PUZZLES INCLUDING ELEMENT FRAGMENTS

Abstract

An example puzzle in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure includes a substrate and at least one element fragment dispersed over the substrate. A solvable element is solvable by arranging the substrate to unify at least a portion of the element fragments to form the solvable element.

Description

BACKGROUND

Puzzles and coloring books can provide entertainment. However, such activities can lack engagement, either because they are too simple and involve repetition and predictability, or because they are too tedious and difficult or otherwise become boring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS/FIGURES

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements according to an example.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements according to an example.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a puzzle including a solvable element according to an example.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a puzzle including a solvable element and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate a puzzle including a solvable element and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example.

FIG. 10 illustrates a puzzle including a solvable element, a plurality of distraction elements, and a plurality of thematic elements according to an example.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a puzzle including a plurality of solvable elements and a clue according to an example.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate a puzzle including an introductory panel solvable element according to an example.

FIG. 13 illustrates a puzzle in a packaged state including a plurality of visual hint elements according to an example.

FIG. 14 illustrates a puzzle including a plurality of substrates bound in a book format according to an example.

FIG. 15 illustrates a puzzle including a plurality of substrates and a solvable aggregate element according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Coloring books enable participants to color predefined illustrations, but lack in-depth interaction and engagement. Paper folding such as origami involves participant interaction, but can be tedious, non-intuitive, and difficult. To address such issues, examples described herein may provide engaging and intuitive puzzles that delight, educate, and/or engage participants. Example puzzles can combine illustrative and/or textual fragment(s) which, when correctly solved, form completed image(s) and/or associated text(s).

In an example puzzle, a novelty puzzle can be fabricated from a single sheet of pliable, substrate material that can be opaque and/or illustrated on front and/or back surfaces with lines and discrete areas of pictures and/or words, in fragmentary form. Such solvable elements can be presented in an incomplete/default state of the substrate. By attempting to solve the puzzle, e.g., by trial and error bending and/or folding of the substrate material, one or more otherwise hidden designs/elements can be solved. Such solvable elements and other features of the puzzle can share a common theme. The various element fragments and/or solvable elements can be colored in, and educational/informative text descriptions relating to such designs can be read, which can thereby provide clues for additional puzzles or riddles included on the packaging.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a puzzle 100 including a plurality of solvable elements 110A, 110B according to an example. The puzzle 100 also includes a substrate 102 upon which element fragments 112A, 112B, 112C, 112D are dispersed. A first set of element fragments 112A, 112C corresponds to the first solvable element 110A, and a second set of element fragments 112B, 112D corresponds to a second solvable element 110B. The first solvable element 110A is solvable according to a first fold configuration 116A of the substrate 102, to unify the first set of element fragments 112A, 112C. The second solvable element 110B is solvable according to a second fold configuration 116B of the substrate 102, different than the first fold configuration 116A, to unify the second set of element fragments 112B, 112D.

The substrate 102 can include paper, cardboard, fabric, plastic, and other materials suitable for bending and/or folding to solve the solvable element(s). Accordingly, the substrate 102 can include pliable materials, as well as materials that are rigid and set with hinges.

A fold configuration can include a plurality of fold lines involving different angles. As used herein, the term fold can include bending the substrate without creasing it. For example, the substrate can be folded into a curved, cylindrical, or similar state to achieve a fold configuration, without creasing the substrate. As used herein, the term fold line can include folds (whether creased or uncreased), as well as overlapping or overlaying portions of the substrate 102. For example, fold lines 117A, 117B are formed by folds, in contrast to fold lines 117C, 117D, and 117E which are formed by overlaying portions of the substrate 102. As illustrated, the first fold configuration 116A is based on folding the substrate according to a first set of angles, i.e., a single angle of a single fold of the substrate 102. The second fold configuration 116B is based on folding the substrate 102 according to a second set of angles, i.e., a single angle and fold, different than the first set of angles. In alternate examples, fold configurations can include one or more folds and/or fold lines.

The fully solved state of puzzle 100 is shown in FIG. 1B, involving the simultaneous solution of both solvable elements 110A, 110B. However, the example puzzle 100 can involve solving a given solvable element independently of the other(s), such that solvable element 110A can be solved without solving the solvable element 110B, or vice versa. The example puzzle 100 also illustrates how two folds, resulting from two fold configurations 116A, 116B, can be applied to the puzzle 100 to create five fold lines 117A, 117B, 117C, 117D, and 117E.

