Information processing device, method for controlling information processing device, program, and information storage medium

1. An information processing device, which comprises a plurality of depression units corresponding to a plurality of basic directions and allows a user to give a directional instruction by pressing at least one of the plurality of depression units,

the information processing device further comprising:

direction obtaining means for obtaining a direction based on how the plurality of depression units are pressed; and

processing executing means for executing processing based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means,

wherein the direction obtaining means comprises:

means for obtaining pressing-force information, which is about pressing forces that are applied respectively to the plurality of depression units; and

means for obtaining, in a case where a first depression unit is pressed and a second depression unit is pressed, among the plurality of depression units, such that a time during which the first depression unit is kept pressed at least partially overlaps with a time during which the second depression unit is kept pressed, a direction between a first basic direction which corresponds to the first depression unit and a second basic direction which corresponds to the second depression unit, based on pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit, and

wherein the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed changes based on the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein, in the case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed, the direction obtaining means obtains a direction represented by a combined vector which is a result of combining a first basic direction vector and a second basic direction vector, the first basic direction vector representing the first basic direction and having a magnitude corresponding to the pressing force that is applied to the first depression unit, the second basic direction vector representing the second basic direction and having a magnitude corresponding to the pressing force that is applied to the second depression unit.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the processing executing means comprises means for moving a moving-operation target based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means, and

wherein the direction obtaining means comprises means for setting an upper limit or a lower limit to the magnitude of at least one of the first basic direction vector and the second basic direction vector based on a position of the moving-operation target.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 ,

wherein the processing executing means comprises means for moving a moving-operation target based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means,

wherein the direction obtaining means comprises:

means for obtaining a parameter of the moving-operation target, which is stored in parameter storing means;

means for setting the magnitude of the first basic direction vector so as to change in stages in accordance with the pressing force that is applied to the first depression unit;

means for setting the magnitude of the second basic direction vector so as to change in stages in accordance with the pressing force that is applied to the second depression unit; and

means for setting a number of magnitude stages of at least one of the first basic direction vector and the second basic direction vector based on the parameter, and

wherein the parameter comprises at least one of a parameter related to an ability or performance of the moving-operation target and a parameter that increases or decreases as the moving-operation target moves or as time elapses.

5. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the processing executing means comprises:

means for moving a moving-operation target;

means for setting a moving direction of the moving-operation target based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means; and

means for setting a speed at which the moving-operation target moves based on a magnitude of the combined vector.

6. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the direction obtaining means comprises:

means for determining an angle from the first basic direction or from the second basic direction based on the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit; and

means for obtaining the direction between the first basic direction and the second basic direction based on the determined angle.

7. The information processing device according to claim 6 ,

wherein the processing executing means comprises means for moving a moving-operation target based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means, and

wherein the direction obtaining means comprises means for setting an upper limit or a lower limit to the angle from the first basic direction or from the second basic direction based on a position of the moving-operation target.

8. The information processing device according to claim 6 ,

wherein the processing executing means comprises means for moving a moving-operation target based on the direction obtained by the direction obtaining means,

wherein the direction obtaining means comprises:

means for obtaining a parameter of the moving-operation target which is stored in parameter storing means;

means for determining the angle from the first basic direction or from the second basic direction so as to change in stages in accordance with the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit; and

means for setting a number of stages of the angle from the first basic direction or from the second basic direction based on the parameter, and

wherein the parameter comprises at least one of a parameter related to an ability or performance of the moving-operation target and a parameter that increases or decreases as the moving-operation target moves or as time elapses.

9. A method of controlling an information processing device which comprises a plurality of depression units corresponding to a plurality of basic directions and allows a user to give a directional instruction by pressing at least one of the plurality of depression units,

the method comprising:

a direction obtaining step of obtaining a direction based on how the plurality of depression units are pressed; and

a processing executing step of executing processing based on the direction obtained in the direction obtaining step,

wherein the direction obtaining step comprises the steps of:

obtaining pressing-force information, which is about pressing forces that are applied respectively to the plurality of depression units; and

obtaining, in a case where a first depression unit is pressed and a second depression unit is pressed, among the plurality of depression units, such that a time during which the first depression unit is kept pressed at least partially overlaps with a time during which the second depression unit is kept pressed, a direction between a first basic direction which corresponds to the first depression unit and a second basic direction which corresponds to the second depression unit, based on pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit, and

wherein the direction obtained in the direction obtaining step in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed changes based on the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium on which is recorded a program for causing a computer which comprises a plurality of depression units corresponding to a plurality of basic directions to function as an information processing device which allows a user to give a directional instruction by pressing at least one of the plurality of depression units,

the program further controlling a processor of the computer to:

obtain a direction based on how the plurality of depression units are pressed; and

execute processing based on the obtained direction,

wherein to obtain the direction, the program controls the processor to:

obtain pressing-force information, which is about pressing forces that are applied respectively to the plurality of depression units; and

obtain, in a case where a first depression unit is pressed and a second depression unit is pressed, among the plurality of depression units, such that a time during which the first depression unit is kept pressed at least partially overlaps with a time during which the second depression unit is kept pressed, a direction between a first basic direction which corresponds to the first depression unit and a second basic direction which corresponds to the second depression unit, based on pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit, and

wherein the obtained direction, in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed, changes based on the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit.

11. An information processing device, which comprises a plurality of depression units corresponding to a plurality of basic directions and allows a user to give a directional instruction by pressing at least one of the plurality of depression units, the information processing device comprising:

at least one microprocessor configured to obtain pressing-force information about pressing forces that are applied respectively to the plurality of depression units; obtain, in a case where a first depression unit is pressed and a second depression unit is pressed, among the plurality of depression units, such that a time during which the first depression unit is kept pressed at least partially overlaps with a time during which the second depression unit is kept pressed, a direction between a first basic direction which corresponds to the first depression unit and a second basic direction which corresponds to the second depression unit, based on the obtained pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit; and execute processing based on the obtained direction,

wherein the direction obtained in a case where the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed changes based on the pressing forces that are applied respectively to the first depression unit and the second depression unit.

12. The information processing device of claim 1 , wherein the first depression unit and the second depression unit are pressed at the same time.

13. The information processing device of claim 1 , wherein the first depression unit is pressed and subsequently the second depression unit is pressed.