JP2018018509A - User interface - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it easier to operate a virtual stick input in a device having a touch point detecting means. SOLUTION: In an input method for determining an input according to the position of a designated arbitrary start point and a current touch point, a start point area is defined as an area that can be taken as a start point. How to take the start point area can be set arbitrarily. When an attempt is made to take a start point outside the start point area, the start point is corrected to a point within the start point area, if necessary, based on an arbitrarily determined process. In addition, the start point is moved by an arbitrary process according to the movement of the touch point within the latest arbitrary time. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

It is an invention for making a virtual stick input easier to operate in a device having a touch point detecting means.

In games using a tablet device with a touch-capable display, such as smartphones that do not have joysticks or buttons used in home game consoles, virtual buttons and virtual sticks are displayed on the screen. Display and advance the game by manipulating them with touch input.

The position of the virtual stick is fixed and displayed, and stick input corresponding to the current touch input position is performed. The stick input is changed by moving the touch point. Here, it is called a fixed virtual stick.

The virtual stick displays the stick on the same screen as the game screen. Therefore, with a fixed virtual stick in which the position of the stick is fixed, depending on the scene of the game, there is a risk that the displayed virtual stick or the hand operating the virtual stick will be in the way and hinder the progress of the game.

In order to solve this problem, there is a method of performing stick input according to the position from the start point to the current touch point while performing touch input, starting from the point where touch input is started (Reference 1) . It is called a floating pad, a floating stick, etc., and here it is called a floating virtual stick.

In this method, since the position is determined every time input is started with the virtual stick, the virtual stick can be displayed and operated at a position that does not hinder the progress of the game depending on the operation.

In addition, there is a method of shifting the start point in the direction of the touch point when the stick input becomes the maximum value and the current touch point moves in the direction where the stick input becomes the maximum or more during the input of the floating virtual stick. Here, it is called a movable floating virtual stick.

JP 2015-222595

The fixed virtual stick performs stick input in accordance with the position where the touch is input, and thus the virtual stick can be quickly operated to the target input value. However, as described above, the game may be hindered.

With the floating virtual stick, the touch input start position and the current touch input position always coincide with each other at the start of input, so that it becomes a neutral position as a general game controller stick, and quick input cannot be performed. . The same is true for movable floating virtual sticks.

In addition, in the floating virtual stick, depending on the touch input start position, stick input that cannot be realized while the touch input is continued occurs. For example, when the left end of the touch screen is set as a touch input start point, there is no touchable area on the left side of the point, and as a result, stick input to the left side cannot be performed.
With respect to the movable floating virtual stick, the same problem as the floating virtual stick may occur due to the start point of the touch input and the movement of the touch input.

It is difficult to operate the virtual stick so that these problems do not occur, and this hinders comfortable operation.
The present invention solves these problems and provides a more comfortable operation.

When a stick start area is set and touch input starts in the area, the operation of the virtual stick corresponding to the area is validated. The method of taking the stick start area can be arbitrarily set.

A stick movement area is set, and when the current touch input point is outside the area, the operation of the virtual stick operated by the touch input is terminated. The input state of the virtual stick after the end can be arbitrarily specified. For example, the virtual stick is returned to the neutral position or the previous input state is continued. The method of taking the stick movement area can be arbitrarily set.

In an input method for determining an input according to the position of an arbitrary designated start point and the current touch point, a start point region is defined as a region that can be taken as the start point.
The starting point area can be set arbitrarily.

When an attempt is made to take the start point outside the start point area, the start point is corrected to a point in the start point area as necessary based on an arbitrarily determined process. Alternatively, the operation by the touch input is terminated.

When an attempt is made to take a start point outside the start point area at the start of touch input, the virtual stick is not operated by the touch input as necessary.

As an example of a method of correcting the start point in the start point region, the start point is moved to a point in the start point region closest to the start point before correction.

For example, when the start point area is a rectangle composed of lines parallel to the x-axis and the y-axis as shown in FIG. 1, the x-coordinate and y-coordinate of the start point are corrected so as to fall within the values in the start point area.

In the input method to determine the input value according to the position of any specified start point and the current touch point, set the maximum input area as the area based on the start point,
If the current touch point is outside the maximum input area and the input value falls outside the range of values that the input value can take or cannot be determined due to the positional relationship between the start point and the touch point, Change the position.

