JP2025068129A - Game Device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a game device which allows a user to experience the action of collecting objects while viewing a display image of the game device.SOLUTION: A game device includes: a device body 11; an image display unit 14 which can display an arrangement image of an object; and a control unit 15 which performs control so as to be able to change the position of the object in the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit 14. The device body 11 has a protective member provided on at least the surface side of the image display unit 14. The protective member is configured so that the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit can be visually recognized via the protective member. The protective member is provided with a mark 12a at a position corresponding to the collection position of the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act has been filed. Date of website posting: November 21, 2016 Website address: http://p-bandai.jp/item/item-1000110142/

The present invention relates to a game device that allows players to experience the act of collecting objects.

Patent Document 1, described below, discloses an object-collecting toy that displays a large number of objects (monsters) on a liquid crystal panel according to predetermined conditions and allows the player to collect (capture) the displayed objects.

The object-finding toy mentioned above allows the child to experience simulating the act of collecting objects by pulling a trigger on the object-collecting toy.

In other words, if players can experience the series of actions leading up to collecting objects while watching the images displayed on the game device, they can experience the fun and excitement of collecting, and they can also feel a sense of accomplishment when they have completed their collection.

Registered Utility Model No. 3046095

The aim of the present invention is to provide a game device that allows a player to have a more realistic collection experience by simulating the act of collecting objects while viewing the images displayed on the game device.

In order to achieve the above object, the game device of the present invention is a game device that allows the player to experience the act of collecting objects, and includes a device main body, an image display unit capable of displaying an arrangement image of the objects, a control unit that controls the position of the objects in the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit so as to be variable, an orientation sensor that can detect an orientation change based on the rotation of the device main body, and a mark that is provided on the device main body and can be overlapped with the objects displayed on the image display unit, the mark being provided in an image display area of the image display unit at a position that corresponds to the collection position of the objects, and the control unit is capable of rotating and controlling the display orientation of the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit around a position that corresponds to the collection position based on the orientation change.

By providing a more realistic simulated experience of collecting, it is possible to increase interest.

FIG. 1(A) is a front view of a game device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 1(B) is a side view of the same game device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control unit shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation flow relating to the collection of the game devices shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation flow relating to the collection of the game devices shown in FIG. 5A to 5C are diagrams showing search images. 6A to 6C are diagrams showing layout images. 7A to 7C are diagrams for explaining basic operations related to collection. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a layout image when the objects are collected. 9A to 9C are diagrams for explaining specific operations related to collection. FIG. 10 shows the state in which the arranged image is enlarged for collection.

First, the configuration of a game device to which the present invention is applied will be described using Figures 1 and 2. In this description, for convenience, the face on the near side of Figure 1(A) will be referred to as the front side, the face on the far side as the back side, and the top side of Figure 1(A) will be referred to as the top side, the bottom side as the bottom side, the left side as the left side, and the right side as the right side, and similar notations will be used for the other figures.

As shown in Figures 1(A) and 1(B), the game device comprises a device main body 11, a protective member 12 provided on the front of the device main body 11, an operation unit 13 provided on the top of the device main body 11, and an image display unit 14, a control unit 15, and a power supply unit 16 housed within the device main body 11.

The device body 11 has a circular front shape and a rounded outer periphery. A circular opening 11a is provided on the front of the device body 12 for attaching the protective member 12. The protective member 12 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin or glass, and the front shape of the part of the opening 11a is circular and bulges in a convex curved shape. A cross-shaped mark 12a indicating the collection position of the object is provided at the center of the protective member 12. That is, the part of the protective member 12 that is in the opening 11a is an image display area, and the image displayed on the image display unit 14 (see Figures 5 and 6) can be viewed through this part. The color of the mark 12a is a color that can be distinguished from the image displayed on the image display unit 14, and it is preferable that the color of the mark 12a is a color different from the color of the image.

The operation unit 13 is provided on the top of the device body 11 so that it can be pushed and rotated. Pushing the operation unit 13 is used to press the push button switch 15c of the control unit 15. Rotating the operation unit 13 is used to rotate the rotary switch 15d of the control unit 15.

