Sliding block puzzle game with laser beam

Abstract

A square game box with an open top and mirrored interior walls, a laser, a beam entry point, and a beam exit point comprises a sliding block puzzle game with a laser beam. The entry and exit points, and the angle of incidence of the laser beam are optionally configurable to adjust the challenge level and refresh the game. The apparatus further comprises a plurality of transparent and translucent refracting blocks of various shapes and sizes. Players may slide the blocks laterally, but may not rotate them or lift them vertically. The goal of the game is to direct the beam out of the exit point, using the reflecting and refracting properties of the blocks and the reflecting property of the interior walls, while avoiding the possibility of total internal reflection.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game comprising:
 (a) a square game box;   (b) said square game box having an open top and reflective interior walls;   (c) a laser;   (d) said square game box further comprising a beam entry point;   (e) said beam entry point being a hole in said reflective interior walls;   (f) said square game box further comprising a beam exit point;   (g) said beam exit point being a hole in said reflective interior walls;   (h) a plurality of transparent refracting blocks; and   (i) a plurality of translucent refracting blocks.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  wherein said square game box has dimensions of three inches by three inches. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 2  further comprising a grid; said grid being located on the bottom of said square game box. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  further comprising a grid; said grid being located on the bottom of said square game box. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of transparent refracting blocks is three in number; said transparent refracting blocks having dimensions of one inch by one inch by one inch. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of translucent refracting blocks is four in number; said translucent refracting blocks having dimensions of one inch by one inch by one half inch. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  wherein a plurality of said plurality of translucent refracting blocks have one or more reflective side surfaces. 
     
     
         8 . A method of playing a sliding block puzzle game comprising:
 (a) a square game box;   (b) said square game box having an open top and reflective interior walls;   (c) a laser;   (d) said square game box further comprising a beam entry point;   (e) said beam entry point being a hole in said reflective interior walls;   (f) said square game box further comprising a beam exit point;   (g) said beam exit point being a hole in said reflective interior walls;   (h) a plurality of transparent refracting blocks; and   (i) a plurality of translucent refracting blocks;   and a method comprising:   (j) a player placing said transparent refracting blocks and said translucent refracting blocks in said square game box;   (k) said player turning on said laser   (l) said laser projecting a laser beam through said beam entry point into said square game box;   (m) said player sliding said plurality of transparent refracting blocks and said plurality of translucent refracting blocks to direct said laser out of said beam exit point;   (n) said player using said reflective interior walls, said translucent refracting blocks, and said transparent refracting blocks to reflect and redirect said laser beam;   (o) said player counting a turn for each moving of said transparent refracting blocks or said translucent refracting blocks;   (p) said player directing said laser beam through said beam exit point in the least number of turns winning said game.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said square game box has dimensions of three inches by three inches. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising a grid; said grid being located on the bottom of said square game box. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8  further comprising a grid; said grid being located on the bottom of said square game box. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of transparent refracting blocks is three in number; said transparent refracting blocks having dimensions of one inch by one inch by one inch. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said plurality of translucent refracting blocks is four in number; said translucent refracting blocks having dimensions of one inch by one inch by one half inch. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8  wherein a plurality of said plurality of translucent refracting blocks have one or more reflective side surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said translucent refracting blocks and said transparent refracting blocks may only be slid and may not be rotated. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said translucent refracting blocks and said transparent refracting blocks must occupy a square in said grid. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus for playing a sliding block puzzle game of  claim 1  wherein said beam exit point further comprises a light detection device; said light detection device being configured to measure the amount of light present at said beam exit point; said light detection device being configured to make noise when said amount of light present exceeds a specified threshold. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 8  wherein said beam exit point further comprises a light detection device; said light detection device being configured to measure the amount of light present at said beam exit point; said light detection device being configured to make noise when said amount of light present exceeds a specified threshold.