Thus, in the example of FIGS. 1A and 1B, a given solvable element 110A, 110B is associated with a corresponding solution and/or fold configuration 116A, 116B that differs from those of other solvable elements contained in the puzzle 100 (two solvable elements are shown for puzzle 100, although a fewer or greater number of solvable elements can be included in a given puzzle). This adds to the complexity of the overall puzzle 100 and provides additional levels of engagement with the puzzle 100. Furthermore, a series of irregular folds from various predetermined but seemingly arbitrary angles may be used to solve a given solvable element, introducing unpredictability and delight to the puzzle 100 (e.g., in contrast to fixed, predictable folds/angles). For example, although the fold lines 116A, 116B are illustrated in the example puzzle 100 using dashed lines for convenience, the fold lines 116A, 116B can be unmarked, such that their discovery and solution serves as yet another aspect of the puzzle, providing additional challenge and engagement in discovering the location(s) and/or angle(s) of the fold lines.

In alternate examples, a varying number of fold lines can be involved in a given fold configuration to successfully complete a corresponding given target solvable element (e.g., using one or more folds per design/solvable element). Such features can be used to enhance the puzzle's complexity and challenge, e.g., by using an increasing complexity among the various solvable elements.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, the element fragment 112A does not contain any specifically drawn borderline to visually isolate the various portions of the element fragment 112A. Such lack of hard lines to a given element fragment can further enhance engagement of puzzle solving (in contrast to the hard/distinct border of, e.g., a jigsaw puzzle piece that specifically contains its own borders). Rather, the example puzzle 100 includes an element fragment 112A that is missing its remaining element fragment 112C (i.e., there is no illustrated border between element fragments 112A and 112C).

The puzzle 100 includes various colorable regions, such as colorable region 109, which can be colored in, as with coloring books. The colorable regions 109 can be colored in when the puzzle 100 is in a solved state, such as the state shown in FIG. 1B. Alternatively, the colorable region 109 can be colored in when the puzzle is in a default non-solved state (as shown in FIG. 1A), and/or when the puzzle is in a partially solved state (e.g., after solving one or more solvable elements).

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a puzzle 200 including a plurality of solvable elements 210A, 210B according to an example. The solvable elements 210A, 210B can be solved according to various fold configurations, which produce the various illustrated fold lines 217A, 217B, 217C, 217D, and 217E. As shown, the second fold configuration 216B incorporates the first fold configuration 216A, such that the second fold configuration 216B is achieved by performing at least one additional fold line (e.g., 217D) beyond the first fold configuration 216A. Thus, a puzzle can include an illustration, text passage, or other solvable element that is formed by the successful completion of another solvable element. In alternate examples, the solution of another solvable element can be accomplished by unfolding the substrate back into its default/original shape in order to attempt to find and solve the next solvable element.

The various solvable elements and/or element fragments be related according to a theme of the puzzle 200, such that the puzzle 200 can include a thematic element. A thematic element can be solvable after completing a fold configuration corresponding to solving another solvable element, such that solving the thematic element involves an additional fold beyond the fold configuration corresponding to the other solvable element. Furthermore, the solvable element can be unrelated to the overall theme related to the solvable thematic element, thereby obfuscating the solution of the thematic element.

Example puzzles can involve increasing levels of difficulty in solving the solvable elements, such as having solvable elements formed by two folds, three folds, four folds, and so on. Such folds can be independent solutions (e.g., independently solving a first solvable element using two folds, then unfolding and independently solving a second solvable element using three different folds). In alternate examples, such folds can involve nested/serial solutions (e.g., by solving a first solvable element using two folds, then performing an additional third fold to solve the second solvable element which has three folds total, two of which correspond to solving the first solvable element).

FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrate a puzzle 300 including a solvable element 310 according to an example. The puzzle 300 is based on a substrate 302 having a first surface 304A (i.e., the front of the substrate 302) and a second surface 304B (i.e., the back of the substrate 302).

