BACKGROUND

The present inventive technology relates to the field of playing cards and their arrangement. The present inventive technology may be used more particularly, but not exclusively, to arrange playing cards based on properties of the cards to create unusual pictures or images.

Conventional systems may allow for the arrangement of playing cards in various configurations and to create various types of images thereby. However, these conventional systems may tend to be limited in various aspects, such as in the number of cards that may be chained together or restriction to symmetrical, linear, or other regular forms of arrangement. Such conventional systems also may be limited in the types of pictures or images that may be created, such as images created by using the same card form arrangement over and over (e.g., three in a row, four square, etc.) or having a limit on the number of cards that can be used to create an image (e.g., only three cards per image, only four cards per image, etc.).

The foregoing problems related to conventional card arrangement systems may represent a long-felt need for an effective solution to the same. While implementing elements may have been available, actual attempts to meet this need may have been lacking to some degree. This may have been due to a failure of those having ordinary skill in the art to fully appreciate or understand the nature of the problems and challenges involved. As a result of this lack of understanding, attempts to meet these long-felt needs may have failed to effectively solve one or more of the problems or challenges here identified. These attempts may even have led away from the technical directions taken by the present inventive technology and may even result in the achievements of the present inventive technology being considered to some degree an unexpected result of the approach taken by some in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIVE TECHNOLOGY

In one embodiment, an object of the inventive technology may be to provide a card arrangement system comprising at least a first card having at least one card connection index located along an edge of said first card, at least a second card having at least one card connection index located along an edge of said second card, a card displaced alignment of said card connection index of said first card and said card connection index of said second card relative to one another, and an irregular chain of cards formed from a displaced alignment of said first card relative to said second card at said card displaced alignment of said first card connection index and said second card connection index.

In another embodiment, an object of the inventive technology may be to provide a method for arranging cards comprising the steps of locating at least one card connection index along an edge of at least a first card, locating at least one card connection index along an edge of at least a second card, displacing an alignment of said first card relative to said second card at a card displaced alignment of said card connection index of said first card and said card connection index of said second card, and forming an irregular chain of cards from said displaced alignment of said first card relative to said second card.

Naturally, further objects of the inventive technology will become apparent from the description and drawings below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a first card and a second card in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a stock of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of varied numbers and positions of connection indices on cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a first card having a pictograph and a second card having a pictograph in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a stock of cards having pictographs in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of varied numbers and positions of connection indices on cards having pictographs in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of cards having differing pictographs in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic representation of cards having pictographic form determined positions and pictographic space utilized positions in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards in an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a schematic representation of an irregular chain of cards forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal in an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present inventive technology includes a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the present inventive technology. These elements are listed with initial embodiments, however it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the present inventive technology to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

In various embodiments, the inventive technology may involve card arrangement systems and methods for arranging cards.

With reference primarily to FIG. 1, embodiments may involve at least a first card (1) and at least a second card (2). The term card may be understood of course to include playing cards, but also should be understood to include all objects capable of use in the manners described herein, such as tiles, tokens, shingles, blocks, and the like. The cards may be of any suitable size and shape consistent with the principles discussed herein. For convenience and for the sake of explanation, the discussion hereafter references playing cards of conventional size and shape.

Cards may have one or more medial axes (6). In various embodiments, these may be axes defining a centerline of the card, such as, for rectangular cards, a length or width axis bisecting the card.

Cards may have connection indices (3). Connection of cards may involve placing cards in positions meaningfully related to one another. In some embodiments this may involve placing cards side-by-side along their edges to create alignment of pictures or images on individual cards with one another, though other embodiments may include overlapping cards, stacking cards, or other manners of positioning cards. Connection indices (3) may include any indicia on cards sufficient to indicate where one card may be connected to another card. In some embodiments this may involve like-sized areas delimited along the edges of cards such that the connection indices of two cards may be lined up with one another, though again, embodiments may encompass any types of indices positioned at any location on a card or cards sufficient to indicate how and where two cards may be connected. A card may have one or more connection indices (3).

