JP5238676B2 - Input receiving device, input determination method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an input reception device, an input determination method, and a program that allow an input operation on an object arranged in a virtual space without causing a player to feel uncomfortable.

In recent years, touch panels have been widely used as devices for receiving input from users. This touch panel is disposed, for example, in front of a display unit (display or the like), detects an input operation (touch operation) with a touch pen, a user's finger, or the like, and acquires its input coordinates.
Therefore, when a touch panel is used, unlike a conventional key or button input, a user can directly input a desired symbol (button image or the like) displayed on the display unit. For this reason, it is easier for the user to perform intuitive input operations.

  Recently, such touch panels are also used in portable game devices and the like. Then, the player makes an input to a desired object while following the various objects displayed on the game screen. For example, it is possible to easily input various objects such as an instruction of an enemy character to be attacked, an instruction of a door to be opened, or an instruction of an item to be picked up by a touch operation.

  In a game apparatus using such a touch panel, a technique that can appropriately prevent chattering during an input operation is also disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2006-133887 A (Page 5-10, FIG. 5)

As described above, in a game device using a touch panel, an input operation can be easily performed on an object displayed on a game screen.
However, when performing such an input operation, many players feel uncomfortable with the feeling obtained from the displayed game screen.

For example, in a game device that expresses a three-dimensional virtual space, various objects arranged in the virtual space are displayed as images that give a sense of perspective and stereoscopic effect. That is, for various objects appearing in the game, a game screen expressing perspective or the like is displayed according to the relationship between the position in the virtual space and the viewpoint (the position of the virtual camera).
In such a game screen, for example, when an enemy character to be an attack target is designated, the player performs a touch operation on the display position of the target enemy character from the touch panel. Such a touch operation is only required to touch the display position on the screen uniformly regardless of the position of the enemy character in the virtual space. In other words, whether it is an enemy character that is displayed far away or an enemy character that is displayed nearby, its surface touch operation (uniform touch operation) on the touch panel is not changed at all. Input (designation, etc.) to the enemy character can be performed.

  For this reason, a player who has felt the expanse of the virtual space from the game screen can make the virtual space suddenly seem to be flat because the input to the object can be performed by such a uniform touch operation. There was a case of feeling uncomfortable. That is, there are many players who can not feel the expanse of the virtual space by performing superficial input operations on objects in the three-dimensional virtual space.

  For this reason, there has been a development of a game device (input reception device) that can appropriately determine an input operation so that the player does not feel such a sense of incongruity when inputting an object in the virtual space. It was sought after.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an input reception device, an input determination method, and an input determination method capable of causing an input operation on an object arranged in a virtual space without causing the player to feel uncomfortable. The purpose is to provide a program.

  An input reception device according to a first aspect of the present invention is an input reception device that receives an input to a display screen, and includes a display control unit, an object specification unit, and an input determination unit.

  First, a display control part produces | generates the image containing the object (for example, character, item, etc.) arrange | positioned in virtual space, and displays it on a display screen. The object specifying unit specifies an object displayed at the input position in response to an input on the display screen. Then, the input determination unit obtains a reference time determined according to the distance in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint for the identified object, and based on the relationship between the reference time and the time when the input is continued, Validity / invalidity of input to the object is determined. For example, the input determination unit calculates a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction of the specified object, and determines that the input is valid only when the input is continued for longer than the reference time. .

That is, it is required to perform a short (short time) touch operation on an object displayed in the vicinity, and conversely, a long (long time) touch operation may be performed on an object displayed in the distance. Requested. Such touch operations with different durations are in line with the perspective of the displayed object, and the player can input to the enemy character without impairing the expanse of the virtual space felt from the game screen. It can be performed.
As a result, the input operation for the object arranged in the virtual space can be performed without making the player feel uncomfortable.

  An input reception device according to a second aspect of the present invention is an input reception device that receives an input via a touch panel superimposed on a display screen, and includes a position information management unit, a display control unit, an input detection unit, and an object specification unit. , A reference time calculating unit, a continuous time measuring unit, and an input determining unit.

