JP5745241B2 - Information processing program, information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method, and more specifically, to an information processing apparatus that performs information processing according to an operation performed by a user using coordinate input means. The present invention relates to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method to be executed.

  Conventionally, a plurality of objects such as thumbnail images and icons are displayed on a screen, and a user can freely change their display order. For example, in Patent Document 1, when one of a plurality of icons is moved so that the icon is superimposed on another icon by a drag operation, the moved icon and the icon on which the icon is superimposed are displayed alternately. Is disclosed.

  In addition, when there are many objects that do not fit on the screen, some objects are displayed on the screen, and the remaining objects are generally displayed on the screen according to the scrolling operation by the user. ing. There are some that can achieve both the scroll operation and the change of the display order of the icons. For example, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, a plurality of icons are displayed in a line in the horizontal direction on the screen, and the user can slide the icon line in the horizontal direction by sliding the stick in the horizontal direction while touching the screen. It is possible to scroll. In addition, the user can move only the icon indicated by the stick or insert the icon between the other two icons by sliding the stick in the vertical direction while touching the screen. It is.

JP 2009-146334 A JP 2009-265929 A

  By the way, in the terminal described in Patent Document 1, it is possible to exchange two icons by a drag operation, but it has not been possible to select replacement of icons and scroll of a plurality of icons by a drag operation. In the device described in Patent Document 2, it is possible to select a process of scrolling a plurality of icons and a process of inserting a specific icon between two other icons by a drag operation. It was not possible to choose between scrolling icons and swapping icons.

  Incidentally, in the apparatus described in Patent Document 2, the display order of icons displayed on the screen is determined in advance. For this reason, when it is considered that the icons are displayed in a matrix (in this example, displayed in 2 rows and 4 columns) as illustrated in FIG. 26A, the following problem may occur. That is, when the icon numbered “2” is inserted between the icon numbered “7” and the icon numbered “8”, FIG. As shown in B), the second row from the left in the first row is the second row from which the icon numbered “3” was originally placed and the icon numbered “2” was originally placed. Move to the first position from the left of the eye, the icon with the number “4” arranged second from the left in the second row is originally placed with the icon numbered “3” Move to the second position from the left in the first line. Then, the icon with the number “5” arranged third from the left on the first line moves to the second position from the left on the second line. In this way, when a plurality of icons whose display order is determined in advance is considered to be displayed in a matrix, if an arbitrary icon is inserted between the other two icons, the positional relationship between the objects may be greatly destroyed. There is.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to allow a user to easily select scrolling and replacement of a plurality of objects, and to place an arbitrary object at a desired position without greatly changing the positional relationship of each object. An information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, and an information processing method are provided.

  An information processing program according to the present invention provides a computer of an information processing apparatus that enables a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen by using a coordinate input unit. Means, processing method selection means, scroll means, object movement means, and object replacement means. The object display means displays the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix on the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order. The designated position detecting means detects the position on the screen designated by the coordinate input means as the designated position. The processing method selection means is configured to select the first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves starting from a point on an arbitrary object in the subset displayed on the screen. Select the processing method. The scroll means scroll-displays a plurality of objects according to the movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object moving means moves only an arbitrary object according to the designated position when the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object replacement means replaces the arbitrary object with another object according to the last detected indication position when the indication position is not detected while the arbitrary object is being moved by the object moving means.

  According to the above configuration, the first processing method or the second processing method is selected when the user moves the designated position on the screen by the coordinate input means (touch panel, mouse, or the like). For this reason, the user can easily select scrolling of a plurality of objects (icons, thumbnail images, etc.) and replacement of the objects. Note that the criteria for selecting the first processing method or the second processing method are not particularly limited. For example, a method for selecting a processing method according to the moving direction of the designated position, a method for selecting a processing method according to the elapsed time from when the designated position is first detected until the movement starts, and the designated position are detected first. And a method of selecting a processing method according to the elapsed time from the detection to the last detection.

  By the way, the objects constituting the subset are displayed in a matrix on the screen. Here, the matrix display means that the objects are displayed in a matrix so that the number of rows and the number of columns are both 2 or more. As an example of a matrix display, two rows and four columns display of two sets of four objects arranged horizontally, or three rows and five columns of three sets of five objects arranged horizontally Display. The objects displayed in a matrix are displayed on the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order. For this reason, when a process such as inserting an object between two other objects is performed, the display position of each object changes so as to fill the area created by the movement of the object, and as a result, a subset is formed. As a result, the positional relationship between the objects to be greatly collapsed. For this reason, when displaying an object for which a display order has been set in advance, a process of inserting an object between two other objects is not preferable. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, when the second processing method is selected, an arbitrary object is replaced with another object, so that the user can remove each object except the arbitrary object and the other object. It is possible to place an arbitrary object at a desired position without greatly changing the positional relationship.

  The object display means displays on the screen an object placement area in which objects constituting the subset are placed and an object non-placement area in which no object is placed. The object replacement means includes a determination means and a replacement processing means. You may go out. The discriminating unit discriminates which of the object placement area and the object non-placement area is designated according to the last detected indication position. When it is determined by the determining means that the object placement area has been designated, the replacement processing means replaces an arbitrary object with another object placed in the object placement area. On the other hand, when it is determined by the determining means that the object non-placement area has been designated, the replacement processing means places the arbitrary object moved by the object moving means in the object non-placement area and before the arbitrary object is moved. The placed object placement area is changed to an object non-placement area.

  According to this configuration, when the user moves the designated position by the coordinate input unit in the second direction, the user changes the designated position detected last by the designated position detecting unit, thereby replacing the object. It is possible to easily select the movement of the object to the object non-arrangement area.

  The determination by the determination means may be performed as follows. That is, the determining means determines that the object placement area has been designated when the last detected detected position is within the object placement area. Further, the determining means determines that the object non-arrangement area is designated when the last detected indication position is within the object non-arrangement area. In addition, when the last detected pointing position is neither in the object placement area nor in the object non-placement area, the determination unit has an area closer to the last detected position in the object placement area and the object non-placement area. It is determined that it was specified.

  According to this configuration, even when the last detected indication position is neither the object placement area nor the object non-placement area, the discrimination means determines that one of these two areas has been designated. . Therefore, it is possible to reliably replace the object or move the object to the object non-arrangement region regardless of the position of the pointed position detected last by the pointing position detection unit.

  The computer may further function as a matrix number changing unit and an object display changing unit. The matrix number changing means changes the number of rows or the number of columns of the objects constituting the subset. The object display changing means changes the display position of each object displayed on the screen by the object display means in accordance with the number of rows or the number of columns changed by the matrix number changing means.

  According to this configuration, the number of rows or columns of objects displayed on the screen as objects constituting the subset is changed, and the display position of the objects displayed on the screen is changed.

  The computer may further function as matrix number storage means for storing the number of rows or columns changed by the matrix number changing means. In this case, when the information processing program is activated, the object display means displays the objects constituting the subset in a matrix on the screen in the number of rows or the number of columns stored in the matrix number storage means.

  According to this configuration, each object can be displayed in a matrix at the time of starting the information processing program with the same number of rows or columns as changed by the matrix number changing means before the end of the information processing program. That is, for example, when the number of rows or columns of an object is changed based on the user's selection, the change can be reflected on the display of the object at the next activation of the information processing program.

  The computer may further function as button display means for displaying the first button and the second button in the screen. In this case, the matrix number changing means increases the number of rows or columns when the indicated position detected by the indicated position detecting means is on the first button, and the indicated position detected by the indicated position detecting means If it is on the second button, the number of rows or columns is decreased.

  Here, the first button and the second button are functionally paired with each other. Therefore, when the first button functions as a button for increasing the number of rows, the second button functions as a button for decreasing the number of rows, and when the first button functions as a button for increasing the number of columns, the first button The 2 button functions as a button for reducing the number of columns.

  According to this configuration, the user can not only easily select scrolling and replacing of a plurality of objects, but also easily change the layout (that is, the number of rows or columns) of the objects constituting the subset. It becomes possible.

  When the object is replaced by the object replacement unit, the computer may further function as a display order storage unit that stores the display order of the objects after the replacement. In this case, when the information processing program is started, the object display means displays each object constituting the subset in a matrix on the screen in the display order stored in the display order storage means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to display the objects constituting the subset when the information processing program is started in the display order after the objects are replaced by the object replacement unit before the information processing program ends. . That is, for example, when the display order of the objects is changed based on the user's selection, the change can be reflected in the display of the objects at the next activation of the information processing program.

  The object display means may display the objects arranged in order from the first column so that the objects constituting the subset are arranged in the row direction according to a preset display order.

  The objects constituting the subset are displayed in a matrix so as to be arranged in the row direction in accordance with a preset display order in order from the first column. For this reason, when an arbitrary object is inserted between other objects, it is necessary to change the display position of each object in order to secure an area for inserting the arbitrary object. The present invention is preferably applied in such a case.

  The object display means can display the objects constituting the subset in a single line or a single column, and displays whether or not the number of lines and columns of the objects displayed in the screen are both 2 or more. You may make it function further as a matrix number determination means to determine. In this case, the object replacement means is responsive to whether or not the last detected indication position is on another object when the number of rows and the number of columns are both determined to be two or more by the matrix number determination means. Instead, replace any object with another object.

  Depending on the operation of the coordinate input means by the user, the designated position detected last by the designated position detecting means may be between another object and another object. According to the above configuration, when both the number of rows and the number of columns of an object displayed on the screen are two or more, it is arbitrary regardless of whether the last detected indication position is on another object. The object can be replaced with other objects, which not only allows the player to select the object to be replaced more easily, but also replaces the object instead of inserting an object that is not desirable when displaying the object in a matrix. Can be reliably performed.

  The object display means can display the objects constituting the subset in a single line or a single column, and displays whether or not the number of lines and columns of the objects displayed in the screen are both 2 or more. You may make it function further as a matrix number determination means to determine. In this case, the object replacement unit includes a position determination unit and a replacement processing unit. The position discriminating unit determines whether the last detected indication position is on another object or the other 2 when the number of rows and the number of columns are determined not to be 2 or more by the matrix number judging unit. Determine if it is between two objects. The replacement processing means replaces an arbitrary object with another object when the position determination means determines that the object is on another object, and the position determination means determines that the position is between the other two objects. In this case, an arbitrary object is inserted between the two objects.

  When the objects displayed in the screen are arranged in a horizontal row or a vertical row, even if an arbitrary object is inserted between two other objects, the display position of each object is horizontal or vertical. The positional relationship between them will not be greatly broken by just shifting. According to the above configuration, when an object is displayed in one line or in one column, an arbitrary object is replaced with another object depending on whether or not the last detected indication position is on the other object. And insertion of an arbitrary object can be switched. Therefore, the user can arrange an arbitrary object at a desired position without greatly changing the positional relationship between the objects even when the objects are displayed in a single row or in a single column.