A first card (1) may have at least one card connection index (3) located along an edge of the card, and a second card (2) may have at least one card connection index (3) located along an edge of the card, such that the card connection indices create a card displaced alignment (4) of the card connection index (3) of the first card (1) and the card connection index (3) of the second card (2) relative to one another.

A card displaced alignment (4) of two connected cards may involve the alignment of the cards being displaced relative to one another, such as with respect to a common attribute of the cards. For example, displaced alignments of cards may involve at least one discontinuous edge (5) of one card with respect to a corresponding edge (5) of another card to which it is connected, or a discontinuous medial axis (6) of one card with respect to a corresponding medial axis (6) of another card to which it is connected. Embodiments accordingly may involve creating at least one discontinuous edge (5) of a first card (1) relative to a second card (2) and creating a discontinuous medial axis (6) of a first card (1) relative to a second card (2).

Embodiments accordingly may involve locating at least one card connection index (3) along an edge of at least a first card (1), locating at least one card connection index (3) along an edge of at least a second card (2), and displacing an alignment of the first card (1) relative to the second card (2) at a card displaced alignment (4) of the card connection index (3) of the first card (1) and the card connection index (3) of the second card (2).

An irregular chain of cards (7) may be formed from the displaced alignment (4) of at least a first card (1) relative to at least a second card (2) at the card displaced alignment (4) of the first card connection index (3) and the second card connection index (3). A chain of cards may be understood to include at least two cards connected to one another, but of course may include any number of cards connected to one another. Irregularity may result from the chain of cards (7) lacking one or more of the characteristics of conventionally regular card arrangement methodologies, such as straight lines, symmetry, even shape, and the like.

In some embodiments, the irregularity of the chain may be as a result simply of the displaced alignment (4) of the first and second cards. In such a situation, it should be understood that even if additional cards were to be connected to the first and second cards in a regular fashion, such as in sequential line with continuous edges and continuous medial axes, the resulting chain of cards still would be irregular due to the displaced alignment of the first and second cards.

Of course, an irregular chain of cards (7) also may be a chain of cards formed from displaced alignments (4) of multiple pairs of first cards (1) relative to second cards (2). In such an irregular chain of cards (7), the displaced pairs may be exclusive of one another, or may overlap as wherein the first card (1) of one displaced pair may be the second card (2) of another displaced pair. Embodiments accordingly may involve displacing alignments of multiple pairs of said first cards (1) relative to said second cards (2).

An irregular chain of cards (7) in various embodiments also may be an asymmetrical chain of cards, a chain of cards having multiple irregular branches, a chain of cards having mixed landscape and portrait orientations, and the like, and forming an irregular chain of cards (7) may involve forming chains of these types.

With reference primarily to FIG. 4, in various embodiments, each card may have a constituent pictograph (8). A pictograph simply may be a sign, symbol, picture, image, or the like on the face of the card. A constituent pictograph (8) may be simply a pictographic part, subdivision, or element of a larger pictograph. For example, constituent pictographs of an animal on three cards might include the head of the animal on one card, the body of the animal on a second card, and the tail of the animal on a third card. It should be noted that any pictograph amenable to subdivision may be treated in this manner, such as the tip, shaft, and eraser of a pencil, the hood, body, and trunk of a car, and so forth.

A constituent pictograph (8) on a card may incorporate each connection index (3) of that card. This may involve the connection index (3) being formed as a part of the pictograph. In the case of an animal, for example, a constituent pictograph (8) on one card of the head may depict the neck as ending at the connection index (3), a constituent pictograph (8) of the body on another card may depict the upper torso as ending at a connection index (3) and the lower torso as ending at a different connection index (3), and a constituent pictograph (8) on a further card of the tail may depict the tail as originating from a connection index (3). Because each constituent pictograph (8) incorporates the relevant connection indices (3), it may be appreciated that when the cards are connected at their connection indices (3), the various parts of the animal will be placed contiguous to one another at the connection indices (3) to form a whole animal. Embodiments accordingly may involve forming an icon of a whole animal from icons of constituent parts of an animal.