  First, the position information management unit manages position information of objects (for example, characters and items) arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space. The display control unit captures a virtual space including the object from a virtual camera serving as a viewpoint, generates an image projected on a predetermined screen plane, and displays the image on the display screen. The input detection unit responds to an input on the touch panel and detects an input position on the display screen. The object specifying unit specifies the object displayed at the detected input position based on the managed position information. The reference time calculation unit calculates a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction with respect to the identified object in the virtual space. The continuation time counter measures the continuation time while the input to the touch panel is continued. The input determination unit determines whether the input to the object is valid or invalid based on the relationship between the calculated reference time and the measured duration. For example, the input determination unit determines that the input is valid only when the duration is counted for a longer time than the calculated reference time.

That is, an object displayed near is required to perform a short touch operation, and conversely, an object displayed far away is required to perform a long touch operation. Such touch operations with different durations are in line with the perspective of the displayed object, and the player can input to the enemy character without impairing the expanse of the virtual space felt from the game screen. It can be performed.
As a result, the input operation for the object arranged in the virtual space can be performed without making the player feel uncomfortable.

The object specifying unit specifies the object closest to the viewpoint by comparing the Z value of each object when a plurality of objects are displayed overlapping the input position,
The reference time calculation unit may calculate the reference time by multiplying the Z value of the identified object by a predetermined coefficient.
In this case, the object can be specified appropriately, and the reference time can also be calculated appropriately.

The input detection unit sequentially detects the input position while the input to the touch panel continues.
The object specifying unit sequentially specifies the presence or absence of an object displayed at the input position that is sequentially detected based on the current position information managed by the position information management unit,
The duration timer starts counting the duration when the object is specified by the object specifying unit, and when the object is not specified by the object specifying unit or when there is no input to the touch panel, You may stop timing the duration.
In this case, it is possible to determine the effectiveness of the touch operation more strictly in response to a case where the position of the touch pen or the like is shifted while the touch operation is continued or the position of the object on the display side is changed. it can.

  An input determination method according to a third aspect of the present invention is an input determination method executed by an input receiving device that receives an input to a display screen, and includes a display control step, an object specifying step, and an input determination step. Composed.

  First, in the display control step, an image including an object (for example, a character or an item) arranged in the virtual space is generated and displayed on the display screen. In the object specifying step, the object displayed at the input position is specified in response to the input on the display screen. Then, in the input determination step, for the identified object, a reference time determined according to the distance in the virtual space with reference to the viewpoint is obtained, and based on the relationship between the reference time and the time during which the input is continued, Validity / invalidity of input to the object is determined. For example, in the input determination step, a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction of the specified object is calculated, and the input is determined to be valid only when the input is continued for a longer time than the reference time. .

That is, an object displayed near is required to perform a short touch operation, and conversely, an object displayed far away is required to perform a long touch operation. Such touch operations with different durations are in line with the perspective of the displayed object, and the player can input to the enemy character without impairing the expanse of the virtual space felt from the game screen. It can be performed.
As a result, the input operation for the object arranged in the virtual space can be performed without making the player feel uncomfortable.

  A program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is configured to cause a computer (including an electronic device) that receives an input to a display screen to function as the input receiving device.

  This program can be recorded on a computer-readable information recording medium such as a compact disk, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, digital video disk, magnetic tape, and semiconductor memory.

  The above program can be distributed and sold via a computer communication network independently of the computer on which the program is executed. The information recording medium can be distributed and sold independently of the computer.

  According to the present invention, an input operation on an object arranged in a virtual space can be performed without causing the player to feel uncomfortable.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the external appearance of the typical game device with which the input reception apparatus which concerns on this embodiment is implement | achieved. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of a typical game device. It is a block diagram for demonstrating the structure of the input reception apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between a virtual camera and an object. (A)-(c) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating identification of an object. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the other method of specifying an object. (A), (b) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between Z value and reference | standard time. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the input determination process which concerns on this embodiment. (A)-(d) is a schematic diagram for demonstrating a specific game image etc. all.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In the following, for ease of understanding, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a portable game machine (game device) will be described. However, the present invention is similarly applied to information processing devices such as various computers, PDAs, and mobile phones. The invention can be applied. In other words, the embodiments described below are for illustrative purposes and do not limit the scope of the present invention. Therefore, those skilled in the art can employ embodiments in which each or all of these elements are replaced with equivalent ones, and these embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an appearance of a typical game device in which the input receiving device according to the embodiment of the present invention is realized. As an example, the game apparatus 1 is a portable game machine, and includes an operation key 17, a first display unit 18, and a second display unit 19 as illustrated. A predetermined image can be displayed on the first and second display units 18 and 19. A touch panel 20 is disposed on the front surface of the second display unit 19. That is, not only input from the operation key 17 but also input from the touch panel 20 is possible.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the game apparatus 1. Hereinafter, the game apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The game apparatus 1 includes a processing control unit 10, a connector 11, a cartridge 12, a wireless communication unit 13, a communication controller 14, a sound amplifier 15, a speaker 16, an operation key 17, and a first display unit 18. And a second display unit 19 and a touch panel 20.

