Information processing device, method for processing information, and information processing program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, a method for processing information, and an information processing program that can facilitate putting together a puzzle.SOLUTION: In order to support such the puzzle game as sequentially displaying and placing each of the pieces constituting a puzzle on a display screen of a display device to complete the puzzle on the display screen, a piece image having the same shape and the same size of a piece is displayed on the display screen, each of the pieces is individually identified, and a placing position of the identified piece on the display screen is guided.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program. [Background technology]

[0002] Jigsaw puzzles, which are completed by combining small pieces, have been known for some time. In conventional jigsaw puzzles, a player can complete the puzzle by, for example, referring to an image of the completed puzzle and placing each piece on a backing sheet with cutouts of the same shape as each piece.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a system that supports the assembly of jigsaw puzzles by having a search means for searching for products purchased by a user via an electronic information terminal, an image distribution means for distributing image data to the electronic information terminal, a display means for displaying a completed image corresponding to the searched product, and an image control means for displaying an image on the electronic information terminal based on the distributed image data, and by enlarging or reducing part or all of the completed image corresponding to the puzzle to approximately original size, which serves as a guide for assembling the puzzle pieces. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-050420 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in order to enlarge or reduce part or all of the completed image on an electronic information terminal to display the image at approximately the original size, it is necessary to understand where each piece corresponds in the completed image and to perform the operation of enlarging or reducing the completed image for each piece, which may not provide sufficient support for assembly.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program that can make it easy to assemble a puzzle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above problems, the information processing device of the embodiment is an information processing device that supports a puzzle game in which each piece that makes up a puzzle is placed sequentially on the display screen of a display device to complete the puzzle on the display screen, and is equipped with a piece image display unit that displays piece images of the same shape and size as the pieces on the display screen, a piece identification unit that individually identifies each piece, and a placement position guidance unit that guides the player to the placement position on the display screen of the piece identified by the piece identification unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one embodiment of the present invention, in order to support a puzzle game in which each piece of a puzzle is placed on the display screen of a display device in order to complete the puzzle on the display screen, piece images of the same shape and size as the pieces are displayed on the display screen, each piece is individually identified, and the position of the identified piece on the display screen is guided, thereby facilitating the assembly of the puzzle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an information processing device and a puzzle arrangement according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a completed puzzle in an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of guidance on piece placement positions in the embodiment. [Figure 5]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a second example of guidance on piece placement positions in the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation of the information processing device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] An information processing device, an information processing method, and an information processing program according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Note that in the following description of each figure, the same components in the figures will be assigned the same reference numerals and their description may be omitted.

[0011] First, the arrangement of the information processing device and the puzzle will be described using Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a side view showing an example of the arrangement of the information processing device and the puzzle in an embodiment, and describes the stacked state of the information processing device 1, the puzzle 2, and the transparent film 3.

[0012] In FIG. 1, information processing device 1 is a device that supports a puzzle game in which each piece of puzzle 2 is placed on the display screen of a display device in order to complete puzzle 2 on the display screen. Information processing device 1 has a display screen of the display device on the upper side of the figure, and is, for example, a tablet PC or a smartphone. Information processing device 1 may also be, for example, a desktop PC, and the side view of information processing device 1 shown in the figure may be a display connected to the desktop PC.

[0013] Puzzle 2 is superimposed on the display screen of the display device of information processing device 1. Puzzle 2 is a puzzle that is completed by combining divided pieces, such as a jigsaw puzzle. A jigsaw puzzle is a puzzle game in which divided pieces are combined to complete a two-dimensional completed image. Note that in this embodiment, the completed image completed in puzzle 2 is described as being two-dimensional, but the completed image completed in puzzle 2 may also be three-dimensional (for example, an image of a mountain that represents the altitude three-dimensionally).

