Shape-matrix geometric instruments having numerous applications including, but not limited to, anti-counterfeiting, graphical passwording, games, and geometry education. A shape-matrix geometric instrument is a manufacture and/or a method whose design is based on a shape-matrix that, in turn comprises a set of building blocks that are N-dimensional polytopes. Corner shapes are positioned in or near the interior corner spaces of at least ones of the shape-matrix building blocks. At least ones of the corner shapes differ from others in at least one property or aspect including, for example, geometric shape, orientation within the building block, and one or more surface “finishes,” such as color, shading, cross-hatching or real or apparent texture.

Polycube-based puzzles are disclosed. Three-dimensional Sudoku-like puzzles using polycubes of various sizes and dimensions, where the cubes making up each polycube have visually identifiable features on all sides such that sets of polycubes can be created to facilitate the Sudoku-like puzzle game. Polycube-based puzzles using sets of polycubes arranged in different configurations where each side of a resulting combination of a set of polycubes has no repeated visual identifier.

A three-dimensional puzzle game that is fun and cooperatively involves excitement, competition, strategy, skill, and luck, generally including the comprising the steps of: (a) providing three-dimensional puzzle pieces that are originally oriented in a random pattern; (b) providing a solution template that collectively corresponds to a surface of each one of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces; (c) shaking and rolling the three-dimensional puzzle pieces onto a surface; (d) isolating all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that have a surface that correspond to the solution template; (e) collecting all three-dimensional puzzle pieces that do not have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; (f) repeating the steps of shaking, rolling, isolating, and collecting until all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces have a surface that corresponds to the solution template; and (g) arranging all of the three-dimensional puzzle pieces to conform with the solution template to, in turn, solve the puzzle.

A jigsaw-type puzzle has pieces that do not need to be flipped or turned prior to, or during assembly of the puzzle. The pieces have peripheral shapes or outlines that are symmetrical along at least one axis, with mirror images being printed on both sides of each piece so that either side of each piece can be used during assembly. Each piece shows a portion of a two-dimensional image, such that when the pieces are assembled, the two-dimensional image is completed. Each piece has first and second sides, with each piece portraying the same portion of the two-dimensional design, such that either side of any piece can be used to complete the puzzle. The invention is applicable to edge pieces, corner pieces and inner pieces, including square pieces with rounded tabs and voids that “interlock,” as well as non-traditional shapes, with or without interlocking joints, and tabs and voids with other shapes.

The interactive Arabic alphabet blocks is a set of blocks for teaching children Arabic letters. Each block interacts with a touch screen to teach the symbol of a letter and its pronunciation. Each interactive Arabic alphabet block includes a front face having an Arabic letter painted and/or engraved thereon. The bottom face of the blocks includes a plurality of raised nubs thereon. The nubs and all faces of the blocks are covered with a conductive mesh or paint. The nubs represent the start and stop locations of each stroke of forming the Arabic letter. When the block is placed on a touch screen of a mobile electronic device, an application on the device detects the nubs and identifies the Arabic letter associated with the location of the nubs. The Arabic letter identified is displayed on the device's screen and played by the device's speaker or headphones.

Shape-matrix geometric instruments having numerous applications including, but not limited to, anti-counterfeiting, graphical passwording, games, and geometry education. A shape-matrix geometric instrument is a manufacture and/or a method whose design is based on a shape-matrix that, in turn comprises a set of building blocks that are N-dimensional polytopes. Corner shapes are positioned in or near the interior corner spaces of at least ones of the shape-matrix building blocks. At least ones of the corner shapes differ from others in at least one property or aspect including, for example, geometric shape, orientation within the building block, and one or more surface finishes, such as color, shading, cross-hatching or real or apparent texture.

A puzzle kit and a puzzle constructed from said puzzle kit. The puzzle kit comprises a three dimensional substrate having an outer surface, and a plurality of puzzle pieces that cannot interlock. Each puzzle piece has a first surface and an opposite second surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surfaces. Each puzzle piece comprises first attachment means and the outer surface of the substrate defines a plurality of complementary second attachment means, such that the first attachment means and the second attachment means magnetically attach each puzzle piece to the outer surface. The first attachment means comprises a projection extending from the second surface of the puzzle piece. The second attachment means comprises a hole to partly receive the projection.

Shape-matrix geometric instruments having numerous applications including, but not limited to, anti-counterfeiting, graphical passwording, games, and geometry education. A shape-matrix geometric instrument is a manufacture and/or a method whose design is based on a shape-matrix that, in turn comprises a set of building blocks that are N-dimensional polytopes. Corner shapes are positioned in or near the interior corner spaces of at least ones of the shape-matrix building blocks. At least ones of the corner shapes differ from others in at least one property or aspect including, for example, geometric shape, orientation within the building block, and one or more surface finishes, such as color, shading, cross-hatching or real or apparent texture.

A puzzle set comprises a plurality of cubes, each configured with a drawing at one or more of its facets; and an interface configured to cause the cubes to be positioned one adjacent to the other while permitting a change in disposition and rotational state of any of the cubes. The drawings are designed to allow continuation of one another, by which viewable contiguous facets define together a composite symbol, upon positioning the cubes in accordance with a predetermined arrangement. At least one of the facets is rotatable in relation to other facets when the cubes are positioned one adjacent to the other, allowing rotation of its drawing without separating the cubes. In a method for generating a viewable object, a facet is displaced and rotated until the drawing on each of the viewable contiguous facets are in continuation of one another to define together the viewable object.

A puzzle kit and a puzzle constructed from said puzzle kit. The puzzle kit comprises a three dimensional substrate having an outer surface, and a plurality of puzzle pieces that cannot interlock. Each puzzle piece has a first surface and an opposite second surface and a thickness defined between the first and second surfaces. Each puzzle piece comprises first attachment means and the outer surface of the substrate defines a plurality of complementary second attachment means, such that the first attachment means and the second attachment means magnetically attach each puzzle piece to the outer surface. The first attachment means comprises a projection extending from the second surface of the puzzle piece. The second attachment means comprises a hole to partly receive the projection.