At this time, if the starting point moves outside the starting point region, the starting point is corrected within the starting point region, and the input value is set to the maximum value. Alternatively, the operation by the touch input is terminated.

The touch area has an area that becomes an arbitrary vector field centered on a start point of touch input or an arbitrary designated point, and an input value by touch is set as a value of the vector field at the current touch point.

Provided with an input method for determining input values based on two or more types of touch input, providing two or more areas of arbitrary shape on the touch surface, assigning the above input methods to the area in any combination, An input value is determined by an input method assigned to the touch input in the region.
The number, shape, and input method assignment of the regions can be changed during the process of determining the input value.

This is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input. In the input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point on the touch surface and the current touch point, The starting point is moved by an arbitrary process according to the movement of the touch point.

For example, in the virtual stick operation, if the amount of movement (speed of movement) of the touch point within the most recent arbitrary time is greater (faster) than the amount of movement (speed) set arbitrarily, the start point is moved to an arbitrary point. . When the starting point moves outside the starting point area, the starting point is corrected within the starting point area as necessary.

At this time, in addition to the movement of the starting point, an arbitrary process according to the movement of the touch point is also performed.

For example, when a character is moving with a virtual stick, an attack or avoidance action is performed according to the amount of movement of the touch point in the direction of movement of the touch point.

When the touch input for operating the virtual stick is completed under a predetermined condition, the virtual stick input value is set to a predetermined state and continued after the touch input is completed.

The continuous stick input may be terminated according to arbitrarily defined conditions.

The continuous stick input may change the state of the stick input based on an arbitrary process.

When a touch input is started for a stick input that has been continued and the predetermined condition is satisfied, the current state of the stick input is maintained by the touch input, and the operation of the stick input is performed. Resume by input.

By appropriately changing the position of the starting point according to the position of the touch point, a virtual stick input that is easy for the user to operate is enabled.

Block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tablet device User interface program module diagram Diagram showing an example of how to take the start point area Flow chart showing processing at the time of touch input Flow chart showing processing of movable floating virtual stick Diagram showing the movement of the start point when the touch point is outside the maximum input area A diagram for explaining how to determine the stick input value in the maximum value region and neutral region Flow chart showing virtual stick processing for two types of input methods The figure which shows the change of the field in processing of the virtual stick of two kinds of input methods Flow chart showing start point change processing based on change amount of touch point in latest time The figure which shows the example of change of the starting point by the amount of change of the touch point in the latest time Program implementation example

As an illustrative example, an embodiment of a user interface program in a tablet device (160) having a touch display according to the present invention is shown. This embodiment is an example, and may be a touch pad used for, for example, a notebook personal computer other than the tablet device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the tablet device (160). The tablet device (160) in this embodiment is a general computer including a CPU (100), a main memory (101), an auxiliary memory (102), a display unit (106), and an input unit (103). Among these, the user interface program according to the present embodiment is stored in the auxiliary storage (102). The display unit (106) includes a touch display. The input unit (103) includes touch input means (105) of a touch display. The program executed on the tablet device (160) can detect that there has been some operation on the touch display by the touch input means (105). Here, the touch input means (105) is realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a module of the user interface program of the present embodiment.
The program (110) according to the present invention acquires a touch input from the touch input means (112) and transfers it to the touch input process (115) of the virtual stick input unit (114). In the touch input process (115), a process related to determination of the start point is performed. Subsequently, the virtual stick process (116) determines the input value of the virtual stick from the start point and the touch input, and gives the stick input to an arbitrary program (113). In virtual stick drawing (117), the virtual stick is drawn on the display. Alternatively, information necessary for drawing is transferred to an arbitrary program (113), and the arbitrary program (113) draws the virtual stick.
The arbitrary program (113) that has received the stick input value performs some processing according to the stick input value. At this time, there may be a plurality of arbitrary programs (113).
The program according to the present invention may be implemented as a part of an arbitrary program (113).

Hereinafter, for the sake of explanation, a touch-capable surface such as a touch panel is referred to as a touch surface, and a series of input operations from touching the touch surface to releasing the touch surface is referred to as touch input.
A point touched at a certain moment during touch input is called a touch point, a first touched point at which touch input is started is called a touch input start point, and a touch point when released is called a touch input end point.
A plurality of touch inputs can be handled independently at the same time.