The substrate 302 is shown with element fragments 312A, 312B dispersed on the first surface 304A of the substrate 302. Thus, puzzle 300 illustrates that element fragments generally are not needed to be present on both surfaces 304A, 304B of the substrate 302. In alternate examples, the element fragments can be dispersed on multiple surfaces of the substrate 302. The solvable element 310 can be formed from the element fragments 312A, 312B by folding, which can involve bending and creasing the substrate 302. In alternate examples, the solvable element 310 can be formed by curving the substrate, e.g., curving the substrate into a cylinder, without needing to specifically fold and/or crease the substrate 302. Thus, for example, the substrate can be made of a flexible plastic that resists creasing, while still enabling the fold configuration illustrated in FIG. 3C to be accomplished (e.g., by curving the substrate 302 into a cylindrical form). In alternate examples, a puzzle can involve solving multiple solvable elements by curving the substrate into cylinders/hoops of varying diameters, e.g., solving a word puzzle having multiple different meanings and arrangements of text that resolve as the diameter is varied.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate a puzzle 400 including a solvable element 410 and a plurality of distraction elements 420A, 420B according to an example. The distraction elements 420A, 420B can visually distract from the element fragments 412A, 412B, to increase a difficulty of solving the solvable element 410. Furthermore, the distraction elements 420A, 420B can be related to an overall theme of the puzzle 400, and/or can be related to a theme shared by the distraction elements, which is different from a theme of the solvable element(s) 410.

The example of FIGS. 4A and 4B demonstrate a puzzle 400 having a substrate 402 that includes a first surface 404A and a second surface 404B. The plurality of element fragments 412A, 412B are dispersed on the first surface 404A and the second surface 404B of the substrate 402. In alternate examples, the puzzle 400 can omit the distraction elements 420A, 420B, while including element fragments on multiple surfaces of the substrate 402.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a puzzle 500 including a plurality of solvable elements 510A, 510B and a plurality of distraction elements 520A, 520B according to an example.

A distraction element can serve to fill in the space between element fragments, and can introduce ambiguity in at least a portion of a fold configuration corresponding to a solvable element. A distraction element can remain visible after solving a solvable element, as with the distraction element 520A. In contrast, a distraction element can become hidden after solving a solvable element, as with the distraction element 520B (visible in FIG. 5A, but hidden in FIG. 5B). In alternate examples, solving a first solvable element can result in the hiding of a distraction element associated with a second solvable element. For example, although folding the substrate 502 along the fold line 517B (to solve the second solvable element 510B) does not conceal the distraction element 520A (associated with the first solvable element 510A), the puzzle 500 can be arranged such that the distraction element 520A becomes hidden.

The distraction elements can involve abstract artwork (lines, stray designs, etc.) that disguise the fold configurations and/or their corresponding fold lines 517A, 517B, thereby adding complexity and challenge to the game. The distraction elements 520A, 520B can be extended further across the substrate 502 (e.g., see the examples of FIG. 7A, 7B) to fully obscure space between element fragments 512A, 512B, 512C, 512D, and/or to fully obscure space between solvable elements 510A, 510B. Such extended distraction elements can enable the puzzle 500 to avoid the appearance of borders that might suggest guidance as to more easily solving the solvable elements, or which might suggest the identification of even the element fragments. Accordingly, by obscuring the space between solvable elements and/or element fragments, the distraction elements increase the challenge and engagement of solving the puzzle 500.

Various elements, such as the solvable elements 510A, 510B themselves, the element fragments 512A, 512B, 512C, 512C, and/or additional elements including text (such as the printed names of the solvable elements) can be arranged in intentionally distracting and obfuscatory ways, whether they cross fold lines or not. Accordingly, example puzzles can involve solutions based on matching up names and text in relatively easier solutions, whereas other elements would not similarly be discernable (e.g., due to distraction elements). The distraction elements 520A, 520B are shown crossing at least one fold line 517A, 517B of their corresponding fold configurations. Thus, the fold line(s) intersect the corresponding distraction element(s). The illustrated distraction elements 520A, 520B are shown crossing fold line(s) corresponding to a fold (e.g., fold line 517A), as well as crossing a fold line corresponding to an overlap/overlay (e.g., distraction element 520A crosses the fold line 517C, as shown in FIG. 5B by various curved lines extending beyond an upper portion of the fold line 517C).

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a puzzle 600 including a plurality of solvable elements 610A, 610B and a plurality of distraction elements 620A, 620B according to an example. The distraction elements can be distinct artwork, in contrast to the abstract artwork shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B.