Two or more constituent pictographs (8) may form an aggregate pictograph (9) when the cards having such constituent pictographs (8) are connected. An aggregate pictograph (9) simply may be a pictograph formed by one or more constituent pictographs (8). In various embodiments, an irregular chain of cards (7) may form an aggregate pictograph (9) across some or all of the connection indices (3) of the cards in the chain. Embodiments accordingly may involve forming an aggregate pictograph (9) across the connection indices (3) from constituent pictographs (8) incorporating the connection indices (3) of each card.

With reference primarily to FIGS. 2 and 5, embodiments may involve a stock (10) of first cards (1) and second cards (2) having differing constituent pictographs (8) on each card in the stock (10) sufficient to enable the interchange of first cards (1) or second cards (2) to create at least two different aggregate pictographs (9).

After the initial first card (1) and second card (2), the stock of cards (10) may be as few in number as one further card or as many in number as necessary or desirable. In the case of animals, for example, if a first card (1) is a head end of the animal and a second card (2) is a tail end of the animal, a stock of as few as one additional card serving as an alternate head or tail would be sufficient for the described purpose if that card were a different head or tail than on the initial cards, because interchange of the stock card with the existing first card (1) or second card (2) would create a different animal in the resulting aggregate pictograph (9).

Embodiments accordingly may involve interchanging a first card (1) or a second card (2) from a stock of first cards (1) and second cards (2) having differing constituent pictographs (8) on each card in the stock (10) to create at least two different aggregate pictographs (9).

With reference primarily to FIG. 7, constituent pictographs may differ in any respect suitable to distinguish one from another. Where first cards (1) are head ends of animals, for example, differentiation from one card to another may be by heads of different kinds of animals, heads having different features, heads at varied positions on the face of the cards, and the like. Similarly, where second cards (2) are tail ends of animals, for example, differentiation from card to another may be by tails of different kinds of animals, tails having different features, tails at varied positions on the face of the cards, and the like.

Interchange of cards may involve the substitution or the ability to substitute one card for another at a given connection index (3). For example, where a first card (1) has a connection index (3), and where there may be at least two second cards (2) having connection indices (3) making each second card (2) available for connection, interchangeability may be conferred by the ability to connect either of the second cards (2) (or indeed perhaps any other card having a suitably available connection index (3)) to the first card (1).

From the foregoing, it naturally may be seen that a stock of cards (10) having differing constituent pictographs (8) on each card may be used to create at least two different aggregate pictographs (9), and indeed may be suitable to create a variety of different aggregate pictographs (9) depending on the number of cards in the stock and how the cards are connected to one another.

With reference primarily to FIG. 15, as discussed herein, in some embodiments each said constituent pictograph (8) may be an icon of a constituent part of an animal, and an aggregate pictograph (9) formed from cards having such icons may be itself an icon of a whole animal. The icons may be any as may be suitable, including realistic images or pictures, abstracts, symbols, or other kinds of representations as appropriate.

In various embodiments, an animal may be a biologically fictive animal, such as having a biology that is fictional or that may not otherwise actually exist in nature. This may include perhaps fanciful combinations of real animals (e.g., the head of a horse, the body of a snake, the tail of cat) or may be entirely fictional creatures. Embodiments accordingly may involve forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal.

From the discussion herein, it may be seen that the described cards having the described icons may be used to create a variety of animals. Examples may include:

