I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US009636583B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Atobe
`
`(IO) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`*May 2, 2017
`
`(54) STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME
`PROGRAM, GAME PROCESSING METHOD,
`AND INFORMATION PROCESSING
`APPARATUS
`
`(71) Applicant: GREE, Inc., Tokyo (JP)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventor: Hirohiko Atobe, Tokyo (JP)
`
`(73) Assignee: GREE, Inc. (JP)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis(cid:173)
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/253,964
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 1, 2016
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2016/0367897 Al
`
`Dec. 22, 2016
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/291,358, filed on
`May 30, 2014, now Pat. No. 9,457,273.
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`May 31, 2013
`Dec. 26, 2013
`Mar. 5, 2014
`
`(JP) ................................. 2013-116039
`(JP) ................................. 2013-268385
`(JP) ................................. 2014-042491
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/08
`A63F 13/52
`
`(2006.01)
`(2014.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC .............. A63F 13/52 (2014.09); A63F 13/21
`(2014.09); A63F 13/25 (2014.09); A63F 13/35
`(2014.09);
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC .. .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 463/30, 31, 34
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2006/0281545 Al
`2007/0032282 Al*
`
`12/2006 Nakano et al.
`2/2007 Hamamoto ............. A63F 13/10
`463/9
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`2006-341024 A
`2007-252696 A
`2013-054519 A
`
`12/2006
`10/2007
`3/2013
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Japanese Office Action dated Nov. 29, 2016, of corresponding
`Japanese Application No. 2016-190205, along with an English
`translation.
`
`Primary Examiner - Pierre E Elisca
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm - DLA Piper LLP (US)
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A game in which a first user and a second user do battle
`includes storing a first panel database that includes a plu(cid:173)
`rality of panels that the first user possesses, and a second
`panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the
`second user possesses; selecting one or more panels to be
`disposed in one or more divisions of a game display screen
`including a display region formed by the divisions, from the
`first panel database and the second panel database; disposing
`the panels selected by the panel section function in the
`divisions; and displaying the game display screen on a
`screen display unit, wherein the data storage function further
`stores points set for the first user, which are decreased by
`disposing a panel, and the panel selection function selects a
`panel from the first panel database according to the points set
`for the first user.
`
`(Continued)
`
`15 Claims, 12 Drawing Sheets
`
`100
`~
`
`STEP110
`
`SELECT PANELS TO BE DISPOSED
`IN FRAMES OF GAME DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`STEP120
`
`DISPOSE SELECTED PANELS IN FRAMES
`
`STEP130
`
`DISPLAY GAME DISPLAY SCREEN
`ON SCREEN DISPLAY UNIT
`
`STEP140
`
`EMPHASIZE AND DISPLAY DISPOSED
`PANELS BASED ON PANEL INFORMATION
`
`STEP150
`
`1
`
`SUPERCELL OY
`EX. 1001
`
`

`

`US 9,636,583 B2
`Page 2
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`A63F 13/822
`A63F 13/21
`A63F 13/25
`A63F 13/35
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ...... A63F 13/822 (2014.09); A63F 2300/308
`(2013.01); A63F 2300/65 (2013.01)
`
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`(2014.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2014/0221094 Al*
`
`2014/0248947 Al *
`
`2013/0288787 Al * 10/2013 Yoshie .................. A63F 13/847
`463/30
`8/2014 Fujioka ............... A63F 13/2145
`463/31
`9/2014 Yoshie .................. A63F 13/847
`463/30
`2014/0295937 Al* 10/2014 Takahashi ............... G07F 17/34
`463/20
`2/2015 Tagawa ................... A63F 13/33
`463/42
`
`2015/0057085 Al*
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 1 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`START
`
`100
`,J
`
`STORE PANEL DATABASE
`
`STEP110
`
`SELECT PANELS TO BE DISPOSED
`IN FRAMES OF GAME DISPLAY SCREEN
`
`STEP120
`
`DISPOSE SELECTED PANELS IN FRAMES
`
`STEP130
`
`DISPLAY GAME DISPLAY SCREEN
`ON SCREEN DISPLAY UNIT
`
`STEP140
`
`EMPHASIZE AND DISPLAY DISPOSED
`PANELS BASED ON PANEL INFORMATION
`
`STEP150
`
`END
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 2 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`
`200
`~
`
`210
`
`DATA STORAGE UNIT
`
`CONTROL UNIT
`222
`223
`
`211
`
`212
`
`FIRST PANEL
`DATABASE
`
`PANEL
`SELECTION
`SECTION
`
`PANEL
`LAYOUT
`SECTION
`
`SECOND PANEL
`DATABASE
`
`EMPHASIZED
`DISPLAY
`SECTION
`
`220
`
`221
`
`SCREEN
`DISPLAY
`CONTROL
`SECTION
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 3 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. 3
`
`(
`320l
`
`• PLAYER
`
`·ENEMY
`
`310-
`
