Entertainment machine
An entertainment machine ( 100 ), for example a pusher-type entertainment machine is provided with one or more special features. These special features may be taken from the following examples: using in the machine ( 100 ) a playing piece ( 40, 40 i ) for which higher awards are made when compared to other playing pieces ( 40, 40 i ); using in the machine( 100 ) playing pieces ( 40, 40 i ) of variable appearance; using in the machine( 100 ) playing pieces ( 40, 40 i ) which may be locatable within the machine( 100 ); providing the machine ( 100 ) with a mechanism to detect when it may be unattractive to the prospective players thereof and a mechanism to allow it to introduce further playing pieces into the field of play at that time; providing the machine ( 100 ) with a payout controlling mechanism, which may be arranged to keep the percentage payout of the machine within predetermined limits; providing a prize dispenser arranged to dispense non-monetary prizes.
1. A pusher-type entertainment machine comprising a surface arranged to support playing pieces including first playing piece and at least one second playing piece wherein said at least one second playing piece is discernible from said at least one first playing piece, said surface having at least one edge over which playing pieces pass, and a playing piece detection means arranged to detect at least first playing pieces within said playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface and further arranged to distinguish between the first playing pieces and the second playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
2. The machine according to claim 1 which further comprises at least one prize dispensing means arranged to dispense a first prize when said playing piece detection means detects a predetermined number of said first playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
3. The machine according to claim 2 in which said at least one prize dispensing means is arranged to dispense a second prize when said playing piece detection means detects a predetermined number of said second playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
4. The machine according to claim 1 in which said playing piece detection means is arranged to monitor at least one of the following properties of playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface: colour of said playing pieces, material from which said playing pieces are constructed, presence of a tag associated with said playing pieces, dimensions of said playing pieces.
5. A pusher-type entertainment machine containing at least a plurality of first and a plurality of second playing pieces discernible from one another, said machine comprising a surface arranged to support said first and said second playing pieces and having an edge over which playing pieces pass and a playing piece detection means arranged to detect at least said first playing pieces within playing pieces passing over the edge of said surface and further arranged to distinguish between the first playing pieces and the second playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
6. The machine according to claim 5 in which said playing piece detection means is arranged to detect said second playing pieces within playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
7. The machine according to claim 6 which further comprises a prize dispensing means arranged to dispense a first level of prize when the playing piece detection means detects a predetermined number of said first playing pieces, and a second level of prize when the playing piece detection means detects a predetermined number of said second playing pieces.
8. A method for increasing player appeal of a pusher-type entertainment machine comprising the steps of providing a surface arranged to support at least one playing piece, said surface having at least one edge over which playing pieces pass, providing at least one first and at least one second playing piece, wherein said at least one first playing piece is discernible from said at least one second playing piece and said method further comprises detecting at least said first playing pieces within said playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface and distinguishing between the first playing pieces and the second playing pieces passing over the at least one edge of said surface.
9. The method of claim 8 which further comprises providing further types of playing pieces in addition to said at least one first and at least one second playing pieces, identifying the type of playing piece and providing a prize dispenser which dispenses a predetermined level of prize for each type of playing piece passing over the at least one edge of said surface.