JPH10154038A - Pointing input device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct a direction input error due to the habit of an operator, an operation environment and the like by operating the deviation of an operation direction by the operator from a reference direction and correcting the operation direction which the operator inputs based on deviation which is previously obtained. SOLUTION: An operator operates a direction key 4a in a direction which he/himself thinks to be right above. At that time, a value obtained by inverting the code of the rotational difference of a vector is set to be a parameter. The operator depresses the keys 4a-4f and buttons 4g and 4h in a controller 4 and plays a game. When the operator operates the direction key 4a and inputs the right above direction, a spherical part in the base part of a lever rotates, and an x-axis sensor and a y-axis sensor output a rotation number signal based on the number of the rotations of a y-axis roller to a detection part. The detection part outputs an input coordinate value to CPU 20 based on the rotation number signal. CPU 20 converts the input coordinate value by the previous parameter value and obtains the coordinate value after the coordinate is converted. Thus, the prescribed direction is corrected based on deviation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pointing input device applied to a game machine or the like, and more particularly, to a pointing input device for inputting an arbitrary direction including an upward direction.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional pointing input device is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-22371. As shown in FIG. 10, the pointing input device is a mouse 10 as a pointing device.
0, and the mouse 100 detects the first and second change amounts ΔX and ΔY by the rotation of the ball 101, respectively.
And the second sensor 102a, 102b, and the variation Δ detected by the first and second sensors 102a, 102b.
Detecting unit 103 for detecting absolute coordinate values based on X and ΔY
And a coordinate axis setting unit 104 composed of four volumes for setting desired angles of the + X axis, -X axis, + Y axis, and -Y axis, respectively, and the absolute coordinate value input from the detection unit 103 to the coordinate axis setting unit 104. And a coordinate conversion unit 105 that converts the coordinates into coordinate values of a coordinate system formed by the XY axes set as described above.

In the above pointing input device,
The operator sets the coordinate axis setting unit 10 as shown in FIG.
Operate the four volumes of +4, + X axis, -X axis, + Y
The desired angle of the axis and the -Y axis is set, and after setting this angle, the mouse 100 is operated to set the point a as shown in FIG.
When the point b is input, the first and second sensors 102a, 102a,
102b outputs the change amounts ΔX and ΔY to the detection unit 103, and the detection unit 103 calculates the absolute coordinate values of the points a and b from the change amounts ΔX and ΔY. The coordinate conversion unit 104 calculates the points a, b
It is determined which of the four quadrants of the coordinate system the absolute coordinate value of the point falls in, and as shown in FIG.
XY set based on the absolute coordinate value of the point based on the determination result
The coordinates are converted into the coordinate values of the points a 'and b' in the coordinate system formed by the axes. Thereby, the operation is facilitated according to the operation environment such as the operation area being restricted or the posture of the operator.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional pointing input device, even if the coordinate axis can be set to an angle desired by the operator, it can be set in a predetermined direction (for example, +
When inputting the (Y direction), the operator may have + Y due to the habit or operating environment that the operator does not notice, such as how to hold and move the pointing device, the direction of the finger, the force of the finger, etc.
There is a possibility that a certain input error may occur when the user intends to input the direction, so that there is a disadvantage that the operation accuracy of the display image is reduced. .

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pointing input device capable of correcting a direction input error due to an operator's habit and an operation environment without increasing the burden on the operator.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pointing input device for inputting an arbitrary direction including a reference direction based on an operation of a pointing device by an operator. Setting means for performing, when the operator operates the pointing device in the reference direction, detecting means for detecting the operation direction of the pointing device, and comparing the reference direction and the operation direction to determine the operation direction. Calculating means for calculating a shift from a reference direction; storage means for storing the shift as personal data of the operator; and after the storage means stores the shift, the operator moves the pointing device in a predetermined direction. A correcting means for correcting the predetermined direction based on the displacement when the operation is performed. It provides in computing input device.
According to the pointing input device having the above configuration, when the operator operates the pointing device in a direction considered to be the reference direction, the calculating means calculates a deviation of the operation direction from the reference direction. Thereafter, when the operator operates the pointing device in a predetermined direction, the correction unit corrects the predetermined direction based on the displacement obtained by the calculation unit. For some operators, the operation direction is at a certain angle (for example,
0 °) Has a tendency to shift. The same may occur depending on the operating environment and the like. By correcting the operation direction based on the obtained deviation, a predetermined direction can be correctly input.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a first embodiment to which the pointing input device of the present invention is applied. The game machine 1A has a game machine body 2, a controller 4 connected to the game machine body 2 by a cable 3, and a ROM cartridge 5 detachable from the game machine body 2, and includes a CRT display, a liquid crystal display, and the like. The image signal is transmitted to the display 10 via the image cable 6 and the audio signal is transmitted via the audio cable 7 to the amplifier (AMP) 11 for driving the speaker 12.

