, the types of character characters to be selected first can be reduced. As a result, the character input operation can be greatly simplified and speeded up, and the occurrence of an erroneous character input operation can be effectively prevented, and the stress on the operator can be greatly reduced.

According to the second and ninth aspects of the present invention, a character input operation can be performed by selecting a desired character character or a modified character character from the modified character selection display displayed in a list. Therefore, since the operator can perform the character input operation while viewing the character characters and the deformed character characters displayed in the list, the character input operation can be performed more simply and at a higher speed.

According to the third and tenth aspects of the present invention,
A character input operation can be performed by selecting a desired character character or a modified character character from the modified character selection display that is alternately displayed. Therefore, a simpler and faster character input operation can be performed,
The range in which the character characters and the deformed character characters are displayed can be made very narrow as compared with the case of displaying the list.

According to the fourth and eleventh aspects of the present invention,
When a character selection operation is performed in the first window in which the first selection candidate is displayed, it is possible to perform a character selection operation on the deformed character characters listed in the second window. Therefore, the size of the first window in which the first selection candidate is displayed can be made very small. Further, since the display is divided into the first and second windows, whether the currently selected display is the first selection candidate display or the next selection candidate for the deformed character character is determined.
The operator can easily recognize, and a simple and high-speed character input operation can be performed.

According to the fifth and twelfth aspects of the present invention,
The character selection operation is performed by sequentially moving the display of the selected character for each character. According to the present invention, the first selection candidate display can be set to a very narrow range, and the selection of the deformed character character is also easy. Therefore, when the character selection operation is performed by sequentially moving the display of the selected character character for each character character, it is possible to perform a character input operation that is particularly simple and high-speed as compared with the conventional example.

According to the sixth and thirteenth aspects of the present invention,
It is very easy and fast to input characters in a character string containing a mixture of uppercase letters, lowercase letters, voiced sounds and semi-voiced sounds. In particular, it becomes possible to input hiragana and katakana very easily and easily as compared with the conventional example.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, not only a character image but also a game image are synthesized. As a result, for example, it is possible to input the name of the game character in the game, register its own name, input a character string for breaking through the game during the game, input a password, and the like very easily and at high speed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a character input device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a character screen displayed on an image display unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic explanatory diagram for explaining a combination of deformed character characters.

FIGS. 5A to 5C are schematic explanatory diagrams for explaining various display formats in a modified character selection display.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are examples of a game screen formed by the game device according to the second embodiment; FIG.

FIG. 7 is an example of a block diagram of a game device according to a second embodiment.

FIGS. 8A to 8F are schematic views showing various forms of an operation unit used in the present invention.

FIG. 9A is an example of a character screen displayed by a conventional character input device, and FIG. 9B is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional character input device.

FIG. 11 is an example of a character screen displayed by another conventional character input device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of another conventional character input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 Image display unit 12 Operation unit 50 Selection candidate display 52 Cursor (selected character display) 54 Mode display 56 Character input display 60 First window 62 Second window 64 to 68 Third to fifth window 70 Deformed character selection Display 100 processing unit 102 central processing unit 108 main storage unit 200 image synthesis unit 202 image processing unit 204 image information storage unit 206 image buffer

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G06F 3/023 A63F 9/24 G06F 17/22

Claims (13)

(57) [Claims] An operation unit for performing an operation for inputting characters by an operator; a processing unit for performing processing for image synthesis based on an operation signal from the operation unit; and the image synthesis processing in the processing unit A character input device including an image combining unit that combines images based on the image combining unit, and an image display unit that displays a combined image, wherein a plurality of selection candidates are selected by the image combining process in the processing unit. A character character is displayed on the image display unit, and when an operator performs a character selection operation on any of the character characters with the operation unit, the image is displayed so that a character selection operation can be performed on a modified character character of the selected character character. A character input device wherein a modified character selection display is performed on a display unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the modified character on the image display unit is performed by displaying a list of the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. Character input device. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the selection of the modified character on the image display unit is performed by alternately switching and displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. Character input device. 4. The plurality of character characters as the selection candidates according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of windows including a first window and a second window are displayed on the image display unit by the image synthesis processing in the processing unit. Is displayed in the first window, and when the operator performs a character selection operation on any of the character characters from the first window using the operation unit, the character selection operation can be performed on the modified character character of the selected character character. A character input device, wherein the selected character character and its modified character character are displayed in a list in the second window. 5. The character selection operation of the operation unit according to claim 1, wherein the character selection operation by the operation unit selects a character character to be selected from the plurality of character characters arranged at a predetermined interval in a matrix. A character input device characterized in that the selected character character display is sequentially moved for each character character. 6. The character input device according to claim 1, wherein the deformed character character is an uppercase character, a lowercase character, a voiced sound, or a semi-voiced sound of the selected character character. 7. A game device including the character input device according to claim 1, wherein an operator performs a game operation using the operation unit, and the processing unit receives a game operation signal from the operation unit. A process for synthesizing a game image is performed based on the game image synthesis process, and the image synthesis unit synthesizes a game image based on the game image synthesis process in the processing unit, and the synthesized game image is displayed on the image display unit. A game device characterized by the above-mentioned. 8. A character input method in which an operator can perform a character input operation with an operation unit while looking at a character character image-displayed on an image display unit, wherein (A) displaying a plurality of character characters as selection candidates in the image display (B) a step of causing an operator to select one of the plurality of character characters displayed on the image display unit using the operation unit, and (C) the step (B). And (D) causing the operator to perform a character selection operation based on the modified character selection display so that the modified character character of the selected character character can also be subjected to the character selection operation. A step of performing the character input operation. 9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the selection of the modified character in the step (C) is performed by collectively displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. Character input method. 10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the display of the modified character in the step (C) is performed by alternately switching and displaying the selected character character and the modified character character as selection candidates. Character input method. 11. The image display unit according to claim 8, wherein a plurality of windows including a first window and a second window are displayed on the image display unit. In the step (A), a plurality of character characters that are selection candidates are displayed on the image display unit. In the step (B), the operator selects one of the plurality of character characters displayed in the first window using the operation unit, and in the step (C), After the step (B), displaying the selected character character and its modified character character in the second window so that the character selection operation can be performed also on the modified character character of the selected character character; In the character input device, the character input operation is performed by causing an operator to perform a character selection operation based on the display of the second window screen. 12. The character according to claim 8, wherein the character selecting operation in the step (B) selects a character to be selected from the plurality of character characters arranged at predetermined intervals in a matrix. A character input method characterized by performing display of a selected character character indicating a character sequentially for each character character. 13. The character according to claim 8, wherein the deformed character that can be selected by the character in the step (C) is an uppercase letter, a lowercase letter, a voiced sound, or a half-voiced sound of the selected character. Character input method.