Logic puzzle

Abstract

A three-dimensional polyhedra-form logic puzzle comprised of a plurality of independent, non-interconnected puzzle elements of three-dimensional geometric, axially-symmetric, pyramidal-peaked form including one or more apex-opposed polygon faces and a plurality of radial faces. Each edge of an apex-opposed face that contacts a radial face presents visible design indicia. Radial faces contain transversely-polarized magnetic, mechanical or electro-mechanical attachment mechanisms. The puzzle is solved and the three-dimensional polyhedra completed when puzzle elements are placed with the visible design indicia of every puzzle element's apex-opposed face edges conforming to those of every adjacent puzzle element. Radial faces may contain protuberances and cavities corresponding to indicia of corresponding apex-opposed face edges such that only puzzle elements with conforming apex-opposed face indicia will interjoin. Computerized processes determine viable solutions for indicia combinations on puzzle elements. Puzzle elements may be of pyramidal, dipyramidal, trapezohedral, rhombohedric or other similar forms.

1 . A puzzle, comprising:
 a. a plurality of independent, three-dimensional, axially-symmetric, pyramidal puzzle elements,   b. each puzzle element having a regular polygonal base with a base face defined by a plurality of symmetric base edges and radial faces extending from each base edge to a pyramidal peak,   c. each base edge being marked with desired indicia,   d. at least one matching condition for matching indicia on adjoining base edges of adjoining puzzle elements,   e. wherein successful completion of the puzzle is achieved when said puzzle elements are placed in an adjoining manner so that each base edge of each puzzle element adjoins an adjoining base edge of an adjoining puzzle piece to construct a complete polyhedron and the indicia of each base edge of each puzzle element satisfies the matching condition with respect to the indicia on the adjoining base edge of the adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       2 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 f. attachment means for releaseably attaching each puzzle element to each adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       3 . A puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises transversely-polarized magnets attached to each radial face of each puzzle element so as to releaseably attach said radial face of said puzzle element to a correctly aligned radial face of each other puzzle element. 
   
   
       4 . A puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises transversely-polarized magnets attached under each radial face of each puzzle element so as to releaseably attach said radial face of said puzzle element to a correctly aligned radial face of each other puzzle element. 
   
   
       5 . A puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises a mechanical attachment mechanism. 
   
   
       6 . A puzzle according to  claim 2 , wherein said attachment means comprises an electro-mechanical attachment mechanism. 
   
   
       7 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein said indicia comprises an element from a set of selected visual patterns, wherein each element of said set appears on at least one base edge. 
   
   
       8 . A puzzle according to  claim 7 , wherein each visual pattern comprises a particular color. 
   
   
       9 . A puzzle according to  claim 7 , wherein each visual pattern comprises a particular alphanumeric character. 
   
   
       10 . A puzzle according to  claim 7 , wherein each visual pattern appears on a base edge of at least two puzzle elements and said matching condition is to adjoin base edges marked with same visual patterns. 
   
   
       11 . A puzzle according to  claim 7 , wherein each base edge is marked with a first element from a first set of selected visual patterns and a second element from a second set of selected visual patterns, and successful completion of the puzzle is achieved when said puzzle elements are placed in an adjoining manner so that each base edge of each puzzle element adjoins an adjoining base edge of an adjoining puzzle piece to construct a complete polyhedron and either:
 i. the first element marked on each base edge of each puzzle element satisfies a first matching condition with respect to the first element marked on the adjoining base edge of the adjoining puzzle element or   ii. the second element marked of each base edge of each puzzle element satisfies a second matching condition with respect to the second element marked on the adjoining base edge of the adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       12 . A puzzle according to  claim 1 , wherein a radial face of a puzzle element has at least one physical protuberance and one receptacle for a protuberance corresponding to a protuberance and a receptacle for a protuberance on an adjoining radial face of an adjoining puzzle element. 
   
   
       13 . A puzzle according to  claim 12 , wherein said physical protuberance of said radial face of said puzzle element fits into said receptacle for a protuberance on an adjoining radial face of an adjoining puzzle element when said puzzle element and said adjoining puzzle element adjoin only when the matching condition is satisfied. 
   
   
       14 . A puzzle, comprising:
 a. a plurality of independent, three-dimensional, axially-symmetric, dipyramidal puzzle elements,   b. each puzzle element having a central bisecting plane of regular polygonal shape defined by a plurality of symmetric central edges and radial faces extending from each central edge in opposite directions to two pyramidal peaks,   c. each radial face being marked with desired indicia,   d. at least one matching condition for matching indicia on adjoining radial faces of adjoining puzzle elements,   e. wherein successful completion of the puzzle is achieved when said puzzle elements are placed in an adjoining manner so that each radial face of each puzzle element adjoins an adjoining radial face of an adjoining puzzle piece to construct a stellated polyhedron and the indicia of each radial face of each puzzle element satisfies the matching condition with respect to the indicia on the adjoining radial face of the adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       15 . A puzzle according to  claim 14 , further comprising:
 f. attachment means for releaseably attaching each puzzle element to each adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       16 . A puzzle according to  claim 15 , wherein said attachment means comprises transversely-polarized magnets attached to each radial face of each puzzle element so as to releaseably attach said radial face of said puzzle element to a correctly aligned radial face of each other puzzle element. 
   
