Puzzle solving aids

Abstract

To provide a puzzle solving assisting tool capable of rapidly and accurately assisting solving when answering the so-called a Sudoku (Number Place) puzzle.SOLUTION: A puzzle solving assisting tool 1 for a puzzle has blocks 3 in which 3-row and 3-column grids 2 are disposed and an entire puzzle 4 in which the blocks 3 are disposed in three rows and three columns, displays some numbers of 1 to 9 in some of the grids 2 in advance, and remaining grids 2 are to be filled with some numbers 1 to 9 according to predetermined rules for an answer for the puzzle. In the puzzle solving assisting tool 1, the respective grids 2 have a problem display section 5 for displaying one number as a problem, and an answer display section 6 for displaying numbers that become an answer. In the answer display section 6, numbers 1 to 9 are sequentially displayed along a row direction adjacently to the problem display section 5, and the numbers 1 to 9 can be freely selected to be in an answer candidate state and an answer non-candidate state, respectively.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a puzzle solving aid that can quickly assist in solving puzzles such as so-called Sudoku (registered trademark), Number Place, and Nanpure. [Background technology]

[0002] Puzzles known as Sudoku, Number Place, Nanpure, etc. consist of blocks arranged in a grid of 3 rows and 3 columns, and the entire puzzle (81 grids in 9 rows and 9 columns) of these blocks arranged in a grid of 3 rows and 3 columns. Numbers from 1 to 9 are displayed as problems in advance in some of the 81 grids of the entire puzzle, and the player must use these problem numbers to fill in the remaining grids with numbers from 1 to 9 that are the answer, following the rules: (1) the same number cannot be repeated in grids in the same column, (2) the same number cannot be repeated in grids in the same row, and (3) the same number cannot be repeated in grids in the same block.

[0003] As an aid for solving such Sudoku puzzles, there are known prior art documents that describe how the numbers 1 to 9 are displayed in small size in a 3-row, 3-column format in one of the squares where the answer number is to be entered, and numbers that are not possible answers are then eliminated in accordance with the rules (1) to (3) above (see Patent Documents 1 and 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Utility Model Registration No. 3236112 [Patent Document 2] Utility Model Registration No. 3143596 [Patent Document 3] Patent No. 6104449 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the systems described in References 1 and 2, the numbers 1 to 9 are displayed in small size in a 3-row, 3-column grid in one square where the answer number is to be placed. Therefore, when eliminating the numbers that are not possible answers according to the rules (1) to (3) above, the numbers 1 to 9 displayed in the 3-row, 3-column grid must be eliminated one by one, and it is not possible to eliminate multiple identical numbers at once. This leaves room for improvement in terms of quickly assisting in solving the puzzle.

[0006] In addition, when eliminating numbers that are not possible answers according to the above rules (1) to (3), the small numbers in the 3 rows and 3 columns displayed in each square are erased in a so-called worm-eaten pattern, making it difficult to grasp at a glance which numbers remain in each square (i.e., which numbers are possible answers). Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of accurately assisting in solving the puzzle.

[0007] Another Sudoku decoding aid is known, which describes placing the numbers 1 to 9 in a horizontal row in order in each square that represents the answer, and then erasing numbers that are not possible answers according to the rules (1) to (3) above (Patent Document 3).

[0008] However, the method described in Document 3, for example, eliminates numbers that are not possible answers in one square (one square) of row 1, column 1 according to the rules (1) to (3) described above, but does not eliminate numbers that are not possible answers in a column direction from row 1, column 1 to row 9, column 1 all at once. Therefore, there is room for improvement in terms of quickly assisting in solving the puzzle.

[0009] The object of the present invention, which was devised in consideration of the above circumstances, is to provide a puzzle solving aid that can quickly and accurately assist in solving a Sudoku puzzle by erasing multiple numbers that are not possible answers in a column direction from squares where the answer number should be placed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] According to the present invention, which has been invented to achieve the above object, a puzzle is provided which comprises grids for displaying numbers, blocks in which the grids are arranged in m rows and n columns (m and n are natural numbers of 2 or more), and a puzzle as a whole in which the blocks are arranged in n rows and m columns, and in which numbers from 1 to m×n are displayed as questions in advance in some of the grids, and in which the remaining grids are (1) The same number will not be repeated in the squares of the same column, (2) the same number will not be repeated in the squares of the same row, (3) the same number will not be repeated in the squares of the same block, A puzzle solving aid used for puzzles that display one of the numbers from 1 to m×n as the answer according to the rule above, each square has a problem display section for displaying one number that is the problem, and an answer display section for displaying the number that is the answer, and the answer display section displays the numbers from 1 to m×n in order along the row direction next to the problem display section, and each of the numbers from 1 to m×n can be freely selected to be in an answer candidate state or a non-answer candidate state. and a column-integrated switching means for switching the same numbers in the answer display units in the same column from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state for each square in the entire puzzle. A puzzle solving aid characterized by the above is provided (Claim 1).