- Third Card/One Middle Section. Embodiments having at least a third card (11), the third card (11) having a number of connection indices (3) along the edges sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of a first card (1) and at least one connection index (3) of a second card (2). An icon of the first card (1) may have the head end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), an icon of the second card (2) may have a tail end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), and an icon of the third card (11) may have a middle section of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). Cards naturally may be connected to form such animal or animals described.
- Third Card and Fourth Card/Two Middle Sections. Embodiments having the “Third Card/One Middle Section” configuration, and having at least a fourth card (12), the fourth card (12) having a number of connection indices (3) along the edges sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of a third card (11) and at least one connection index (3) of at least one other card. An icon of the first card (1) may have the head end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), an icon of the second card (2) may have a tail end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), an icon of the third card (11) may have a first middle section of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), and an icon of the fourth card (12) may have a second middle section of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). Cards naturally may be connected to form such animal or animals described. Attention is directed to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9.
- Third Card/Three Connection Indices/Two Tails. Embodiments having the “Third Card/One Middle Section” configuration, the third card (11) having at least three connection indices (3). An icon of the first card (1) may have the head end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), an icon of the second card (2) may have a first tail end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), and an icon of the third card (11) may have a middle section of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). The embodiment further may have a fourth card (12) having at least one connection index (3) sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of the third card (11), and an icon of the fourth card (12) may have a second tail end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). Cards naturally may be connected to form such animal or animals described. Attention is directed to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11.
- Third Card/Three Connection Indices/Two Heads. Embodiments having the “Third Card/One Middle Section” configuration, the third card (11) having at least three connection indices (3). An icon of the first card (1) may have a first head end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), an icon of the second card (2) may have a tail end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), and an icon of the third card (11) may have a middle section of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). The embodiment further may have a fourth card (12) having at least one connection index (3) sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of the third card (11), and an icon of the fourth card (12) may have a second head end of an animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). Cards naturally may be connected to form such animal or animals described. Attention is directed to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 10.
- Third Card/Four Connection Indices/Two Ordered Pairs. Embodiments having at least a third card (11), the third card (11) having at least four connection indices (3), the four connection indices (3) ordered as at least a first connection pair (13) and at least a second connection pair (13), and the icon of the third card (11) being at least a first separate icon on the card and at least a second separate icon on the card. Connection pairs (13) may be understood to involve at least two connection indices (3) incorporated by a constituent pictograph (8) that does not incorporate at least one other connection index (3) on the card in question, and where such other connection indices (3) are instead incorporated by an other constituent pictograph (8) of the card. This may be seen to result in at least two separate constituent pictographs (8) on the card, which of course may be implemented as icons, such as a first separate icon and a second separate icon. In various embodiments, a first separate icon may incorporate both connection indices (3) of a first connection pair (13), and a second separate icon may incorporate both connection indices (3) of a second connection pair (13). An icon of the first card (1) may have the head end of a first animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal) and an icon of the second card (2) may have the tail end of a first animal (perhaps a first biologically fictive animal). Embodiments further may involve a fourth card (12) having at least one connection index (3) sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of the third card (11) and where an icon of the fourth card (12) may have a head end of a second animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal), and may involve a fifth card (14) having at least one connection index (3) sufficient to connect to at least one connection index (3) of the third card (11) and where an icon of the fifth card (14) may have a tail end of a second animal (perhaps a biologically fictive animal). Accordingly, it may be seen that the described embodiments may enable the creation of two or more animals (perhaps biologically fictive animals) in an aggregate pictograph (9), such as by way of one card having separate icons to which other cards may be connected. Cards naturally may be connected to form such animal or animals described. Attention is directed to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13.

Naturally, the foregoing examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed to limit the inventive principles discussed herein. In particular, they present only a few representative examples of the broader pool of potential combinations of cards, connections, and pictographs made possible by the inventive principles discussed herein, all of which should be understood to be disclosed and described.

With reference primarily to FIG. 3, embodiments may involve cards of the same size and shape, wherein the number and/or positions of the locations of the connection indices (3) along the edges of the cards may be varied. Examples of varied positions may include centered on a medial axis (6), displaced from a medial axis (6), positioned on different edges of different cards, positioned flush against a corner, and so forth. Different pluralities of cards or subsets of cards may have such varied positions of connection indices (3) relative to one another, including variation within and among first cards (1), second cards (2), both first cards (1) and second cards (2), any cards that are neither first cards (1) or second cards (2), all cards, or any other combination of a plurality of cards or subsets of cards.

With reference primarily to FIG. 6, in some embodiments, the position of a location of one or more connection indices (3) along the edge of a card may be in a pictographic form determined position. This may involve conforming the location of the position of the connection index (3) to the form of the pictograph on the card, rather than, for example, locating the connection index (3) at a given position on the edge of the card and conforming the form of the pictograph to the location of the connection index (3). In the case of animal icons, for example, it may be that the natural shape of a given middle section, having particular features such as legs, a torso, wings, or the like, may dictate where the location of the position of the connection index (3) should fall along the edge of the card for connection to a head end, tail end, or other suitable connecting icon. Embodiments accordingly may involve determining position based on the form of a pictograph.

