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(11)

EP 0 956 542 A2

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(43) Date of publication: 17.11.1999 Bulletin 1999/46 (21) Application number: 97936020.0 (22) Date of filing: 27.06.1997

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  G07D 3/ 00( . ) G07D 3/ 12( . ) G07D 5/ 00( . ) G07D 9/ 00( . ) G07D 3/ 06( . ) G07D 3/ 14( . ) G07D 5/ 08( . ) G07F 5/ 24( . ) (86) International application number: PCT/US1997/011174 (87) International publication number: WO 1998/000813 (08.01.1998 Gazette 1998/01)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE (30) Priority: 28.06.1996 US 19960672639 24.02.1997 US 19970807046 (60) Divisional application: 05025871.4 / 1646014 (60) Divisional application: 05025872.2 / 1646015 (71) Applicant: COINSTAR, INC. Bellevue, WA 98006 (US)

(72) Inventors: MARTIN, Doug Woodinville, WA 98272 (US) CANNON, Larry Bothell, WA 98011 (US) WAECHTER, Mark Seattle, WA 98103 (US) BERH , Rodrigo Seattle, WA 98112 (US) EVERHART, Daniel Edmonds, WA 98026 (US) BLUMBERG, Robert Seattle, WA 98102 (US) LEONARD, Paul Kirkland, WA 98033 (US) GERMANY, Cheryl Bellevue, WA 98005 (US) GERRITY, Dan Bellevue, WA 98006 (US) PHILLIPS, Alan, C. Los Altos, CA 94024 (US) NEUBARTH, Stuart, K. Mountain View, CA 94040 (US) (74) Representative: Jehan, Robert, et al  Williams, Powell & Associates, 4 St Paul's Churchyard London EC4M 8AY London EC4M 8AY (GB)