[0011] In the puzzle solving aid of the present invention, the numbers in the answer display section are displayed on the top surface of a button that can be raised and lowered, and a blind sheet with a slit formed therein that allows a person to slip through when the button is lowered is arranged below the raised button, and when the button is moved above the blind sheet, it becomes an answer candidate state, and when the button is moved below the blind sheet, it becomes a non-answer candidate state (Claim 2).

[0012] In the puzzle solving aid of the present invention, The column-integrated switching means switches the same numbers in the answer display section in the same column from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state in a row in the column direction, so that the numbers in the answer candidate state remain in a row in the answer display section. It may be possible (claim 3). [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The puzzle solving aid according to the present invention can provide the following effects. (1) According to the invention of claim 1, numbers from 1 to m×n are displayed in the answer display area of each square in order along the row direction. By the column integral switching means, In each square, numbers that are not possible answers can be easily erased in a row (making them non-candidate answers), which can be used to quickly solve the puzzle. In this way, by erasing the numbers from 1 to mxn displayed sequentially along the rows in the answer display area of each square in a row, numbers that are not possible answers are erased in a row (putting them in a non-candidate answer state), and the numbers in the answer display area of each square that have not been erased remain in a row along the columns, making it easy to see at a glance which numbers are surviving (in an answer candidate state).This provides accurate assistance when solving the puzzle. (2) According to the invention of claim 2, the button on which the number on the answer display section is displayed is raised and moved above the blindfold sheet, thereby changing into an answer candidate state in which the number on the button can be seen from above, and the gravity applied to the button is used to lower the button and move it below the blindfold sheet through the slit, changing into a non-answer candidate state in which the number on the button cannot be seen from above.Therefore, a simple configuration can be used to reliably switch between the answer candidate state and the non-answer candidate state. (3) According to claim 3, By using the column-integrated switching means, the same numbers in the answer display units in the same column are switched from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state in a column direction, so that the numbers in the answer candidate state remain in a state where they are lined up in the column direction in the answer display unit. It can provide quick and accurate assistance in solving puzzles. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a puzzle deciphering aid according to one embodiment of the present invention (each block has 3 rows and 3 columns of grids, and each block has 3 rows and 3 columns, which makes up the entire puzzle). FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the squares, blocks, and entire puzzle of the puzzle solving aid of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is a plan view at the start of the puzzle with numbers displayed as questions in the question display section. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged plan view of a part of FIG. [Figure 4] 4(a) is a perspective view of the blindfold sheet, the row-integrated switching means, etc. housed inside the puzzle solving aid shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and FIG. 4(b) is a cross-sectional view of a part of FIG. [Figure 5] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the button shown in Figure 4(b) when it is raised and the numbers displayed on the top of the button are in the answer candidate state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the button when it is individually pushed down below the blind sheet and the numbers displayed on the top of the button are in the non-answer candidate state. [Figure 6] (a) is a cross-sectional view of the button shown in Figure 4(b) when it is raised and the numbers displayed on the top of the button are in an answer candidate state, and (b) is a cross-sectional view of the buttons in the same column when they are all pushed down below the blind sheet by the column-integrated switching means and the numbers displayed on the top of the buttons are in a non-answer candidate state. [Figure 7] FIG. 7(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for returning numbers that have been put into a non-answer candidate state by the column-by-column switching means pushing all the buttons in the same column downwards on the blindfold sheet as shown in FIG. 6(b) to an answer candidate state by pushing all the buttons in the same column upwards on the blindfold sheet as shown in FIG. 7(b). FIG. 7(a) is a cross-sectional view showing all the numbers on the buttons in the same column put into a non-answer candidate state by the column-by-column switching means. FIG. 7(b) is a cross-sectional view showing all the numbers on the buttons in the same column put into an answer candidate state by the column-by-column switching means. FIG. 7(c) is a cross-sectional view showing all the numbers on the buttons in the same column held in an answer candidate state. [Figure 8] This is an explanatory diagram showing the procedure for returning numbers that have been put into a non-candidate answer state by individually pressing the buttons below the blind sheet as shown in Figure 5(b) to an answer candidate state. Figure 8(a) is a cross-sectional view of the numbers in one square individually in a non-candidate answer state, the following Figure 8(b) is a cross-sectional view of the numbers in one square put into an answer candidate state, and the following Figure 8(c) is a cross-sectional view of the numbers in one square kept in an answer candidate state. [Figure 9] This is a plan view of the puzzle in Figure 2 after processing the question sentence as the first step in solving the puzzle. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the column processing performed as the next step. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing row processing performed as the next step. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the block processing performed as the next step. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the next step of the answering process. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a puzzle to which a modified embodiment of the present invention is applied (each block has 3 rows and 4 columns of grids, and each block has 4 rows and 3 columns, making up the entire puzzle). [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a puzzle to which another modified embodiment of the present invention is applied (each block has 5 rows and 3 columns of grids, and each block has 3 rows and 5 columns, making up the entire puzzle). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Dimensions, materials, and other specific values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating understanding of the invention and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In this specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are designated by the same reference numerals to avoid redundant explanation, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not shown.