The game machine main body 2 has a CPU 20 for controlling each part of the game machine 1A.
0a, a dynamic RAM (D
RAM) 21a, Static RAM (SRAM) 21
b, a storage medium 21 composed of a nonvolatile memory 21c, and a video display controller (VDC) 22 for outputting an image signal to the display 10 via the image cable 6.
An audio controller (ADC) 23 that outputs an audio signal to the AMP 11 via the audio cable 7 and an interface (I / F) 24 that transmits and receives information to and from the controller 4 are connected. Further, the game machine main body 2 includes a cartridge slot (not shown) in which the ROM cartridge 5 is mounted, and a power switch (not shown).

As the nonvolatile memory 21c, for example,
Flash memory, EEPROM, static RAM
Can be used. If a static RAM is used, a backup power supply (battery) is required. As a result, even if the power of the system including the game machine 1A is turned off, it is possible to prevent the stored data from being lost.

The controller 4 includes a direction key 4a as a pointing device capable of inputting an arbitrary direction in the xy plane, and a start key 4 for instructing start of a game or the like.
b, an up key 4c, a down key 4d, a left key 4e, and a right key 4f for instructing up, down, left, and right movement directions of a cursor, a sprite, and the like, and an A button 4 for instructing confirmation, special operations, and the like.
g and B buttons 4h. It is assumed that the x-axis is set in the left-right direction of the controller 4, and the y-axis is set in the up-down (front-back) direction of the controller 4.

The ROM cartridge 5 has a ROM 50 in which a game content is described and a game program including an application program for creating personal data is partially stored.
And can be attached to and detached from the cartridge slot of the game machine main body 2.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the direction key 4a of the controller 4. The direction key 4a includes a lever 40 that can be tilted in any direction in the xy plane, and a lever 40.
Ax roller 42a provided on the x-axis, and y-axis provided on the y-axis.
An axis roller 42b, an x-axis sensor 43a and a y-axis sensor 43b such as potentiometers for detecting the rotation speeds of the x-axis roller 42a and the y-axis roller 42b and outputting a rotation speed signal are provided.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the controller 4. The controller 4 includes an x-axis sensor 43 of the direction key 4a.
The a and y-axis sensors 43b, the other keys 4b to 4f and the buttons 4g and 4h are connected to the detection unit 44. The detection unit 44 converts the input coordinate value (x, y) into I / O based on the rotation speed signals from the x-axis sensor 43a and the y-axis sensor 43b.
The signal is output to the CPU 20 via the F24, and the signals for pressing the other keys 4b to 4f and the buttons 4g and 4h are output to the CPU 20 via the I / F24.

The CPU 20 executes a game mode based on a game program stored in the ROM 50 in the ROM cartridge 5, sets parameters for coordinate conversion described below, and performs coordinate conversion.

First, setting of parameters for coordinate conversion will be described with reference to FIG. In the figure, the vector OB = coordinate value (0,
y), a vector OA = input coordinate values (x _a, y _a), the coordinate value after the vector OC = coordinate transformation (x _c, y _c).
Ask the operator to operate the direction key 4a in the direction that he or she thinks is right above. At this time, the detection unit 44 of the controller 4
When the coordinate value of the point A (x _a, y _a) is inputted from the deviation from the vector OA and vector OB, i.e., determined by Equation (1) below the rotation difference θ of the vector OB and vector OA, determined The value obtained by inverting the sign of the rotation difference θ is used as a parameter value. θ = tan ⁻¹ (x _a / y _a ) (1)

Next, the coordinate conversion will be described with reference to FIG. When the direction key 4a is operated in the upward direction during execution of the game mode, coordinate conversion is performed using the input coordinate value (x, y) of the point P input from the detection unit 44 of the controller 4 and the parameter value θ. And the coordinate value (x ', y') of the point P 'after the conversion is obtained by the following equation. Point P (x,
y) is rotated from the origin by θ, and that point is defined as point P ′ (x ′, y ′). on the x-axis, the basic vector e _x of size 1 on the y-axis, taking the e _y, P point, is represented by a position vector P 'point, the following equation (2) and (3).