  The processing control unit 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) core 10a, an image processing unit 10b, a clock circuit 10c, a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory) 10d, a WRAM (Work RAM) 10e, and an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). ) A controller 10f and a touch panel controller 10g are provided.

  The CPU core 10a controls the overall operation of the game apparatus 1 and is connected to each component to exchange control signals and data. Specifically, a program and data stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12a in the cartridge 12 are read out with the cartridge 12 mounted in the connector 11, and predetermined processing is executed.

  The image processing unit 10b processes the data read from the ROM 12a in the cartridge 12 and the data processed by the CPU core 10a, and stores the processed data in the VRAM 10d.

  The clock circuit 10c is a circuit for measuring various times (time), and measures the current time set in the game apparatus 1 and the elapsed time (such as duration described later) required during the game.

The VRAM 10d is a memory for storing information for display, and stores image information processed by the image processing unit 10b and the like.
The WRAM 10e stores work data and the like necessary when the CPU core 10a executes various processes according to the program.

  The LCD controller 10f controls the first display unit 18 and the second display unit 19 to display a predetermined display image. For example, the LCD controller 10 f converts the image information stored in the VRAM 10 d into a display signal at a predetermined synchronization timing, and outputs it to the first display unit 18. Similarly, the LCD controller 10 f displays a predetermined display image on the second display unit 19.

  When the touch panel 20 is pressed with a touch pen or a player's finger, the touch panel controller 10g acquires the coordinates (input coordinates).

  The connector 11 is a terminal that can be detachably connected to the cartridge 12, and transmits / receives predetermined data to / from the cartridge 12 when the cartridge 12 is connected.

The cartridge 12 includes a ROM 12a and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12b.
The ROM 12a stores a program for realizing the game and image data, sound data, and the like accompanying the game.
The RAM 12b stores various data indicating the progress of the game.

The wireless communication unit 13 is a unit that performs wireless communication with the wireless communication unit 13 of another game apparatus 1 and transmits / receives predetermined data via an antenna (not shown) (built-in antenna or the like).
The wireless communication unit 13 can also perform wireless communication with a predetermined wireless access point. The wireless communication unit 13 is assigned a unique MAC (Media Access Control) address.

The communication controller 14 controls the wireless communication unit 13 and mediates wireless communication performed between the process control unit 10 and the process control unit 10 of another game device 1 in accordance with a predetermined protocol.
Further, when the game apparatus 1 connects to the Internet via a nearby wireless access point or the like, wireless communication performed between the processing control unit 10 and the wireless access point or the like is performed according to a protocol compliant with the wireless LAN. Intermediary communication.

The sound amplifier 15 amplifies the audio signal generated by the processing control unit 10 and supplies it to the speaker 16.
The speaker 16 is composed of, for example, a stereo speaker, and outputs predetermined music sound, sound effect, and the like according to the audio signal amplified by the sound amplifier 15.

  The operation key 17 includes a plurality of key switches and the like appropriately arranged on the game apparatus 1 and receives a predetermined instruction input according to a user operation.

The 1st display part 18 and the 2nd display part 19 consist of LCD etc., are controlled by LCD controller 10f, and display a game image etc. suitably.
For example, the second display unit 19 displays a game image including a predetermined object (for example, a character or an item) that is a target for input (pressing) to the touch panel 20.