[0016] (Overview of puzzle solving aid 1) Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a puzzle decoding aid 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 2 shows a plan view of the puzzle decoding aid 1. This puzzle decoding aid 1 is used for the puzzle known as Sudoku, and includes squares 2 for displaying numbers, blocks 3 in which the squares 2 are arranged in m rows and n columns (m and n are natural numbers equal to or greater than 2; in this embodiment, m=3 and n=3), and the entire puzzle 4 in which the blocks 3 are arranged in n rows and m columns (in this embodiment, 3 rows and 3 columns).

[0017] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this puzzle decoding aid 1 is used for puzzles in which any number from 1 to m x n (1 to 9 in this embodiment) is displayed in advance in some of the squares 2 as a question, and any number from 1 to m x n (1 to 9) is displayed in the remaining squares 2 as an answer according to predetermined rules (the Sudoku rules (1) to (3) described in the Background Art section).

[0018] 1 and 2, the puzzle solving aid 1 according to this embodiment is characterized in that each square 2 has a problem display section 5 for displaying one number that is the problem, and an answer display section 6 for displaying the number that is the answer, and the answer display section 6 displays numbers 1 to m×n (1 to 9) in order along the row direction next to the problem display section 5, and each of the numbers 1 to m×n (1 to 9) can be freely selected to be in an answer candidate state or a non-answer candidate state. Each component will be described below.

[0019] (Grid 2) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the puzzle solving aid 1 according to this embodiment has a puzzle case 7 that forms its outer shell. The puzzle case 7 is made of wood, resin, metal, or the like, and is formed in a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. As described above, the puzzle case 7 has squares 2 for displaying numbers arranged therein. One square 2 is the area virtually surrounded by a dashed line in Figure 1, and the area virtually hatched in Figure 2.

[0020] (Question display section 5, answer display section 6) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, each square 2 has a question display section 5 for displaying one number that is the question, and an answer display section 6 for displaying the number that is the answer, and the answer display section 6 displays numbers 1 to m x n (1 to 9) in the row direction next to the question display section 5. Each of the numbers 1 to m x n (1 to 9) in the answer display section 6 can be freely selected to be in an answer candidate state that can be seen from above, or a non-answer candidate state that cannot be seen, as will be described later.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1, the problem display unit 5 is provided on a protrusion 7a formed on the top surface of the puzzle case 7, higher than the answer display unit 6, to make it easier to visually distinguish it from the answer display unit 6. Holes 7b are formed in the protrusion 7a, and by appropriately inserting and removing pillars 8, each of which has a number from 1 to m × n (1 to 9) that is the problem displayed on its top surface, into and from holes 7b, the problem display unit 5 can be set to display the desired number that is the problem, or to display no number that is the problem.

[0022] (3 blocks, 4 puzzles) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, on the top surface of puzzle case 7, there are arranged blocks 3, each of which has one square 2, consisting of the above-mentioned question display section 5 and answer display section 6, arranged in m rows and n columns (3 rows and 3 columns), and the entire puzzle 4, in which blocks are arranged in n rows and m columns (3 rows and 3 columns). Block 3 is the area virtually surrounded by a thick line in Figure 1 and the area virtually dotted in Figure 2. The entire puzzle 4 is made up of 81 squares 2 arranged in 9 rows and 9 columns.

