Abstract: A contest method and process are devised in which the memory faculties of the contestants are exercised by viewing a set of randomly selected symbol groupings for a first interval of time and thereafter the specific symbols and their groupings are recollected in a second interval of time. The symbol groupings may be inscribed on one of the faces of a set of flash cards which are then shuffled, dealt to each of the contestants and concealed. Then the dealt cards are revealed for the first time interval and following a delay or immediately thereafter the contestants are directed to list correctly the symbols and their groupings during the second time interval. The number of symbols groupings correctly recalled comprises the score.

Abstract: There is provided a test administration device having at least three substantially rigid planar members rotatively interconnected. At least two members have a retaining layer on one side containing cut-outs in the general shape of puzzle pieces. The concealed puzzles are successively revealed to the test subject in a random, predetermined arrangement on an integral work surface by selectively rotating the planar members. By vertically rotating the work surface, the pieces of a test puzzle are deposited on the interior surface of the previous planar member for efficient storage. An integral shield for minimizing distractions to the subject is created by positioning a planar member in a generally lower than vertical position. The puzzle pieces of each puzzle are securely stored and concealed between adjacent planar members.

Abstract: A book having at least one fold out page with a metal insert which assists the placement or arrangement of magnetic manipulatives onto a page of the book.

Abstract: A computer-generated jigsaw puzzle game including a method of generating a jigsaw puzzle game on an electronic display and controlling the play of the game in response to play operations. The method includes the steps of displaying a jigsaw puzzle comprising a plurality of puzzle pieces on the electronic display, where each puzzle piece comprises a video image region on the display. A plurality of video image blocks is sequentially displayed in the video image region of each puzzle piece to generate a moving video image in the video image region of each puzzle piece. Pieces of the puzzle are moved on the display in response to play operations to solve the jigsaw puzzle.

Abstract: An electronic video game requires the player to match the location of information on a video screen with the correct location of a pushbutton in a corresponding array. Initially, the video screen produces a display showing nine object character icons located in nine different locations in a tic-tac-toe arrangement. The display is flashed on for a few seconds and then discontinued. Next, the video screen displays one of the characters in a clue box and challenges the player to correctly match the clue character with its previous location on an array of nine pushbuttons laid out in the same tic-tac-toe fashion. The player then chooses one pushbutton corresponding to where the player believed the character had appeared in the original video display.

Abstract: An educational toy is disclosed which includes a sensor having an array of sensing points and a sensor sheet having a flexible face against which an object whose shape is to be recognized is placed, the object providing a change in electrical characteristics at points of the array which are contacted by the object, an output for detecting points whose electrical characteristics have been altered, a memory for comparing the relative positions of the points in such an array with information stored in memory to determine to which of the memorized set of objects the changed characteristics correspond and providing an output in a child recognizable manner associated with the shape placed on the sensor sheet.

Abstract: A learning device including a holder having a storage area and a display area. Information cards including a problem and a coded solution are selectively introduced into the display area wherein the problem remains visible and the coded answer is viewed through one or more specifically configured openings which combine with the coded answer to provide a deciphered or readable answer.

Abstract: An educational puzzle including a board having a plurality of identical openings extending therethrough and each receiving an identically shaped removable board piece. Each board piece, on the front side thereof, is provided with indicium such as alpha or numeric indicium so that the respective piece is correctly positionable in only one or a selected number of openings according to the overall purpose of the puzzle. The back side of the board and board pieces define one or more lines or patterns which are visible only from the back side. When all of the board pieces are properly inserted into the respective openings, then continuous lines are formed on the back side of the board to provide a visual determination that the puzzle has been solved correctly.

Abstract: An audio-visual interactive puzzle includes a rigid puzzle form defining a predetermined number of form cutouts, an upper graphic disposed on the form upper surface, and a plurality of respective removable puzzle pieces, each having a peripheral configuration conforming to that of an associated form cutout and bearing a piece graphic. A flexible membrane bears on the underside thereof a plurality of conductors in predetermined relative disposition, and a plurality of respective lower graphics overlie the flexible membrane and underlie the form cutouts. A spacer includes respective spacer cutouts generally corresponding to and disposed to underlie the form cutouts, and a conductive ground plane underlies the spacer cutouts. An electronic sound generator generates respective predetermined associated sounds in response to the input signals applied thereto.

