BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a puzzle game and method of playing same.
RELATED ART
[0002] Puzzles are well known and provide entertainment for countless people. One common
type of puzzle is a jigsaw puzzle, which often includes an image on a substrate. The
substrate is cut up into numerous pieces that are separated from each other. A player
or players then arrange the puzzle pieces back together to form the image. Other puzzles
can involve the manipulation or arrangement of pieces in various orders.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a puzzle game method and apparatus. The puzzle game
apparatus includes a plurality of puzzle pieces sized and shaped to be fit together.
Puzzle pieces can include one or more indicia. Puzzle pieces can be sequentially fit
together. Points can be acquired by matching of indicia in adjacent puzzle pieces.
[0004] The method of playing a puzzle game comprises dividing a plurality of puzzle pieces
among players, and allowing players to alternate playing pieces by fitting the pieces
to other pieces. Players can play pieces with indicia that match indicia on adjacent
pieces to score points.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] The foregoing features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed
Description of the Invention, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is view of a portion of a puzzle having puzzle pieces fit together;
FIG. 2 is a view of a puzzle having pieces with indicia thereon;
FIG. 3 is another view of a puzzle having pieces with indicia thereon;
FIG. 4 is another view of a puzzle having pieces with indicia thereon;
FIG. 5 is another view of a puzzle having pieces with indicia thereon wherein a plurality
of symbols can be on a single puzzle piece;
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show puzzle games with geometric puzzle pieces; and
FIGS. 7A and 7B show puzzle pieces with textured faces that could be created by embossing or debossing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates generally to a puzzle game and method of playing same.
The game includes a plurality of pieces that can be fit together but are initially
placed in a pile, which could be positioned within a box top, a tray, or elsewhere.
The pieces could include edge pieces having one or more straight edges, and central
pieces which may have non-linear shapes on all sides. The pieces could have game play
information or indicia thereon such as one or more symbols or icons thereon. For example,
a particular piece could have a single symbol thereon, or a piece can have multiple
images thereon such as one symbol on each of a plurality of sides of the piece. As
shown in
FIG. 1, the pieces
20 could have symbols such as a star
30, an oval
32, or a rectangle
34. The symbol could comprise virtually anything such as an image, mark, geometric shape,
letter, number, line, color, etc. Indicia could be placed on some or all of the pieces
in a particular game. Indicia could be applied to pieces in various ways including
printing, embossing, debossing, etc.
[0007] Two or more players can play against each other as they attempt to complete a puzzle.
Some of the puzzle pieces may only fit in one place within the puzzle (as with a traditional
puzzle), while other pieces may be able to be placed in multiple places in the puzzle.
Different types of pieces may have point values associated with them and the players
can build on their point totals by stringing together chains of pieces in the puzzle
while trying to block the other player(s) from doing the same.
[0008] Each player may start with a certain amount of pieces, which could include a certain
amount of edge pieces. For example, the game could include three hundred pieces and
each player could start with twenty pieces, of which ten pieces could be edge pieces.
The initial pieces that each person receives could be obtained by the sequential drawing
of pieces by each player, or one player could deal the pieces out to all of the players,
or otherwise. Players may draw pieces during this initial setup phase until they have
ten of each type of piece (e.g. edge pieces and central pieces) and they could throw
extras back as they choose. The amount of pieces a player has comprises that player's
reserves.
[0009] During play, each player in turn draws or selects pieces from the pile of pieces.
In some aspects of the game, pieces may be drawn blind or a player may look at the
pieces in the pile from a distance, but not sufficiently to ascertain indicia associated
with the pieces, if any, and then the player could reach into the pile pull out a
piece.
[0010] Players can keep track of score on a score track on the bottom of the puzzle box
using either objects they provide or cardboard markers provided in the puzzle box.
Alternately one or more score sheet pages can be included in the box, along with a
rule sheet. Scoring can be done by tallying points obtained by a player on each turn
or in any other manner as the case may be.