[0023] (9 buttons, 11 blindfolds, 10 slits) The numbers (1 to 9) on the answer display section 6 shown in Fig. 2 are displayed on the top surface of buttons 9 that can be raised and lowered, as shown in Figs. 3, 4(a), and 4(b), and below the raised buttons 9 is disposed a screen sheet 11 having a slit 10 formed therein through which the buttons 9 can slip when lowered (see Figs. 5(a) and 5(b)). As shown in Fig. 5(a), when the buttons 9 are moved above the screen sheet 11, the numbers (1 to 9) on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 are visible from above and are in an answer candidate state, and when the buttons 9 are moved below the screen sheet 11 as shown in Fig. 5(b), the numbers (1 to 9) on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 are not visible from above and are in a non-answer candidate state.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(a), buttons 9 are housed in button housing holes 7d formed in the top plate 7c that constitutes the top surface of puzzle case 7 so as to be movable up and down. Privacy sheet 11 is sandwiched between the underside of top plate 7c and sheet holding plate 7e that is screwed to it. In this embodiment, slits 10 in privacy sheet 11 are formed in a cross shape (four radial slits), but they may also be vertical slits, horizontal slits, or eight radial slits.

[0025] As shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), button 9 has a cylindrical button body 9a, a conical cone portion 9b is provided at the bottom of button body 9a, and an intermediate rod 9c is connected to cone portion 9b so as to pass through a slit 10 in privacy sheet 11. Privacy sheet 11 is made of an elastic material such as rubber, and as shown in Figure 5(a), when button 9 is raised and the numbers (1 to 9) displayed on the top surface of button body 9a become answer candidate states visible from above, the edge of slit 10 in privacy sheet 11 gets caught in the step between intermediate rod 9c and cone portion 9b, thereby functioning to hold button 9 in the raised position.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the button 9 passes through the slit 10 in the privacy sheet 11 and is lowered to a position below the privacy sheet 11, the open slit 10 closes due to the restoring force of the elastic body, and the numbers (1 to 9) displayed on the top surface of the button main body 9a cannot be seen from above, making it a non-answer candidate state. Here, when the button main body 9a passes through the slit 10 in the privacy sheet 11, the conical surface of the cone portion 9a provided at the bottom of the button main body 9a makes it easier for it to pass through. Furthermore, the sheet holding plate 7c is formed with a storage hole 7f for storing the button 9 below the privacy sheet 11 when the button 9 is lowered. A conical button support portion 7g is formed in the storage hole 7f, onto which the cone portion 9b of the button 9 is seated to hold the button 9 in a lowered position, and a hole 7h is formed on the underside of the seat holding plate 7c, through which the intermediate rod 9c is inserted so as to be able to move up and down freely, and the hole 7h is connected to the button support portion 7g and communicates with the storage hole 7f.

[0027] (Column integral switching means 12) In each of the squares 2 of the entire puzzle 4 shown in FIG. 1, the same numbers on the answer display units 6 in the same column are switched from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state collectively in the column direction by a column-wide switching means 12. As shown in FIG. 4(a), the column-wide switching means 12 includes a vertical ring 9d attached to each button 9 via an intermediate rod 9c, an interlocking rod 13 inserted into a rod guide slot 9e formed in the vertical ring 9d, and a case guide slot 14 formed in a side surface (a pair of opposing side surfaces) 7i of the puzzle case 7 so that the interlocking rod 13 can be inserted therethrough and moved freely in the vertical direction. This switches the same numbers on the answer display units 6 in the same column collectively in the column direction from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state for each of the squares 2 of the entire puzzle 4 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Each component will be described below.

[0028] As shown in FIG. 4(a), a vertical ring 9d with a vertically elongated rod guide slot 9e is provided at the lower end of the intermediate rod 9c of each button 9. A linkage rod 13 is inserted through the rod guide slot 9e of each button 9 in the same row so that it can move freely in the vertical direction. The vertical size of the rod guide slot 9e is set so that, as shown in FIG. 5(a), the linkage rod 13 is positioned at the lower end of the rod guide slot 9e when the button 9 is in the raised position, and, as shown in FIG. 5(b), the linkage rod 13 is positioned at the upper end of the rod guide slot 9e when the button 9 is in the lowered position. The vertical position of the linkage rod 13 remains unchanged between FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b).

