GB2383671A

GB2383671A - Variable pay-out entertainment machine

Info

Publication number: GB2383671A
Application number: GB0227829A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Laurence Wain
Original assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Current assignee: Bell Fruit Games Ltd
Priority date: 2001-12-14
Filing date: 2002-11-29
Publication date: 2003-07-02
Also published as: GB0227829D0

Abstract

An entertainment machine comprising a playing surface (18) arranged to support one or more playing pieces to allow playing pieces to fall therefrom and to provide a payout, further comprises a payout controlling means (32a, 32b, 40, 50, 60, 70). A relationship determining means arranged to determine a relationship between the payout and at least one other variable is also provided and is arranged to generate a signal which can be received by a controller (118), the controller (118) being arranged to control the payout controlling means (32a, 32b, 40, 50, 60, 70). The payout controlling means (32a, 32b, 40, 50, 60, 70) is controlled in order that the relationship tends towards a predetermined value. The entertainment machine may be a 'pay-to-play pusher' machine, and the 'other variable' may be related to the amount of money paid into the machine.

Description

VARIABLE PAY-OUT ENTERTAINMENT MACHINE This invention relates to an entertainment machine, which may generally be referred to as a pusher, and related methods.

In pusher entertainment machines, a player introduces a playing piece, which may be a coin, a disc shaped token or the like, onto a substantially flat, substantially horizontal playing surface on which there is already distributed a plurality of playing pieces providing a body of playing pieces thereon. A movable device, or pusher, which is commonly a stage, moves in a cyclic motion over a portion of the playing surface causing the body of playing pieces to be pushed towards one or more of the edges of the playing surface. Those playing pieces which fall over a winning edge, traditionally that edge farthest from the pusher, contribute to the machine's payout to the player, and those that fall over other edges are lost to the player. These other edges can then be termed'losing edges'. The object of the game is that the player collects in the payout playing pieces of a greater value than the value of the playing pieces he/she introduced.

These machines are usually coin, bank note, or credit card operated and are designed to earn a profit, or to ensure that a proportion of the playing pieces are lost to the player and retained by the machine. However, the game must remain attractive to the player, who will be discouraged by a machine with a low payout rate. A suitable percentage of the monetary equivalent of the value of playing pieces introduced to the playing field should form the value of the payout. This payout percentage should allow the machine to earn a profit but will also seem reasonable to a player.

The payout percentage must be selected accordingly and, ideally,

maintained. The payout percentage may have to comply with relevant gaming legislation of the country in which the machine is situated.

In the past, the payout percentage of a machine has been set in various ways. For example, the losing edges have a substantially vertical wall running for a portion of their length. The length of the walls is adjustable and may be retracted to allow an increase in the length of the or each losing edge from which it is possible for a playing piece to fall and therefore allow more playing pieces to be retained by the machine.

Alternatively, the walls may be lengthened for the opposite effect.

A second way in which the payout percentage has previously been affected is with a hinged lip portion along the winning edge region of the playing surface. Increasing the angle of elevation of the lip above the horizontal has the effect of forcing the playing pieces"up-hill"in order to fall from the winning edge. Under these conditions, more pieces are likely to progress towards the losing edges and be retained by the machine. Thus, increasing the angle of elevation of the hinged lip affects an decrease in payout percentage (i. e. less playing pieces fall over the winning edge, and more playing pieces fall over the or each losing edge) and decreasing the angle of elevation has the opposite effect.

Adjusting the machines is traditionally done by trial and error over a period of time during the active life of the machine. This may result in periods of time where the machine is not profitable as the payout percentage is too high and also periods of time where it has a payout percentage so low that the machine is not attractive to players. Further, the labour involved in adjusting the individual components often requires a degree of skill and, as it may involve giving the engineer access to the playing field, and thus, a degree of honesty is required from the engineer.

Finally, the machine will be out of use over this time, and thus its profitability may be reduced.

This invention aims to overcome, or at least reduce, the problems of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an entertainment machine arranged to provide a payout, the machine comprising a payout controlling means arranged to control the payout, a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces and further arranged to allow playing pieces to fall therefrom, a relationship determining means arranged to determine a relationship between the payout and at least one other variable and further arranged to generate a signal, a controller arranged to receive the signal and to control the payout controlling means in order that the relationship tends towards a predetermined value.

An advantage of such a machine is that it can be used to ensure that an enticing game is provided to players thereof. It will be appreciated that players play such machines in the hope that they do well and generally that they receive a prize for their efforts. If the payout from the machine is too low then the machine can be un-enticing, and if the payout is too high then the machine can be unprofitable. Therefore, it is advantageous to provide a machine that can vary the payout rate to ensure that the machine remains enticing, and profitable.