Abstract: Pieces of a conventional jigsaw picture puzzle are cut to fit within a frame and over a base. Each piece has a suitable actuator (e.g., a magnet) embedded therein. The base has a switch (e.g., a magnetic switch) located below the location of the magnet of a particular piece when that piece is properly positioned within the frame to "solve" the puzzle. The switches are wired in series with a source of power, a melody generator and an amplifier. When the puzzle pieces are in proper position, the melody generator produces a tune appropriate for the picture of the puzzle. Several different puzzles may be provided fitting within the same frame. For each puzzle there is a key piece. For different puzzles the switch actuator of the key piece of located in a different location. A separate switch is located on the base below each actuator of the key piece and is wired to generate a different tune by being in series with a different melody generator. Instead of generating tunes, the device may actuate lights or speech.

Abstract: The invention is a game in which tiles are placed on a game surface to teach a discipline or area of study. The invention will be described in terms of a math game board although the principles taught can be used with many fields of study. The surface has a series of geometrical shapes presented to the player either simultaneously or serially. Each of the geometrical shapes has a plurality of discrete marked off "problem bases". Each of the problem bases have a series of symbols providing a problem. A symbol or symbols on the answer base answers the problem presented via the problem base. When the answer base of each tile having a symbol or symbols correctly answering the problems presented on each of the problem bases is correctly placed on the appropriate problem base, the tiles correctively duplicate each of the geometric shapes of the series.

Abstract: A scratch and smell game for pre-school children which makes use of a playing board on whose front face is printed drawings of different fruits or other odor-producing objects, each having a characteristic smell. At a site adjacent each fruit on the front face is a removable chip seated in a cutout in the board and forming a part of the board, the chips all having the same geometry. Coated on the front face of each chip is a layer of rupturable capsules containing a fragrance whose smell matches that of the particular fruit adjacent thereto. Printed on the rear face of the board are drawings of the same fruits, portions of these printed drawings being included on the rear faces of the chips so that the chips are necessary to complete the drawings. In playing the game, the player first removes all chips from the board and then shuffles them so that their proper sites on the front face of the board are no longer known.

Abstract: A tactile teaching aid is disclosed in which fixed and variable arrays of elongate members having end face patterns are adapted to be fit together only when the label terms also have a conceptual relationship match, to enable demonstration and reinforcement of the conceptual relationships by manipulation of the arrays.

Abstract: An interactive book-puzzle instructional entertainment system envisions a story book of consecutively-arranged pages with different indicia and a portion of a complemental supporting story imprinted on each of the consecutive pages, and a jigsaw puzzle including a plurality of separable playing pieces. Each piece bears on one side a duplicate representation of an indicia appearing on one of the pages of the book and bears on the opposite side a portion of a complete picture. The participant matches the indicia of each page of the book with the indicia on each playing piece with each successive piece being playable according to the consecutive order of their appearance in the book. That is, the pieces are playable consecutively, each piece is interlocked so that the second piece is interjoined with the first piece and the third piece is interjoined somewhere along the continuous edge provided by the previously interjoined first and second pieces.

Abstract: A sheet interfitting section puzzle includes incongruent pieces with complementary indicia which are physically separated by the puzzle piece internal edges and complementally abuttable internal edges which may be arranged in only one combination with all internal edges in complementary abutting relationship. When so arranged the complementary indicia are adjacent. Internal edges may be identical and therefore pieces may fit in an incorrect location while the puzzle is being constructed, in which location indicia adjacent to complementally abutting sides would not be complementary, but all the pieces must be located in their correct locations for the puzzle to be solved.

Abstract: A game or puzzle for pre-school children which exploits both the olfactory and visual senses. The game is formed by a playing board having printed thereon at distinct positions pictures of different odoriferous objects such as fruits having characteristic smells. Superimposed on each pictured object is an identifier constituted by a major circle and a minor circle concentric therewith, the circles being radially divided into colored segments. Each identifier has a distinctive color pattern that differs from every other identifier. The periphery of the minor circle is scored to define a punchout disc, the surface of which is coated with a myriad of minute, rupturable capsules containing an odor-producing substance whose smell is the characteristic odor of the related object. The discs are removed from the playing board to create sockets therein, each of which is surrounded by a major circle ring whose color pattern matches that of the removed disc.