[0011] Play starts with any two connected pieces placed out together. The connection between
the pieces could be matching symbols adjacent sides of the pieces, correspondingly
shaped sides, or some other connection. Once two pieces are placed, other pieces may
be placed in a connected relationship to the cluster.
FIG. 2 shows a puzzle that includes a plurality of pieces
20, some of which have symbols thereon, namely, rectangles
34, triangles
36, and circles
38. Scoring can be done on an equal point basis for adjoining icons. In such a scoring
system, the player playing rectangles would have a score of 4. Alternatively, the
game could be played where any player can play any piece, so one or more players could
have a portion of the 4 points associated with the rectangles. Further, increased
points could be awarded for building connected pieces, e.g. the first rectangle played
is worth 1 point, the second is worth 2 points, etc. In another aspect, play could
begin with the playing of a single piece.
[0012] A sample scoring scheme, which could be contained on a score sheet, might be as follows:
Placing 1 piece: 1 point;
Placing a line of three of the same symbol: 3 points;
Placing a piece that completes a square pattern of one of each of the 4 symbols: 3
points; and
Placing 3 pieces: 5 points (possible higher scoring for additional amounts of pieces).
[0013] Points can be scored in other ways in different aspects for the game. For example,
points could be scored by creating sequences that could vary, or that are scored on
adjacent or sequential pieces, or based on symbols placed adjacent each or on symbols
placed remote from each other.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a puzzle game where points could be awarded for placing symbols adjacent other
symbols. Scoring could occur by awarding points for each symbol in a certain row.
FIG. 4 shows a puzzle game where a row of rectangles
34 on pieces
20 was blocked from continuing on by a column of triangles
36. As shown in
FIG. 5, puzzle pieces
20 could have multiple symbols on them and allow for scoring in multiple ways. For example,
forming patterns of different shapes could result in increased points. As shown, a
piece
21 carries two icons or symbols, namely a rectangle icon
34 and a circle icon
38. The piece
21 could be played anywhere, but scoring can be maximized by playing it to match with
a rectangle on an adjacent piece, and with a circle on another adjacent piece.
[0015] Play rotates with each player drawing pieces each turn (e.g. one piece, two pieces,
etc.) and using as many of their reserve pieces as possible. When a player has less
than a specified amount of pieces in reserve, e.g. ten pieces, the player may be required
to throw in their reserve pieces, mix up the pile (for example by shaking up the pieces
in the box top), and draw out a set number of pieces (e.g. twenty pieces) quickly
without studying the pieces or carefully looking at the indicia thereon, to form a
new reserve group.
[0016] The game ends when the puzzle is complete, or when a pre-set score is reached, or
otherwise as may be the case in various aspects of the game.
[0017] As an optional catch-up mechanism, a player that falls behind and that plays three
or more pieces, may be allowed to draw again and take one or more additional turns.
[0018] In a game with a large amount of pieces, for example, an 800 piece game, a player
could be required to take a larger amount of pieces on each turn, for example, ten
pieces. The player could play any of those pieces that can be played, retain some
amount of pieces in reserve, for example two pieces, and place the remainder in a
separate pile. The score could be tracked on a separate piece of paper that may or
may not be included with the game. Players could alternate turns (except where a player
gets additional turns) until the pieces have all been selected. Then the pile of unused
pieces can be placed back into the box or tray and the process can be repeated for
a second round (and subsequent rounds if desirable). More than two players could play
this version (or any other version) of the game. Each player could have only up to
a pre-set amount of reserve pieces, for example 20 pieces, and could be required to
throw pieces back if they have more than twenty pieces at the end of any turn.
[0019] As the game is played, the players work to achieve victory by achieving scoring combinations
based on the puzzle game play information in accordance with a set of game rules.
In some cases the game rules could allow pieces of the puzzle to be moved or positionally
changed. Pieces can be played to inhibit an opponent from scoring by placing pieces
in blocking positions. In some cases, players may be allowed to trade puzzle pieces.
