Abstract:
The present invention is a 3D word-search puzzle comprising: a three-dimensional object with printed symbols on the surfaces containing a set of phrases. Each phrase on the surface of the puzzle may cross one or more edges within the object&#39;s surface. The method of producing the puzzle comprises: mapping the surfaces of a 3D object to one or more 2D surfaces; phrases are laid out on each surface by placing series of symbols across one or more surfaces; and constructing the puzzle by applying the surface layouts directly onto a 3D object by direct printing on the 3D object, or printing onto a 2D layout which is folded and assembled into the 3D shape. The method of playing the word-search puzzle includes: a list of phrases to be found; rules identifying permissible sequences of symbols; and finding the phrases on the three-dimensional object.

Description:
[0001]     The present invention is the three-dimensional word-search puzzle, method of making the three-dimensional word-search puzzle, and a method of using the three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
         [0002]     The present puzzle is the three-dimensional word-search puzzle comprising: 1) a three-dimensional object of one or more surfaces; 2) symbols placed on the surfaces; 3) a set of pre-defined phrases composed of sequences of symbols discoverable by the user; 4) and the set of pre-defined phrases placed on the surface of the three-dimensional object including, but not limited to, sequences which cross one or more edges within the three-dimensional object&#39;s surface.  
         [0003]     The method of producing the three-dimensional word-search puzzle comprises: 1) creating two-dimensional sheets for each surface of a three-dimensional figure; 2) organizing the sheets so that some of the edges of the sheets are adjacent in a larger two-dimensional sheet, said adjacencies corresponding to edges of said three-dimensional figure, where edges of the two dimensional sheets are not adjacent in the large two dimensional sheets but form edges in said three-dimensional figure providing a tab for assembling said three-dimensional figure; 3) placing hidden pre-defined phrases among the symbols for placement on the two dimensional surfaces, placing said symbols on the two-dimensional sheets; 4) transferring the symbols placed on the two-dimensional sheets to the corresponding surfaces of the three-dimensional object by attaching, direct printing, engraving, or other suitable means and when the two-dimensional sheets form the surfaces of the three-dimensional object, folding the two-dimensional sheets to form the edges of the three-dimensional figure.  
         [0004]     The method of using or playing a word-search game on a three-dimensional object comprises: 1) identification of a list of pre-defined phrases to be found; 2) identifying a set of rules governing the permissible sequences of symbols which may contain the pre-defined phrases to be found; 3) finding the pre-defined phrases when identified on the surface of a three-dimensional object on which may be placed a plurality of symbols which obscure said pre-defined phrases.  
         [0005]     While the term “word-search” is used throughout this application it is contemplated that the terms “word-find”, “word-seek”, “circle-a-word”, are equivalent to the term “word-search” as used in this application.  
         [0006]     Three-dimensional word-search puzzle and methods for making and playing the three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
       CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0007]     There are no applications related to this application.  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP  
       [0008]     No invention claimed in this application was made under federally sponsored research or development.  
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION  
       [0009]     The present invention is the three-dimensional word-search puzzle in which the user attempts to find pre-defined phrases embedded in a search field comprised of symbols on the surface of a three-dimensional object. Two-dimensional word-search puzzles are well known in the art and are published regularly in numerous newspapers and other publications. Two-dimensional word-search puzzles consistently include a set of pre-defined phrases embedded within a two-dimensional search-field consisting of symbols printed on a planar surface of limited extent. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is a word-search puzzle with its search-field placed on some or all of the surfaces (or a single surface) of a three-dimensional object.  
         [0010]     The search-field of the puzzle is on the surface or surfaces of a three-dimensional object, or may be on a flat surface and then assembled into a three-dimensional object. The goal of the puzzle is to find a set of pre-defined phrases contained within the search-field of the puzzle.  
         [0011]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle may be constructed on any Three-dimensional object. The three-dimensional objects for the three-dimensional word-search puzzle include but are not limited to: 1) regular polyhedrons such as cubes or tetrahedrons; 2) objects made from polygonal sides such as pyramids, prisms, and house-like objects; 3) and objects made with curved surfaces such as spheres, footballs, and vases.  
         [0012]     The pre-defined phrases may continue from surface to surface, may continue around the curved surface of any object, may be contained within a single surface, may extend across any number of surfaces, or may skip intervening surfaces. Pre-defined phrases are sequences of symbols identified through instructions to the user. The pre-defined phrases to be found include, but are not limited to: 1) words, sentences, clauses in any language; 2) numbers of any type; 3) and thoughts expressed as rebuses.  