Preferably, the controller contains a data processing means.

Generally, the machine is arranged to allow playing pieces to fall onto the playing surface.

Preferably, the machine further comprises a pusher arranged to periodically disturb playing pieces arranged on said playing surface.

Such an arrangement is convenient because it helps to ensure that, in use, some playing pieces do fall from the playing surface.

The playing surface may comprise at least one winning edge over which playing pieces can fall. Further, the machine may comprise at least one losing edge over which playing pieces can fall. In some embodiments, the machine is preferably arranged such that playing pieces falling over said winning edge contribute to an award made to a player, and further arranged such that playing pieces that fall over said losing edge do not contribute to an award made to a player.

In some embodiments of the machine no losing edge is provided. In such embodiments the payout controlling means may be arranged to payout a portion of playing pieces falling from the playing surface to the player.

Conveniently, the machine comprises at least one counter which may be arranged to count playing pieces falling from the playing surface. The or each counter is preferably capable of generating a count signal which may be fed to the controller.

The or each counter may alternatively or additionally be arranged to count playing pieces falling onto the playing surface.

The number of playing pieces falling from the playing surface may provide the at least one other variable. Alternatively, or additionally the number of playing pieces falling onto the playing surface may provide the other variable.

In the preferred embodiment a counter is provided and arranged to count playing pieces passing over said winning edge and count the playing pieces introduced onto the playing surface. Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows a payout percentage, in which the number of playing pieces falling over said winning edge is compared to the number of playing pieces introduced onto the playing surface, to be determined.

In practice, the payout controlling means may be controlled to affect a payout parameter calculated in the following way. Processing circuitry is provided which is capable of recording and amending a cumulative total.

For every playing piece that falls over the winning edge, 100 is added to this total. For every playing piece that is introduced to the playing surface, a number is deducted. This number reflects the selected payout percentage. If, for example, an 80% payout is considered desirable, for every playing piece that is introduced to the playing surface, 80 is deducted from the cumulative total. The desired value of the cumulative total at any time is zero. A value greater than zero indicates that the payout percentage is higher than the desired value. A value below zero indicates that the payout percentage is too low Preferably, the relationship determined by the relationship determining means is the payout parameter.

Alternatively or additionally, the at least one other variable may be a ratio between playing pieces that fall from the winning edge and playing pieces that fall from the losing edge.

Conveniently, the or each counter is arranged to determine the value of playing pieces. Such an arrangement is convenient because is allows playing pieces of different values to be arranged on the playing surface.

In machines in which playing pieces of different value are used on the

playing surface the payout of the machine is not purely a function of the number of playing pieces falling from the playing surface, but also of their value. Therefore, determining the value of playing pieces falling from the surface allows the payout of the machine to be accurately controlled.

The or each counter may be arranged to pass the value of the playing pieces introduced to the playing surface and falling from the winning edge and/or losing edge to the controller, and further the controller may be arranged to influence the payout in relation to the relationship, the relationship being calculated using the value (s) of playing pieces rather than their quantity. That is the value of playing pieces falling onto/from the playing surface may provide the other variable rather than the number of playing pieces.

Conveniently, payout controlling means may be arranged to influence the payout by influencing the rate at which playing pieces fall from the playing surface.

One, or more, walls may be provided at an edge region of the playing surface. Such walls define regions of the playing surface from which playing pieces cannot fall. Therefore, as the length of the walls provided around the playing surface increases the rate at which playing pieces can fall from the playing surface may decrease. The controller may be arranged to vary the length of the wall to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface and the wall may constitute the payout controlling means.

Further, a moveable lip may be provided in a region of an edge of the playing surface. The moveable lip is generally provided in a region of the winning edge, but may be provided in a region of the losing edge.

Preferably, the moveable lip is angularly moveable, and may be hinged.

Such an arrangement is convenient because it allows the rate at which playing pieces fall from the edge to be controlled, by altering the position of the lip. The controller may be arranged to control the position of the lip to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface and the lip may constitute the payout controlling means. In addition, such a lip causes coins to stack on top of each other and therefore may tend to increase the size of stacks of coins in a region of the lip. A player is likely to keep playing a machine if such a stack is near the winning edge and may soon make a contribution to a payout; the larger the stack of coins that fall the larger the payout.

The controller may be arranged to alter the angle of the playing surface to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface and the angle of the playing surface may constitute the payout controlling means. If the playing pieces are required to move up a positive slope the rate at which they move toward an edge is likely to be reduced, and if the playing pieces are assisted by a negative slope the rate at which they move toward an edge is likely to be increased.