The puzzle pieces of the puzzle could have intrinsic game relevance in accordance
with a set of game rules wherein, for example, an edge piece may be worth I point,
a central piece may be worth 2 points, and a piece with a certain symbol or certain
color may be worth 3 points.
[0020] The puzzle pieces may have a tessellated pattern composed of a horizontal series
of connecting tabs where each horizontal piece has the same tab functionality as each
other horizontal piece in the row. The same could be true for vertical pieces. Further,
the vertical positioning for a row could be interchanged, resulting in varying configurations
of the completed puzzle. A puzzle piece could have symmetry such that when placing
it on a flat surface and rotating it some amount, for example 180 degrees or some
other amount, could result in it being in a position with an identical interlocking
tab functionality as the original position.
[0021] As shown in
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and
6C, the puzzle could be in form of a square or rectangle or other shape, and the puzzle
pieces comprising the puzzle could similarly be square, triangle or other shape, and
have minimal or no tab attachment. As such, the puzzle pieces forming the larger image
could comprise 4 or 9 or some other number of smaller puzzle pieces
50, 60, and
70. The pieces
50, 60, and
70 could have symbols therein such as rectangles
34, triangles
36, and circles
38. The sub-squares or pieces might be fit together or attached with a single connector
or might just be positioned adjacent to the other squares forming the larger picture.
As such, the square puzzle pieces
50 could be placed in a fashion resulting in a scrambled final image, and/or the square
puzzle pieces
50 could be placed in a fashion resulting in a scrambled final image and then moved
around during the game to unscramble the image.
[0022] A game board could be used with the puzzle game that could show placement positions
for the puzzle pieces used in the puzzle game. The placement positions could be shown
by indications or restrictions on where certain pieces may be placed. The game board
could contain scoring modifiers or values for use in a puzzle game. The game board
could be modified by the players before or during the play of a puzzle game.
[0023] The puzzle game could include indicia, such as colored lines, embedded in an image
or on a border, that could include the game information and which could contribute
to scoring methods under the game play rules. The indicia could comprise data in the
form of small letters, numbers, symbols, shapes printed or embossed on the puzzle
pieces, which could contribute to scoring when placed to form the puzzle under the
game play rules. A color element could additionally contribute to scoring methods.
As shown in
FIGS. 7A and
7B, the pieces
80 could have raised features
82 or indented features
84 that are utilized in the game play, which could be visible from an angle or a certain
perspective, but would not have any other visual element that would detract from the
image, therefor looking at the puzzle straight-on would typically show a normal image.
Data could be incorporated into an image on the puzzle pieces 80 in a hidden fashion,
such as by a printing or embossing or debossing processing process or otherwise. The
data could be visible when looked at carefully, in certain lighting, or with certain
user worn accessories or viewing aids, such as colored lens glasses. The puzzle game
could have specific locked starting positions that can then be built upon during game
play.
[0024] In an aspect of the game, players can modify or change puzzle pieces prior to the
start of the game or as the game is being played. For example, players can mark symbols,
change symbols, impart symbols to pieces that had no symbols, add additional symbols
to pieces already having symbols, or otherwise modify pieces. The modifications can
be made with marks, stickers, or in other ways. The modifications could be permanent
or temporary.
[0025] The puzzle game could also be in the form of an electronic game, and electronic puzzle
piece images can be played by the players. In an electronic form, the game can be
played by a single player against a computer. The game could take place on a local
electronic device such as a tablet, a smart phone, or other computing device. The
game could be played by players in remote locations over a computer network. Puzzle
pieces can be rotated with the puzzle piece image orientation remaining in the same
orientation, or placement of a piece may alter the tab configuration of remaining
pieces that have not yet been placed in the puzzle. Puzzle piece game information
could be revealed when pieces are placed on the board, such that game information
for a puzzle piece is only known when the piece is played.