The image display unit 14 has a liquid crystal panel with a circular or rectangular front shape and a backlight (both not shown). The liquid crystal panel has at least a transparent electrode and a polarizing filter in addition to liquid crystal, and the backlight is arranged on the rear side of the liquid crystal panel. The pixels of the liquid crystal panel are arranged in a matrix based on the X-axis and Y-axis shown in FIG. 7, and the total number of pixels may be the minimum total number of pixels capable of displaying the images shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, for example, 100×100 or 50×50. In addition, the liquid crystal panel is preferably an inverted display liquid crystal panel based on a dark color such as black. Of course, a non-inverted display liquid crystal panel based on a light color such as white can also be used as the liquid crystal panel. The backlight is made up of at least one light source such as a white or colored light-emitting diode.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 15 has a control processing unit 15a, a power switch 15b, a push button switch 15c, a rotary switch 15d, a direction sensor 15e, a vibration sensor 15f, a speaker 15g, and a memory unit 15h.

The control processing unit 15a has a microcomputer, various drivers including a driver for driving the liquid crystal panel, various interfaces, etc., and stores a program for controlling operation in ROM. The power switch 15b is provided on the back of the device main body 11, and supplies and cuts off power from the power supply unit 16 to the control processing unit 15a. Incidentally, the power supply unit 16 is made up of a dry cell or a rechargeable battery, etc., and is provided removably on the back side of the device main body 11. The push button switch 15c is pressed based on the pushing operation of the operation unit 13, and the rotary switch 15d is rotated based on the rotating operation of the operation unit 13.

The orientation sensor 15e is a two-axis type and is used to detect the orientation of the device body 11. The vibration sensor 15f is used to detect the vibration of the device body 11, specifically the vibration given to the device body 11 when collecting objects, which will be described later. The orientation sensor 15e and the vibration sensor 15f constitute a motion detection unit that detects the movement of the device body 11. In other words, the orientation sensor 15e and the vibration sensor 15f can also be substituted with a sensor capable of detecting physical quantities equivalent to orientation and vibration, such as a three-dimensional (three-axis) acceleration sensor.

The speaker 15g is for outputting voice guidance, sound effects, etc. The storage unit 15h stores images (see Figures 5 and 6) displayed on the image display unit 14 as well as voice guidance, sound effects, etc.

Next, using Figures 3 and 4 and appropriately citing the reference numerals in Figures 1 and 2, we will explain the operation flow for collecting objects in the aforementioned game device, specifically, the operation flow when an inverted LCD panel with a base color of dark colors such as black is used as the image display unit 14 and the target number of objects to be collected (MAX in step ST22 in Figure 4) is seven.

Collecting objects using the game device described above is ideally performed while the player is standing and holding the device main body 11 in his/her hand so that the protective member 12 is visible (see Figs. 1(A) and 7(A)). When collecting objects begins, first, the search image RI1 shown in Fig. 5(A) is displayed on the image display unit 14, and a guide voice is output (see steps ST1 and ST2 in Fig. 3). The search image RI1 displayed in step ST1 is an image in which, when displayed on the image display unit 14, a bright wavy line of white or the like appears with small undulations on a dark background of black or the like, and preferably scrolls left and right. The guide voice output in step ST2 is "Start searching for objects."

Next, the number of collected objects (including those stored in step ST21 in FIG. 4) is determined, and a voice guide is output (see steps ST3 to ST5 in FIG. 3). Since the number of collected objects is zero in the initial stage, the process proceeds to step ST5 without going through step ST4, and a voice guide is output. Also, if the number of collected objects (n) is one or more, the process proceeds to step ST4, and a voice guide is output, and then the process proceeds to step ST5, and a voice guide is output. The voice guide output in step ST4 is "The number of collected objects is n", and the voice guide output in step ST5 is "Search will begin" and "Please briefly press the operating unit".

Next, it is determined whether the press of the operation unit 13 is a short press or not (see step ST6 in FIG. 3). A short press here is, for example, a press lasting less than one second, and if it is a short press, the process proceeds to step ST8. If the press of the operation unit 13 is not a short press, the process proceeds to step ST7 to determine the elapsed time. In step ST7, it is determined whether, for example, 10 seconds have elapsed, and if the elapsed time is less than 10 seconds, the process proceeds to step ST6 to wait for a short press, and if the elapsed time is 10 seconds or more, the process proceeds to step ST5 to output the guide voice again.