The playing surface may be arranged to be contoured by the controlling means to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from the playing surface. Contouring the slope by having sections of the playing field with individually variable slopes could affect the payout rate.

Playing surfaces with one or more studs are well known in the art. The primary purpose of these studs is to cause the playing pieces to ride over one another and subsequently stack on top of each other. A player is likely to keep playing a machine if he/she believes that such a stack is soon to reach the front edge.

The playing surface may be provided with one or more protrusions, which may be studs, or the like. The controller may be arranged to alter the angle, the extent of protrusion, or the like, in order to affect the rate at which the playing pieces move across the playing surface to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface and the protrusions may constitute the payout controlling means.

The protrusions may be profiled to affect the direction of the progression of the playing pieces. Their angle of orientation and/or their protrusion could be controlled to vary the effect.

The controller may be arranged to control the motion of the pusher to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface, and the control of the pusher may constitute the payout controlling means. It will be appreciated that if the pusher were to move further across the playing surface than usual, it is likely that more playing pieces would be caused to fall therefrom.

In an alternative, or additional, embodiment the controller may be arranged to alter the angle of the pusher relative to an edge so that the general direction of the progression of the playing pieces is not directly towards that edge. Therefore, controlling the angle or amplitude of the motion of a variable-motion pusher provides a payout controlling means.

The payout controlling means may be controlled by one, or more, motors, which are arranged to be controlled by the controller. Alternatively, or additionally, the payout controlling means may be controlled by any other suitable actuation mechanism. For example, the payout controlling means may be controlled by pneumatics, hydraulics, etc.

Alternatively, the payout controlling means may not be arranged to influence the rate at which playing pieces fall from the playing surface, but may instead be arranged to alter the relationship between playing pieces which fall from a winning edge to an award made to a player.

The machine may comprise a payout mechanism capable of generating a payout. The controller may be arranged to control the payout mechanism such that it generates a payout of a predetermined value in relation to playing pieces falling from the playing surface i. e. the relationship is the relationship between the payout and the value or number of playing pieces falling from the winning edge. The predetermined value may be determined by the processing circuitry and the method for determining the determined value may vary in order that the relationship between the number of playing pieces falling on to the playing surface and the machine payout tends towards the predetermined relationship. In this way, the payout mechanism may constitute the payout controlling means.

Such an arrangement is convenient as it requires no substantial additions to the construction of the machine.

Preferably, the predetermined value may generally be calculated using a first method but may be calculated using a second method when at least a predetermined number of playing pieces are caused to fall from the playing surface by a single motion of the pusher. An advantage of such a method is that it can be used to ensure that players do not begin to distrust the machine. The player will generally expect that the playing pieces that fall from the playing surface to contribute to the payout of the machine in a consistent manner. The player will not be able to readily discern the exact number of playing pieces that fall from the playing surface if that number is large, and will therefore be unaware that the contribution the playing pieces have made to the payout has altered.

The predetermined number of playing pieces that cause the second method of calculating the predetermined value may be roughly any one of the following playing pieces: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 20, 25,30, or more or any number in between these.

The predetermined value may be determined using the number of playing pieces that have been caused to fall from the playing surface by a single motion of the pusher as a parameter. Alternatively, the predetermined value may be determined using the value of playing pieces that have been caused to fall from the playing surface by a single motion of the pusher.

Advantageously, the predetermined value may be determined using a first method when the relationship between the number of playing pieces falling onto the playing surface and the payout is roughly the predetermined relationship and by a second or further method when the relationship is significantly different from the predetermined relationship.

Advantageously, the predetermined value may be determined using the difference between the relationship and the predetermined relationship as a parameter.

Such a method is convenient as it allows the payout to tend towards the predetermined relationship rapidly if the relationship is very different from the predetermined relationship.

The payout controlling means described above could be used individually or in any combination to control the pay out rate and/or parameter constantly, at regular intervals, while the machine is not in use or at any other time.

Conveniently, the machine comprises a dispenser arranged to dispense playing pieces onto the playing surface. The machine may comprise a transfer means arranged to transfer playing pieces that have fallen from the playing surface to the transfer means. The playing surface, the transfer means, the counter, and the dispenser may constitute a closed loop in which playing pieces are recirculated.

In an alternative embodiment, the machine may not comprise a closed loop, and at least a portion of the playing pieces falling from the playing surface may be paid directly to a player.

The playing pieces may comprise coins, which may be paid into the machine by a player.

