Systems and methods for rotary puzzle devices

Abstract

Described here is a computer system for producing a rotary puzzle device, 5 the system comprising a memory and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: receive a puzzle image and a stencil image as input, the stencil image comprising a plurality of regions, divide a portion of the puzzle image into at least three output images with transparent 10 backgrounds using pixel-level analysis, wherein the at least three output images, when stacked together, reproduce the portion of the puzzle image, swap pixels between the output images, and produce a layer for each output image resulting from the previous step, wherein assembling the layers together reproduces the rotary puzzle device. 15

Description

[0001] SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ROTARY PUZZLE DEVICES

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates, in general terms, to systems and methods for producing a rotary puzzle device. More particularly, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, an image processing software program capable of importing an input image and pre-defined image, processing it and exporting the image as multiple separate parts corresponding to a puzzle.

[0004] Background

[0005] Puzzles have long been recognised as a means of leisurely enjoyment, mental stimulation and stress reduction. Puzzles possess cognitive benefits and provide a means to foster social interactions. Some popular puzzle types include: jigsaw puzzles, sliding puzzles, and transforming puzzles. Transforming puzzles involve manipulation and rotation of interconnected pieces, typically composed of rigid materials. Sliding puzzles involve moveable components that can be rearranged. Jigsaw puzzles comprise multiple individual elements that collectively form the solution. Each of these puzzle types typically face issues such as missing pieces, a lack of variety and an overwhelming number of pieces. These issues may sometimes lead to diminishing engagement.

[0006] Researchers have explored various approaches to enhance a user's puzzlesolving experience. In one example, puzzle-solving has been incorporated and performed in an augmented reality environment. In another example, adaptive puzzle generation for computational thinking has been used to generate puzzles with a degree of difficulty which adapts to the player's abilities. It would be desirable to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the abovedescribed problems, or at least to provide a useful alternative. Specifically, it would be desirable to address these shortcomings by offering a method to create a puzzle-solving experience with a composite single-unit puzzle. It would also be desirable to provide a method for creating personalised puzzles from any input image, allowing a user to have a unique and tailored experience.

[0007] Summary

[0008] Described herein is a computer system for producing a rotary puzzle device, the system comprising : a memory; and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:

[0009] I. receive a puzzle image and a stencil image as input, the stencil image comprising a plurality of regions; ii. divide a portion of the puzzle image into at least three output images with transparent backgrounds using pixel-level analysis, wherein the at least three output images, when stacked together, reproduce the portion of the puzzle image;

[0010] Hi. swap pixels between the output images; and iv. produce a layer for each output image resulting from step iii, wherein assembling the layers together reproduces the portion of the puzzle image.

[0011] Also described herein is a rotary puzzle device, the device comprising : at least three disc-shapes, each disc-shape: corresponding to a respective one of least three layers produced using the system described above, wherein each layer corresponds to a boundary around pixels of the respective output image; having a different diameter to another of the disc-shapes; and sharing a common axis of rotation with another one of the discshapes; and a connector to connect the disc-shapes to an opaque back-plate through the common axis of rotation.

[0012] Also described herein is a method for producing a rotary puzzle device, the method comprising: producing layers using the system described above, each layer comprising a boundary around pixels from the corresponding output image; incorporating the output images into respective disc-shapes, each discshape being cut so as to have a different diameter to other ones of the disc-shapes; assembling the disc-shapes together in overlapping configuration, the disc-shapes having a common axis of rotation; using a single connector to connect the disc-shapes to an opaque backplate through the common axis of rotation.

[0013] Also described is a method of producing a rotary puzzle device, the method comprising : producing a rotary puzzle device described above; selecting a predetermined time; and incorporating indicia into two or more of the disc-shapes, such that aligning the disc-shapes to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image will result in the indicia showing the predetermined time.

[0014] Brief description of the drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of nonlimiting example, with reference to the drawings in which:

[0015] Figure 1 illustrates a series of executable instructions for producing a rotary puzzle device.

[0016] Figure 2 illustrates a rotary puzzle device produced according to a method 100 as illustrated in Figure 1.

[0017] Figure 3 illustrates a system for implementing the method 100.

[0018] Detailed description

[0019] Disclosed herein are systems and methods for producing a rotary puzzle device. A system for producing a rotary puzzle device comprises a memory and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by at the at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to produce a rotary puzzle device, or content (i.e., layers) corresponding to a rotary puzzle device.