[0026] The puzzle game play could include extra puzzle pieces that can be available for
certain puzzle positions, each containing different game play elements. In such a
case, the original puzzle pieces may be primary puzzle pieces while the extra puzzle
pieces may be secondary puzzle pieces. The extra pieces could form a duplicate or
similar puzzle, or a smaller separate image. Accordingly, a puzzle could be provided
in multiple copies: a first copy with no indicia on the pieces; a second copy with
a first indicia on the pieces; a third copy with a second indicia or multiple indicia
in each piece; etc. Accordingly, the puzzle could be completed using a piece for a
given location that has no indicia, first indicia, etc. As such, there would be multiple
ways of completing the puzzle depending on which of multiple pieces a player played
at a particular location. Multiple layers of a puzzle can be made available, with
each layer having different game play elements. In such a case, each layered puzzle
could be identical and each identical piece could have different elements of game
play. The puzzle game could include two puzzles with identical patterns but different
images, with one puzzle being stacked on the other puzzle during stages of the game.
[0027] The puzzle game could include puzzle pieces having a receptacle capable of holding
a marker object such as a stick. These marker sticks may be inserted into the puzzle
pieces during the game to indicate control, scoring, or other information in accordance
with a set of game play rules. Receptacles of various sizes could be provided that
are capable of holding various marker objects. Differing subsets of the markers may
interact with some or all of the puzzle pieces in accordance with a set of game play
rules.
[0028] Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing
description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. What is desired
to be protected is set forth in the following claims.
[0029] The following numbered items form part of the present disclosure:
- 1. A puzzle game comprising:
puzzle pieces sized and shaped to be positioned together; and
indicia on one or more of the puzzle pieces;
wherein puzzle pieces with matching indicia can be sequentially interconnected by
players to score points.
- 2. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the indicia comprises one or more symbols.
- 3. The puzzle game of 2, wherein the one or more symbols are positioned at one or
more edges of the of the puzzle pieces.
- 4. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the indicia comprises at least one of a color, a
line, a letter, and a number.
- 5. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the indicia is embossed on the puzzle pieces.
- 6. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the indicia is debossed on the puzzle pieces.
- 7. The puzzle game of 3, wherein two different symbols are positioned on a puzzle
piece.
- 8. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the puzzle pieces have straight edges.
- 9. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the puzzle pieces have one or more edges that are
nonlinear.
- 10. The puzzle game of 9, wherein the puzzle pieces have tessellated edges.
- 11. The puzzle game of 10, wherein some or all of the puzzle pieces have identical
shapes.
- 12. The puzzle game of 10, wherein the tessellated edges include tabs.
- 13. The puzzle game of 10, wherein the puzzle pieces have symmetry allowing for rotational
positioning with identical tab positioning.
- 14. The puzzle game of 1, further comprising a game board.
- 15. The puzzle game of 14, wherein the game board identifies puzzle piece positions.
- 16. The puzzle game of 14, wherein the game board includes one or more scoring modifiers.
- 17. The puzzle game of 15, wherein the game board includes game board indicia thereon.
- 18. The puzzle game of 15, wherein the game board indicia is positioned on a border
around the game board.
- 19. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the indicia is hidden.
- 20. The puzzle game of 19, wherein the indicia can only be viewed from certain perspectives.
- 21. The puzzle game of 19, wherein the indicia can only be viewed with a viewing aid.
- 22. The puzzle game of 14, wherein the game board is modifiable by the players.
- 23. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the puzzle pieces include receptacles for holding
markers.
- 24. The puzzle game of 1, wherein the puzzle pieces are primary puzzle pieces and
the puzzle game further comprises secondary puzzle pieces that can include additional
game play elements.
- 25. The puzzle game of 24, wherein the secondary puzzle pieces are matching in shape
to the primary puzzle pieces.
- 26. The puzzle game of 24, wherein the secondary puzzle pieces are shaped to be positioned
together to form a completed puzzle different from the primary puzzle pieces.
- 27. The puzzle game of 24, wherein the secondary puzzle pieces can be interconnected
on top of the primary puzzle pieces as another layer.
- 28. The puzzle game of 27, wherein multiple layers of puzzle pieces can be formed.