The controller may be arranged to provide periods in which the payout percentage or rate is enriched. The machine may be provided with a display means to indicate that the machine is operating in an enriched period. Such an arrangement may be convenient because it may encourage players to play the machine.

The controller may be arranged to periodically vary the payout percentage perhaps to provide periods of enriched payout by allowing the payout parameter to increase. An advantage of such a machine is that it may function more like a machine having no control of the payout percentage; the introduction of a payout controlling means controlled by a controller is likely to tend to smooth the payout percentage so that it is more or less constant. Prior art machines may have had a significant variation in the payout percentage measured at snapshots over a period of time. Variations in the payout percentage may prove appealing to a player and make them more likely to play the machine.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling the payout of an entertainment machine having a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces and from which playing pieces may fall, the method comprising counting the playing pieces that fall onto the surface and adjusting a payout controlling means to influence the payout in order that the relationship between the number of playing pieces falling onto the playing surface and the payout tends towards a predetermined relationship.

The rate at which the playing pieces fall from the surface, the ratio of winning playing pieces to losing playing pieces, the payout parameter or percentage, the manner in which winning playing pieces contribute to a payout or any other suitable criteria may be influenced by the payout controlling means.

Conveniently, each the payout controlling means may affect the payout rate and/or parameter in a way that is qualitatively and/or quantitatively known. Most preferably a controller can control the payout controlling means in order to adjust the payout rate and/or parameter until it reaches a predetermined value.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a computer readable medium containing instructions, that when read by an entertainment machine cause that entertainment machine to perform the method of the second aspect of the invention.

The computer readable medium may be any one or more of the following: a floppy disk, a CDROM, a DVD ROM/RAM, a magneto optical disk, a memory (ROM, RAM, etc. ), a transmitted signal (which may be an internet download, or other signal).

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided an entertainment machine comprising a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces and further arranged to allow playing pieces to fall therefrom, a controller arranged to control a payout controlling means, and at least one counter arranged to count playing pieces falling from said playing surface and generate a counting signal which is fed to said controller, said controller being arranged to control said payout controlling means to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface.

Features of the first aspect of the invention may be applied to the fourth aspect of the invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of controlling the payout of an entertainment machine having a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces and from which playing pieces may fall, the method comprising counting the playing pieces that fall onto the surface and adjusting a payout controlling means to influence how the playing pieces fall from the surface.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows an example of a pusher type machine suitable for use with the present invention; Figures 2-7 shows details of improvements according to the invention that may be applied to a machine of the type shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1 shows a prior art pusher machine, with a cabinet 10 on which is mounted a coin slot 12, connected to a playing piece dispenser 14 which is open to a generally vertical transparent region 16. The transparent region 16 may be constructed of a perspex sheet substantially parallel to a rear face of the cabinet, but with a spacing between the sheet and a rear wall of the cabinet 17 just wider than width of a playing piece that will be used in the machine. Alternatively, the transparent region may be constructed of a glass sheet or any other transparent material, or of two sheets of any such material.

The transparent region is open at a bottom region thereof to a substantially flat playing surface 18. A pusher 110 in the form of a stage, or box, is arranged to move cyclically over a portion of the playing surface 18. The transparent region 16, the pusher 110, the dispenser 14 and the playing surface 18 are behind a transparent housing 112, which may be perspex, glass or any other transparent material. There is also provided a coin collection box 114 from which a player can collect coins that have been paid to them. Inside the cabinet is a playing piece counter 116, which is connected to a controller 118.

The machine further provides a playing piece release button 113 which, when pressed, allows playing pieces to be released from playing piece dispenser 14 onto the playing surface 18. When a playing piece is released, a signal is fed to the controller 118.

A front region of the playing surface 18 comprises a winning edge 20, and the machine is arranged to make an award, or make a contribution to an award, for playing pieces that fall over the winning edge 20. Front portions of side edges comprise losing edges 22,24, and the machine is arranged such that playing pieces falling thereover do not cause an award, or a contribution to an award, to be made to the player. Fixed

side walls 26,28 extend along the side edges of the playing surface 18 except in the losing edge regions 22,24. Therefore, playing pieces are prevented from falling from the side edges 22,24 of the playing surface 18 apart from in a region of the side edges 22,24.

As can also be seen from Figure 1, winning chute 306 is provided to catch playing pieces falling over the winning edge 20. The winning chute 306 feeds playing pieces to a playing piece counter 116 (which is commonly referred to in the art as a hopper). Playing pieces falling into the counter 116 fall therethrough into the transfer means 119. In this case the transfer means 119 is a coin escalator. The transfer means 119 is arranged to elevate playing pieces to the playing piece dispenser 14.