  The computer may further function as an object selection unit that selects two or more objects including an arbitrary object. In this case, the object moving means moves two or more objects selected by the object selecting means according to the designated position when the second processing method is selected by the processing method selecting means. When the designated position is not detected during the movement of the two or more objects by the object moving means, the object replacement means has two or more objects and other two or more objects according to the designated position detected last. Replace.

  When a large number of objects are displayed on the screen and the layout of each object is to be changed significantly, the user needs to repeat the operation of moving the indicated position in the second direction many times. On the other hand, when the above configuration is applied to such a case, it is possible to easily change the layout of the object easily.

  The processing method selection means selects the first processing method when the designated position moves in the first direction, and selects the second when the designated position moves in a second direction different from the first direction. The processing method may be selected.

  According to this configuration, the user can easily select scrolling of a plurality of objects and replacement of objects only by changing the moving direction of the designated position using the coordinate input means.

  The processing method selection means selects the first processing method when the designated position moves before the predetermined time elapses after the designated position is first detected, and the designated position moves after the predetermined time elapses. In this case, the second processing method may be selected.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to easily select scrolling of a plurality of objects and replacement of objects only by changing the time until the user moves the designated position using the coordinate input means.

  By the way, for example, when the designated position moves in the first direction, a plurality of objects are scrolled in the first direction, and when the designated position moves in a second direction different from the first direction, an arbitrary If the object is replaced with another object, the replacement of the object is selected when the designated position is moved in the second direction, so that a plurality of objects cannot be scroll-displayed in the second direction. On the other hand, according to the above configuration, if the designated position is moved before the predetermined time has elapsed since the designated position was first detected, the first processing method is selected regardless of the moving direction. . For this reason, for example, when the designated position moves in the first direction before the predetermined time elapses, a plurality of objects are scroll-displayed in the first direction, and the designated position becomes the second before the predetermined time elapses. It is possible to adopt a configuration in which a plurality of objects can be scrolled in two or more directions, such as scrolling a plurality of objects in a second direction when moving in this direction.

  The present invention can also be understood as an information processing apparatus that allows a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using coordinate input means. This information processing apparatus includes object display means, designated position detection means, processing method selection means, scroll means, object movement means, and object replacement means. The object display means displays the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix on the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order. The designated position detecting means detects the position on the screen designated by the coordinate input means as the designated position. The processing method selection means is configured to select the first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves starting from a point on an arbitrary object in the subset displayed on the screen. Select the processing method. The scroll means scroll-displays a plurality of objects according to the movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object moving means moves only an arbitrary object according to the designated position when the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object replacement means replaces the arbitrary object with another object according to the last detected indication position when the indication position is not detected while the arbitrary object is being moved by the object moving means.

  The present invention can also be understood as an information processing system that allows a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using coordinate input means. This information processing system includes object display means, designated position detection means, processing method selection means, scroll means, object movement means, and object replacement means. The object display means displays the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix on the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order. The designated position detecting means detects the position on the screen designated by the coordinate input means as the designated position. The processing method selection means is configured to select the first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves starting from a point on an arbitrary object in the subset displayed on the screen. Select the processing method. The scroll means scroll-displays a plurality of objects according to the movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object moving means moves only an arbitrary object according to the designated position when the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means. The object replacement means replaces the arbitrary object with another object according to the last detected indication position when the indication position is not detected while the arbitrary object is being moved by the object moving means.

  The present invention can also be understood as an information processing method that allows a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using coordinate input means. In this information processing method, the following processing is executed. First, objects constituting a subset of a plurality of objects are displayed in a matrix on the screen so that they are arranged in a preset display order. Next, the position on the screen designated by the coordinate input means is detected as the designated position. Then, when the designated position moves starting from a point on any object in the subset displayed in the screen, the first processing method or the second processing method is performed according to a predetermined criterion. Selected. As a result of this processing, when the first processing method is selected, a plurality of objects are scroll-displayed according to the movement of the designated position. On the other hand, when the second processing method is selected, only an arbitrary object is moved according to the designated position. Then, when the designated position is not detected during the movement of the arbitrary object, the arbitrary object is replaced with another object according to the last detected designated position.

  According to the present invention, the user can easily select scrolling of a plurality of objects and replacement of objects. In addition, when the second processing method is selected, an arbitrary object is replaced with another object, so that the user arranges the arbitrary object at a desired position without greatly changing the positional relationship between the objects. be able to.

Front view of game device 10 in an open state Right side view of game device 10 in an open state Left side view of game device 10 in a closed state Front view of game device 10 in a closed state Right side view of game device 10 in a closed state Rear view of game device 10 in a closed state Block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the game apparatus 10 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows the display order of the icon 51 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows the display order of the icon 51 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows the display order of the icon 51 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 The figure which shows an example of the image displayed on the screen of lower LCD12 Memory map of main memory 32 The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by CPU311 at the time of starting mode The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by CPU311 at the time of display change mode The flowchart which shows an example of the process performed by CPU311 at the time of drag mode. The flowchart which shows the modification of the process performed by CPU311 at the time of starting mode Diagram for explaining problems when displaying icons in a matrix

  Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus that executes an information processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. Although the information processing program and information processing apparatus of the present invention can be applied to any computer system, in the present embodiment, the information is recorded in the external memory 45 in the portable game apparatus 10 as an example of the information processing apparatus. A case where the information processing program is executed will be described as an example.

[Configuration of Game Device 10]
FIG. 1 is a front view of the game apparatus 10 in an open state. FIG. 2 is a right side view of the game apparatus 10 in the opened state. FIG. 3A is a left side view of the game apparatus 10 in a closed state. FIG. 3B is a front view of the game apparatus 10 in a closed state. FIG. 3C is a right side view of the game apparatus 10 in a closed state. FIG. 3D is a rear view of the game apparatus 10 in a closed state.

  The game apparatus 10 includes an imaging unit that captures an image, and can display the captured image on a screen or save data of the captured image. Further, the game apparatus 10 can execute a program stored in a replaceable memory card (external memory 45) or a program received from a server or another game apparatus. By executing these programs, the game apparatus 10 can also display on the screen an image generated by computer graphics processing of an image captured by a virtual camera set in the virtual space.

  The game apparatus 10 includes a lower housing 11 and an upper housing 21. The upper housing 21 is connected to the lower housing 11 so as to be openable and closable. For this reason, the game apparatus 10 can be folded. The game apparatus 10 is used in an open state as illustrated in FIG. 1, and is stored in a closed state (see FIGS. 3A to 3D) when not in use.

[Configuration of Lower Housing 11]
In the lower housing 11, a lower LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 12, a touch panel 13, operation buttons 14A to 14L (FIGS. 1 and 3A to 3D), an analog stick 15, LEDs 16A and 16B, and an insertion A mouth 17 and a microphone hole 18 are provided.

  The lower LCD 12 has a display screen that is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, and is provided at the center of the inner side surface 11 </ b> B of the lower housing 11. The number of pixels of the lower LCD 12 is not particularly limited, but, for example, is 256 dots × 192 dots (horizontal × vertical). Unlike the upper LCD 22 described later, the lower LCD 12 is a display device that displays an image in a planar manner (not stereoscopically viewable).

  In the present embodiment, an LCD is used as the display device, but other arbitrary display devices such as a display device using EL (Electro Luminescence) may be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the game apparatus 10 includes a touch panel 13 that functions as coordinate input means. The touch panel 13 is mounted so as to cover the screen of the lower LCD 12. In this embodiment, the touch panel 13 is, for example, a resistive film type touch panel. However, the touch panel 13 is not limited to the resistive film type, and any pressing type touch panel such as a capacitance type can be used. In the present embodiment, the touch panel 13 having the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD 12 is used. However, the resolution of the touch panel 13 and the resolution of the lower LCD 12 are not necessarily matched.

  An insertion port 17 (broken line shown in FIGS. 1 and 3D) is provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing 11. The insertion slot 17 can accommodate a touch pen 28 used for performing an operation on the touch panel 13. In addition, although the input with respect to the touch panel 13 is normally performed using the touch pen 28, it is also possible to input with respect to the touch panel 13 not only with the touch pen 28 but with a user's finger | toe.

  Each operation button 14A-14L is an input device for performing a predetermined input. As shown in FIG. 1, on the inner side surface 11B of the lower housing 11, among the operation buttons 14A to 14L, a cross button 14A, a button 14B, a button 14C, a button 14D, a button 14E, a power button 14F, a select button. 14J, HOME button 14K, and start button 14L are provided. Functions according to a program executed by the game apparatus 10 are appropriately assigned to the buttons 14A to 14E, the select button 14J, the HOME button 14K, and the start button 14L. For example, the cross button 14A is used for a selection operation or the like, and the operation buttons 14B to 14E are used for a determination operation or a cancel operation, for example. The power button 14F is used to turn on / off the power of the game apparatus 10.

  The analog stick 15 is a device that indicates a direction, and is provided on the left side of the lower LCD 12 on the inner side surface 11 </ b> B of the lower housing 11. The analog stick 15 and the cross button 14 </ b> A are provided at positions that can be operated with the thumb of the left hand of the user holding the lower housing 11. The analog stick 15 is configured such that its key top slides parallel to the inner side surface 11B of the lower housing 11, and functions in accordance with a program executed by the game apparatus 10.

  A microphone hole 18 is provided on the inner surface 11 </ b> B of the lower housing 11. As will be described later, inside the lower housing 11, a microphone 43 (see FIG. 4) is provided as a voice input device at a position corresponding to the microphone hole 18. Sound input through the microphone hole 18 is detected by the microphone 43.

  As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3D, an L button 14G and an R button 14H are provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 11. The L button 14 </ b> G is provided at the left end portion of the upper surface of the lower housing 11, and the R button 14 </ b> H is provided at the right end portion of the upper surface of the lower housing 11. The L button 14G and the R button 14H function as, for example, a shutter button (shooting instruction button) of the imaging unit. Further, as shown in FIG. 3A, a volume button 14 </ b> I is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing 11. The volume button 14I is used to adjust the volume of the speaker 44 (see FIG. 4) provided in the game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 3A, an openable / closable cover portion 11 </ b> C is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing 11. Inside the cover portion 11C, a connector (not shown) for electrically connecting the game apparatus 10 and the data storage external memory 46 (see FIG. 1) is provided. The external data storage memory 46 is detachably attached to the connector. The data storage external memory 46 is used, for example, for storing (saving) data of an image captured by the game apparatus 10. The connector and its cover portion 11 </ b> C may be provided on the right side surface of the lower housing 11.