The touch panel 20 is arranged so as to be superimposed on the front surface of the second display unit 19 and detects an input by a touch pen or a player's finger.
For example, the touch panel 20 includes a resistive film type touch sensor panel and the like, detects a press (pressing) with a touch pen or the like, and outputs information (signal or the like) according to the coordinates.

(Outline of the input receiving device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the input receiving apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The input receiving device 100 is a device that receives an input operation (touch operation) directed to an arbitrary object performed by the player in a state where a game image including various objects arranged in a three-dimensional virtual space is displayed. is there. Hereinafter, the input receiving apparatus 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  As illustrated, the input reception device 100 includes an object storage unit 110, a position information management unit 120, a display control unit 130, an input detection unit 140, a key operation reception unit 150, and a processing control unit 160. .

First, the object storage unit 110 stores information on various objects arranged in the virtual space. For example, information of each object such as a character (player character, enemy character, etc.), item (treasure box, bag, etc.) and building (door, wall, floor, ceiling, etc.) is stored. The information of each object includes image information such as a three-dimensional model and texture, and is used when the display control unit 130 generates a game image.
The ROM 12a in the cartridge 12 described above can function as such an object storage unit 110.

The position information management unit 120 manages position information (current position, orientation, etc.) of an object whose position changes in the virtual space, such as a player character or an enemy character. For example, a player character changes its position and orientation in the virtual space in accordance with a key operation received by the key operation receiving unit 150 (for example, a moving direction instruction). Managed. Further, since the enemy character also moves appropriately according to a predetermined logic and the position in the virtual space changes, the position information is similarly managed.
Further, the position information management unit 120 also manages position information of the virtual camera for photographing the virtual space. In other words, the position of the virtual camera serving as the viewpoint and the direction (line-of-sight direction) are managed. As an example, when the display of the game is set to the third-party viewpoint mode (viewing point over the player character), the position (viewing point position) of the virtual camera is obliquely above and behind (behind) the player character. The direction of the line of sight is set so that the player character is looked down from there. In other words, when the player character moves, the position of the virtual camera (the position of the viewpoint) is appropriately changed so as to follow the player character, so that the position information of the virtual camera is also managed.
In addition, the position information management unit 120 may manage the position information of an object whose position in the virtual space such as a building does not change (does not move).
Note that the CPU core 10a, the WRAM 10e, and the like of the processing control unit 10 described above can function as such a position information management unit 120.

The display control unit 130 generates a game image for viewing the virtual space where each object is arranged from the viewpoint, and displays the generated game image on the display unit (for example, the second display unit 19 described above). That is, each object such as a character (player character, enemy character, etc.), building (door, wall, etc.), item (treasure box, bag, etc.) is arranged in the virtual space according to the location information managed by the location information management unit 120. Then, an image obtained by photographing these from a virtual camera (current viewpoint position) is generated. That is, as shown in FIG. 4A, an image obtained by photographing a three-dimensional virtual space in which each object OJ is arranged from a virtual camera at the viewpoint VP is generated. In more detail, as shown in FIG. 4B, the display control unit 130 projects a two-dimensional image obtained by projecting and transforming the object OJ included in the field of view VF based on the viewpoint VP onto the screen plane SC. Generate. Then, the display control unit 130 displays the two-dimensional image on the second display unit 19 described above.
The image processing unit 10b described above can function as such a display control unit 130.

The input detection unit 140 detects an input (touch operation) with a touch pen, a finger, or the like based on information obtained from the touch panel 20, and acquires the input position (input coordinates).
For example, the input detection unit 140 detects a touch operation from each voltage (voltage change or the like) in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) and the Y-axis direction (vertical direction) supplied from the touch panel 20, and each direction. The input position is acquired based on the voltage value of.
Note that the input detection unit 140 sequentially detects a state in which a touch operation (pressing on the touch panel 20) continues, a change in an input position during the time, and the like.
The touch panel controller 10g described above can function as such an input detection unit 140.

The key operation accepting unit 150 accepts an operation on each key performed by the player.
For example, the key operation accepting unit 150 accepts a movement instruction of the player character when the direction key in the operation key 17 described above is operated by the player. Further, when other keys (for example, an A button, a B button, an X button, a Y button, etc.) in the operation keys 17 are operated by the player, the key operation accepting unit 150 moves to the player character associated with them. (For example, using weapons, picking up items, squatting, lying down, etc.) are accepted.
The operation key 17 described above can function as such a key operation receiving unit 150.