Input using a virtual or real stick is called stick input.
Stick input is
The input direction indicating the direction in which the stick is moved is called an input direction, and the amount by which the stick is moved, that is, the amount corresponding to how much the stick is defeated is called the input amount.
Also,
The amount of movement of the stick in the x direction is represented by jx, and the amount of movement of the stick in the y direction is represented by jy. Unless otherwise specified, the x direction is the horizontal direction and the y direction is the vertical direction.
Stick input is expressed by input direction and input amount, or jx and jy.
The input direction and the input amount, and jx and jy are in a mutual relationship and are called a stick input value.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of an embodiment of touch input processing according to the present invention. When the touch input is received from the touch input means (112), the touch input process of FIG. 4 is started.
It is determined whether the touch input is a touch start (S201). If it is a touch start, it is determined whether the touch start point is within the stick start area (S202). If it is within the stick start area, the start point is set to the touch start point or a predetermined point, or determined according to the internal state by execution of the program (S203). It is determined whether the start point is within the start point region (S205). If not within the start point area, the start point is corrected to a point within the start point area (S206). Then, virtual stick input is started and virtual stick processing is performed (S207).

If the touch start point is not within the stick start area in (S202), the virtual stick input is not performed with the touch input (S204). That is, virtual stick input is not started.

In (S201), if it is not the touch start, it is determined whether the touch input is completed (S215). When the touch is finished, it is determined whether or not there is a virtual stick input by the touch input (S213). If there is, the virtual stick input process is performed and the stick input is terminated.

If the touch is not finished in (S215), it is determined whether there is a virtual stick input by the touch input (S208). If there is, it is determined whether the starting point of the virtual stick operated by the touch input is within the starting point area of the virtual stick (S209). If the starting point is not within the starting point area, the starting point is corrected to a point within the starting point area (S210). Thereafter, virtual stick input processing is performed (211). (S209) and (S210) may be performed during the virtual stick input process (S211).

An example of the method of correcting the start point in (S206) and (S210) when the start point area (150), the stick start area (151), and the stick movement area (152) are set as shown in FIG.
For the purpose of explanation, the horizontal direction with the lower left of the touch display of the tablet device (160) as the origin is x, and the vertical direction is y.
The coordinates on the touch display are expressed by (x, y), and the quadrangular area on the touch display has four vertex coordinates (L, B), (L, T), (R, T), (R, B) Then, the region X is expressed as (XL, XB, XR, XT).

In the correction method, for example, when the start point is at the point A, the correction is made to the point B in the closest start point region (150).

More specifically, when the starting point area is a rectangle of (AL, AB, AR, AT) and the coordinates of the starting point are (AX, AY), AX when the starting point is on the right side of the starting point area in the x axis. = AR, AX = AL when it is on the left, AY = AT when it is on the upper side, and AY = AB when it is on the lower side.

To describe one operation example, when the start point is determined as the touch start point in (S203), when the start point is corrected in (S206), the start point and touch point position do not match even if the touch point does not move . As a result, a difference occurs between the position of the touch point and the start point, and the input amount of the virtual stick changes without moving the touch point due to the difference.

As an example of a virtual stick according to the present invention, FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of a movable floating virtual stick.

The movable floating virtual stick process in FIG. 5 is a process corresponding to (S211) in FIG.

First, it is determined whether the touch point is within the stick movement area (S301). If it is not within the range, the stick input is invalidated, or the input amount is kept to the minimum value or the stick input value is kept at the current value, and the virtual stick input by the touch input is ended.

If the touch point is within the stick movement area in (S301), it is determined whether the touch point is outside the maximum input area or the stick input value cannot be determined (S302). If (S302) is true, the starting point is changed (S303).

An example of a method for changing the position of the start point in (S303) will be described with reference to FIG.
When the touch point is at the point X, the start point is moved in the direction of the point X, and the point X is moved within the maximum input area (201). More specifically, when considering a vector from the start point (202) before correction to the point X, the intersection of the vector and the boundary of the maximum input area (201) is point m, and the start point is from point m to touch point 2. Is moved in the direction of the vector until point X falls within the maximum input area (201). In FIG. 6, the starting point (202) before correction is moved to the corrected starting point (203) which is moved by the vector from point m to point X.

