Visual puzzle toy

A visual puzzle toy, for example, a coloring book 14 is provided with a substantially planar surface having a morphologically distorted representation 10 of an image printed thereon. The image 10 is distorted by circular transformation and must be viewed in a reflective surface provided on the outer circumference of a substantially cylindrical object in order to clearly distinguish the original image. The reflective surface may be provided on a cylindrical tumbler 22 for holding pencils, pens and paintbrushes for coloring in the morphologically distorted representation 10. The morphological distortion of the image introduces an element of mystery and intrigue which enhances the play value of the coloring book. The morphologically distorted representation can also be printed on a placemat or a jigsaw puzzle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a visual puzzle toy in which an image has 
been distorted by circular transformation to produce a morphologically 
distorted representation of the image, and relates particularly, though 
not exclusively, to a colouring book that includes one or more such 
morphologically distorted representations. 
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
Puzzles and novelty toys that rely on optical illusions and/or other visual 
conundrums seem to remain popular with both children and adults. One 
example of such a puzzle which has recently been marketed under the trade 
mark MAGIC EYE are the pictures which when viewed normally typically do 
not appear to represent anything clearly discernible, but when viewed with 
the left and right eyes slightly out of focus a 3-D image becomes visible. 
It appears that the popularity of such puzzles and novelty toys arises from 
an innate curiosity and fascination with mystery in human beings. The play 
value of such puzzles and toys lies principally in the ability to solve 
the riddle or to uncover the mystery in such a way that does not 
immediately render the puzzle or toy useless. Having solved the conundrum 
on one occasion, a user can return to the puzzle or toy on another 
occasion and still derive enjoyment in solving the conundrum a second, a 
third, or fourth time. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
The present invention was developed with a view to providing a visual 
puzzle toy that involves the user in solving a visual conundrum. 
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a visual 
puzzle toy comprising: 
a substantially planar surface having a morphologically distorted 
representation of an image printed thereon, the image having been 
distorted by circular transformation to produce said morphologically 
distorted representation; 
a substantially cylindrical object having a reflective surface provided on 
an outer circumference thereof, wherein when said morphologically 
distorted representation is viewed in said reflective surface the original 
image is clearly distinguishable. 
In one embodiment said morphologically distorted representation is printed 
on the page of a colouring book, whereby in order to colour the image in 
the colouring book the representation must be viewed in the reflective 
surface. 
In another embodiment said morphologically distorted representation is 
printed on a placemat and said substantially cylindrical object is a drink 
cup which may be placed on the placemat to view the image. 
In a further embodiment said morphologically distorted representation is 
printed on a jigsaw puzzle, whereby in order to distinguish the original 
image and reconstruct the jigsaw puzzle the representation must be viewed 
in said reflective surface. Preferably said cylindrical object is a 
storage container for said jigsaw puzzle when not in use. Preferably said 
cylindrical container is provided with a lid having a miniature version of 
said morphologically distorted representation printed thereon. 
Advantageously said lid also has a smaller cylindrical tube, with a 
reflective surface provided on an outer circumference thereof, provided in 
connection therewith. Preferably said tube is slidably mounted in the lid 
and can be lifted to a first position in which the miniature version of 
the morphologically distorted representation can be viewed, and a second 
position in which substantially the full length of the tube is retracted 
into the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
A morphologically distorted representation 10 of an image of a lion cub as 
illustrated in FIG. 1 may be created manually using a grid transposition 
method. A rectangular grid is drawn on the original image and each portion 
of the image is then transposed onto the corresponding rectangle in a 
circular grid. It will be understood that those features of the original 
image which are closest to the centre of curvature of the circular grid 
are least distorted, whilst those portions furthest from the centre of 
curvature are the most distorted. This type of circular transformation can 
now be performed much more quickly and efficiently on a personal computer 
using appropriate software. The more complex the original image, the more 
difficult it is to discern in the morphologically distorted 
representation. Hence, in FIG. 1 the eyes and ears of the lion cub can 
just be made out in the morphologically distorted representation, however 
it is not possible to discern from the representation that the original 
image is of a lion cub. Therefore, the viewer is intrigued by the mystery 
and curiosity creates a desire in the viewer to solve the mystery. 
In order to solve the mystery, the viewer must place a substantially 
cylindrical object having a reflective surface provided on an outer 
circumference thereof at approximately the centre of curvature 12 of the 
morphologically distorted representation 10. When the morphologically 
distorted representation 10 is viewed in the reflective surface the 
original image of the lion cub becomes clearly distinguishable. It will be 
understood that the circular transformation employed to create the 
morphologically distorted representation need not employ a constant radius 
of curvature in order to produce a similar effect. However, in that case 
the reflective surface of the substantially cylindrical object must also 
have a radius of curvature which varies in an identical manner if the 
original image is to be viewed without distortion. Hence, as used 
throughout the present specification, the term "circular transformation" 
also includes a substantially circular transformation. 
FIG. 2 illustrates a first embodiment of the visual puzzle toy in 
accordance with the present invention in the form of a colouring book 14. 