With reference primarily to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the position of a location of one or more connection indices (3) along the edge of a card may be in a pictographic space utilized position. This may involve conforming the location of the position of the connection index (3) to permit a pictograph on a card to most efficiently or effectively utilize the available space on a card. In some embodiments this may involve utilizing all available space for the pictograph, while other embodiments may selectively utilize the available space for the pictograph. In the case of animal icons, for example, some icons (such as middle sections having bulky torso elements) may be centered on cards to utilize all available space, while other icons (such as heads) may be positioned toward an edge, leaving an amount of empty space on the card. Regardless, connection indices (3) may be placed on the card where they naturally fall as a result of the space utilized on the card by the pictograph. Embodiments accordingly may involve determining position based on space utilized by a pictograph.

With reference primarily to FIG. 14, an irregular chain of cards (7) in embodiments may have a pictographically determined form. This may involve an arrangement of the connected cards that is dictated by the aggregate pictograph (9) formed therefrom, rather than a pictograph that is determined by how the cards are connected. For example, the mechanics of conventional card arrangement systems may limit the manner in which cards may be arranged, such as in straight lines or in regular geometries. In such conventional systems, any pictograph formed by the cards will be confined to the regularized layout of the cards. By way of contrast, the irregular chain of cards (7) formed using the mechanics of the present inventive technology dictates that the arrangement of the cards track the pictograph that is formed, not vice versa. Embodiments accordingly may involve pictographically determining the form of an irregular chain of cards (7).

Embodiments may involve a multiply pictographically configurable irregular chain of cards stock of cards. One or more cards in a stock (10) may have differing constituent pictographs (8), such that irregular chains of cards (7) drawn from the stock (10) will be subject to multiple possible aggregate pictographs (9) depending on how the cards are connected and/or interchanged with one another. Naturally, the irregularity of the chain also will vary with the variability of the aggregate pictographs (9) that may be produced. Embodiments accordingly may involve configuring multiple pictographs in an irregular chain of cards (7) by interchanging from a stock of cards (10).

An irregular chain of cards (7) in embodiments also may be variable in length, such as having a length of at least four cards, or a permissible length equal to and perhaps limited only by the number of cards made available in a stock of cards (10). Embodiments accordingly may involve placing at least four cards in length and stocking a number of cards to be equal to the permissible length of an irregular chain of cards (7).

The card arrangement systems and methods for arranging cards may lend themselves to various practical applications, such as for use as playing cards in various games.

In various game applications utilizing cards having animal icons, cards may be differentiated by type, including for example:

- Normal card: heads, bodies, and tails;
- Mischief cards: lose head, lose tail;
- Protection cards: protect head, protect tail;
- Hydra cards: cards having multiple connection indices (3).

In one illustrative game application, which perhaps may be called “Rummy,” a dealer may be randomly determined. The dealer may deal five cards to each player. Each turn a player may be required to pick one card from a draw pile. The player may then place any set making a complete animal (head, middle, tail) face up in front of the player. This area may be called the “zoo.” A player also may play a “lose head” or “lose tail” card, if there is a complete animal in another player's zoo. The player's turn then may be over. Play may go to the next player. Protection cards may be the only cards a player may play out of turn, to prevent “lose head” or “lose tail” cards from crippling complete animals. Animals with missing heads or tails may be incomplete and may score no points at the end of the game. During subsequent turns, owners of crippled animals may fix them by playing a replacement head or tail. If a player can play all their cards in their hand in one turn, they may go out, thereby ending the game. Players may count up all animal cards in their zoos receiving points for each card, where incomplete animals are worth no points. The number of points received is the total for the “month.” There are twelve “months” in a “year,” so the player with the most points at the end of the “year” wins. Players may not discard at the end of their turns. The only way to discard cards may be by playing them in sets in the zoo, crippling an adversary's animal, or defending against a crippling card. Players may get a point bonus for going out on the first turn.