In (S304), stick input is determined. In (S305), it is determined whether or not the touch point is in the neutral region. When the touch point is in the neutral region, the stick input is disabled or the input amount is set to the minimum value (S306). In step S307, it is determined whether the touch point is in the maximum value area. When the touch point is within the maximum value area, the stick input is maximized.

The stick input determination method in (S304) will be described by taking as an example the case where the maximum input area, maximum value area, and neutral area, which are areas based on the start point, are set as shown in FIG.

The input amount of the stick input is set to the minimum value 0 on the boundary line of the neutral area.
More specifically, if the neutral region (602) is a circle with a radius a with the start point (601) as the origin, the stick input is the counterclockwise angle between the straight line between the start point and the touch point and the x axis. Is the input direction theta, the distance between the start point and the touch point is r, and the input amount is ra. At this time, the input amount is multiplied by a constant to adjust the amount of change in the input amount with respect to the distance between the start point and the touch point, and the distance between the start point and the touch point at which the input amount reaches the maximum value is adjusted.
In the case of expressing with jx and jy, for example, conversion is performed as jx = (ra) cos (theta), jy = (ra) sin (theta).

In (S306), when the touch point is in the neutral area (602) like the touch point T1, it is handled as a state where there is no stick input (invalid), or the input amount is set to the minimum value.
In (S308), when the touch point is within the maximum value area (603) like the touch point T3, the input direction is maintained and the input amount is set to the maximum value.

When the touch point is outside the maximum input area (604) or the stick input value cannot be determined like the touch point T3, the input point is maintained and the start point is changed so that the input value becomes maximum. When the start point moves outside the start point region due to the movement of the start point, it is desirable to appropriately correct the start point to a point within the start point region as in (S206) or (S210).

As another example of the stick input determination method in (S304), (S306), and (S308), an example using a vector field will be described.
When the starting point is the origin, stick input is represented by theta and r, and the current touch point is represented by x and y, the vector field is an arbitrary constant A
theta = atan (x, y)
r = 0 where (a * a> = x * x + y * y)
r = A * (sqrt (x * x + y * y) -a) where (a2 * a2> = x * x + y * y> a * a)
r = A * (a2-a) where (x * x + y * y> = a2 * a2)
The vector field value at the coordinates of the touch point is set as the stick input value.
Where atan (x, y) represents the counterclockwise angle between the x-axis in the x direction and the straight line from the origin to the point (x, y).
The vector field can be taken freely. In addition to the above example, for example, the value of r can be changed by theta, and the value of r can be changed discretely according to the touch point.

A virtual stick that assigns different stick input determination methods to two areas according to the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The virtual stick process of the two input methods in FIG. 8 corresponds to (S211) in FIG.

The area shown in FIG. 9 will be described as an example with respect to the start point. In (S401), it is determined whether the stick input is started or the processing is continued. If it is a start, the area is set to an initial state (S402). In this example, state 1 in FIG. 9 is set.
Next, it is determined whether the area is in state 1 (S403). If it is in state 1, the stick input is set to a value corresponding to the amount of change from the previous touch point (S405).

A specific example of (S405) is jx = ax * dx, jy = ay when the stick input is represented by jx and jy when the amount of change of the touch point changes by dx and dy in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. * Determine like dy. ax and ay are values for adjusting the stick input value with respect to the change amount of the touch point.

Alternatively, when the amount of change of the touch point changes by dr in the theta_ direction, when the stick input is represented by theta and r, it is determined as theta = theta_, r = a * dr. a is a value for adjusting the input amount of the stick input with respect to the change amount of the touch point.

If the touch point is not in the inner area (501) in (S404), it is determined whether the touch point is in the outer area (502) (S406). If it is within the outer area (502), the area is changed to state 2 (S407). At this time, the starting point may be changed so that the stick input value determined in (S408) based on the current touch point is the same as the previous stick input value. Or you may adjust the variation | change_quantity of the input amount according to the distance of a starting point and a touch point so that an input amount may become equal to the input amount immediately before. The solid line in state 2 in FIG. 9 indicates the region in state 2, and the dotted line is the region in state 1 that is entered to clearly show the movement of the region in state 2 when the starting point moves.

