Abstract Puzzle Generators and Symmetric Puzzle Layout.pdf

Puzzle Generators and Symmetric Puzzle Layout Kozo Sugiyama1, Ryo Osawa1 and Seok-Hee Hong2 1 School of Knowledge Science, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Asahidai 1-1, Tatsunokuchi, Nomi, Ishikawa, 923-1292, Japan {Sugi, R-osawa}@jaist.ac.jp 2 National ICT Australia; School of Information Technologies, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia shhong@.au Abstract We present two abstract models of puzzles, permutation puzzles and cyclic puzzles, which can be modelled as puzzle graphs. Based on these models, we implement two puzzle generators and produce various layouts of the puzzles using graph drawing algorithms. Using these puzzle generators we can create new puzzles. Further, we can create new user interfaces of a puzzle by applying different layout algorithms. We implement a method for constructing symmetric layouts of puzzles, as symmetry is the most important aesthetic criteria for the puzzle layout. Keywords: Puzzle generator, Symmetric layout 1 Introduction Puzzles have sophisticated logical structures, beautiful shapes, and attractive user interfaces. To invent new puzzles and to design new interfaces of puzzles, we have carried out a systematic approach called ‘divergence via abstraction’ (Maeda, Sugiyama and Mase 2002a, 2002b; Sugiyama, Hong and Maeda 2003; Sugiyama, Maeda and Mizumoto 2003; Sugiyama, Maeda, Osawa and Mizumoto 2005). The basic idea of the approach is illustrated in Figure 1. Here existing popular puzzles are abstracted and converted into other media such as graphs, blocks, sounds, and robots, while preserving their logic. Using this approach, we can create new puzzles and new interfaces for puzzles. Our approach closely relates to the creativity theory called ‘Equivalent Transforming Thinking’ proposed by Ichikawa (Ichikawa 1970). In this paper, we are mainly concerned with conversions of puzzles into graphs. More specifically, we consider two classes of puzzles,