Patent Publication Number: US-10764565-B2

Title: Computer-readable storage medium having stored therein display control program, display control apparatus, display control system, and display control method

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/372,148, filed Dec. 7, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/046,027, filed Mar. 11, 2011, which claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-293291, filed Dec. 28, 2010, Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-279994, filed Dec. 16, 2010, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2010-056513, filed Mar. 12, 2010, the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     Technical Field 
     The technology presented herein relates to a display control program, a display control apparatus, a display control system, and a display control method, for displaying a display object in two or more display areas and allowing a user to perform an operation on the display object. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     Conventionally, there have been display control programs having two or more display areas, which display a display object in one of the two or more display areas and an image for operation in the other of the two or more display areas so as to perform an operation on the image for the operation, thereby operating the display object. For example, a game apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-218779 (hereinafter, referred to as Patent Literature 1) displays on an upper screen an image in which part of a game space is obliquely viewed, and on a lower screen, an image in which the entirety of the game space is viewed from above. A player plays a game by performing an operation on the lower screen. 
     The game apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, however, displays on the upper screen a result of an operation performed on the lower screen and thus, may not be sufficient for giving the user a feeling of an experience as if the user is directly operating the object displayed on the upper screen. That is, in the apparatus disclosed in Patent Literature 1, the user performs an operation on the operation screen, which is the lower screen, while seeing the operation screen. As a result of the operation, a state in which the object moves is displayed on the upper screen. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object displayed on the upper screen. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, a feature of the present technology is to provide a display control program, a display control apparatus, a display control system, and a display control method which allow the user to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the display object. 
     In order to achieve the above feature, the present technology employs the following features. 
     An embodiment of the present technology is a display control program executed by a computer of a display control apparatus. The display control program causes the computer to function as: first display control means; second display control means; and control means. The first display control means displays in a first display area a first image in which a predetermined display object is viewed from a predetermined direction. The second display control means displays in a second display area, which is different from the first display area, a second image in which the predetermined display object is viewed from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction, while the predetermined display object is being displayed in the first display area. The control means controls the predetermined display object included in the first image and the second image, based on a designated position detected by designated position detection means for detecting designation of a position, the designation being performed by a user on the second display area. 
     Here, the “substantially the same direction” may be exactly the same direction, or directions different from each other by a predetermined angle. 
     According to the above configuration, images in which a predetermined display object is viewed from substantially the same direction are displayed in the first display area and the second display area. The user is able to operate the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area and the second display area by designating a position in the second display area. This allows the user to operate the predetermined display object in the second display area, while seeing the predetermined display object included in the first image displayed in the first display area. The user is able to change the shape of the predetermined display object, move the predetermined display object, or change an orientation of the predetermined display object, for example. This allows the user to obtain a feeling of an experience as if the user is directly operating the predetermined display object. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second image may be an image taken of substantially the same imaging region as that of the first image. Here, the “substantially the same imaging region” indicate images taken of substantially the same space region. One region may be larger than the other region (in the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction) by about 30%. 
     According to the above configuration, images taken, of substantially the same imaging region, from substantially the same direction are displayed in the first display area and the second display area. This allows the user to associate the display object displayed in the second display area with the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area, and obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the predetermined display object while seeing the predetermined display object included in the first image. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second image may have substantially the same size as the first image. Here, the “images having substantially the same size” may be images as such one image is enlarged (in the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction) relative to the other image by about 30%. 
     According to the above configuration, images having substantially the same size are displayed in the first display area and the second display area. This allows the user to easily operate the predetermined display object in the second display area, while seeing the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the predetermined display object included in the second image may have substantially the same size as the predetermined display object included in the first image. Here, the “substantially the same size” may be sizes as such the predetermined display object included in one image is larger than the predetermined display object included in the other image (in the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction) by about 30%. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object having substantially the same size is displayed in the first display area and the second display area. This allows the user to easily operate the predetermined display object in the second display area, while seeing the display object displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second image is an image in which the predetermined display object is viewed from substantially the same position as that from which the first image is taken. 
     According to the above configuration, images which are taken from substantially the same position and substantially the same direction are displayed in the first display area and the second display area. According to this, for example, if the predetermined display object is displayed on the right side of the first display area, the predetermined display object is displayed on the right side of the second display area as well. Therefore, the user is able to easily associate the display object displayed in the second display area with the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area, and obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the predetermined display object while seeing the predetermined display object included in the first image. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second image may be an image in which the predetermined display object is displayed in a simplified manner as compared to the first image. Here, “display in the simplified manner” indicates displaying the predetermined display object included in the second image in a simplified manner, as compared to the predetermined display object included in the first image, by displaying the predetermined display object in fewer colors, displaying only the contour of the predetermined display object, or filling the predetermined display object with a predetermined pattern of a line or a dot. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object can be displayed in the second display area in a simplified manner. This allows the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area to be brought to the attention of the user. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first image may be an image in which the predetermined display object is displayed in multiple colors, and the second image may be an image in which the predetermined display object is displayed in fewer colors as compared to the first image. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object can be displayed in the second display area in fewer colors. This allows the predetermined display object displayed in the second display area to be less prominent than the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. Therefore, the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area can be brought to the attention of the user. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second image may be an image in which the predetermined display object is displayed in monochrome. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object can be displayed in monochrome in the second display area. This allows the presentation of the predetermined display object displayed in the second display area to be less prominent than the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. Therefore, the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area can be brought to the attention of the user. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the designated position detection means may be provided on the second display area, and detects a position of contact on the second display area as the designated position. 
     According to the above configuration, the user is able to designate a position in the second display area by contacting the second display area. For example, a touch panel may be employed as the designated position detection means. This allows the user to easily operate the predetermined display object by contacting the second display area, while seeing the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. That is, if the user contacts, by using a stick or a finger, the predetermined display object displayed in the second display area to perform an operation, the stick or the finger ends up hiding the predetermined display object displayed in the second display area. Therefore, it may be difficult for the user to perform an operation if the predetermined display object is displayed only in the second display area. However, since the predetermined display object is displayed in the first display area as well, the user is able to easily operate the predetermined display object in the second display area while seeing the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first display control means and the second display control means may display in the first display area and the second display area the first image and the second image, respectively, in which the predetermined display object present in a virtual space is taken by a virtual camera. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object present in the virtual space can be displayed in the first display area and the second display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first display control means may display as the first image an image in which a plurality of display objects present in a virtual space are viewed from the predetermined direction. In this case, the display control program further causes the computer to function as display object selection means for selecting at least one of the plurality of display objects, which satisfies a predetermined condition. Then, the second display control means displays, in the second display area, as the second image an image in which the display object selected by the display object selection means from among the plurality of display objects is displayed in a display mode different from that of the display object which is not selected by the display object selection means. 
     According to the above configuration, the display object selected from among the plurality of the display objects by the display object selection means can be displayed in the second display area in a display mode different from that of the display object which is not selected by the display object selection means. This allows, for example, a user-operable-object to be displayed in a color different from that of a user-inoperable-object. This allows the user to easily recognize the user-operable-object, for example. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first display control means may display as the first image an image in which a plurality of display objects present in a virtual space are viewed from the predetermined direction. Furthermore, the display control program may further cause the computer to function as display object selection means. The display object selection means selects at least one of the plurality of display objects, which satisfies a predetermined condition. Furthermore, the second display control means displays as the second image an image in which only the at least one of the plurality of display objects selected by the display object selection means is viewed from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction. The control means then controls at least one of the plurality of display objects selected by the display object selection means, which are included in the first image and the second image, based on the designated position detected in the second display area by the designated position detection means. 
     According to the above configuration, the plurality of display objects present in the virtual space can be displayed in the first display area and a display object, from among the plurality of display objects, which satisfies the predetermined condition, can be displayed in the second display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display object selection means may select only a user-operable display object from among the plurality of display objects present in the virtual space. 
     According to the above configuration, only a user-operable display object from among the plurality of display objects are displayed in the second display area. This allows the user to easily recognize the user-operable-object and easily perform an operation on the user-operable-object. 
     Further, in another embodiment, in a case where there is a plurality of display objects which are selected by the display object selection means, the second display control means displays the second image in the second display area so that the respective display modes of the selected plurality of display objects are different from one another. Here, the display mode of the display object indicates how to display the display objects in terms of the color, pattern, contour, filling pattern, or the like. 
     According to the above configuration, the plurality of display objects displayed in the second display area are displayed in different display modes from one another. For example, one display object can be displayed in gray while the other display object is displayed in blue. Furthermore, one display object can be, for example, filled with a predetermined line pattern and displayed while the other display object is filled with a pattern different from the predetermined line pattern. This allows the user to easily recognize display objects from one another and easily perform an operation on each display object. 
     Further, in another embodiment, in a case where there is a plurality of display objects which are selected by the display object selection means, the second display control means displays the second image in the second display area so that the respective display modes of adjacent two of the selected plurality of display objects are different from each other. 
     According to the above configuration, among the plurality of display objects displayed in the second display, adjacent two of the plurality of display objects are displayed in different display modes from each other. This allows the user to easily recognize the display objects from one another and easily perform an operation on each display object. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display control program may further cause the computer to function as cursor display means. The cursor display means displays a cursor indicative of a position designated by the user in the first display area at a position corresponding to the designated position detected in the second display area by the designated position detection means. 
     According to the above configuration, a cursor can be displayed in the first display area, corresponding to a position designated in the second display area by the user. This allows the user to verify the position where the user designated, and obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the cursor display means may display the cursor only in the first display area. 
     According to the above configuration, the cursor can be displayed only in the first display area, and thereby the first display area can be brought to the attention of the user. 
     Further, in another embodiment, depth values may be set in the second image. In this case, the display control program further causes the computer to function as position calculation means and cursor display means. The position calculation means calculates a position in the virtual space, based on the position designated in the second display area and a depth value of the second image at the designated position. The cursor display means displays a cursor at a position calculated by the position calculation means. 
     According to the above configuration, the position in the virtual space can be calculated based on the depth value set in the image, and the cursor can be displayed at the calculated position. This allows accurate and easy obtainment of a virtual space position corresponding to the designated position, thereby displaying the cursor. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second display area may be a display area having a display type different from that of the first display area. The display areas having different display types may be display areas having different resolutions from each other. One display area may be a display area configured to display a stereoscopic image (stereoscopically display an image) while the other display area is configured to display a planar image. 
     According to the above configuration, the predetermined display object can be displayed in display areas having different display types from each other. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first display area may be a display area configured to display a stereoscopically visible image. In this case, the first display control means displays, in the first display area, a stereoscopic image, which is stereoscopically visible, as the first image, by displaying in the first display area a right-eye image and a left-eye image taken, of the predetermined display object within the virtual space, from the predetermined direction by using a virtual stereo camera, so that the right-eye image and the left-eye image are viewed by the use&#39;s right eye and the left eye, respectively. Furthermore, the second display area is a display area configured to display a planar image. The second display control means displays, in the second display area, as the second image a planar image taken, of the predetermined display object, from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction, while the predetermined display object is being displayed in the first display area. 
     According to the above configuration, an image in which the predetermined display object is viewed by the virtual stereo camera from a predetermined direction can be displayed stereoscopically in the first display area, and an image in which the predetermined display object is viewed from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction can be displayed in a planar manner in the second display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, depth values may be set in the second image. In this case, the display control program further causes the computer to function as position calculation means and cursor display means. The position calculation means calculates a virtual space position, based on the position designated in the second display area and a depth value of the second image at the designated position. The cursor display means then arranges the cursor at the position calculated by the position calculation means, and displays the cursor by taking images of the cursor by the virtual stereo camera. 
     According to the above configuration, the virtual space position is calculated based on the depth value set in the image, and the cursor can be displayed stereoscopically at the calculated position. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display control program may further cause the computer to function as determination means and cursor display means. The determination means determines whether or not the designated position detected in the second display area by the designated position detection means is a position where the predetermined display object is displayed. The cursor display means stereoscopically displays a cursor in the first display area at a position corresponding to the designated position, in a case where the determination result by the determination means is affirmative, so that the cursor is along on a surface of the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. 
     According to the above configuration, when the user designates a predetermined display object in the second display area, the cursor can be displayed so as to be along on the surface of the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. This allows the user to obtain a feeling of an experience as if the user is touching the surface of the predetermined display object while seeing the predetermined display object stereoscopically displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, in a case where the determination result by the determination means is negative, the cursor display means displays the cursor in the first display area at a position corresponding to the designated position in a display mode different from that in the case where the determination result by the determination means is affirmative. 
     According to the above configuration, the user can easily verify, by the display mode of the cursor displayed in the first display area, whether or not the user has designated the predetermined object displayed in the second display area. For example, if the predetermined display object is not designated by the user, the cursor can be displayed in an arrow shape while, if the predetermined display object is designated by the user, the cursor can displayed in a shape of a hand. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the second display control means may display, in the second display area, as the second image an image taken, of the predetermined display object, by using a second virtual camera set between virtual cameras at the left and at the right which are components of the virtual stereo camera. 
     According to the above configuration, an image taken by a third virtual camera arranged between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right, which are the components of the virtual stereo camera, can be displayed in the second display area. This allows an image having substantially the same appearance as the stereoscopic image stereoscopically displayed in the first display area to be displayed in the second display area in the planar manner. 
     Further, another embodiment may be a display control program executed by a computer of a display control apparatus, and may cause the computer to function as: first display control means; second display control means; and control means. The first display control means displays a predetermined display object in a first display area. The second display control means displays in a second display area, which is different from the first display area, the predetermined display object in a display mode in a manner in which the display mode of the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area is simplified, while the predetermined display object is being displayed in the first display area. The control means controls the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area and the second display area, based on a designated position detected by position designation detection means for detecting designation of a position, the designation being performed by the user on the second display area. 
     According to the above configuration, while a predetermined display object is being displayed in the first display area, the predetermined display object can be displayed in the second display area in the simplified manner. The predetermined display object can be then controlled based on the position designated in the second display area. This allows the user to designate a position in the second display area, while bringing the user&#39;s attention to the predetermined display object displayed in the first display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display control program may be implemented in an embodiment of the display control apparatus which executes the display control program. Alternatively, a plurality of devices, which realize the above means, may interact with one another, thereby being configured as one display control system. The display control system may be configured of one display control apparatus or a plurality of devices. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the first display area and the second display area may be a single screen. 