When the state is not 1 in (S403), the stick input value is determined by a method different from (S405). For example, in (S408), the movable floating virtual stick in FIG. 5 is processed. At this time, the neutral region may not be present.

In this example, an example using two regions and two states is shown, but there are any number of states and regions as necessary, and assignment of input methods to each state and region is free. .

In the virtual stick operation, when the moving amount (moving speed) of the touch point within the latest arbitrary time is larger (faster) than the arbitrarily determined moving amount (speed), the starting point is moved to an arbitrary point. When the starting point moves outside the starting point area, the starting point is corrected within the starting point area as necessary. The starting point may be corrected by a method different from (S206) and (S210).

FIG. 10 shows a flowchart. In (S701), it is determined whether the amount of change of the touch point in the latest time, that is, the amount of movement of the touch point is greater than or equal to a certain value. If it is above a certain level, if there is a virtual stick input operated by the touch input, the start point of the virtual stick input is changed (S702).

The change of the start point when the touch point moves quickly in FIG. 10 is performed separately from the touch input process in FIG. For example, the process of FIG. 10 is performed before the touch input process.

Regarding the change of the starting point in (S702), in this embodiment, the moving direction and moving amount of the touch point are considered as the changing amount of the touch point. At this time, the starting point is changed by virtual stick input to a point where the input direction becomes the moving direction of the touch point and the input amount becomes the maximum value or a value proportional to the moving amount of the touch point.

For example, when the touch point moves from touch point 1 (803) to touch point 2 (804) at time dt as shown in FIG. 11, the start point is changed from start point 1 (801) to start point 2 (802). At this time, the direction from start point 2 (802) to touch point 2 (804) is the same as the direction from touch point 1 (803) to touch point 2 (804), and touch point 2 (804) and start point 2 The distance r2 of (802) is the stick value corresponding to the touch point 1 and touch point 2, or the stick input amount reaches the maximum value by virtual stick input, or r2 which is a * r2 / dt with an arbitrary constant a Let r2 be such that the input amount is an arbitrarily determined value.

When the virtual stick processed in (S211) has the maximum input area, the start point may be changed to a point outside the maximum input area by changing the start point in (S702). In such a case, in the touch input, the condition as to whether the touch point is the maximum input area in step S302 is not considered until the touch point enters the maximum input area again.

In (S703), an arbitrary process according to the moving direction and moving amount of the touch point can be performed as necessary. For example, when a character is moving with a virtual stick, an attack or avoidance action is performed according to the amount of movement of the touch point in the direction of movement of the touch point.

The drawing of the virtual stick enables the user to indicate the input state of the virtual stick by, for example, drawing an image representing the pedestal of the stick at the start point and an image representing the lever of the stick at the touch point.

Or you may determine the display position of the said image from the relationship between a starting point, a touch point, and each area | region.
For example, when the touch point becomes a point in the maximum input value area, the image representing the lever is displayed not at the touch point but at the intersection of the straight line connecting the start point and the touch point and the boundary of the maximum value area.
In addition, when the touch point is a point in the neutral region and the input amount is the minimum value, the image representing the lever is displayed at the same position as the start point, that is, the image representing the pedestal, to express the neutral state of the stick.

There may be a plurality of virtual sticks according to the present invention. For each virtual stick, each area, an image to be drawn, and a virtual stick input process are determined for each virtual stick, and can be operated simultaneously and independently by a plurality of touch inputs.

The processing of the flowcharts of FIGS. 4, 5, 8, and 10 is desirably performed individually for each virtual stick, or it is desirable to add a conditional branch by appropriately providing means for detecting the virtual stick to be operated.

One example of the virtual stick detecting means operated by a certain touch input is determined in (S202) depending on which virtual stick the stick start area of the touch start point is.

When the touch input for operating the virtual stick ends after satisfying an arbitrary condition, the virtual stick input is continuously performed for a predetermined condition.

The arbitrary condition may be a condition according to the touch input within the latest time or the state of the application destination system. It can be set arbitrarily according to the application destination.

For example, when touch input is completed and the amount of movement (speed of movement) of the touch point within the most recent arbitrary time is larger (faster) than the amount of movement (speed) arbitrarily determined, stick input is necessary The value is changed, and stick input by the touch input is continued for a predetermined condition.