  As illustrated in FIG. 3D, an insertion port 11 </ b> D is provided on the upper surface of the lower housing 11. An external memory 45 (see FIG. 1) as a recording medium on which an information processing program is recorded is inserted into the insertion slot 11D. Inside the insertion slot 11D, a connector (not shown) to which the external memory 45 is detachably attached is provided. By attaching the external memory 45 to this connector, the external memory 45 and the game apparatus 10 are electrically connected, and the information processing program is executed. The connector and the insertion port 11D may be provided on the other surface (for example, the right side surface) of the lower housing 11.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a first LED 16 </ b> A is provided on the lower surface of the lower housing 11. The first LED 16A notifies the user of the power ON / OFF status of the game apparatus 10. As shown in FIG. 3C, the second LED 16 </ b> B is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing 11. The game apparatus 10 is configured to be able to perform wireless communication with other devices. The second LED 16B notifies the user of the wireless communication establishment status of the game apparatus 10, and lights up when wireless communication with another device is established. The game apparatus 10 is, for example, IEEE 802.11. It has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN by a method compliant with the b / g standard. A wireless switch 19 for enabling / disabling this wireless communication function is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing 11 (see FIG. 3C).

[Configuration of Upper Housing 21]
The upper housing 21 is provided with an upper LCD 22, two outer imaging units 23 (an outer left imaging unit 23A and an outer right imaging unit 23B), an inner imaging unit 24, a 3D adjustment switch 25, and a 3D indicator 26.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an upper LCD 22 is provided on an inner surface (main surface) 21 </ b> B of the upper housing 21. The upper LCD 22 has a display screen that is longer in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction, and is provided in the center of the upper housing 21. The number of pixels of the upper LCD 22 is not particularly limited, but is 640 dots × 200 dots (horizontal × vertical) as an example. In the present embodiment, the upper LCD 22 is a liquid crystal display device. However, for example, a display device using an EL may be used.

  The upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of displaying a stereoscopically visible image. The upper LCD 22 can display a left-eye image and a right-eye image using substantially the same display area. Specifically, the upper LCD 22 is a display device in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image are alternately displayed in a horizontal direction in a predetermined unit (for example, one column at a time). Note that the upper LCD 22 may be a display device in which a left-eye image and a right-eye image are displayed alternately. The upper LCD 22 is a display device capable of autostereoscopic viewing. In this case, the upper LCD 22 is of a lenticular method or a parallax barrier method (parallax barrier method) so that the left-eye image and the right-eye image alternately displayed in the horizontal direction are seen as being decomposed into the left eye and the right eye, respectively. Is used. In the present embodiment, the upper LCD 22 is a parallax barrier type. The upper LCD 22 uses the right-eye image and the left-eye image to display an image (stereoscopic image) that can be stereoscopically viewed with the naked eye. That is, the upper LCD 22 displays a stereoscopic image (stereoscopically viewable) having a stereoscopic effect for the user by using the parallax barrier to visually recognize the left-eye image for the user's left eye and the right-eye image for the user's right eye. can do. Further, the upper LCD 22 can invalidate the parallax barrier. When the parallax barrier is invalidated, the upper LCD 22 can display an image in a planar manner (in the sense opposite to the above-described stereoscopic view, the planar LCD is planar). Visual images can be displayed.

  As shown in FIG. 3B, the outer imaging unit 23 is provided on the outer surface (the surface opposite to the main surface on which the upper LCD 22 is provided) 21 </ b> D of the upper housing 21. The external imaging unit 23 includes an outer left imaging unit 23A and an outer right imaging unit 23B. The outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B each include an imaging element (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined common resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zoom mechanism.

  The imaging directions of the outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B are both the outward normal direction of the outer surface 21D. Further, the imaging direction of the outer left imaging unit 23A and the imaging direction of the outer right imaging unit 23B are parallel to each other. The outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B can be used as a stereo camera by a program executed by the game apparatus 10. In addition, depending on the program, it is possible to use either one of the two outer imaging units (the outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B) alone and use the outer imaging unit 23 as a non-stereo camera. . Further, depending on the program, it is also possible to perform imaging with an expanded imaging range by combining or complementarily using images captured by the two outer imaging units (the outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B). Is possible.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B are located on the left side and the outer right imaging unit when the user views the screen of the upper LCD 22 from the front. 23B is provided on the right side. When the outer imaging unit 23 is used as a stereo camera, the outer left imaging unit 23A images a left-eye image that is visually recognized by the user's left eye, and the outer right imaging unit 23B is an image for the right eye that is visually recognized by the user's right eye. Image. The interval between the outer left imaging unit 23A and the outer right imaging unit 23B is set to be approximately the interval between human eyes.

  The inner imaging unit 24 is provided on the inner side surface (main surface) 21 </ b> B of the upper housing 21, and is an imaging unit that images in the opposite direction to the external imaging unit 23. For this reason, the user's face can be imaged from the front by the inner imaging unit 24 while the upper LCD 22 is stationary. The inner imaging unit 24 includes an imaging element (for example, a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor) having a predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zoom mechanism.

  As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 </ b> C, 3D adjustment switches 25 are provided on the inner side surface and the right side surface of the upper housing 21. The 3D adjustment switch 25 is used to adjust the stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopically viewable image (stereoscopic image) displayed on the upper LCD 22. The 3D adjustment switch 25 has a slider that can slide in a predetermined direction (for example, the vertical direction). For example, when the slider of the 3D adjustment switch 25 is disposed at the lowest point position, the upper LCD 22 is set to the flat display mode, and a flat image is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD 22. On the other hand, when the slider is arranged above the lowest point position, the upper LCD 22 is set to the stereoscopic display mode. In this case, a stereoscopically viewable image is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD 22. Here, when the slider is arranged above the lowest point position, the appearance of the stereoscopic image is adjusted according to the position of the slider. Specifically, the shift amount of the horizontal position in the right-eye image and the left-eye image is adjusted according to the position of the slider.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a 3D indicator 26 is provided on the inner surface 21 </ b> B of the upper housing 21. The 3D indicator 26 indicates whether or not the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode. For example, the 3D indicator 26 is an LED and lights up when the stereoscopic display mode of the upper LCD 22 is valid.

  A speaker hole 21E is formed on the inner side surface 21B of the upper housing 21, and sound from a speaker 44 (see FIG. 4) described later is output through the speaker hole 21E.

[Internal Configuration of Game Device 10]
Next, the internal configuration of the game apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the internal configuration of the game apparatus 10.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the game apparatus 10 includes an information processing unit 31, a main memory 32, an external memory interface (external memory I / F) 33, a data storage external memory I / F 34, a data storage internal memory 35, It includes electronic components such as a wireless communication module 36, a local communication module 37, a real time clock (RTC) 38, an acceleration sensor 39, an angular velocity sensor 40, a power supply circuit 41, and an interface circuit (I / F circuit) 42. These electronic components are mounted on an electronic circuit board and accommodated in the lower housing 11 (or the upper housing 21).

  The information processing unit 31 is information processing means including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311 for executing a predetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 312 for performing image processing, and the like. In the present embodiment, the information processing program is stored in a memory (for example, the external memory 45 connected to the external memory I / F 33 or the internal data storage memory 35) in the game apparatus 10. The CPU 311 executes information processing such as changing the display order of objects by executing the information processing program. Note that the information processing program executed by the CPU 311 may be acquired from another device through communication with the other device.

  The information processing unit 31 includes a VRAM (Video RAM) 313. The GPU 312 draws an image on the VRAM 313 in accordance with a command from the CPU 311. Then, the GPU 312 outputs the image drawn in the VRAM 313 to the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12, and the image is displayed on the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12.

  A main memory 32, an external memory I / F 33, a data storage external memory I / F 34, and a data storage internal memory 35 are connected to the information processing unit 31. The external memory I / F 33 is an interface for detachably connecting the external memory 45. The data storage external memory I / F 34 is an interface for detachably connecting the data storage external memory 46.

  The main memory 32 is a volatile storage unit used as a work area or a buffer area for the CPU 311. That is, the main memory 32 temporarily stores various data used in image processing and game processing, and temporarily stores programs acquired from the outside (such as the external memory 45 and other devices). In the present embodiment, for example, a PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) is used as the main memory 32.

  The external memory 45 is a nonvolatile storage unit that stores a program executed by the information processing unit 31. The external memory 45 is constituted by a read-only semiconductor memory, for example. When the external memory 45 is connected to the external memory I / F 33, the information processing section 31 can read a program stored in the external memory 45. A predetermined process is performed by executing the program read by the information processing unit 31.

  The data storage external memory 46 is composed of a non-volatile readable / writable memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, the data storage external memory 46 stores an image captured by the outer imaging unit 23 and an image captured by another device. When the data storage external memory 46 is connected to the data storage external memory I / F 34, the information processing section 31 reads an image stored in the data storage external memory 46 and applies the image to the upper LCD 22 and / or the lower LCD 12. An image can be displayed.

  The data storage internal memory 35 is configured by a readable / writable nonvolatile memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, the data storage internal memory 35 stores data and programs downloaded by wireless communication via the wireless communication module 36.

  The wireless communication module 36 is, for example, IEEE 802.11. It has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN by a method compliant with the b / g standard. The local communication module 37 has a function of performing wireless communication with the same type of game device by a predetermined communication method (for example, infrared communication). The information processing unit 31 transmits / receives data to / from other devices via the Internet using the wireless communication module 36, and transmits / receives data to / from other game devices of the same type using the local communication module 37. You can do it.

  The acceleration sensor 39 detects the magnitude of linear acceleration (linear acceleration) along the direction of three axes (in this embodiment, the xyz axis). The acceleration sensor 39 is provided, for example, inside the lower housing 11. As shown in FIG. 1, the acceleration sensor 39 has the longitudinal direction of the lower housing 11 as the x axis, the lateral direction of the lower housing 11 as the y axis, and the inner surface (main surface) 11B of the lower housing 11. Then, the magnitude of the linear acceleration generated in each axial direction of the game apparatus 10 is detected using the vertical direction as the z-axis. The acceleration sensor 39 is, for example, a capacitance type acceleration sensor, but other types of acceleration sensors may be used. The acceleration sensor 39 may be an acceleration sensor that detects a uniaxial or biaxial direction. The information processing unit 31 receives data (acceleration data) indicating the acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor 39 and calculates the attitude and movement of the game apparatus 10.

  The angular velocity sensor 40 detects angular velocities generated around the three axes (xyz axes in the present embodiment) of the game apparatus 10 and outputs data (angular velocity data) indicating the detected angular velocities to the information processing section 31. The angular velocity sensor 40 is provided, for example, inside the lower housing 11. The information processing unit 31 receives the angular velocity data output from the angular velocity sensor 40 and calculates the attitude and movement of the game apparatus 10.

