Storage medium storing subject selecting program and subject selecting apparatus

• US 9,389,751 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2006
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Nintendo Company Limited
• Inventors: Ohta, Keizo
• Primary Examiner(s): MARINELLI, PATRICK
• Application Number:
  US11/521,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191112A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,588 Days
• Field of Search: 710 1- 74, 707 1-104, 463 1- 43, 463/48, 345156-184
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/105 using inertial sensors, e.g. accelerometers, gyroscopes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0346 with detection of the device orientation or free movement in a 3D space, e.g. 3D mice, 6-DOF [six degrees of freedom] pointers using gyroscopes, accelerometers or tilt-sensors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus

Abstract

A plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition are displayed on a display screen. One group is selected based on coordinate information output from a pointing device. Next, based on an operation signal output from an input device which outputs an operation signal of a plurality of types of operation signals, depending on a player'"'"'s operation, one is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the group, and a process is performed, depending on the selected selection subject.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a subject selecting program which causes a computer of an apparatus to perform a process of selecting one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen using a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation, and an input device for outputting, depending on a player'"'"'s button operation, an operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated in the player'"'"'s button operation,

the program causing the computer to execute:

displaying, on the display screen, a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition;

obtaining coordinate information indicating the position output from the pointing device;

provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, based on the position output from the pointing device;

assigning operation buttons that are different from each other to selection subjects, respectively, the selection subjects belonging to the one group that has been provisionally selected;

obtaining an operation signal output from the input device;

when the operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated is obtained in a state where the one group has been provisionally selected, selecting from selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, one selection subject having the operation button assigned thereto that is the operation button that has been indicated as operated by the operation signal; and

performing a process, depending on the selected selection subject, wherein

an appearance of the selection subjects is changed to indicate a relationship between the assigned operation button and the respective selection subject,

in provisionally selecting one from selection subjects belonging to the selected group, one selection subject displayed in a shape or at a position mimicking an installed position of an input section of the input device which outputs the obtained operation signal is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group, and

provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided includes changing selection subjects belonging to the selected group into shapes or positions mimicking installed positions of input sections of the input device when a group is selected, and displaying the resultant selection subjects on the display screen.

2. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein, in provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, the coordinate information output from the pointing device is converted into coordinates in a screen coordinate system provided on the display screen, and one group displayed at a position having the coordinates on the display screen is selected from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided.

3. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided includes assigning signs indicating functions assigned to respective input sections of the input device to the respective selection subjects belonging to the selected group when a group is selected, and displaying the selection subjects, and

in selecting from selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, one selection subject displayed, being assigned a sign indicating a function assigned to an input section of the input device which outputs the obtained operation signal, is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group.

4. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided includes, when a group is selected, displaying selection subjects belonging to the selected group on the display screen while distinguishing the selection subjects belonging to the selected group from the other selection subjects.

5. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the selecting one from selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group includes, when a selection subject is selected, displaying the selected selection subject on the display screen while distinguishing the selected selection subject from the other selection subjects.

6. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the subject selecting program causes the computer to further execute:

previously setting the groups to which the plurality of selection subjects belong and corresponding input sections of the input device.

7. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the subject selecting program causes the computer to further execute:

dividing and setting the plurality of selection subjects into groups to each of which a predetermined number of selection subjects belong.

8. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the subject selecting program causes the computer to further execute:

dividing and setting the plurality of selection subjects into groups to each of which selection subjects displayed adjacent to each other on the display screen belong.

9. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the selection subject is an object which is displayed on the display screen and on which a character is written, and

in the processing, a process of inputting a character written on an object selected in the selecting one from selection subjects belonging to the selected group is performed.

10. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein the selection subject is a character displayed on the display screen, and

in the processing, a process of inputting a character selected in the selecting one from selection subjects belonging to the selected group is performed.