[0029] 1 and 4(a), the interlocking rod 13 shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b) is inserted into a case guide slot 14 that is elongated in the vertical direction and formed in the side surfaces (a pair of opposing side surfaces) 7i of the puzzle case 7 so as to be movable up and down. As shown in Figure 5(a), when the button 9 is in the raised position, the interlocking rod 13 is located in the middle in the vertical direction of the case guide slot 14, and a stopper piece 15 that is rotatably provided on the side surface 7i of the puzzle case 7 is held in a horizontal position and supported by it, preventing the interlocking rod 13 from descending. The vertical size of the case guide elongated hole 14 is set so that when the stopper piece 15 is brought into a vertical position from the state shown in FIG. 6(a) as shown in FIG. 6(b) and its support is released, the interlocking rod 13 is lowered and the button 9 is lowered to its lowered position, so that the interlocking rod 13 is positioned at the lower end of the case guide elongated hole 14, and when the interlocking rod 13 is raised from the state shown in FIG. 7(a) as shown in FIG. 7(b) and the button 9 is raised to its upper position, so that the interlocking rod 13 is positioned at the upper end of the case guide elongated hole 14.

[0030] (When pressing button 9 individually) For each square 2 shown in FIG. 1, by individually pressing each button 9 in the raised position below the blindfold sheet 11, the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 can be switched from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state. In this case, as shown in FIG. 5(a), with the stopper piece 15 in a horizontal position and the interlocking rod 13 supported, the top surface of the button 9 to be pressed downward is pressed. At this time, if the finger pressing the button 9 is too large for the button receiving hole 7d and difficult to press, a pressing rod 16 thinner than the finger can be used. As a result, the button 9 is placed in a lowered position below the blindfold sheet 11, as shown in FIG. 5(b), and the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 change from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state. At this time, the weight of the button 9 (weight of the button body 9a, cone portion 9b, intermediate rod 9c, and vertical ring 9d) is supported by the button support portion 7g on which the cone portion 9b of the button 9 is seated, and the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is supported by the stopper piece 15, so that the weight of the button 9 is not applied to the interlocking rod 13 via the vertical ring 9d.

[0031] (When the button 9 is pressed down by the column integral switching means 12) For each square 2 shown in Figures 1 and 2, by lowering all of the buttons 9 with the same number on the answer display units 6 in the same column that are in the raised position, the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 in the column can be switched from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state. In this case, the stopper piece 15 of the column that you want to press down is rotated to a vertical position to be released (a state in which the interlocking rod 13 is not supported), as shown in Figure 6(a), and the interlocking rod 13 of the column that you want to press down is pressed down. As a result, all of the buttons 9 in the same column are lowered to a lower position below the blind sheet 11 (see Figure 4(a)), as shown in Figure 6(b), and the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 change from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state. At this time, the weight of the button 9 (the weight of the button body 9a, the cone portion 9b, the intermediate rod 9c, and the vertical ring 9d) is supported by the button support portion 7g on which the cone portion 9b of the button 9 sits, and the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is supported by the lower end of the case guide long hole 14 of the puzzle case 7, and the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is not applied to the button support portion 7g via the vertical ring 9d.

[0032] (When the button 9 pressed down by the column integral switching means 12 is pressed up by the column integral switching means 12) When buttons 9 in the same column that have been pressed down by the column-integrated switching means 12 are all pushed up by the column-integrated switching means 12 as shown in FIG. 6(b), the interlocking rod 13 is pushed up from the state shown in FIG. 7(a), which is substantially the same as FIG. 6(b). As a result, as shown in FIG. 7(b), all buttons 9 in the same column are raised above the privacy sheet 11, and the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 change from the non-answer candidate state to the answer candidate state. After that, the stopper piece 15 is rotated to a horizontal position to support the interlocking rod 13, and the finger that was pushing up the interlocking rod 13 is released from the interlocking rod 13. Then, as shown in FIG. 7(c), the interlocking rod 13 descends to a position supported by the stopper piece 15, and the interlocking rod 13 is reset to the initial state shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the weight of the button 9 (the weight of the button body 9a, cone part 9b, intermediate rod 9c, and vertical ring 9d) is supported by the privacy sheet 11 made of an elastic material, and the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is supported by the stopper piece 15, so that the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is not applied to the privacy sheet 11. This prevents the button 9 from slipping through the slit 10 in the elastic sheet 11 and dropping down. The elastic force of the elastic sheet 11 is set so that the weight of the button 9 can be supported by the slit 10.