[0014] A transparent film 3 is sandwiched between the information processing device 1 and the puzzle 2. The transparent film 3 allows the display image displayed on the display screen of the information processing device 1 to pass through, and the transmittance of the display image is arbitrary. The transparent film 3 can be made of, for example, plastic or glass. The transparent film 3 allows the puzzle 2 placed on the display screen of the information processing device 1 to be moved while still placed thereon. For example, the transparent film 3 is adhered to the outer frame (not shown) of the puzzle 2, so that when the outer frame of the puzzle 2 is moved, the puzzle 2 on top of the transparent film 3 can be moved along with the outer frame. If the display screen of the information processing device 1 is a touch panel, the transparent film 3 may be made of a material compatible with the touch panel. Specifically, if the display screen of the information processing device 1 is a capacitive touch panel, the transparent film 3 can be made of a material or have a thickness that makes it less likely to attenuate the electric field generated by the touch panel.

[0015] In this embodiment, the transparent film 3 is an optional configuration. That is, this embodiment can be implemented even if the transparent film 3 is not present. As described above, FIG. 1 illustrates the stacked state of the information processing device 1, the puzzle 2, and the transparent film 3, and does not illustrate the actual thickness of each.

[0016] Next, the configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the embodiment.

[0017] 2, the information processing device 1 is communicably connected to an information storage DB 4 via a network 9. The information processing device 1 has the following functional units: a piece image display unit 11, a piece identification unit 12, a placement position guidance unit 13, a placement position detection unit 14, a progress management unit 15, a performance unit 16, and a difficulty level setting unit 17. Each of the above functional units of the information processing device 1 in this embodiment will be described as a functional module realized by an information processing program (software) in this embodiment.

[0018] The piece image display unit 11 displays piece images of the same shape and size as each piece constituting the puzzle 2 on the display screen of the information processing device 1. Each piece constituting the puzzle 2 has a different shape, and its placement position on the puzzle 2 is uniquely determined. For example, in a conventional jigsaw puzzle, the puzzle body is placed on a backing sheet and punched out on the backing sheet to separate it into individual pieces, resulting in cuts of the same shape and size as each piece being engraved into the backing sheet. A user assembling the jigsaw puzzle can complete the puzzle by referring to the shapes of the cuts engraved in the backing sheet and placing pieces that match the shapes of the cuts on the backing sheet. In this embodiment, the piece image display unit 11 displays piece images of the same shape and size as each piece on the display screen of the information processing device 1, so that the display screen of the information processing device 1 can be used as a reference for the placement positions of the pieces, similar to the backing sheet in a conventional jigsaw puzzle.

[0019] The piece identification unit 12 individually identifies each of the pieces that make up the puzzle 2. By identifying which piece the user has picked up, the piece identification unit 12 can identify the piece that the user wants to place next. The piece identification unit 12 may notify the user by voice or the like that a piece has been identified. The manner in which the piece identification unit 12 identifies pieces will be described below.

[0020] <Piece identification using image recognition> The piece identification unit 12 identifies each piece based on an image of a two-dimensional code printed on the back of each piece, read by, for example, a camera (a built-in camera (not shown) built into the information processing device 1, or an external camera (not shown) connected to the information processing device 1; hereinafter, sometimes abbreviated as "camera"). The two-dimensional code printed on each piece may include unique identification information for individually identifying the piece. The piece identification unit 12 can identify each piece from the identification information included in the two-dimensional code. The piece identification unit 12 may also identify each piece based on the divided images printed on each piece in the completed puzzle image printed on the surface of the piece. The user can make any piece photographable by picking up the piece and bringing it to a position where it can be photographed by the camera.

[0021] <Piece identification using radio tags> The piece identification unit 12 identifies each piece based on the short-range wireless tag attached to each piece, which is read by a short-range wireless antenna built into the information processing device 1, for example. The short-range wireless tag attached to each piece can include unique identification information for individually identifying the piece. The piece identification unit 12 can identify each piece from the identification information included in the short-range wireless tag. The user can make the information on the short-range wireless tag readable by picking up any piece and bringing it to a position where wireless communication is possible.

[0022] The piece identification unit 12 may identify the type of puzzle 2 in addition to identifying the pieces. Identifying the type of puzzle means, for example, identifying a product number for specifying the product of the puzzle 2. The type of puzzle can differ, for example, depending on the number of pieces or the completed image. Identifying the type of puzzle allows the information processing device 1 to handle multiple types of puzzles 2.