The winning playing piece counter feeds a signal of how many playing pieces have fallen over the winning edge to the controller 118.

Further, a losing chute 310 is associated with each of the losing edges 22,24, although only one can be seen in the Figure. Playing pieces fall through the losing chute 310 and into the transfer means 119. It will be appreciated that playing pieces passing over the losing edges do not result in an award being made to a player. Of course, in an alternative embodiment, both of the losing chutes 310 could feed playing pieces that have fallen over the losing edge 22,24 to a losing playing piece counter 117, which would then feed a signal of how many playing pieces it has counted to the controller 118.

One possible embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 2 and parts that are the same as Figure 1 have been referenced with the same reference numerals. As before, the pusher 110 moves, cyclically, over a portion of the playing surface 18. In Figure 1 the side walls were of fixed length 26,28, but in the embodiment shown in Figure 2 comprise an immovable side wall portions 300 and movable side wall

portions 32a, 32b. These are arranged such that they may be retracted into the immovable side wall portions 30 such that their lengths dA and dB may be varied. Again, the embodiment has a winning edge 20 and an associated winning chute 36 arranged such that an object such as a coin, or playing piece, falling from the winning edge 20 would fall into the winning chute 306. In addition, the Figure shows losing edges 22,24 each with an associated losing chute 310, arranged such that an object such as a coin, or playing piece, falling from the losing edges 22,24 would fall into the associated losing chute 310.

In this embodiment the movable side wall portions 32a, 32b each have a rack 33, which meshes with a pinion gear 35 driven by a gear box, in turn driven by a stepper motor. Thus, by driving the stepper motor, the position of the moveable side wall can be altered. Further, in this embodiment the payout corresponds to the number of playing pieces falling from the winning edge 20 and the at least one variable comprises the number of playing pieces falling from the losing edge 22,24.

A second embodiment providing a payout controlling means is shown in Figure 3. Again, the pusher 110 moves over a portion of the playing surface 18, between the immovable side wall portions 26,28. Although this embodiment of the machine may also include the movable side wall portions 32a, 32b of Figure 2, these are not shows for reasons of clarity.

The winning edge 20 is positioned on a moveable lip, which in this instance is a hinged lip 40 having a variable angle of elevation a.

A rack 41 is pivotally connected to the hinged lip 40, and a pinion gear 43, again driven by a gear box, in turn driven by a stepper motor, is arranged to drive the rack 41. Thus, the angle of the hinged lip 40 can be altered by driving the stepper motor. Again, in this embodiment the payout corresponds to the number of playing pieces falling from the

winning edge 20 and the at least one variable comprises the number of playing pieces falling from the losing edge 22,24.

A third embodiment of a payout controlling means is shown in Figure 4. This shows a controlled protrusion, in this case a profiled stud 50, which

protrudes from the playing surface 18. The length 1 of the stud which protrudes may be varied as may the stud's angle of orientation P defined with reference to the playing surface 18. The protrusion 50 has a flat face 52, but otherwise has a curved perimeter.

Figure 4b shows how the height of the protrusion may be varied. The protrusion 50 extends below the playing surface, and has a portion thereof formed in to a rack 51, with which a pinion 53 engages. The pinion 53 is driven by a gear box, in turn driven by a stepper motor, and thus the height 1 of the protrusion can be varied by driving the stepper motor.

Figure 4c shows an example of how the angle of the protrusion 50 may be varied. A bottom region of the protrusion 50 is formed into a cog 55, which engages a driven cog 57. The driven cog is driven by a gear box, in turn driven by a stepper motor, which can be controlled to alter the angle ss.

Once again, in this embodiment the payout corresponds to the number of playing pieces falling from the winning edge 20 and the at least one variable comprises the number of playing pieces falling from the losing edge 22,24.

A fourth embodiment of a payout controlling means is shown in Figure 5. In this example, the pusher 110 moves across a portion of the playing surface 18 and is controlled by a pusher controller 60. The

pusher controller is connected to the pusher by two arms 62a, 62b, and the pusher 110 is oriented relative to the playing surface 18 at an angle x. The arms are capable of extending variable distances, which may the same for each arm or may be different. If the arms are the same length the pusher 110 will remain substantially parallel to the winning edge 20, and if the arms are different lengths the pusher 110 will not be parallel to winning edge 34, and will be oriented at the angle X.