`-----------------------~---------------------' -
`
`BEG
`
`40
`
`5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 4 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG.4
`
`y-"300
`
`• PLA.YER
`
`·ENEMY
`
`320
`{
`
`310
`
`0
`
`6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 5 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. SA
`
`FIG.SB
`
`7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 6 of 12
`Sheet 6 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`FIG. 6
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`10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 7 of 12
`Sheet 7 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG.7
`FIG. 7
`
`9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 8 of 12
`Sheet 8 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`
`
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`m.OE
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`10
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 9 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
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`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 10 of 12
`Sheet 10 0f 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`0
`
`
`
`12
`
`12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 11 of 12
`Sheet 11 0f 12
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`US 9,636,583 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`May 2, 2017
`
`Sheet 12 of 12
`
`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`FIG. 12
`
`• PLAYER
`
`• ENEMY
`
`THIRD
`TURN
`
`FOURTH
`TURN
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`1
`STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME
`PROGRAM, GAME PROCESSING METHOD,
`AND INFORMATION PROCESSING
`APPARATUS
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser.
`No. 14/291,358 that claims the benefit of JP 2013-116039,
`filed on May 31, 2013, JP 2013-268385, filed on Dec. 26,
`2013, and JP 2014-42491, filed on Mar. 5, 2014. The entire
`content of JP 2013-116039, JP 2013-268385 and JP 2004-
`42491 is hereby incorporated by reference.
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This disclosure relates to a storage medium storing a
`game program, a game processing method, and an informa(cid:173)
`tion processing apparatus and, in particular, to a storage 20
`medium storing a game program and a game processing
`method of a game in which a plurality of characters battle
`against each other, and an information processing apparatus
`that controls the game.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`2
`The predetermined order may be determined based on
`arrangement, shapes, and/or sizes of the panels.
`My storage medium stores a game program that is for a
`game in which first and second characters do battle. The
`5 game program causes a computer to realize: a data storage
`function of storing a first panel database that includes a
`plurality of panels that the first character possesses, and a
`second panel database that includes a plurality of panels that
`the second character possesses; a panel selection function of
`10 selecting panels to be disposed in frames of a game display
`screen including a display region formed by one or more
`frames, from the first and second panel databases; a panel
`layout function of placing the panels selected by the panel
`selection function in the frames; a screen display control
`15 function of displaying the game display screen on a screen
`display unit; and a frame execution function of executing the
`frames in which the panels are disposed by the panel layout
`function, based on panel information indicating character-
`istics of the panels disposed in the frames.
`The first character may be a user, the second character
`may be an enemy of the user, and the user and the enemy
`may play as a friend and a foe.
`The first character may be a user, the second character
`may be a friend of the user, and the user and the friend may
`25 play as friends.
`The plurality of panels may be given according to prog(cid:173)
`ress of the game.
`The storage medium storing a game program described
`above may cause a computer to further realize an empha-
`30 sized display function of emphasizing and displaying the
`panels disposed in the frames executed by the frame execu(cid:173)
`tion function.
`The panel information may include information regarding
`the size of each panel.
`The panel information may include information regarding
`the capability of each panel, and the strength of the capa(cid:173)
`bility may correspond to the size of each panel.
`The display region may be divided by a plurality of turns.
`Each of the panels may display a still image.
`Each of the frames may further have a text display portion
`that displays texts, and the text display portion may be
`displayed to overlap the panel disposed in the frame.
`Each of the frames may have a frame portion, and a frame
`portion of a frame, in which a panel selected from the first
`45 panel database is disposed, and a frame portion of a frame,
`in which a panel selected from the second panel database is
`disposed, may be constructed in different colors.
