Puzzle with conductive path

• US 8,602,833 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2009
• Issued: 12/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sphero Inc.
• Original Assignee: May Patents Ltd.
• Inventors: Binder, Yehuda
• Primary Examiner(s): Pandya, Sunit
• Application Number:
  US12/568,834
• Publication Number:
  US 20110031689A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,533 Days
• Field of Search: 273/149.R, 273153-156, 273/157.R, 273/460, 463/16, 463/21, 463/31, 463/42, 463/7, 463/9, 463/37, 446/124, 434/406
• US Class Current: 446/124
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1016 the pieces having additional connections, i.e. in addition to the connection by the jig-saw shapes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1066 completing a circuit if solved correctly
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/10 Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/1011 Composition of faces, i.e. visages, using individual pieces representing parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/1044 Display boards therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32

Abstract

System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.

Claims

1. A puzzle set for electrically announcing a proper solving of a two-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, the puzzle set comprising:

a plurality of inter engageable puzzle pieces, each having front and rear planar surfaces and one or more side surfaces, which can be assembled together into a one assembled puzzle revealing an image, said front surface of each of said puzzle pieces comprising a part of the image which is shown as a whole in the assembled puzzle;

a frame configured to surround said puzzle pieces having a raised peripheral rim and a bottom wall defining a well therewith having a planar plate for receiving a partially or fully assembled jigsaw puzzle;

each of said puzzle pieces comprising two electrically connected conductive pads attached to said one or more side surfaces, so that when assembled together said pads of adjacent puzzle pieces are in contact such that an assembly of said plurality of puzzle pieces forms a continuous conductive path;

an annunciator in said frame for announcing using visual or audible signaling, wherein said annunciator comprises a time metering device coupled to the conductive path to stop counting upon forming the conductive path to measure the puzzle assembly time and to display the counted time; and

a power source for powering said annunciator;

wherein the proper solving of the puzzle forms an electric circuit so that electrical current flows from said power source via said conductive path to said annunciator for activating thereof.

2. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said puzzle pieces comprises a wire electrically connecting said two conductive pads.

3. The puzzle set according to claim 2, wherein said wire is attached to said rear surface of said at least one of said puzzle pieces.

4. The puzzle set according to claim 3 further providing aesthetics by hiding said wire, wherein said wire is routed between said front and rear surfaces of said at least one of said puzzle pieces.

5. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said puzzle pieces comprises a conductive paint electrically connecting said two conductive pads.

6. The puzzle set according to claim 5, wherein said conductive paint is on the rear surface of said at least one of said puzzle pieces.

7. The puzzle set according to claim 5, wherein said conductive paint is on the front surface of said at least one of said puzzle pieces.

8. The puzzle set according to claim 7, wherein said conductive paint is under said image on said front surface of said at least one of said puzzle pieces.

9. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said power source is a battery.

10. The puzzle set according to claim 9, wherein said battery is a primary type or a rechargeable type.

11. The puzzle set according to claim 9, further comprising a battery compartment for housing said battery.

12. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said power source is powered from a domestic AC power outlet, the puzzle set further comprising a power cord for connecting to the AC power outlet.

13. The puzzle set according to claim 12, further comprising an AC/DC adapter powered from said AC power outlet, the AC/DC adapter comprising a step-down transformer and an AC/DC converter for DC powering said annunciator.

14. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said puzzle pieces comprises three or more conductive pads.

15. The puzzle set according to claim 14, wherein said three or more conductive pads are electrically connected.

16. The puzzle set according to claim 15, wherein two or more distinct conductive paths are formed using distinctly connected conductive pads, and wherein said distinct conductive paths are electrically connected at least in part along said conductive paths.

17. The puzzle set according to claim 14, wherein at least one of said puzzle pieces comprises four conductive pads designated as first, second, third and fourth conductive pads.

18. The puzzle set according to claim 17, wherein said first and second conductive pads are electrically connected, and wherein said third and fourth conductive pads are electrically connected.

19. The puzzle set according to claim 18, wherein two or more distinct conductive paths are formed using distinctly connected conductive pads, and wherein said distinct conductive paths are electrically isolated at least in part along said conductive paths.

20. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said power source is housed as part of said frame.

21. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said power source is housed as part of one of said puzzle pieces.

22. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said annunciator is housed as part of the frame.

23. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said annunciator is housed as part of one of said puzzle pieces.

24. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said conductive path is formed by part or all of said engaged puzzle pieces.

25. The puzzle set according to claim 1, wherein said conductive path is formed by said frame and by part or all of said engaged puzzle pieces, and wherein said frame further comprising two or more conductive pads for connecting to respective conductive pads in one or more of said engaged puzzle pieces.