Each of the arms 62a, 62b is driven by pneumatic cylinders 63,65. The pneumatic cylinders are mounted on a platform that reciprocates, thus producing the cyclic motion of the pusher 110. If is desired to alter the angle X then one, or other, of the cylinders 63,65 is activated vary the length of the respective arm 62a, 62b.

Again, in this embodiment the payout corresponds to the number of playing pieces falling from the winning edge 20 and the at least one variable comprises the number of playing pieces falling from the losing edge 22,24.

A fifth embodiment of a payout controlling means is shown in Figure 6. Here, the pusher 110 and the playing field 18 are mounted on a platform 70 such that the angle of elevation 8 of the playing surface could be altered or it could otherwise alter its orientation to the cabinet 10.

To allow the angle 8 to be varied the playing surface is pivotally mounted 71 to the machine 10, and a pneumatic (or hydraulic) ram 73 is used to drive a front region thereof. If it is desired to alter the angle 8 the length of the piston 77 extending from the ram 73 is altered.

In use, a player introduces a playing piece, in this example a coin, but in other embodiments, a playing piece may be a disc-shaped token with an associated monetary value or any other token, into the coin slot 12. This will determine the number of playing pieces that can be released from the playing piece dispenser 14 by the release button 113. A playing piece is released from playing piece dispenser 14, which in this example pivots constantly through an angle of approximately 90 such that the playing piece is released behind the transparent region 16 in a variable manner, and a signal that the playing piece has been released is sent to the controller 118. The playing piece falls through the transparent region 16 and onto the playing surface 18, which already supports a plurality of playing pieces. The playing piece is introduced in the hope that the motion of the pusher 110 on this and other playing pieces will cause the body of playing pieces on the playing surface to move towards and over the winning edge 20. If this occurs, the playing piece or playing pieces that have fallen from the winning edge 20 enter winning chute 306 and are passed through a winning playing piece counter 116 where their value is noted and added to a cumulative winnings total stored in the processor 20 in the controller 118.

Further, the motion of the pusher may also cause playing pieces to fall from losing edges 22,24 into losing chutes 310. In this embodiment, the playing pieces are passed from the losing chute 310 to the transfer means 119. The playing pieces are then passed to the transfer means 117 for re-circulation.

When the total number of playing pieces that were available for release have been released, the player chooses either to insert more coins into the coin slot 12 and continue playing the machine or to convert the value of the cumulative winnings total into its monetary equivalent, which is deposited into the collection box 114.

In this embodiment the processor in the controller 18 calculates the payout parameter. For example, it may have proved desirable to have an 80% payout percentage so that on average for every one hundred playing pieces introduced, eighty fall into the winning chute 306. If it is found that in the time one hundred playing pieces have been introduced, ninety fall into the winning chute 306, the payout parameter will have increased by one thousand and can be considered to have become too high. (The payout parameter is increased by 100 for every playing piece that falls from the winning edge, and is decreased by 80 (the desired payout percentage) for every playing piece that is introduced onto the playing surface. (90xl00)- (100x80) =1000). The controller 118 therefore instructs the payout controlling means to compensate for this.

Therefore, turning to the embodiment shown in Figure 2 the controller causes the moveable side wall portions 32a, 32b to decrease in length (i. e. dA and dB are reduced). This causes the losing edge regions 22,24 to increase in length, so that there is a higher chance of playing pieces on the playing surface falling thereover. Altering the moveable side wall portions in this manner causes the payout parameter to decrease.

Conversely, increasing the length of the moveable side wall portions will increase the payout parameter.

Looking at the embodiment shown in Figure 3, the angle of the hinged lip 40 is altered to alter the payout ratio. To decrease the payout parameter, as is required in this example, the angle a of the lip 40 is increased. This poses more resistance to playing pieces moving across the playing surface, and therefore, means that the playing pieces are more likely to fall from the losing edges 22,24. Conversely, to increase the payout parameter the angle a of the hinged lip 40 is reduced so that

less resistance is given to the playing pieces moving across the playing surface 18.

To affect the payout percentage in the embodiment of Figure 4 the angle ss of the protrusion 50 is altered. The flat face 52 faces the origin of the playing pieces and therefore, opposes their motion toward the winning edge 20. The angle ss affects how the flat face 52 is oriented toward the losing edge regions 22,24, and may deflect playing pieces toward the losing edges more in some orientations, that others. Further,

the length 1 of the protrusion above the playing surface 18 can be used to affect the payout percentage. As the length 1 increases more of an obstacle is provided toward playing pieces moving toward the winning edge 20. Therefore, to decrease the payout parameter (i. e. to cause more of the playing pieces introduced to fall from the losing edges 22,24, or to reduce the playing pieces falling from the winning edge 20) the length 1 may be increased.