In another illustrative game application, which perhaps may be called “War,” a deck may be placed at the center of a table, and a player may be randomly selected to go first. The first player may draw a card. If it is a middle card (middle cards may be the only cards that can be placed into a zoo by themselves, all others may be required to be connected to a previously played card), the player may place it into their zoo. If it is not a middle card, the player may be required to discard it. On subsequent turns, a player may place heads or tails on existing middles in that player's zoo. If a card cannot be placed, it may be required to be discarded. If a player draws a “lose head” or “lose tail” card, such card may apply to the player who drew it, and it may not be able to be played against another player. Protection cards may be placed face up in a player's zoo, such as to be discarded when a “lose head” or “lose tail” card is received. Play proceeds turn after turn until all the cards in the draw pile may be gone (which may signal the end of the “year”) and then all of the animals may be added up, and the player with the most complete animals may win.

In another illustrative game application, each player may have their own deck, and they may pass their deck to the player on the left, who may shuffle the deck and return it. The player may then cut the deck. Each player may reveal their top card and place them off to the side as “ante” cards. Play may be the same as “War,” but the winner may keep all “ante” cards.

Examples of alternative claims include:

1. A card arrangement system comprising:
- at least a first card having at least one card connection index located along an edge of said first card;
- at least a second card having at least one card connection index located along an edge of said second card;
- a card displaced alignment of said card connection index of said first card and said card connection index of said second card relative to one another;
- an irregular chain of cards formed from a displaced alignment of said first card relative to said second card at said card displaced alignment of said first card connection index and said second card connection index.

2. The card arrangement system of clause 1 or any other clause, wherein each said card has a constituent pictograph incorporating each said connection index of each said card, and wherein said irregular chain of cards forms an aggregate pictograph across said connection indices.

3. The card arrangement system of clause 2 or any other clause, further comprising a stock of said first cards and said second cards having differing said constituent pictographs on each said card in said stock sufficient to enable interchange of said first cards or said second cards to create at least two different said aggregate pictographs.

4. The card arrangement system of clause 3 or any other clause, wherein each said constituent pictograph comprises an icon of a constituent part of an animal, and wherein said aggregate pictograph comprises an icon of a whole animal.

5. The card arrangement system of clause 4 or any other clause, wherein said animal comprises a biologically fictive animal.

6. The card arrangement system of clause 5 or any other clause, further comprising at least a third card having a number of said connection indices along the edges of said third card sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said first card and at least one said connection index of said second card.

7. The card arrangement system of clause 6 or any other clause, wherein said icon of said first card comprises a head end of said biologically fictive animal, wherein said icon of said second card comprises a tail end of said biologically fictive animal, and wherein said icon of said third card comprises a middle section of said biologically fictive animal.

8. The card arrangement system of clause 6 or any other clause, further comprising at least a fourth card having a number of said connection indices along the edges of said fourth card sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said third card and at least one said connection index of at least one other said card.

9. The card arrangement system of clause 8 or any other clause, wherein said icon of said first card comprises a head end of said biologically fictive animal, wherein said icon of said second card comprises a tail end of said biologically fictive animal, wherein said icon of said third card comprises a first middle section of said biologically fictive animal, and wherein said icon of said fourth card comprises a second middle section of said biologically fictive animal.

10. The card arrangement system of clause 6 or any other clause, wherein said third card has at least three said connection indices.

11. The card arrangement system of clause 10 or any other clause, wherein said icons are selected from the group consisting of:
- said icon of said first card comprises a head end of said biologically fictive animal, said icon of said second card comprises a first tail end of said biologically fictive animal, said icon of said third card comprises a middle section of said biologically fictive animal, and further comprising a fourth card having at least one connection index sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said third card and wherein said icon of said fourth card comprises a second tail end of said biologically fictive animal; and
- said icon of said first card comprises a first head end of said biologically fictive animal, said icon of said second card comprises a tail end of said biologically fictive animal, said icon of said third card comprises a middle section of said biologically fictive animal, and further comprising a fourth card having at least one connection index sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said third card and wherein said icon of said fourth card comprises a second head end of said biologically fictive animal.