     According to the present technology, a first image in which a predetermined display object is viewed from a predetermined direction can be displayed in a first display area, and a second image in which the predetermined display object is viewed from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction can be displayed in a second display area. The predetermined display object displayed in the first and second display areas can be controlled according to designation of a position in the second display area. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display control program may be executed by one or more processors. The one or more processors, executing the display control program, generate a two-dimensional image of a three-dimensional virtual space taken by a virtual camera. The virtual space includes an object. The one or more processors, executing the display control program, acquire a designated position on the generated two-dimensional image. The designated position is provided via an input device on the generated two-dimensional image. The one or more processors, executing the display control program, determine a position within the three-dimensional virtual space as viewed from the virtual camera which corresponds to the designated position and determines whether this position within the three-dimensional virtual space coincides with the object in the three-dimensional virtual space. The one or more processors, executing the display control program, produce a cursor at the position in the three-dimensional virtual space and display an image taken of the three-dimensional virtual space which includes the virtual designating object and the object arranged therein. When the position does not coincide with the object, the cursor is arranged in a predetermined orientation. 
     Further, in another embodiment, when position coincides with the object, the one or more processors, executing the display control program, determine, based on the position, an orientation of the cursor and display the image taken of the three-dimensional virtual space with the cursor in the determined orientation. 
     According to the above configuration, the user can easily verify, by the display orientation of the cursor, whether or not the user has designated the object. 
     Further, in another embodiment, when the position coincides with the object, the orientation of the cursor is set along a surface of the object. 
     According to the above configuration, the user is able to obtain a feeling of an experience as if the user is touching the surface of the object while seeing the object. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present technology will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present technology when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an external view of a handheld game apparatus according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the game apparatus  10 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of game images displayed on respective screens of a stereoscopic image display device  11  and a planar image display device  12 , while a game according to the present embodiment is being executed; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a state in which images of objects present in the virtual space are taken by a virtual stereo camera  17 , the state being viewed from above the virtual space; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a state in which, when the user touches a child object image  121  displayed on the planar image display device  12  to perform a predetermined operation, respective images displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  change; 
         FIG. 6A  is a diagram illustrating how a cursor  60  is displayed, and a part of a child object  41  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , which is enlarged and viewed obliquely from the front; 
         FIG. 6B  is a diagram illustrating the part of the child object  41  viewed from a direction as indicated by an arrow shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating images displayed on the respective screens of the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  when there is a plurality of operable objects; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a case where the user uses an item in the game according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating how the respective images displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  change when an item  45  is given to the child object  41 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a main memory  31  of the game apparatus  10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a main flowchart showing in detail a game process according to the present embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing in detail a three-dimensional touch position determination process (step S 3 ); 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing in detail a planar image display process (step S 5 ); 
         FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of images displayed on the respective screens of the planar image display device  12  and the stereoscopic image display device  11 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a front view showing an external of a game apparatus  200  in an opened state; 
         FIG. 16A  is a left side view of the game apparatus  200  in a closed state; 
         FIG. 16B  is a front view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state; 
         FIG. 16C  is a right side view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state; 
         FIG. 16D  is a rear view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state; 
         FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the game apparatus  200 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating an example of game images displayed on respective screens of an upper LCD  222  and a lower LCD  212 , while a game according to a second embodiment is being executed; 
         FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating a state in which a user touches the back area of a dog object  50 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a memory map of a RAM (such as a main memory  232 ) of the game apparatus  200 ; 
         FIG. 21  is a main flowchart showing in detail a game process according to the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 22  is a flowchart showing in detail a cursor setting process (step S 101 ); 
         FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating how the dog object  50  is formed of a plurality of parts; 
         FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating in detail a part  155  of the rear half of the dog object  50 ; 
         FIG. 25A  is a diagram of the touched part  155  viewed from the front, illustrating a normal vector on the part  155  at a designated three-dimensional position P; 
         FIG. 25B  is a diagram of the part  155  viewed from a direction as indicated by an arrow shown in  FIG. 25A , illustrating the normal vector on the part  155  at the designated three-dimensional position P; 
         FIG. 26  is a diagram illustrating a determination of an angle of rotation of an icon  60 , depending on an area in which the designated three-dimensional position P exists in the part  155 , when the part  155  is touched; and 
         FIG. 27  is a diagram illustrating an example of the screens in a case where the dog object  50  is not touched when the touch panel  213  has detected a touch. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     (Description of Game Apparatus) 
     A game apparatus according to an embodiment of the technology presented herein will be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 1  is an external view of a handheld game apparatus according to an embodiment. In  FIG. 1 , a game apparatus  10  includes a stereoscopic image display device  11  capable of displaying a stereoscopic image, and a planar image display device  12  capable of displaying a two-dimensional planner image. A housing  13  is configured of an upper housing  13   a  and a lower housing  13   b . The stereoscopic image display device  11  is accommodated in the upper housing  13   a , and the planar image display device  12  is accommodated in the lower housing  13   b.    
     The upper housing  13   a  and the lower housing  13   b  are connected via a hinge portion  14 . The upper housing  13   a  and the lower housing  13   b  are connected to each other via the hinge portion  14  so as to be openable and closable (foldable). 
     The stereoscopic image display device  11  is a liquid crystal display capable of displaying an image (stereoscopically visible image) which is stereoscopically visible by the naked eye, and a lenticular lens type display device or a parallax barrier type display device is used. In the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image display device  11  of a parallax barrier type is used. The stereoscopic image display device  11  displays an image having a stereoscopic effect by using a left-eye image and a right-eye image. That is, the stereoscopic image display device  11  allows a user to view the image for a left eye with her/his left eye, and the image for a right eye with her/his right eye by utilizing a parallax barrier so that a stereoscopic image (a stereoscopically visible image) exerting a stereoscopic effect on a user can be displayed. 
     The planar image display device  12  is a display device capable of displaying a planar image. Although a liquid crystal display is used as the planar image display device  12  in the present embodiment, any other display device, such as a display device using an EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like may be used. 
     The respective screens of stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  have the same size and a predetermined resolution (256 dots×192 dots, for example). In addition, a display device having any resolution may be used. 
     A touch panel  15 , which is a designated position detection device, is mounted on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . The touch panel  15  may be of any type such as a resistive film type, an optical type (infrared type), or a capacitive coupling type. In the present embodiment, the touch panel  15  is of the resistive film type. The touch panel  15  detects a position on the screen of the planar image display device  12  in response to the user touching the screen of the planar image display device  12  by using a stick  16 . The position detected by the touch panel  15  corresponds to the position on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . The user can designate the position on the screen not only by the stick  16  but also by a finger. In the present embodiment, the touch panel  15  has the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the planar image display device  12 . However, the resolution of the touch panel  15  may not necessarily be the same as the resolution of the planar image display device  12 . 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the game apparatus  10 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , other components included in the game apparatus  10  are a CPU  30 , a main memory  31 , a ROM  32 , a memory control circuit  33 , a stored data memory  34 , and a communication module  35 . These electronic components are mounted on an electronic circuit substrate and accommodated in the lower housing  13   b  (or the upper housing  13   a ). 
     The CPU  30  is information processing means for executing a predetermined program. In the present embodiment, the predetermined program is stored in the ROM  32  of the game apparatus  10 , and a game process described below is executed by the CPU  30  executing the predetermined program. 
     The main memory  31 , the ROM  32 , and the memory control circuit  33  are connected to the CPU  30 . The stored data memory  34  is connected to the memory control circuit  33 . The main memory  31  is a readable/writable semiconductor memory. The main memory  31  includes an area for temporarily storing the predetermined program, a work area, and a buffer area of the CPU  30 . That is, the main memory  31  stores various types of data used for the game process described below, stores the predetermined program stored in the ROM  32 , and the like. The ROM  32  is a non-volatile memory and used for storing the predetermined program. The stored data memory  34  is implemented as a non-volatile storage medium and, for example, a NAND flash memory is used. The memory control circuit  33  is a circuit for controlling reading of data from the stored data memory  34  or writing of data to the stored data memory  34 , in accordance with an instruction from the CPU  30 . 
     The predetermined program executed by the CPU  30  may be stored in advance in the ROM  32 , may be obtained from the stored data memory  34 , or may be obtained from another apparatus by means of communication with the another apparatus via the communication module  35 . 
     The communication module  35  has a function of performing wired or wireless communication with the another apparatus. The communication module  35  has a function of performing, for example, infrared communication with the another apparatus. The communication module  35  may have a function of connecting to a wireless LAN in a method based on, for example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard, or have a function of performing communication with the another apparatus by means of the Bluetooth (registered trademark) technology. Furthermore, the communication module  35  may also have a function of connecting to a mobile communication network by means of a communication scheme used for mobile phones, and the like. 
     The touch panel  15  is connected to the CPU  30 . The touch panel  15  is connected to an interface circuit (not shown), and the interface circuit generates a predetermined form of touch position data, based on a signal outputted from the touch panel  15 , and outputs the touch position data to the CPU  30 . For example, the touch position data represents a coordinate of a position, on which an input is made, on an input surface of the touch panel  15 . The interface circuit reads a signal outputted from the touch panel  15 , and generates the touch position data every predetermined time. The CPU  30  acquires the touch position data via the interface circuit to recognize the position on which the input is made on the touch panel  15 . 
     The stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  are connected to the CPU  30 . The stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  display images, according to respective instructions from the CPU  30 . As described above, the stereoscopic image is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the planar image is displayed on the planar image display device  12 . 
     (Outline of Game) 
     Next, an outline of a game according to a present embodiment will be described, with reference to  FIG. 3  to  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating an example of game images displayed on respective screens of a stereoscopic image display device  11  and a planar image display device  12 , while the game according to the present embodiment is being executed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , a child object image  111 , in which a child object  41  representing a child present in a virtual space is displayed stereoscopically (displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner), and a furniture object image  114 , in which a furniture object  44  is displayed stereoscopically, are displayed. The child object image  111  and the furniture object image  114  are displayed, for example, in 32-bit color on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . In addition, a cursor  60  is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The cursor  60  is arranged at a position, in the virtual space, which corresponds to a position touched by a user on a touch panel  15  (the screen of the planar image display device  12 ). The cursor  60  is then displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     A stereoscopic image, which includes the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 , (an image displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 ) is an image taken of the virtual space by a virtual stereo camera, and which is an image (a stereoscopically visible image) which exerts a stereoscopic effect on the user.  FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a state in which images of respective objects present in the virtual space are taken by a virtual stereo camera  17 , the state being viewed from above the virtual space. As shown in  FIG. 4 , a left-eye image and a right-eye image are taken by a left-eye virtual camera  17   a  and a right-eye virtual camera  17   b , respectively. The left-eye virtual camera  17   a  and the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  are components of the virtual stereo camera  17 . By the taken left-eye image being viewed with the user&#39;s left eye and the taken right-eye image being viewed with the user&#39;s right eye, the user can view the image having the stereoscopic effect. An imaging direction A of the virtual camera at the left  17   a , which is the component of the virtual stereo camera  17 , and an imaging direction B of the virtual camera at the right  17   b , which is the component of the virtual stereo camera  17 , are the same. For example, the imaging direction A of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  is a direction of a straight line which divides in half an angle formed between a line  21   a  and a line  22   a  which together indicate an angle of view of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a . Similarly, the imaging direction B of the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  is a direction of a straight line which divides in half an angle formed between a line  23   b  and a line  24   b  which together indicate an angle of view of the right-eye virtual camera  17   b . In addition, a point of view of the virtual stereo camera  17  coincides with a point of view of the user. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the child object  41  is present at a position closer to the virtual stereo camera than the furniture object  44  is. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the user feels an experience as if the child object  41  exists in front of the user itself. 
     A planar image display area  61  is provided in the central portion of the screen of the planar image display device  12 . An operation button  62  and an item selection button  63  are displayed on the upper portion and the lower portion of the screen of the planar image display device  12 , respectively. The operation button  62  is used for pausing or ending the game. When ending the game, the user touches the operation button  62  by using the stick  16 , thereby pausing or ending the game. The item selection button  63  is used for selecting an item described below. 
     A child object image  121  is displayed in the planar image display area  61 . The child object image  121  is an image in which the child object  41 , which is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , is displayed in one color (gray) and in a planar manner. Specifically, the child object image  121  is a silhouette of an image of the child object  41  present in the virtual space, which is taken by a virtual camera  18  set at the middle of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  and the right-eye virtual camera  17   b . In this case, an imaging direction (an imaging direction C shown in  FIG. 4 ) of the virtual camera  18  is the same as the imaging directions of the virtual stereo camera  17 . In addition, an angle of view of the virtual camera  18  is the same as the angle of view of the virtual stereo camera  17 . Therefore, the image (the image taken of the virtual space including the child object  41 ), which is displayed in the planar image display area  61 , has substantially the same size as the image (the image taken of the virtual space including the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 ), which is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and these images are images taken of substantially the same virtual space region. That is, the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  is an image (here, an image reduced by a predetermined ratio in the vertical direction of the screen) obtained by reducing the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , according to a ratio in size of the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  to the planar image display area  61 . Also, an imaging range of the image (a virtual space region displayed in the image) displayed on the planar image display device  12  is substantially the same as an imaging range of the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Therefore, the child object image  121  displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12  has substantially the same size as the child object image  111  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The child object image  121  is the child object  41  present in the virtual space, which is viewed from the same direction. 
     The furniture object  44 , which is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , is not displayed in the planar image display area  61 . In the present embodiment, the silhouette of only an object (the child object  41 ) which can be operated by the user, i.e. a user-operable-object, is displayed on the screen (the planar image display area  61 ) of the planar image display device  12 . Since the furniture object  44  is not a user-operable-object, the silhouette of the furniture object  44  is not displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . 
     Here, the imaging ranges of the respective images taken by the virtual stereo camera  17  and the image taken by the virtual camera  18  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the imaging range (the angle of view) of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  is an area which includes the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 , and which is surrounded by the line  21   a  and the line  22   a . The imaging range (the angle of view) of the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  is an area, which includes the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 , and which is surrounded by the line  23   b  and the line  24   b . The left-eye image taken by the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  and the right-eye image taken by the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  are synthesized and displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , thereby displaying the stereoscopic image exerting the stereoscopic effect on the user. Here, only an area including the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 , which is surrounded by the line  22   a  and the line  23   b , is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . That is, the range of the stereoscopic image (the imaging range of the virtual stereo camera  17 ) displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  is an area in which the imaging range of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  and the imaging range of the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  are overlapped one on the other. The following are reasons why the overlapping area only is displayed. That is, if the stereoscopic image including a non-overlapping area is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , part of the stereoscopic image becomes an image having the stereoscopic effect, while other part becomes an image having no stereoscopic effect, and which is a state in which “what should be visible is invisible” or “what should be invisible is visible” for the user. Therefore, an image taken of the overlapped area of the respective imaging ranges of the virtual cameras at the left and the right ( 17   a  and  17   b ) is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIG. 4 , the imaging range of the virtual camera  18  is an area including the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 , which is surrounded by a line  25  and a line  26 . The imaging range of the virtual camera  18  is an area including the imaging range (the above-described overlapping area) of the virtual stereo camera  17 , and which is larger than the imaging range of the virtual stereo camera  17 . However, the virtual cameras at the left and the right ( 17   a  and  17   b , respectively), which are the components of the virtual stereo camera  17 , are close to each other, and the imaging range of the virtual stereo camera  17  is substantially the same as the imaging range of the virtual camera  18 . Therefore, the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  is an image taken of substantially the same virtual space region as that of the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The imaging range of the virtual camera  18  may be exactly the same as the imaging range of the virtual stereo camera  17 . 