In the embodiment of Figure 5, the payout ratio can be affected by altering the angle X of the pusher 100. As the angle increases playing pieces on the playing surface 18 tend to be pushed more towards the losing edge 24 because there is a component of force imposed by the pusher on the playing pieces that is towards the losing edge 24. Thus as the angle X. increases the payout parameter decreases.

Further, it is possible to momentarily increase the payout by altering the extent to which the pusher 110 travels across the playing surface 18. That is if the pusher 110 is caused to travel closer to the winning edge 20 on one cycle is will cause a number of extra playing pieces to fall from the winning edge 20.

In the embodiment of Figure 6, the angle of elevation 8 of the playing surface 18 is controlled to control the payout parameter. As the angle 8 increases there is more resistance to playing pieces moving toward the winning edge 20, and thus they may be more likely to fall from the losing edge regions 22,24, and the payout parameter decreases accordingly. If the angle 8 decreases (and may even go negative) there is less resistance to playing pieces travelling towards the winning edge region 20, they may be less likely to fall from the losing edges 22,24, and thus the payout parameter may increase.

Figure 7 shows a sixth embodiment. The pusher 100 further comprises a payout mechanism 702 capable of receiving signals from the controller 118. The payout mechanism 702 is connected to the coin collection box 114 and coins may be passed from the payout mechanism 702 to the coin collection box 114.

In the embodiment of Figure 7, the payout is controlled by the payout mechanism 702, which is in turn controlled by the controller 118. When more than (for example) fifteen playing pieces fall from the surface at one time, the controller may alter the conversion rate between the number of playing pieces which fall from the surface and the value of the coins made available for collection from the coin collection box 114.

For example, if each playing piece detected falling over the winning edge generally results in lOp being paid to the player, and the payout parameter is too high, each playing piece that falls from the playing surface as a group of more than fifteen may only result in 8p being paid to the player. Alternatively, a number of playing pieces may be discounted for the purposes of calculating the award to be paid. That is not all of the paying pieces falling from the playing surface are made available to the player, and the at least one variable against which the payout is controlled comprises money paid into the machine.

The skilled person will appreciate that any one machine may incorporate more than one of the payout controlling means of Figures 2 to 7. Further, although the machine is described as controlling the payout parameter it may simply control the rate of winnings payout, or rate of losses payout (i. e. the number of playing pieces that fall from a winning/ losing edge in a predetermined period, which over the life of a machine is likely to be relatively constant whilst the machine is being played).

Other embodiments of the machine are known in which the playing pieces are coins, and the playing pieces that are fed into the slot 112 are paid directly to the player should they fall over the winning edge 20. The payout controlling means described herein would be equally applicable to such an open loop pusher.

Indeed, it is possible for the playing pieces on the playing surface to have different values. This may be achieved by marking at least one of the playing pieces with an RFID tag, which allows it to be identified, and given a different value. Such an embodiment would also be applicable to the payout controlling means described above. The skilled person would appreciate that the winning and losing playing piece counters 116,117 would need to count the value of the playing pieces rather that the number of playing pieces.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An entertainment machine arranged to provide a payout, the machine comprising a payout controlling means to control the payout, a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces and further arranged to allow playing pieces to fall therefrom, a relationship determining means arranged to determine a relationship between the payout and at least one other variable and further arranged to generate a signal, a controller arranged to receive the signal and to control the payout controlling means in order that the relationship tends towards a predetermined value.
2. An entertainment machine according to claim 1 which is arranged to allow playing pieces to fall onto the playing surface.
3. An entertainment machine according to claim 2 in which a counter is provided and arranged to count playing pieces falling onto the playing surface.
4. An entertainment machine according to claim 3 in which the number of playing pieces falling onto the playing surface provides the at least other variable.
5. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim which comprises at least one counter which is arranged to count playing pieces falling from the playing surface.
6. An entertainment machine according to claim 5 in which the or each counter is preferably capable of generating a count signal which is fed to the controller.

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7. An entertainment machine according to claim 6 in which the machine is arranged such that the count signal provides the at least one other variable.
8. An entertainment machine according to any of claims 3 to 7 in which the or each counter is arranged to determine the value of playing pieces.
9. An entertainment machine according to claim 8 in which the or each counter is arranged to pass the value of the playing pieces to the controller, and further in which the controller is arranged to influence the payout in relation to the relationship, the relationship being calculated using the value (s) of playing pieces.
10. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the at least one other variable is a ratio.
11. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the payout controlling means is arranged to influence the payout by influencing the rate at which playing pieces fall from the playing surface.
12. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which one or more walls are provided at an edge region of the playing surface, such walls defining regions of the playing surface form which playing pieces cannot fall and comprise the payout controlling means.
13. An entertainment machine according to claim 12 in which the length of the or each wall is variable.