[0033] (When pressing down button 9 individually) When the individually depressed buttons 9 are pushed up as shown in FIG. 5(b), the interlocking rod 13 is pushed up from the state shown in FIG. 8(a), which is substantially the same as FIG. 5(b). As a result, the buttons 9 are raised above the privacy sheet 11, as shown in FIG. 8(b), and the numbers displayed on the top surfaces of the buttons 9 change from the non-answer candidate state to the answer candidate state. The finger that had been pushing up the interlocking rod 13 is then released from the interlocking rod 13. As shown in FIG. 8(c), the interlocking rod 13 descends to a position supported by the stopper piece 15, resetting it to the initial state shown in FIG. 5(a). At this time, the weight of the buttons 9 (the weights of the button body 9a, cone portion 9b, intermediate rod 9c, and vertical ring 9d) is supported by the privacy sheet 11 made of an elastic material, and the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is supported by the stopper piece 15. Therefore, the weight of the interlocking rod 13 is not applied to the privacy sheet 11. This prevents the buttons 9 from slipping through the slits 10 in the elastic sheet 11 and descending.

[0034] (Steps to solve the puzzle) The procedure for solving a Sudoku puzzle using the puzzle solving aid 1 according to this embodiment will be described below.

[0035] (Question creation process) First, based on a magazine or newspaper that contains a Sudoku puzzle problem, a column 8 displaying the problem number (1 to 9) is inserted into the hole 7b of the problem display section 5 of each square 2, as shown in Figure 1. By this problem creation process, the problem number is displayed in the problem display section 2, just like the Sudoku puzzles published in magazines or newspapers, as shown in Figure 2.

[0036] (Problem processing) Next, problem statement processing is performed as shown in Figure 9. That is, the numbers (1 to 9) in the answer display section 6 of the square 2 in which the problem number is displayed are all changed from the answer candidate state shown in Figure 5(a) to the non-answer candidate state shown in Figure 5(b) individually. This is because the numbers (1 to 9) in the answer display section 6 of the square 2 in which the problem number is displayed in the question display section 5 are not required to be solved in the first place, and are an eyesore when thinking about the puzzle.

[0037] (Column processing) Next, as shown in FIG. 10 , column processing is performed. Column processing is a process to prevent duplicate numbers from appearing in the squares 2 within the same column. In this embodiment, the problem display units in the same column (row 1, column 1 to row 9, column 1) contain "7," "2," "9," and "5" as indicated by hatching. Therefore, the answer display units 6 in the same column (row 1, column 1 to row 9, column 1) do not contain duplicate numbers "7," "2," "9," and "5." Therefore, as shown in FIG. 1 , the stopper pieces 15 of the interlocking rods 13 for the numbers "7," "2," "9," and "5" displayed on the side surface 7i of the puzzle case 7 are rotated vertically to release the interlocking rods 13, and the interlocking rods 13 are pushed down. As a result, the numbers "7," "2," "9," and "5" in the answer display units in the same column (row 1, column 1 to row 9, column 1) are lowered below the blind sheet, becoming non-candidate answers. A similar process is performed for each column, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 10 .

[0038] (row processing) Next, row processing is performed as shown in FIG. 11 . Column processing is a process for preventing duplicate numbers from appearing in the same square 2 within the same matrix. In this embodiment, the numbers "7," "9," "4," "2," and "3" are present in the question display sections of the same row from column 1-1 to column 1-9, as indicated by hatching. Therefore, the numbers "7," "9," "4," "2," and "3" do not appear duplicated in the answer display sections of the same column from column 1-1 to column 1-9. Therefore, in the state of FIG. 10 , the numbers "7," "9," "4," "2," and "3" in the answer display sections of the same row from column 1-1 to column 1-9 are changed from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state. Specifically, by individually pressing the buttons 9 displaying "7," "9," "4," "2," and "3" from the state of FIG. 5( a), the state is changed to the state of FIG. 5( b). As a result, the numbers "7," "9," "4," "2," and "3" in the answer display sections of the same row from column 1-1 to column 1-9 move below the blindfold sheet 11, changing to the non-answer candidate state. By performing the same process for each row, the state shown in Figure 11 will be obtained.

