Multi dimensional puzzle

Details Multi dimensional puzzle Multi dimensional puzzle

1999-03-03

2001-05-29

Wong, Steven (Department: 3711)

Amusement devices: games

Puzzles

Take-aparts and put-togethers

C273S156000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06237914

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of puzzles and, more specifically, to three dimensional puzzles.
BACKGROUND
Prior puzzles have used sets of cubes in conjunction with pictures to form picture puzzles. In one prior cube puzzle, pictures are divided into segments with the picture segments applied to different sides of cube pieces that are connected to form the cube puzzle. The puzzle requires correct positioning of the cube pieces in order to reform the pictures from the picture segments on each side of the puzzle cube.
FIGS. 1
,
2
, and
3
illustrate two-dimensional views of images
10
,
20
, and
30
, respectively, that may be used on different sides of a puzzle. Each of the images in
FIGS. 1
,
2
, and
3
are assembled on a single plane. If each image is a simple two dimensional puzzle and each of the individual puzzle pieces are represented by the smaller squares, for example, square
31
, then it would be relatively easy to disassemble the puzzle, mix up the puzzle pieces, and then reassemble the pieces into the original images using the images as a guide.
FIG. 4
illustrates a three-dimensional block view of a prior art cube puzzle
40
where multiple images reside on different sides of the cube and each of the individual images are formed in a single plane. Since puzzle
40
is a cube there would be a total of six images (one image per side of the cube). However, only three images
41
,
42
, and
43
are able to be shown in the FIG.
4
. In this prior art cube puzzle, an individual puzzle piece is in the shape of a block or cube. Each of the puzzle pieces must be matched up appropriately to form all of the images that the particular piece is a part. This is particularly true on the corners where each individual comer puzzle piece would have a portion of three different images on three different sides and on the edge pieces where each individual edge puzzle piece would have a portion of two different images on two different sides.
To disassemble and then reassemble the type of cube puzzle illustrated in
FIG. 4
may be more challenging than a puzzle containing a single two-dimensional single image such as puzzle images
10
,
20
, and
30
illustrated in
FIGS. 1
,
2
, and
3
, respectively, because of the multiple images, all on different sides of the cube puzzle
40
. However, such puzzles may be still be of limited challenge because they do not require the three dimensional orientation of picture segments, forming a complete picture, in multiple planes relative to each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains to a puzzle including a plurality of pieces. Each of the plurality of pieces having a plurality of sides. A plurality of image segments are located on the plurality of sides of the puzzle pieces. The pieces may be coupleable in a predetermined manner to form a plurality of complete images from the plurality of image segments. The image segments that form a particular complete image reside on at least two different planes and at least one of the plurality of pieces having image segments corresponding to at least two of the plurality of complete images.
In one embodiment, a computer usable medium having a computer readable program code means for displaying a puzzle is provided. The computer readable program code may include a first code segment for displaying a plurality of puzzle pieces having a plurality of image segments, a second code segment for rotating the plurality of puzzle pieces to view the plurality of image segments, and a third code segment for connecting the plurality of pieces to form a plurality of complete images from the plurality of image segments, the image segments forming a particular complete image residing on at least two different planes, at least one of the plurality of pieces having image segments corresponding to at least two of the plurality of complete images. The computer readable program may also include a fourth code segment for rotating the puzzle to view the plurality of complete images.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.


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Advertising mailer of Handsome Rewards, “3-D Puzzles”, 1 page, mailed on Mar. 9, 1999.
PCT Search Report dated Jul. 8, 1999 for Int'l Application No. PCT/US99/08992, 4 pages.

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