[0023] The placement position guidance unit 13 guides the user to the placement position on the display screen of the information processing device 1 of the piece picked up by the user that has been identified by the piece identification unit 12. The piece image displayed by the piece image display unit 11 is displayed on the display screen of the information processing device 1. Therefore, the placement position guidance unit 13 guides the user to the position of the piece image where the piece picked up by the user should be placed when placing the piece on the piece image displayed by the piece image display unit 11. The guidance modes in the piece identification unit 12 are described below. Note that the difficulty level of the puzzle 2 differs depending on the guidance modes exemplified below. The difficulty level setting unit 17, which will be described later, can set the difficulty level by changing the guidance mode in the placement position guidance unit 13.

[0024] <Voice guidance on placement> The placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the placement position on the display screen of the information processing device 1 by voice. The voice may be a sound or a voice, and may be a linguistic or non-linguistic voice. For example, the placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the placement position by outputting a voice such as "That piece is in the upper left" or "That piece is on the far right" from a speaker (not shown) built into the information processing device 1. Another example of using sound is to pre-assign a specific musical scale to each placement position on the display screen of the information processing device 1. The placement position guidance unit 13 can guide the placement position by outputting a sound of the specific musical scale. By providing the placement position guidance by voice, the placement position guidance unit 13 can guide users, for example, who are visually impaired, to the placement position of the piece. When the placement position guidance is provided by voice, the performance unit 16, described below, may notify the user by voice that the piece has been placed in the correct placement position.

[0025] <Guidance on placement position by displaying the frame of the piece image> The placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the user to the placement position by the display mode of the frame of the piece image. For example, the placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the user to the placement position by a display mode that makes the frame of the piece image at the placement position more prominent than the frames of the other piece images. A display mode that makes the frame of the piece image at the placement position more prominent means, for example, making the line thickness or color of the frame of the piece image at the placement position different from the frames of the other piece images. Making the frame display of the piece image prominent may also be a display mode that makes the frame of the piece image at the placement position flash. By guiding the user to the placement position by the display mode of the frame of the piece image, the user can more easily recognize the correct placement position compared to when the frame of the piece image is simply displayed (conventional jigsaw puzzles).

[0026] <Displaying the completed image to guide placement> The placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the user to the placement position by displaying a completed image of the puzzle 2 on the display screen of the information processing device 1. The placement position guidance unit 13 may display a part or all of the completed image of the puzzle 2. For example, if the placement position guidance unit 13 displays the entire completed image, the user can easily recognize the correct placement position by comparing the completed image displayed on the display screen of the information processing device 1 with the image (part of the completed image) printed on the piece to be placed. Furthermore, if the placement position guidance unit 13 displays the completed image of the placement position as part of the completed image, the user can more easily recognize the correct placement position from the displayed completed image. Furthermore, the placement position guidance unit 13 may display a part or all of the completed image on the display screen at a preset timing. For example, the placement position guidance unit 13 may display the completed image based on a user's instruction and erase the display of the completed image after a preset time. The difficulty level of the puzzle 2 can be changed by changing the duration of the display. Furthermore, the placement position guidance unit 13 may sequentially display parts of the completed image. The completed images displayed sequentially may include completed images other than those at the placement position. For example, the difficulty level of Puzzle 2 can be changed by changing the display rate per unit time of the completed images at the placement position.

[0027] <Guidance on placement position by area display> The placement position guidance unit 13 may guide the user to the placement position by displaying an area including the placement position. The display of the area including the placement position (area display) is a display that shows the approximate placement position, and is, for example, a display of a circle or a rectangle that includes the placement position. The display of the area including the placement position may be a display of multiple piece images including the piece image of the placement position displayed on the piece image display unit 11. The difficulty level of the puzzle 2 can be changed by the size of the display area. For example, if the displayed area is set to be narrow, it becomes easier to identify the placement position. On the other hand, if the displayed area is set to be wide, it becomes more difficult to identify the placement position.