[0020] Figure 1 illustrates the method 100 to produce the rotary puzzle device. In step 102, a puzzle image and stencil image are received. Per step 104, the puzzle image, or part thereof, is divided into output images based on the stencil image. In step 106, the output images are incorporated into respective disc-shapes that are then assembled together (per step 108) to form the rotary puzzle device.

[0021] Step 102 comprises the processor receiving a puzzle image and a stencil image as input. The puzzle image provides an input for the production of the rotary puzzle device, and corresponds to a solution of the rotary puzzle device, either in part or in its entirety. The stencil image comprises a plurality of regions. The plurality of regions may take on any regular or random segment patterns. The regions may be jigsaw-shaped or square-shaped.

[0022] One or both of the puzzle image and stencil image may be received or obtained from a data file, a remote server or database, or may be captured directly from a camera.

[0023] The at least one processor (hereafter interchangeably referred to as the processor or processors) may pre-process the puzzle image. In some cases, pre-processing involves converting the puzzle image to a predetermined colour format such as RGB colour format, CMYK colour format or another visual colour format. The colour format of each pixel is determined using pixel-level colour values, such as the red, green and blue values for each pixel.

[0024] Pre-processing may also involve converting the puzzle image to a desired file format. In some instances, the puzzle image is converted to a picture file format such as JPG or PNG. In other embodiments, the puzzle image is captured or stored in the desired format and thus does not require reformatting.

[0025] Pre-processing may also involve cropping the puzzle image and / or stencil image to a common shape, such as a rectangle, square, circle or other shape. Cropping may involve analysing the puzzle image to identify a region or regions of interest - e.g., based on greatest pixel value variation between neighbouring pixels, or a region of pixels of highest colour intensity - and cropping the puzzle image such that incorporates the region or regions of interest. This may further involve centring the cropping puzzle image on the region or regions of interest. In Step 104, a portion of the puzzle image is divided into at least three output images. Each output image has a transparent background (i.e., is background-less). The division of the puzzle image into the at least three output images is done using pixel-level analysis. The at least three output images, when stacked together, reproduces the portion of the puzzle image.

[0026] Reproduction of the puzzle image is achieved by aligning the output images shown on the disc-shapes (i.e., discs). Alignment may involve rotating the disc-shapes until neighbouring regions of the puzzle image, that are shown in different output images, are located in neighbouring arrangement. Thus, portion of the puzzle image forming the rotary puzzle device is reproduced by an alignment of the output images.

[0027] The portion of the puzzle image that is used in the output images may correspond to only a portion of the puzzle image, or the entirety of the puzzle image.

[0028] The portion of the puzzle image used to produce the output images may be identified based on pixel-level information. The pixel-level information can involve an amount of variation in pixel-level values within a predetermined region around each pixel of the puzzle image, or based on a threshold variation in pixel-level values. Pixel-level values may comprise colour and intensity values - for example, R, G and B colour values of the pixel.

[0029] The stencil image (image (a) in step 102) comprises a plurality of shapes that occupy the entirety of the stencil image. Each shape corresponds to a region in the portion of the puzzle image used to generate the output images. The puzzle image can be converted to an RGB colour format, or other format, by limiting regions of the puzzle image corresponding to the shapes of the stencil, to a particular one of red, green and blue, or by classifying each region based on a colour of greatest proportion (e.g. there is more yellow then green or red in the corresponding region of the puzzle image, and the region is thus classified as yellow).

[0030] In some embodiments, dividing the puzzle image using pixel-level analyses comprises determining a pixel value for each pixel, and dividing the puzzle image based on the pixel values. Pixel values may correspond to intensity of the pixels in a region. Alternatively, pixel level values may be used by dividing the puzzle image using pixel-level analyses by dividing a colour spectrum into a plurality of zones. Each zone corresponds to a respectively different one of the output images. A pixel colour of each pixel is then read, the zone containing the pixel colour is identified and the pixel is copied into the output image corresponding to the zone containing the pixel colour.

[0031] In Step 106, pixels are swapped between each of the at least three output images. Swapping of the pixels between each of the at least three output images may be performed systematically, adhering to a predefined logic, while preserving the resemblance of the overlapping regions with the original image. Alternatively, pixels may be randomly swapped between the output images.