     Next, the user touches the child object image  121  by using the stick  16  to perform a predetermined operation, thereby causing the child object  41  present in the virtual space to perform a predetermined movement. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a state in which, when the user touches the child object image  121  displayed on the planar image display device  12  to perform the predetermined operation, the respective images displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  change. As shown in  FIG. 5 , when the user operates the stick  16  such as stroking the chest of the child object image  121  by using the stick  16 , the child object image  111  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  changes. Specifically, when the user moves the stick  16  in the up-down direction (the vertical direction) of the screen, while touching, by using the stick  16 , the chest area of the child object image  121 , the facial expression of the child object  41  present in the virtual space changes and the positions of both hands of the child object  41  change. The child object image  111  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the child object image  121  displayed on the planar image display device  12  also change in the same manner, according to the change of the child object  41 . 
     When the user touches the child object image  121  by using the stick  16 , the cursor  60  is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  at a position corresponding to the touch position. For example, if the user touches the head of the child object image  121  on the planar image display device  12 , the cursor  60  is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  on the head of the child object  41 . In addition, if the user touches the child object image  121  by using the stick  16 , the shape of the cursor  60  changes from an arrow shape shown in  FIG. 3  to a shape of a human hand shown in  FIG. 5 . 
     Furthermore, the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be along on a surface of the child object  41 .  FIG. 6A  is a diagram illustrating how the cursor  60  is displayed, and a part of the child object  41  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , which is enlarged and viewed obliquely from the front.  FIG. 6B  is a diagram illustrating the part of the child object  41  viewed from a direction indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 6A . In  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B, 41   a  indicates a part (a part of an arm, for example) of the child object  41 . The part  41   a  is formed in a simple columnar shape for the purpose of explanation. As shown in  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B , the cursor  60  (the cursors  60   a  and  60   b ) is stereoscopically displayed so as to be along the surface of the part  41   a . When the user sees the stereoscopic child object  41  (the child object image  111 ) displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , it appears as if the cursor  60  is present on the surface of the stereoscopic child object  41 . This allows the user to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is stroking the child object  41 , by performing an operation of stroking on the screen of the planar image display device  12  by using the stick  16 , while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     As described above, the game according to the present embodiment, the child object  41  and the furniture object  44  present in the virtual space are stereoscopically displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . On the screen of the planar image display device  12 , the silhouette of only the child object  41 , which is a user-operable-object, is displayed (only the child object image  121 , which is the silhouetted child object  41 , is displayed). The user then touches the child object image  121  displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12  by using the stick  16 . As described above, the silhouette of the child object is displayed on the planar image display device  12 , and the user touches the silhouette by using the stick  16 . This allows the user to easily operate the object while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is operating the object. 
     That is, since the object is stereoscopically displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , it is difficult for the user to directly touch on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  to operate the displayed object. The user feels an experience as if the stereoscopically displayed object is positioned, for example, in front of the screen, or positioned far behind of the screen. For example, if it appears as if the object is present in front of the screen, and if the user attempts to directly touch the stereoscopically displayed object for operation, the user ends up attempting to touch a space in front of the screen by using the stick  16 . Therefore, the user is unable to operate the desired object. Moreover, if the user touches on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  to operate the stereoscopically displayed object which appears to be in front of the screen, the display position of the object felt by the user is different from the touch position, and thus the user cannot obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is operating the object. That is, the display position of the object felt by the user is in front of the screen, while the position where user touches is on the screen. Therefore, in order to operate the object, the user ends up touching a different position in a direction perpendicular to the screen, thereby unable to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object. That is, for example, if it appears as if the object is present in front of the screen, and if the user touches the screen by using the stick  16 , the stick  16  falls in a state in which the stick  16  penetrates inside the object. Furthermore, if it appears as if the object is positioned in a depth direction of the screen, the user cannot move the stick deeper than the screen and therefore, the user cannot directly touch the object which appears to be present far behind of the screen. Thus, what the user sees contradicts with the reality, and which may cause detriment to the feeling of operation. However, stereoscopically displaying the object on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and displaying the silhouette of the object on the planar image display device  12  as described above allows the user to operate the object by touching the screen of the planar image display device  12 , while seeing the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . Therefore, the user obtains the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object. 
     Also, on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the cursor  60  is displayed at a position corresponding to the position touched by the user on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Therefore, the user can obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  without the necessity of directly touching the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     The object is displayed in 32-bit color on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The object is an image having fine detail recognizable of each part (for example, the head, body, arms, and the like of the child object  41 ) of the object. On the other hand, the silhouette of the object is displayed on the planar image display device  12  and therefore, the presentation is less prominent, as compared to the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The user tends to be more attracted to beautiful color images than less prominent monochromatic images. Therefore, it is easy for the user to perform the touch operation on the screen of the planar image display device  12  by using the stick  16 , while gazing at the object displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, since only the operable object is displayed on the planar image display device  12 , the user can easily recognize the operable object. Merely by glancing at the silhouette displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , the user can recognize and touch the operable object, and thereafter operate the object while seeing the object displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . That is, after seeing the screen of the planar image display device  12  and touching the silhouette of the object, the user can operate the object, while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and without the necessity of seeing the screen of the planar image display device  12 . 
     Next, a case where there is a plurality of operable objects will be described.  FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating images displayed on the respective screens of the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  when there is the plurality of operable objects. As shown in  FIG. 7 , on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the child object  41  (the child object image  111 ), a child object  42  (a child object image  112 ), a child object  43  (a child object image  113 ), and the furniture object  44  (the furniture object image  114 ) are displayed. On the other hand, on the screen (the planar image display area  61 ) of the planar image display device  12 , the child object image  121 , a child object image  122 , and a child object image  123  are displayed. The child object image  121 , the child object image  122 , and the child object image  123  are images displayed in the planar manner of the silhouetted child object  41 , the silhouetted child object  42 , and the silhouette child object  43 , respectively. Respective display modes of the child object image  121 , the child object image  122 , and the child object image  123  are different from one another. For example, the child object image  121  is displayed in red, the child object image  122  is displayed in blue, and the child object image  123  is displayed in yellow. 
     Next, the game, in which an item is used, will be described, with reference to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 .  FIG. 8  is a diagram illustrating a case where the user uses an item in the game according to the present embodiment. When the user moves the stick  16  on the screen of the planar image display device  12  while touching an item selection button  63  by using the stick  16 , an item  45  (an item image  115  which is stereoscopically displayed) emerges on the stereoscopic image display device  11  in a state in which the item  45  is held by the cursor  60  (hand). The item  45  is a user-operable-object. On the other hand, an item image  125  is displayed on the planar image display device  12 . The item image  125  is the silhouette of the item  45  present in the virtual space. As shown in  FIG. 8 , the item image  125  (the silhouette of the item  45 ) is displayed in a display mode different from that of the child object image  121  of the child object  41 . For example, the item image  125  is displayed in blue while the child object image  121  (the silhouette of the child object  41 ) is displayed in gray. 
       FIG. 9  is a diagram illustrating how the respective images displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12  change when the item  45  is given to the child object  41 . If the user moves the item image  125  to the position of a hand of the child object image  121  while touching the item image  125 , the child object  41  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  holds the item  45 . In this case, the facial expression of the child object  41  displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  changes, and the child object  41  changes so as to raise both hands. Similarly, the child object image  121  displayed on the planar image display device  12  also changes. As described above, the user touches the item selection button  63  to hand the item  45  to the child object  41 , thereby letting the child object  41  play with the item  45 . Therefore, the child object  41  being joyous is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . The user may be allowed to touch the item selection button  63  to select an item to be used from among a plurality of items. Also, the item  45  may be previously present at a predetermined position (a predetermined position in the virtual space) on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the user touches the item image  125  displayed on the planar image display device  12  to hand the item image  125  to the child object  41 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7  to  FIG. 9 , the respective display modes of the operable objects (the child objects  41  to  43  and the item  45 ) are changed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . This allows the user to easily associate, at a glance, the objects displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  with the objects displayed on the planar image display device  12 , respectively. For example, when the respective silhouettes of the plurality of operable objects are displayed in the same color on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , it may be difficult for the user to distinguish among the objects. Particularly, when the objects are close to one another, it is difficult for the user to distinguish the borders between the objects, and if the user attempts to touch one object for operation, the user may tend to gaze at the screen of the planar image display device  12 . If so, the user is unable to perform operation while seeing the stereoscopic objects displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , thereby unable to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the stereoscopically displayed object. However, since the respective display modes of the objects displayed on the planar image display device  12  are different from one another, the user can easily distinguish among the objects at a glance. Therefore, the user can perform operation while seeing the stereoscopic objects displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and thus obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the stereoscopically displayed object. 
     As described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, stroking the child object with a hand or by using an item to make the child object joyous gives the user the feeling of the experience as if the user is raising a child, or playing with a child. 
     (Detail of Game Process) 
     Next, the game process according to the present embodiment will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 10  to  FIG. 13 . Initially, main data stored in main memory  31  during the game process will be described.  FIG. 10  is a diagram illustrating a memory map of the main memory  31  of the game apparatus  10 . As shown in  FIG. 10 , touch position data  71 , object information data  72 , virtual camera setting data  73 , cursor data  74 , and the like are stored in the main memory  31 . Other data stored in the main memory  31  are a predetermined program for executing the above-described game process, image data of each object, and the like. 
     A touch position detected by the touch panel  15  is stored in the touch position data  71 . Specifically, the touch position data  71  is an array having a given length, and a coordinate value (XY coordinate system) representing a position on the touch panel  15  (on the screen of the planar image display device  12 ) is stored in each element of the array. In the touch position data  71 , coordinate values, which represent respective touch positions detected by the touch panel  15 , are stored in chronological order. Information on each object is stored in the object information data  72 . Specifically, the object information data  72  is an array having a given length, and information on one object is stored in each element of the array. The object information includes a position (xyz coordinate system) of the object in the virtual space, data indicative of whether or not the object is operable, data regarding a shape of the object, and the like. For example, a position of the child object  41  in the virtual space, data which indicates that the child object  41  is operable, and shape data of each part (head, body, and the like) of the child object  41  are stored in one element of the array. The each part of the child object  41  is represented by, for example, a plurality of spheres, and the position and the diameter of each sphere are stored in the element of the array as the shape data. 
     Setting information on the virtual stereo camera  17  and the virtual camera  18  are stored in the virtual camera setting data  73 . Specifically, the respective positions in the virtual space, the respective imaging directions, and the respective imaging ranges (the respective angles of view), and the like, of the virtual stereo camera  17  and the virtual camera  18  are stored. The imaging directions of the virtual stereo camera  17  and the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18  are set to be the same as one another. The imaging ranges of the virtual stereo camera  17  and the imaging range of the virtual camera  18  are also set to be the same as one another. 
     A position in the virtual space and an orientation of the cursor  60  are stored in the cursor data  74 . The cursor position is a position in three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the position touched by the user on the touch panel  15 . The orientation of the cursor  60  is an orientation of the cursor  60  in the virtual space, and which is the orientation of the cursor  60  when displayed on the surface of the child object  41  or the like. 
     Next, the game process will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 11  to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 11  is a main flowchart showing in detail the game process according to the present embodiment. When the game apparatus  10  is powered on, the CPU  30  of the game apparatus  10  executes a boot program stored in the ROM  32  to initialize each unit, such as the main memory  31 . Next, the predetermined program stored in the ROM  32  is loaded into the main memory  31  and the CPU  30  starts executing the program. The flowchart shown in  FIG. 11  shows a process performed after the above-described process is completed. In  FIG. 11 , the description of processes which do not directly relate to the present invention is omitted. A processing loop of step S 1  through step S 7  shown in  FIG. 11  is repeatedly executed for each frame (for example, 1/30 second, which is referred to as frame time). 
     Initially, in step S 1 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not the touch panel  15  has detected a touch. If the touch panel  15  has detected the touch, the CPU  30  stores the touch position in the touch position data  71  as the latest touch position. The CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 2 . On the other hand, if the touch panel  15  does not detect the touch, the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 6 . 
     In step S 2 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not the touch position detected in step S 1  falls within a display area of the silhouette (the object). Specifically, the CPU  30  determines whether or not the latest touch position falls within the respective display areas of the object images ( 121 ,  122 ,  123 ,  125 , or the like) displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12  in an immediately preceding frame in step S 6  (described below). If the determination result is affirmative, the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 3 . On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the CPU  30  next executes the process of step S 6 . 
     In step S 3 , the CPU  30  executes a three-dimensional touch position determination process. The process of step S 3  determines a position of the cursor  60  in the virtual space, which corresponds to the latest touch position detected in step S 1 . The process of step S 3  will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a flowchart showing in detail the three-dimensional touch position determination process (step S 3 ). 
     In step S 11 , the CPU  30  calculates a three-dimensional straight line extending from the latest touch position in the imaging direction of the virtual camera. The CPU  30  calculates the three-dimensional straight line, based on the latest touch position (the touch position detected in step S 1 ) and the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18 , which is stored in the virtual camera setting data  73 . For example, the CPU  30  performs a coordinate transform to calculate a position (x, y, z) on a virtual plane in the three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the latest touch position (X, Y) being represented two-dimensionally. The virtual plane is a plane representing the touch panel  15  in the virtual space. The virtual plane passes through the point of view of the user (the position of the virtual camera  18 ), and is perpendicular to the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18 . The CPU  30  then calculates a straight line passing through the three-dimensional position (x, y, z) and extending in the imaging direction of the virtual camera. Next, the CPU  30  executes a process of step S 12 . 
     In step S 12 , the CPU  30  acquires part information on each object. Specifically, the CPU  30  refers to the object information data  72  to acquire the shape data of one part, among the plurality of parts, of the object touched in step S 2 . Next, the CPU  30  executes a process of step S 13 . 
     In step S 13 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not the straight line calculated in step S 11  contacts with the part acquired in step S 12 . If the determination result is affirmative, the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 14 . On the other hand, if the determination result is negative, the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 16 . 
     In step S 14 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not the contact position has the closest proximity to the virtual camera. Specifically, the CPU  30  calculates a contact position (a coordinate of a point of intersection of the calculated straight line with a sphere representing the acquired part) of the straight line calculated in step S 11  with the part acquired in step S 12 . Next, the CPU  30  calculates a distance between the calculated contact position and the virtual camera  18 . The CPU  30  then compares the calculated distance with the closest proximity stored in the main memory  31  (which is stored in step S 15  described below). If the contact position has the closest proximity to the virtual camera  18 , the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 15 . On the other hand, if the contact position does not have the closest proximity to the virtual camera  18 , the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 16 . 