         [0013]     The orientation of symbols on the three-dimensional object may change from surface to surface, or within a given surface. The set of symbols on the surface or surfaces of the three-dimensional object are the search-field. The search-field may encompass some or all of the surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The search-field may encompass all or part of each surface included within the three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
         [0014]     The set of pre-defined phrases embedded in the search-field may use some or all the symbols contained within the search-field. In some cases, all the symbols appearing in the search-field appear in one or more pre-defined phrases. In other cases, filler symbols, which do not form part of any of the embedded pre-defined phrases, may be included in the search-field. In yet other cases, some filler symbols appearing in the search-field do appear in embedded pre-defined phrases.  
         [0015]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is distinct from other word-search puzzles in a number of ways. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is three-dimensional. Pre-defined phrases are on the surface of the object and may continue around the object crossing existing edges of the object. The puzzle can wrap completely around the object. Pre-defined phrases can cross all edges, some edges, or no edges of the object. Pre-defined phrases and parts of pre-defined phrases can appear on some or all of the surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The puzzle may follow the surface of the object so that there is no “end” or “perimeter” to the puzzle.  
         [0016]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made in a variety of shapes. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be a Regular polyhedron such as a cube or tetrahedron. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made from a combination of several polygonal sides such as a house-like object. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made with curved sides such as a sphere or football. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made from a combination of planar and non-planar surfaces. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be any irregular three-dimensional object.  
         [0017]     Symbol orientation may vary or rotate on the surface of the object, such as a curved orientation on a curved surface. Symbol rotation may vary on each surface of a complete object. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle may be built as a three-dimensional object from standard materials such as plastic, wood, or metal, or may be printed on a flat sheet to be assembled. The symbols placed on the three-dimensional word-search puzzle&#39;s three-dimensional object may be printed, embossed, carved, molded or placed by any practical means resulting in symbols perceptible to a user.  
         [0018]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,009,882 to Rader describes a cubical apparatus to which paper with word game components may be attached by means such as spring clips and U-brackets. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is played directly on its own surfaces eliminating the need for clips or U-brackets.  
         [0019]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,140,317 to Ramney describes a containerized greeting card and game toy wherein the game is played on a two dimensional surface resulting from unfolding the greeting card. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is played directly on the three-dimensional surface of its three-dimensional object.  
         [0020]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,465,467 to Exelby describes a flat sheet with flaps. Symbols on the flaps may be folded up or down to form words for educational purposes. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is played directly on the three-dimensional surface of its three-dimensional object and the user seeks pre-defined phrases within the search-field.  
         [0021]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,308,954 to Breeler describes an integrated word puzzle which includes crossword, circle-a-word, and unscrambling words on a flat surface. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is a word-search game played directly on the three-dimensional surface of its three-dimensional object and the user seeks pre-defined phrases within the search-field.  
         [0022]     Patent Number: WO9916675 to Johannsen describes an Improved Foldable Box that can be unfolded and used as a flat game board in its two-dimensional state. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is a word-search game played directly on the three-dimensional surface of its three-dimensional object and the user seeks pre-defined phrases within the search-field.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0023]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle invention is a word-search puzzle, method of making the three-dimensional word-search puzzle, and a method of using the three-dimensional word-search puzzle. The search-field of the puzzle is on the surface or surfaces of a three-dimensional object, or may be on a flat surface and then assembled into a three-dimensional object. The goal of the puzzle is to find a set of pre-defined phrases contained within the search-field of the puzzle. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle has a number of advantages over the two-dimensional word-search puzzles.  
         [0024]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle may be constructed on any three-dimensional object. Three-dimensional objects for the three-dimensional word-search puzzle include but are not limited to: 1) regular polyhedrons such as cubes or tetrahedrons; 2) objects made from polygonal sides such as pyramids, prisms, and house-like objects; 3) and objects made with curved surfaces such as spheres, footballs, and vases.  
         [0025]     The method of making the three-dimensional word-search puzzle systematically maps symbols onto two-dimensional surfaces and then places those symbols on the surfaces of the three dimensional object by any appropriate means resulting in a set of symbols placed on the surfaces and placed to be perceptible to the user.  
         [0026]     The method of using the three-dimensional word-search puzzle comprises identification of the pre-defined phrases on the surface or surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The symbols placed on the surface or surfaces of the three-dimensional object may include filler symbols. The pre-defined phrases may appear forward or backward within the surface or surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The pre-defined phrases may be found within a single surface of the three-dimensional object or the pre-defined phrases may be found to span multiple surfaces of the three-dimensional object, or the set of pre-defined phrases may be found in both single surfaces or spanning multiple surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The symbols used in creating the pre-defined phrases may be any set of perceptible symbols capable of placement on the surfaces of the three-dimensional object, such as letters, numbers, pictographs such as those used in rebuses, or Braille characters. The set of symbols may comprise as few as one character.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0027]      FIG. 1  depicts the three-dimensional word-search puzzle constructed on a cubeoctahedron with extra fill symbols and pre-defined phrases crossing edges.  