[0032] In Step 108, a layer is produced for each output image, each layer resulting from a series of pixel swaps in Step 106. Assembling the layers corresponding to each output image reproduces the rotary puzzle device. The system may be configured to save each output image in a PNG format.

[0033] In some embodiments, each layer (disc-shape or disc) comprises a respective indicium, the indicia having a predetermined configuration corresponding to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image. This enables additional functionality such as the portion of the puzzle image being reproduced when the indicia are aligned with the time as shown on an analogue clock. Indicia may be incorporated into the output images or layers at any stage of the method 100.

[0034] As mentioned above, each indicium can be a respective clock pointer. The clock pointers consist of an hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand. Alignment of the clock pointers to a predetermined time corresponds to an alignment of the output images to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image. Advantageously, the clock metaphor further provides a recognisable and intuitive element. Moreover, a base layer may include the numbers 1 to 12 of a clock, to facilitate accurate alignment of the indicia. Thus, the system may be configured to add, to each of the output images, a clock pointer corresponding to the indicium associated with the output layer.

[0035] Thus, when generating indicia for the layers, producing the rotary puzzle device may also further comprise selecting a predetermined time in the format of hh: mm:ss (or at least hours and minutes) or using a computer software to randomly generate a time, and producing a rotary device corresponding to the method 100 based on the predetermined time.

[0036] The predetermined time then provides a solution to the rotary puzzle device, by rotating the layers to align the clock arms (indicia) with a specific time. As an example, a computer software may be used to randomly generate a time of 08:45: 15, and the rotary puzzle device may be solved (i.e. the input image may be reproduced) by aligning the respective clock pointers to read the generated time.

[0037] Figure 2 shows a rotary puzzle device 200. The device includes at least three layers 202 produced using the method 100. Each output layer corresponds to an output image and may be disc-shaped, where each disc-shape of the device 200 is differently sized from another of the, or all other, disc-shapes. In the embodiment shown, each disc-shape 202 shares a common axis of rotation with another of the disc-shapes, and presently all disc-shapes share a common axis of rotation. A connecting means 204 is provided to connect the disc-shapes to an opaque back-plate 206 through the common axis of rotation. The opaque back-plate may be a white sheet with a sturdy base.

[0038] Each of the at least three layers is printed on a transparent or translucent medium, though the bottommost layer may be opaque (since there may be no image printed on the base layer 206) or may be incorporated into the base layer 206. The printable media used for the layers 202 that rotate relative to the base 206 may be thin transparency films or tracing paper. The transparent medium may allow the one or both layers under the top layer to be seen, if there are no coloured pixels at a location on the layer.

[0039] Each layer comprises a respective indicium (reference 110 in Figure 1) located on the boundary, the indicia having a predetermined configuration corresponding to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image.

[0040] The rotary puzzle device may be produced by printing each of the output images, produced by the system performing method 100, onto the layers or disc-shapes according to a set of printing layout guidelines. The output images may be printed on any printable media with a suitable degree of transparency. The printable media may be thin transparency films or tracing paper.

[0041] The printing layout guidelines may be introduced to ensure an accurate reproduction of the augmented images (i.e., the output images), ease of alignment, or to facilitate puzzle assembly.

[0042] In some embodiments, the puzzle image is not cropped and, instead, the output images are cropped or cut into disc-shapes. They can then be attached via an attachment means (e.g., split pin or wire), overlapping with one another. Cropping each of the at least three output images into disc-shapes may comprise cutting these images into circular shapes, the circular shapes being concentric. The three output images may, for example, be cut to circles with diameters of: 7 cm, 8 cm and 9 cm. Assembling the puzzle pieces requires that the attachment means used must allow a user to have rotational freedom, i.e., rotate each of the output images individually without rotating another of the output images. Aligning the output images requires that a single hinge is used to connect the disc-shaped images at their centre points. Advantageously, the use of a single-unit design further ensures convenience and completeness during use.

[0043] A system 300 for implementing the method 100 is shown in Figure 3. The system 300 receives the puzzle image and stencil image from a database or other source 302, over network 304, or may receive the image directly from a USB device, camera or other device. The system 300 comprises memory 302 storing instructions in the form of program code or software 304 that is executable by one or more processors 306 to cause the system 300 to perform the method 100.