     In step S 15 , the CPU  30  stores in the cursor data  74  the contact position (the point of intersection of the straight line with the part) calculated in step S 14 . Also, the CPU  30  stores in the main memory  31  the distance (the distance between the contact position and the virtual camera  18 ) calculated in step S 14  as the closest proximity. Next, the CPU  30  executes the process of step S 16 . 
     In step S 16 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not information of all parts has been acquired. If the information of all parts has not been acquired, the CPU  30  executes again the process of step S 12 . By the processes of step S 12  through step S 16  being repeatedly executed, the positions of all touched parts of the object, which contact with the straight line calculated in step S 11 , are calculated. Then, among the calculated contact positions, the position closest to the virtual camera  18  (a position closest to the user) is calculated as the cursor position. On the other hand, when the information of all parts has been acquired, the CPU  30  ends the three-dimensional touch position determination process. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 4 . In step S 4 , the CPU  30  executes a movement determination process. In step S 4 , operation performed on the touched object is determined, and the movement of the object is determined according to the operation. Specifically, the CPU  30  refers to the touch position data  71  to determine the operation performed on the touched object. More specifically, the CPU  30  determines the operation performed by the user, based on the touch positions in the past several frames stored in the touch position data  71  in chronological order. In step S 4 , for example, it is determined whether or not the operation performed by the user is the operation that the user strokes the chest of the child object  41  in the up-down directions as shown in  FIG. 5 . Or, in step S 4 , for example, it is determined whether or not the operation performed by the user is the operation that the user holds and moves the item  45  shown in  FIG. 8 . As described above, in step S 4 , based on the touch positions in the past several frames, a type of operation performed by the user is determined. Then, according to the determined type of operation, the movement of the touched object is determined. For example, if the operation performed by the user is the operation that the user strokes the chest of the child object  41  in the up-down directions as shown in  FIG. 5 , the CPU  30  determines a movement of the child object  41  so that the child object  41  changes the facial expression and raises both hands. The CPU  30  next executes the process of step S 5 . 
     In step S 5 , the CPU  30  executes a planar image display process. The process of step S 5  displays the silhouette of the object on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , or the like. The process in step S 5  will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a flowchart showing in detail the planar image display process (step S 5 ). 
     In step S 21 , the CPU  30  determines an operable object. Specifically, the CPU  30  determines the object to display on the screen, based on a first determination and a second determination. That is, the CPU  30  determines, as the first determination, whether or not the type of the object applies to the user-operable-object. Also, the CPU  30  determines, as the second determination, whether or not a distance between the object and the user is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. 
     Specifically, at the first determination in step S 21 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not each object applies to the user-operable-object. For example, the child objects  41  through  43  and the item  45  are previously set as the user-operable-objects. On the other hand, the furniture object  44  is previously set as user-inoperable-object. In the first determination, the CPU  30  determines whether or not each object applies to the user-operable-object, based on the type of the each object. 
     Next, in the second determination of step S 21 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not the distance between the object and the user (the virtual stereo camera  17  or the virtual camera  18 ) is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. The CPU  30  determines the operable object, based on the first determination and the second determination. That is, the CPU  30  conducts the first determination and the second determination on each object. If the object whose result of both the first determination and the second determination are affirmative is set as the operable object. The CPU  30  then stores data indicative of whether or not the object is operable in the main memory  31  (updates the object information data  72 ). 
     As described above, the operable object is defined not only depending on the type thereof, but also depending on the distance between the object and the user (the virtual stereo camera  17  or the virtual camera  18 ). For example, if the child object  42  is present at a position being farther than the predetermined distance away from the user, the child object  42  is not set as the operable object. As described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, by performing the predetermined operation while seeing the child object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the user can obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is actually touching a child. However, if the user is allowed to operate a child object present out of user&#39;s reach, it causes the user to feel a sense of discomfort. Therefore, although the object is of the operable type, if the object is farther than the predetermined distance away from the user, the object is set as an inoperable object. 
     After step S 21 , the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 22 . 
     In step S 22 , the CPU  30  selects an object to be displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Specifically, the CPU  30  refers to the object information data  72  to select an operable object. As described above, the data indicative of whether or not each object is operable is stored in the object information data  72  by the process of step S 21 . The CPU  30  selects an operable object as the object to be displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Next, the CPU  30  executes a process of step S 23 . 
     In step S 23 , the CPU  30  determines a display mode of the object selected in step S 22 . Specifically, if there is a plurality of objects which have been selected in step S 22 , the CPU  30  determines the respective display modes of the objects so that the respective display modes are different from one another. For example, if the child object  41 , the child object  43 , and the item  45  are the selected, the CPU  30  determines gray, blue, and red as the respective display modes of the child object  41 , the child object  43 , and the item  45 . Next, the CPU  30  executes a process of step S 24 . 
     In step S 24 , the CPU  30  displays each object on the screen of the planar image display device  12  in the respective display mode determined in step S 23 . Specifically, in step S 24 , the CPU  30  hides the objects other than the objects selected in step S 22 , displays the respective silhouettes of the objects selected in step S 22 , and takes an image of the virtual space by using the virtual camera  18 . This allows the CPU  30  to display the selected objects on the screen of the planar image display device  12  in the respective display modes determined in step S 23  (displays the respective silhouettes of the selected objects). 
     In step S 24 , a state in which the silhouette (the object) moves according to the movement of the object determined in step S 4 . Moreover, the CPU  30  displays an operation button  62  and an item selection button  63  on the upper left and the lower right of the screen, respectively. The CPU  30  then ends the planar image display process. 
     Returning to  FIG. 11 , the CPU  30  next executes a process of step S 6 . In step S 6 , the CPU  30  executes a stereoscopic image display process. In step S 6 , the CPU  30  arranges the cursor  60  in the virtual space, takes an image of the virtual space by using the virtual stereo camera  17 , and displays the stereoscopic image on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . Specifically, the CPU  30  determines the orientation of the cursor  60 , and arranges the cursor  60  having the shape of the human hand at the position of the cursor  60 , which is determined in step S 3  (that is, arranges the cursor  60  on a surface of the touched object). Specifically, the CPU  30  determines the orientation of the cursor  60 , based on a plane, in the virtual space, tangential to the part of the object at the position of the cursor  60  determined in step S 3 , and arranges the cursor  60  in the virtual space. On the other hand, if the determination result in step S 2  is negative, the CPU  30  arranges the cursor  60  having the arrow shape in the virtual space at a predetermined position corresponding to the latest touch position. Next, the CPU  30  takes the left-eye image and the right-eye image by using the virtual stereo camera  17 . Next, the CPU  30  longitudinally divides each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image into rectangle-shaped images and synthesizes resulting images. For example, the CPU  30  divides each of the left-eye image and the right-eye image into rectangle-shaped images each having one line of pixels aligned in the vertical direction, and alternately aligns the rectangle-shaped images of each image, thereby synthesizing the two images. The CPU  30  then outputs the synthesized image to the stereoscopic image display device  11 . By seeing the synthesized image through the parallax barrier in the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the user can view the left-eye image with the user&#39;s left eye and view the right-eye image with the user&#39;s right eye. This allows the user to see an image having the stereoscopic effect. Similar to the screen of the planar image display device  12 , the state, in which the object moves according to the movement of the object determined in step S 4 , is displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
       FIG. 14  is a diagram illustrating an example of images displayed on the respective screens of the planar image display device  12  and the stereoscopic image display device  11 . As shown in  FIG. 14 , since the child object  42  is farther than the predetermined distance away from the user, the child object  42  is not determined to be the operable object in step S 21 . Moreover, since the furniture object  44  is not previously set as the user-operable-object, thus inoperable object. Because of this, the child object  42  and the furniture object  44  are not displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . The child object  41  and the child object  43  are previously set as the user-operable-objects, and the respective distances thereof from the user is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. Therefore, the child object  41  and the child object  43  are displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . In this case, the child object  41  and the child object  43  are displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12  in different display modes. For example, on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , the child object  41  is displayed in red and the child object  43  is displayed in yellow, both in the planar manner. If the child object  42  moves and the distance thereof from the user becomes equal to or less than the predetermined distance, the child object  42  is displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Each child object moves in the virtual space, according to a predetermined rule. The CPU  30 , for example, changes the position of each child object over time, or changes the position of each child object, according to the operation by the user. When the child object  42  moves from the position farther than the predetermined distance away from the user, as shown in  FIG. 14 , to the position having the distance equal to or less than the predetermined distance from the user as shown in  FIG. 7 , that is, when the child object  42  approaches and enters within a range in which the user can touch the child object  42 , the child object  42  is displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . 
     Next, the CPU  30  executes a process of step S 7 . 
     In step S 7 , the CPU  30  determines whether or not to end the game process. For example, if the operation button  62  is pressed by the user, the CPU  30  ends the game process. If the game process is not ended, the CPU  30  executes again the process of step S 1 . This is the end of the description of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 11 . 
     As described above, in the game according to the present embodiment, each object in the virtual space is stereoscopically displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the planar image taken of the same virtual space region is displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . The respective silhouettes of only operable objects are displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , and inoperable objects are not displayed. The operation on each object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  is performed by touching the screen of the planar image display device  12 . This allows the user to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object included in the stereoscopically visible image, while seeing the stereoscopically visible image displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     The content and the order of the above-described processes shown in the flowcharts are merely illustrative. For example, the process of step S 3  may be substituted by the following process. That is, the information on the imaging direction (position information in the imaging direction) of the virtual camera  18  may be embedded in the displayed result (the result of the process of step S 5 ), and the position in the three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the position designated by the user on the touch panel  15 , may be obtained from the information. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, only the user-operable-objects (the child objects  41  through  43 ), which are previously set to be so, and which are equal to or less than the predetermined distance from the virtual camera, are displayed on the planar image display device  12 . In another embodiment, the objects including the user-operable objects and the user-inoperable object (the furniture object  44 ), which satisfy predetermined conditions, may be displayed on the planar image display device  12 . Here, as described above, the predetermined conditions may be determined based on the distance from the virtual camera (the user), or may be various conditions during the advance of the game. For example, in a first game scene, a first object is set to be the operable object, and the silhouette thereof may be displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . In this case, if the game transits to a second game scene, which is different from the first game scene, the first object may be set to be inoperable object, and may not be displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . For example, a weapon object may be set to be operable only in a fight scene so that the weapon object may be operated by the user. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, if there are is a plurality of operable objects, the plurality of operable objects is displayed on the planar image display device  12  in different colors (the child object  41  is displayed in red, the child object  42  is displayed in blue, and the child object  43  is displayed in yellow). In another embodiment, each object may be displayed in any mode if the object is distinguishable at a glance when the user sees the screen of the planar image display device  12 . For example, if objects having the same color are adjacent to each other (close to each other), it is difficult for the user to distinguish, at a glance, that these objects are different from one other. Therefore, by displaying the adjacent objects in different display modes on the planar image display device  12 , the user is able to distinguish the objects from one another at a glance. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the child object  42  (the child object image  122 ) may be displayed in blue, and the child objects  41  (the child object image  121 ) and  43  (the child object image  123 ) may be displayed in gray. 
     Moreover, in the present embodiment, only the object selected in step S 22  are displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , and if there is a plurality of such objects, they are displayed in different colors. In another embodiment, the selected objects may be displayed in the display mode different (in color, fill pattern, or the like) from that of the other objects. For example, in the case where the child objects  41  through  43  and the furniture object  44  are displayed on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and if merely the child object  41  is operable (selected), the child object  41  may be displayed in red, and the other objects ( 42 ,  43 , and  44 ) may be displayed in gray on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . 
     Moreover, while, in the present embodiment, the silhouette of each object is displayed (one-color display) on the planar image display device  12 , each object displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be displayed in any display mode, if the object displayed on the planar image display device  12  is not prominent in the display mode, as compared to the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . For example, in another embodiment, the object having fewer colors may be displayed on the planar image display device  12 . For example, if each part of the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  is displayed in 32-bit color, each part of the object displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be displayed in 8-bit color. Also, in another embodiment, merely the contour of the object may be displayed on the planar image display device  12 . Moreover, in another embodiment, the object may be filled with a pattern, such as lines or dots, and displayed on the planar image display device  12 . Moreover, in another embodiment, each object may be distinguishably displayed on the planar image display device  12  by changing the color intensity (brightness) of each object. Also, in another embodiment, by changing the color intensity (brightness) of each part of the object, each part of the object may be distinguishably displayed on the planar image display device  12 . 
     As described above, in another embodiment, the object may be displayed on the planar image display device  12  in a simplified manner. Here, examples of the simplified display are various display modes in which the shape of the outline (contour) of the displayed object remains unchanged, such as a display mode including the silhouette display described above, in which the object whose color is reduced is displayed or the contour-only display; a display mode in which the area surrounded by the outline (contour) of the displayed object is filled with a pattern of lines or dots; and a display mode in which the brightness of the displayed object is changed. That is, the object displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be displayed in any display mode if the object is simplified as compared to the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, in another embodiment, the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the object displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be displayed in the same display mode (the same color, the same contour, the same filling pattern, or the like), except for that the former is a stereoscopic image and the latter is a planar image. That is, the object is stereoscopically displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the object, not the silhouette thereof (without being simplified), may be displayed in the planar manner on the planar image display device  12 . As described above, a stereoscopically visible image of the object may be displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , while the same object may be displayed on the planar image display device  12 , which is different from the stereoscopic image display device  11 , in the same display mode but in the planar manner. Then, designation may be made on the screen of the planar image display device  12  and thereby the object may be operated. This allows the user to easily operate the object, while seeing the object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . That is, if the object is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  in the stereoscopically visible manner and if the user attempts to directly designate on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , a difference occurs between the designated position and the position of the object in the depth direction of the screen, of which the user feels an experience, as described above. Therefore, it is difficult for the user to designate the object. Also, as described above, if the user attempts to directly designate on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the user is unable to obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object. However, stereoscopically displaying the object on the stereoscopic image display device  11  while displaying the same object on the planar image display device  12  in the planar manner, which is different from the stereoscopic image display device  11 , allows the user to easily designate the object for operation, also obtain the feeling of the experience as if the user is directly operating the object. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image (a first image) taken by the virtual stereo camera  17  is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the image (a second image) taken by the virtual camera  18 , which is set at the middle of the virtual cameras  17   a  at the left and the virtual camera  17   b  at the right which are the components of the virtual stereo camera  17 , is displayed on the planar image display device  12 . In another embodiment, the second image may be taken by either one of the virtual cameras  17   a  at the left and the virtual camera  17   b  at the right which are the components of the virtual stereo camera  17 . Also, the second image may be taken by a virtual camera, which is set at any position between the virtual cameras  17   a  at the left and the virtual camera  17   b  at the right. That is, the second image may be taken by a virtual camera set at substantially the same position as that of the virtual camera which takes the first image. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image (including the object) displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  (in the planar image display area  61 ) are substantially the same image. Here, the “substantially the same image” may be images in which one of the images is enlarged in a predetermined ratio to the other of the images. For example, the length in the vertical direction (or/and the horizontal direction) of the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be set to be 70% of the length in the vertical direction (or/and the horizontal direction) of the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  are the images taken of substantially the same virtual space region. Here, the “images taken of substantially the same virtual space region” indicates images having substantially the same imaging range. The imaging range of one of the images may be wide in a predetermined ratio to the imaging range of the other of the images. For example, the imaging range of the image (the virtual space region displayed in the image) displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be set to be 70% of the imaging range (with respect to the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction) of the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . As described above, in the present embodiment, since the imaging range of the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  is substantially the same as the imaging range of the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the user can operate the object while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and without the necessity of seeing the screen of the planar image display device  12 . That is, since the respective imaging ranges of the two images are the same as each other, for example, if the child object is displayed on the right side of the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 , the same object is displayed also on the right side of the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Therefore, the user can operate the object on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  and without the necessity of verifying on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . 
