Symbol-based puzzle game

Abstract

The present invention relates to puzzle games, and more particularly to a symbol-based puzzle game where the user solves the puzzle by filling puzzle boxes with pre-selected symbols.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A-symbol placement game, comprising:
 a primary grid, formed from a rectangular set of columns and lines;   a plurality of secondary grids, each secondary grid being formed from a square set of puzzle boxes, the secondary grids laid out inside the primary grid such that each secondary grid is connected to at least one other secondary grid by at least one puzzle box and such that at least a portion of the primary grid remains uncovered by any secondary grids; and   a pre-selected set of symbols, the number of pre-selected symbols equal to the number of puzzle boxes in one secondary grid;   wherein the puzzle has at least one solution obtained by filling in each puzzle box with a symbol from the pre-selected set of symbols such that no symbol appears twice in any column of the primary grid, any line of the primary grid and in any secondary grid.   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the number of columns in the primary grid and the number of lines in the primary grid are a square number. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein number of columns in the primary grid and the number of lines in the primary grid are equal. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the symbols are alphanumeric. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 1 , where the symbols are selected based on a thematic element for the puzzle. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 5 , wherein at least portion of the symbols are allocated to form one or more phrases associated with the thematic element. 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 6 , wherein the phrases are formed within the primary grid when the puzzle is solved. 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 7 , wherein the puzzle boxes containing the symbols forming the phrases are highlighted. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 6 , wherein one or more phrases requires a duplicate symbol within a secondary grid, the duplicate symbol is replaced with a placeholder element. 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 5 , further including a legend indicating the thematic element of the puzzle. 
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 7 , further including a legend indicating the phrases formed within the primary grid. 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 7 , further including a legend indicating a location within the primary grid for one or more of the phrases formed within the primary grid. 
     
     
         13 . The game of  claim 9 , further including a legend indicating which symbols are replaced by placeholder elements and a location for each puzzle box containing a placeholder symbol. 
     
     
         14 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein the layout of the secondary grids is symmetrical. 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 1 , wherein each secondary grid is connected to no more than three other secondary grids. 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 6 , wherein the phrases contain both alphabetical and numerical symbols. 
     
     
         17 . The game of  claim 2 , wherein the square number is one of: 16, 25 and 36.