[0044] The system 300 presently further comprises a pixel analyser 312 the generates the output images by conducting pixel-level analyses and swapping pixels or regions between layers (corresponding to output images). While the output images may be used to generate a digital rotary puzzle device, where layers of the device are rotated relative to one another by buttons or mouse movements, the present system 300 also comprises a printer 316 for printing physical copies of the output images onto a medium, e.g., a transparent medium, to facilitate assembly of a rotary puzzle device such as device 200 of Figure 2. The printer 316 may also be connected to a cutter 314 that cuts the output images to generate the physical layers in respective disc-shapes. It will be appreciated that many further modifications and permutations of various aspects of the described embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the described aspects are intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0045] Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0046] The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

Claims1. A computer system for producing a rotary puzzle device, the system comprising: a memory; and at least one processor, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:I. receive a puzzle image and a stencil image as input, the stencil image comprising a plurality of regions; ii. divide a portion of the puzzle image into at least three output images with transparent backgrounds using pixellevel analysis, wherein the at least three output images, when stacked together, reproduce the portion of the puzzle image; iii. swap pixels between the output images; and iv. produce a layer for each output image resulting from step iii, wherein assembling the layers together reproduces the portion of the puzzle image.

2. The system in claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to convert the puzzle image to a predetermined colour format.

3. The system in claim 1, wherein if the puzzle image is not in JPG or PNG format, the at least one processor converts the puzzle image to JPG or PNG format.

4. The system in claim 1, wherein if one or both of the puzzle image and the stencil image is not a square, the at least one processor is further configured to crop the puzzle image and / or stencil image into a square.

5. The system in claim 1, wherein dividing the portion of the puzzle image using pixel-level analysis comprises identifying the portion of the puzzle image based on pixel-level information.

6. The system in claim 5, wherein the pixel-level information comprises an amount of variation in pixel-level values within a predetermined region around each pixel of the puzzle image.

7. The system in claim 6, wherein the portion of the puzzle image is identified based on a threshold variation in pixel-level values.

8. The system in claim 6, wherein pixel-level values comprise colour and intensity values.

9. The system in claim 1, wherein the stencil image comprises a plurality of shapes that occupy an entirety of the stencil image.

10. The system in claim 1, wherein dividing the puzzle image using pixellevel analyses comprises determining a pixel value for each pixel, and dividing the puzzle image based on the pixel values.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein dividing the puzzle image using pixellevel analyses comprises: a. dividing a colour spectrum into a plurality of zones, each zone corresponding to a respectively different one of the output images and, for each pixel; b. reading a pixel colour of the pixel; c. identifying a zone containing the pixel colour; and d. copying the pixel into the output image corresponding to the zone containing the pixel colour.

12. The system in claim 1, wherein each layer comprises a respective indicium, the indicia having a predetermined configuration corresponding to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image.

13. The system of claim 12, where each indicium is a respective clock pointer, the clock pointers comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand and wherein alignment of the clock pointers to a predetermined time corresponds to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image.

14. A rotary puzzle device, the device comprising : at least three disc-shapes, each disc-shape: corresponding to a respective one of least three layers produced using the system of claim 1, wherein each layer corresponds to a boundary around pixels of the respective output image; having a different diameter to another of the disc-shapes; and sharing a common axis of rotation with another one of the disc-shapes; and a connector to connect the disc-shapes to an opaque back-plate through the common axis of rotation.

15. The device in claim 14, wherein the disc-shapes comprise a transparent or translucent medium.

16. The device in claim 14, wherein each layer comprises a respective indicium located on the boundary, the indicia having a predetermined configuration corresponding to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image.

17. The device in claim 16, where each indicium is a respective clock pointer, the clock pointers comprising an hour hand, a minute hand and a second hand, and wherein alignment of the clock pointers to a predetermined time corresponds to when the output images are aligned to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image.

18. A method for producing a rotary puzzle device, the method comprising : producing layers using the system of claim 1, each layer comprising a boundary around pixels from the corresponding output image; incorporating the output images into respective disc-shapes, each disc-shape being cut so as to have a different diameter to other ones of the disc-shapes; assembling the disc-shapes together in overlapping configuration, the disc-shapes having a common axis of rotation; using a single connector to connect the disc-shapes to an opaque back-plate through the common axis of rotation.

19. A method of producing a rotary puzzle device, the method comprising : producing a rotary puzzle device according to claim 18; selecting a predetermined time; and incorporating indicia into two or more of the disc-shapes, such that aligning the disc-shapes to reproduce the portion of the puzzle image will result in the indicia showing the predetermined time.

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