Then, the search image RI2 shown in FIG. 5(B) is displayed on the image display unit 14, and after the search image RI2 is displayed for, for example, 2 seconds, the layout image described below is displayed on the image display unit 14 and a guidance voice is output (see steps ST8 to ST10 in FIG. 3). The guidance voice output in step ST10 is "Point the device body toward the target object."

The search image RI2 displayed in step ST8 is an image in which a bright wavy line of white or the like appears with large undulations on a dark background of black or the like when displayed on the image display unit 14, and preferably scrolls left and right. The reason why the undulations of the bright wavy line of the search image RI2 are larger than those of the search image RI1 shown in FIG. 5(A) is to inform the player that the target object has been found. The search image RI2 displayed in step ST8 may also be used in conjunction with the search image RI3 shown in FIG. 5(C). The search image RI3 is an image in which a bright wavy line of white or the like appears with medium undulations on a dark background of black or the like when displayed on the image display unit 14, and preferably scrolls left and right. If the search image RI2 is displayed after this search image RI3 is displayed for, for example, two seconds, the player can be informed that the target object has been found in an easy-to-understand manner.

The layout images that can be displayed in step ST9 include:
(1) An arrangement image MI1 including three objects TA (see FIG. 6A)
(2) An arrangement image MI2 including two objects TA (see FIG. 6B)
(3) An arrangement image MI3 including one object TA (see FIG. 6C)
apart from,
(4) A plurality of arranged images (not shown) each including three objects TA, the positions of the three objects TA being different from those of the arranged image MI1.
(5) A plurality of arranged images (not shown) including two objects TA, and in which the positions of the two objects TA are different from those of the arranged image MI2.
(6) A plurality of arranged images each including one object TA, the position of which is different from that of the arranged image MI3 (not shown).
These layout images are images in which light-colored objects, such as white objects, emerge against a dark-colored background, such as black, when displayed on the image display unit 14. The layout images MI1, MI2, and MI3 can also be considered as distribution images in which a plurality of objects are distributed within the image display unit 14.

As mentioned above, if the target number of objects to be collected is seven, the number of objects to be collected until all seven are collected will be 0 to 6, so in step ST9, an appropriate arrangement image is selected from (1) to (6) according to the number of objects to be collected and displayed. For example, when the number of objects to be collected is 0 to 4, one of the arrangement images (1) to (6) is randomly selected; when the number of objects to be collected is 5, one of the arrangement images (2), (3), (5), and (6) is randomly selected; and when the number of objects to be collected is 5, one of the arrangement images (3) and (6) is randomly selected. Of course, an arrangement image may be selected from (1) to (6) by other selection methods.

Next, it is determined whether or not there has been a change in the orientation of the device main body 11 (see step ST11 in FIG. 3). This change in orientation is determined based on the detection signal of the orientation sensor 15e, and if there has been no change in orientation, the process proceeds to step ST12, where the elapsed time is determined. In step ST12, it is determined whether, for example, 10 seconds have elapsed, and if the elapsed time is less than 10 seconds, the process proceeds to step ST11 to wait for a change in orientation, and if the elapsed time is 10 seconds or more, the process proceeds to step ST10, where the guidance voice is output again. If there has been a change in orientation, the process proceeds to step ST13, where the guidance voice is output. The guidance voice output in step ST13 is "Please approach the object."

Now, using Figures 7(A) and 7(B), we will explain the basic operations on the player's side that are the premise for determining whether or not there has been a change in orientation in step ST11. Incidentally, the layout image MI1 shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(B) corresponds to Figure 6(A), and this layout image MI1 includes three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc.

When a player holds the device main body 11 in the hand in the orientation shown in FIG. 7(A), when the player rotates clockwise and the orientation change based on this rotation is detected by the orientation sensor 15e in the device main body 11, the display orientation of the layout image MI1 (including three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc) displayed on the image display unit 14 changes to a counterclockwise direction as shown in FIG. 7(B). The change in the display orientation of the layout image MI1 at this time does not necessarily need to be linked to the rotation of the device main body 11; for example, the display orientation of the layout image MI1 may change by 45 degrees after the device main body 11 rotates 45 degrees. Alternatively, when the clockwise rotation angle becomes greater than 45 degrees, the display orientation of the layout image MI1 may change by rotating 90 degrees counterclockwise.