[0028] In the above-described guidance of placement positions by placement position guidance unit 13, a case has been described in which the user picks up one piece that is identified by piece identification unit 12. However, for example, if the user picks up multiple pieces and multiple pieces are identified by piece identification unit 12, placement position guidance unit 13 may simultaneously guide multiple placement positions.

[0029] The placement position detection unit 14 detects the placement position on the display screen of the piece placed by the user. The manner in which the placement position is detected will be described below.

[0030] <Detection of placement position using a camera> The placement position detection unit 14 may detect the placement position by recognizing an image of the piece captured by a camera. For example, the placement position detection unit 14 compares an image captured by a camera of the display screen of the information processing device 1 with an image captured by a camera of the piece to detect the placement position on the display screen. For example, image recognition technology can be used to compare the captured images.

[0031] <Detection of placement position using a touch panel> The placement position detection unit 14 may detect the placement position of the piece on the display screen using a touch panel (not shown) provided on the display screen of the information processing device 1. For example, a conductive material (e.g., conductive rubber or conductive fiber) may be provided on a portion of the back surface of each piece, and the placement position of the piece can be detected by identifying the position where the conductive material is placed based on a change in the electric field at the position where the conductive material is placed. Note that if the number of detection points for conductive material on the touch panel is limited, it may be possible to ignore changes in the electric field caused by pieces already placed and detect only new changes in the electric field.

[0032] The progress management unit 15 manages the progress toward completion of the puzzle based on the pieces placed on the display screen of the information processing device 1. The progress status is information indicating, for example, which pieces have been placed, which pieces have not been placed, how many pieces or what percentage of pieces have been placed, whether all pieces have been placed, the time required for each piece to be placed in the correct position, or the time required for all pieces to be placed and the puzzle 2 to be completed. The progress management unit 15 may also manage the remaining time of a preset time limit. Furthermore, the progress management unit 15 may manage whether each piece has been placed within a preset time limit (e.g., whether each piece has been placed within one minute), whether the puzzle 2 has been completed (e.g., whether it has been completed within ten minutes), etc. The progress management unit 15 can manage the progress status by, for example, determining whether the pieces have been placed in the correct positions based on the placement positions of the pieces detected by the placement position detection unit 14. Furthermore, the progress management unit 15 may manage the progress by detecting the weight of the piece placed on the display device of the information processing device 1.

[0033] The production unit 16 performs production according to the progress status managed by the progress management unit 15. The production performed by the production unit 16 is production by sound, vibration or display for the user. The production unit 16 can perform production via a speaker, vibrator, display device or the like (not shown) built into the information processing device 1, for example. The production unit 16 may also perform production via a device connected to the information processing device 1 so as to be able to communicate with it. The production modes of the production unit 16 are described below.

[0034] <Effects according to the placement of pieces> The presentation unit 16 may perform a presentation according to the placement of a piece. For example, when a piece is placed in a correct position, the presentation unit 16 may perform a presentation to notify the player that the piece is placed in the correct position. When a piece is placed in an incorrect position, the presentation unit 16 may perform a presentation to notify the player that the piece is placed in the incorrect position. Furthermore, when all pieces have been placed and puzzle 2 is completed, the presentation unit 16 may perform a presentation to notify the player that the puzzle is completed.

[0035] <Performance according to the passage of time> The presentation unit 16 may perform presentations according to the passage of time. For example, the presentation unit 16 may perform presentations to notify the player of the time remaining until a new piece is placed in the placement position or the time remaining until the puzzle 2 is completed. Furthermore, the presentation unit 16 may perform presentations to notify the player of a preset remaining time or that a preset time has elapsed, depending on the state of the piece placement.

[0036] <Actions to help you complete the puzzle> The production unit 16 may perform a production to assist in completing the puzzle. The production to assist in completing the puzzle may be, for example, a production that provides a hint as to where to place the puzzle, a production that encourages the user, or a production that prompts the user to change the difficulty level, in response to a request from the user.