The predetermined condition is a condition according to a touch input for an arbitrary time, or a condition by an application destination system.
For example, when the touch input is completed by satisfying the movement amount condition, the previous stick input is continued until a predetermined time elapses or the operation of the stick input is started by a new touch input.

The stick input continued by this process can be changed based on an arbitrary process.

For example, the stick input amount may gradually decrease with time. At this time, the continuation may be terminated so as to be finally in an uninput state.

In another example, an automatic stick input operation may be performed by the application system. At this time, the function of the automatic operation may be changed according to the touch input within the latest time. For example, different automatic operations may be performed depending on whether the touch point is moved to the right side of the touch surface and the touch input is terminated, or when the touch point is moved to the upper side of the touch surface and the touch input is terminated. The same applies to the other directions. Further, the target of automatic operation is not limited to stick input, and for example, automatic operation may be performed for button input. In an application example in which a character is moved in response to a stick input and a jump action is performed by a button, not only the character movement but also the jump operation may be automated. In other words, the entire system or a part of the system may operate automatically.

Yet another application example is when a touch input that flicks diagonally upward is performed, the character of the so-called 2D scroll game is jumped in that direction, and the stick input is input in the horizontal direction until the character lands. The character may continue to move in that direction. Furthermore, if touch input that operates the stick input is started while the character is in the air, the start point is set so that the character's left-right movement is maintained by the current touch point, and the character movement operation is performed. Allows resumption.

When the input of the virtual stick operated by the touch input is continued at the start of the touch input, the start point may be set so that the stick input becomes the current stick input state by the current touch point.

Here, when the stick input amount is the maximum value, the start point may be set so that the current touch point is a point in the maximum value region. For example, by setting the start point so that the current touch point is a point on the outer boundary of the maximum value area, the stick input amount remains at the maximum value even if it approaches the start point slightly from the current touch point. can do.

The ongoing stick input operation may be resumed under a predetermined condition. As a condition for resumption,
Touch end point, or start point, or a set of touch points determined that the moving amount (moving speed) of the touch point within the latest arbitrary time is larger (faster) than the arbitrarily determined moving amount (speed) One of the touch points, or an area based on the oldest touch point in the set of touch points, or an arbitrary area based on the touch surface, set a resume area,
The start point may be set so that the stick input is in the current stick input state only when the touch start point is within the restart area.

The resume area may be an arbitrary area based on the start point of the ongoing stick input, the point corresponding to the start point and the current stick input value, or the touch end point of the continued stick input. Or it is good also as arbitrary areas on the basis of a touch surface.

If the touch start point is within the resume area while stick input is continuing, the start point is set so that the stick input value becomes the current stick input value according to the current touch point, and the stick is outside the resume area. If the point is within the start area, the continuation input is terminated and a stick input by the touch input is newly started.

Here, an example of the operation will be described. When stick input with joy_x = 100 (maximum value) and joy_y = 0 continues, the start point of touch input is a point that satisfies the conditions for resuming the operation of the stick input, for example, point (50,0). When touch input is started, the start point is set to the point (−50, 0) so that joy_x = 100 and joy_y = 0 are maintained.

If you have a maximum value area, set the start point in the maximum value area, for example, the point (-55,0), so that the stick input amount remains at the maximum value even if the touch point moves a little. Also good.
When joy_x = 80, the operation of the stick is resumed while maintaining the stick input state by setting the start point to the point (−30, 0).

By this process, when the starting point is outside the starting point region, the starting point may not be corrected exceptionally. Alternatively, a condition for resuming stick input may be set so that the point does not fall outside the starting point area. For example, at the point where the start point is set to a point outside the start point area in the current continuous stick input state, the continuous stick input operation is not resumed and the continuation is terminated and a new one is made. Start stick input, end continuous stick input, or ignore the touch input.

One example of actions related to stick input continuation is
When touch input is performed by an operation that repels a means that can detect touch input such as a finger or a touch pen in a certain direction, that is, the amount of movement (speed of movement) of the touch point within the most recent arbitrary time is arbitrary. When it is larger (faster) than the specified movement amount (speed) and touch input is completed,
The input direction of the virtual stick by the touch input is set as the repelling direction, the input point corresponding to the amount of repelling the input amount, or the start point is set to be the maximum value, and touch input for operating the virtual stick is performed. Maintain stick input even when not in use.
At this time, it may be accompanied by an arbitrary process corresponding to the repelling touch input, for example, a game character attacks or avoids in that direction.
Thereafter, touch input is performed. For example, if the distance between the touch start point and the touch end point is within a predetermined distance, the start point is set so that the stick input becomes the current stick input state by the touch start point. Set.