Next, it is determined whether the device main body 11 is approaching the object (see step ST14 in FIG. 4). This approach is determined based on the detection signal of the azimuth sensor 15e and the detection signal of the vibration sensor 15f. If the object is not approaching, the process proceeds to step ST15 to determine whether the object is moving away. If the object is moving away, the process proceeds to step ST16 to output a guide voice. The guide voice output in step ST16 is "moving away from the object." If the object is not moving away, the process proceeds to step ST17 to determine whether the object has disappeared. If the object has disappeared, the process proceeds to step ST18 to output a guide voice, and the process proceeds to step ST5. Here, "disappearance" means that the object (TAa, TAb, TAc) is no longer displayed on the image display unit 14 by changing the position of the object from the arrangement image MI1 displayed on the image display unit 14. Note that if the object has disappeared, the image displayed on the image display unit 14 is returned to its initial state (the arrangement image displayed in step ST9) when proceeding to step ST5. The guidance voice output in step ST18 is "The target object has disappeared." If the target object has not disappeared, the process moves to step ST14 and the approach determination is made again.

Now, using Figures 7(A) and 7(C), we will explain the basic operations on the player's side that are the premise for the approach judgment in step ST14, the departure judgment in step ST15, and the disappearance judgment in step ST17. Incidentally, the layout image MI1 shown in Figures 7(A) and 7(C) corresponds to Figure 6(A), and this layout image MI1 includes three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc.

When the player holds the device main body 11 in the hand in the orientation shown in Fig. 7(A), when the vibration sensor 15f in the device main body 11 detects the vibration of each step when the player advances toward the object, or the vibration that appears to be an advance, the positions of the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc in the search image RI1 displayed on the image display unit 14 change in the opposite direction to the forward direction, as shown in Fig. 7(C). The positional changes of the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc at this time do not necessarily need to be linked to the vibration frequency of the device main body 11, and for example, the positions of the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc may be changed by one step (for example, by one pixel or two pixels) after the vibration frequency reaches a predetermined number (for example, three times).

In step ST14 (approach judgment), it is judged that an approach has occurred when any one of the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc shown in FIG. 7(A) is approaching the mark 12a. In addition to this judgment method, it is also possible to judge that an approach has occurred when the object closest to the mark 12a among the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc is approaching the mark 12a. In addition to this judgment method, it is also possible to judge that an approach has occurred when the object closest to the mark 12a among the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc is approaching the mark 12a. In addition to this judgment method, it is also possible to judge that an approach has occurred when the object closest to the mark 12a among the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc is moving away from the mark 12a. Furthermore, in step 17 (disappearance determination), it is determined that the three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc shown in FIG. 7(A) have disappeared from the arrangement image MI1, i.e., when they are no longer displayed on the image display unit 14.

Next, it is determined whether the object has reached the mark 12a due to the approach (see step ST19 in FIG. 4). This arrival is determined based on whether the object overlaps at least a part of the mark 12a, and this overlap includes both cases where the XY coordinates of the object are close to the XY coordinates of the mark 12a and cases where the XY coordinates of the object match the XY coordinates of the mark 12a (see FIG. 8). If the object has not reached the mark, the process proceeds to step ST14, and the approach determination is made again. Here, in addition to the above-mentioned determination method, the arrival of the object can also be determined when a specific area including the mark 12a is set as the arrival point of the collection game, and when the object overlaps with a part of the set specific area, that is, when at least a part of the coordinates corresponding to the part of the set specific area match with the coordinates corresponding to the object.

Here, using Figures 7(A), 8, and 9(A) to 9(C), we will explain the specific operations by the player that are the premise for the reach determination in step T19. Incidentally, the layout image MI1 shown in Figures 7(A), 8, and 9(A) to 9(C) corresponds to Figure 6(A), and this layout image MI1 includes three objects TAa, TAb, and TAc. Also, for the sake of convenience in explanation, in Figures 9(A) to 9(C), the image display area of the protective member 12 is drawn with a two-dot chain line in the XY coordinate system, and the coordinates of the center of the mark 12a are shown as (x0, y0).