The process control unit 160 controls the entire input receiving device 100. For example, when a touch operation on the touch panel 20 with a touch pen or the like is detected by the input detection unit 140, the processing control unit 160 identifies a target object and is determined according to the depth direction distance of the object in the virtual space. Calculate the reference time. When the touch operation is maintained until the reference time is exceeded (when the touch operation is continued to be pressed with a touch pen or the like), it is determined that the input to the object is valid.
Further, when the key operation accepting unit 150 accepts, for example, a movement instruction to the player character, the processing control unit 160 controls the position information managing unit 120 according to the operation content, so that the player character and the viewpoint ( The position information of the (virtual camera) is updated as appropriate.

  As an example, the processing control unit 160 that performs such control includes an object specifying unit 161, a reference time calculation unit 162, a duration measuring unit 163, and an input determination unit 164. Each configuration will be described below.

The object specifying unit 161 specifies an object displayed at the input position detected by the input detecting unit 140.
That is, the object specifying unit 161 obtains a display position corresponding to the input position, and specifies the object displayed at the display position based on the position information of the position information management unit 120. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5A, the object specifying unit 161 extends a straight line SL along the Z-axis direction that is the depth direction from the display position P (display position corresponding to the input position) on the screen SC. An object OJ that intersects with the straight line SL is specified. At this time, the object OJ may be specified using a bounding box. That is, when the information on the bounding box BB as shown in FIG. 5B is managed by the position information management unit 120, the corresponding object OJ is specified from the bounding box BB intersecting the straight line SL. May be.
Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, when the straight line SL intersects with a plurality of objects OJ, the object specifying unit 161 compares the Z values of the objects and is closest to the viewpoint (screen SC side). The object OJ is specified. Further, in FIGS. 5A to 5C, the straight line SL is shown by a thin line, but this is an example for explanation, and the straight line SL is given a predetermined width (thickness) to create an object. It may be easy to cross OJ. Note that when such a straight line SL does not intersect any object OJ, the object specifying unit 161 does not specify any object OJ (that is, no object OJ is displayed at the input position P). To determine).

Note that such an object specifying method is an example, and the object may be specified by another method. For example, an object may be specified based on a two-dimensional image after projection conversion. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the area information of each object OJ in the two-dimensional image displayed on the screen SC is managed by the position management information unit 120, the display position An object OJ that overlaps P (including the display position P) is specified. Also in this case, when the information of the bounding box BB as shown in FIG. 6B is managed by the position information management unit 120, the object OJ is detected from the bounding box BB overlapping the display position P. May be specified.
Note that the CPU core 10a, the WRAM 10e, and the like described above can function as such an object specifying unit 161.

Returning to FIG. 3, the reference time calculation unit 162 calculates a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint (screen plane) for the object specified by the object specifying unit 161. . For example, the reference time calculation unit 162 calculates the reference time based on the Z value of the identified object. More specifically, as an example, a coefficient in which the Z value and the reference time are proportional to each other as shown in FIG. 7A is used so that the reference time becomes longer as the Z value increases. The reference time is calculated by multiplying the Z value of.
The coefficient for obtaining the reference time is not limited to such a proportional relationship and is arbitrary. For example, the reference time may be calculated by multiplying a coefficient that increases the reference time more greatly in a range where the Z value is small as shown in FIG.
The CPU core 10a, the WRAM 10e, and the like described above can function as such a reference time calculation unit 162.

Returning to FIG. 3, the continuous time measuring unit 163 measures the continuous time while the input to the touch panel 20 is continued (maintained). That is, after the touch operation is detected by the input detection unit 140, the time during which the touch pen or the like is continuously pressed (touch operation) without being released from the touch panel 20 is counted.
For example, the continuation time counting unit 163 starts counting up (clocking) from an initial value (for example, 0) timer value in response to the touch operation. This count-up is continued until the touch operation ends (until the touch pen is released from the touch panel 20) or until the reference time is exceeded.
Note that the above-described clock circuit 10c can function as such a duration measuring unit 163.

