A three-dimensional edge-matching puzzle is a type of edge-matching puzzle or tiling puzzle involving tiling a three-dimensional area with (typically regular) polygonal pieces whose edges are distinguished with colors or patterns, in such a way that the edges of adjacent pieces match. Edge-matching puzzles are known to be NP-complete, and capable of conversion to and from equivalent jigsaw puzzles and polyomino packing puzzle.
Three-dimensional edge-matching puzzles are not currently under direct U.S. patent protection, since the 1892 patent by E. L. Thurston has expired.
Current examples of commercial three-dimensional edge-matching puzzles include the Dodek Duo, The Enigma, Mental Misery, and Kadon Enterprises' range of three-dimensional edge-matching puzzles.
See also
External links
- Erich's 3-D Matching Puzzles
- Color- and Edge-Matching Polygons by Peter Esser
- Rob's puzzle page by Rob Stegmann
- More about edgematching
References
Erik D. Demaine, Martin L. Demaine. "Jigsaw Puzzles, Edge Matching, and Polyomino Packing: Connections and Complexity" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-08-12. /wiki/Erik_D._Demaine ↩
"Rob's puzzle page: Edge Matching". Retrieved 2007-08-12. http://home.comcast.net/~stegmann/pattern.htm#edgematch ↩
"Rob's puzzle page: Pattern Puzzles". Retrieved 2009-06-22. http://home.comcast.net/~stegmann/pattern.htm#em3d ↩
"Kadon Enterprises, More About Edgematching". Retrieved 2009-06-22. http://www.gamepuzzles.com/moredge.htm ↩