The distraction elements 620A, 620B are visually misleading to attract views toward the distraction elements 620A, 620B and away from the corresponding element fragments 612A, 612B. The distraction elements 620A, 620B are attractive in that they create interesting and compelling distractions. For example, the distraction element 620A creates a visually interesting bird, seemingly unrelated to solving the solvable element 610A depicting a smiley face that is not a bird. The distraction element 620B creates a visually interesting robot, seemingly unrelated to solving the solvable element 610B of a house. Furthermore, in the examples of FIGS. 6A and 6B, the distraction elements 620A, 620B are concealed upon solving the solvable elements 610A, 610B.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate a puzzle 700 including a plurality of solvable elements 710A, 710B and a plurality of distraction elements 720A, 720B, 720C according to an example. In contrast to the distraction elements shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B, the distraction elements 720A, 720B, 720C remain visible upon solving the puzzle 700.

The distraction elements 720A, 720B, 720C are also shown filling in the space between element fragments 712A, 712B, as well as introducing ambiguity as to where a fold line would be located. The distraction elements 720A, 720B, 720C even serve to conceal where a given element fragment begins or ends.

The solvable element 710A, corresponding to a happy face, is formed by element fragment 712A that makes use of the seemingly negative space around the duck distraction element 720A. Thus, the distraction element 720A visually misleads as to what is the interior or exterior of a solvable element. For example, the distraction element 720A potentially misleads a viewer into thinking an element fragment would instead be formed by positive space of the duck distraction element. However, as shown, the seemingly open/negative space behind the duck distraction element 720A unexpectedly serves as the positive enclosed space of the happy face solvable element 710A, upon solving the solvable element 710A.

The examples of FIGS. 7A and 7B also illustrate how the puzzle 700 lacks borders between element fragments 712A, 712B, to increase difficulty in identifying a fold configuration corresponding to a solvable element 710A, 710B. For example, the tail feathers of the duck distraction element 720A also extend across the fold line 717A, thereby introducing further ambiguity based on the fold line intersecting part of the distraction element. The fold line 717B obscures a portion of the duck distraction element 720A to thereby open the formerly enclosed space of the duck distraction element 720A, such that the fold line 717B converts the positive enclosed space of the duck distraction element 720A in open negative space, allowing the solvable element 710A to become more visually distinct.

FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate a puzzle 800 including a plurality of solvable elements and a plurality of distraction elements according to an example. Similar to the examples of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the beak of the duck distraction element 820A shown in FIG. 8A extends across the fold line 817A, thereby introducing further ambiguity based on the fold line 817A intersecting part of the distraction element 820A. Additionally, the duck distraction element 820A includes falling debris from the plants being chewed, serving to camouflage the individual eye and mouth aspects of the element fragment 812A (the falling debris includes similar shapes as the mouth and eye of the smiley face element fragment 812A). The distraction element 820C involves abstract art (abstract lines), as well as distinct and/or hidden images (the shape of a flying bird, and/or hints of smoke from the chimney). Thus, an already-solved shape can be hidden within the distraction element (820C) itself, such as a bird within the wisps of chimney smoke.

FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C illustrate a puzzle 900 including a solvable element 910 and a plurality of distraction elements 920 according to an example. The distraction elements 920 are similar to the element fragments 912A, 912B (e.g., there is a disembodied arm distraction element hidden near the element fragment 912A), thereby serving to camouflage the element fragments 912A, 912B. Note that the element fragments 912A, 912B are shown colored in for illustration and ease of recognition, but can be provided with a similar appearance as the distraction elements 920 (i.e., not colored in and left open to provide a colorable region).

The puzzle 900 involves illustrations contained on one surface of the puzzle 900. The solvable element 910 is solved by folding or curving the puzzle 900 backward, first along fold line 917A, then along fold line 917B, to thereby create fold line 917C by overlaying element fragment 912A over element fragment 912B to solve the solvable element 910. Thus, the puzzle 900 is folded in the transition from FIG. 9A to FIG. 9B, and the puzzle 900 is flipped over in the transition from FIG. 9B to FIG. 9C. Notably, the element fragment 912B crosses the fold line 917C of the fold configuration used to solve the solvable element 910.

FIG. 10 illustrates a puzzle 1000 including a solvable element 1010, a plurality of distraction elements 1020, and a plurality of thematic elements 1032A, 1032B, and 1032C according to an example. The puzzle 1000 involves elements on front and back surfaces of the puzzle 1000.