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14. An entertainment machine according to claim 13 in which the controller is arranged, in use of the machine, to vary the length of the or each wall.
15. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which a moveable lip is provided in a region of an edge of the playing surface, said lip comprising a payout controlling means.
16. An entertainment machine according to claim 15 in which, in use of the machine the controller is arranged to control the position of the lip to influence the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface.
17. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the controller is arranged to alter the angle of the playing surface in order that, in use of the machine, the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface is influenced and the angle of the playing surface constitutes, at least in part, the payout controlling means.
18. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the playing surface is arranged to be contoured by the controlling means in order that, in use of the machine, the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from the playing surface is influenced and contouring the slope constitutes, at least in part, the payout controlling means.
19. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the playing surface is provided with one or more protrusions, said machine being further arranged such that the controller is arranged to alter at least one of the following: the angle; the extent of protrusions

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such that, in use of the machine, the rate at which the playing pieces move across the playing surface is affected and that thereby the rate at which the playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface is influenced, the protrusions thereby constituting, at least in part, the payout controlling means.
20. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the controller may be arranged to control the motion of the pusher such that, in use of the machine the rate at which playing pieces are arranged to fall from said playing surface is influenced and the control of the pusher constitutes, at least in part, the payout controlling means.
21. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the payout controlling means is controlled by one or more of the following: motors; pneumatics; hydraulics, which are arranged to be controlled by the controller
22. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim which further comprises a payout mechanism capable of generating a payout.
23. An entertainment machine according to claim 22 in which the controller is arranged to control the payout mechanism such that it generates a payout of a predetermined value in relation to playing pieces falling from the playing surface.
24. An entertainment machine according to claim 23 in which the predetermined value is determined by the processing circuitry and the method for determining the determined value varies in order that a relationship between the number of playing pieces falling into the playing surface and the machine payout tends towards the predetermined

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relationship, the payout mechanism constituting, at least in part, the payout controlling means.
25. An entertainment machine according to claim 23 or claim 24 in which the predetermined value may generally be calculated using a first method but may be calculated using a second method when at least a predetermined number of playing pieces are caused to fall from the playing surface.
26. An entertainment machine according to any of claims 23 to 25 as they depend from claim 5, in which the predetermined value is determined using the number of playing pieces that have been caused to fall from the playing surface.
27. An entertainment machine according to any of claims 23 to 25 as they depend from claim 8 in which the predetermined value is determined using the value of playing pieces that have been caused to fall from the playing surface.
28. An entertainment machine according to any of claims 23 to 27 in which the predetermined value is determined using a first method when the relationship between the number of playing pieces falling onto the playing surface and the payout is roughly the predetermined relationship and by a second or further method when the relationship is significantly different from the predetermined relationship.
29. An entertainment machine according to any of claims 23 to 28 in which the predetermined value is determined using the difference between the relationship and the predetermined relationship.

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30. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim, which further comprises a dispenser arranged to dispense playing pieces onto the playing surface.
31. An entertainment machine according to claim 30 which further comprises a transfer means arranged to transfer playing pieces that have fallen from the playing surface to the dispensing means.
32. An entertainment machine according to claim 31 in which the playing surface, the transfer means, the counter and the dispenser constitute a closed loop in which playing pieces are recirculated.
33. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the controller is arranged to provide periods in which the payout is increased relative to other periods.
34. An entertainment machine according to claim 37 which is provided with a display means to indicate that the machine is operating in a period in which the payout has been increased.
35. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim which further comprises a pusher arranged to periodically disturb playing pieces arranged on said playing surface.
36. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the playing surface comprises at least one winning edge over which playing pieces can fall.
37. An entertainment machine according to any preceding claim in which the machine comprises at least one losing edge over which playing pieces can fall.

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38. A method of controlling an entertainment machine arranged to provide a payout and having a playing surface arranged to support one or more playing pieces such that playing pieces can fall therefrom, the method comprising determining a relationship between the payout and at least one other variable and controlling the payout such that the relationship tends toward a predetermined value.
39. An entertainment machine substantially as described herein and as illustrated in the accompanying Figures 1 to 6.
40. A method of controlling the payout of an entertainment machine substantially as described herein and as illustrated in Figures I to 6.