Processing operation signals from a pointing device and/or an input device

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an information processing program to be executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus that can use operation signals output respectively from a pointing device and an input device different from the pointing device and performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the operation signals, the information processing program, when executed, causing the computer to perform:

• acquiring a first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• acquiring a second operation signal output from the input device;
• while in a state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, calculating, based on the first operation signal output from the pointing device, a position indicated on a predetermined plane;
• while in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, determining whether or not the indicated position has moved from out of a predetermined area on the plane and into the predetermined area;
• when a result of the determination is positive in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, switching the operation signals used for the information processing from the second operation signal to the first operation signal;
• performing the information processing based on the indicated position, when the operation signals used for the information processing is switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal;
• displaying on a display device an image representing a result of the performed information processing;
• and
• performing, as the information processing, a process of selecting, from among a plurality of options displayed on the display device, an option corresponding to the indicated position or the second operation signal, wherein
• a setting is made such that a first form mark is provided to an option selected from among the plurality of options when the second operation signal is used for the information processing,
• when the indicated position overlaps any of the plurality of options displayed on the display device when the first operation signal is used for the information processing, making a setting such that the first form mark is provided to the overlapping option;
• and, when the indicated position overlaps none of the plurality of options displayed on the display device, making a setting such that a mark provided to an option that has been selected until most recently is changed to a second form mark different from the first form mark, and
• displaying on the display device the image representing the result of the information processing such that the set mark is provided to the option in the image.

An information processing apparatus that can use operation signals output respectively from a pointing device and an input device different from the pointing device and performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the operation signals, the information processing apparatus comprising:

• a first operation signal acquisition device configured to acquire a first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• a second operation signal acquisition device configured to acquire a second operation signal output from the input device;
• and at least one processor configured to at least:
• perform the information processing using the second operation signal output from the input device;
• while in a state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, calculate, based on the first operation signal, a position indicated on a predetermined plane corresponding to displayed content;
• while in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, determine whether or not the indicated position has moved from a position on the predetermined plane that is outside of a predetermined area on the predetermined plane and to a position on the predetermined plane that is in the predetermined area on the predetermined plane;
• switch the operation signals used for the information processing from the second operation signal output from the input device to the first operation signal output from the pointing device, when a result of the determination is positive in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing;
• and
• perform the information processing based on the indicated position, when the operation signals used for the information processing has switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal.

An information processing system, including a plurality of apparatuses configured to communicate with each other, the information processing system being configured to use operation signals output respectively from a pointing device and an input device different from the pointing device and perform predetermined information processing in accordance with the operation signals, the information processing system comprising:

• a first operation signal acquisition device configured to acquire a first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• a second operation signal acquisition device configured to acquire a second operation signal output from the input device;
• and
• at least one processor configured to at least:
• perform the information processing using the second operation signal output from the input device;
• while in a state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, calculate, based on the first operation signal output from the pointing device, a position indicated on a predetermined plane corresponding to displayed content;
• while in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, determine whether or not the indicated position has moved from a position on the predetermined plane that is outside of a predetermined area on the predetermined plane and to a position on the predetermined plane that is in the predetermined area on the predetermined plane;
• when a result of the determination is positive in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, switch the operation signals used for the information processing from the second operation signal to the first operation signal;
• and
• perform the information processing based on the indicated position, when the operation signals used for the information processing has switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal.

An information processing method performed by a processor or by a cooperation of a plurality of processors, the processor or the plurality of processors included in an information processing system including at least one information processing apparatus capable of using operation signals output respectively from a pointing device and an input device different from the pointing device and capable of performing predetermined information processing in accordance with the operation signals, the information processing method comprising:

• acquiring a first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• acquiring a second operation signal output from the input device;
• performing the information processing using the second operation signal output from the input device;
• while in a state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, calculating, based on the first operation signal output from the pointing device, a position indicated on a predetermined plane corresponding to displayed content;
• while in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, determining whether or not the indicated position has moved from a position on the predetermined plane that is outside of a predetermined area on the predetermined plane and to a position on the predetermined plane that is in the predetermined area on the predetermined plane;
• when a result of the determination is positive in the state where the second operation signal is used for the information processing, switching the operation signals used for the information processing from the second operation signal output from the input device to the first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• and
• performing the information processing based on the indicated position, when the operation signals used for the information processing has been switched from the second operation signal to the first operation signal.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon an information processing program to be executed by a computer of an information processing apparatus that can use operation signals output respectively from a pointing device and an input device different from the pointing device and performs predetermined information processing in accordance with the operation signals, the information processing program, when executed, causing the computer to provide functionality comprising:

• first operation signal acquisition for acquiring a first operation signal output from the pointing device;
• second operation signal acquisition for acquiring a second operation signal output from the input device;
• operation mode setting for setting either one of a first operation mode where the first operation signal is used for the information processing, and a second operation mode where the second operation signal is used for the information processing;
• processing for:
• performing the information processing based on the indicated position when the first operation mode is set by the operation mode setting;
• and performing the information processing based on the second operation signal when the second operation mode is set by the operation mode setting;
• indicated position calculation for, when the second operation mode is set by the operation mode setting for the information processing to be performed based on the second operation signal, calculating, based on the first operation signal output from the pointing device, a position indicated on a predetermined plane corresponding to displayed content;
• indicated position determination for, when the second operation mode is set by the operation mode setting for the information processing to be performed based on the second operation signal, determining whether or not the indicated position has moved from a position on the predetermined plane that is outside of a predetermined area on the predetermined plane and to a position on the predetermined plane that is in the predetermined area on the predetermined plane;
• and
• operation mode switching for, when a result of the determination of the indicated position determination is positive in a state where the second operation mode is set by the operation mode setting, switching the settings made by the operation mode setting from the second operation mode to the first operation mode.