The colouring book 14 is provided with a case 16 made from lightweight 
moulded plastics material, and having a lid 18 hinged thereto. The lid 18 
is pivotally connected to the case 16 by a cylindrical hinge connection 20 
which effectively forms one wall of the case. The interior of the hinge 
connection 20 is hollow and may be used for storage of pencils, 
paintbrushes and other instruments used for colouring in, such as crayons, 
etc. The case 16 may be laid open flat on a surface as shown in FIG. 2 so 
that the lid 18 provides a drawing surface on which a child may colour in 
pictures provided in the colouring book. Included amongst the pictures in 
the colouring book is at least one morphologically distorted 
representation 10, similar to that illustrated in FIG. 1. 
In order to discern the original image for the purposes of colouring in, 
the morphologically distorted representation 10 must be viewed in a 
suitable reflective surface. In this embodiment, a cylindrical tumbler 22 
is provided for holding pencils, pens, brushes, etc., and which is 
provided with a reflective surface on an outer circumference thereof. 
Pencil tumbler 22 is placed on the page of the colouring book at 
approximately the location of the centre of curvature 12. In this 
position, the original image of a lion cub can be viewed in the reflective 
surface on tumbler 22 and the child can then commence colouring in the 
corresponding parts of the morphologically distorted representation. The 
child will need to continue to refer to the original image as reflected in 
the reflective surface of tumbler 22 in order to correctly colour in the 
various parts of the morphologically distorted representation. 
Preferably, the outside diameter of the pencil tumbler 22 is sufficiently 
small for the tumbler 22 to be received within the hollow confines of the 
hinge connection 20 during storage. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the visual puzzle toy in 
accordance with the present invention, in the form of a placemat 30 with 
cup 32. A morphologically distorted representation 34 is printed on the 
placemat 30. In this embodiment the placemat 30 is sector-shaped and the 
representation 34 therefore takes up substantially the whole of the 
surface area of the placemat 30. A cut-out portion 36 is provided on one 
side of the placemat 30 to receive a cup 32 as shown in FIG. 4. Cup 32 is 
of substantially cylindrical shape and has a reflective surface provided 
on an outer circumference thereof. Hence, when the cup 32 is placed within 
the cut-out portion 36 the morphologically distorted representation 34 can 
be viewed in the reflective surface so that the original image 38 is 
clearly distinguishable. 
FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate a third embodiment of the visual puzzle toy in 
accordance with the present invention, in the form of a jigsaw puzzle 40. 
Jigsaw puzzle 40 may be manufactured from cardboard, wood or other 
suitably rigid material and has a morphologically distorted representation 
42 printed thereon as shown most clearly in FIG. 5. Jigsaw puzzle 40 is of 
circular configuration and is cut into small interlocking pieces (not 
visible) in a conventional manner. The morphologically distorted 
representation 42 is of annular shape with a blank circular portion 44 
provided in the centre of the puzzle. 
In its unassembled condition, the puzzle pieces are stored in a storage 
container 46 illustrated in FIG. 7. Storage container 46 is of 
substantially cylindrical shape and is provided with a reflective surface 
on an outer circumference thereof. Hence, when the container 46 is placed 
on the circular portion 44 of the puzzle 40, the morphologically distorted 
representation 42 can be viewed from all angles in the reflective surface 
to reveal the original image. Storage container 46 is preferably provided 
with a lid 48 which has a miniature version 50 of the morphologically 
distorted representation printed thereon. In addition, the lid 48 has a 
small cylindrical tube 52 slidably mounted therein which can be lifted to 
a first position as shown in FIG. 7. The tube 52 is also provided with a 
reflective surface on an outer circumference thereof so that when the 
miniature version of the morphologically distorted representation is 
viewed therein, the original image is clearly discernible. Advantageously 
the slidable tube 52 can be pushed down to a second position in which 
substantially the full length of the tube is retracted into the lid. A 
small finger grip 54 is provided on top of the tube 52 to enable the tube 
52 to be lifted to its first position. Hence, tube 52 provides a simple 
yet effective "try me" feature incorporated in the storage container 46 of 
the jigsaw puzzle. 
Jigsaw manufacturers are always looking for ways of making jigsaw puzzles 
more challenging and interesting. The present invention introduces a new 
element of mystery for the user, who must not only successfully assemble 
all of the jigsaw puzzle pieces but must also view the resultant 
representation in the reflective surface of the storage container 46 in 
order to view the original image. Naturally, the morphologically distorted 
representation can also be viewed whilst the jigsaw puzzle 40 is being 
assembled in order to aid the user. 
Now that several embodiments of the visual puzzle toy in accordance with 
the invention have been described in detail, some of the commercial 
benefits will be apparent, including the following: 
(i) the use of a morphologically distorted representation introduces an 
additional element of mystery and intrigue which enhances the play value 
of the toy; 
(ii) the separate parts of the toy are simple and inexpensive to 
manufacture; and, 
(iii) the manner in which the cylindrical object with reflective surface 
must be placed in relation to the morphologically distorted representation 
adds a dimension of interest and involvement for the user. 
Numerous variations and modifications to the described embodiments will 
suggest themselves to persons skilled in the relevant arts, in addition to 
those already described, without departing from the basic inventive 
concepts. For example, the substantially cylindrical object on which a 
reflective surface is provided need not be provided in the form of a 
cylinder. Instead, a sheet of flexible material having a reflective 
surface provided thereon may be bent into the shape of a cylinder and held 
in position in relation to the morphologically distorted representation in 
order to view the original image. All such variations and modifications 
are to be considered within the scope of the present invention, the nature 
of which is to be determined from the foregoing description and the 
appended claims.