GB2431591A

GB2431591A - Sudoku apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2431591A
Application number: GB0521950A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Turvey; Linden Turvey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-10-27
Filing date: 2005-10-27
Publication date: 2007-05-02
Also published as: GB0521950D0

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game, comprising: a surface 4 bearing first indicia 8 defining an array of n(X x Y) areas 6 where n is an integer and X and Y are integers > 1, each area being divided by second indicia 12 into an array of n(X x Y) sub-areas 10 and each sub-area having means 14 to indicate which of X x Y possible symbols have not be eliminated for that sub-area by the player of the game. The apparatus is intended for use in solving Sudoku puzzles. The indicating means may be pegs which can be depressed into the board to indicate that a number has been eliminated (fig2).

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLAYING GAMES

This invention relates to apparatus for playing games.

The game Su-Doku is an interesting mind game in which an array normally of 9 x 9 squares is grouped into sub-arrays each of 3 x 3 squares. The game is to determine which of 9 possible symbols fits in each square when given a set of symbols to start with.

The usual rules are that each symbol must appear in each sub-array and in each row and in each column in the array.

To assist in playing the game, the invention provides apparatus for playing a game, comprising a surface bearing first indicia defining an array of n(X x Y) areas, where n is an integer and X and Y are integers> 1, each area being divided by second indicia into an array of n(X x Y) sub-areas, and each sub-area having means to indicate which of X x Y possible symbols have not been eliminated for that sub-area by the player of the game. In use to play a normal game, n1 and when a symbol is known for a particular sub-area, that the symbol is known is shown by setting the means to indicate to show that no other symbol is available in that area. The means to indicate can also be set in the sub-areas of each row, column and area containing that sub-area to show that the symbol is not available there. Setting n=2, say, would adapt the apparatus for playing a game in which the rules are that each symbol must appear n times (=2) in each sub-array, in each row and in each column in the array.

Preferably,XY3orXY2.

The means to indicate preferably comprises an array of X x Y devices each of which can be switched from one state, indicating a respective symbol is available, to another, indicating the respective symbol is not available.

Each sub-area preferably defines an array of X x Y locations each for receiving a respective device.

The devices may be removable to indicate the respective symbol is not available.

More preferably, the devices may be depressed to indicate the respective symbol is not available.

In one preferred form, the devices are pegs and the locations are defined by holes, each to receive a respective peg.

The pegs are preferably retained in the holes by friction.

In most preferred form two surfaces are provided one on each side of a board, the holes being holes through the board, and the pegs being sufficiently long that if one end of a peg is flush with one surface of the board, the other end of the plug protrudes from the board. When the game is finished there will be only one peg protruding from the surface in each sub area. To reset the board for a new game it is merely necessary to depress the one peg protruding in each sub-area and to turn the board over.

In order to make, say, the peg version of the game playable by the blind, the first and second indicia are preferably detectable and distinguishable by touch.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of one side of a games board embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a scrap cross section of the board of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a detail of the plan view of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a games board 2 has a surface 4 on each side. Each surface is divided into an array of n(X x Y) areas 6 by indicia in the form of upstanding walls 8. In the case illustrated n = I and X = Y = 3. Each area 6 is itself divided into an array of n(X x Y) sub-areas 10 by indicia in the form of upstanding walls 12 which are distinguishable by touch from the walls 8 in that they are narrower.

Each sub-area has means to indicate which of X x Y possible symbols has not been eliminated for that sub-area. In the present example, there are X x Y devices each of which can be switched from one state, indicating a respective symbol is available, to another indicating that the respective symbol is not available. As illustrated in Figure 3, each sub-area 10 has X x Y locations 14 defined therein. In one example, each location is defined by a depression to receive, say, a marble. Thus to indicate a symbol is not available, the respective marble is removed. Continued presence of a marble indicates that the respective symbol is still available.

In a more preferred form each location is defined by a hole 16 to receive a peg 18.

Pegs can be removed, similarly to the marbles, to indicate that a respective symbol is not available. In the case illustrated, the hole 16 passes right through the board 2 and when one end of the peg 18 is flush with one surface 4 of the board, the other end of the peg protrudes from the opposite surface 4. So that the pegs are less likely to be disturbed accidentally, the protruding end of the peg 18 does not extend above the walls 8. The pegs 18 and the holesl 6 are so dimensioned that the pegs are retained by friction in the holes and yet can be depressed in the holes manually. To indicate that a respective symbol is not available, a peg is depressed. A non-depressed peg indicates that the respective symbol has not yet been eliminated.

In the board illustrated, there are 9 symbols possible for each sub-area 6 and each symbol is represented by a respective marble or peg. At the start of the game, all the pegs are set to one side, normally the upper side. An additional peg 20 is used to indicate which side of the board is being played on. The pegs representing the given symbols are then set by pushing down all the other pegs in the respective sub-areas.

Once the game is complete, there is only one peg protruding from the board in each sub-area. To reset the board to begin another game, these pegs are depressed, so that if the board is now turned over all the pegs protrude and those pegs can be depressed to set the given symbols as described above.

The game can be played by touch. To facilitate that, the sub-areas are preferably about 2 cm square so as each to be coverable by the pad of a player's finger. Especially when constructed with such dimensions, it may be convenient to depress pegs by use of a tool, e.g. suitable prod. S -4-

Claims

CLAIMS

1. Apparatus for playing a game, comprising: a surface bearing first indicia defining an array of n(X x Y areas, where n is an integer and X and Y are integers> 1, each area being divided by second indicia into an array of n(X x Y) sub-areas, and each sub-area having means to indicate which of X x Y possible symbols have not been eliminated for that sub-area by the player of the game.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein n =1 and X = Y = 3 or X = Y =2.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the means to indicate comprises an array of X x Y devices each of which can be switched from one state, indicating a respective symbol is available, to another, indicating the respective symbol is not available.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein each sub-area defines an array of X x Y locations for receiving a device.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the devices are removable to indicate the respective symbol is not available.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein so constructed that the devices may be depressed to indicate the respective symbol is not available.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the devices are pegs and the locations are defined by holes, each to receive a respective peg.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the pegs are retained in the holes by friction.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7 or 8, having two surfaces one on each side of a board, the holes being holes through the board, and the pegs being sufficiently long that if one end of a peg is flush with one surface of the board, the other end of the plug protrudes from the board.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first and second indicia are detectable and distinguishable by touch.