Puzzle map solutions

Abstract

A Puzzle Map/key for aiding the solution of two-dimensional jigsaw puzzles comprises a one-page map/key document, and a back-of-the-puzzle grid. The map/key document provides a front-of-the-puzzle depiction of all the pieces of a puzzle, displayed with identifying symbols. The back-of-the-puzzle grid enables the identification of every puzzle piece to be inscribed with a unique symbol on its back side. The two components enable one to find the exact location of any puzzle piece in the puzzle being resolved, by matching the symbol on the backside of each puzzle piece to the correspondingly identified piece on the puzzle map/key. Production of the two-dimensional jigsaw puzzle and puzzle map/key on a mass scale is facilitated through the use of conventional transmission media, including computer, phone, and electronic or regular mail.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A puzzle map key for solving a two-dimensional jigsaw puzzle having a front plane with a plurality of puzzle pieces, said puzzle map key comprising:
 a. a map/key comprising a one-page document displaying substantially the entire front plane and all pieces of a puzzle to be solved, each of said puzzle pieces being shown on the map/key and being identified by a number or symbol that is derived from and is the same as a corresponding number or symbol inscribed on the back of each of the puzzle pieces;   b. a back-of-the-puzzle grid, comprising a plurality of spaces bearing numbers or symbols that identify the location for each piece of the puzzle to be solved, each of said numbers or symbols being imprinted on the backs of pieces of said jigsaw puzzle, being different from any other of said numbers or symbols and not repeated on the back-of-the puzzle grid, whereby each piece of the puzzle shown on the front plane is uniquely identifiable by the numbers or symbols on the backs of the jigsaw puzzle pieces and the spaces bearing numbers or symbols which collectively comprise the back-of-the-puzzle grid.   
     
     
         2 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said map/key displays an identifying back-of-the-puzzle symbol for each puzzle piece shown on the front of each corresponding piece of the map/key, so that the map/key identifies the exact and correct placement of all the puzzle pieces by matching the identifying number on the back of each puzzle piece to the number displayed by the map/key; thus divulging the correct location of that puzzle piece within the puzzle being resolved. 
     
     
         3 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 2 , wherein the map/key identifies the correct location of any puzzle piece within said jigsaw puzzle so that a piece-by-piece solution is achieved without having to match each puzzle piece to the only correct location of that piece on the front plane of the jigsaw puzzle being completed. 
     
     
         4 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 3 , comprising a scheme of identifiers for the puzzle map/key that includes a grid of all the back-of-the-puzzle identifying symbols, which have been organized on the back-of-the-puzzle grid in a mirror image order that is also an opposing order from the identifiers within the grid comprising the puzzle map/key, said scheme of identifiers being a necessary arrangement for both the front-of-the-puzzle and back-of-the-puzzle grids in order to enable the identification of each puzzle piece on the map/key to correspond exactly to the location of the puzzle piece on the front plane of the puzzle being resolved. 
     
     
         5 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 1 , wherein said back-of-the-puzzle grid and said map/key can be readily produced on a mass scale by manufacturing methods that are conventional in the puzzle manufacturing art. 
     
     
         6 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 1 , said map/key being readily housed in a puzzle box and transmitted to a puzzle consumer by conventional transmission media, including computer, phone, and electronic or regular mail. 
     
     
         7 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 1 , said map/key being configured to serve as a reference and key to achieving a completed puzzle, thereby enabling a person or persons completing the puzzle to determine the level of assistance to be needed or desired from the use of the Map/key when assessing the effort and time required for jigsaw puzzle completion. 
     
     
         8 . A puzzle map/key as recited by  claim 8 , said map/key being configured to enhance the puzzle completion experience for persons accepting the challenge of completing a jigsaw puzzle accompanied by a map/key.