12. The card arrangement system of clause 6 or any other clause, wherein said third card has at least four said connection indices ordered as a first connection pair and a second connection pair, and wherein said icon of said third card comprises a first separate icon and a second separate icon, and wherein said first separate icon incorporates both said connection indices of said first connection pair, and wherein said second separate icon incorporates both connection indices of said second connection pair.

13. The card arrangement system of clause 12 or any other clause, wherein said icon of said first card comprises a head end of a first said biologically fictive animal, said icon of said second card comprises a tail end of said first biologically fictive animal, and further comprising a fourth card having at least one connection index sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said third card and wherein said icon of said fourth card comprises a head end of a second said biologically fictive animal, and further comprising a fifth card having at least one connection index sufficient to connect to at least one said connection index of said third card and wherein said icon of said fifth card comprises a tail end of said second said biologically fictive animal.

14. The card arrangement system of clause 3 or any other clause, wherein each said card has the same size and shape, and wherein the positions of said locations of said connection indices along said edges of said cards is varied among a plurality of said cards selected from the group consisting of said first cards, said second cards, both said first cards and said second cards, any said cards that are neither said first cards nor said second cards, and all said cards.

15. The card arrangement system of clause 14 or any other clause, wherein each said position of each said location of each said connection index along each said edge of each said card comprises a position selected from the group consisting of a pictographic form determined position and a pictographic space utilized position.

16. The card arrangement system of clause 1 or any other clause, wherein said irregular chain of cards comprises an irregular chain of cards formed from displaced alignments of multiple pairs of said first cards relative to said second cards.

17. The card arrangement system of clause 16 or any other clause, wherein said irregular chain of cards comprises a chain of cards selected from the group consisting of an asymmetrical chain of cards, a chain of cards having multiple irregular branches, and a chain of cards having mixed landscape and portrait orientations.

18. The card arrangement system of clause 3 or any other clause, wherein the form of said irregular chain of cards comprises a pictographically determined form.

19. The card arrangement system of clause 18 or any other clause, wherein said stock of said cards comprises a multiply pictographically configurable irregular chain of cards stock of said cards.

20. The card arrangement system of clause 3 or any other clause, wherein the length of said irregular chain of cards comprises a length selected from the group consisting of a length of at least four cards and a permissible length equal to the number of cards in said stock of said cards.

21. The card arrangement system of clause 1 or any other clause, wherein said displaced alignment of said first card relative to said second card comprises an alignment selected from the group consisting of at least one discontinuous edge of said first card relative to said second card and a discontinuous medial axis of said first card relative to said second card.

22. A method for arranging cards comprising the steps of:
- locating at least one card connection index along an edge of at least a first card;
- locating at least one card connection index along an edge of at least a second card;
- displacing an alignment of said first card relative to said second card at a card displaced alignment of said card connection index of said first card and said card connection index of said second card;
- forming an irregular chain of cards from said displaced alignment of said first card relative to said second card.

23. The method for arranging cards of clause 22 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises the step of forming an aggregate pictograph across said connection indices from constituent pictographs of each said card that incorporate said connection indices of each said card.

24. The method for arranging cards of clause 23 or any other clause, further comprising the step of interchanging said first card or said second card from a stock of said first cards and said second cards having differing said constituent pictographs on each said card in said stock to create at least two different said aggregate pictographs.

25. The method for arranging cards of clause 24 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an aggregate pictograph from constituent pictographs comprises the step of forming an icon of a whole animal from icons of constituent parts of an animal.

26. The method for arranging cards of clause 25 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an icon of a whole animal comprises the step of forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal.

27. The method for arranging cards of clause 26 or any other clause, further comprising the step of connecting at least a third card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said first card and at least one said connection index of said second card.

28. The method for arranging cards of clause 27 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal comprises the step of forming a head end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said first card, forming a tail end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said second card, and forming a middle section of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said third card.

29. The method for arranging cards of clause 27 or any other clause, further comprising the step of connecting at least a fourth card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said third card and at least one said connection index of at least one other said card.

30. The method for arranging cards of clause 29 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal comprises the step of forming a head end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said first card, forming a tail end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said second card, forming a first middle section of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said third card, and forming a second middle section of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said fourth card.

