Tracking three-dimensional puzzle components using embedded signature and rotation sensors

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein include methods and apparatus for tracking three-dimensional puzzle components using embedded signature and rotation sensors. A system of unique signatures enable the identification of the components by internal sensors and rotation sensors enable tracking the components as the move around on the puzzle surface. The system fosters greater enjoyment of the puzzles by offering interactive feedback and guidance. Competitions are also facilitated.

1 .- 27 . (canceled) 
     
     
         28 . A three-dimensional puzzle comprising:
 a shell comprising at least four faces and formed by multiple shell segments, each shell segment being free to move relative to an adjacent shell segment;   a core within the shell, the faces being free to rotate relative to the core about axes extending from the core toward the faces;   at least one rotation sensor associated with each of said faces, wherein each of said rotation sensors is configured to detect a direction and degree of rotation of its associated face; and   a processing circuitry configured to calculate, after one or more rotations of said faces, a current pattern of said shell segments based on (i) a known pattern of said shell segments, and (ii) said detecting by said rotation sensors.   
     
     
         29 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 28 , further comprising (i) a unique signature located in each of said shell segments, and (ii) at least one signature sensor configured to determine an identity and orientation of a shell segment passing within a field of view of said signature sensor. 
     
     
         30 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 29 , wherein said processing circuitry is further configured to calculate, after a specified number of said rotations of said faces, a current pattern of said shell segments, based on (i) said detecting by said rotation sensors, and (ii) said determining by said at least one signature sensor. 
     
     
         31 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 29 , wherein said processing circuitry is further configured to correct an erroneous perceived pattern of said shell segments as a result of a perceived rotation of a puzzle face, by calculating a corrected current pattern of said shell segments based on:
 (i) detecting, by said rotation sensors, subsequent rotations of said faces as if the perceived rotation were completed;   (ii) detecting, by said rotation sensors, subsequent rotations of said faces as if the perceived rotation were not completed; and   (iii) selecting one of (i) and (ii) based on said determining by said at least one signature sensor, to calculate said corrected current pattern of said shell segments.   
     
     
         32 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 28 , further comprising a communication circuitry to receive from, and transmit to, an external client, at least one of: a pattern of said shell segments data and usage statistics of said three-dimensional puzzle. 
     
     
         33 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 28 , wherein said at least one rotation sensor is (i) located within said core, and (ii) coupled to said associated face and rotates therewith. 
     
     
         34 . A three-dimensional puzzle comprising:
 a shell comprising at least four faces, wherein each of said faces comprises a plurality of shell segments, and wherein each shell segment is free to move relative to each adjacent shell segment;   a core within the shell, the faces being free to rotate relative to the core about axes extending from the core toward the faces;   at least two signature sensors configured to determine an identity and orientation of two respective opposite vertex shell segments of said puzzle, based on signatures embedded in each vertex shell segment of said puzzle; and   a processing circuitry configured to calculate, after one or more rotations of said faces, a current pattern of said shell segment, based on (i) a known pattern of said shell segments, and (ii) said determining by said at least two signature sensors.   
     
     
         35 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 34 , wherein the unique signatures are unique color signatures, and the at least two signature sensors are each an RGB sensor. 
     
     
         36 . The three-dimensional puzzle of  claim 34 , further comprising a communication circuitry to receive and transmit a pattern of said shell segments data to an external client. 
     
     
         37 . A method of determining a pattern of said shell segments in a three-dimensional puzzle, the three-dimensional puzzle comprising (i) a shell comprising at least four faces and formed by multiple shell segments, each shell segment being free to move relative to an adjacent shell segment, (ii) a core within the shell, the faces being free to rotate relative to the core about axes extending from the core toward the faces, and (iii) at least one sensor configured to detect said moving with respect to at least some of said shell segments:
 calculating, after one or more rotations of said faces, a current pattern of said shell segments based on (i) a known pattern of said shell segments, and (ii) said detecting.   
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one sensor further comprises at least two signature sensors each configured to determine an identity and orientation of a respective opposite vertex shell segment of said puzzle, based on signatures embedded in each of said vertex shell segment of said puzzle. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 37 , wherein said at least one sensor comprises at least one rotation sensor associated with each of said faces, wherein each of said rotation sensors is configured to detect a direction and degree of rotation of its associated face. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said at least one sensor further comprises at least one signature sensor configured to determine an identity and orientation of a vertex shall segment, based on a unique signature embedded in each of said vertex shell segments. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 40 , wherein each of said shell segments comprises a unique signature embedded therein, said method further comprising calculating, after a specified number of said rotations of said faces, a current pattern of said shell segments, based on (i) said detecting by said rotation sensors, and (ii) said determining by said at least one signature sensor. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 40 , further comprising correcting a current pattern of said shell segments, wherein said current pattern is calculated in error as a result of a perceived rotation of a puzzle face, by performing said calculating to determine a corrected current pattern of said shell segments, based on:
 (i) detecting, by said rotation sensors, subsequent rotations of said faces, as if the perceived rotation were completed;   (ii) detecting, by said rotation sensors, subsequent rotations of said faces, as if the perceived rotation were not completed; and   (iii) selecting one of (i) and (ii) based on said determining by said at least one signature sensor, to calculate said current pattern of said shell segments.   
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 37 , further comprising
 (i) transmitting, to an external client, through a communication circuitry associated with said three-dimensional puzzle, usage data of said three-dimensional puzzle;   (ii) calculating usage statistics of said three-dimensional puzzle, wherein said usage statistics comprise at least one of: duration of usage, number of moves, rotation speed, and personal records; and   (iii) providing said statistics to a user of said three-dimensional puzzle through a user interface associated with said three-dimensional puzzle.   
     
     
         44 . A method of administering online interaction of a plurality of users of three-dimensional puzzles, each of said three-dimensional puzzle comprising (i) a shell with at least four faces formed by multiple shell segments, each shell segment free to move relative to an adjacent shell segment to change a pattern of said sell segments; and (ii) communication circuitry to receive and transmit information with respect to a pattern of said shell segments and usage data of said three-dimensional puzzle to an external client associated with said three-dimensional puzzle, the method comprising:
 receiving at and transmitting from, a central server, said information from each of said external clients.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the instructions include a unique set of moves for said at least some of said users. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the said unique sets of moves are handicaps in a competition in which all users must reach s specified pattern of said shell segments in each of said three-dimensional puzzles. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 46 , wherein at least one of said three-dimensional puzzles transmits its pattern of said shell segments through an external client to the central server, and wherein said central server responds to said transmission by sending the unique set of moves to said three-dimensional puzzle. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein the central server sends shell segment pattern data to the external client associated with at least one of said three-dimensional puzzles. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 48 , wherein the external client determines a unique set of moves required to reach a specified pattern of said shell segments of said three-dimensional puzzle to have the specified pattern. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein said usage data comprises ranking statistics with respect to all said users.