When the player holds the device main body 11 in the hand in the orientation shown in FIG. 7(A), when the object TAa (initial coordinates are (x1, y1)) shown in FIG. 9(A) reaches the mark 12a (coordinates are (x0, y0)), the player rotates the device main body 11 clockwise as shown in FIG. 9(B), and changes the object TAa so that it is located on the Y axis based on this rotation. Then, as shown in FIG. 9(C), the player applies vibration to the device main body 11, and changes the position of the object TAa toward the coordinates (x0, y0) based on this vibration. Depending on the coordinate value of the object TAa, it is assumed that the object TAa is not located on the Y axis after one rotation. In that case, the coordinate of the object TAa can be changed by rotating it to the coordinate where the object TAa is located on the Y axis, and then rotate it.

For example, consider the determination of arrival when the XY coordinate system is drawn based on the pixel boundary line and the coordinates of the center of mark 12a are (0,0). If the object TAa is composed of four pixels (2 x 2) and the coordinates of its center are (3,4), that is, if the object TAa is composed of pixels in the area within the rectangle connecting the coordinates (2,3), (4,3), (2,5), and (4,5), then if the position of the object TAa is changed by three pixels along the X axis so as to approach mark 12a, and by four pixels along the Y axis so as to approach mark 12a, the coordinates (3,4) of the center of the object TAa will match the coordinates (0,0) of the center of mark 12a, that is, the object TAa will reach mark 12a, and it can be determined that the object TAa has overlapped with mark 12a due to this arrival. In this case, even if the position of the object TAa is changed so as to approach the mark 12a by two pixels along the X-axis and so as to approach the mark 12a by three pixels along the Y-axis, the coordinate (2, 3) that constitutes one corner of the object TAa will reach the mark 12a, and it may be determined that the object TAa overlaps the mark 12a by this arrival. Here, it is described that the arrival point is the center coordinate (0, 0) of the mark 12a, but for example, in the case where the shape of the mark is a cross like the mark 12a, the arrival point may include coordinates such as (0, 1) or (1, 0) corresponding to the coordinates of the cross part in addition to the center coordinate (0, 0) of the mark 12a, and it is possible to appropriately set the desired coordinates as the arrival point. It is also possible to set a plurality of coordinates around the mark 12a as the arrival point, and to determine that the object TAa has reached the arrival point when the object TAa reaches any of the coordinates among the plurality of coordinates corresponding to the set area.

Next, when the object reaches the mark 12a, a voice guide is output, and the number of objects collected is incremented by 1 based on the overlap of the object with the mark 12a, and the number of objects collected after the increment is stored (see steps ST20 and ST21 in FIG. 4). The voice guide output in step ST20 is "One object has been collected." In other words, when the object overlaps with the mark 12a, it is determined that the object has been collected.

Next, it is determined whether the number of items collected has reached the MAX collection target number (7 items), and if the MAX collection target number has been reached, a guide voice is output and the desired search and collection ends (see steps ST22 and ST23 in FIG. 4). The guide voice output in step ST23 is "The number of items collected has reached the target collection number." If the number of items collected has not reached the MAX collection target number, the process proceeds to step ST24 and a guide voice is output. The guide voice output in step ST24 is "To end search and collection, press and hold the operation unit" and "To continue search and collection, press and hold the operation unit."

Next, it is determined whether the pressing of the operation unit 13 is a long press or not (see step ST25 in FIG. 4). A long press here means, for example, a press for 3 seconds or more, and if it is a long press, the intended search and collection is terminated. If the pressing of the operation unit 13 is not a long press, the process proceeds to step ST26, where it is determined whether the pressing of the operation unit 13 is a short press or not. A short press here means, for example, a press for less than 1 second, and if it is a short press, the process proceeds to step ST8. If the pressing of the operation unit 13 is neither a long press nor a short press, the process proceeds to step ST27, where the elapsed time is determined. In step ST27, it is determined whether, for example, 10 seconds have elapsed, and if the elapsed time is less than 10 seconds, the process proceeds to step ST25, where the process waits for a long press or a short press, and if the elapsed time is 10 seconds or more, the process proceeds to step ST24, where the guide voice is output again.

Although not shown in Figures 3 and 4, the display magnification of the arranged images (MI1 to MI3, etc.) displayed on the image display unit 14 can be changed by rotating the operation unit 13 to rotate the rotary switch 15d. Figure 10 shows an example in which the display magnification of the arranged image MI1 shown in Figure 6(A) is enlarged to three times the size around the mark 12a during the aforementioned collection process. For example, if the display magnification can be enlarged by rotating the operation unit 13 counterclockwise and can be restored to one by rotating the operation unit 13 clockwise, the player can change the display magnification at will during the search and collection process. In this case, it is preferable to change the amount of change in the object in response to vibration when the display magnification is enlarged and when the display magnification is restored; for example, when the display magnification is 1x, the object changes by one step (e.g., one or two pixels) with three vibrations, and when the display magnification is 3x, the object changes by one step (e.g., one or two pixels) with one vibration, so that the change in the object's position in response to vibration can correspond to the display magnification.