[0037] The difficulty level setting unit 17 may be configured to set the difficulty level of the puzzle game. The difficulty level of the puzzle game varies depending on the guidance mode in the placement position guidance unit 13 described above. The difficulty level setting unit 17 can change the guidance mode in the placement position guidance unit 13 according to the set difficulty level. For example, if the guidance mode is guidance on the placement position by voice, the difficulty level setting unit 17 changes the amount of voice information providing guidance on the placement position according to the difficulty level. Furthermore, if the guidance mode is a display mode of a frame of a piece image, the difficulty level setting unit 17 may change the ease of identifying the frame of the piece image in the correct placement position (for example, the thickness, color, or blinking state of the frame line) according to the difficulty level. Furthermore, if the guidance mode is display of a completed image, the difficulty level setting unit 17 may change the ease of identifying the piece image in the correct placement position (for example, the saturation or blinking state of the piece image) according to the difficulty level. Furthermore, if the guidance mode is area display, the difficulty level setting unit 17 may change the size of the area display according to the difficulty level.

[0038] The difficulty level setting unit 17 may change the combination of the above-mentioned guidance modes depending on the difficulty level. For example, when the difficulty level is set low, the difficulty level setting unit 17 provides guidance using two guidance modes: guidance using piece images and guidance using voice. On the other hand, when the difficulty level is set high, the difficulty level setting unit 17 may provide guidance using piece images only.

[0039] <Difficulty settings based on user personal information> The difficulty level setting unit 17 may set the difficulty level according to the user's personal information. The user's personal information is information related to the execution of the puzzle game, such as the user's physical condition, such as the user's visual, auditory, or cognitive state, the user's age, or the user's track record of previously completed puzzle games. The difficulty level setting unit 17 may automatically set the difficulty level based on the user's personal information stored for each user. Alternatively, the difficulty level setting unit 17 may provide the user with a setting screen for setting the difficulty level and set the difficulty level according to the settings made on the setting screen. The presentation mode of the presentation unit 16 described above may be changed according to the difficulty level set by the difficulty level setting unit 17.

[0040] The information storage DB4 stores information used in the information processing device 1 or information generated in the information processing device 1. For example, the information storage DB4 may store a completed image or piece images of the puzzle 2 displayed on the information processing device 1 and provide the same upon request from the information processing device 1. The information storage DB4 may also store data on effects performed on the information processing device 1 and provide the same to the information processing device 1. The information storage DB4 may also store personal information of users or usage records of puzzle games. The information stored in the information storage DB4 can be shared and used by multiple information processing devices 1 (not shown). This reduces the amount of information stored in the information storage DB4 and facilitates maintenance such as updating the information. The information storage DB4 may be included in the information processing device 1.

[0041] Note that the above-described functional units of the information processing device 1 are merely examples of the functional units of the information processing device 1, and do not limit the functions of the information processing device 1. For example, the information processing device 1 does not need to have all of the above-described functional units, and may have only some of the functional units. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may have functions other than those described above.

[0042] As described above, the functional units of the information processing device 1 are implemented by software. However, at least one of the functional units may be implemented by hardware.

[0043] Furthermore, any of the above functional units may be implemented by dividing one functional unit into multiple functional units. Also, any two or more of the above functional units may be implemented by integrating them into one functional unit. Furthermore, the above description expresses the functions of the information processing device 1 using functional blocks, and does not indicate, for example, that each functional unit is configured by a separate program file or the like.

[0044] Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may be a device realized by a single housing, or may be a system realized by multiple devices connected via a network or the like. For example, the information processing device 1 may have some or all of its functions realized by a virtual device, such as a cloud service provided by a cloud computing system. That is, the information processing device 1 may have at least one or more of the above-mentioned functional units realized by another device. Furthermore, the information processing device 1 may be a general-purpose computer such as a desktop PC, or may be a dedicated device with limited functions.

[0045] Next, the completed state of the puzzle will be described with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the completed state of the puzzle in this embodiment.