26. The puzzle set according to claim 1 further comprising a switch connected to said formed conductive path for connecting and disconnecting the current to said annunciator.

27. The puzzle set according to claim 26 wherein said switch is a single pole single throw switch.

28. The puzzle set according to claim 26 wherein said switch is a pushbutton switch.

29. The puzzle set according to claim 26 wherein said switch is housed as part of said frame.

30. The puzzle set according to claim 26 wherein said switch is housed as part of one of said puzzle pieces.

31. The puzzle set according to claim 26 wherein said switch is located as part of the revealed image to be associated with a theme of said image.

32. The puzzle set according to claim 1 wherein said annunciator comprises a visual signaling device.

33. The puzzle set according to claim 32 wherein said visual signaling device is a visible light emitter.

34. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said visible light emitter is a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp.

35. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said visible light emitter is adapted for a steady illumination and for blinking.

36. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said visible light emitter is mounted for illuminating a part or all of said image.

37. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said visible light emitter is part of one of said puzzle pieces.

38. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said visible light emitter is integrated in said image.

39. The puzzle set according to claim 33 wherein said illumination of said visible light emitter is associated with said image theme or said image shape.

40. The puzzle set according to claim 39 wherein said visible light emitter location, type, color or steadiness are associated with said image theme or said image shape.

41. The puzzle set according to claim 1 wherein said annunciator comprising an audible signaling device for emitting a sound.

42. The puzzle set according to claim 41 wherein said audible signaling device comprising an electromechanical or piezoelectric sounder.

43. The puzzle set according to claim 42 wherein said audible signaling device comprising a buzzer, a chime or a ringer.

44. The puzzle set according to claim 42 wherein said audible signaling device comprising a loudspeaker and a digital to analog converter coupled to said loudspeaker.

45. The puzzle set according to claim 42 wherein said audible signaling device is operative to generate a single or multiple tones.

46. The puzzle set according to claim 41 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is associated with said image theme or said image shape.

47. The puzzle set according to claim 46 wherein the volume, type, steadiness, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is associated with said image theme or said image shape.

48. The puzzle set according to claim 46 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device corresponds to a characteristic sound associated with part or all of said image.

49. The puzzle set according to claim 48 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a characteristic sound of one out of a household appliance, a vehicle, an emergency vehicle, an animal or a musical instrument.

50. The puzzle set according to claim 46 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a song or a melody.

51. The puzzle set according to claim 50 wherein the song or melody name or content relates to the theme or shape of said image.

52. The puzzle set according to claim 46 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a talking human voice.

53. The puzzle set according to claim 52 wherein the sound is a syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story or a long story.

54. The puzzle set according to claim 53 wherein the sound is based on speech synthesis or is pre-recorded.

55. The puzzle set according to claim 1 further comprising a second annunciator.

56. The puzzle set according to claim 55 wherein one of said annunciators includes a visual indicator and the other annunciator includes an audible indicator.

57. The puzzle set according to claim 55 further defining distinct and isolated first and second conductive paths, and wherein said first conductive path is activating said first annunciator and wherein said second conductive path is activating said second annunciator.

58. The puzzle set according to claim 1 further comprising a firmware and a processor for executing instruction embedded in said firmware, said processor being coupled to control said annunciator.

59. A game set for electrically announcing a proper solving of a game having a game theme and shape, said game set comprising:

a plurality of inter-engaged game pieces, each game piece having one or more indentations and one or more protrusions, wherein the game is solved by said game pieces being assembled together in a single way using mating indentations and protrusions into a one pre-defined structure;

each of said game pieces comprises two or more conductive pads attached thereto, such that when properly assembled together said pads of said engaged game pieces are in contact such that the assembly of said plurality of game pieces forms a continuous conductive path;

an annunciator in said frame for announcing using visual or audible signaling associated with the game theme, wherein said annunciator comprises a time metering device coupled to the conductive path to that stop counting upon forming the conductive path to measure the puzzle assembly time and to display the counted time; and

a battery for powering said annunciator;

wherein the proper solving of the game forms an electric circuit so that electrical current flows from said battery via said conductive path to said annunciator for activating said annunciator.

60. The game set according to claim 59 wherein said at least part of the game pieces are having front and rear substantially planar surfaces and a side surface.

61. The game set according to claim 60 wherein said conductive pads are mounted in said side surface.

62. The game set according to claim 61 wherein said game set is a jigsaw puzzle and said game pieces are puzzle pieces, and wherein each of said pieces has a part of an image on a front surface which is shown as a whole image in an assembled puzzle.