  An RTC 38 and a power supply circuit 41 are connected to the information processing unit 31. The RTC 38 counts the time and outputs it to the information processing unit 31. The information processing unit 31 calculates the current time (date) based on the time counted by the RTC 38. The power supply circuit 41 controls power from the power supply (rechargeable battery housed in the lower housing 11) of the game apparatus 10 and supplies power to each component of the game apparatus 10.

  A microphone 43, a speaker 44, and the touch panel 13 are connected to the I / F circuit 42. Specifically, a speaker 44 is connected to the I / F circuit 42 via an amplifier (not shown). The microphone 43 detects the user's voice and outputs a voice signal to the I / F circuit 42. The amplifier amplifies the audio signal from the I / F circuit 42 and outputs the audio from the speaker 44. The I / F circuit 42 includes an audio control circuit that controls the microphone 43 and the speaker 44 (amplifier), and a touch panel control circuit that controls the touch panel 13. The audio control circuit performs A / D conversion and D / A conversion on the audio signal, or converts the audio signal into audio data of a predetermined format. The touch panel control circuit generates touch position data in a predetermined format based on a signal from the touch panel 13 and outputs it to the information processing unit 31. The touch position data is data indicating the coordinates of the position (touch position) where the input is performed on the input surface of the touch panel 13. The touch panel control circuit reads signals from the touch panel 13 and generates touch position data at a rate of once per predetermined time. The information processing unit 31 can acquire the touch position where the input is performed on the touch panel 13 by acquiring the touch position data.

  The operation button 14 includes the operation buttons 14 </ b> A to 14 </ b> L and is connected to the information processing unit 31. From the operation button 14 to the information processing section 31, operation data indicating the input status (whether or not the button is pressed) for each of the operation buttons 14A to 14I is output. The information processing unit 31 acquires the operation data from the operation button 14, thereby executing processing corresponding to the input to the operation button 14.

  When the user performs a predetermined operation using the touch panel 13 or the operation button 14, the imaging unit to be used is selected. The information processing unit 31 instructs the outer imaging unit 23 or the inner imaging unit 24 to perform imaging according to the selection result. In contrast, the outer imaging unit 23 and the inner imaging unit 24 capture an image in accordance with an instruction from the information processing unit 31, and output the captured image data to the information processing unit 31.

  The lower LCD 12 and the upper LCD 22 display images according to instructions from the information processing unit 31 (GPU 312). For example, the information processing unit 31 causes the upper LCD 22 to display a stereoscopic image (a stereoscopically viewable image) using the right-eye image and the left-eye image captured by the external imaging unit 23. Further, the information processing section 31 causes the lower LCD 12 to display a menu screen including various icons for starting a predetermined program. This menu screen will be described in detail later.

  The 3D adjustment switch 25 outputs an electrical signal corresponding to the position of the slider to the information processing unit 31. On the other hand, the information processing section 31 (CPU 311) sets the display mode of the upper LCD 22 based on the electrical signal from the 3D adjustment switch 25. The information processing unit 31 controls lighting of the 3D indicator 26. For example, the information processing section 31 turns on the 3D indicator 26 when the upper LCD 22 is in the stereoscopic display mode.

  Note that the hardware configuration described above is merely an example, and the configuration of the game apparatus 10 can be changed as appropriate.

[Overview of screen display based on information processing program]
In the game apparatus 10, the information processing program loaded from the external memory 45 to the main memory 32 is executed by the CPU 311 of the information processing unit 31. Accordingly, the user can freely change the layout of the plurality of icons 51 displayed on the lower LCD 12 using the touch panel 13. The outline of the operation of the game apparatus 10 based on the information processing program will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, the case where the object in the present invention is the icon 51 will be described as an example. However, the object in the present invention is not limited to the icon, and may be a thumbnail image, a button, or the like.

  FIG. 5 is a screen diagram of the lower LCD 12 showing an example of the menu screen on which the icon 51 is displayed in one line. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the display order of the icons 51.

  The menu screen shown in FIG. 5 includes three selectable icons 51 (icons 51a, 51b, 51c), a balloon 52, a right slide tab 53, a left slide tab 54, and a line increase button 55 (an example of a first button). , And a line reduction button 56 (an example of a second button) are displayed.

  The icon 51 is an image associated with a program executed by the CPU 311. The user can cause the CPU 311 to execute a desired program by arbitrarily selecting an icon from the icons 51 a to 51 v displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12. When the touch panel 13 is touched with the touch pen 28, the icon 51 (icon 51b in FIG. 5) located at the touch position is highlighted (for example, outline emphasis). When the touch pen 28 located on the icon 51 is released from the touch panel 13, highlighting of the icon 51 is canceled and a program corresponding to the icon 51 is executed. In the following description, touching the touch panel 13 with the touch pen 28 is referred to as “touch-on”, and releasing the touch pen 28 from the touch panel 13 is referred to as “touch-off”. A position where the touch pen 28 is touched on is referred to as a “touch-on position”, and a position on the touch panel 13 where the touch pen 28 was last touched when the touch pen 28 is touched off is referred to as a “touch-off position”.

  In the present embodiment, the display order of 22 icons 51 (icons 51a to 51v) is set in total, and a part (subset) of these 22 icons 51 is displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 in accordance with this display order. Is displayed. The display screen of the lower LCD 12 includes an icon display area (object placement area) and an icon empty area 58 (object non-placement area).

  The icon display area is an area in which any one of the icons 51 a to 51 v is arranged in the entire display screen of the lower LCD 12. In the menu screen illustrated in FIG. 5, an icon 51a, an icon 51b, and an icon 51c are arranged in three icon display areas, respectively. As described above, the icon display area is an area where the icons 51 are arranged, and thus does not appear in the figure.

  The icon empty area 58 is an area where the icon 51 is not arranged. In the example shown in FIG. 6, two icon empty areas 58 are set. Specifically, an icon empty area 58a is set next to the icon 51j, and an icon empty area 58b is set next to the icon 51s. For this reason, when both the icon 51j and the icon 51k are displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, an empty area (icon empty area 58a) in which the icon 51 is not arranged is displayed between the icon 51j and the icon 51k. (See FIG. 8). The same applies to the icon empty area 58b.

  As described above, in the game apparatus 10, not only the 22 icons 51 a to 51 v but also the display order including the two icon empty areas 58 is set. This setting is appropriately changed by the user switching the arbitrary icon 51 and another icon 51 or moving the arbitrary icon 51 to the icon empty area 58.

  The balloon 52 is an image that notifies the user of an explanatory text (such as a description of a program corresponding to the icon) regarding the icon (the icon 51b in the example shown in FIG. 5) displayed at the center of the screen of the lower LCD 12. Further, when an icon other than the icon displayed at the center of the screen of the lower LCD 12 is touched with the touch pen 28, the balloon 52 displays an explanatory text related to the touched icon.

  The right slide tab 53 is displayed at the left end of the screen of the lower LCD 12, and the left slide tab 54 is displayed at the right end of the screen of the lower LCD 12. The right slide tab 53 and the left slide tab 54 are for scrolling the icons 51 a to 51 v including the icon empty area 58 left and right (horizontal direction) as one icon matrix. The scrolling of the icon matrix using the right slide tab 53 and the left slide tab 54 will be described in detail later.

  FIG. 7 is a screen diagram of the lower LCD 12 showing an example of a menu screen on which two lines of icons 51 are displayed. FIG. 8 is a screen diagram of the lower LCD 12 showing an example of a menu screen on which three lines of icons 51 are displayed.

  As shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, a line increase button 55 and a line decrease button 56 are displayed in the upper part of the screen of the lower LCD 12. The line increase button 55 is a button for increasing the number of lines of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12. The user can increase the number of lines of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 by, for example, up to six lines by selecting the line increase button 55 using the touch pen 28. When the icon 51 is displayed in six lines, the line increase button 55 is displayed in gray, and further line increase is prohibited.

  When the line increase button 55 is selected with the touch pen 28 while the menu screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on the lower LCD 12, as shown in FIG. 7, the icons 51 constituting the icon matrix on the screen. As the number of lines increases, the display position of each icon is changed. Specifically, the icon 51b arranged on the right side of the icon 51a is arranged below the icon 51a, and the icon 51c arranged on the right side of the icon 51b is arranged on the right side of the icon 51a. Then, the icon 51d partially displayed at the end of the screen is arranged below the icon 51c, and the icons 51e to 51j that are not displayed on the screen are further displayed on the screen. Thus, when the row increase button 55 is selected, the icons 51 are displayed side by side in order from the first column so that the icons 51 are arranged in the row direction according to a preset display order.

  One line decrease button 56 is a button for decreasing the number of lines of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12. The user can reduce the number of lines of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 with one line as a lower limit by selecting the line reduction button 56 using the touch pen 28. As illustrated in FIG. 5, when the icon 51 is displayed in one line, the line reduction button 56 is displayed in gray, and further line reduction is prohibited.

  Next, the scrolling of the icon matrix by the drag operation of the icon 51 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the icon 51h is dragged leftward. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state after the icon 51h is dragged leftward.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, when the user slides the touch pen 28 to the left while touching any one of the icons 51 in the icon matrix with the touch pen 28 (sliding the touch pen 28 while touching the screen). 8 to 10, the icon matrix scrolls to the left by a distance corresponding to the sliding amount of the touch pen 28. Conversely, when the user slides the touch pen 28 to the right while touching any icon 51 in the icon matrix with the touch pen, the icon matrix is moved to the right by a distance corresponding to the sliding amount of the touch pen 28. Scroll. In this way, after touching the icon 51 (icon 51h in the example shown in FIG. 9) displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 with the touch pen 28, the touch pen 28 is set in the horizontal direction (corresponding to the first direction of the present invention). By sliding, the user can scroll the icon matrix left and right. Similarly, when the touch pen 28 is slid in the horizontal direction while touching the area (the area between the plurality of icons 51) that is not arranged in the icon 51 in the icon matrix with the touch pen 28, the icon matrix is also changed to the left and right. Can be scrolled.

  Next, the movement of the icon 51 by a drag operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the icon 51d is dragged onto the icon empty area 58a. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the display positions of the icon 51d and the icon empty area 58a are switched. In other words, the icon 51d is moved to the icon empty area 58a, and the area where the icon 51d before the movement is changed to the icon empty area 58a. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the display order of the icons 51 after the icon 51d and the icon empty area 58a are exchanged.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, when the user moves the touch pen 28 in a desired direction (in the example shown in FIG. 11, for example, the lower right direction) while touching the icon 51d with the touch pen 28, for example, as shown in FIG. In the state where the icon 51d is highlighted, the icon 51d moves following the touch pen 28. That is, the icon 51d extracted from the icon display area originally arranged by the drag operation is as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 as long as the touch pen 28 is in contact with the screen (touch panel 13) of the lower LCD 12. In addition, the user can freely move the touch pen 28 by sliding it in an arbitrary direction.