     Also, the size or the imaging range of the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be adjusted so that the object included in the two images has substantially the same size as each other (the object in one of the two images may be larger by about 30% than the object in the other of the two images (with respect to the vertical direction and/or the horizontal direction). For example, if the imaging range of the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  is set to be narrow, the object included in the image is displayed in an enlarged manner (zoomed). The object included in the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  is determined by the size or also the imaging range of the image itself (screen itself). Therefore, the size or the imaging range of the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be adjusted to an extent which does not make the user feel the sense of discomfort when performing the touch operation on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , while seeing the object on the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, the sizes of the object displayed on the two screens are not necessarily substantially the same as each other. For example, even in a case where the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11  is several times larger than the screen of the planar image display device  12 , the user can perform, without feeling the sense of discomfort, the operation on the screen of the planar image display device  12 , while seeing the screen of the stereoscopic image display device  11 . That is, the object included in the respective images displayed on the two screens is taken from the same direction, and thereby the appearance of the object may be the same (the same direction in which the object is seen). This allows the user to easily operate the object, while seeing one screen and designating on the other screen, regardless of the difference in size of the respective screens. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the one screen is configured to display a stereoscopically visible image (the stereoscopic image display device  11 ) and the other screen is configured to display a planar image (the planar image display device  12 ). In another embodiment, for example, the one screen may have high resolutions and the other screen may have with low resolutions. That is, the one screen may have a different display type from the other screen (the one screen configured to display a stereoscopically visible image and the other screen configured to display a planar image, the one screen having high resolutions and the other screen having low resolutions, or the like). 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the respective imaging directions of the virtual cameras at the left and the right, which are the components of the virtual stereo camera  17 , are the same as each other, and the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18  is also the same. In another embodiment, these imaging directions are not necessarily made coincide with one another exactly, and may be substantially the same as one another. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the imaging direction A of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  may be a direction of a straight line which connects the child object  41  with the left-eye virtual camera  17   a , and the imaging direction B of the right-eye virtual camera  17   b  may be a direction of a straight line which connects the child object  41  with the right-eye virtual camera  17   b . When the respective imaging directions of the virtual cameras at the left and the right are thus set, the stereoscopic effects of the objects (the child object  41  and the furniture object  44 ) displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  change. Moreover, the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18  may also be different by a predetermined angle (several degrees to the low  10 &#39;s of degrees) from the imaging direction of the left-eye virtual camera  17   a  or the right-eye virtual camera  17   b . Even though the imaging direction of the virtual camera  18  is thus set so as to be different from the imaging directions of the virtual stereo camera  17  by the predetermined angle, a planar image, which is viewed from substantially the same direction in which the object stereoscopically displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  is viewed, is displayed on the screen of the planar image display device  12 . Therefore, the user can designate the object displayed on the planar image display device  12  for operation, while seeing the stereoscopic object displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the stereoscopic image (the stereoscopically visible image) is displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the planar image is displayed on the planar image display device  12 . In another embodiment, images viewed from substantially the same direction may be simultaneously displayed in two display areas having the same display type, respectively. For example, in another embodiment, the first image including the object may be displayed in the first display area, and the second image, which is the same as the first image, may be displayed in the planar manner in the second display area. 
     As described above, the first image displayed in the first display area may be an image of a predetermined display object viewed from a predetermined direction. The second image displayed in the second display area may be an image of the predetermined display object viewed from substantially the same direction as the predetermined direction. Then, the user designates a position on the second display area, thereby operating the predetermined display object in the first display area and the second display area. The images of the predetermined display object viewed from substantially the same direction are thus displayed in two display areas, and thereby the user can designate the display object included in the image displayed in the second display area, while seeing the predetermined display object, which is displayed in the first display area. This allows the user to operate the predetermined display object. 
     Further, while the display capable of displaying the stereoscopic image which can be viewed by the naked eye is employed in the present embodiment, the present invention is applicable to viewing the stereoscopic images by means of glasses having the time division scheme or the deflecting scheme, the anaglyphic format (the red-blue glasses format), or the like. 
     Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the user operates the object present in the virtual space in the game. In another embodiment, an image of an actual space taken by a stereo camera may be displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 , and the same image may be displayed on the planar image display device  12 . Then, the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be operated, thereby changing the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . For example, the image displayed on the planar image display device  12  may be operated, thereby enlarging or correcting the image displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11 . 
     Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the handheld game apparatus  10 , which includes both the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12 , is assumed. In another embodiment, for example, a first display device capable of displaying a stereoscopically visible image, a second display device configured to display only a planar image, and a control apparatus which performs the above-described processes may be configured to be hardware independently of one another. Then, these components may function as the display control system by being connected with one another by wire or wirelessly. That is, the display control system may be configured of one device as the embodiment described above, or may be configured of a plurality of devices. 
     Further, in another embodiment, a display apparatus capable of setting, on one screen, a stereoscopic image display area, in which a stereoscopic image is displayed, and a planar image display area, in which a planer image is displayed, may be employed as the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12 , respectively. That is, the display apparatus capable of setting two different display areas on the same screen may be employed. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the display control method described above may be applied to any information processing apparatus, which includes a display device and a designated position detection device (for example, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), mobile phones, and the like). 
     Further, in the embodiment described above, the processes shown in the above-described flowcharts are performed by the CPU  30  of the game apparatus  10  executing the predetermined program. In another embodiment, a part or the entirety of the processes may be performed by a dedicated circuit included in the game apparatus  10 . For example, a dedicated GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) or the like, which generates images to be displayed on the stereoscopic image display device  11  and the planar image display device  12 , may be provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
     (Structure of Game Apparatus of Second Embodiment) 
     Hereinafter, a game apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present technology will be described.  FIG. 15  is a front view showing an external view of a game apparatus  200  in an opened state.  FIG. 16A  is a left side view of the game apparatus  200  in a closed state,  FIG. 16B  is a front view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state,  FIG. 16C  is a right side view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state, and  FIG. 16D  is a rear view of the game apparatus  200  in the closed state. The game apparatus  200  is a handheld game apparatus, and configured to be foldable as shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 16D .  FIG. 15  shows the game apparatus  200  in the opened state and  FIG. 16A to 16D  each show the game apparatus  200  in the closed state. The game apparatus  200  is able to take an image by means of an imaging section, display the taken image on a screen, and store data of the taken image. The game apparatus  200  can execute a game program which is stored in an exchangeable memory card or a game program which is received from a server or another game apparatus, and can display, on the screen, an image generated by computer graphics processing, such as an image taken by a virtual camera set in a virtual space, for example. 
     Initially, an external structure of the game apparatus  200  will be described with reference to  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 16D . The game apparatus  200  includes a lower housing  211  and an upper housing  221  as shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 16D . The lower housing  211  and the upper housing  221  are connected to each other so as to be openable and closable (foldable). 
     (Description of Lower Housing) 
     Initially, a structure of the lower housing  211  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 16D , a lower LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  212 , a touch panel  213 , operation buttons  214 A to  214 L, an analog stick  215 , an LED  216 A and an LED  216 B, an insertion opening  217 , and a microphone hole  218  are provided in the lower housing  211 . Hereinafter, these components will be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the lower LCD  212  is accommodated in the lower housing  211 . The number of pixels of the lower LCD  212  may be, for example, 320 dots×240 dots (the horizontal line×the vertical line). The lower LCD  212  is a display device for displaying an image in a planar manner (not in a stereoscopically visible manner), which is different from the upper LCD  222  described below. Although an LCD is used as a display device in the second embodiment, any other display device such as a display device using an EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like may be used. In addition, a display device having any resolution may be used as the lower LCD  212 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the game apparatus  200  includes the touch panel  213  as an input device. The touch panel  213  is mounted on the screen of the lower LCD  212 . In the second embodiment, the touch panel  213  is, but is not limited to, a resistive film type touch panel. A touch panel of any type such as electrostatic capacitance type may be used. In the second embodiment, the touch panel  213  has the same resolution (detection accuracy) as that of the lower LCD  212 . However, the resolution of the touch panel  213  and the resolution of the lower LCD  212  may not necessarily be the same. Further, the insertion opening  217  (indicated by dashed lines in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16D ) is provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing  211 . The insertion opening  217  is used for accommodating a touch pen  228  which is used for performing an operation of the touch panel  213 . Although an input on the touch panel  213  is usually made by using the touch pen  228 , a finger of a user may be used for making an input on the touch panel  213 , in addition to the touch pen  228 . 
     The operation buttons  214 A to  214 L are each an input device for making a predetermined input. As shown in  FIG. 15 , among the operation buttons  214 A to  214 L, a cross button  214 A (a direction input button  214 A), a button  214 B, a button  214 C, a button  214 D, a button  214 E, a power button  214 F, a selection button  214 J, a HOME button  214 K, and a start button  214 L are provided on the inner side surface (main surface) of the lower housing  211 . The cross button  214 A is cross-shaped, and includes buttons for indicating an upward, a downward, a leftward, or a rightward direction. The buttons  214 A to  214 E, the selection button  214 J, the HOME button  214 K, and the start button  214 L are assigned functions, respectively, in accordance with a program executed by the game apparatus  200 , as necessary. For example, the cross button  214 A is used for selection operation and the like, and the operation buttons  214 B to  214 E are used for, for example, determination operation and cancellation operation. The power button  214 F is used for powering the game apparatus  200  on/off. 
     The analog stick  215  is a device for indicating a direction. The analog stick  215  has a top, corresponding to a key, which is configured to slide parallel to the inner side surface of the lower housing  211 . The analog stick  215  acts in accordance with a program executed by the game apparatus  200 . For example, when a game in which a predetermined object emerges in a three-dimensional virtual space is executed by the game apparatus  200 , the analog stick  215  acts as an input device for moving the predetermined object in the three-dimensional virtual space. In this case, the predetermined object is moved in a direction in which the top corresponding to the key of the analog stick  215  slides. As the analog stick  215 , a component which enables an analog input by being tilted by a predetermined amount, in any direction, such as the upward, the downward, the rightward, the leftward, or the diagonal direction, may be used. 
     Further, the microphone hole  218  is provided on the inner side surface of the lower housing  211 . Under the microphone hole  218 , a microphone  242  (see  FIG. 17 ) is provided as a sound input device described below, and the microphone  242  detects for a sound from the outside of the game apparatus  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16B  and  FIG. 16D , an L button  214 G and an R button  214 H are provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing  211 . The L button  214 G and the R button  214 H act as shutter buttons (imaging instruction buttons) of the imaging section, for example. Further, as shown in  FIG. 16A , a sound volume button  214 I is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing  211 . The sound volume button  214 I is used for adjusting a sound volume of a speaker of the game apparatus  200 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 16A , a cover section  211 C is provided on the left side surface of the lower housing  211  so as to be openable and closable. Inside the cover section  211 C, a connector (not shown) is provided for electrically connecting between the game apparatus  200  and an external data storage memory  245 . The external data storage memory  245  is detachably connected to the connector. The external data storage memory  245  is used for, for example, recording (storing) data of an image taken by the game apparatus  200 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 16D , an insertion opening  211 D, through which an external memory  244  having a game program stored therein is inserted, is provided on the upper side surface of the lower housing  211 , and a connector (not shown) for electrically connecting between the game apparatus  200  and the external memory  244  in a detachable manner is provided inside the insertion opening  211 D. A predetermined game program is executed by connecting the external memory  244  to the game apparatus  200 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 15  and  FIG. 16C , the first LED  216 A for notifying a user of an ON/OFF state of a power supply of the game apparatus  200  is provided on the lower side surface of the lower housing  211 , and the second LED  216 B for notifying a user of an establishment state of a wireless communication of the game apparatus  200  is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing  211 . The game apparatus  200  can make wireless communication with other devices, and the second LED  216 B is lit up when the wireless communication is established. The game apparatus  200  has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN in a method based on, for example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard. A wireless switch  219  for enabling/disabling the function of the wireless communication is provided on the right side surface of the lower housing  211  (see  FIG. 16C ). 
     A rechargeable battery (not shown) acting as a power supply for the game apparatus  200  is accommodated in the lower housing  211 , and the battery can be charged through a terminal provided on a side surface (for example, the upper side surface) of the lower housing  211 . 
     (Description of Upper Housing) 
     Next, a structure of the upper housing  221  will be described. As shown in  FIG. 15  to  FIG. 16D , an upper LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)  222 , an outer imaging section  223  (an outer imaging section (left)  223   a  and an outer imaging section (right)  223   b ), an inner imaging section  224 , a 3D adjustment switch  225 , and a 3D indicator  226  are provided in the upper housing  221 . Hereinafter, these components will be described in detail. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , the upper LCD  222  is accommodated in the upper housing  221 . The number of pixels of the upper LCD  222  may be, for example, 800 dots×240 dots (the horizontal line×the vertical line). Although, in the second embodiment, the upper LCD  222  is an LCD, a display device using an EL (Electro Luminescence), or the like may be used. In addition, a display device having any resolution may be used as the upper LCD  222 . 