(Equation 1) Basis vectors e _x, fundamental vectors e _x a position rotated by θ a e _y ', e _y' is represented by the vector (P, e _x,
e _y) and vector (P ', e _x', since the relative positional relationship of e _y ') is exactly the same, if equation (2) is Naritate,

(Equation 2) Holds. Since the magnitude (length) of the basic vectors e _x ′ and e _y ′ is 1, the following equations (5) and (6) hold.

(Equation 3) By substituting equations (5) and (6) into equation (4), the following equation (7) is obtained.
Is obtained.

(Equation 4) From the equation (3), the left side is a vector P ′ equal to the equation (7). In order for the vectors to be equal, the components must be equal. Therefore, when the right sides of the equations (3) and (7) are compared, , And the following equations (8) and (9) are obtained. x ′ = xcos θ−ysin θ (8) y ′ = xsin θ + ycos θ (9) From the equations (8) and (9), it is possible to obtain the coordinate sitting point (x ′, y ′) of the converted P ′ point. it can.

Next, the operation of the game machine 1A will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the operator inserts the ROM cartridge 5 into the cartridge slot of the game machine main body 2 and turns on the power switch of the game machine main body 2 (S1), the CPU 20 sets the R
The game program is read from the OM 50, and the following operation is performed according to the read game program. First,
The CPU 20 displays a selection screen on the display 10 (S2). For example, on the selection screen, items of “create new personal data” and “read personal data” are displayed.

The operator operates the upper key 4c,
Move the cursor by operating the down key 4d, the left key 4e or the right key 4f to "create new personal data".
Is selected and the A button 4g is pressed to confirm (S3), an application program for creating personal data in the game program is started (S4). CPU2
0 displays an operation guide screen for the direction key 4a on the display 10 based on the personal data creation application program (S5). For example, on the operation guidance screen, operation guidance information of “Please tilt in the direction directly above with the direction key” is displayed. The operator tilts the lever 40 of the direction key 4a in a direction that seems to be directly above the controller 4 according to the operation guide information. Spherical part 4 provided at the base of lever 40
1 rotates, the x-axis sensor 43a and the y-axis sensor 43b
Outputs a rotation speed signal to the detection unit 44 based on the rotation of the x-axis roller 42a and the y-axis roller 42b. The detection unit 44
x-axis sensor 43a, and outputs input coordinate value based on the speed signal from the y-axis sensor 43b a (x _a, y _a) the CPU20 via the I / F24 (S6). CPU20 determines the parameters θ coordinate transformation using Equation (1) based on the input coordinate values from the controller _{4 (x a, y a)} (S7). The CPU 20 displays a name input screen for inputting a name as operator identification information on the display 10. For example, alphabets are displayed on the name input screen. The operator operates the up key 4c, the down key 4d, the left key 4e, or the right key 4f of the controller 4 to move the cursor, presses the A button 4g to confirm, and inputs his / her name (S9). . The CPU 20 executes the processing in step S
The parameter θ obtained in step 7 is stored in the non-volatile memory 21c as personal data in association with the name input in step S9 (S10).

On the selection screen of step S3, the operator moves the cursor by operating the up key 4c, the down key 4d, the left key 4e, or the right key 4f of the controller 4 to change the item of "read personal data". When the selection is made and the A button 4g is pressed and confirmed (S3), the CPU 20
Reads out all the personal data from the nonvolatile memory 21c and displays a list on the display 10 (S11). For example, a list of names, parameter values θ, and the like is displayed. When no personal data is stored in the non-volatile memory 21c, the CPU 20 displays no personal data on the display 10. The operator touches the upper key 4c of the controller 4 on the screen listed on the display 10.
The cursor is moved by operating the down key 4d, the left key 4e, or the right key 4f to select the user's name, and the A button 4
Press g to confirm (S12). The CPU 20 stores the parameter θ corresponding to the selected name in the nonvolatile memory 2.
1c (S13).