The puzzle 1000 is associated with a theme corresponding to various elements, including the solvable element 1010 (or other solvable elements not specifically shown in FIG. 10), the distraction elements 1020, and/or the thematic elements 1032A, 1032B, 1032C. The illustrated theme relates to cats (including a mouse). In alternate examples, the theme can involve multiple solvable elements that represent distinctive and potentially recognizable specific figures from history, folklore, mythology, and the like. Thus, example puzzles can be evocative and engaging with multiple hidden figures (including treasures, monsters, historical figures, and the like) included under a common theme of searching or investigation. The puzzle 1000 is shown including the mouse thematic element 1032A hidden among the plurality of element fragments and distraction elements. Although the mouse element 1032A is not a solvable element and presented in a fully-solved state, the mouse element 1032A is relatively smaller and more difficult to pick out of the sea of distraction elements 1020. Artwork in the puzzle 1000 can provide additional illustrations (e.g., icons, smaller figures, etc.) thematically related to the solvable element(s), which can serve as additional puzzle elements themselves.

A thematic element can be solvable after completing a fold configuration corresponding to solving a solvable element, such that solving the thematic element involves an additional fold beyond the corresponding fold configuration to solve the solvable element. For example, referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the bird solvable element 210B can serve as a thematic element, which is solvable by an additional fold beyond solving the solvable element 210A (which is a smiley face that does not need to relate to the bird theme). Accordingly, example puzzles can encourage players to bring some external knowledge to solving the puzzle and identifying its target text passages and/or illustrations based upon commonly known names and textual clues, which can become apparent based on the puzzle's theme.

FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate a puzzle 1100 including a plurality of solvable elements 1110A, 1110B and a clue 1140 according to an example. Solving first solvable element 1110A reveals the clue 1140 (shown as a text passage clue) to facilitate solving the second solvable element 1110B (shown as a text passage solvable element) and the third solvable element 1110C (shown as an illustration solvable element). The second solvable element 1110B incorporates a portion of the clue 1140. The third solvable element 1110C incorporates a portion of the first solvable element 1110A. The second solvable element 1110B extends across three different fold lines (fold lines 1117A, 1117B, and 1117C).

In alternate examples, clues can be nested/serial by extending the concept illustrated by puzzle 1100, such that solving a first solvable element would reveal a first clue to facilitate solving a third solvable element, and solving a second solvable element would reveal a second clue to facilitate solving the third solvable element.

Puzzles can contain various types of text, in addition to the clue 1140 and solvable element 1110B depicted in puzzle 1100. For example, text elements can contain multiple descriptive and educational passages regarding history, folklore, mythology, and other thematic or non-thematic aspects of the puzzle and/or its elements. Such text (or other elements) can be provided as a pre-solved element in their entirety (e.g., to provide a clue toward solving another solvable element). Additionally, such text/elements can be provided as element fragments to be assembled into a full text passage. Such text passages/elements thereby provide an educational and/or informative aspect to the overall puzzle, and can enhance the overall theme of the puzzle.

In alternate examples, a hidden global solvable element can be contained in a puzzle. The global element can be identified through the previously solved solvable elements and/or clues. In an example puzzle, the global element is revealed as an acrostic puzzle to be solved from elements of the puzzle. Additionally, example puzzles can contain element fragments of a global element involving solving a global image that is solvable based on clues within the puzzle, and/or based on solving other images of the puzzle.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, and 12C illustrate a puzzle 1200 including an introductory panel solvable element 1250 according to an example. The solvable element 1250 corresponding to the introductory panel can be solved when the puzzle 1200 is folded in a packaged state (e.g., when wrapped in label 1256). The introductory panel 1250, revealed in its solved state, can then introduce a participant to aspects of the puzzle 1200 when the puzzle 1200 is opened, e.g., from the packaged state after removing the label 1256.

The example packaged state can be achieved by folding the puzzle 1200 along one longitudinal fold line extending along the length of the puzzle substrate/sheet, and then cross-folded across three transverse lines which are transverse to the length of the substrate/sheet. The example introductory panel is shown as an “open door” feature that visually invites players into the puzzle's theme. The introductory panel 1250 can include instructions or hints. In the illustrated example, the introductory panel 1250 crosses a fold line formed by a fold. In alternate examples, the introductory panel 1250 can cross a fold line formed by overlapping/overlaying portions of the substrate, and/or by bringing together edges of the substrate.