The input determination unit 164 determines whether the input to the object is valid or invalid based on the relationship between the calculated reference time and the measured duration. That is, when the duration time measured by the duration time counting unit 163 is larger than the reference time calculated by the reference time calculation unit 162, the input determination unit 164 is effective for input to the object. Judge that there is.
For example, the input determination unit 164 determines that the input to the object is valid when the continuation time (timer value) being measured by the duration time measurement unit 163 exceeds the reference time. On the other hand, when the touch operation is completed without the measured duration exceeding the calculated reference time, the input determination unit 164 determines that the input to the object is invalid.
That is, the input determination unit 164 determines that the input to the object is valid only when the touch operation is continued until the reference time corresponding to the distance in the depth direction of the object is exceeded.
The above-described CPU core 10a, WRAM 10e, and the like can function as such an input determination unit 164.

  The processing control unit 160 configured as described above identifies a target object in the virtual space in response to a touch operation on the touch panel 20 by the player, and until the reference time corresponding to the distance in the depth direction of the object is exceeded. When the touch operation is continued, it is determined that the input to the object is valid. As a result, an object close to the viewpoint can be input to the object by performing a short touch operation, but an object far from the viewpoint can be input to the object if the touch operation is not performed for that long. There will be no. For this reason, the player can perform a natural (no sense of incongruity) input operation according to the sense of perspective to any object in the game screen while representing the game screen representing the three-dimensional virtual space. become.

(Overview of the operation of the input reception device)
Hereinafter, the operation of the input receiving apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of input determination processing executed in the input receiving apparatus 100. Hereinafter, a description will be given with reference to FIG. Note that this input determination processing is executed as an example in an action game in which a player instructs an enemy character to be attacked by a touch operation.

First, the input reception device 100 displays a game image based on position information such as enemy characters (step S201). That is, the display control unit 130 arranges each object including a character, a building, and the like in the virtual space according to the position information managed by the position information management unit 120, and captures an image obtained by shooting these from the virtual camera at the viewpoint position. Generate.
As an example, the display control unit 130 generates a game image including the player character PC and the enemy characters EC1 and EC2 as shown in FIG. 9A and displays the game image on the second display unit 19 described above.

The input receiving apparatus 100 determines whether or not a touch operation has been detected (step S202). That is, the input detection unit 140 determines whether an input to the touch panel 20 by a touch pen or the like is detected based on information obtained from the touch panel 20.
When it is determined that the touch operation is not detected (step S202; No), the input reception device 100 returns the process to step S201 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the touch operation has been detected (step S202; Yes), the input reception device 100 identifies the enemy character displayed at the detected input position (step S203).
That is, for example, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, when the input position P is touched with the touch pen TP, the processing control unit 160 sets the input position P (more specifically, the corresponding display position). The displayed enemy character EC1 is specified based on the position information of the position information management unit 120. That is, as shown in FIG. 5A described above, the object specifying unit 161 draws a straight line SL from the display position P (display position corresponding to the input position) on the screen SC along the Z-axis direction that is the depth direction. The object OJ that extends and intersects the straight line SL (the enemy character EC1 in the case of FIG. 9B) is specified.
When no enemy character or the like is displayed at the input position P, the input receiving apparatus 100 returns the process to step S201 described above without performing the subsequent processes.

The input receiving apparatus 100 calculates a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction for the identified enemy character (step S204).
That is, the process control unit 160 calculates the reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint, for example, for the enemy character EC1 of FIG. 9B specified in step S203. That is, the reference time calculation unit 162 calculates the reference time based on the Z value of the identified enemy character EC1.
As an example, the reference time calculation unit 162 determines the Z value and the reference time as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B described above so that the reference time becomes longer as the Z value increases. The reference time is calculated by, for example, multiplying the Z value of the object by a coefficient having a proportional relationship.

The input reception device 100 starts measuring the duration time for the touch operation (step S205).
That is, the process control unit 160 starts measuring the duration time indicating the time during which the touch operation on the touch panel 20 is continued. That is, the continuous time measuring unit 163 starts counting up from an initial value (for example, 0) timer value in response to the touch operation.