When the operator presses the start key 4b (S14), the CPU 20 executes a game mode (S15). The operator plays the game by pressing the keys 4a to 4f and the buttons 4g and 4h of the controller 4. In this game, when the operator operates the direction key 4a to enter a direction directly above (S16), the spherical portion 41 provided at the base of the lever 40 rotates, and the x-axis sensor 43a and the y-axis sensor 43b is an x-axis roller 42a, a y-axis roller 4
A rotation speed signal based on the rotation speed of 2b is output to the detection unit 44. The detection unit 44 includes an x-axis sensor 43a and a y-axis sensor 43
Input coordinate value P (x, y) based on the rotation speed signal from b
Is output to the CPU 20 via the I / F 24 (S1).
7). The CPU 20 converts the input coordinate value P (x, y) with the parameter value θ obtained in step S13, and uses the equations (8) and (9) to convert the coordinate value P ′ after the coordinate conversion.
(X ', y') is obtained (S18). When the game ends (S19), an end screen is displayed on the display 10.

According to the game machine 1A described above, the following effects can be obtained. (1) When creating personal data, the input error in the direction directly above the operator is measured, and the input coordinate values are converted based on the measured values (parameter values). It is possible to correct an input error in the upward direction due to an operation environment or the like where the operation area is limited. (2) When creating personal data, the operator presses the direction key 4a.
Only in the direction that seems to be right above, and after creating and saving personal data, the input error in the right above direction is corrected based on the personal data, so parameter setting is performed every time Since the necessity is eliminated, the burden on the operator does not need to increase. . (3) In the setting of the parameters for coordinate conversion and the calculation formula for coordinate conversion, it is not necessary to make a determination as in the conventional example, so that the calculation can be performed simply and in a short time. (4) Since the parameters for coordinate conversion are stored as personal data in the non-volatile memory 21c, the input error in the upward direction can be corrected even when a plurality of players use the same game machine. (5) Correcting the input error in the direction directly above increases the accuracy of the input in the direction directly above, so that an advanced game can be enjoyed. For example, in a game in which a certain character appears, it is possible to accurately perform subtle movements of the character,
In a game in which a jet flying in a three-dimensional space appears, the nose of the jet can be accurately tilted forward (directly above) or the like, thereby increasing the pleasure of maneuvering.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, parameter setting and coordinate conversion are performed by the following method. Since the input coordinate values are considered based on the y-axis direction, as shown in FIG. 4, the coordinate values (x _c ,
Let y _c ) be a parameter. Further, the following equations (10) and (11) are obtained from the ＤＣODC of FIG.

(Equation 5) By substituting these equations (10) and (11) into the above equations (8) and (9), the following equations (12) and (13) are obtained.

(Equation 6) From these equations (12) and (13), the coordinate values (x ', y') after the coordinate conversion can be obtained. According to the second embodiment, since it is not necessary to determine θ, the parameters (x _c , y _c ) and the coordinate values (x ′, y) after the coordinate conversion are more accurate than in the first embodiment. ') Can be obtained.

FIG. 7 shows the activation of the personal data creation application program (S2) according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
It is a flowchart which shows operation after 0). This third
In the embodiment, when the personal data creation application program is started (S20), the CPU 20 displays an operation guide screen of the direction key 4a on the display 10 (S21). For example, on the operation guide screen, “Acquisition frequency N
Select (1,2,3,4,5) and tilt it up with the direction key. " The operator operates the upper key 4 of the controller 4 according to the operation guide information.
The cursor is moved by operating c, the down key 4d, the left key 4e or the right key 4f to select the number of acquisitions N, and the A button 4g is pressed to confirm. Subsequently, the operator tilts the lever 40 of the direction key 4 a in a direction that seems to be directly above the controller 4. Spherical part 4 provided at the base of lever 40
1 rotates, the x-axis sensor 43a and the y-axis sensor 43b
Outputs a rotation speed signal to the detection unit 44 based on the rotation of the x-axis roller 42a and the y-axis roller 42b. The detection unit 44
x-axis sensor 43a, and outputs input coordinate value based on the speed signal from the y-axis sensor 43b a (x _a, y _a) the CPU20 via the I / F24 (S23). When the number of executions reaches N (S24), the CPU 20
N input coordinate values (x _a, y _a) input coordinate value of the average of the divided by N to (x _a, y _a) determined from, based on an input coordinate value of the mean (x _a, y _a) Then, a parameter θ to be subjected to coordinate conversion is obtained using Expression (1) (S25). After that, a name input screen is displayed (S2) as shown in FIG.
6) Input your name (S27). The personal data is stored (S28).