  When the user drags the icon 51d onto the icon empty area 58a and drops it (the touch pen 28 is released from the touch panel 13), the icon empty area 58a is changed to an icon display area, and the icon 51d is arranged in the icon display area. The At this time, the highlight of the icon 51d is released. Accordingly, the icon display area in which the icon 51d was placed before the icon 51d is dragged is changed to an icon empty area 58a (see FIGS. 8, 11, and 12). As a result, the display order of the icons 51 is also changed. Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 13, the display order of the icon 51d that is next to the icon 51c is changed next to the icon 51j, and the icon empty area 58a that is next to the icon 51j. Is displayed next to the icon 51c.

  Next, replacement of the icon 51 by a drag operation will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the icon 51d is dragged onto the icon 51n. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the dragged icon 51d is dropped on the icon 51n. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state in which the icon 51d and the icon 51n are interchanged. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the display order of the icons 51 after the icons 51d and 51n are switched.

  In the state shown in FIG. 8, when the user moves the touch pen 28 in a desired direction (in the example shown in FIG. 14, for example, to the right downward) while touching the icon 51 d with the touch pen 28, as shown in FIG. 14. In addition, the icon 51d moves following the touch pen 28. That is, the icon 51d extracted from the icon display area originally arranged by the drag operation can be freely moved by the user while the touch pen 28 is in contact with the screen (touch panel 13) of the lower LCD 12. .

  When the user drags the icon 51d onto the icon 51n and then drops it, the icon 51d and the icon 51n are switched (see FIGS. 8 and 14 to 16). Specifically, the icon 51n is arranged at the position where the icon 51d was originally arranged, and the icon 51d is arranged at the position where the icon 51n was originally arranged. As a result, as shown in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the display order of the icon 51d that is next to the icon 51c is changed next to the icon 51m, and the display order of the icon 51n that is next to the icon 51m is changed. It is changed next to the icon 51c. Thus, the user can change the display order of the icons 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 using the touch panel 13.

  Next, scrolling of the icon matrix using the right slide tab 53 or the left slide tab 54 will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, FIG. 18 shows a state in which the icon 51b is dragged onto the left slide tab. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state immediately after the icon 51 b is dragged onto the left slide tab 54. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of an image displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and shows a state where the icon 51b is dragged onto the icon 51q after scrolling the icon matrix.

  When the user uses the touch pen 28 to drag, for example, the icon 51b onto the left slide tab 54, the icon matrix starts to scroll in the left direction. The leftward scrolling of the icon matrix thus started is continued while the icon dragged by the user (hereinafter also referred to as “drag icon”) is positioned on the left slide tab 54, and dragging is performed. The process ends when the icon moves off the left slide tab 54. This is the same when the drag icon is dragged onto the right slide tab 53.

  Therefore, after scrolling the icon matrix to display the desired destination on the screen, the user drags the drag icon to the desired destination and then drops it, so that the user displays the drag icon on the screen when dragging starts. It is possible to replace an icon that has not been displayed, or to move the drag icon to an icon empty area 58 that was not displayed on the screen at the start of dragging. 18 to 20, the drag icon 51b is dragged to the left slide tab 54, and then the drag icon 51b is further dragged to the icon 51q.

  By such an operation, the user completely releases the touch pen 28 from the screen of the lower LCD 12 after the user touches the arbitrary icon 51 with the touch pen 28 until the icon 51 is moved to a desired position in the icon matrix. Since there is no need, the display order of the icons 51 can be easily changed by simply performing a series of operations from bringing the touch pen 28 into contact with the screen, sliding the screen on the screen, and releasing the screen from the screen.

[Memory map]
Hereinafter, data stored in the main memory 32 during information processing will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 21 is a memory map of the main memory 32. As illustrated in FIG. 21, the main memory 32 includes a program storage area 321 and a data storage area 323. The program storage area 321 stores a program executed by the CPU 311. The data storage area 323 stores various data necessary for information processing. Some of the programs in the program storage area 321 and the data in the data storage area 323 are data stored in advance in the external memory 45 and read from the external memory 45 during information processing.

  The program storage area 321 stores an information processing program 322 and the like. The information processing program 322 is a program for causing the CPU 311 to execute a series of processes shown in FIGS.

  The data storage area 323 stores icon image data 324, button image data 325, line number data 326, display order data 327, position data 328, threshold data 329, and the like.

  The icon image data 324 is image data corresponding to the icons 51a to 51v. The button image data 325 is image data corresponding to the line increase button 55 and the line decrease button 56.

  The row number data 326 is data indicating the number of rows in the icon matrix. When the line increase button 55 or the line decrease button 56 is operated by the touch pen 28, the line number data 326 is appropriately updated according to the operation. The row number data 326 is retained even after the game apparatus 10 is powered off.

  The display order data 327 is data indicating the display order and display positions of the icons 51a to 51v and the icon empty areas 58a and 58b. The icons 51a to 51v and the icon empty areas 58a and 58b are arranged and displayed in order from the first column so as to be arranged in the row direction in the display order set in advance by the display order data 327 (FIGS. 6 and 8). reference). The display order data 327 is appropriately updated when the arbitrary icon 51 is moved to the icon empty area 58 or when the arbitrary icon 51 is replaced with another icon 51. The display order data 327 is retained even after the game apparatus 10 is powered off.

  The position data 328 is data indicating an instruction position on the touch panel 13 by the touch pen 28. While the information processing is performed, based on the indicated position indicated by the position data 328, for example, a process of determining whether or not the touch pen 28 is touching the arbitrary icon 51 is performed.

  The threshold value data 329 indicates whether the indicated position has moved in the horizontal direction (first direction) when the indicated position (touch position) of the touch pen 28 indicated by the position data 328 has moved from a point on an arbitrary icon 51 as a starting point. Alternatively, it is threshold value data used when determining whether the designated position has moved in the vertical direction (second direction).

  Although not shown in the figure, the data storage area 323 stores audio data used during information processing, data related to control of the virtual camera for displaying the state of the virtual game space on the screen, and the like. However, since these data are not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  Next, processing executed by the CPU 311 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Note that a series of processing described below is performed according to instructions issued by the CPU 311 based on the information processing program 322 stored in the main memory 32. In these flowcharts, processing relating to image generation and output is omitted, but image generation and output are performed at a constant cycle.

  When the information processing program 322 is activated, the process is started in the activation mode. First, the CPU 311 functioning as an object display unit and a button display unit reads setting information necessary for initially displaying the menu screen of the icon 51 from the data storage area 323 of the main memory 32 (step S1). Specifically, the CPU 311 reads line number data 326, display order data 327, icon image data 324, and button image data 325 from the data storage area 323. Then, the CPU 311 displays the icon matrix menu screen on the screen of the lower LCD 12 (step S2). Specifically, the CPU 311 determines the number of lines of the icon 51 to be displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 based on the line number data 326, and the icon 51 to be displayed on the screen as a subset of the icons 51a to 51v. Those display positions are determined based on the display order data 327. The CPU 311 uses the icon image data 324 to display the icons 51 in a matrix on the screen of the lower LCD 12 in an arrangement determined based on the line number data 326 and the display order data 327. Accordingly, the CPU 311 causes the line decrease button 56 and the line increase button 55 to be displayed above the icon matrix using the button image data 325.

  In this way, the CPU 311 displays the icons 51 constituting a subset of the plurality of icons 51 in a matrix on the screen of the lower LCD 12 so as to be arranged in a preset display order, as well as the line decrease button 56 and the line increase. The button 55 is displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12. When the number of lines indicated by the line number data 326 is “1”, the icon 51 is displayed as one line as illustrated in FIG. When the display order of the icon empty area 58 is higher, the icon empty area 58 in which no icon 51 is arranged is added to the screen of the lower LCD 12 in addition to the icon display area in which each icon 51 is arranged. Is displayed (see, for example, FIG. 8). In addition, when the number of lines in the icon matrix indicated by the line number data 326 is the minimum (in this embodiment, “1”), the number of lines cannot be reduced any more, so the line reduction button 56 is gray. Is displayed. Conversely, when the number of lines in the icon matrix indicated by the line number data 326 is the maximum (in the present embodiment, “6”), the number of lines cannot be increased any more, so the line increase button 55 is gray. Is displayed.

  After displaying the menu screen of the icon 51 on the lower LCD 12, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch panel 13 is touched on by the touch pen 28 based on the touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 (step S3). . If it is determined by the CPU 311 that the touch-on has not been made (step S3: NO), the process returns to step S3.

  When it is determined that the touch panel 13 is touched on by the touch pen 28 (step S3: YES), the CPU 311 detects a touch position touched by the touch pen 28 on the touch panel 13 based on the touch position data (step S4). In the present embodiment, the touch position is represented by two-dimensional coordinates (X, Y) where the horizontal direction of the screen of the lower LCD 12 is the X-axis direction and the vertical direction is the Y-axis direction. The touch position detected in step S4 is stored in the data storage area 323 as a touch-on position (a touch position detected immediately after the touch pen 28 is not touched on the touch panel 13 and changed to a touched state). The data stored here is position data 328. As described above, the CPU 311 detects the position on the screen of the lower LCD 12 designated by the touch pen 28 with respect to the touch panel 13 as the designated position, and temporarily stores the detection result as the position data 328.

  When detecting the touch position, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch position indicated by the position data 328 is on any of the icons 51 (step S5). The position data 328, the display order data 327, and the like are used for the determination process in step S5.

  When the CPU 311 determines that the touch position is not on the icon 51 (step S5: NO), the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch position is on the display change button (step S6). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the touch position (here, the touch-on position) indicated by the position data 328 stored in the data storage area 323 as a result of the process of step S4 is on the line increase button 55 or the line decrease button 56. To do. If the CPU 311 determines that the touch position is not on the display change button (step S6: NO), the process returns to step S4, and the touch position is detected again. Conversely, when the CPU 311 determines that the touch position is on the display change button (step S6: YES), the processing shifts to the display change mode. Here, if NO in step S6, the process returns to step S4, but other processing may be performed depending on the touch position. For example, when the touch position is an area between icon matrices (between icons), scroll processing is performed according to the drag operation. When the touch position is on a button other than the display change button, a function corresponding to the button is executed.

  When it is determined that the touch position is on the display change button (step S6: YES), the CPU 311 moves from the touch panel 13 to the touch pen 28 based on the touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 as shown in FIG. It is determined whether or not is touched off (step S11). If it is determined by the CPU 311 that the touch-off has not been made (step S11: NO), the process returns to step S6.

  When it is determined that the touch pen 28 is touched off from the touch panel 13 (step S11: YES), the CPU 311 increases the number of lines based on the touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 indicating the touch position last detected by the touch panel 13. It is determined whether or not the touch pen 28 is touched off on the button 55 (step S12).

