Amusement devices: games – Puzzles – Jumping movement
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-15
2001-03-27
Hafer, Robert A. (Department: 3712)
Amusement devices: games
Puzzles
Jumping movement
C273S15300J, C273S271000, C434S188000, C434S191000, C434S201000, C434S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206372
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file, or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to educational and recreational devices and more particularly to a method for effecting solutions to magic squares.
2. Description of Related Art
Magic squares have fascinated mankind for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of years. In its simplest form, a magic square is an arrangement of numbers in a square grid such that the numbers in each horizontal row, each vertical column, and the two principal diagonals add up to the same total. In more advanced magic squares, the magic total occurs in many additional patterns.
Some magic squares, whose numbers were related to natural phenomena, such as days or years, historical or religious events, were given mystical meanings. Other magic squares are awesome by their sheer size, there being no limit to how many numbers can be included in a magic square.
Thus, the present invention provides an improved method for effecting solutions to magic squares as well as an opportunity for competition between two or more parties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an educational and recreational device and more particularly to methods for effecting solutions to magic squares and for changing one magic square into another specified magic square.
In one embodiment the present invention provides an educational and recreational apparatus, comprising a background grid defining a matrix having a plurality of individual cells; and a plurality of elements each having a first surface, with indicia disposed thereon, said elements being removably disposable on said grid, whereby an arrangement of said elements disposed on said grid define a magic square, so that rows, columns, diagonals and other patterns of the magic square are characterized by a defined relationship in accordance with said indicia.
In another embodiment the present invention provides a method of manipulating elements arranged in a grid defining a matrix, each of said elements having a first surface with indicia disposed thereon, said elements being removably disposable on said matrix, the method comprising; arranging said elements on said grid, manipulating said elements on said grid, and forming a magic square on said grid in accordance with said indicia disposed on said elements, whereby said magic square is characterized by a defined relationship in accordance with said indicia.
Further in another embodiment the present invention provides a method of manipulating elements arranged in a grid defining a matrix having, each of said elements having a first surface with indicia disposed thereon, said elements being removably disposable on said grid, said method including at least one computer, display device, calculation means, input device and data storage device, the method comprising; displaying a grid defining a matrix on said display device, arranging said elements on said grid using said input device to select and insert said elements therein, manipulating said elements on said grid using said input device, and forming a magic square on said matrix by arranging said elements.
In yet another embodiment the present invention provides a computer program embodied on a computer-readable medium for implementing a magic squares computer game designed for play on at least one computer system having at least one display, at least one input device, and at least one data storage device, comprising an executable code segment operable by at least one said computer system.
The present invention also provides for simultaneous participation in competition on remotely connected computers with or without a centralized control, and potentially involving vast numbers of computers interconnected via networks or Internet.
The present invention also provides a teaching device for schools for the purpose of instruction or competition.
These are but some of the many embodiments in accordance with the principles of the present invention.
These and various other advantages of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.
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Mutsumi Suzuki, Ultra Super Magic Squares of 5 ×5, http://www/pse.che.tohku.ac.jp/~msuzuki/MagicSquare.5×5.selfsim.html, Sep. 1997.*
W.S. Andrews, Magic Squares and Cubes 248-57 (Dover Publications 1960) (1917).*
William H. Benson, Oswald Jacoby, New Recreations with Magic Squares 12-18 (Dover Publications 1976).
Fernstrom Kent
Hafer Robert A.
Merchant & Gould P.C.
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