Another example of actions related to stick input continuation is
A case where a game character is operated using a virtual stick will be described as an example.
The character moves in the input direction of the stick at a speed corresponding to the input amount.
When touch input that flicks in a certain direction is performed, the character performs an avoidance action in that direction. The repelling direction may be different from the current stick input direction. That is, you may flip to the opposite side to the present stick input direction.
Here, when stick input is continued, the character moves in the starting direction even after touch input is not performed after the avoidance action is completed. In this example, the stick input amount assumes the maximum value, and after the avoidance action is completed, the character moves at the maximum speed.
After that, when the touch input for operating the virtual stick is started after satisfying the restart condition, the start point is set to maintain the current stick input state, and the movement is continued.
Here, when the touch point is changed, the moving speed and moving direction of the character change accordingly.

As described above, the stick input can be continuously performed even when an operation accompanied by the end of the touch input such as a repelling input is performed. In addition, when the touch input is resumed, the start point is set so as to maintain the stick input at that time, so that various operations can be smoothly resumed without interfering with various operations.

While the continuous input is being performed, it is possible to perform an arbitrary process according to the touch input that does not correspond to the condition for resuming the operation of the continuous stick input.

When the touch start point is within the restart region and the touch input continues for a predetermined time or the touch point has moved by a predetermined amount or more The so-called tap input that ends the touch input within a predetermined time does not satisfy the condition for resuming the stick operation. As a result, it is possible to perform the processing corresponding to the touch input that does not satisfy the condition for resuming the operation of the stick input such as the tap input while continuing the stick input.

For example, when a character is moving by continuing stick input, an attack action or the like is performed by performing tap input, and the subsequent moving operation is continued. Or, attack and jump action while moving.

For a touch input that does not satisfy the condition for resuming the stick input operation, a normal operation may be performed.

The processing of the present virtual stick can also be implemented as a program module. This program module may be implemented as a part of an arbitrary program to which the program is applied.

At this time, the processing is implemented by a library, source code, function, or the like. These are examples of mounting methods for incorporation into an arbitrary program, and other methods may be used.

Alternatively, it can be implemented as a program independent of the arbitrary program, such that a virtual stick input or a numerical value corresponding to the virtual stick can be used.

For example, you may implement as a program which produces | generates a signal equivalent to the direction instruction input by the analog stick of a game controller. You may implement like a device driver of what is called a game controller.
Regarding the direction indication input, a value corresponding to a signal when the stick is operated is determined according to the virtual stick input of the present application.

For example, while the device driver is valid, a direction instruction input signal is generated in the computer system to be executed, and the system performs processing according to the direction instruction signal.
For example, if software corresponding to an analog stick is executed, an analog stick can be operated in accordance with a virtual stick input.

In addition, by generating a signal equivalent to the signal generated according to the button of the controller of the game in response to the touch input, the software corresponding to the button can be operated as in the case of the direction instruction input. And

When a user interface for touch input such as a virtual stick or a touch button is drawn, it is drawn on the foreground of the screen. Furthermore, you may perform arbitrary permeation | transmission processing.

In addition, when the detection of the touch input according to the present application overlaps with the detection of the original touch input, the process for the touch input according to the present application may be prioritized and the process of the original touch input may be ignored.

For example, if the application program has a touch button UI and a region for detecting a touch input is set by the program of the present application so as to cover the button UI, the touch input to the button UI is ignored.

The touch input detection according to the present application may not overlap with the original touch input detection.

With the above combination, for example, in a computer having a touch display, software corresponding to the game controller can be operated by touch input without the game controller.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the system configuration when implemented so as to be incorporated in an arbitrary program (left side in FIG. 12) and when implemented like a device driver (right side in FIG. 12). This is just an example, and the designer may decide how to implement it.

When implemented so as to be incorporated into an arbitrary program (the left side of FIG. 12), the application destination program includes the processing of the present virtual stick.