  If the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 has been touched off on the line increase button 55 (step S12: YES), the CPU 311 determines whether the number of lines in the current icon matrix is maximum (step S13). Specifically, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the number of lines of the icon 51 indicated by the line number data 326 is “6”, which is a preset maximum value. Here, when the CPU 311 determines that the number of rows of the current icon matrix is the maximum (step S13: YES), the number of rows cannot be increased any more, so the touch pen 28 is touched off on the row increase button 55. Even if the operation of the line increase button 55 is not accepted, the process returns to step S3.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 311 determines that the touch-off position is not on the line increase button 55 (step S12: NO), that is, when the touch pen 28 is touched off on the line decrease button 56, the number of lines in the current icon matrix is determined. It is determined whether or not it is minimum (step S15). Specifically, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the number of lines of the icon 51 indicated by the line number data 326 is “1”, which is a preset minimum value. If the CPU 311 determines that the current icon matrix has the minimum number of rows (step S15: YES), the operation of the row reduction button 56 is accepted even if the touch pen 28 is touched off on the row reduction button 56. Without being processed, the process returns to step S3.

  If the CPU 311 determines that the number of rows of the current icon matrix is not the maximum (in this embodiment, “5” or less) (step S13: NO), the display mode of the lower LCD 12 is increased by one. The display mode is changed (step S14).

  On the other hand, when the CPU 311 determines that the number of rows of the current icon matrix is not the minimum (in this embodiment, “2” or more) (step S15: NO), the display mode of the lower LCD 12 is set to the number of rows. The display mode is changed by 1 (step S16).

  Then, the CPU 311 functioning as the matrix number changing unit and the object display changing unit, as described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8, according to the display mode changed by the process of step S <b> 14 or step S <b> 16, each icon 51. Is changed (step S17).

  As described above, the CPU 311 increases the number of lines when the designated position of the touch pen 28 detected using the touch panel 13 is on the line increase button 55, and when the designated position is on the line decrease button 56. Decreases the number of lines. Then, the CPU 311 changes the display position of each icon 51 displayed in the screen of the lower LCD 12 according to the number of lines increased or decreased.

  Then, at the end of the display change mode, the CPU 311 functioning as a matrix number changing unit updates the row number data 326 in the data storage area 323 according to the result of the process in step S14 or step S16 (step S18). As described above, the CPU 311 stores the changed number of rows in the main memory 32 as the row number data 326. Thus, when the processing of steps S1 and S2 is performed next and the information processing program is started, the icon matrix is displayed in a matrix form on the screen of the lower LCD 12 with the number of rows stored as the row number data 326. It will be.

  When the process of step S18 is performed, the CPU 311 determines that the current number of rows is the maximum (step S13: YES), or the CPU 311 determines that the current number of rows is the minimum (steps) S15: YES), the process shifts from the display change mode to the start mode.

  In step S5, if the CPU 311 determines that the touch position (here, the touch-on position) is on the icon 51 (step S5: YES), for example, as illustrated in FIG. Writing is performed (step S21).

  After highlighting the touched icon 51, the CPU 311 detects the touch position on the touch panel 13 by the touch pen 28 based on the touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 as in the process of step S4 (step S4). S22).

  When the touch position is detected, the CPU 311 functioning as a processing method selection unit determines whether or not the displacement of the touch position in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) exceeds a preset threshold value (step S23). Specifically, the CPU 311 detects the displacement in the X-axis direction indicated by the absolute value of the difference between the X coordinate value of the touch position detected in step S22 and the X coordinate value of the touch position detected in step S4. However, it is determined whether or not the threshold value for the X-axis direction indicated by the threshold value data 329 is exceeded.

  If the CPU 311 determines that the displacement of the touch position in the X-axis direction exceeds a preset threshold (step S23: YES), the CPU 311 determines that the user has instructed the icon matrix to be scrolled in the horizontal direction, and Execute the process. That is, the CPU 311 detects the touch position on the touch panel 13 by the touch pen 28 as in the process of step S22 (step S24).

  Subsequent to step S24, the CPU 311 functioning as a processing method selection unit determines whether or not the displacement of the touch position in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction) exceeds a preset threshold value (step S25). Specifically, the CPU 311 moves in the Y-axis direction indicated by the absolute value of the difference between the Y coordinate value of the touch position detected in the process of step S22 and the Y coordinate value of the touch position detected in the process of step S4. However, it is determined whether or not the threshold value for the Y-axis direction indicated by the threshold value data 329 is exceeded. Here, when the user tries to replace an arbitrary icon 51 with another icon 51, the displacement in the Y-axis direction exceeds a preset threshold value. Therefore, if the CPU 311 determines that the displacement in the Y-axis direction exceeds a preset threshold value (step S25: YES), the process proceeds to a drag mode described later. For this reason, even when the user drags the arbitrary icon 51 in the horizontal direction and scrolls the icon matrix in the horizontal direction, the user can drag the arbitrary icon 51 in the vertical direction to move the icon 51 to the other. The icon 51 can be replaced. Note that the process of step S25 may be omitted. In this case, if YES is determined in step S23 (scrolling is instructed), the mode does not shift to the drag mode.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the displacement in the Y-axis direction does not exceed a preset threshold value (step S25: YES), the CPU 311 scrolls and displays the icon matrix in the horizontal direction (step S26). Specifically, the CPU 311 determines the scroll direction based on the magnitude relationship between the X coordinate value of the touch-on position acquired in step S4 and the X coordinate value of the touch position acquired in step S24. The scroll width (the amount of movement of the icon matrix in the horizontal direction on the screen of the lower LCD 12) is determined according to the absolute value of the difference between these two X coordinate values. Then, the CPU 311 scrolls the icon matrix on the screen of the lower LCD 12 with the determined scroll direction and scroll width as described above with reference to FIGS.

  As described above, when the designated position is moved starting from a point on the arbitrary icon 51 by the drag operation by the user, the CPU 311 performs the first operation when the designated position is moved in the horizontal direction (first direction). A processing method is selected, and the icon matrix is scroll-displayed according to the movement of the designated position.

  Following the processing of step S26, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch pen 28 has been touched off from the touch panel 13 based on the presence or absence of touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 (step S27). If the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 has not been touched off (step S27: NO), the process returns to step S24. As a result, if the CPU 311 does not determine that the displacement in the Y-axis direction exceeds a preset threshold value in step S25, the icon matrix scroll display in step S26 is continued. On the other hand, when the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 is touched off (step S27: YES), the process returns to step S3.

  When it is determined in step S23 that the displacement in the X-axis direction does not exceed a preset threshold value (step S23: NO), the CPU 311 functioning as a processing method selection unit touches similarly to the process in step S25. It is determined whether or not the displacement of the position in the Y-axis direction (vertical direction) exceeds a preset threshold value (step S30). If the CPU 311 determines that the displacement in the Y-axis direction has exceeded a preset threshold value (step S30: YES), the process proceeds to a drag mode, which will be described later.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 311 determines that the displacement in the Y-axis direction does not exceed a preset threshold value (step S30: NO), whether or not the touch pen 28 has been touched off from the touch panel 13 as in step S27. Is determined (step S31). If the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 is not touched off (step S31: NO), the process returns to step S22.

  When the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 has been touched off from the touch panel 13 (step S31: YES), the CPU 311 releases the highlight on the icon 51 touched by the touch pen 28 (step S32), and is associated with the icon 51. Start the program.

  When the CPU 311 functioning as a processing method selection unit determines that the displacement in the Y-axis direction has exceeded a preset threshold value in the process of step S25 or step S30 (step S25: YES or step S30: YES), that is, When the designated position moves in the vertical direction (second direction), the second processing method is selected, and the drag mode processing described below is executed. That is, as shown in FIG. 24, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch pen 28 is touched off from the touch panel 13 (step S41).

  If the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 is not touched off (step S41: NO), the CPU 311 detects the touch position on the touch panel 13 by the touch pen 28 based on the touch position data from the I / F circuit 42 (step S42). ). Then, the CPU 311 moves the drag icon to a position corresponding to the touch position detected in step S42 (step S43). As described above, when the CPU 311 functioning as the object moving unit selects the second processing method, only the arbitrary icon 51 is moved on the screen according to the position indicated by the touch pen 28.

  Following the process of step S43, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch position with the touch pen 28 is located in the left and right end regions (step S44). Specifically, the CPU 311 compares the touch position detected in step S <b> 42 with the position coordinates of the right slide tab 53 and the left slide tab 54, and the touch position is on the right slide tab 53 or the left slide tab 54. It is determined whether it is located above. It should be noted that whether or not the touch position is located within the left and right end regions may be determined regardless of whether or not it is on the right slide tab 53 or the left slide tab 54. If the CPU 311 determines that the touch position is not located within the left and right end regions (step S44: NO), the process returns to step S41. Conversely, when the CPU 311 determines that the touch position is located within the left and right end regions (step S44: YES), the CPU 311 scrolls and displays the icon matrix as described above with reference to FIGS. S45). Here, when the touch position is located on the right slide tab 53, the CPU 311 scrolls the icon matrix to the right, and when the touch position is located on the left slide tab 54, the CPU 311. Scrolls the icon matrix to the left. When the process of step S45 is performed, the process is returned to step S41, and the scroll display of the icon matrix in step S45 is continued until the touch position deviates from the left and right end regions or until the touch pen 28 is touched off. .

  If the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 has been touched off (step S41: YES), the CPU 311 cancels the highlight on the drag icon that has been dragged until the touch pen 28 is touched off (step S47). Then, the CPU 311 functioning as a determination unit determines whether or not the drag icon 51 has been touched off on the other icon 51 based on the last indicated position (touch-off position) by the process of step S42 (step S42). S48).

  By the way, each icon 51 is arranged on the icon display area. Therefore, in step S48, it is determined whether one of the icon display area and the icon empty area 58 is designated according to the last indicated position when the touch pen 28 is touched off.

  When the CPU 311 functioning as the object replacement unit determines that the touch pen 28 is touched off on the other icon 51 while dragging the drag icon (step S48: YES), as described above with reference to FIGS. The arrangement of the drag icon 51 (for example, icon 51d) and the other icon 51 (for example, icon 51n) is switched (step S49).

  As described above, the CPU 311 functioning as a replacement processing unit detects the last detected position (the touch detected in the process of the last step S42) when the designated position is not detected while the arbitrary icon 51 is moving. If (position) is within the icon display area, it is determined that the icon display area has been designated, and an arbitrary icon 51 is replaced with another icon 51 arranged in the icon display area.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 311 determines that the touch-off position of the touch pen 28 is not on the other icon 51 (step S48: NO), the CPU 311 determines whether or not the touch pen 28 has been touched off on the icon empty area 58 (step S50). . This determination process is performed by comparing the touch position last detected by the process of step S42 with the position coordinates of the icon empty area 58 (58a or 58b) indicated by the display order data 327.