[0046] In FIG. 3, puzzle 2 is placed on information processing device 1. Puzzle 2 has puzzle pieces 2a-2l placed within puzzle frame 2z, and the completed image shows an image of Mt. Fuji and a sunrise. Puzzle pieces 2a-2l each have a different shape, and the combination of puzzle pieces 2a-2l is a predetermined unique combination. The position of puzzle 2 placed on information processing device 1 needs to be predetermined. In this embodiment, the information processing device 1 and puzzle 2 (puzzle frame 2z) have the same external shape, which makes it easy to position puzzle 2 on information processing device 1. Note that while FIG. 3 illustrates a case where the display unit of information processing device 1 is flat, if the display unit of information processing device 1 is curved, for example, puzzle 2 may be configured to bend to fit the curved surface of the display unit of information processing device 1. Also, transparent film 3, described in FIG. 1, is omitted from FIG. 3 and subsequent figures.

[0047] Next, a first example of guidance on piece placement positions will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing a first example of guidance on piece placement positions in an embodiment.

[0048] 4, all of the puzzle pieces 2a to 2l described in FIG. 3 have been removed, and only puzzle frame 2z is placed on the display unit of information processing device 1. Piece images 1a to 1l and a completed image are displayed on the display unit of information processing device 1. By displaying piece images 1a to 1l and a completed image on the display unit of information processing device 1, the user is guided as to where to place each of puzzle pieces 2a to 2l.

[0049] Next, a second example of guidance on piece placement positions will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing a second example of guidance on piece placement positions in an embodiment.

[0050] 5, among piece images 1a to 1l displayed on the display unit of the information processing device 1, only the display mode of piece image 1a is changed. Changing the display mode of piece image 1a means, for example, changing the display color of piece image 1a or blinking the display. By changing the display mode of piece image 1a, it becomes easier for the user to grasp the placement position of puzzle piece 2a corresponding to piece image 1a.

[0051] 5 shows the display mode of piece image 1a that guides the placement position of puzzle piece 2a in FIG. 3, but the same display mode can be used to guide the placement positions of other puzzle pieces. The placement position guidance may be changed for each puzzle piece. The placement position guidance may also be changed over time (for example, changing the display mode of the puzzle image from lit to flashing after a predetermined time has passed).

[0052] Next, the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device in the embodiment.

[0053] The information processing device 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 102, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 103, an I / O device 104, and a communication I / F (Interface) 105.

[0054] The CPU 101 controls the information processing device 1 by executing an information processing program stored in the RAM 102 or the ROM 103. The information processing program is obtained, for example, from a recording medium on which the program is recorded or a program distribution server via a network, and installed in the ROM 103, and is read out and executed by the CPU 101.

[0055] The I / O device 104 has an operation input function and a display function (operation display function). The I / O device 104 is, for example, a touch panel. The touch panel enables the user of the information processing device 1 to input operations using a fingertip, a touch pen, or the like. In this embodiment, the I / O device 104 is described as using a touch panel with an operation display function, but the I / O device 104 may also have a display device with a display function and an operation input device with an operation input function, separately. In this case, the display screen of the touch panel can be implemented as the display screen of the display device, and operation of the touch panel can be implemented as operation of the operation input device. The I / O device 104 may also be implemented in various forms, such as a head-mounted, eyeglass-type, or wristwatch-type display.

[0056] The communication I / F 105 is an I / F for communication. The communication I / F 105 executes short-distance wireless communication such as wireless LAN, wired LAN, infrared, etc. Although the figure shows only the communication I / F 105 as the communication I / F, the information processing device 1 may have communication I / Fs for each of a plurality of communication methods.

[0057] Next, the operation of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 1 in the embodiment. Note that, although the process in the flowchart described below is performed by the information processing device 1, each process is actually performed by each functional unit of the information processing device 1 described above.

[0058] 7, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not a difficulty level has been set (step S11). If it is determined that a difficulty level has not been set (step S11: NO), the information processing device 1 repeats the process of step S11 and waits for a difficulty level to be set. Note that if a difficulty level has already been set as a default, or if the difficulty level set in a previously played puzzle game is to be used as is, the determination of step S11 may be skipped.