   
       17 . A puzzle according to  claim 15 , wherein said attachment means comprises transversely-polarized magnets attached under each radial face of each puzzle element so as to releaseably attach said radial face of said puzzle element to a correctly aligned radial face of each other puzzle element. 
   
   
       18 . A puzzle according to  claim 14 , wherein said indicia comprises an element from a set of selected visual patterns, wherein each element of said set appears on at least one radial face. 
   
   
       19 . A puzzle according to  claim 18 , wherein each visual pattern appears on a radial face of at least two puzzle elements and said matching condition is to adjoin radial faces marked with same visual patterns. 
   
   
       20 . A puzzle according to  claim 14 , wherein a radial face of a puzzle element has at least one physical protuberance and one receptacle for a protuberance corresponding to a protuberance and a receptacle for a protuberance on an adjoining radial face of an adjoining puzzle element. 
   
   
       21 . A puzzle according to  claim 20 , wherein said physical protuberance of said radial face of said puzzle element fits into said receptacle for a protuberance on an adjoining radial face of an adjoining puzzle element when said puzzle element and said adjoining puzzle element adjoin only when the matching condition is satisfied. 
   
   
       22 . A puzzle, comprising:
 a. a plurality of independent, three-dimensional, axially-symmetric, trapezohedral puzzle elements,   b. each puzzle element having a central bisecting plane of regular polygonal shape and deltoid faces each with two central edges, which deltoid faces extend from each central edge in opposite directions to two pyramidal peaks,   c. each central edge being marked with desired indicia,   d. at least one matching condition for matching indicia on adjoining central edges of adjoining puzzle elements,   e. wherein successful completion of the puzzle is achieved when said puzzle elements are placed in an adjoining manner so that each central edge of each puzzle element adjoins an adjoining central edge of an adjoining puzzle piece to construct an alternately-stellated polyhedron and the indicia of each central edge of each puzzle element satisfies the matching condition with respect to the indicia on the adjoining central edge of the adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       23 . A puzzle, comprising:
 a. a plurality of independent, three-dimensional, axially-symmetric, rhombohedric puzzle elements,   b. each puzzle element having a central bisecting plane of regular polygonal shape and parallelogram faces each with two central edges, which parallelogram faces extend from each central edge in opposite directions to two pyramidal peaks,   c. each central edge being marked with desired indicia,   d. at least one matching condition for matching indicia on adjoining central edges of adjoining puzzle elements,   e. wherein successful completion of the puzzle is achieved when said puzzle elements are placed in an adjoining manner so that each central edge of each puzzle element adjoins an adjoining central edge of an adjoining puzzle piece to construct a stellated polyhedron and the indicia of each central edge of each puzzle element satisfies the matching condition with respect to the indicia on the adjoining central edge of the adjoining puzzle element.   
   
   
       24 . A process for evaluating indicia to be exhibited on three-dimensional puzzle elements to enable selection of indicia that will allow puzzle elements to be assembled in a manner that satisfies a matching condition for such indicia, comprising the steps of:
 a. assign a separate identifying moniker to each face of each puzzle element,   b. select an initial puzzle piece,   c. list, in adjacent order, the monikers assigned to each face of said initial puzzle piece,   d. select a second puzzle element,   e. determine whether said second puzzle element can be placed adjacent to said initial puzzle piece in a manner which satisfies said matching condition,   f. list, in adjacent order, the monikers assigned to each face of said second puzzle piece in any manner which, when adjacent to said initial puzzle piece, satisfies said matching condition,   g. repeat steps d-f for each remaining puzzle piece,   h. list and count all possible arrangements of puzzle elements in a manner that satisfies said matching condition,   j. analyze whether any of the possible arrangements of puzzle elements satisfies said matching condition.   
   
   
       25 . A process for evaluating indicia to be exhibited on three-dimensional puzzle elements to enable selection of indicia that will allow puzzle elements to be assembled in a manner that satisfies a matching condition for such indicia with a desired degree of difficulty, comprising the steps of:
 a. assign a separate identifying moniker to each face of each puzzle element,   b. select an initial puzzle piece,   c. list, in adjacent order, the monikers assigned to each face of said initial puzzle piece,   d. select a second puzzle element,   e. determine whether said second puzzle element can be placed adjacent to said initial puzzle piece in a manner which satisfies said matching condition,   f. list, in adjacent order, the monikers assigned to each face of said second puzzle piece in any manner which, when adjacent to said initial puzzle piece, satisfies said matching condition,   g. repeat steps d-f for each remaining puzzle piece,   h. list and count all possible arrangements of puzzle elements,   i. list and count all possible arrangements of puzzle elements in a manner that satisfies said matching condition,   j. analyze whether the ratio of possible arrangements of puzzle elements in a manner that satisfies said matching condition to the possible arrangement of puzzle elements indicates said desired degree of difficulty.   
   
   
       26 . A computerized process representing three dimensional puzzle elements in visual form allowing for selection and placement of the puzzle elements within a visual representation for completion of a specified puzzle.