  When the CPU 311 determines that the touch pen 28 has been touched off on the icon empty area 58 (step S50: YES), for example, the icon empty area 58a is changed to an icon display area as described above with reference to FIGS. The drag icon 51d is arranged there (step S51), and the icon display area where the drag icon 51d was originally arranged is set as the icon empty area 58a (step S52).

  As described above, the CPU 311 functioning as a replacement processing unit detects the last detected position (the touch detected in the process of the last step S42) when the designated position is not detected while the arbitrary icon 51 is moving. If the position) is within the icon empty area 58, it is determined that the icon empty area 58 has been designated, and the arbitrary icon 51 is arranged in the icon empty area 58 and the arbitrary icon 51 is arranged before the movement. The icon display area is changed to an icon empty area 58.

  If the CPU 311 determines that the touch-off position of the touch pen 28 is not on the icon empty area 58 (step S50: NO), that is, the touch pen 28 is touch-off between the icon 51 other than the drag icon and the icon empty area 58. If so, another icon 51 or icon empty area 58 closest to the touch-off position is identified (step S53). Specifically, the touch-off position, the two-dimensional coordinates of the other icon 51, and the two-dimensional coordinates of the icon empty area 58 are compared, and it is the other icon 51 or the icon empty that is closer to the touch-off position. Whether or not the region 58 is specified.

  As described above, when the last detected instruction position is not in the icon display area or the icon empty area 58, the CPU 311 indicates the last detected instruction position (touch-off position) in the icon display area and the icon empty area 58. It is determined that an area closer to () is designated.

  Following the process of step S53, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the other icon 51 (icon display area) is specified as a result of the process of step S53 (step S54). If the CPU 311 determines that the specified icon 51 is another icon 51 (step S54: YES), the process proceeds to step S49. Conversely, if the CPU 311 determines that the specified icon empty area 58 is specified (step S54: NO), the process proceeds to step S51.

  By the way, when the process of step S49 is performed, the display order of the arbitrary icon 51 and the other icons 51 is changed. Further, when the processes of steps S51 and S52 are performed, the display order of the arbitrary icon 51 and icon empty area 58 is changed. Such a change in the display order is preferably retained even after the information processing program 322 ends, and is preferably reflected when the information processing program 322 is started again.

  Therefore, the CPU 311 functioning as a display order storage unit updates the display order data 327 stored in the data storage area 323 when the process of step S49 is performed or when the processes of steps S51 and S52 are performed. (Step S55). For example, when the icon 51d and the icon 51n are switched (see FIGS. 14 to 16), the display order of the icon 51d and the icon 51n is switched as illustrated in FIGS. For example, when the icon 51d and the icon empty area 58a are exchanged (see FIGS. 11 and 12), the display order of the icon 51d and the icon empty area 58a is changed as illustrated in FIGS. Replace.

  As described above, when the objects are exchanged, the display order data 327 is updated, and the display order after the exchange is stored. When the information processing program 322 is started again, the icons 51 constituting the subset are displayed in a matrix on the screen in the display order indicated by the display order data 327 stored in the data storage area 323. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the user can easily select the scrolling of the plurality of icons 51 and the replacement of the icons 51. Further, when the second processing method is selected, the arbitrary icon 51 and the other icon 51 are exchanged, so that the user desires the arbitrary icon 51 without greatly changing the positional relationship between the icons 51. It can be arranged at the position.

[Modification of startup mode]
Hereinafter, a modified example of the activation mode described in the above embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a modification of the process executed by the CPU 311 in the start mode. In FIG. 25, processes that are the same as those described above based on FIG. 22 are denoted by the same step numbers, description thereof is omitted, and differences are mainly described.

  As shown in FIG. 25, when it is determined that the touch panel 13 is touched on by the touch pen 28 (step S3: YES), the CPU 311 starts measuring the elapsed time from the touch-on (step S61). In other words, the measurement of the elapsed time after the touch position is first detected by the touch panel 13 is started. After the process of step S61 is performed, the process proceeds to step S4 described above.

  After detecting the touch position in the above-described step S22, the CPU 311 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the touch panel 13 was touched on by the touch pen 28 (step S62). Specifically, the CPU 311 determines whether or not the elapsed time when measurement is started in the process of step S61 is equal to or longer than a predetermined time stored in the main memory 32 in advance.

  If the CPU 311 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S62: NO), the process proceeds to step S23 described above. If the displacement of the touch position in the X-axis direction exceeds the threshold value, the icon matrix is scroll-displayed. If the displacement in the Y-axis direction exceeds the threshold value, the process shifts to the drag mode. On the other hand, when the CPU 311 determines that the predetermined time has passed without both the X-axis direction displacement and the Y-axis direction displacement of the touch position exceeding the threshold value (step S62: YES), the process is in the drag mode. Migrate to When shifting to the drag mode, icons are exchanged according to the touch-off position.

  As described above, when the touch position has moved beyond the threshold value in the X-axis direction before the predetermined time has elapsed since the touch position was first detected by the touch panel 13, the CPU 311 selects the first processing method. The icon matrix is scrolled and displayed in accordance with the movement of the touch position. On the other hand, when the touch position moves after a predetermined time has elapsed since the touch position was first detected by the touch panel 13, the CPU 311 selects the second processing method and replaces the icons according to the touch-off position. .

  Therefore, according to this modification of the activation mode, it is possible to easily select the scroll display of the icon matrix and the replacement of the icons simply by changing the time until the user moves the touch position using the touch pen 28. it can. That is, before the predetermined time elapses from touch-on, scrolling the icon matrix and replacing the icons are easily selected depending on whether or not the touch pen 28 is held so that the displacement of the touch position in the X-axis direction does not exceed the threshold value. can do.

  In addition, when the predetermined time has passed since the touch-on without the touch position moving beyond the threshold, and when the displacement of the touch position in the Y-axis direction exceeds the threshold before the predetermined time has elapsed since the touch-on, Even in this case, the icon is switched to the drag mode. For this reason, the user performs a drag operation in which the touch position is displaced in the Y-axis direction beyond the threshold before a predetermined time has elapsed from the touch-on, and a drag operation to move the touch position after the predetermined time has elapsed from the touch-on. The icon replacement can be selected by the following two operations. Note that if the displacement of the touch position in the Y-axis direction exceeds the threshold, nothing is done (does not shift to the drag mode), and the predetermined time has passed since the touch-on without the touch position moving beyond the threshold. You may make it transfer to drag mode only in the case.

  By the way, in the above-described embodiment and the activation mode in this modified example, when the touch position moves beyond the threshold value in the Y-axis direction, the drag mode is performed and the icons are exchanged. I can't let you. Therefore, when the predetermined time has elapsed since the touch-on without both the X-axis direction displacement and the Y-axis direction displacement of the touch position exceeding the threshold, the process is shifted to the drag mode, and the touch is performed before the predetermined time elapses. When the displacement of the position in the X-axis direction or the displacement in the Y-axis direction exceeds the threshold, the configuration is adopted in which the icon matrix is scrolled and displayed in the direction in which the touch position is displaced without shifting the process to the drag mode. Also good. Thus, when the touch position moves in the X-axis direction before the predetermined time elapses, the icon matrix is scrolled in the X-axis direction, and when the touch position moves in the Y-axis direction before the predetermined time elapses. The icon matrix can be scroll-displayed in a plurality of directions, such as scrolling the icon matrix in the Y-axis direction.

[Other variations]
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, The following forms may be sufficient.
That is, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the icon matrix is scroll-displayed when the touch position is within the left and right end regions in the drag mode has been described. Alternatively, the processing of steps S44 and S45 may be omitted so that the icon matrix is not scrolled.

  In the above embodiment, in the drag mode, when it is determined in step S50 that the touch-off position of the touch pen 28 is not on the icon empty area 58, another icon 51 or icon empty area 58 is determined based on the distance from the touch-off position. The case where the icon 51 is specified and the icon 51 is replaced has been described. Alternatively, if it is determined in step S50 that the touch-off position of the touch pen 28 is not on the icon empty area 58, the drag icon may be returned to the original position before the drag.

  Further, when it is determined whether both the number of rows and the number of columns of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 are two or more, and when it is determined that both the number of rows and the number of columns are two or more, Regardless of whether or not the last detected instruction position (touch-off position) is on another icon 51, any icon 51 may be replaced with another icon 51. This is because when the icons 51 are displayed in a matrix, processing other than replacement such as insertion of the icons 51 is not preferable.

  Further, when it is determined whether or not both the number of rows and the number of columns of the icon 51 displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12 are two or more, and when it is determined that neither the number of rows and the number of columns is two or more ( When the icon 51 is displayed in a single line or in a single column), the user may be able to select replacement or insertion of the icon 51. Specifically, when it is determined whether the last detected pointing position is on the other icon 51 or between the other two icons 51, and it is determined that it is on the other icon 51 May replace the drag icon and the other icon 51, and if it is determined that the icon is between the other two icons 51, the drag icon may be inserted between the two icons 51. This is because when the icon 51 is displayed in a single line or in a single column, the display position of each icon 51 does not collapse greatly even if the process of inserting the drag icon between the other two icons 51 is performed. This is because it is preferable that the user can easily select replacement and insertion of the icon 51.

  In the above embodiment, the case where only one drag icon is replaced with another icon 51 has been described. Instead, two or more icons 51 including an arbitrary icon 51 are selected, and the plurality of icons 51 are moved together according to the designated position. You may make it replace with the other two or more icons 51 according to the instruction | indication position detected. As a method of selecting two or more icons 51, for example, a selection frame that can be freely enlarged / reduced by the user in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction is displayed on the screen of the lower LCD 12, and the icon designated by the selection frame is displayed. There is a method of selecting 51 as a selection icon. As another selection method, when the user performs an operation of surrounding the icons 51 that the user wants to move together with the touch pen 28, the icon 51 included inside the movement locus of the touch pen 28 is selected as an icon. The method of selecting as is mentioned.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the touch panel 13 is used as the coordinate input unit has been described as an example. However, the coordinate input unit is not limited to the touch panel 13, and may be a mouse, a joystick, a touch pad, or the like. Good.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the object of the present invention is an icon has been described as an example. However, the object of the present invention may be an image, a character, a symbol, a thumbnail image, or the like.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the icon matrix is scroll-displayed in the horizontal direction has been described as an example. However, the icon matrix may be scroll-displayed in the vertical direction.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the icon empty area 58 as the object non-arrangement area is provided has been described as an example. However, the object non-arrangement area is not necessarily provided.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the line increase button 55 functions as a first button for increasing the number of lines and the line decrease button 56 functions as a second button for decreasing the number of lines has been described as an example. Instead, a first button for increasing the number of columns and a second button for decreasing the number of columns may be displayed on the screen. That is, the user may be able to change the number of columns in the icon matrix. Further, the user may be able to change the number of rows and columns of the icon matrix.