31. The method for arranging cards of clause 27 or any other clause, wherein said step of connecting at least a third card comprises the step of connecting at least a third card having at least three connection indices.

32. The method for arranging cards of clause 31 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal comprises the step of forming selected from the group consisting of:
- forming a head end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said first card, forming a first tail end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said second card, forming a middle section of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said third card, and further comprising the step of connecting at least a fourth card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said third card and forming a second tail end of said biologically fictive animal;
- forming a first head end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said first card, forming a tail end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said second card, forming a middle section of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said third card, and further comprising the step of connecting at least a fourth card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said third card and forming a second head end of said biologically fictive animal.

33. The method for arranging cards of clause 27 or any other clause, wherein said step of connecting at least a third card comprises the step of connecting at least a third card having at least four connection indices ordered as a first connection pair and a second connection pair, and wherein said icon of said third card comprises a first separate icon and a second separate icon, and wherein said first separate icon incorporates both said connection indices of said first connection pair, and wherein said second separate icon incorporates both said connection indices of said second connection pair.

34. The method for arranging cards of clause 33 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an icon of a biologically fictive animal comprises the step of forming a head end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said first card, forming a tail end of said biologically fictive animal with said icon of said second card, and further comprising the step of connecting at least a fourth card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said third card and forming a second head end of said biologically fictive animal, and further comprising the step of connecting at least a fifth card having a sufficient number of connection indices along the edges thereof to at least one said connection index of said third card and forming a second tail end of said biologically fictive animal.

35. The method for arranging cards of clause 24 or any other clause, wherein each said card has the same size and shape, and wherein said steps of locating comprise the step of varying the positions of said card connection indices along said edges of said cards among a plurality of said cards selected from the group consisting of said first cards, said second cards, both said first cards and said second cards, any said cards that are neither said first cards nor said second cards, and all cards.

36. The method for arranging cards of clause 35 or any other clause, wherein said step of varying the positions of said card connection indices comprises a step selected from the group consisting of determining position based on the form of said pictograph and determining position based on space utilized by said pictograph.

37. The method for arranging cards of clause 22 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises the step of displacing alignments of multiple pairs of said first cards relative to said second cards.

38. The method for arranging cards of clause 37 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises a step selected from the group consisting of forming an asymmetrical chain of cards, forming a chain of cards having multiple irregular branches, and forming a chain of cards having mixed landscape and portrait orientations.

39. The method for arranging cards of clause 24 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises the step of pictographically determining the form of said irregular chain of cards.

40. The method for arranging cards of clause 39 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises the step of configuring multiple pictographs in said irregular chain of cards by interchanging from said stock of cards.

41. The method for arranging cards of clause 24 or any other clause, wherein said step of forming an irregular chain of cards comprises the step of creating a length of said irregular chain of cards selected from the group consisting of placing at least four cards in length and stocking the number of said cards to be equal to the permissible length of said irregular chain of cards.

42. The method for arranging cards of clause 22 or any other clause, wherein said step of displacing an alignment of said first card relative to said second card comprises a step selected from the group consisting of creating at least one discontinuous edge of said first card relative to said second card and creating a discontinuous medial axis of said first card relative to said second card.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the present inventive technology may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both card arrangement techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate arranging of cards. In this application, the card arrangement techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this patent application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the inventive technology and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure. Where the inventive technology is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions the inventive technology and each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the inventive technology. Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of this inventive technology. A broad disclosure encompassing the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of the inventive technology both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the inventive technology and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the inventive technology, the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which this inventive technology is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “connection” or “index” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “connecting” or “indexing”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “connecting” or “indexing,” such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “connection,” an “index,” and even a “means for connecting” or “means for indexing.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function.

Any patents, publications, or other references mentioned in this application for patent are hereby incorporated by reference. Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References To Be Incorporated By Reference In Accordance With The Patent Application or other information statement filed with the application are hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of this/these inventive technology(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: i) each of the card arrangement devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrase “comprising” is used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the term “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 20 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 15, or even claim 25 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the inventive technology, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.