A jigsaw puzzle kit is provided having a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces configured for assembly to form a three dimensional image, each puzzle piece having a surface an image applied thereon, a resilient layer for generating a tactile response when the puzzle piece is depressed, and a rigid backing layer below the resilient layer for providing support. Also provided is a method of manufacturing a jigsaw puzzle which includes the steps of applying an image onto the surface of a resilient material; applying a mold to the resilient material so as to create variations in the height of the resilient layer; adhering a rigid backing material to the molded resilient material; and die cutting the resilient material and the rigid backing material to create a plurality of interlocking puzzle pieces.

A liquid simulation method is provided for a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method includes obtaining initial information; determining two-dimensional meshes according to the initial information; mapping a plane of a to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid into the two-dimensional meshes, and determining corresponding target meshes to which the plane of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid is mapped in the two-dimensional meshes. The method also includes recording, in mesh points of the target meshes, corresponding liquid levels of plane coordinates of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid, and obtaining a corresponding height field of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid in the two-dimensional meshes; and rendering a three-dimensional liquid according to updating of the height field, to obtain a liquid simulation result.

Disclosed are puzzle devices for production of one or more puzzles. The puzzle devices can include a body and at least one input device. The body can include a plurality of panels, each panel configured to display one or more visual indicators. The at least one input device can include a plurality of panels, each panel configured to display a visual indicator. The at least one input device can move relative to the body to align one or more panels of the input device with one or more panels of the body. The body can further include a plurality of visual output devices configured to generate visual indicators on the plurality of panels of the body.

A liquid simulation method is provided for a graphics processing unit (GPU). The method includes obtaining initial information; determining two-dimensional meshes according to the initial information; mapping a plane of a to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid into the two-dimensional meshes, and determining corresponding target meshes to which the plane of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid is mapped in the two-dimensional meshes. The method also includes recording, in mesh points of the target meshes, corresponding liquid levels of plane coordinates of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid, and obtaining a corresponding height field of the to-be-simulated three-dimensional liquid in the two-dimensional meshes; and rendering a three-dimensional liquid according to updating of the height field, to obtain a liquid simulation result.

The philosophy of games is to provide a mental challenge to the person who is playing the game. With this game a person can build the game according to that person's wants and desires and in this case a dodecahedron is used; the dodecahedron is color coded and an interior sphere is placed with the dodecahedron. Clues that have been placed in pockets of the outside surface of the dodecahedron will consist of locations where coins are hidden. These coins will be gathered and the dodecahedron is manipulated. The interior sphere contains the solution to the game or a prize and is initially locked prior to the start of the game. As the contestants play the game and solve the puzzle, the interior sphere is unlocked and the solution or prize is revealed. The game can be structured to the desires of the individual builder as often as possible.

Disclosed are a smart spindle with a replaceable battery, and a smart Rubik's cube. The smart spindle comprises a core (100), a sensor (200) and a main control module (310), wherein the core (100) comprises a housing (110) with a cavity (111); the main control module (310) is mounted inside the cavity (111); the sensor (200) is electrically connected to the main control module (310); the sensor (200) is mounted at the core (100); the cavity (111) is also used for mounting a battery (400), the housing (110) is provided with a notch (112) for having access to the battery (400), and the notch (112) is in communication with the cavity (111); or, the exterior of the housing (110) is used for mounting the battery (400), and the housing (110) is provided with a through hole (113), such that the cavity (111) is in communication with the exterior of the housing (110) via the through hole (113). When the power for the smart Rubik's cube is insufficient, a player can remove the used battery and replace same with a fresh battery, such that the smart Rubik's cube can continue to be used immediately, without the need to perform charging and the need to stop use for a period of time, thereby facilitating the use by the player.

A smart center shaft, a smart Rubik's Cube, and a timing method therefor. The smart center shaft comprises a core, a sensor, and a master control module. The core comprises a housing having a cavity. The sensor is mounted on the core. The sensor comprises a stator and a rotor. The stator is fixed on the housing. The rotor is configured to be connected and rotate simultaneously with a Rubik's Cube layer of the smart Rubik's Cube, thus allowing the rotor to rotate with the Rubik's Cube layer relative to the stator. The master control module is mounted within the cavity. The master control module is electrically connected to the sensor. The master control module acquires a rotation signal of the Rubik's Cube layer on the basis of the relative rotation between the rotor and the stator. The sensor and the core form one integral body, the degree of integration is high, and the consideration of complex assembly relations between the stator and a center block or an intermediate connecting block is avoided.

In a puzzle toy having a plurality of push buttons, a mechanism for latching push buttons to a rotor, where rotation of the rotor sets a predetermined order for pushing buttons to solve the puzzle, and a chance mechanism for rotating the rotor, an improvement that partitions a rotor shaft and the rotor into two segments that rotate independently, responsive to separate weights affixed to each shaft segment. A reset mechanism operates by shifting the rotor along the shaft axis.

A cubic puzzle assembled from a number of separable component pieces is disclosed. Each of the component pieces can be made of one, two or more cubes linearly arranged. Component patterns are provided on at least some of the six sides of a component piece so that when all component pieces are assembled into a single bigger cube, the component patterns on the sides of the component pieces form at least one combined pattern, but preferably, five or six different combined patterns on five or six faces of the bigger cube. In some embodiments, there are two or more correct combinations for a player to assemble the component pieces into the puzzle. The combined patterns preferably are easily recognizable, such as photographs, images of animals, likeness of a subject or landscape and the like.

An apparatus for playing a game comprises a three dimensional structure assembled from a plurality of interconnectable and disengageable construction elements. Each construction element is a shaped elongate body piece with two end mating faces or surfaces. Each mating surface has a male or female connector or two female orifices plus a four way male connector to enable each construction element to connect to and disengage other like construction elements. The interconnection between two contacting faces or surfaces is allowable in one orientation only.