[0039] (Block processing) Next, block processing is performed as shown in FIG. 12 . Block processing is a process for preventing duplicate numbers from appearing in the squares 2 of the same block 3. In this embodiment, the question display areas of the nine square blocks from row 1, column 1 to row 3, column 3 contain the numbers "7," "8," "9," and "2" as indicated by hatching. Therefore, the answer display areas of the nine square blocks from row 1, column 1 to row 3, column 3 do not contain duplicate numbers "7," "8," "9," and "2." Therefore, in the state of FIG. 11 , the numbers "7," "8," "9," and "2" in the answer display areas 6 of the blocks 3 of the nine squares 2 from row 1, column 1 to row 3, column 3 are changed from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state. Specifically, by individually pressing the buttons 9 displaying "7," "8," "9," and "2" from the state of FIG. 5( a ), the state of FIG. 5( b ) is achieved. As a result, in the answer display areas 6 of the nine blocks 3 of the squares 2 from row 1, column 1 to row 3, column 3, the numbers "7", "8", "9", and "2" move below the blindfold sheet 11, and the blocks become non-candidate answers. By performing the same process for each row block, the state shown in FIG. 12 is obtained.

[0040] (Answer processing) Next, answer processing is performed as shown in Fig. 13. The answer processing is a process of transferring the numbers of the squares 2 (hatched portions in Fig. 12) that have been left with only one number in the answer display portion 6 by the block processing in Fig. 12 to the problem display portion 5 as shown in Fig. 13. In this embodiment, as shown by the hatching in Fig. 12, only one number (1, 6, 8) remains in each of the answer display portions 6 of the squares 2 with 5 rows and 8 columns, the answer display portion 6 of the squares 2 with 8 rows and 7 columns, and the answer display portion 6 of the squares 2 with 9 rows and 6 columns, so that number becomes the answer for that square 2. Therefore, by individually pressing down the buttons 9 displaying that number from the state shown in Fig. 5(a) to the state shown in Fig. 5(b), the state changes to that shown in Fig. 5(b), and the columns 8 displaying the numbers (1, 6, 8) that become the answers are inserted into the holes 7b in the problem display portion 5 of the corresponding squares 2 as shown in Fig. 1. As a result, the number in the answer display section 6 where the answer has been determined becomes blank and disappears (cannot be seen), so it does not become an eyesore when thinking about the puzzle, and the number that is the answer is displayed in the problem display section 5, so there are more numbers that serve as clues when thinking about how to solve the puzzle, making it easier to think about it.

[0041] (Repeat processing) Then, as shown by hatching in FIG. 13, the newly acquired clue numbers ("1" in square 2, row 5, column 8, "6" in square 2, row 8, column 7, and "8" in square 2, row 9, column 6) are taken into consideration, and the above-mentioned "column processing," "row processing," "block processing," and "answer processing" are performed. As a result, a new answer number is derived, and the above-mentioned "column processing," "row processing," "block processing," and "answer processing" are performed again, taking into consideration the new answer number. By repeating each process in this way, the answer number is derived in the answer display section 6 of each square 2.

[0042] (Actions and Effects) The puzzle decoding aid 1 according to this embodiment can provide the following effects and advantages.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the numbers 1 to 9 are displayed in the answer display area 6 of each square 2 in order along the row. By using the column integral switching means 12 shown in FIG. 4(a),In each square 2, numbers that are not possible answers can be easily erased in groups along the column direction (to make them non-candidate answers). This provides quick assistance when solving the puzzle. In this way, by erasing numbers that are not possible answers along the column direction (to make them non-candidate answers) among the numbers 1 to 9 displayed sequentially along the row direction in the answer display section 6 of each square 2 in this way, the numbers that are not erased and are in the answer candidate state remain lined up in the column direction (see Figure 10), making it easy to see at a glance which numbers remain (are in the answer candidate state) in the answer display section 6 of each square 2. This provides accurate assistance when solving the puzzle.

[0044] As shown in Figures 4(a) and 4(b), button 9, on which the number of answer display section 6 shown in Figure 1 is displayed, is raised and moved above the blind sheet 11, thereby changing the state to an answer candidate state in which the number on button 9 can be seen from above, and as shown in Figures 5(a) and 5(b), button 9 is lowered using gravity acting on it and moved below the blind sheet 11 through slit 10, changing the state to a non-answer candidate state in which the number on button 9 cannot be seen from above, so that a simple configuration can reliably switch between the answer candidate state and the non-answer candidate state.

[0045] For each square 2 of the entire puzzle 4 shown in Figure 1, the same numbers in the answer display sections 6 of the squares 2 in the same column are grouped together in the column direction by the column-integrated switching means 12 shown in Figure 4(a), and are switched from an answer candidate state to a non-answer candidate state by utilizing gravity applied to the button 9, as shown in Figures 6(a) and 6(b).This makes it possible to easily group together multiple numbers that are not possible answers in the column direction and move them below the blindfold sheet 11, changing them to a non-answer candidate state that cannot be seen from above, thereby providing quick and accurate assistance when solving the puzzle.