Although not shown in Figures 3 and 4, sound effects are output as appropriate at various times, such as when the search images (RI1 to RI3) are displayed, when the placement images (MI1 to MI3, etc.) are displayed, and when each guide voice is output. In other words, the sound effects that are output as appropriate can make the player feel a deeper sense of the fun associated with searching and collecting.

Next, we will explain the effects that can be obtained by using the game device mentioned above.

(E1) The player can experience the series of actions required to collect the objects while viewing the images displayed on the game device, allowing the player to experience the fun and excitement of collecting, as well as a sense of accomplishment when the player has completed collecting the objects.

(E2) The protective member 12, which allows the viewing of the arrangement image (MI1-MI3, etc.) displayed on the image display unit 14, is provided with a mark 12a indicating a position corresponding to the collection position of the object (TA, TAa, TAb, TAc, etc.). Therefore, even if the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit 14 is an image in which a light-colored object such as white stands out against a dark-colored background such as black, the position of the mark 12a can be confirmed and the object can be superimposed on the mark 12a without visual hindrance. In addition, since the image displayed on the image display unit 14 (displayed by light emission) and the mark 12a on the protective member 12 (displayed by printing) have different display formats, it is easy to recognize the overlap between the object and the mark 12a.

(E3) By changing the position of the object (TA, TAa, TAb, TAc, etc.) in the arrangement image (MI1 to MI3, etc.) displayed on the image display unit 14, the object can be collected when it overlaps with the mark 12a of the protective member 12. This eliminates the trouble of performing a separate operation to collect the object, and also makes it possible to avoid collection errors caused by performing a separate operation by mistake.

(E4) Even if a liquid crystal panel with a small total number of pixels is used for the image display unit 14, and search images (RI1-RI3) and placement images (MI1-MI3, etc.) with low pixel density corresponding to this liquid crystal panel are used, the player can experience a series of actions leading up to collecting the objects (TA, TAa, TAb, TAc, etc.) while viewing the images displayed on the game device, so that the image display unit 14 and control unit 15 can be manufactured inexpensively and the power consumption of the liquid crystal panel can be kept low.

Next, we will explain a variation of the aforementioned game device.

(M1) Although a game device with a cross-shaped mark 12a on the protective member 12 has been shown, the shape of the mark 12a may be other than cross-shaped, for example a circle or a rectangle. In addition to the mark (12a), multiple X-direction and Y-direction lines indicating an XY coordinate system may be provided on the protective member 12, symbols such as X, -X, Y, -Y indicating the XY coordinate system may be provided on the front of the device body 11 or the protective member 12, or arrow marks or triangular marks indicating the XY coordinate system may be provided on the front of the device body 11 or the protective member 12.

(M2) Although a game device has been shown that includes a device main body 11 with a circular front shape and a protective member 12 with a circular front shape and a convex curved bulge at the circular opening 11a, the front shape of the device main body (11) may be other than circular, such as rectangular or elliptical. The front shape of the opening (11a) may also be other than circular, such as rectangular or elliptical, and accordingly, the front shape of the protective member (12) at the opening (11a) may also be other than circular, such as rectangular or elliptical. Furthermore, the convex curved bulge may be eliminated from the protective member (12) and the portion at the opening (11a) may be flat.

(M3) In the above game device, the protective member 12 is made of a transparent or semi-transparent synthetic resin or glass, etc., and is attached to the opening 11a, but the protective member 12 is not limited to this as long as it is a member that protects the image display unit 14, and may be a sheet-like member (sheet body) attached to the image display unit 14. A mark 12a indicating the collection position of the object is provided in the center of the sheet-like member, but at least a part of the sheet-like member may be designed in a different way from the mark 12a, for example a lattice-like design that makes it easier to recognize the position of the object.