`My game processing method is for a game in which first
`and second characters do battle. The game processing
`50 method causes a computer to execute: a data storage step of
`storing a first panel database that includes a plurality of
`panels that the first character possesses, and a second panel
`database that includes a plurality of panels that the second
`character possesses; a panel selection step of selecting
`55 panels to be disposed in frames of a game display screen
`including a display region formed by one or more frames,
`from the first and second panel databases; a panel layout step
`of placing the panels selected in the panel selection step in
`the frames; a screen display control step of displaying the
`60 game display screen on a screen display unit; and a frame
`execution step of executing the frames, in which the panels
`are disposed in the panel layout step, in predetermined order.
`My game processing method is for a game in which first
`and second characters do battle. The game processing
`65 method causes a computer to execute: a data storage step of
`storing a first panel database that includes a plurality of
`panels that the first character possesses, and a second panel
`
`In recent years, with the spread of electronic apparatuses
`such as smart phones and tablets, games played on these
`electronic apparatuses have been actively developed.
`As an example of such a game, there is a card game in
`which the user plays against other users or against the
`computer using cards collected in the game.
`Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No.
`2007-252696 discloses a technique regarding the card game 35
`described above. According to that technique, the user
`configures a deck with cards used in a play which is selected
`from a plurality of cards that the user owns, and plays a
`rock-paper-scissors game or the like with an opponent using
`the deck.
`Such a card game system is familiar to many users today.
`However, since the use of a two-dimensional card in the
`battle scene is sometimes boring, there have been calls for
`improvement.
`
`40
`
`SUMMARY
`
`It could therefore be helpful to provide a storage medium
`storing a game program and a game processing method of a
`game that gives a user a high visual effect, and an informa(cid:173)
`tion processing apparatus that controls the game.
`My storage medium stores a game program for a game in
`which first and second characters do battle. The game
`program causes a computer to realize: a data storage func(cid:173)
`tion of storing a first panel database that includes a plurality
`of panels that the first character possesses, and a second
`panel database that includes a plurality of panels that the
`second character possesses; a panel selection function of
`selecting panels to be disposed in frames of a game display
`screen including a display region formed by one or more
`frames, from the first and second panel databases; a panel
`layout function of placing the panels selected by the panel
`selection function in the frames; a screen display control
`function of displaying the game display screen on a screen
`display unit; and a frame execution function of executing the
`frames in which the panels are disposed by the panel layout
`function in predetermined order.
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`3
`database that includes a plurality of panels that the second
`character possesses; a panel selection step of selecting
`panels to be disposed in frames of a game display screen
`including a display region formed by one or more frames,
`from the first and second panel databases; a panel layout step 5
`of placing the panels selected in the panel selection step in
`the frames; a screen display control step of displaying the
`game display screen on a screen display unit; and a frame
`execution step of executing the frames in which the panels
`are disposed in the panel layout step, based on panel 10
`information indicating characteristics of the panels disposed
`in the frames.
`My information processing apparatus is an information
`processing apparatus that controls a game in which first and 15
`second characters do battle. The information processing
`apparatus includes: a data storage unit that stores a first panel
`database that includes a plurality of panels that the first
`character possesses, and a second panel database that
`includes a plurality of panels that the second character 20
`possesses; and a control unit. The control unit includes: a
`screen display control section that displays a game display
`screen that includes a display region formed by one or more
`frames on a screen display unit; a panel selection section that
`selects panels to be disposed in the frames of the display 25
`region, from the first and second panel databases; a panel
`layout section that places the panels selected by the panel
`selection section in the frames; and a frame execution
`section that executes the frames, in which the panels are
`disposed by the panel layout section, in predetermined order. 30
`My information processing apparatus controls a game in
`which first and second characters do battle. The information
`processing apparatus includes: a data storage unit that stores
`a first panel database that includes a plurality of panels that
`the first character possesses, and a second panel database
`that includes a plurality of panels that the second character
`possesses; and a control unit. The control unit includes: a
`screen display control section that displays a game display
`screen that includes a display region formed by one or more
`frames on a screen display unit; a panel selection section that
`selects panels to be disposed in the frames of the display
`region, from the first and second panel databases; a panel
`layout section that places the panels selected by the panel
`selection section in the frames; and a frame execution
`section that executes the frames in which the panels are 45
`disposed by the panel layout section, based on panel infor(cid:173)
`mation indicating characteristics of the panels disposed in
`the frames.