  In the above embodiment, the case where the number of rows of the icon matrix is variable has been described as an example. However, the number of rows of the icon matrix may be fixed.

  Moreover, what is necessary is just to set suitably the threshold value used by the process of step S23 of FIG. 22, S25, and S30 separately.

  Moreover, although the case where the touch panel 13 was integrally provided in the game apparatus 10 was demonstrated to the example in the said embodiment, even if it comprises the game apparatus 10 and a touch panel separately, it can implement | achieve this invention. Needless to say. Further, the touch panel 13 may be provided on the upper surface of the upper LCD 22 and the display image displayed on the lower LCD 12 described above may be displayed on the upper LCD 22.

  In the above embodiment, the portable game apparatus 10 has been described. However, the present invention may be realized by executing the information processing program of the present invention on an information processing apparatus such as a general personal computer. Absent. In another embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a game device, and may be any portable electronic device such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a mobile phone, a personal computer, or the like.

  In the above description, the case where all information processing is performed by the game apparatus 10 has been described as an example. However, at least a part of each processing step of information processing may be performed by another apparatus. For example, when the game apparatus 10 is communicably connected to another apparatus (for example, a server or another game apparatus), the processing steps in the information processing are performed by the game apparatus 10 and the other apparatus collaborating. May be executed. In the above embodiment, the processing according to the above-described flowchart is performed by the information processing unit 31 of the game device 10 executing a predetermined program. However, a part of the above processing is performed by a dedicated circuit included in the game device 10. Or all may be done.

In addition, the shape of the game device 10 described above and the various operation buttons 14, the analog stick 15, the shape, number, and installation position of the touch panel 13 are merely examples, and other shapes, numbers, and It goes without saying that the present invention can be realized even at the installation position. Moreover, it is needless to say that the present invention can be realized even if the processing order, the set value, the value used for determination, and the like used in the information processing described above are merely examples and have other orders and values.

  The information processing program is not only supplied to the game apparatus 10 through an external storage medium such as the external memory 45 and the data storage external memory 46, but may be supplied to the game apparatus 10 through a wired or wireless communication line. Good. The program may be recorded in advance in a non-volatile storage device inside the game apparatus 10. In addition to the nonvolatile memory, the information storage medium for storing the program includes CD-ROM, DVD, or similar optical disk storage medium, flexible disk, hard disk, magneto-optical disk, magnetic tape, etc. There may be. The information storage medium that stores the program may be a volatile memory that temporarily stores the program.

  Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects and is not intended to limit the scope thereof. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The present invention is applicable to an information processing program, an information processing apparatus, an information processing system, an information processing method, and the like that are executed by an information processing apparatus that performs information processing according to an operation performed by a user using coordinate input means. .

10 Game device 12 Lower LCD
13 Touch Panel 28 Touch Pen 31 Information Processing Unit 32 Main Memory 42 I / F Circuit 45 External Memory 51 Icon 53 Right Slide Tab 54 Left Slide Tab 55 Line Increase Button 56 Line Decrease Button 311 CPU
322 Information processing program 326 Line number data 327 Display order data 328 Position data 329 Threshold data

Claims (16)

A computer of an information processing apparatus that enables a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using coordinate input means,
Object display means for displaying the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix in the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order;
Indicated position detecting means for detecting a position on the screen indicated by the coordinate input means as an indicated position;
The first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves from a point on an arbitrary object of the subset displayed in the screen as a starting point A processing method selection means for selecting
Scroll means for scroll-displaying the plurality of objects in accordance with movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means;
When the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means, and the object moving means for moving the arbitrary object in response to the indicated position,
When the indication position during the movement of the arbitrary object by said object moving means is no longer detected, the last detected indicated position in the case of the other object, of the arbitrary object and of the other When the object is replaced with an object and the last detected indication position is a position in the object non-arrangement area where the object is not arranged, the arbitrary object is arranged in the object non-arrangement area, and object function as the object replacement means to change the object arrangement region was located before the move to the object blank region, an information processing program. The object display means displays an object placement area in which objects constituting the subset are placed and an object non-placement area in which no object is placed in the screen,
The object replacement means is:
A discriminating means for discriminating which of the object placement area and the object non-placement area is designated according to the last detected indication position;
When the discriminating unit determines that the object placement area has been designated, the arbitrary object is replaced with another object placed in the object placement area, and the object non-placement area is designated. When determined by the determining means, the arbitrary object moved by the object moving means is placed in the object non-placement area, and the object placement area where the arbitrary object was placed before the move is placed in the object non-placement area. The information processing program according to claim 1, further comprising replacement processing means for changing to an arrangement area.   The discriminating unit discriminates that the object placement area is designated when the last detected designated position is in the object placement area, and the last detected designated position is in the object non-placement area. If there is, it is determined that the object non-arrangement area has been designated, and if the last detected indication position is neither in the object arrangement area nor in the object non-arrangement area, the object arrangement area and the object non-arrangement The information processing program according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that an area closer to the last detected indication position is designated among the areas. The computer,
Matrix number changing means for changing the number of rows or columns of the objects constituting the subset;
2. The apparatus further functions as an object display changing unit that changes a display position of each object displayed in the screen by the object display unit according to the number of rows or the number of columns changed by the matrix number changing unit. Information processing program described in 1. Making the computer further function as matrix number storage means for storing the number of rows or columns changed by the matrix number changing means;
5. The object display unit according to claim 4, wherein when the information processing program is started, the objects constituting the subset are displayed in a matrix on the screen in the number of rows or the number of columns stored in the matrix number storage unit. Information processing program. Causing the computer to further function as button display means for displaying the first button and the second button in the screen;
The matrix number changing means increases the number of rows or columns when the indicated position detected by the indicated position detecting means is on the first button, and indicates the instruction detected by the indicated position detecting means. The information processing program according to claim 4, wherein the number of rows or the number of columns is decreased when the position is on the second button. When the object is replaced by the object replacement means, the computer further functions as a display order storage means for storing the display order of the objects after the replacement,
2. The object display unit according to claim 1, wherein at the time of starting the information processing program, the objects constituting the subset are displayed in a matrix on the screen in the display order stored in the display order storage unit. Information processing program.   The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the object display means displays the objects side by side in order from the first column so that the objects constituting the subset are arranged in a row direction according to a preset display order. . The object display means is capable of displaying the objects constituting the subset in one line or in a column,
Making the computer further function as a matrix number judging means for judging whether or not both the number of rows and the number of columns of the object displayed in the screen are two or more,
The object replacement unit, if the number of the rows and columns by the number of matrix determination unit Ru is determined to be both more, if the last detected indicated position is on another object, or the other The information processing program according to claim 4, wherein the arbitrary object is replaced with the other object when the object is not on the object but in the vicinity of the other object. The object display means is capable of displaying the objects constituting the subset in one line or in a column,
Making the computer further function as a matrix number judging means for judging whether or not both the number of rows and the number of columns of the object displayed in the screen are two or more,
The object replacement means is:
When it is determined by the matrix number determination means that the number of rows and the number of columns are not two or more, the last detected indication position is on another object or two other objects Position discriminating means for discriminating whether it is between,
When the position determining means determines that the object is on the other object, the arbitrary object is replaced with the other object, and the position determining means determines that the position is between the other two objects. 5. An information processing program according to claim 4, further comprising replacement processing means for inserting the arbitrary object between the two objects. Causing the computer to further function as an object selecting means for selecting two or more objects including the arbitrary object;
The object moving means moves two or more objects selected by the object selecting means according to the designated position when the second processing method is selected by the processing method selecting means,
The object replacement means may detect the two or more objects and other two objects according to the last detected position when the designated position is not detected during the movement of the two or more objects by the object moving means. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the above objects are exchanged.   The processing method selection unit selects the first processing method when the designated position moves in the first direction, and the designated position moves in a second direction different from the first direction. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the second processing method is selected in a case.   The processing method selection means selects the first processing method when the designated position moves before the predetermined time has elapsed since the designated position was first detected, and after the predetermined time has elapsed. The information processing program according to claim 1, wherein the second processing method is selected when the designated position moves. An information processing apparatus that enables a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using a coordinate input unit,
Object display means for displaying the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix in the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order;
Indicated position detecting means for detecting a position on the screen indicated by the coordinate input means as an indicated position;
The first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves from a point on an arbitrary object of the subset displayed in the screen as a starting point A processing method selection means for selecting
Scroll means for scroll-displaying the plurality of objects in accordance with movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means;
When the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means, and the object moving means for moving the arbitrary object in response to the indicated position,
When the indication position during the movement of the arbitrary object by said object moving means is no longer detected, the last detected indicated position in the case of the other object, of the arbitrary object and of the other When the object is replaced with an object and the last detected indication position is a position in the object non-arrangement area where the object is not arranged, the arbitrary object is arranged in the object non-arrangement area, and object and a object replacement unit to change the object arrangement region was located before the move to the object blank region, the information processing apparatus. An information processing system that enables a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using coordinate input means,
Object display means for displaying the objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in a matrix in the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order;
Indicated position detecting means for detecting a position on the screen indicated by the coordinate input means as an indicated position;
The first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves from a point on an arbitrary object of the subset displayed in the screen as a starting point A processing method selection means for selecting
Scroll means for scroll-displaying the plurality of objects in accordance with movement of the designated position when the first processing method is selected by the processing method selection means;
When the second processing method is selected by the processing method selection means, and the object moving means for moving the arbitrary object in response to the indicated position,
When the indication position during the movement of the arbitrary object by said object moving means is no longer detected, the last detected indicated position in the case of the other object, of the arbitrary object and of the other When the object is replaced with an object and the last detected indication position is a position in the object non-arrangement area where the object is not arranged, the arbitrary object is arranged in the object non-arrangement area, and object and a object replacement unit to change the object arrangement region was located before the move to the object blank region, the information processing system. An information processing method that allows a user to change the display order of a plurality of objects displayed on a screen using a coordinate input means,
Displaying a matrix of objects constituting a subset of the plurality of objects in the screen so as to be arranged in a preset display order;
Detecting the position on the screen indicated by the coordinate input means as an indicated position;
The first processing method or the second processing method according to a predetermined criterion when the designated position moves from a point on an arbitrary object of the subset displayed in the screen as a starting point A step of selecting
When the first processing method is selected, scrolling the plurality of objects according to the movement of the designated position;
When the second processing method is selected, and moving the arbitrary object in response to the indicated position,
When the indicated position is not detected during the movement of said any object, when the last detected indicated position is on the other object, interchanging the said arbitrary object and the other object, When the last detected position is a position in an object non-placement area where no object is placed, the arbitrary object is placed in the object non-placement area and the arbitrary object is moved before moving. the arrangement once was the object arrangement area and a step to change to the object blank region, an information processing method.

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