(M4) Although the operation flow using the search images (RI1-RI3) described using FIG. 5 and the arrangement images (MI1-MI3, etc.) described using FIG. 6 has been shown, the number of usable search images and arrangement images may be increased or decreased as appropriate. Also, a search image other than the search image described using FIG. 5 may be used, for example a search image in which a straight line rotates around the mark 12a while leaving an afterimage. Furthermore, an arrangement image other than the arrangement image described using FIG. 6 may be used, for example an arrangement image in which the target (TA, TAa, TAb, TAc, etc.) flashes.

(M5) The operational flow is shown for the case where an inverted LCD panel with a dark color such as black is used as the image display unit 14, but even if a non-inverted LCD panel with a light color such as white is used as the image display unit (14), the desired collection can be performed in the same manner using the operational flow shown in Figures 3 and 4.

(M6) The operational flow is shown for a case where the target number of objects to be collected is seven, but even if the target number of objects to be collected is six or less or eight or more, the desired collection can be similarly performed using the operational flow shown in Figures 3 and 4.

(M7) Although an operational flow has been shown in which the search image (RI1-RI3) is displayed on the image display unit 14, followed by the placement image (MI1-MI3, etc.), the desired collection can be performed in the same way even if an operational flow that excludes steps ST1 and ST8 in FIG. 3 relating to the display of the search image is adopted.

11... device body, 11a... opening, 12... protective member, 12a... mark, 13... operation section, 14... image display section, 15... control section, 15a... control processing section, 15b... power switch, 15c... push button switch, 15d... rotary switch, 15e... orientation sensor, 15f... vibration sensor, 15g... speaker, 15h... memory section, 16... power supply section, RI1-RI3... search image, MI1-MI3... placement image, TA, TAa, TAb, TAc... object.

Claims (16)

A game device that allows a user to experience collecting objects,
A device body,
an image display unit capable of displaying an arrangement image of the object;
a control unit that controls the position of the object in the layout image displayed on the image display unit so as to be variable;
an orientation sensor capable of detecting an orientation change based on a rotation of the device body;
a mark provided on the device body and capable of being overlapped with the object displayed on the image display unit;
the mark is provided in an image display area of the image display unit at a position corresponding to a collection position of the object,
The control unit is capable of rotating and controlling a display orientation of the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit around a position corresponding to the collection position based on the change in orientation.
Gaming device. The device further includes a vibration sensor capable of detecting vibration of the device body,
the control unit controls a position of the object in the layout image displayed on the image display unit so as to be changeable in response to vibration of the device body detected by the vibration sensor.
2. The game device according to claim 1. The control unit is configured to determine an amount of change in a position of the object in the layout image displayed on the image display unit based on a frequency of vibration detected by the vibration sensor.
3. The game device according to claim 2. the control unit is configured to determine that the object has been collected on condition that the object in the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit overlaps with at least a part of the mark on the protection member.
4. The game device according to claim 2 or 3. The control unit is configured to add 1 to the number of collections when it is determined that the object has been collected.
5. The game device according to claim 4. A plurality of layout images each having a different number of objects are prepared as the layout image,
The control unit is configured to selectively display one of the plurality of arranged images on the image display unit according to the number of collections.
6. The game device according to claim 5. the control unit is configured to select and display a new one of the plurality of arrangement images on condition that the object is no longer displayed on the image display unit by changing a position of the object from the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit,
7. The game device according to claim 6. The control unit is configured to change the display magnification of the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit based on a request for magnification change.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 7. the control unit is configured to change an amount of change in a position of the object in the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit based on a display magnification when the display magnification of the arrangement image displayed on the image display unit is changed.
9. The game device according to claim 8. The control unit is configured to display a search image indicating that the object is being searched for, before displaying the arrangement image on the image display unit.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 9. A plurality of search images having different aspects are prepared as the search image,
The control unit is configured to selectively display one of the plurality of search images.
The game device according to claim 10. The image display unit has a liquid crystal panel and a backlight.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 11. The liquid crystal panel is a liquid crystal panel with a reverse display based on dark colors.
The game device according to claim 12. a color of a portion of the layout image displayed on the image display unit other than the object is different from a color of the object;
14. A game device according to claim 12 or 13. the device body has a protective member provided on at least a front surface side of the image display unit,
the protection member is configured so that the layout image displayed on the image display unit can be viewed through the protection member,
The mark is provided on the protective member at a position corresponding to a collection position of the object.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 14. The mark is a color different from a color of the arranged image.
The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 15.