GB2272383A

GB2272383A - Money pusher machine

Info

Publication number: GB2272383A
Application number: GB9223729A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Anthony Chapman; Simon Osborn
Original assignee: Cromptons Leisure Machines Ltd
Current assignee: Cromptons Leisure Machines Ltd
Priority date: 1992-11-12
Filing date: 1992-11-12
Publication date: 1994-05-18
Anticipated expiration: 2012-11-12
Also published as: GB2272383B; GB9223729D0; DE4338755C2; DE4338755A1

Abstract

An amusement machine comprises a playfield (1) having a flat horizontal upper surface, adapted in use to support coins (2); a coin pusher (8) which, in use, periodically sweeps across part of the playfield surface so as to disturb coins distributed thereon, whereby some coins may be pushed over at least one edge of the playfield surface into a win chute (3); a coin passage (11, 12, 13) through which the user can introduce additional coins onto the playfield surface to increase the chance of coins being pushed over the said edge; and means (15, 16) for monitoring the quantity of coins on the playfield. <IMAGE>

Description

2272383 \1 1 AMUSEMENT MACHINE This invention relates to an amusement

machine, and more particularly to an improved machine of the "money pusher" type.

Money pusher machines have been known f or some years. They generally include a horizontal playfield, on which a large number of coins is distributed. In the context of this specification, the term "coins" should be understood as including any similar discs or tokens or the like. The pattern of coins on the playfield is periodically disturbed by a coin pusher, which may be in the form of a movable stage which periodically sweeps across part of the playfield surface. Coins are pushed towards an edge of the playfield and some may be pushed over the edge into a "win chute". From this, they pass into a receptacle and may be recovered by the user of the machine. In some machines, the coins which pass down the win chute are not directly recovered by the user, but instead trigger a corresponding payout of other coins or tokens from an internal coin store. The machine includes means for introducing additional coins, which may pass onto the playfield surface directly or via an upper

2 surface of the coin pusher. The object of the user of the machine is to insert such additional coins with the hope that a larger number of coins will be pushed over the edge into the win chute.

Machines of this kind are often installed in amusement arcades and the like, where there are constant problems of security. Users may attempt to interfere with machines, for example by shaking them to make more coins fall off the playfield. Also, dishonest maintenance staff may remove coins from machines when servicing them. The present invention provides a solution to these problems by incorporating means for monitoring the quantity of coins on the playfield.

The invention thus provides an amusement machine comprising a playfield having a flat, horizontal upper surface, adapted in use to support coins; a coin pusher which, in use, periodically sweeps across part of the playfield surface so as to disturb coins distributed thereon, whereby some coins may be pushed over at least one edge of the playf ield surf ace into a win chute; a coin passage through which the user can introduce additional coins onto the playfield surface to increase i k 3 the chance of coins being pushed over the said edge; and means for monitoring the quantity of coins on the playfield.

In a preferred embodiment, the weight of coins on the playfield of one or more such machines is measured, and the resulting data is processed by a computer and displayed on a monitor. Information on the coins passing down the win chute and the coins paid out of each machine may be similarly processed and displayed. A computer program will compare these values against predetermined limits, and if the combined information indicates unauthorised interference with a machine, an alarm will be actuated to draw the attention of security staf f.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an amusement machine according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 2 is a representation of the control and 4 communications network of such a machine.

The amusement machine includes a playf ield 1 having a flat, horizontal upper surface. A large number of coins 2 is distributed over this surface. The surface has a front edge over which the coins may be pushed. When a coin falls over the front edge, it passes into a win chute 3 and thence into a count,hopper 4. The count hopper counts the coins falling from the win chute and actuates a payout hopper 5 to release a corresponding number of coins into a pay tray 6, from which they may be recovered by the user of the machine.

The front edge is provided with an adjustable riser 7, i.e. a slightly raised flange, which enables the coins to overlap and overhang the edge to a considerable extent, before they are pushed off. The riser can be adjusted by the operator of the machine, to increase or decrease the chances of coins being pushed off the edge.

A coin pusher box 8 is arranged to pass backwards and forwards over part of the playfield surface. The pusher box is driven by suitable gearing from a motor 9. The lower leading edge of the pusher

1 v if box thus sweeps across the surface of the playf ield and, in forward motion, urges the coins on the playf ield towards the edge.