FIG. 13 illustrates a puzzle 1300 in a packaged state including a plurality of visual hint elements 1354 according to an example. The visual hint elements 1354 are contained in label 1356, which is shown illustrated directly on the surface of the substrate itself. In alternate examples, the label 1356 can be provided as a separate element that can serve as a fastener to secure the puzzle 1300 in a packaged state. Visual hint elements 1354 can be included in an introductory panel, such as introductory panel 1250 of FIG. 12C. Visual hint elements 1354 can be contained in the example label 1256 of FIG. 12B. In alternate examples, visual hint element(s) 1354 can be dispersed throughout the puzzle 1300 itself, and can serve as hint elements as well as distraction/thematic elements.

The visual hint element 1354 assists in solving a solvable element. For example, the visual hint element 1354 can serve as a small silhouetted icon version of a larger solvable element to be solved and colored in. Thus, the visual hint elements 1354 can guide players to the correct outlines of a given solvable element illustration, adding complexity and challenge to the puzzle 1300.

FIG. 14 illustrates a puzzle 1400 including a plurality of substrates 1402A, 1402B bound in a book format according to an example. The puzzle 1400 includes a plurality of element fragments 1412A, 1412B, dispersed among the plurality of substrates 1402A, 1402B, corresponding to the solvable element (a fish) which can be referred to as aggregate element 1460.

The solvable aggregate element 1460 is solvable according to a fold configuration of at least one substrate 1402B, to unify the first element fragment 1412A of the first substrate 1402A with the second element fragment 1412B of the second substrate 1402B. The puzzle 1400 also illustrates an increased level of difficulty, wherein the surfaces which contain element fragments to be solved do not face each other in the book format. Thus, solving the solvable aggregate element 1460 involves identifying element fragments by hunting through multiple pages of the book format puzzle 1400. The player must be more engaged and do more than study the open facing pages of the puzzle book 1400.

Examples of puzzle 1400 can be designed to allow the incorporation of multiple individual puzzle substrates into one extended puzzle form or image (solvable aggregate element). The book can involve bound substrates and/or tear-out substrate pages that contain their own puzzles. Solvable elements are not only completed/solved using art/elements on obverse sides of the same page/substrate, but also by incorporating art/elements on subsequent pages. In an example, a collection of six or ten individual puzzles can share a given theme (monsters, presidents, female scientists, states, etc.), and can include bonus solvable elements dispersed among the individual puzzles, bound as an oversize educational puzzle/coloring book.

FIG. 15 illustrates a puzzle 1500 including a plurality of substrates 1502A, 1502B and a solvable aggregate element 1510 according to an example. The plurality of substrates 1502A, 1502B can be provided separately, and/or can be provided as removable from a puzzle in a book format as in the puzzle 1400 of FIG. 14. The plurality of substrates 1502A, 1502B are to form at least one solvable aggregate element 1510, based on element fragments 1512A, 1512B, 1512C dispersed among the plurality of substrates 1502A, 1502B and/or surfaces 1504A, 1504B, when the plurality of substrates 1502A, 1502B are arranged in a layout configuration and/or folded according to fold configuration(s). As used herein, the term fold configuration can include a layout configuration of one or more substrates, and the term layout configuration can include one or more fold configurations.

The solvable element 1510 is also an aggregate element 1560, based on being formed by multiple substrates 1502A, 1502B arranged in a layout configuration. Puzzle 1500 can incorporate a mega-puzzle (global element) or aggregate element which can be completed when other puzzle substrates have been completed. For example, aggregate element 1560 can be solved by laying out already-solved puzzle substrate 1502B (e.g., including at least one fold to solve substrate 1502B), along with substrate 1502A arranged in a layout configuration to solve the aggregate element 1560. As illustrated, the aggregate element 1560 is shown transitioning between substrates 1502A and 1502B based on overlapping/overlaying non-folded portions of the substrates 1502A, 1502B. However, in alternate examples, the transition between substrates can also occur at a folded portion of one or more substrate(s) (e.g., involving matching up element fragments that would be portrayed on surface 1504B of a folded portion of substrate 1502B). Additionally, transitions between substrates can occur at edges/fold lines of the substrates 1502A, 1502B that abut each other in a given layout configuration, such that no overlap is needed to form the aggregate element 1560.