`According to the storage medium, the game processing
`method, and the information processing apparatus, it is
`possible to provide a game that gives a user a high visual
`effect.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 1s a flowchart showing an example of a game
`program.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of an
`information processing apparatus.
`FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a
`game display screen.
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the
`game display screen.
`FIGS. SA and SB are schematic diagrams showing
`examples of a panel.
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the
`panel.
`
`4
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of
`the game.
`FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of
`the game.
`FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of
`the game.
`FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of
`the game.
`FIGS. llA and llB are schematic diagrams explaining
`examples of the game.
`FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram explaining an example of
`the game.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`A game program according to examples will be described
`with reference to the accompanying diagrams.
`The game program is for a game in which the first and
`second characters battle against each other, and causes a
`computer to realize a data storage function, a panel selection
`function, a panel layout function, a screen display control
`function, and an emphasized display function.
`FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of a game
`program 100.
`Using the data storage function, a first panel database
`including a plurality of panels that the first character pos(cid:173)
`sesses and a second panel database including a plurality of
`panels that the second character possesses are stored (STEP
`110). This function can be realized by a data storage unit to
`be described later.
`Using the panel selection function, panels to be disposed
`in frames of the game display screen including a battle
`display region formed by one or more frames are selected
`from the first panel database including a plurality of panels
`35 that the first character possesses and the second panel
`database including a plurality of panels that the second
`character possesses (STEP 120). This function can be real(cid:173)
`ized by a panel selection section to be described later.
`Using the panel layout function, the panels selected by the
`40 panel selection function are disposed in the frames (STEP
`130). This function can be realized by a panel layout section
`to be described later.
`Using the screen display control function, the game
`display screen is displayed on a screen display unit (STEP
`140). The screen display unit receives a signal output from
`a screen display control section of an information processing
`apparatus, which will be described later. For example, a
`display device provided in a user terminal can be used. In
`addition, it is possible to use a touch panel type display that
`50 also serves as an input unit to be described later. This
`function can be realized by the screen display control section
`to be described later.
`Using the emphasized display function, the panel dis(cid:173)
`posed by the panel layout function is emphasized and
`55 displayed on the screen display unit based on the panel
`information indicating the characteristics of the panel (STEP
`150). "Emphasized display" refers to displaying a specific
`panel of the panels disposed in the frames noticeably com(cid:173)
`pared with the other panels. As examples of emphasized
`60 display, it is possible to display a movie or display a frame
`to surround the panel. This function can be realized by an
`emphasized display section to be described later.
`The game program can be executed in a server apparatus
`or a user terminal to perform each process of the game
`65 described above. In addition, the game program can be
`provided in a state where the game program is recorded on
`a computer-readable recording medium. Recording media is
`
`16
`
`

`

`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`5
`not particularly limited as long as the recording media can
`be read by the computer such as a CD-ROM and a DVD.
`Next, a game processing method according to an example
`will be described.
`The game processing method is for a game in which the
`first and second characters battle against each other, and
`includes a data storage step, a panel selection step, a panel
`layout step, a screen display control step, and an emphasized
`display step.
`In the data storage step, a first panel database including a
`plurality of panels that the first character possesses and a
`second panel database including a plurality of panels that the
`second character possesses are stored. This step can be
`processed by the data storage unit to be described later.
`In the panel selection step, panels to be disposed in frames
`of the game display screen including a battle display region
`formed by one or more frames are selected from the first and
`second panel databases. This step can be processed by the
`panel selection section to be described later.
`In the panel layout step, the panels selected in the panel
`selection step are disposed in the frames. This step can be
`processed by the panel layout section to be described later.
`In the screen display control step, the game display screen
`is displayed on the screen display unit. This step can be
`processed by the screen display control section to be
`described later.
`In the emphasized display step, the panel disposed in the
`panel layout step is emphasized and displayed on the screen
`display unit based on the panel information indicating the
`characteristics of the panel. This step can be processed by
`the emphasized display section to be described later.
`Next, an information processing apparatus according to
`an example will be described with reference to the accom(cid:173)
`panying diagrams.
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an
`example of the information processing apparatus.
