Promotional methods using sudoku puzzles having embedded logos and other graphical elements

Abstract

Modifications of Sudoku puzzles are described that are adapted for promoting companies and products, as well as for conventional game use. The present puzzles include graphical elements on the puzzle face, depicting images such as logos, trademarks, and other characters and shapes.

1 . A method for promoting an organization or product, comprising providing at least one Sudoku puzzle display comprising graphic elements corresponding to said organization or product.  
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said graphic elements comprise a graphic overlay on said set of cells.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said given symbols are arranged in a pattern corresponding to said graphic elements.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said graphic elements are overlaid on the face of said puzzle, such that said numbers or symbols are embedded in the graphic overlay.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said graphic elements comprise a logo or trademark.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said graphic elements correspond to an organization or product.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said graphic elements contain numbers or alphabetic characters.  
     
     
         8 . The puzzle representation of  claim 1 , wherein said given symbols are non-alphanumeric symbols.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein a person solving said puzzle receives or is entitled to at least one incentive.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Sudoku puzzle display comprises a printed puzzle.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said Sudoku puzzle display comprises an electronic device display.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein additional graphic elements become visible upon electronic solution of said puzzle.  
     
     
         13 . A Sudoku puzzle representation, comprising a set of cells, wherein said set of cells includes at least 24 cells and a portion of said cells contain given symbols; and graphic elements represented on the face of said puzzle.  
     
     
         14 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said graphic elements comprise a graphic overlay on said set of cells.  
     
     
         15 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said given symbols are arranged in a pattern corresponding to said graphic elements.  
     
     
         16 . The puzzle representation of  claim 15 , wherein said graphic elements are overlaid on the face of said puzzle, such that said numbers or symbols are embedded in the graphic overlay.  
     
     
         17 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said graphic elements comprise a logo or trademark.  
     
     
         18 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said given symbols correspond to an organization or product.  
     
     
         19 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said given symbols are numbers or alphabetic characters.  
     
     
         20 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said given symbols are non-alphanumeric symbols.  
     
     
         21 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein a person solving said puzzle receives or is entitled to at least one incentive.  
     
     
         22 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said puzzle representation comprises a printed puzzle.  
     
     
         23 . The puzzle representation of  claim 13 , wherein said puzzle representation comprises an electronic device display.  
     
     
         24 . The puzzle representation of  claim 23 , wherein additional graphic elements become visible upon electronic solution of said puzzle.