Close to the upper surface of the pusher box there is arranged a fixed vertical wall forming part of a pin perspexmember 10 described below. Coins which fall on the upper surface in front.of this wall tend to be swept forward during the backward stroke of the pusher box. Eventually, during such backward stroke, some coins will be pushed off the front of the upper surface onto the playfield surface. Thus, the more coins which fall onto the upper surf ace of the pusher box, the more coins will eventually fall onto the playfield and will eventually be pushed off the edge of the playfield.

A coin slot 11 is provided f or the user to insert coins into the machine. These coins pass into a coin slide 12. The coin slide may incorporate a zigzag U-r.-%) path formed in the pin perspex4member 10 by horizontal ATA) pins adjoining front and rear perspex4sheets, separated by a gap slightly greater than the thickness of the coins. The pins are arranged in a pattern such that falling coins bounce off the pins in a random manner, so 6 that the user cannot predict how a coin will fall. Alternatively or in addition, the coin path may include a "skill" arm 13, which is a tubelike coin guide arranged to oscillate like a pendulum, powdered by a skill arm motor 14. The user can thus time the entry of coins in an attempt to guide the coins to a desired location on the pusher box or playfield. Coins which (Ailm) have passed through the pin perspextmember and/or the skill arm may fall directly onto the playfield surface (if the pusher box has just completed its backward stroke at the appropriate time) or more commonly they will fall onto the upper surface of the pusher box, from which they will eventually be pushed onto the playfield surface.

The front edge of the playfield is arranged as a "floating" member 15, joined by a hinge to the rear part of the playfield. A strain arm 16, fixed at its rear, is arranged beneath the front edge of the playfield and supports the weight of the playfield (with the coins thereon) by one or more feet attached to the bottom of the playfield. on the strain arm are arranged four foil strain gauge elements in a bridge configuration to ensure best possible sensitivity with long term stability. The output of the strain gauges on the strain arm is taken

1 7 f- to a microprocessor unit 17 via an ultra-low drif t direct current amplifier 18 and analogue-to-digital converter, enabling the reliable detection of even one coin being removed fraudulently.

Data from the count hopper 4 and the pay-out hopper 5 is also taken to the microprocessor unit 17. This unit stores the data and transmits it via an RS232 link to and IBM PC or compatible computer 19. The computer processes the data and displays it, f or example on a conventional computer screen. For a typical installation having several such machines, this data from all the machines is fed to a central computer and displayed either simultaneously or sequentially on a screen.

The count hopper counts all coins won by the player and passes them to the internal store, simultaneously sending the information to the central processor unit where it is permanently held in memory for future scrutiny. When the processor unit has received all signals necessary to indicate valid play, the command to payout is sent to the payout hopper - an identical number of coins is dispatched from the payout hopper as 8 was received by the count hopper.

A computer program compares the count hopper data, the pay-out hopper data and the playfield weight data for each machine against predetermined f igures which can be set by the machine operator. Any departure from preset limits will actuate a visible and/or audible alarm, so that the operator can take appropriate action. For example, a sudden decrease in the weight of coins on a playfield would suggest unauthorised removal of coins from a machine, and would be immediately drawn to the attention of the operator. The ready availability of data from the machines also enables the operator to adjust the machines as desired to achieve a desired percentage of coins paid out. Furthermore, full statistical analyses of profits and losses can be carried out remotely by the operator.

v 9

Claims

1. An amusement machine comprising a playfield having a flat, horizontal upper surface, adapted in use to support coins; a coin pusher which, in use, periodically sweeps across part of the playf ield surface so as to disturb coins distributed thereon, whereby some coins may be pushed over at least one edge of the playf ield surface into a win chute; a coin passage through which the user can introduce additional coins onto the playf ield surface to increase the chance of coins being pushed over the said edge; and means f or monitoring the quantity of coins on the playfield.

2. An amusement machine according to claim 1, in which the means for monitoring comprises means for measuring the weight of coins on the playfield.

3. An amusement machine according to claim 2, in which the playf ield is hingedly mounted and supported by a strain arm provided with at least one strain gauge.

4. An amusement machine according to any of claims 1 to 3, in which the quantity of coins on the playfield is monitored by a computer and compared to preset limits.

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5. An amusement machine according to any of claims 1 to 4, provided with first counting means for counting coins which pass into the win chute.

6. An amusement machine according to claim 5, provided with second counting means capable of releasing coins from an internal coin store in response to a signal from the first counting means.

7. An amusement machine according to claim 5 or 6, comprising means for transmitting data from the f irst counting means, the second counting means if present, and the means for monitoring the quantity of coins on the playfield to a computer which is programmed to compare such data with preset limits.

GER-PAT 1