[0046] (Modified embodiment) FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a puzzle to which a modified embodiment of the present invention is applied (each block has 3 rows and 4 columns of squares, and each block has 4 rows and 3 columns, making up the entire puzzle).

[0047] In the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 13, an example was described in which the present invention was applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block 3 in which squares 2 are arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns, and an entire puzzle 4 in which blocks 3 are arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block in which squares are arranged in 3 rows and 4 columns, and an entire puzzle in which blocks are arranged in 4 rows and 3 columns, as shown in Figure 14. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block in which squares are arranged in m rows and n columns (m and n are natural numbers greater than or equal to 2), and an entire puzzle in which blocks are arranged in n rows and m columns.

[0048] (Modified embodiment) FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a puzzle to which a modified embodiment of the present invention is applied (each block has 3 rows and 4 columns of squares, and each block has 4 rows and 3 columns, making up the entire puzzle), and FIG. 15 is a plan view showing a puzzle to which another modified embodiment of the present invention is applied (each block has 5 rows and 3 columns of squares, and each block has 3 rows and 5 columns, making up the entire puzzle).

[0049] In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 13, an example was described in which the present invention was applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block 3 with squares 2 arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns, and an entire puzzle 4 with blocks 3 arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can also be applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block with squares arranged in 3 rows and 4 columns, and an entire puzzle with blocks arranged in 4 rows and 3 columns, as shown in FIG. 14, and can also be applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block with squares arranged in 5 rows and 3 columns, and an entire puzzle with blocks arranged in 3 rows and 5 columns, as shown in FIG. 15. In other words, the present invention can be applied to a Sudoku puzzle including a block with squares arranged in m rows and n columns (m and n are natural numbers greater than or equal to 2), and an entire puzzle with blocks arranged in n rows and m columns.

[0050] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and that various modifications and alterations within the scope of the claims fall within the technical scope of the present invention. For example, the squares 2, blocks 3, and the entire puzzle 4 may be displayed on the screen of a PC terminal or tablet terminal, and a program may be used to appropriately display or hide desired numbers in the question display unit 5, and the numbers (numbers 1 to m×n) in the answer display unit 6 may be appropriately switched between an answer candidate state (visible display state) and a non-answer candidate state (invisible non-display state), and for each square 2, the same numbers in the answer display unit 6 in the same column may be switched from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state collectively in the column direction by column-wide switching means 12 using software (program). [Industrial Applicability]

[0051] The present invention can be used as a puzzle solving aid that can quickly assist in solving puzzles such as Sudoku, Number Place, and Nanpure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0052] 1 Puzzle solving aids 2 squares 3 blocks 4 The whole puzzle 5 Question display area 6 Answer display area 9 Buttons 10 slits 11 Privacy sheet 12-row integrated switching means

Claims

1. A grid for displaying numbers, A block in which the squares are arranged in m rows and n columns (m and n are natural numbers of 2 or more); the entire puzzle in which the blocks are arranged in n rows and m columns; In advance, some of the squares are displayed with numbers from 1 to m×n as questions, A puzzle solving aid used for puzzles that displays any of the numbers from 1 to m×n as the answer in the remaining squares according to the following rules: (1) the same number is not repeated in the squares in the same column, (2) the same number is not repeated in the squares in the same row, and (3) the same number is not repeated in the squares in the same block; Each of the squares has a question display section for displaying one number that is a question, and an answer display section for displaying one number that is an answer, The answer display section displays numbers from 1 to m×n in order along a row next to the question display section, The numbers 1 to m×n are each freely selectable as an answer candidate state or a non-answer candidate state, A puzzle solving aid characterized by having a column-integrated switching means for switching the same numbers in the answer display sections in the same column from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state for each of the squares in the entire puzzle.

2. The numbers on the answer display section are displayed on the top surface of a button that can be raised and lowered, and a blindfold sheet with a slit formed therein that allows a person to slip through when the button is lowered is disposed below the raised button, 2. The puzzle solving aid according to claim 1, wherein the button is in the answer candidate state when moved above the blindfold sheet, and is in the non-answer candidate state when moved below the blindfold sheet.

3. A puzzle solving aid as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the column-integrated switching means switches the same numbers in the answer display section in the same column from the answer candidate state to the non-answer candidate state in a column-wise manner, so that the numbers in the answer candidate state remain lined up in the column direction in the answer display section.

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