According to the third embodiment, since the average input coordinate value is obtained, it is possible to reduce errors due to variations in operation. Note that the number of times N of acquiring the input coordinate value may be fixed in advance. This can save the trouble of setting the number of acquisitions N.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This game machine 1B has a first
Non-volatile memory 21 of game machine 1A according to the embodiment
c is provided in the ROM cartridge 5. Thereby, the nonvolatile memory 51 in the ROM cartridge 5
Since the personal data can be stored in the game machine 1B, the input error in the direction directly above can be corrected even when the ROM cartridge 5 is used in another game machine 1B.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. This game machine 1C has a first
Non-volatile memory 21 of game machine 1A according to the embodiment
c is a memory cartridge 8 that can be attached to and detached from the controller 4
It is provided inside. Thereby, not only the game data but also the personal data can be stored in the non-volatile memory 80 of the memory cartridge 8 under the control of the CPU 20, so that the memory cartridge 8 is stored in the non-volatile memory 80 as in the fourth embodiment. When used in another game machine 1C, it is possible to correct an input error in the upward direction.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various embodiments are possible. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the reference direction is set to the direction directly above.
Other directions such as a rightward direction and a downward direction may be set as a rightward direction, and a direction other than the reference direction may be corrected by a parameter obtained based on an operation in a direction considered to be the reference direction. The input coordinate value of the average of the second embodiment of the parameter setting method and conversion method of the third embodiment (x _a, y _a)
May be combined with the method for determining In the above-described embodiment, the direction key 4a is shown as a pointing device by operating a lever. However, another device such as a mouse or a trackball may be used. Further, in the above embodiment, personal data is stored for each name, but may be stored for each file name. Further, in the above embodiment, the calculation of the parameter values and the coordinate conversion are performed by the application program (software), but may be performed by the calculation-dedicated IC (hardware).

[0028]

As described above, according to the present invention, the deviation of the operation direction of the operator from the reference direction is calculated, and the operation direction input by the operator is calculated based on the deviation already obtained. Since the correction is made, it is possible to correct the direction input error due to the habit of the operator, the operation environment, and the like. Therefore, the accuracy of the input in the predetermined direction is increased, and an advanced game can be enjoyed. For example, in a game in which a certain character appears, the delicate movement of the character can be accurately performed, and in a game in which a jet aircraft flying in a three-dimensional space appears, the nose of the jet aircraft is exactly forward (directly above).
Etc., and the pleasure of maneuvering increases. Also,
When creating personal data, the operator simply operates the pointing device in a direction that seems to be the reference direction, and after creating and saving personal data, inputting in a predetermined direction based on the personal data. Since the error is corrected, it is not necessary to perform the operation for finding the deviation every time, so that the burden on the operator does not need to be large.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a direction key of the controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining setting of parameters for coordinate conversion according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining coordinate conversion according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the game machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a game machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a conventional pointing input device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the operation of a conventional pointing input device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1A, 1B, 1C Game machine 2 Game machine body 3 Cable 4 Controller 4a Direction key 4b Start key 4c Up key 4d Down key 4e Left key 4f Right key 4g A button 4h B button 5 ROM cartridge 6 Image cable 7 Audio cable 8 Memory Cartridge 10 Display 11 Amplifier (AMP) 12 Speaker 20 CPU 20a Bus 21 Storage medium 21a Dynamic RAM (DRAM) 21b Static RAM (SRAM) 21c Non-volatile memory 22 Video display controller (VDC) 23 Audio controller (ADC) 24 Interface (I) / F) 40 lever 41 spherical portion 42a x-axis roller 42b y-axis roller 43a x-axis sensor 43b y-axis sensor 44 detector 50 ROM 51 non-volatile Memory 80 Non-volatile memory

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pointing input device for inputting an arbitrary direction including a reference direction based on an operation of a pointing device by an operator, wherein: a setting means for setting the reference direction; and the operator sets the reference device to the reference device. Detecting means for detecting an operation direction of the pointing device when operating in the direction; calculating means for comparing the reference direction with the operation direction to calculate a shift of the operation direction from the reference direction; A storage unit that stores the personal data of the operator, and, after the storage unit stores the shift, when the operator operates the pointing device in a predetermined direction, the predetermined direction is determined based on the shift. A pointing input device, comprising: a correction unit for performing correction. 2. The pointing device according to claim 1, wherein said correction means corrects said reference direction based on said shift when said operator operates said pointing device in said reference direction as said predetermined direction. Input device. 3. The storage means stores a plurality of the shifts corresponding to the identification information of the operator, and the correction means sets the identification specified from the plurality of shifts stored in the storage means. The pointing input device according to claim 1, wherein the pointing input device is configured to correct based on the shift corresponding to information.