         [0028]      FIG. 2  depicts the three-dimensional word-search puzzle of  FIG. 1  in its pre-folded state.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is a three-dimensional rendering of a cubic three-dimensional word-search puzzle without extra fill symbols added.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4  depicts the three-dimensional word-search puzzle of  FIG. 3  in its pre-folded state.  
         [0031]      FIG. 5  depicts the pyramidal three-dimensional word-search puzzle in its pre-folded state.  
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a three-dimensional rendering of a spherical three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a three-dimensional rendering of a vase-shaped three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
         [0034]      FIG. 8  is a three-dimensional rendering of a cubic three-dimensional word-search puzzle with one irregular curved surface.  
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a three-dimensional rendering of a three-dimensional word-search puzzle constructed as a rebus.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0036]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is a word-find puzzle in which the user attempts to find pre-defined phrases  1  embedded in a search-field  2  consisting of symbols  5  on the surface of a three-dimensional object subject to a prescribed set of rules for constructing the pre-defined phrases  1 . The three-dimensional word-search puzzle is a word-find puzzle with its search-field  2  placed on some or all of the surfaces (or surface) of a three-dimensional object.  
         [0037]     The search-field  2  of the puzzle is on the surface or surfaces of a three-dimensional object, or may be on a flat surface and then assembled into a three-dimensional object [ FIGS. 2, 4  &amp;  5 ]. The goal of the puzzle is to find a set of pre-defined phrases  1  contained within the search-field  2  of the puzzle.  
         [0038]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle may be constructed on any three-dimensional object. Three-dimensional objects for the three-dimensional word-search puzzle include but are not limited to: 1) regular polyhedrons such as cubes [ FIG. 3 ] or tetrahedrons; 2) objects made from polygonal sides such as pyramids, prisms, and house-like objects; 3) and objects made with curved surfaces such as spheres [ FIG. 6 ], footballs; 4) objects made with a combination of flat and curved surfaces such as vases [ FIG. 7 ], and irregular shapes [ FIG. 8 ].  
         [0039]     The pre-defined phrases  1  may continue from surface to surface  9 , may continue around the curved surface of any object  11 , may be contained within a single surface  10 , or may extend across any number of surfaces  8 . Pre-defined phrases  1  are sequences of symbols  5 . Instructions  25  or word lists  21  identify pre-defined phrases  1  to the user or users. The pre-defined phrases  1  to be found include, but are not limited to: 1) words, sentences, clauses in any language; 2) numbers of any type; 3) and thoughts expressed as rebuses  22 .  
         [0040]     The orientation of symbols  5  on the three-dimensional object may change from surface to surface  13 , or within a given surface. The search-field  2  is the total of all symbols  5 , on the surface of the object. The search-field  2  may encompass some or all of the surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The search-field  2  may encompass all or part of each surface included within the three-dimensional word-search puzzle.  
         [0041]     The set of pre-defined phrases  1  embedded in the search-field  2  may use some or all the symbols  5  contained within the search-field  2 . In some cases, all the symbols  5  appearing in the search-field  2  appear exactly once in the set of embedded pre-defined phrases  1  and all symbols  5  appearing in the search-field  2  appear in one or more pre-defined phrases. In other cases, filler symbols  7 , which do not form part of any of the embedded pre-defined phrases  1 , may be included in the search-field  2 . In yet other cases, some filler symbols  7  appearing in the search-field  2  do appear in embedded pre-defined phrases  1 .  
         [0042]     Pre-defined phrases  1  are on the surface of the object and may continue around the object crossing any existing edges of the object  8 . The puzzle can wrap completely around the object. Pre-defined phrases  1  can cross any number of edges  8 , or no edges  10  of the object. Pre-defined phrases  1  and parts of pre-defined phrases  1  can appear on some or all of the surfaces of the three-dimensional object. The puzzle may follow the surface of the object so that there is no “end” or “perimeter” to the puzzle.  
         [0043]     The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made in a variety of shapes. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be a regular polyhedron such as a cube [ FIG. 3 ] or tetrahedron. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made from a combination of several polygonal sides such as a house-like object or a cubeoctahedron [ FIG. 1 ]. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made with curved sides such as a sphere [ FIG. 6 ] or football. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be made from a combination of planar and non-planar surfaces [FIGS.  7  &amp;  8 ]. The three-dimensional word-search puzzle can be any irregular three-dimensional object.  