Claims

1. A puzzle comprising:

a substrate; and

a plurality of element fragments dispersed over the substrate and including a first set of element fragments corresponding to a first solvable element, and a second set of element fragments corresponding to a second solvable element;

wherein the first solvable element is solvable according to a first fold configuration of the substrate to unify the first set of element fragments, wherein the first fold configuration is associated with a first difficulty level based on irregular folds from various predetermined but seemingly arbitrary angles; and

wherein the second solvable element is solvable according to a second fold configuration of the substrate, different than the first fold configuration, to unify the second set of element fragments, wherein the second fold configuration is associated with a second difficulty level, greater than the first difficulty level, based on irregular folds from various predetermined but seemingly arbitrary angles different than those of the first difficulty level.

2. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the first fold configuration is based on folding the substrate according to a first set of angles, and the second fold configuration is based on folding the substrate according to a second set of angles different than the first set of angles.

3. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the second fold configuration incorporates the first fold configuration, such that the second fold configuration is achieved by performing at least one additional fold beyond the first fold configuration.

4. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the substrate includes a distraction element to increase a difficulty of solving a solvable element.

5. The puzzle of claim 4, wherein the distraction element is visually misleading to attract views toward the distraction element and away from an element fragment.

6. The puzzle of claim 4, wherein the distraction element fills in space between element fragments and introduces ambiguity in at least a portion of a fold configuration corresponding to a solvable element.

7. The puzzle of claim 6, wherein the distraction element crosses at least one fold line of a fold configuration, such that the at least one fold line intersects the distraction element.

8. The puzzle of claim 4, wherein the distraction element is to camouflage an element fragment.

9. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the substrate lacks borders between element fragments, to increase difficulty in identifying a fold configuration corresponding to a solvable element.

10. The puzzle of claim 9, wherein an element fragment crosses at least one fold line of at least one fold configuration.

11. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the puzzle is associated with a theme corresponding to at least a portion of the plurality of solvable elements, and wherein the puzzle further comprises a thematic element hidden among the plurality of element fragments.

12. The puzzle of claim 11, wherein the thematic element is solvable after completing a fold configuration corresponding to solving a solvable element, such that solving the thematic element involves an additional fold beyond the corresponding fold configuration.

13. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein solving the first solvable element reveals a clue to facilitate solving the second solvable element.

14. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein solving the first solvable element reveals a first global clue to facilitate solving a global solvable element, and wherein solving the second solvable element reveals a second clue to facilitate solving the global solvable element.

15. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein the puzzle includes a colorable region to be colored in.

16. The puzzle of claim 1, wherein a solvable element corresponds to an introductory panel, and wherein when the puzzle is folded in a packaged state the introductory panel is presented in a solved state.

17. The puzzle of claim 16, wherein the introductory panel includes a visual hint element to assist in solving a solvable element.

18. A puzzle comprising:

a substrate including a first surface and a second surface;

a plurality of first element fragments dispersed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, the plurality of first element fragments corresponding to a first solvable element; and

a plurality of second element fragments dispersed on at least one of the first surface and the second surface of the substrate, the plurality of second element fragments corresponding to a second solvable element;

wherein the first solvable element is solvable according to a first fold configuration of the substrate, to unify the plurality of first element fragments; and

wherein the second solvable element is solvable by retaining the first fold configuration and performing at least one fold beyond the first fold configuration to achieve a second fold configuration, wherein the second fold configuration thereby incorporates the first fold configuration, and the second solvable element is formed at least in part by the successful completion of the first solvable element.

19. A puzzle comprising:

a plurality of substrates bound in a book format;

a plurality of first element fragments dispersed among the plurality of substrates, the plurality of first element fragments corresponding to a first solvable element;

a plurality of second element fragments dispersed among the plurality of substrates, the plurality of second element fragments corresponding to a second solvable element; and

at least one distraction element disposed to introduce distraction ambiguity to the second element fragments;

wherein the first solvable element is solvable according to a first fold configuration of at least one substrate, to unify a first element fragment of a first substrate with another, first element fragment of a second substrate; wherein solving the first solvable element causes the at least one distraction element to become hidden, thereby hiding the distraction ambiguity from among the second element fragments and decreasing a difficulty of solving the second solvable element.

20. The puzzle of claim 19, wherein the plurality of substrates are removable from the puzzle, and wherein the plurality of substrates are to form at least one solvable aggregate element based on element fragments dispersed among the plurality of substrates when the plurality of substrates are arranged in a layout configuration.