`An information processing apparatus 200 controls a game
`in which the first and second characters battle against each
`other, and includes a data storage unit 210 and a control unit
`220.
`The data storage unit 210 stores a first panel database 211
`that includes a plurality of panels that the first character
`possesses, and a second panel database 212 that includes a
`plurality of panels that the second character possesses.
`The control unit 220 includes: a screen display control
`section 221 that displays a game display screen that includes
`a battle display region formed by one or more frames on the
`screen display unit; a panel selection section 222 that selects
`panels to be disposed in the frames of the battle display
`region, from the first panel databases 211 and second panel
`databases 212; a panel layout section 223 that disposes the
`panels selected by the panel selection section 222 in the
`frames; and an emphasized display section 224 that empha(cid:173)
`sizes and displays the panels disposed by the panel layout
`section 223 on the screen display unit based on the panel
`information indicating the characteristics of the panels. As
`the screen display unit, a display device and the like can be
`mentioned. In addition, it is possible to use a touch panel
`type display that also serves as an input unit to be described
`later.
`A first panel group configured to include a plurality of
`panels that the first character possesses is stored in the first
`panel database 211.
`A second panel group configured to include a plurality of
`panels that the second character possesses is stored in the
`second panel database 212.
`
`5
`
`6
`Although not shown in the diagram, the information
`processing apparatus 200 can include an input receiving unit
`that receives an input to give an instruction to the control
`unit 220. As means for the input received by the input
`receiving unit, everything that the information processing
`apparatus operated by the user may have such as buttons, a
`keyboard or a mouse, is included. In addition, as described
`above, it is also possible to use a touch panel type input.
`While the information processing apparatus 200 can be a
`10 server apparatus or a user terminal such as a mobile phone
`or a smart phone, the information processing apparatus 200
`can also be configured to include a user terminal and a server
`apparatus.
`FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing an example of
`15 a game display screen 300 displayed on the screen display
`unit. As shown in FIG. 3, the game display screen 300 is a
`game display screen of a game in which the first and second
`characters battle against each other. The game display screen
`300 includes a battle display region 310 formed by one or
`20 more frames (in FIG. 3, frames A to G).
`As shown in FIG. 3, a character (PLAYER) that the user
`uses can be set as the first character, and a character
`(ENEMY) that the computer uses can be set as the second
`character. Alternatively, although not shown in the diagram,
`25 the character (PLAYER) that the user uses can be set as the
`first character, and a character (FRIEND) that another user
`uses can be set as the second character.
`Panels selected from the first panel group configured to
`include a plurality of panels that the first character possesses
`30 and the second panel group configured to include a plurality
`of panels that the second character possesses are disposed in
`the frames A to G. In the example shown in FIG. 3, panels
`selected from the first panel group are disposed in the frames
`A, B, D, and F, and panels selected from the second panel
`35 group are disposed in the frames C, E, and G.
`The emphasized display section 224 can execute the
`frames in predetermined order, and emphasize and display
`the panels disposed in the executed frames. The battle
`proceeds by executing the frames A to G in order of the
`40 frames A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.
`That is, according to the game display screen 300 accord(cid:173)
`ing to the example, the battle between the first and second
`characters proceeds in a format like a cartoon. Therefore,
`since the user can play the game with a sense of reading a
`45 cartoon, the visual effect that the user receives is greatly
`improved compared to known games.
`In the game display screen 300, the battle can be per(cid:173)
`formed based on the panel information regarding the panel
`that is emphasized and displayed by the emphasized display
`50 section 224. In this case, the panel information is assumed
`to include information regarding the size of the panel.
`In addition, each panel described above can have an
`arbitrary size. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the game
`display screen 300 includes the battle display region 310
`55 formed by frames H to 0. In the battle display region 310
`divided into cells of "4 colunmsx4 rows," each of panels
`disposed in the frames H and N has a size corresponding to
`four cells. Similarly, each of panels disposed in the frames
`J and O has a size corresponding to two cells, and each of
`60 panels disposed in the frames I, K, L, and M has a size
`corresponding to one cell.
`Specifically, assuming that each row indicates a turn of a
`battle, the occupancy of action in each turn in horizontally
`long frames such as the frames H, N, and 0, is high
`65 compared to that in horizontally short frames such as the
`frames I, J, K, L, and M. Accordingly, for example, in the
`first turn, only the action of the first player is performed.