         [0044]     Symbol orientation may vary or rotate on the surface of the object, such as the curved orientation on a curved surface [ FIG. 6 ]. Symbol rotation may vary on each surface of a complete object  13 . The three-dimensional word-search puzzle may be built as a three-dimensional object from standard materials such as plastic, wood, or metal, or may be printed on a flat sheet [ FIGS. 2, 4  &amp;  5 ] to be assembled as part of the puzzle. The symbols  5  placed on the three-dimensional word-search puzzle three-dimensional object may be printed, embossed, carved, molded or placed by any practical means resulting in symbols  5  perceptible to a user.  
         [0045]     Sample sets of rules applicable to several levels of difficulty and three-dimensional objects follow wherein the objective is to find the pre-defined phrases  1  in the symbols  5  of the search-field  2  on the surface of the three-dimensional object: 
    A. Words are hidden in the symbols on the surface of the object. Find and circle the words.     B. Flat-sided objects such as cubes, tetrahedrons, pyramids, or prisms: 
        (a) Words proceed in a straight line on each surface. For surfaces such as rectangles or squares, this means the words can read forward or backwards, vertically, horizontally, or diagonally  12  [ FIG. 3 ].     (b) For shapes with non-orthogonal edges (like a triangle), the words can run forward or backward parallel to any edge of the surface  14  [ FIG. 5 ].     (c) Symbols are placed so the edges of adjoining surfaces have the same number of symbols [ FIG. 2 ].     (d) When a word crosses an edge  9 , the direction of the word is maintained as much as possible. When the two surfaces are of the same type, the direction can be maintained precisely as the word crosses the edge [FIGS.  4  &amp;  5 ].     (e) If the two surfaces differ, the direction may change slightly due to the differing geometries of the surfaces [FIGS.  2  &amp;  5 ]. Because the symbol orientation/rotation/layout varies depending upon the shape of the side and the overall three-dimensional shape, it may be necessary for the word to change direction slightly at the edge. For example, in [ FIG. 1 ] a triangle surface joins a square surface. The name “West Virginia”  23  starts on a triangular surface, crosses an edge where it makes a slight turn, and ends on a square surface.    
        C. Curved objects 
        (a) The symbols can be placed in a manner that is specially fitted to the particular shape. For example, on a sphere, symbols can be placed on lines of longitude  17  and latitude  11  where the number of symbols in a row decreases as you approach the poles  24 . Words can even be placed on diagonals where possible  16      (b) The words of the puzzle can also be laid out by stretching the surfaces of a flat-surfaced puzzle over the curved surface [ ]  18 .    
        D. Compound objects [FIGS.  7  &amp;  8 ] made up of flat and curved surfaces 
        (a) Symbols must align where the surfaces join at an edge [ FIG. 8 ].     (b) Words cross edges between surfaces in the same way they do for flat-sided shapes [ FIG. 8 ].     (c) Words may overlap. Symbols may be used in more than one word.    
        E. A word list  21  or instructions may or may not be provided with the three-dimensional word-search puzzle. For example, the three-dimensional word-search puzzle with a Sports Legends theme would include a word list for reasons of specificity. A State Capitol themed three-dimensional word-search puzzle intended for classroom use may not include a list to encourage memorization and recognition of the State Capitol names.     F. Levels of difficulty: The following parameters may be adjusted to adjust the difficulty of the three-dimensional word-search puzzle. 
        (a) Size of the word list. The smaller the list, the easier the puzzle.     (b) Direction of the words. The layout of words may be controlled to read only forwards. The layout may also be controlled to read only vertically and horizontally, with no words placed diagonally. In the highest level of difficulty, the words may be read forward or backward in the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal direction.     (c) How the non-word spaces are filled. For the easiest level, only words in the list are printed on the three-dimensional word-search puzzle. Blank spaces  19  or graphics  20  may be used to fill the puzzle. For greater difficulty, random symbols can be placed in the non-word spaces.     (d) Reuse of symbols. For the easiest level, symbols are used for only one word. For more difficult levels, symbols can be used in several words.     (e) Tightening of word placement. The more tightly the words are packed into the puzzle, the more difficult it will be to solve. 
 
 The use of words and letters in the above sets of rules is for explanatory purposes only and is not a limitation on the use of other symbols  5  and other rules as circumstances may dictate. Other symbols  5  and rules are envisioned. Some examples are: seeking specific numbers within search-field  2   s  of digits, rebuses  22  may be sought in a search-field  2  of pictures [ FIG. 9 ]. Pre-defined phrases  1  may be sought in a search-field  2  of words in English, Arabic, Mandarin, sign language, or any other language which can be written.