63. The game set according to claim 59 further comprising a frame having a raised peripheral rim and a bottom wall defining a well therewith having a planar plate for receiving said game pieces in a partially or fully assembled state.

64. The game set according to claim 59, wherein at least one of said game pieces comprises a wire electrically connecting said two conductive pads.

65. The game set according to claim 59, wherein said wire is attached to a surface of said at least one of said game pieces.

66. The game set according to claim 59, wherein at least one of said game pieces comprises a conductive paint electrically connecting said two conductive pads.

67. The game set according to claim 59, wherein said battery is a primary type or a rechargeable type.

68. The game set according to claim 59, wherein said conductive path is formed only by part or all of said engaged game pieces.

69. The game set according to claim 59 wherein said annunciator comprises a visual signaling device.

70. The game set according to claim 69 wherein said visual signaling device is a visible light emitter.

71. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter is a semiconductor device, an incandescent lamp or fluorescent lamp.

72. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter is adapted for a steady illumination and for blinking.

73. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter is mounted for illuminating a part or all of the structure.

74. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter is part of one of said game pieces.

75. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter is integrated in said structure.

76. The game set according to claim 70 wherein the location of illumination of said visible light emitter is associated with said game theme or said game shape.

77. The game set according to claim 70 wherein said visible light emitter type, location, appearance, color or steadiness is associated with said game theme or said game shape.

78. The game set according to claim 59 wherein said annunciator comprises an audible signaling device for emitting a sound.

79. The game set according to claim 78 wherein said audible signaling device comprises an electromechanical or piezoelectric sounder.

80. The game set according to claim 79 wherein said audible signaling device comprises a buzzer, a chime or a ringer.

81. The game set according to claim 78 wherein said audible signaling device comprises a loudspeaker and a digital to analog converter coupled to said loudspeaker.

82. The game set according to claim 78 wherein said audible signaling device is operative to generate a single or multiple tones.

83. The game set according to claim 78 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is associated with said game theme or said game shape.

84. The game set according to claim 83 wherein the volume, location, type, steadiness, pitch, rhythm, dynamics, timbre or texture of the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is associated with said game theme or said game shape.

85. The game set according to claim 83 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device corresponds to a characteristic sound associated with part or all of said game theme or game shape.

86. The game set according to claim 85 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a characteristic sound of one out of a household appliance, a vehicle, an emergency vehicle, an animal or a musical instrument.

87. The game set according to claim 83 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a song or a melody.

88. The game set according to claim 87 wherein the song or melody name or content relates to the game theme of said game or said game shape.

89. The game set according to claim 83 wherein the sound emitted from said audible signaling device is a talking human voice.

90. The game set according to claim 89 wherein the sound is a syllable, a word, a phrase, a sentence, a short story or a long story.

91. The game set according to claim 90 wherein the sound is based on speech synthesis or is pre-recorded.

92. A puzzle set for electrically announcing a proper solving of a two-dimensional jigsaw puzzle, the puzzle set comprising:

a plurality of inter-engaged puzzle pieces, each having front and rear planar surfaces and one or more side surfaces, which can be assembled together into a one properly solved assembled puzzle revealing an image, said front surface of each of said puzzle pieces comprising a part of the image which is shown as a whole in the assembled puzzle;

a frame configured to surround said puzzle pieces having a raised peripheral rim and a bottom wall defining a well therewith having a planar plate for receiving a partially or fully assembled puzzle;

each of said puzzle pieces comprising two electrically connected conductive pads attached to said one or more side surfaces, so that when assembled together said pads of adjacent puzzle pieces are in contact such that the properly solved assembly of said plurality of puzzle pieces forms distinct and isolated first and second continuous conductive paths that are electrically isolated from one another;

first and second annunciators for announcing using visual or audible signaling, at least one of said annunciators being in said frame and comprising a time metering device coupled to the conductive path to stop counting upon forming the conductive path to measure the puzzle assembly time and to display the counted time; and

a power source in said frame for powering said annunciators;

wherein the proper solving of the puzzle forms an electric circuit so that electrical current flows from said power source via said first and second conductive paths to respectively activate each of said first and second annunciators individually.

93. The puzzle set according to claim 92, wherein at least one of said puzzle pieces comprises a wire electrically connecting said two conductive pads.

94. The puzzle set according to claim 92, wherein said power source is a battery.

95. The puzzle set according to claim 92 wherein at least one of said annunciators comprises a visual signaling device.

96. The puzzle set according to claim 92 wherein at least one of said annunciators comprises an audible signaling device for emitting a sound.