19. The computer readable storage medium according to claim 1, wherein

in assigning operation buttons, different directions indicated by the respective operation buttons are assigned to the selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, respectively, and

in selecting one from selection subjects, one selection subject having the direction assigned thereto that is the direction indicated by the operated operation button, is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group.

11. A subject selecting apparatus for selecting one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen using a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation, and an input device for outputting, depending on a player'"'"'s button operation, an operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated in the player'"'"'s button operation, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the processor to;

display, on the display screen, a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition;

obtain coordinate information indicating the position output from the pointing device;

provisionally select one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, based on the obtained position;

assign operation buttons that are different from each other to selection subjects, respectively, the selection subjects belonging to the one group that has been provisionally selected;

obtain an operation signal output from the input device;

when the operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated is obtained in a state where the one group has been provisionally selected, select from selection subjects belonging to the group provisionally selected, one selection subject having the operation button assigned thereto that is the operation button that has been indicated as operated by the operation signal; and

perform a process, depending on the selected selection subject, wherein

an appearance of the selection subjects is changed to indicate a relationship between the assigned operation button and the respective selection subject,

one selection subject displayed in a shape or at a position mimicking an installed position of an input section of the input device which outputs the operation signal is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group, and

when a group is provisionally selected, selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group are changed into shapes or positions mimicking installed positions of input sections of the input device, and the resultant selection subjects are displayed on the display screen.

12. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein the coordinate information output from the pointing device is converted into coordinates in a screen coordinate system provided on the display screen, and one group displayed at a position having the coordinates on the display screen is selected from the group into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided.

13. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein, when a group is provisionally selected, signs indicating functions assigned to respective input sections of the input device are assigned to the respective selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, and

one selection subject displayed, being assigned a sign indicating a function assigned to an input section of the input device which outputs the obtained operation signal, is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group.

14. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein when a group is provisionally selected, selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group are displayed on the display screen while distinguishing the selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group from the other selection subjects.

15. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein when a selection subject is selected, the selected selection subject is displayed on the display screen while distinguishing the selected selection subject from the other selection subjects.

16. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein the processor is further controlled to:

set the groups to which the plurality of selection subjects belong and corresponding input sections of the input device.

17. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein the processor is further controlled to:

divide and set the plurality of selection subjects into groups to each of which a predetermined number of selection subjects belong.

18. The subject selecting apparatus to claim 11, wherein the processor is further controlled to:

divide and set the plurality of selection subjects into groups to each of which selection subjects displayed adjacent to each other on the display screen belong.

20. The subject selecting apparatus according to claim 11, wherein

in assigning operation buttons, different directions indicated by the respective operation buttons are assigned to the selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, respectively, and

in selecting one from selection subjects, one selection subject having the direction assigned thereto that is the direction indicated by the operated operation button, is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group.

21. A method of selecting one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen using a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation, and an input device for outputting, depending on a player'"'"'s button operation, an operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated in the player'"'"'s button operation, comprising:

displaying, on the display screen, a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition;

obtaining coordinate information indicating the position output from the pointing device;

provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, based on the position output from the pointing device;

assigning operation buttons that are different from each other to selection subjects, respectively, the selection subjects belonging to the one group that has been provisionally selected;

obtaining an operation signal output from the input device;

when the operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated is obtained in a state where the one group has been provisionally selected, selecting from selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group, one selection subject having the operation button assigned thereto that is the operation button that has been indicated as operated by the operation signal; and

performing a process, depending on the selected selection subject, wherein

an appearance of the selection subjects is changed to indicate a relationship between the assigned operation button and the respective selection subject,

in provisionally selecting one from selection subjects belonging to the selected group, one selection subject displayed in a shape or at a position mimicking an installed position of an input section of the input device which outputs the obtained operation signal, is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group, and

provisionally selecting one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided includes changing selection subjects belonging to the selected group into shapes or positions mimicking installed positions of input sections of the input device when a group is selected, and displaying the resultant selection subjects on the display screen.

22. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing a subject selecting program which causes a computer of an apparatus to performing a process of causing a player to select one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen by using:

a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation; and

an input device for outputting a predetermined operation signal of a plurality of types of operation signals,

the program causing the computer to perform;

displaying a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition, in designation areas on the display screen that are set for the respective groups;

obtaining coordinate information output from the pointing device;

selecting, from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, one group corresponding to the designation area including the obtained coordinate information;

obtaining an operation signal output from the input device;

selecting one selection subject corresponding to the operation signal, from selection subjects belonging to the selected group selected, when the operation signal is obtained in a state where one of the groups is selected; and

performing a process, depending on the selected selection subject.

23. A subject selecting apparatus for selecting one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen using:

a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation; and

an input device for outputting a predetermined operation signal of a plurality of types of operation signals, comprising;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, control the processor to;

display a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition, in designation areas on the display screen that are set for the respective groups;

obtain coordinate information output from the pointing device;

select, from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, one group corresponding to the designation area including the obtained coordinate information;

obtain an operation signal output from the input device;

select one selection subject corresponding to the operation signal, from selection subjects belonging to the group selected by the group selector, when the operation signal is obtained in a state where one of the groups is selected; and

perform a process, depending on the selection subject selected by the subject selector.

24. A method of causing a player to select one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen by using:

a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation; and

an input device for outputting a predetermined operation signal of a plurality of types of operation signals, comprising;

displaying a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition, in designation areas on the display screen that are set for the respective groups;

obtaining coordinate information output from the pointing device;

selecting, from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, one group corresponding to the designation area including the obtained coordinate information;

obtaining an operation signal output from the input device;

selecting one selection subject corresponding to the operation signal, from selection subjects belonging to the selected group, when the operation signal is obtained in a state where one of the groups is selected; and

performing a process, depending on the selected selection subject.

25. A system for selecting one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen using a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation, and an input device for outputting, depending on a player'"'"'s button operation, an operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated in the player'"'"'s button operation, the apparatus comprising:

a controller; and

a processing system including one or more processors, the processing system configured to;

display, on the display screen, a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition,

obtain coordinate information indicating the position output from the pointing device,

provisionally select one from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, based on the obtained position,

assign operation buttons that are different from each other to selection subjects, respectively, the selection subjects belonging to the one group that has been provisionally selected,

obtain an operation signal output from the input device,

when the operation signal indicating an operation button that has been operated is obtained in a state where the one group has been provisionally selected, select from selection subjects belonging to the group provisionally selected, one selection subject having the operation button assigned thereto that is the operation button that has been indicated as operated by the operation signal, and

perform a process, depending on the selected selection subject, wherein

an appearance of the selection subjects is changed to indicate a relationship between the assigned operation button and the respective selection subject,

one selection subject displayed in a shape or at a position mimicking an installed position of an input section of the input device which outputs the operation signal is selected from the selection subjects belonging to the selected group, and

when a group is provisionally selected, selection subjects belonging to the provisionally selected group are changed into shapes or positions mimicking installed positions of input sections of the input device, and the resultant selection subjects are displayed on the display screen.

26. A system for receiving input from a player to select one from a plurality of selection subjects displayed on a display screen by using:

a pointing device for outputting coordinate information by directly designating coordinates on the display screen, the pointing device being configured to remotely designate the coordinates on the display screen without a player'"'"'s button operation; and

an input device for outputting a predetermined operation signal of a plurality of types of operation signals, the system comprising;

a controller; and

a processing system one or more processors, the processing system configured to;

display a plurality of selection subjects which are divided into groups under a predetermined condition, in designation areas on the display screen that are set for the respective groups,

obtain coordinate information output from the pointing device;

select, from the groups into which the plurality of selection subjects are divided, one group corresponding to the designation area including the obtained coordinate information,

obtain an operation signal output from the input device,

select one selection subject corresponding to the operation signal, from selection subjects belonging to the selected group selected, when the operation signal is obtained in a state where one of the groups is selected, and

perform a process depending on the selected selection subject.