Machine learning controller for prize dispensing entertainment machines

A machine learning controller for a machine, comprising:

• teaching the machine learning controller about a prize to be dispensed;
• a grabber teach option is selected from a user interface;
• a desired toy is placed manually into a grabber, and teaching begins;
• a strength required to hold a toy is monitored by the machine;
• the strength required to hold the desired toy is based on a measured force sufficient to hold the desired toy;
• when the desired toy falls through a toy detector, the machine stores how much force was recorded just before it dropped;
• and
• one or more measurements from the toy detector are used to control one or more operator parameters of the machine;
• a machine learning algorithm, automatically populating one or more initial values for a control algorithm;
• and
• as a prize toy is dispensed from the machine, the machine will change its settings automatically to maintain a desired profit margin;
• the machine is now configured;
• the machine waits for a new game to start, by insertion of payment means;
• once payment is registered, a new game starts and the grabber is positioned over the desired prizes;
• once the grabber is in physical contact with the desired prize toys, a grabber power control algorithm is executed;
• the grabber power control algorithm is executed according to the following steps, resulting in a ramp rate of the holding force being decreased under the control of an internal control system controlling game difficulty by controlling a change of value of force with regards to time, rather than the force itself, in a continuous manner, effectively varying a time required to ramp from a full strength to a weaker strength;
• a. the grabber actuates with sufficient force to grab and hold the prize toy;
• b. the grabber force ramps down by one power step;
• c. the grabber power control algorithm waits a pseudorandom short interval;
• d. steps b and c repeat until the grabber is over a prize dispensing means;
• e. the grabber is released;
• and
• f. the desired prize toy, if still in the grabber when opened, falls by a prize detector.