`
`17
`
`

`

`US 9,636,583 B2
`
`20
`
`7
`In the vertically long frames such as the frames J and N,
`their actions are first performed in the previous tum. That is,
`for example, the frame J over the second and third turns is
`executed prior to the frame M disposed in the third turn.
`That is, a panel the size of which is larger and presents at 5
`a position where a tum number is earlier leads a battle
`advantageously.
`In addition, although the case where the battle proceeds
`from the upper left to the lower right is shown in the example
`described above, the battle may proceed from the upper right 10
`to the lower left.
`As described above, it is preferable that the battle display
`region 310 be divided by the tum indicating the unit of the
`progress of the battle.
`In addition, it is preferable that the shape of the panel be
`a rectangle. Panels can have various shapes such as a circle,
`a triangle, and a polygon, as well as the rectangle (including
`a square) such as a card in the related art.
`In addition, it is preferable that the panel information
`described above include information on the capability of the
`panel. The capability information refers to information
`including attack, defense (avoidance), attributes, recovery,
`and skills to disable or replace the frame, for example. The
`effect of the capability is assumed to correspond to the size
`of the panel. Accordingly, the effect of the frames H and N 25
`with a large panel size is higher than that of the other frames.
`In addition, the panel can display a still image. As an
`example of the still image, as shown in FIGS. SA and SB, the
`action described above can be assumed to be expressed by
`way of illustration. FIG. SA shows a still image of a panel
`with information of attack, and the illustration of the char(cid:173)
`acter to make a punch attack is drawn. Similarly, FIG. SB
`shows a still image of a panel with information of defense,
`and the illustration of the character to avoid the attack of the
`enemy is drawn.
`Preferably, these panels display a movie when the panels
`are emphasized and displayed. The movie is an animation
`that displays a plurality of still images consecutively.
`FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the panel of
`the frame F shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 6, it is
`preferable that the frame described above further have a text 40
`display portion 10 to display texts. Preferably, the text
`display portion 10 is displayed to overlap the panel disposed
`in the frame.
`In addition to the panel described above, the frame
`preferably has a sound effect display portion 20 to display
`the texts showing the sound effect and/or an effect display
`portion 30 to display the effect. These portions can be
`displayed with a movie when the frame is emphasized and
`displayed. Due to these portions, the visual effect given to
`the user is further improved. In addition, the information
`processing apparatus operated by the user may be vibrated
`in conjunction with the sound effect display portion 20 or the
`like.
`It is preferable that the panel, which is emphasized and
`displayed, be disposed in the middle of the game display
`screen 300. That is, the panel that is emphasized and
`displayed is displayed to zoom in. Accordingly, the visual
`effect given to the user is further improved.
`In addition, it is preferable that the frame have a frame
`portion. In this frame portion, it is preferable that a frame
`portion of a frame in which the panel selected from the first 60
`panel group is disposed, and a frame portion of a frame in
`which the panel selected from the second panel group is
`disposed, be constructed in different colors. In this case, the
`panel of the first character and the panel of the second
`character can be visually easily distinguished.
`In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, when the battle does not
`fit in the battle display region 310, it is preferable to provide
`
`8
`a page turn portion 40 to proceed to the next page in a part
`of the frame executed at the end.
`Preferably, the panels described above are automatically
`disposed in the frames by a computer. In this case, it is
`possible to save the time and effort taken for the user to
`dispose the panels. The battle result is preferably determined
`based on the panel information at a stage where the panels
`are disposed. In addition, it is also possible to change the
`battle result by changing the panel, which is displayed on the
`next page, by the operation (action for recovery or the like)
`of the user during the battle.
`In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the game display
`screen 300 can include a gauge display portion 320 to
`display the gauge of the character. This gauge shows hit
`15 points (hereinafter, described as HP) indicating the strength
`of the character or character points (hereinafter, described as
`CP) indicating the action force of the character. The HP is
`decreased by receiving the action of the attack of the
`opponent, and is increased by taking action for recovery. On
`the other hand, the CP is decreased by placing a large panel.
`In FIG. 4, an example is shown in which all sizes of the
`panel objects can be expressed as an integral multiple of the
`cell. However, this disclosure is not limited to this.
`Next,