The input receiving apparatus 100 determines whether or not the touch operation is maintained (step S206).
That is, the process control unit 160 determines whether or not the touch operation is continued without releasing the touch pen from the touch panel 20. If it is determined that the touch operation is not maintained (step S206; No), the input reception device 100 returns the process to step S201 described above.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the touch operation is maintained (step S206; Yes), the input reception device 100 determines whether or not the duration has exceeded the reference time (step S207).
That is, the process control unit 160 determines whether or not the duration time counted by the duration time counting unit 163 is longer than the reference time calculated by the reference time calculation unit 162. If it is determined that the duration time has not yet exceeded the reference time (step S207; No), the input receiving apparatus 100 returns the process to step S206 described above.

If it is determined that the duration time exceeds the reference time (step S207; Yes), the input receiving apparatus 100 determines that the input to the enemy character is valid (step S208).
That is, for example, in the example of FIG. 9B described above, the processing control unit 160, when the touch operation is continued longer than the reference time calculated according to the distance in the depth direction of the enemy character EC1, It is determined that the input to the enemy character EC1 is valid. In other words, the input determination unit 164 determines that the duration time counted by the duration time counting unit 163 is longer than the reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction of the enemy character EC1, and thus the enemy character EC1 It is determined that the input is valid.
When the validity is determined, the process control unit 160 appropriately performs attack processing such as shooting at the enemy character EC1 from the player character PC.

In such an input determination process, when a touch operation is performed longer than a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction of the enemy character (object), the input to the enemy character is valid. That is, as shown in FIG. 9C, when the touch operation is continued for a relatively short reference time T1 with respect to the enemy character EC1 whose distance in the depth direction is small (near), the input is valid. Become. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9 (d), when the touch operation is continued for a relatively long reference time T2 with respect to the enemy character EC2 whose distance in the depth direction is large (far), the input is valid. Become.
That is, when the player makes an input to the enemy characters EC1 and EC2 on the game screen expressing the perspective as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, a short touch is applied to the nearby enemy character EC1. On the contrary, a long touch operation is required for the far enemy character EC2. Such touch operations with different durations are in line with the displayed perspective (that is, the distance in the depth direction), and do not impair the expanse of the virtual space that is felt from the game screen. Without any) input to the enemy character.

  As a result, the input operation for the object arranged in the virtual space can be performed without making the player feel uncomfortable.

(Other embodiments)
In the above embodiment, the case has been described in which the duration measuring unit 163 counts the duration unconditionally while the touch operation continues (counts up). However, while the touch operation continues, It is conceivable that the position of the touch pen or the like is shifted, or the position of the object on the display side changes (moves).
Therefore, the object specifying unit 162 sequentially specifies the presence / absence of an object corresponding to the current input position based on the current position information managed by the position information management unit 120 during the touch operation. Then, even if the touch operation is maintained, the duration measuring unit 163 may stop measuring the duration when the object is no longer specified.
In this case, the effectiveness of the touch operation can be determined more strictly.

In the above embodiment, a case has been described in which the distance in the depth direction is obtained with respect to the identified object with reference to the viewpoint (screen plane), and the reference time according to this distance is calculated. Instead, the reference time may be calculated according to another distance.
For example, in the case of a game expressing a two-dimensional virtual space (such as a 2D game), enemy characters are often arranged away from the player character in the horizontal or vertical direction (for example, horizontal scrolling or vertical scrolling). 2D games, etc.). Therefore, in such a 2D game or the like, when an object (such as an enemy character) at a touch position is specified, a horizontal or vertical distance from the player character to the object is obtained. And you may calculate the reference time according to this distance.
In this way, the reference time is calculated according to the distance in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, and when the touch operation is maintained for a time longer than the reference time, it is possible to appropriately determine that the input to the object is valid. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where input is performed via the touch panel 20 has been described. However, the input device is not limited to such a touch panel 20 and can be appropriately applied to the case where other input devices are used. For example, when an arbitrary position on the screen is designated with a mouse or the like and input is performed by clicking (for example, left clicking), the following can be performed.