     The upper LCD  222  is a display device capable of displaying a stereoscopically visible image. Further, in the present embodiment, a left-eye image and a right-eye image are displayed by using substantially the same display area. Specifically, the upper LCD  222  is a display device using a method in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed in the horizontal direction in predetermined units (for example, every other line). Alternatively, the upper LCD  222  may be a display device using a method in which the left-eye image and the right-eye image are alternately displayed for a predetermined time period and the left-eye image and the right-eye image are viewed by the left eye and the right eye, respectively by using glasses. In the present embodiment, the upper LCD  222  is a display device capable of displaying an image which is stereoscopically visible by the naked eye, and a lenticular lens type display device or a parallax barrier type display device is used which enables the left-eye image and the right-eye image, which are alternately displayed in the horizontal direction, to be separately viewed by the left eye and the right eye, respectively. In the second embodiment, the upper LCD  222  of a parallax barrier type is used. The upper LCD  222  displays, by using the right-eye image and the left-eye image, an image (a stereoscopic image) which is stereoscopically visible by the naked eye. That is, the upper LCD  222  allows a user to view the left-eye image with her/his left eye, and the right-eye image with her/his right eye by utilizing a parallax barrier, so that a stereoscopic image (a stereoscopically visible image) exerting a stereoscopic effect on a user can be displayed. Further, the upper LCD  222  may disable the parallax barrier. When the parallax barrier is disabled, an image can be displayed in a planar manner (it is possible to display a planar visible image which is different from a stereoscopically visible image as described above. That is, a display mode is used in which the same displayed image is viewed with the left eye and the right eye). Thus, the upper LCD  222  is a display device capable of switching between a stereoscopic display mode for displaying a stereoscopically visible image and a planar display mode (for displaying a planar visible image) for displaying an image in a planar manner. The switching of the display mode is performed by the 3D adjustment switch  225  described below. 
     Two imaging sections ( 223   a  and  223   b ) provided on the outer side surface (the back surface reverse of the main surface on which the upper LCD  222  is provided)  221 D of the upper housing  221  are generically referred to as the outer imaging section  223 . The imaging directions of the outer imaging section (left)  223   a  and the outer imaging section (right)  223   b  are each the same as the outward normal direction of the outer side surface  221 D. The outer imaging section (left)  223   a  and the outer imaging section (right)  223   b  can be used as a stereo camera depending on a program executed by the game apparatus  200 . Each of the outer imaging section (left)  223   a  and the outer imaging section (right)  223   b  includes an imaging device, such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOS image sensor, having a common predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zooming mechanism. 
     The inner imaging section  224  is positioned on the inner side surface (main surface)  21 B of the upper housing  221 , and acts as an imaging section which has an imaging direction which is the same direction as the inward normal direction of the inner side surface. The inner imaging section  224  includes an imaging device, such as a CCD image sensor and a CMOS image sensor, having a predetermined resolution, and a lens. The lens may have a zooming mechanism. 
     The 3D adjustment switch  225  is a slide switch, and is used for switching a display mode of the upper LCD  222  as described above. Further, the 3D adjustment switch  225  is used for adjusting the stereoscopic effect of a stereoscopically visible image (stereoscopic image) which is displayed on the upper LCD  222 . A slider  225   a  of the 3D adjustment switch  225  is slidable to any position in a predetermined direction (along the longitudinal direction of the right side surface), and a display mode of the upper LCD  222  is determined in accordance with the position of the slider  225   a . Further, a manner in which the stereoscopic image is visible is adjusted in accordance with the position of the slider  225   a . Specifically, an amount of shift in the horizontal direction between a position of a right-eye image and a position of a left-eye image is adjusted in accordance with the position of the slider  225   a.    
     The 3D indicator  226  indicates whether or not the upper LCD  222  is in the stereoscopic display mode. The 3D indicator  226  is implemented as an LED, and is lit up when the stereoscopic display mode of the upper LCD  222  is enabled. The 3D indicator  226  may be lit up only when the program processing for displaying a stereoscopically visible image is performed in a state where the upper LCD  222  is in the stereoscopic display mode. 
     Further, a speaker hole  221 E is provided on the inner side surface of the upper housing  221 . A sound is outputted through the speaker hole  221 E from a speaker  243  described below. 
     (Internal Configuration of Game Apparatus  200 ) 
     Next, an internal electrical configuration of the game apparatus  200  will be described with reference to  FIG. 17 .  FIG. 17  is a block diagram illustrating an internal configuration of the game apparatus  200 . As shown in  FIG. 17 , the game apparatus  200  includes, in addition to the components described above, electronic components such as an information processing section  231 , a main memory  232 , an external memory interface (external memory I/F)  233 , an external data storage memory I/F  234 , an internal data storage memory  235 , a wireless communication module  236 , a local communication module  237 , a real-time clock (RTC)  238 , an acceleration sensor  239 , a power supply circuit  240 , an interface circuit (I/F circuit)  241 , and the like. These electronic components are mounted on an electronic circuit substrate, and accommodated in the lower housing  211  (or the upper housing  221 ). 
     The information processing section  231  is information processing means which includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  311  for executing a predetermined program, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)  312  for performing image processing, and the like. The CPU  311  of the information processing section  231  executes a process according to the program by executing a program stored in a memory (for example, the external memory  244  connected to the external memory I/F  233  or the internal data storage memory  235 ) inside the game apparatus  200 . The program executed by the CPU  311  of the information processing section  231  may be acquired from another device through communication with the other device. The information processing section  231  further includes a VRAM (Video RAM)  313 . The GPU  312  of the information processing section  231  generates an image in accordance with an instruction from the CPU  311  of the information processing section  231 , and renders the image in the VRAM  313 . The GPU  312  of the information processing section  231  outputs the image rendered in the VRAM  313 , to the upper LCD  222  and/or the lower LCD  212 , and the image is displayed on the upper LCD  222  and/or the lower LCD  212 . 
     To the information processing section  231 , the main memory  232 , the external memory I/F  233 , the external data storage memory I/F  234 , and the internal data storage memory  235  are connected. The external memory I/F  233  is an interface for detachably connecting to the external memory  244 . The external data storage memory I/F  234  is an interface for detachably connecting to the external data storage memory  245 . 
     The main memory  232  is volatile storage means used as a work area and a buffer area for (the CPU  311  of) the information processing section  231 . That is, the main memory  232  temporarily stores therein various types of data used for the process based on the program, and temporarily stores therein a program acquired from the outside (the external memory  244 , another device, or the like), for example. In the second embodiment, for example, a PSRAM (Pseudo-SRAM) is used as the main memory  232 . 
     The external memory  244  is non-volatile storage means for storing a program executed by the information processing section  231 . The external memory  244  is implemented as, for example, a read-only semiconductor memory. When the external memory  244  is connected to the external memory I/F  233 , the information processing section  231  can load a program stored in the external memory  244 . A predetermined process is performed by the program loaded by the information processing section  231  being executed. The external data storage memory  245  is implemented as a non-volatile readable and writable memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, images taken by the outer imaging section  223  and/or images taken by another device are stored in the external data storage memory  245 . When the external data storage memory  245  is connected to the external data storage memory I/F  234 , the information processing section  231  loads an image stored in the external data storage memory  245 , and the image can be displayed on the upper LCD  222  and/or the lower LCD  212 . 
     The internal data storage memory  235  is implemented as a non-volatile readable and writable memory (for example, a NAND flash memory), and is used for storing predetermined data. For example, data and/or programs downloaded through wireless communication via the wireless communication module  236  are stored in the internal data storage memory  235 . 
     The wireless communication module  236  has a function of connecting to a wireless LAN by using a method based on, for example, IEEE 802.11.b/g standard. The local communication module  237  has a function of performing wireless communication with the same type of game apparatus in a predetermined communication method (for example, communication through a unique protocol, or infrared communication). The wireless communication module  236  and the local communication module  237  are connected to the information processing section  231 . The information processing section  231  can perform data transmission to and data reception from another device via the Internet by using the wireless communication module  236 , and can perform data transmission to and data reception from the same type of another game apparatus by using the local communication module  237 . 
     The acceleration sensor  239  is connected to the information processing section  231 . The acceleration sensor  239  detects magnitudes of accelerations (linear accelerations) in the directions of the straight lines along the three axial (xyz axial) directions, respectively. The acceleration sensor  239  is provided inside the lower housing  211 . In the acceleration sensor  239 , as shown in  FIG. 15 , the long side direction of the lower housing  211  is defined as x axial direction, the short side direction of the lower housing  211  is defined as y axial direction, and the direction orthogonal to the inner side surface (main surface) of the lower housing  211  is defined as z axial direction, thereby detecting magnitudes of the linear accelerations for the respective axes. The acceleration sensor  239  is, for example, an electrostatic capacitance type acceleration sensor. However, another type of acceleration sensor may be used. The acceleration sensor  239  may be an acceleration sensor for detecting a magnitude of acceleration for one axial direction or two axial directions. The information processing section  231  can receive data (acceleration data) representing accelerations detected by the acceleration sensor  239 , and detect an orientation and a motion of the game apparatus  200 . 
     The RTC  238  and the power supply circuit  240  are connected to the information processing section  231 . The RTC  238  counts time, and outputs the time to the information processing section  231 . The information processing section  231  calculates a current time (date), based on the time counted by the RTC  238 . The power supply circuit  240  controls power from the power supply (the rechargeable battery accommodated in the lower housing  211  as described above) of the game apparatus  200 , and supplies power to each component of the game apparatus  200 . 
     The I/F circuit  241  is connected to the information processing section  231 . The microphone  242  and the speaker  243  are connected to the I/F circuit  241 . Specifically, the speaker  243  is connected to the I/F circuit  241  through an amplifier (not shown). The microphone  242  detects user&#39;s voice, and outputs a sound signal to the I/F circuit  241 . The amplifier amplifies the sound signal outputted from the I/F circuit  241 , and a sound is outputted from the speaker  243 . The touch panel  213  is connected to the I/F circuit  241 . The I/F circuit  241  includes a sound control circuit for controlling the microphone  242  and the speaker  243  (amplifier), and a touch panel control circuit for controlling the touch panel. The sound control circuit performs A/D conversion and D/A conversion on the sound signal, and converts the sound signal to a predetermined form of sound data, for example. The touch panel control circuit generates a predetermined form of touch position data, based on a signal outputted from the touch panel  213 , and outputs the touch position data to the information processing section  231 . The touch position data represents a coordinate of a position, on an input surface of the touch panel  213 , on which an input is made. The touch panel control circuit reads a signal outputted from the touch panel  213 , and generates the touch position data every predetermined time. The information processing section  231  acquires the touch position data to recognize a position on which an input is made on the touch panel  213 . 
     The operation button  214  includes the operation buttons  214 A to  214 L described above, and is connected to the information processing section  231 . Operation data representing an input state of each of the operation buttons  214 A to  214 I is outputted from the operation button  214  to the information processing section  231 , and the input state indicates whether or not each of the operation buttons  214 A to  214 I has been pressed. The information processing section  231  acquires the operation data from the operation button  214  to perform a process in accordance with the input on the operation button  214 . 
     The lower LCD  212  and the upper LCD  222  are connected to the information processing section  231 . The lower LCD  212  and the upper LCD  222  each display an image in accordance with an instruction from (the GPU  312  of) the information processing section  231 . In the second embodiment, the information processing section  231  displays a stereoscopic image (stereoscopically visible image) on the upper LCD  222 . 
     Specifically, the information processing section  231  is connected to an LCD controller (not shown) of the upper LCD  222 , and causes the LCD controller to set the parallax barrier to ON or OFF. When the parallax barrier is set to ON in the upper LCD  222 , an right-eye image and a left-eye image, which are stored in the VRAM  313  of the information processing section  231 , are outputted to the upper LCD  222 . More specifically, the LCD controller alternately repeats reading of pixel data of the right-eye image for one line in the vertical direction, and reading of pixel data of the left-eye image for one line in the vertical direction, thereby reading, from the VRAM  313 , the right-eye image and the left-eye image. Thus, an image to be displayed is divided into the images for a right eye and the images for a left eye each of which is a rectangle-shaped image having one line of pixels aligned in the vertical direction, and an image, in which the rectangle-shaped left-eye image which is obtained through the division, and the rectangle-shaped right-eye image which is obtained through the division are alternately aligned, is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD  222 . A user views the images through the parallax barrier in the upper LCD  222 , so that the right-eye image is viewed with the user&#39;s right eye, and the left-eye image is viewed with the user&#39;s left eye. Thus, the stereoscopically visible image is displayed on the screen of the upper LCD  222 . 
     The outer imaging section  223  and the inner imaging section  224  are connected to the information processing section  231 . The outer imaging section  223  and the inner imaging section  224  each take an image in accordance with an instruction from the information processing section  231 , and output data of the taken image to the information processing section  231 . 
     The 3D adjustment switch  225  is connected to the information processing section  231 . The 3D adjustment switch  225  transmits to the information processing section  231  an electrical signal in accordance with the position of the slider  225   a.    
     The 3D indicator  226  is connected to the information processing section  231 . The information processing section  231  controls whether or not the 3D indicator  226  is to be lit up. For example, the information processing section  231  lights up the 3D indicator  226  when the upper LCD  222  is in the stereoscopic display mode. 
     Further, the angular velocity sensor  246  is connected to the information processing section  231 . The angular velocity sensor  246  detects an angular velocity about each axis (x axis, y axis, and z axis). The game apparatus  200  can calculate an orientation of the game apparatus  200  in real space, in accordance with an angular velocity sequentially detected by the angular velocity sensor  246 . Specifically, the game apparatus  200  can calculate an angle of rotation of the game apparatus  200  about each axis by integrating, with time, the angular velocity about each axis, which is detected by the angular velocity sensor  246 . This is the end of the description of the internal configuration of the game apparatus  200 . 
     (Outline of Game of Second Embodiment) 
     Next, an outline of a game according to the second embodiment will be described, with reference to  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 .  FIG. 18  is a diagram illustrating an example of game images displayed on the respective screens of the upper LCD  222  and the lower LCD  212 , while the game according to the second embodiment is being executed. In the game according to the second embodiment, causing a dog object  50  to move in response to a touch operation of the touch panel  213  (the lower LCD  212 ) gives a user a feel of touching or playing with a dog. 
     As shown in  FIG. 18 , on the upper LCD  222 , a stereoscopic image  50 A is displayed, in which the dog object  50  representing a dog is displayed stereoscopically (displayed in a stereoscopically visible manner). The dog object  50  is a virtual object set in a three-dimensional virtual space (a space represented by XYZ coordinate system (world coordinate system)). The stereoscopic image  50 A is an image taken of the dog object  50 , which exists in the virtual space, by a virtual stereo camera (virtual cameras at the left and at the right; first and second virtual cameras) set in the virtual space. The left-eye image and the right-eye image are taken by the virtual stereo camera to be displayed on the upper LCD  222 , and thereby the dog object  50  is stereoscopically displayed. Also, on the upper LCD  222 , a stereoscopic image  51 A stereoscopically displaying a ball object  51 , which exists in the virtual space, is displayed. The stereoscopic image  50 A and the stereoscopic image  51 A are displayed in 32-bit color, for example. 