[0059] On the other hand, if it is determined that the difficulty level has been set (step S11: YES), the information processing device 1 displays a piece image (step S12). After executing the process of step S12, the information processing device 1 determines whether or not the piece has been identified (step S13). If it is determined that the piece has not been identified (step S13: NO), the information processing device 1 repeats the process of step S13 and waits for the piece to be identified.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined that the piece has been identified (step S13: YES), the information processing device 1 guides the user to the placement position (step S14). After executing the process of step S14, the information processing device 1 determines whether the placement position of the piece has been detected (step S15). If it is determined that the placement position has not been detected (step S15: NO), the information processing device 1 repeats the process of step S15 and waits for the placement position to be detected.

[0061] On the other hand, if it is determined that the placement position has been detected (step S15: YES), the information processing device 1 updates the progress status (step S16). Updating the progress status means updating the progress status of the puzzle game to the latest status, for example, updating the status of pieces that have already been placed, or updating the time until a piece is placed. After executing the process of step S16, the information processing device 1 performs an effect according to the progress status (step S17). An effect according to the progress status is, for example, an effect according to the number of pieces placed, or an effect when the puzzle is completed. After executing the process of step S17, the information processing device 1 determines whether the puzzle has been completed (step S18). If it is determined that the puzzle has not been completed (step S18: NO), the information processing device 1 repeats the processes of steps S13 to S18 and waits for the puzzle to be completed.

[0062] On the other hand, if it is determined that the puzzle has been completed (step S18: YES), the information processing device 1 ends the operation shown in the flowchart.

[0063] Note that the operations shown in the above flowcharts are merely examples of the operations of the information processing device 1, and do not limit the order of processing. For example, specific processing may be performed in an order or at a timing different from the processing order in the flowcharts.

[0064] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and various modifications are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1. Information processing equipment 2 Puzzles 3. Transparent film 4 Information storage DB 9 Network 11-piece image display 12-piece identification section 13 Placement position guide 14 Placement position detection unit 15 Progress Management Department 16 Production Department 17 Difficulty Settings 101 CPU 102 RAM 103 ROM 104 Touch Panel 105 Communication I / F

Claims

1. An information processing device that supports a puzzle game in which each piece constituting a puzzle is placed on a display screen of a display device in order to complete the puzzle on the display screen, a piece image display unit that displays a piece image having the same shape and size as the piece on the display screen; a piece identifying unit that individually identifies each of the pieces; a placement position guide unit that guides the placement position on the display screen of the piece identified by the piece identification unit; An information processing device comprising:

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the placement position guidance unit guides the user to the placement position based on the position on the display screen of the piece image displayed on the piece image display unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the placement position guidance unit guides the user to the position on the display screen by displaying an image of a completed puzzle on the display screen.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the placement position guidance unit guides the user to the position on the display screen by changing a display mode of the piece image displayed on the piece image display unit.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the placement position guide unit guides the user to the placement position on the display screen by displaying an area including the placement position.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising a progress management unit that manages a progress status toward completion of a puzzle based on pieces placed on the display screen.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6 , further comprising a performance unit that performs performance according to the progress status managed by the progress management unit.

8. a placement position detection unit that detects the placement position of the piece on the display screen; The information processing device according to claim 7 , wherein the performance unit notifies that the piece has been placed in a correct position on the display screen based on the position detected by the position detection unit.

9. a difficulty setting unit for setting the difficulty level of the puzzle game; The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the placement position guidance unit changes a method of providing guidance about the placement position based on the difficulty level set by the difficulty level setting unit.

10. 1. An information processing method for supporting a puzzle game in which pieces constituting a puzzle are placed on a display screen of a display device in order to complete the puzzle on the display screen, comprising: a piece image display step of displaying a piece image having the same shape and size as the piece on the display screen; a piece identifying step of individually identifying each of the pieces; a placement position guidance step of guiding a placement position on the display screen of the piece identified in the piece identification step; An information processing method, including:

11. An information processing program for supporting a puzzle game in which each piece constituting a puzzle is placed on a display screen of a display device in order to complete the puzzle on the display screen, a piece image display process for displaying a piece image having the same shape and size as the piece on the display screen; a piece identification process for individually identifying each of the pieces; a placement position guidance process for guiding a placement position on the display screen of the piece identified in the piece identification process; An information processing program that enables a computer to achieve the above.

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