Abstract:
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for surrogate gift giving.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to games and, more particularly, to a puzzle game intended to stimulate and enchant the participants. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Sociologically, families in developed countries are becoming less and less interdependent. Families are geographically distributed and, in many cases, the relationships akin to ‘families’ and ‘relatives’ have diverged from the traditional definitions of relationships by blood or marriage. Moreover, given the degree of affluence in developed countries, it has become more and more expensive to make a favorable impression with a gift. There is a need for mechanisms to (a) foster participation in gift giving by family members who may be geographically dispersed; (b) distribute the cost of the gift giving over a large number of family members, relatives and friends; and (c) regardless of the tangible or intangible nature of the gift, to foster enchantment for the gift recipient through the presentation of a surrogate gift. The present invention addresses all aspects of surrogate gift giving. 
         [0003]    Prior art shows puzzles, gifts, toys, gift and occasion cards, and even customization of such items. However there is no prior art or articles of manufacture that bring all of the recited elements into a single unified article of manufacture. 
         [0004]    One object of the invention is to bring all of the elements of surrogate gift giving into a single article of manufacture. 
         [0005]    Another object of the invention is to facilitate the gifting of a surrogate gift by persons who may be geographically distributed. 
         [0006]    Another object of the invention is to facilitate the customization of the surrogate gift. 
         [0007]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, various embodiments of the present invention are disclosed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article of manufacture for surrogate gift giving comprising: a plurality of shapes, each shape capable of bearing affixed colors or printing, a frame capable of receiving at least one of the plurality of shapes in at least one configuration, a receiving receptacle, and printed instructions describing at least one mechanism for how to customize said shapes. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings when considered in conjunction with the subsequent, detailed description, in which: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded view of exemplary elements of an embodiment of the invention in kit form; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top elevation view of a sample embodiment of a three-dimensional (3D) frame; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a detail view of a non-volatile memory device for containing a computer program. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    For purposes of clarity and brevity, like elements and components will bear the same designations and numbering throughout the Figures. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0014]    Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner. 
         [0015]    While the invention is described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  depicts an article of manufacture which is a kit  100  for packaging the shapes, the frame  180 , the receiving receptacle  150 , and the printed instructions  170 . The kit  100  consists of a plurality of shapes  130 , each shape capable of bearing affixed colors or printing, a frame  180  capable of receiving at least one of the plurality of shapes  130  in at least one configuration, instructions describing at least one mechanism on how to customize the plurality of shapes  130 , and a receiving receptacle  150 . 
         [0017]    In one embodiment, the plurality of shapes  130 , frame  180 , and receiving receptacle  150  are manufactured from one of the following materials: paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, a laminate, glass, ceramic. In another embodiment, the plurality of shapes  130  are delivered in a single sheet in pre-assembled form, and the sheet is marked or perforated so as to facilitate easy separation of one shape from another. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the plurality of shapes  130 , frame  180 , and receiving receptacle  150  are manufactured from any material that is either inherently rigid (e.g. cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, a laminate, glass, ceramic, etc.) or is capable of being formed into a shape that becomes rigid through any known process (e.g. clay, paper mache, curable plastic, epoxies and resins, etc). 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, the plurality of shapes  130  are selected from non-overlapping portions of one of the following images: a bicycle, a domicile, a hot-tub, a ship, an airplane, a bottle of wine, a landmark, a surfboard, a vehicle, an MP3 player. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment, the plurality of shapes  130  are printed with an image on one side, and text or codes on the other side. 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the frame  180  is constructed from one of the following rigid materials: paper, cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, a laminate, glass, ceramic. 
         [0022]    In one embodiment, the frame  180  is constructed from a non-rigid material capable of being folded or molded into a rigid form. 
         [0023]    In another embodiment the frame  180  is three-dimensional and is capable of receiving at least one of the plurality of shapes  130  in at least one location. 
         [0024]    In another embodiment, the frame  180  is substantially three-dimensional. 
         [0025]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the 3D frame  201  is a three dimensional shape fashioned from a wire. The wire may be made from a semi-rigid segment of wire made from a metal, or the wire may be made from some non-metallic material, so long as the material will hold a shape when bent. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  shows a set of instructions  170 . The set of instructions  170  may be printed matter. In some embodiments the set offers descriptions of (a) how to play the game, (b) how to modify or customize the front surface  110  of the shapes by affixing an image or text or codes, (c) how to modify or customize the back surface  120  of the shapes by affixing an image text, or code. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment the set of instructions  170  are delivered on a compact disk or on a flash memory device (e.g., Compact Flash, Secure Digital, XD-PictureCard) or on a printed page. 
         [0028]    In another embodiment, the set of instructions  170  includes at least one of the following: a URL to a website, a series of steps to perform, a telephone number to call. 
         [0029]    In another embodiment, the set of instructions  170  includes card stock that may or may not be pre-perforated such that the images and codes discussed herein may be printed on the card stock prior to separation at the perforations. Thus, the plurality of shapes  130 , the frame  180 , and the receptacle  150  may be customized and printed by the user at will. 
         [0030]    In one embodiment the plurality of shapes, the frame  180 , the set of instructions  170 , and the receiving receptacle  150  are printed on card stock. 
         [0031]    In one embodiment the receiving receptacle  150  is delivered in a plurality of parts and construction includes at least one of the following: said parts that snap together, or adhere together, or are mechanically mated by shape to join one to another. 
         [0032]    In one embodiment the receiving receptacle  150  includes at least one of the following features: a cubical shape, a cylindrical shape, an oblong shape, a rectilinear shape, or any other three-dimensional shape. 
         [0033]    In one embodiment the receiving receptacle  150  includes at least one of the following features: the shape of a Christmas gift, a wedding cake, a heart, a likeness of a bride and groom, a vase, a layer, a cross, a mortarboard, a baby pacifier, a lamb, a stork, a computer monitor. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment the receiving receptacle  150  includes an opening  160  of sufficient size and shape as to permit said shapes to be entered into the receptacle  150 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment the receiving receptacle  150  includes at least one of the following features: an opening  160  which may be a slot, or any arbitrarily shaped aperture. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  depicts an embodiment of a computer program on media  330  that, when the program is read by the computer program media reader  320  and subsequently executed on the computer and peripherals  310 , the computer and peripherals  310  produce the article of manufacture of  FIG. 1  where each element is printed on paper or photo paper or card stock. 
         [0037]    Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operating requirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen for purposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications which do not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of this invention. 
         [0038]    Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected by a Letters Patent is presented in the subsequently appended claims.