Progressive puzzle

Abstract

A progressive puzzle dispersed throughout a thematic product universe is provided. The thematic product universe includes a plurality of different product genres sharing a common theme. The progressive puzzle includes a plurality of clues, and for each clue, a solution. The clues are progressive, such that the solution to at least one clue leads to a different clue. According to some aspects of the disclosure, at least one clue can be associated with a different product genre than at least one other clue, and/or at least one solution can be derived from a different product genre than at least one other solution.

1 . A progressive puzzle dispersed throughout a thematic product universe that includes a plurality of different product genres sharing a common theme, the progressive puzzle comprising: 
 a plurality of clues, where at least one clue is associated with a different product genre than at least one other clue;    for each clue, a solution;    where the clues are progressive, such that the solution to at least one clue leads to a different clue.    
   
   
       2 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where the thematic product universe includes a toys product genre including a plurality of characters existing in the thematic product universe, an audio-visual entertainment product genre including audio-visual representations of the plurality of characters, and a network product genre including network accessible information pertaining to the plurality of characters.  
   
   
       3 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 2 , where characters in the toys product genre include toy cars.  
   
   
       4 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where at least one solution is derived from a different product genre than at least one other solution.  
   
   
       5 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where all but a first clue is hidden until a preceding clue is solved.  
   
   
       6 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where at least one clue is found on an Internet site showcasing a character from the thematic product universe, and where the solution to that clue is derived from printed material sold with a toy embodying the character.  
   
   
       7 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where at least one clue is associated with a printed material associated with a toy, and where the solution to that clue is derived from an audio visual media including an audio visual representation of the toy.  
   
   
       8 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , where at least one clue includes a toy package including coded writing, and where the solution to that clue is derived from a different toy package including normal writing corresponding to the coded writing.  
   
   
       9 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 1 , further comprising, for at least one solution, a prize.  
   
   
       10 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 9 , where the prize includes access to Internet content within the thematic product universe.  
   
   
       11 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 9 , where the prize includes an item from the thematic product universe.  
   
   
       12 . A progressive puzzle dispersed throughout a thematic product universe that includes a plurality of different product genres, the progressive puzzle comprising: 
 a plurality of clues;    for each clue, a solution, where at least one solution is derived from a different product genre than at least one other solution;    where the clues are progressive, such that the solution to at least one clue leads to a different clue.    
   
   
       13 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 12 , where the thematic product universe includes a toys product genre including a plurality of characters existing in the thematic product universe, an audio-visual entertainment product genre including audio-visual representations of the plurality of characters, and a network product genre including network accessible information pertaining to the plurality of characters.  
   
   
       14 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 12 , where at least one clue is associated with a different product genre than at least one other clue.  
   
   
       15 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 12 , where all but a first clue is hidden until a preceding clue is solved.  
   
   
       16 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 12 , further comprising, for at least one solution, a prize.  
   
   
       17 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 12 , where the prize includes access to Internet content within the thematic product universe.  
   
   
       18 . The progressive puzzle of  claim 17 , where the prize includes an item from the thematic product universe.  
   
   
       19 . A thematic product universe, comprising: 
 a toys product genre including a plurality of characters;    an audio-visual entertainment product genre including audio-visual representations of the plurality of characters;    a network product genre including network accessible information pertaining to the plurality of characters; and    a progressive puzzle, including: 
 a plurality of clues, where at least one clue is found within the line of toys product genre, the audio-visual entertainment product genre, or the network product genre;  
 for each clue, a solution, where at least one solution is derived from a product genre other than the product genre where the clue corresponding to the solution is found;  
 where the clues are progressive, such that the solution to at least one clue leads to a different clue.  
   
   
   
       20 . The thematic product universe of  claim 19 , wherein the progressive puzzle further includes, for at least one solution, a prize.