- 29. The puzzle game of 28, wherein each layer of puzzle pieces includes different
game play elements.
- 30. A puzzle game comprising:
a computing device with a display;
images of puzzle pieces generated by the computing device on the display, the puzzle
pieces sized and shaped to be positioned together; and
indicia on one or more of the puzzle pieces;
wherein puzzle pieces with matching indicia can be sequentially interconnected by
a player to score points.
- 31. A method of playing a game having puzzle pieces comprising:
dividing a plurality of puzzle pieces among players, a subset of the plurality of
puzzle pieces having one or more indicia thereon and having one or more surfaces for
positioning together with other puzzle pieces;
allowing players to alternatingly play puzzle pieces by positioning puzzle pieces
together with other puzzle pieces having matching indicia; and
awarding points to players for positioning puzzle pieces together having matching
indicia.
- 32. The method of 31, wherein a player can play multiple puzzles pieces in a turn
wherein the pieces are positioned together with pieces that include matching indicia.
- 33. The method of 31, wherein a player picks up one or more pieces at the end of the
player's turn.
- 34. The method of 31, wherein the puzzle pieces are played on a game board.
- 35. The method of 34, wherein the game board includes indicia thereon and a player
is awarded points for matching the indicia on the puzzle pieces with the indicia on
the game board.
- 36. The method of 31, wherein additional points are awarded when a player plays a
puzzle piece having multiple indicia that match the indicia on a plurality of other
puzzle pieces that the played piece is positioned adjacent with.
- 37. The method of 31, wherein a player can modify the indicia on a puzzle piece as
the game is being played.
- 38. The method of 37, wherein the indicia is modified by placing a sticker on a puzzle
piece.
- 39. The method of 35, wherein the indicia is hidden and the method further comprises
using a viewing aid to view the indicia.
1. A puzzle game comprising:
puzzle pieces sized and shaped to be positioned together; and
indicia on one or more of the puzzle pieces;
wherein puzzle pieces with matching indicia can be sequentially interconnected by
players to score points.
2. The puzzle game of claim 1, wherein the indicia is positioned at one or more edges
of the puzzle piece and the indicia comprises one or more symbols, a color, a line,
a letter, or a number.
3. The puzzle game of claims 1 or 2, wherein two different indicia are positioned on
a puzzle piece.
4. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 3, wherein the puzzle pieces include edges
chosen from the group consisting of straight edges, nonlinear edges, tessellated edges
and tessellated edges with tabs.
5. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 4, further comprising a game board including
game board indicia thereon, and wherein the game board identifies puzzle piece positions.
6. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 5, wherein the indicia is hidden and wherein
the indicia can only be viewed from certain perspectives or can only be viewed with
a viewing aid.
7. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 6, wherein the puzzle pieces include receptacles
for holding markers.
8. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 7, wherein the puzzle pieces are primary
puzzle pieces and the puzzle game further comprises secondary puzzle pieces that can
include additional game play elements.
9. The puzzle game of claim 8, wherein the secondary puzzle pieces can be interconnected
on top of the primary puzzle pieces thereby forming a plurality of layers of puzzle
pieces and wherein each layer of puzzle pieces includes different game play elements.
10. The puzzle game of any claims 1 through 9, further comprising a computing device with
a display and images of the puzzle pieces generated by the computing device on the
display.
11. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 10 played by dividing a plurality of puzzle
pieces among players, allowing players to alternatingly play puzzle pieces by positioning
puzzle pieces together with other puzzle pieces having matching indicia, and awarding
points to players for positioning puzzle pieces together having matching indicia.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein the game board includes indicia thereon and a player
is awarded points for matching the indicia on the puzzle pieces with the indicia on
the game board.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein a player can modify the indicia on a puzzle piece
as the game is being played, by placing a sticker on a puzzle piece.
14. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 10, wherein some or all of the puzzle pieces
have identical shapes.
15. The puzzle game of any of claims 1 through 10, wherein the puzzle pieces have symmetry
allowing for rotational positioning with identical tab positioning.