     On the lower LCD  212 , a silhouette image  50 B, in which the silhouette of the dog object  50  is displayed, is displayed. The silhouette image  50 B is an image taken of the dog object  50  by a virtual camera (a third virtual camera) set at the middle between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right which are components of the virtual stereo camera), and the silhouette of the dog object  50  is displayed in the image (displayed in monochrome). The ball object  51  is not displayed on the lower LCD  212 . That is, on the lower LCD  212 , only the dog object  50  to be operated is displayed, and other objects are not displayed. 
     If the user touches the silhouette image  50 B displayed on the lower LCD  212  by using the touch pen  228 , a cursor  60  indicating a touched position is displayed on the upper LCD  222 . That is, the cursor  60  is displayed on the upper LCD  222  at a position corresponding to the touched position on the lower LCD  212 . The cursor  60  is an object representing a human hand. If the user slides the touch pen  228  on the screen while the touch pen  228  is touching the lower LCD  212 , the cursor  60  moves according to the movement of the touch pen  228 . In addition, the dog object  50  moves according to the movement of the touch pen  228  (the movement of the cursor  60 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 18 , if the user moves the touch pen  228  alternately back and forth in the up-down directions while the head of the dog object  50  is being touched by the touch pen  228 , the cursor  60  also moves alternately back and forth in the up-down direction of the upper LCD  222 . This movement of the cursor  60  corresponds to the user&#39;s action tapping the dog object  50  on the head. In response to the user&#39;s action, the dog object  50  behaves such that the dog object  50  is joyous in being tapped on the head, for example. 
       FIG. 19  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the user touches the dog object  50  on the back area. As shown in  FIG. 19 , if the user touches the dog object  50  on the back area, the orientation of the cursor  60  changes, as compared to the case where the user touches on the head as shown in  FIG. 18 . Specifically, the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be along a surface of the touched part. 
     As described above, the user uses the touch pen  228  (or a finger) to touch the silhouette image  50 B displayed on the lower LCD  212 , and thereby operates the cursor  60  displayed on the upper LCD  222 . The user then uses the cursor  60  to touch the dog object  50 , and thereby operates the dog object  50 . 
     (Details of Game Process) 
     Next, how to determine the orientation of the cursor  60 , and the process thereof in detail will be described, with reference to  FIG. 20  to  FIG. 22 . Initially, a main data which are stored in the main memory  232  and the VRAM  313  (hereinafter, these components may be collectively called RAM) in the game process will be described.  FIG. 20  is a diagram illustrating a memory map of the RAM (the main memory  232 , or the like) of the game apparatus  200 . As shown in  FIG. 20 , in the RAM, a game program  270 , touch position data  271 , rendered image data  272 , depth value data  273 , dog object information data  274 , cursor data  275 , and the like are stored. Other data stored in the RAM are image data of the dog object  50 , data regarding button operations performed by the user, and the like. 
     The game program  270  is a program for causing the information processing section  231  (the CPU  311 ) to execute a game process shown in a flowchart described below. 
     In the touch position data  271 , a touch position T detected by the touch panel  213  is stored. Specifically, the touch position data  271  is an array having a given length, and a coordinate value (TxTy coordinate system) representing a position on the touch panel  213  (on the screen of the lower LCD  212 ) is stored in each element of the array. The TxTy coordinate system is, for example, a coordinate system having as its origin a lower left end of the lower LCD  212 , in which a Tx coordinate axis and a Ty coordinate axis are set in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the lower LCD  212 , respectively. In the touch position data  271 , coordinate values, which represent touch positions detected by the touch panel  213 , are stored in chronological order. 
     The rendered image data  272  is data which includes images displayed on the upper LCD  222  and the lower LCD  212 . Specifically, the rendered image data  272  includes the left-eye image and the right-eye image, which are displayed on the upper LCD  222 , and the silhouette image displayed on the lower LCD  212 . Each image is generated by a display process described below, and stored in the RAM as the rendered image data  272 . 
     In the depth value data  273 , a depth value (a value which represents a position in a depth direction) for each pixel of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  is stored. Specifically, the depth value data  273  is a two-dimensional array, in which the depth values of the respective pixels of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  are arranged in a matrix. The depth value for each pixel of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  is stored in each element of the two-dimensional array. 
     The dog object information data  274  is data which indicates a position in the virtual space, a shape, or the like of the dog object  50 . Specifically, the dog object information data  274  includes information regarding the position of the dog object  50  in the virtual space (the XYZ coordinate system), each part (see  FIG. 23 ) of the dog object  50 , and the like. 
     The cursor data  275  is data which indicates the position in the virtual space and the orientation of the cursor  60 . The position of the cursor  60  is the position in the three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the position touched by the user on the touch panel  213 . The orientation of the cursor  60  indicates an orientation of the cursor  60  in the virtual space. 
     (Game Process of Second Embodiment) 
     Next, the game process will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 21  to  FIG. 27 .  FIG. 21  is a main flowchart showing in detail the game process according to the second embodiment. When the game apparatus  200  is powered on, the information processing section  231  (the CPU  311 ) of the game apparatus  200  executes a boot program stored in the ROM to initialize each unit, such as the main memory  232 . Next, the RAM (specifically, the main memory  232 ) reads the game program  70  stored in a non-volatile memory (the external memory  244  or the like; the computer-readable storage medium), and the CPU  311  of the information processing section  231  starts executing the program. The information processing section  231  (the CPU  311  or the GPU  312 ) performs the process shown in the flowchart in  FIG. 21  after the completion of the above-mentioned process. 
     The description of processes, which does not directly relate to the present invention, is omitted in  FIG. 21 . A processing loop of step S 101  through step S 104  shown in  FIG. 21  is repeatedly executed for each frame (for example, 1/30 second or 1/60 seconds, which is referred to as frame time). 
     Initially, in step S 101 , the information processing section  231  executes a cursor setting process. Here, the position in the virtual space and the orientation of the cursor  60  are calculated based on the touch position detected by the touch panel  213 . The cursor setting process performed in step S 101  will be described in detail, with reference to  FIG. 22 .  FIG. 22  is a flowchart showing in detail the cursor setting process (step S 101 ). 
     In step S 111 , the information processing section  231  determines whether or not the touch panel  213  has detected the touch position T. If the touch panel  213  has detected the touch position T, the information processing section  231  stores the touch position T (Tx, Ty) in the touch position data  271  as latest touch position, and executes a process of step S 112 . On the other hand, if the touch position T is not detected by the touch panel  213 , the information processing section  231  ends the cursor setting process shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     In step S 112 , the information processing section  231  acquires a designated position Q on the image, which corresponds to the touch position T detected in step S 111  on the touch panel  213 . Here, the designated position Q indicates a position, on the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 , which corresponds to the touch position T. Specifically, the information processing section  231  transforms the coordinates of the touch position T detected by the touch panel  213  in step S 111  to acquire the designated position Q (Qx, Qy) on the image. 
     If the display screen (and the touch panel  213 ) of the lower LCD  212  and the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  (that is, an image generated in step S 104  described below) have the same size as each other, the touch position T coincides with the designated position Q. On the other hand, if the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  is greater in size than the display screen of the lower LCD  212  (and the touch panel  213 ), the touch position T is converted according to a ratio of the size, and the designated position Q is obtained. As described above, the touch position T and the designated position Q, which correspond to each other in a one-to-one fashion, indicate positions represented by two different coordinate systems, respectively. 
     Hereinafter, the position, which is detected by the touch panel  213 , and which is represented by the coordinate system of the touch panel  213 , is denoted as the “touch position T”, and the position, which corresponds to the touch position T, and which is represented by the coordinate system of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 , is denoted as the “designated position Q”. Also, the position, which corresponds to the designated position Q, and which is represented by the coordinate system (the XYZ coordinate system) of the three-dimensional virtual space, is denoted as the “designated three-dimensional position P”. The information processing section  231  next executes a process of step S 113 . 
     In step S 113 , the information processing section  231  acquires the depth value (a Z value) in the designated position Q. Specifically, the information processing section  231  refers to the depth value data  273  to acquire the depth value of the pixel at the designated position Q (Qx, Qy). In step S 104  described below, the depth value (the position in the depth direction) for each pixel of the image is stored in the depth value data  273 , when the image is displayed on the lower LCD  212 . Here, the information processing section  231  refers to the depth value data  273  updated in a previous frame in step S 104  to acquire the depth value stored in the depth value data  273 . Next, a process of step S 114  is executed. 
     In step S 114 , the information processing section  231  determines whether or not the designated position Q is on the dog object  50 . That is, the information processing section  231  determines whether or not the designated position Q acquired in step S 112  falls within the silhouette image  50 B of the dog object  50  displayed on the lower LCD  212 . For example, the information processing section  231  refers to the depth value data  273  to determine whether or not the depth value of the pixel at the designated position Q falls within a predetermined range. As described above, the depth value data  273  is the data which indicates the depth values of respective pixels of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 . In the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 , only the dog object  50  to be operated is displayed. Therefore, the depth value (0.9 through 1.0, for example) in the predetermined range is stored in the depth value data  273  for each pixel in an area (a display area of the silhouette image  50 B) in which the dog object  50  is displayed, and a predetermined depth value (0, for example) is stored in the depth value data  273  for an area in which the dog object  50  is not displayed. Thus, the information processing section  231  can determine whether or not the dog object  50  has been touched by using the depth value data  273 . If the determination result is affirmative, a process of step S 115  is next executed. If the determination result is negative, a process of step S 120  is next executed. 
     In step S 115 , the information processing section  231  calculates the designated three-dimensional position P (X, Y, Z). Specifically, the information processing section  231  calculates the designated three-dimensional position P in the virtual space, based on the designated position Q (Qx, Qy) acquired in step S 112  and the depth value (the Z value) acquired in step S 113 . The designated position Q is the position on the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 . The positions in the up-down and left-right directions (the X-axis and Y-axis directions in the camera coordinate system), in which the virtual space is viewed from the third virtual camera, are calculated, based on the designated position Q. The depth value acquired in step S 113  is the depth value at the designated position Q on the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 , and represents a position in the depth direction (the imaging direction; Z-axis direction in the camera coordinate system) in which the virtual space is viewed from the third virtual camera. Thus, the position in the depth direction of the third virtual camera is calculated based on the depth value. That is, the three-dimensional position in the virtual space is converted to a two-dimensional position on the image by a viewing transformation and a projective transformation. Therefore, the three-dimensional position in the virtual space can be obtained by a reverse transformation which uses the two-dimensional position (the positions in the up-down and left-right directions of the third virtual camera) on the image and its depth value (the position in the imaging direction of the third virtual camera). More specifically, the information processing section  231  uses an inverse matrix of a perspective projection transformation matrix and an inverse matrix of a viewing matrix of the third virtual camera to calculate the designated three-dimensional position P (X, Y, Z) in the virtual space. The information processing section  231  then stores the calculated designated three-dimensional position P in the RAM as the cursor data  275 . Next, the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 116 . 
     In step S 116 , the information processing section  231  determines the touched part, based on the designated three-dimensional position P. The dog object  50  is formed by a plurality of parts, and the touched part is determined in step S 116 . 
       FIG. 23  is a diagram illustrating a state in which the dog object  50  is formed by the plurality of parts. As shown in  FIG. 23 , the dog object  50  is formed by the plurality of parts, and a part  151  forms the head, and a part  155  forms a rear half of the dog, for example. In the dog object information data  274 , information regarding each part is included. Each part has a spherical shape, a cylindrical shape, a capsule shape (the part  155  shown in  FIG. 23 , for example), or the like. More specifically, each part is represented by a line segment (bone), and defined by determining a distance from the line segment to a point on a surface of the part.  FIG. 24  is a diagram illustrating in detail the part  155 , which is the rear half of the dog. As shown in  FIG. 24 , the part  155  is represented by a line segment  155   a  which connects a point  155   b  and a point  155   c . Information regarding the part  155 , among the dog object information data  274  includes the position and length (coordinate values of the point  155   b  and the point  155   c  in the three-dimensional virtual space) of the line segment  155   a , and a distance from the line segment  155   a  to a point on the surface of the part  155 . 
     The information processing section  231  refers to the dog object information data  274  to search for a line segment (bone) closest to the designated three-dimensional position P, thereby determines the touched part. Next, the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 117 . 
     In step S 117 , the information processing section  231  calculates a normal line at the designated three-dimensional position P and an angle of rotation. Specifically, the information processing section  231  calculates a line, which passes through the designated three-dimensional position P, and which is normal to the surface of the touched part. 
       FIG. 25A  is a diagram of the touched part  155  viewed from the front thereof, and illustrates a normal vector at the designated three-dimensional position P on the part  155 .  FIG. 25B  is a diagram of the part  155  viewed from a direction as indicated by an arrow shown in  FIG. 25A , and illustrates the normal vector at the designated three-dimensional position P on the part  155 . As shown in  FIG. 25A  and  FIG. 25B , the information processing section  231  calculates a foot of the normal line extending from the designated three-dimensional position P toward the line segment  155   a  in order to calculate a vector extending from the foot of the normal line toward the designated three-dimensional position P as the normal vector. The normal vector calculated as such is a vector normal to the surface of the part  155 . A method of calculating the normal line at the designated three-dimensional position P on the touched part is not limited to as described above and may be any method. 
     In step S 117 , the information processing section  231  calculates the angle of rotation of the cursor  60 , based on the designated three-dimensional position P. The angle of rotation of the cursor  60  to be calculated here is an angle which indicates rotation about the normal vector. The angle of rotation of the cursor  60  is determined based on the designated three-dimensional position P relative to the touched part.  FIG. 26  is a diagram illustrating, in the case where the part  155  has been touched, how the angle of rotation is determined depending on the location of the designated three-dimensional position P in an area in the part  155 . As shown in  FIG. 26 , for example, if an upper half of the part  155  has been touched, the angle of rotation of the cursor  60  is set to 0 degree. If a lower half of the part  155  has been touched, the angle of rotation of the cursor  60  is set to 180 degrees. 
     After the calculation of the normal line and the angle of rotation, the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 118 . 
     In step S 118 , the information processing section  231  determines the orientation of the cursor  60  in the virtual space, based on the normal line and the angle of rotation calculated in step S 117 . Specifically, the information processing section  231  arranges the cursor  60  in the virtual space such that the cursor  60  is normal to the normal line calculated in step S 117 , and rotates the cursor  60  about the normal line by the angle of rotation calculated in step S 117 . The information processing section  231  then stores the determined orientation in the RAM as the cursor data  275 . When the orientation of the cursor  60  is thus detected and the cursor  60  is displayed on the upper LCD  222 , the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be along the surface of the part touched by the user (such that the palm contacts the surface of the part). The information processing section  231  next executes a process of step S 119 . 