When implemented like a device driver (right side of FIG. 12), the analog stick input value corresponding to the virtual stick input of the present application is determined and notified to the system so that an arbitrary program corresponding to the analog stick input can be used. Similarly, for other touch input processes, the button input signal is transmitted to the system so that an arbitrary program corresponding to the button input of the game controller can be used.
Other touch input processes shall be implemented as necessary. Also, the virtual stick portion of the present application and other touch input processing portions may be combined into one.

100 CPU
101 Main memory
102 Auxiliary memory
103 Input section
105 Touch input means
106 Display
110 Program configuration example according to the present invention
112 Touch input means
113 Any program that uses input by a user interface program according to the present invention
114 Virtual stick input section
115 Touch input processing
116 Virtual stick processing
117 Virtual stick drawing
150 Start area
151 Stick start area
152 Stick movement area
201 Maximum input area
202 Starting point before correction
203 Start point after correction
501 Inner area
502 Outer area
601 Start point
602 Neutral area
603 Maximum value area
604 Maximum input area
801 Start point 1
802 Start point 2
803 touch point 1
804 touch point 2

Claims (16)

It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is an input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point on the touch surface and the current touch point, and can be set arbitrarily If the start point area is determined as the area of the point that can be taken as the start point and the start point is to be taken outside the start point area, the start point is corrected to a point in the start point area as necessary based on the arbitrarily determined process, or When input by the input method by the touch input is finished and an attempt is made to take a start point outside the start point region at the start of touch input, the start point is corrected to a point in the start point region as necessary based on an arbitrarily defined process. Or a user interface program that does not perform the input method by the touch input. It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is an input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point and the current touch point. Specified when the area is set and the current touch point is outside the maximum input area, or the input value is outside the range of values that the input value can take or cannot be determined due to the positional relationship between the start point and the touch point A user interface program that changes the position of the starting point by any method. A user interface program characterized by changing the position of the start point according to claim 1 and the start point according to claim 2. It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is a method that determines the input value based on the touch point. The touch input area has an arbitrary center around the start point of touch input or any specified point. A user interface program that has an area to be a vector field and uses the input value by touch as the vector field value at the current touch point. It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is an input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point and the current touch point. A user interface program having a neutral area as an area that minimizes or invalidates an input value when a point is within the area. It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is an input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point and the current touch point. Input when the touch point is within the area. A user interface program having a maximum value area as a maximum value area. It is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input, and is an input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified starting point and the current touch point. A user interface program having a neutral area as an area for minimizing or invalidating a value and a maximum area as an area for maximizing an input value, or both.
8. The user interface program according to claim 5, wherein the user interface program has a neutral area, and an input value corresponding to a position between a start point and a touch point is minimized on a boundary line of the neutral area. This program is executed on a device capable of touch input, and has an input method for determining input values based on two or more types of touch input. A user interface program that provides a region, assigns the input methods to the region in an arbitrary combination, and determines an input value by an input method assigned to a touch input in each region. (Corresponding to shape change)
10. The user interface program according to claim 9, wherein the number of areas, the shape, and the input method assignment can be changed during the process of determining an input value. The user interface program according to claim 9 or claim 10, comprising an input method for handling a change amount of a touch point as an input value, and an input method for the user interface program according to any one of claims 1 to 8. A user interface program that has an inner area and an outer area that includes the inner area based on the touch start point or any point, and the former input method is assigned to the inner area and the latter input method is assigned to the outer area. . 12. The user interface program according to claim 11, wherein an input value on a boundary line between the inner region and the outer region by the outer region input method is a minimum value, or an input value when the touch point moves from the inner region to the outer region. User interface program that modifies to be equal to 12. The user interface program according to claim 11, wherein when the touch point is in the outer region, the inner region is integrated as the outer region, and if necessary, the input value by the latter input method is input immediately before by the former input method. A user interface program that modifies the position of the start point to be the same as the value. This is a program that is executed on a device that allows touch input. In the input method that determines the input value according to the position of any specified start point on the touch surface and the current touch point, A user interface program that moves the start point by an arbitrary process according to the movement of the touch point. 15. The user interface program according to claim 14, wherein in accordance with the movement of the start point according to the movement of the touch point within the latest arbitrary time, an arbitrary process according to the movement of the touch point is performed in addition to the movement of the start point. 16. The user interface program according to claim 1, wherein a virtual user interface that changes in accordance with a current input state is displayed on a screen.

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