2D Puzzle Piece Coordinate Marking for Reliable Placement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing jigsaw puzzles face challenges in accurately positioning puzzle pieces due to manufacturing deviations, leading to difficulties in assembling and increased frustration as pieces with the same motif may not fit correctly into the overall image, especially with large numbers of pieces.

Innovation Solution

A two-dimensional puzzle with irregularly shaped pieces featuring a coordinate system along the X and Y axes, where each piece has markings on its back indicating its position, with X-coordinates appearing multiple times across rows and Y-coordinates across columns, facilitating precise placement without additional aids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional three-dimensional puzzles are used, then the puzzle provides tactile feedback and engagement, but it creates a mess when pieces are scattered and requires cleanup time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuzzle handlingVSAvoidmess creation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the puzzle pieces from their traditional three-dimensional scattered arrangement and repositions them onto a two-dimensional flat surface. This extraction of pieces from 3D space to 2D surface eliminates the mess creation problem while preserving the puzzle-solving engagement, as pieces remain contained within the flat puzzle structure rather than scattering across a three-dimensional space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions the puzzle from three-dimensional space to two-dimensional flat surface, changing the dimensional context in which pieces are arranged. This dimensionality change from 3D to 2D prevents pieces from scattering in multiple directions and creates a contained, flat workspace that eliminates mess while maintaining puzzle functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional puzzles lack guidance, then the puzzle maintains simplicity, but it increases difficulty for beginners and those with cognitive impairments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepuzzle accessibilityVSAvoidpuzzle structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention introduces an assignment aid as an intermediary element between the puzzle pieces and the solver. This assignment aid provides guidance information that helps beginners and those with cognitive impairments understand which pieces fit where, making the puzzle more accessible without fundamentally altering the core puzzle structure or pieces themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention provides preliminary guidance information through the assignment aid before the solver attempts to assemble the puzzle. This preliminary action of providing assignment information helps solvers plan their approach and reduces the cognitive load during the actual puzzle-solving process, making it more accessible to beginners and those with cognitive impairments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If puzzle pieces are scattered for assembly, then the puzzle allows free manipulation, but it loses track of piece locations and increases setup time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepiece manipulationVSAvoidsetup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention confines puzzle piece manipulation to a two-dimensional flat surface rather than allowing scattering in three-dimensional space. This dimensionality constraint prevents pieces from being lost or difficult to locate, as they remain within the bounded flat area of the puzzle, while still allowing free manipulation across the surface for assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP4499246B1Two-dimensional puzzle with assignment aid
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 BRAUNER DIRK J
  • EP4499246B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4499246B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a two-dimensional puzzle which is distinguished by the fact that the puzzle parts are provided on the rear side thereof with letter and number information in a defined manner, with the aid of which it is possible to assign the correct position to the parts using a coordinate system.