     In step S 119 , the information processing section  231  sets the cursor  60  to 3D mode. Specifically, the information processing section  231  sets data which indicates a display mode of the cursor  60  to 3D display mode and stores the data in the RAM. The cursor  60  is stereoscopically displayed on the upper LCD  222  by performing a display process (step S 103 ) described below for the upper LCD  222 . In this case, the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be along the surface of the touched part, and for example, when the touched part is displayed in a front direction with respect to the screen of the upper LCD  222 , the cursor  60  is also displayed so as to be arranged in the front direction with respect to the screen. After the process of step S 119 , the information processing section  231  ends the process of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     On the other hand, in step S 120 , the information processing section  231  sets the cursor  60  to 2D mode. Specifically, the information processing section  231  sets the data which indicates the display mode of the cursor  60  to 2D display mode, and stores the data in the RAM. The cursor  60  is displayed on the upper LCD  222  by the display process (step S 103 ) described below for the upper LCD  222  being performed. 
       FIG. 27  is a diagram illustrating an example of screens in the case where the dog object  50  is not touched when the touch panel  213  has detected a touch. As shown in  FIG. 27 , if an area different from the display area of the silhouette image  50 B of the dog object  50  is touched, the cursor  60  is displayed on the upper LCD  222  at a position corresponding to the touch position T (the designated position Q). Here, the billboarding process is performed on the cursor  60 , and the cursor  60  is displayed as a planar arrow-shaped cursor. Moreover, the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be arranged on the screen of the upper LCD  222  (that is, when the left-eye image and the right-eye image are displayed on the upper LCD  222 , the display position of the cursor  60  in the left-eye image coincides with the display position of the cursor  60  in the right-eye image). After the process of step S 120  is performed, the information processing section  231  ends the process of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 22 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 21 , the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 102  after the process of step S 101 . 
     In step S 102 , the information processing section  231  determines the movement of the dog object  50 . Specifically, on the basis of the touch position T (the designated position Q) acquired in step S 101 , the information processing section  231  determines an operation performed on the dog object  50  and determines the movement of the dog object  50  according to the determination result. Next, the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 103 . 
     In step S 103 , the information processing section  231  performs the display process for the upper LCD  222 . Specifically, the information processing section  231  causes the dog object  50  to move according to the determination made in step S 102 . Furthermore, the information processing section  231  arranges the cursor  60  in the virtual space, according to the result of the cursor setting process made in step S 101 . For example, if the setting has been made in the cursor setting process to set the cursor to 3D display mode (that is, if the process of step S 119  has been performed), the cursor object  60  is arranged in the virtual space in the orientation determined in step S 118  at the designated three-dimensional position P calculated in step S 115 . The information processing section  231  then takes images of the dog object  50 , the ball object  51 , and the cursor object  60  by the virtual stereo camera (the virtual cameras at the left and at the right; the first and the second cameras) set in the virtual space. Thus, the left-eye image and the right-eye image taken of the virtual space including the dog object  50 , the ball object  51 , and the cursor object  60  are generated. The information processing section  231  then outputs the generated the left-eye image and the right-eye image to the upper LCD  222 . Next, the information processing section  231  executes a process of step S 104 . 
     In step S 104 , the information processing section  231  performs the display process for the lower LCD  212 . Specifically, the information processing section  231  takes the image of the dog object  50  by using the virtual camera (the third virtual camera) arranged at the middle position between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right which are the components of the virtual stereo camera. Here, a setting is made so that the silhouette of the dog object  50  is displayed, and other objects, which are the ball object  51  and the cursor object  60 , are set hidden. Therefore, only the silhouette image  50 B of the dog object  50  is displayed on the lower LCD  212 . More specifically, the information processing section  231  uses the viewing matrix of the virtual camera (the third virtual camera) to perform the viewing transform on the coordinates of the dog object  50  represented in the XYZ coordinate system and further performs the projective transformation on the dog object  50  by using a projection matrix. Therefore, the image (the silhouette image  50 B shown in  FIG. 18  and  FIG. 19 ) of the dog object  50  taken by the third virtual camera is generated. In addition, the information processing section  231  stores the depth value (the Z value), which is obtained by generating the image, in the RAM as the depth value data  273 . The information processing section  231  then outputs the generated image to the lower LCD  212 . The third virtual camera is not necessarily set at the middle between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right, which are the components of the virtual stereo camera, and may be set at any position between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right. This is the end of the description of the flowchart shown in  FIG. 21 . 
     The order of the process is not limited to the one shown in  FIG. 21 , and for example, the cursor setting process may be performed after the respective display processes for the upper LCD and the lower LCD. Although, in the above description, the cursor  60  is arranged in the virtual space by using the depth value of the image already displayed on the lower LCD  212 , in order to arrange the cursor  60  in the virtual space, the third virtual camera may be used to take the image of the virtual space, and thereby the image and the depth value may be generated. That is, the image of the virtual space may be taken by the third virtual camera before the cursor setting process is performed, and, by using the taken image and the depth value, the cursor  60  may be arranged in the virtual space. After the cursor  60  is arranged in the virtual space, the image of the virtual space may be again taken by the third virtual camera, and the taken image may be displayed on the lower LCD  212 . 
     As described above, in the second embodiment, the touch position T is detected by the touch panel  213 , and by using the designated position Q on the image, which corresponds to the touch position T, and the depth value of the designated position Q, the designated three-dimensional position P in the virtual space is obtained. The cursor  60  is then arranged at the designated three-dimensional position P. The orientation of the cursor  60  is set based on the normal line on the touched part at the designated three-dimensional position P. Therefore, the cursor  60  can be arranged in the virtual space at the position corresponding to the designated position Q. 
     In the second embodiment, because the designated three-dimensional position P in the virtual space is calculated by using the depth value calculated in the display process for the lower LCD  212 , the position, which corresponds to the touch position T, in the three-dimensional virtual space can be obtained without the necessity of complex calculations. For example, to obtain the position in the three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the touch position T detected by the touch panel  213 , it is considered to obtain the position in the three-dimensional virtual space by geometric calculations. That is, a three-dimensional straight line extending from the touch position T toward the imaging direction of the virtual camera is calculated to determine whether or not the three-dimensional straight line contacts with any of the parts of the dog object  50 . If there is a part with which three-dimensional straight line contacts, a point at which the part and three-dimensional straight line intersects with each other is obtained as the position, which corresponds to the touch position T, in the three-dimensional virtual space. However, in such a geometric method, the calculation becomes complex and thus the processing burden increases. For example, if a portion, which connects the parts each other, is touched, unless the designated three-dimensional position P is accurately obtained, the cursor  60  may be hidden when displayed on the screen, depending on the part on which the cursor  60  exists. Therefore, the designated three-dimensional position P needs to be accurately obtained. However, in geometric methods, the more accurately the designated three-dimensional position P must be obtained, the more strictly the shape of a virtual model (the dog object) needs to be defined. Thus, geometric methods require more complex calculation to more accurately obtain the designated three-dimensional position P, causing an increase in the processing burden. On the other hand, according to the method of the second embodiment, because the depth value, which is obtained in the display process, is used, no special calculation is required to accurately obtain the designated three-dimensional position P in the three-dimensional virtual space, which corresponds to the touch position T detected by the touch panel  213 . Furthermore, because the designated three-dimensional position P is calculated by using the designated position Q on the image already displayed and the depth value at the designated position Q of the image, the calculated designated three-dimensional position P is a portion of the touched part which is displayed on the screen. Therefore, calculating the designated three-dimensional position P by using the method according to the second embodiment to arrange and display the cursor  60  at the designated three-dimensional position P displays the cursor  60  on the surface of the part. 
     Also, in the second embodiment, the cursor  60  is displayed so as to be along the surface of the touched part. That is, in the second embodiment, the orientation of the cursor  60  is determined based on the normal line of the part, at the designated three-dimensional position P, of the dog object  50 . The cursor  60  is displayed by being arranged in the three-dimensional virtual space so as to be along the surface of the part, which is designated by the user, of the dog object  50 , thereby giving the user a feel of touching the dog object  50 . 
     (Modification) 
     In the second embodiment, the silhouette image of the dog object  50  is displayed on the lower LCD  212 , and the stereoscopic image of the dog object  50  is displayed on the upper LCD  222 . In another embodiment, a planar image may be displayed on the upper LCD  222 , instead of the stereoscopic image. Also, the same image as displayed on the upper LCD  222  may be displayed on the lower LCD  212 , instead of the silhouette image. 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the designated three-dimensional position P in the virtual space is calculated by using the depth value of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212 . In another embodiment, the designated three-dimensional position P may be calculated by using the depth value of either of the left-eye image and the right-eye image which are displayed on the upper LCD  222 . 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the depth value for each pixel of the image displayed on the lower LCD  212  is stored. In another embodiment, the depth value for each pixel needs not to be stored, and the depth value for each partial area formed of the plurality of pixels (a small rectangular area formed of four pixels, for example) may be stored. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the game apparatus  200  may be configured to include a single screen, instead of two screens. For example, the stereoscopic image (or the planar image) of the dog object  50  may be displayed on the display screen, and a position on the image (screen) may be designated by using a position designating means (a touch pad, a mouse, or the like, for example), which is different from the touch panel  213 . Alternatively, a touch panel (the position designating means) may be provided on the screen of the game apparatus  200  configured to include the single screen, and a stereoscopic image may be displayed on the screen. In this case, the designated three-dimensional position in the three-dimensional virtual space is calculated, based on the designated position, which is designated by the position designating means, on the image (either of the left-eye image and the right-eye image, or the image taken by the virtual camera set between the virtual cameras at the left and at the right) and the depth value of the designated position. The cursor object  60  is then arranged at the calculated designated three-dimensional position and the image of the cursor object  60  is taken by the virtual camera, and thereby the cursor object  60  is displayed on the upper LCD  222 . 
     Further, the game apparatus  200  may be configured to include a single screen, and the single screen may be divided in two areas. For example, in one of the two areas of the screen, a color image (the color image may or may not be a stereoscopic image) of the dog object  50  may be displayed, and in another of the two areas of the screen, the silhouette image of the dog object  50  may be displayed. The user may designate a position on the silhouette image displayed in the another of the two areas. 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the normal line of the designated part, among the plurality of pats of the dog object  50 , is calculated, and the cursor object  60  formed in a shape of a hand is arranged such that the cursor object  60  is normal to the normal line. The cursor object  60  is then rotated about the normal line, according to the position on the designated part (the designated three-dimensional position relative to the designated part). In another embodiment, the angle of rotation of the cursor object  60  may be determined with consideration, for example, of the direction of movement of the cursor  60 , or the like. For example, if the cursor  60  moves in the left-right directions of the screen, the cursor  60  may be rotated 90 degrees about the normal line. 
     Further, in another embodiment, not only the dog object  50 , any game object (which is formed of one or more parts) may be displayed on the screen and the game object may be operated (given an instruction) by using the cursor  60 . 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the cursor  60 , which indicates the position designated by the user, is displayed. In another embodiment, any object, which is not limited to the cursor  60 , may be arranged in the virtual space for display. That is, the designated three-dimensional position may be calculated based on the position designated by the user and the depth value of the designated position, and any object may be arranged at the calculated designated three-dimensional position. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the above-described display control method may be applied, not limited to the game apparatus, but also to any electronic apparatus, for example, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistant), advanced mobile phones, personal computers, and the like. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the game apparatus is not limited to the handheld game apparatus, and may be a stationary game apparatus including an input device for designating a position on the screen. This game apparatus displays a video on a television receiver (hereinafter, referred to as a television) or the like, and includes the input device for designating a position on a screen of the television. For example, by receiving the infrared radiation emitted from a marker section provided on the periphery of the television, the input device detects the position designated by the user on the television screen. Alternatively, the input device may emit the infrared radiation and a photodetector provided on the periphery of the television receives the infrared radiation emitted from the input device, and thereby the game apparatus detects the position designated by the user. As described above, the three-dimensional position in the virtual space may be calculated, and thereby the object may be arranged in the three-dimensional position by using the position designated on the screen by the user by the use of the input device, and the depth value (the depth value of the image displayed on the screen) of the position. 
     Further, in the second embodiment, the LCD capable of displaying the stereoscopic images which can be viewed by the naked eye is employed. In another embodiment, the present invention is applicable to viewing the stereoscopic images by means of glasses having the time division scheme or the deflecting scheme, the anaglyphic format (the red-blue glasses format), or the like. 
     Further, in another embodiment, the processes may be divided and performed by a plurality of information processing apparatuses communicatively connected by wire or wirelessly to each other, and thereby the display control system, which realizes the above display control method, may be constructed. For example, the position designating means, which is used by the user for designation of the position, may be configured to be separated from the information processing apparatus, and connected to the information processing apparatus wirelessly, or the like. The information processing apparatus and the display device may also be connected to each other, being configured to be separated from each other. 
     Further, the game process described above may be applied to online games. For example, the display device and the position designating means (such as the touch panel or the mouse), which designates a position on a screen of the display device, may be connected to a terminal, and the terminal and the server are connected to each other via the Internet to execute the game. In such online game, while the game advances by distributing processes between the terminal and the server, the processes may be distributed in any manner. For example, a game space may be built in the server, and the position of the dog object  50  in the game space is managed on the server. The user may use the position designating means to designate a position on the screen of the display device, while viewing an image displayed on the display device. For example, the terminal may acquire the position (the designated position Q) on the image displayed on the screen and the depth value at the position, based on the position (the touch position T) detected by the position designating means, and transmit, to the server, information including the position on the image and the depth value. On the basis of the information, the server may calculate the three-dimensional position in the virtual space and arrange the cursor object  60  in the virtual space (arrange the position and set the orientation of the cursor  60 ). Next, the server may cause the dog object  50  to move to change the position in the virtual space and the orientation of the dog object  50 , and additionally, transmit, to the terminal, the information regarding the position and the orientation of the dog object and the information regarding the position and the orientation of the cursor object  60 . On the basis of these pieces of information, the terminal may arrange the dog object and the cursor object in the virtual space, take an image of the virtual space by using the virtual camera, and display the taken image on the display device. 
     Further, in the embodiment described above, the processes in the flowcharts described above are performed by the information processing section  231  of the game apparatus  200  executing a predetermined program. In another embodiment, a part or the entirety of the processes may be performed by a dedicated circuit included in the game apparatus  200 . 
     Further, the game program (information processing program) may be provided to the game apparatus  200  by being stored in, but not limited to the memory, but also in a computer-readable storage medium such as optical discs or magnetic discs. For example, the program may be stored in a RAM (storage medium) in a server on a network, and the program is provided to the game apparatus  200  by the game apparatus  200  connected to the network. 
     While the technology presented herein has been described in detail, the foregoing description is in all aspects illustrative and not restrictive. It is understood that numerous other modifications and variations can be devised without departing from the scope of the present technology.