First, the input detection unit 140 detects a mouse click operation and the position of the mouse cursor at that time. The object specifying unit 161 specifies the object displayed at the display position of the mouse cursor at the time of the click operation.
In addition, the reference time calculation unit 162 calculates a reference time that is determined according to the distance in the depth direction in the virtual space for the identified object. The duration measuring unit 163 measures the duration while the click operation (pressing the click button) continues. Then, the input determination unit 164 determines that the input to the object is valid when the measured duration exceeds the reference time.
Also in this case, the input operation for the object arranged in the virtual space can be performed without causing the player to feel uncomfortable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an input reception device, an input determination method, and a program that can cause an input operation on an object arranged in a virtual space without causing the player to feel uncomfortable. Can be provided.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game device 10 Processing control part 11 Connector 12 Cartridge 13 Wireless communication part 14 Communication controller 15 Sound amplifier 16 Speaker 17 Operation key 18 1st display part 19 2nd display part 20 Touch panel 100 Input reception apparatus 110 Object storage part 120 Position Information management unit 130 Display control unit 140 Input detection unit 150 Key operation reception unit 160 Processing control unit

Claims (6)

An input receiving device that receives an input to a display screen that displays a predetermined game image,
A display control unit that generates a game image including a virtual enemy objects that are placed in the space, is displayed on the display screen,
In response to an input to the display screen, an object specifying unit that specifies an enemy object displayed at the input position;
For the identified enemy object, a reference time determined according to the distance in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint is obtained, and input to the enemy object is performed based on the relationship between the reference time and the time during which the input is continued. An input determination unit for determining whether the
An input receiving device characterized by that. An input receiving device that receives an input via a touch panel superimposed on a display screen that displays a predetermined game image,
A location information managing unit for managing the location information of the enemy objects that are placed in a three-dimensional virtual space,
A display control unit that shoots a virtual space including the enemy object from a virtual camera as a viewpoint , generates a game image projected on a predetermined screen plane, and displays the game image on the display screen;
An input detection unit that detects an input position on the display screen in response to an input to the touch panel;
An object identifying unit that identifies an enemy object displayed at the detected input position based on the managed position information;
A reference time calculation unit that calculates a reference time determined according to the distance in the depth direction with respect to the viewpoint in the virtual space for the identified enemy object;
A duration timer for measuring the duration while the input to the touch panel is continued;
An input determination unit that determines whether the input to the enemy object is valid or invalid based on the relationship between the calculated reference time and the measured duration.
An input receiving device characterized by that. The input receiving device according to claim 2,
The object specifying unit specifies the enemy object closest to the viewpoint by comparing the Z values of the enemy objects when a plurality of enemy objects are displayed overlapping the input position.
The reference time calculation unit calculates a reference time by multiplying the Z value of the identified enemy object by a predetermined coefficient.
An input receiving device characterized by that. The input receiving device according to claim 2 or 3,
The input detection unit sequentially detects the input position while the input to the touch panel continues.
The object specifying unit sequentially specifies the presence or absence of enemy objects displayed at the input positions that are sequentially detected based on the current position information managed by the position information management unit,
The duration measuring unit starts measuring the duration when an enemy object is specified by the object specifying unit, and when the enemy specifying unit is no longer specified by the object specifying unit, or input to the touch panel When the time runs out, stop timing the duration,
An input receiving device characterized by that. An input determination method executed by an input receiving apparatus that includes a display control unit, an object specifying unit, and an input determination unit and receives an input to a display screen that displays a predetermined game image,
Wherein the display control unit, and a display control step of generating a game image including enemy objects that are arranged in virtual space, displayed on said display screen,
An object specifying step in which the object specifying unit specifies an enemy object displayed at the input position in response to an input to the display screen;
For the identified enemy object, the input determination unit obtains a reference time that is determined according to the distance in the virtual space with reference to the viewpoint, and based on the relationship between the reference time and the time during which the input is continued, An input determination step of determining whether the input to the enemy object is valid or invalid,
An input determination method characterized by the above. A computer that accepts input to a display screen that displays a predetermined game image,
Display control unit for generating a game image including a virtual enemy objects that are placed in the space, is displayed on the display screen,
In response to an input to the display screen, an object specifying unit that specifies an enemy object displayed at the input position,
For the identified enemy object, a reference time determined according to the distance in the virtual space with respect to the viewpoint is obtained, and input to the enemy object is performed based on the relationship between the reference time and the time during which the input is continued. An input determination unit for determining validity / invalidity of
A program characterized by functioning as

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