Sudoku buddy

Abstract

A device capable of keeping track of numbers that occur in the same row, same column and the 3×3 grid involved in a particular square of a specific sudoku puzzle, thus identifying all of the numbers excluded for that square and revealing the unique remaining number from the list of 1 through 9 as the solution for the square, repetition of which process for each of the remaining empty squares ultimately yielding a complete solution for the sudoku puzzle.

1 . A method of keeping track of clues given in sudoku puzzles, consisting in
 (a) a means of generating a display of array of numbers 1 through 9 in a convenient format,   (b) a means of marking specific numbers in said array of said display given by said clues for a specific square of said puzzle,   (c) a means of regenerating said array of said display after completion of marking said specific numbers given by said clues,   whereby, a unique number in said array of numbers 1 through 9 may be left unmarked and thus becomes the solution for said square of said sudoku puzzle, following which, the process is repeated for another square by regenerating said display and marking said specific numbers in said array of said display given by said clues for said another square, thus finding another unique number as the solution for said another square, whereby ultimately finding said unique numbers for all of the initially empty squares of said sudoku puzzle.   
   
   
       2 . A method of  claim 1  where the means of generating said display is printing said numbers on a board 
   
   
       3 . A method of  claim 1  where the means of generating said display is printing said numbers on a tape 
   
   
       4 . A method of  claim 1  where the means of generating said display is printing said numbers on a video screen 
   
   
       5 . A method of  claim 1  where the means of marking said number is by physically covering said number 
   
   
       6 . A method of  claim 1  where the means of making said number is by deleting said number off a video screen 
   
   
       7 . A method of  claim 1  where said display is a screen of 9 empty squares and said means of marking said numbers is by printing consecutively said numbers given by said clues whereby, whenever a unique number in said array of 1-9 is not printed it becomes the solution for said square of said sudoku puzzle,
 following which, the process is repeated for another square by regenerating said display and marking said specific numbers in said array of said display given by said clues for said another square, thus finding another unique number as the solution for said another square, whereby ultimately finding said unique numbers for all of the initially empty squares of said sudoku puzzle.   
   
   
       8 . An article of mental recreation that is capable of keeping track of clues given in a sudoku puzzle, comprising of
 (a) a board containing the numbers 1 through 9 in a convenient array,   (b) bars capable of sliding in specific direction as a means of covering specific numbers in said array given by said clues for a specific square of said puzzle,   (c) said bars also capable of sliding in a direction opposite of said specific direction as a means of regenerating said numbers in said array after completion of considering said clues for said specific square of said puzzle,   whereby, a unique number in said array of numbers 1 through 9 may be left uncovered and thus becomes the solution for said square of said sudoku puzzle,   following which, the process is repeated for another square by regenerating said array of numbers and covering said specific numbers in said array given by said clues for said another square, thus finding another unique number as the solution for said another square, whereby ultimately finding said unique numbers for all of the initially empty squares of said sudoku puzzle.   
   
   
       9 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are mechanically operated 
   
   
       10 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are electrically operated 
   
   
       11 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are electronically operated 
   
   
       12 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are designed to move up and down 
   
   
       13 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are designed to move forward and backward 
   
   
       14 . An article of  claim 8  where said sliding bars are operated by a computer program