JP2015208069A - Function expansion device and charging system for function expansion device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a function extension device, extending the function of a mobile information terminal with reduced power consumption, and a charging system for the same device.SOLUTION: A control unit 19 inputs to a mobile information terminal 3 information acquired from a sensor unit 17. A storage battery 21 supplies power to the control unit 19 and the sensor unit 17. Switching means 27 is disposed between the sensor unit 17 and the storage battery 21, and the open and close of the switching means 27 is controlled by the control unit 19. The control unit 19, when not acquiring information from the sensor unit 17, controls the switching means 27 to the open state, so that power supply to the sensor unit 17 is intercepted. This enables the reduction of the power consumption of a function extension device 1.

Description

  The present invention relates to a peripheral device used by being connected to a mobile information terminal, and a system for charging the device.

  As one of peripheral devices that are used by being connected to a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone, a function expansion device that can expand the function of the mobile information terminal is known. Patent Document 1 describes an optical information reader including a mobile information terminal, a barcode reader terminal that is a function expansion device, and a cradle for connecting the mobile information terminal and the barcode reader terminal. A scan request is transmitted from the application incorporated in the mobile information terminal to the barcode reader terminal. Based on this request, the barcode reader terminal reads the barcode symbol and inputs the acquired symbol information to the mobile information terminal. The application of the mobile information terminal acquires symbol information and provides various services.

  This optical information reader is a portable device, and each of the mobile information terminal and the barcode reader terminal has a built-in storage battery. Each storage battery is connected to each other via a power converter and a voltage converter built in the cradle. The CPU in the barcode reader terminal supplies power from a storage battery with a large remaining capacity to a storage battery with a small remaining capacity by comparing the remaining capacity information of each storage battery and controlling the voltage converter. For this reason, both storage batteries are consumed on average, and the optical information reader operates until both storage batteries are consumed.

  However, this optical information reader requires a voltage converter having an output voltage adjustment unit and an input voltage adjustment unit in order to enable power supply between the terminals. And the electric power for functioning this voltage converter is needed, and the power consumption as the whole apparatus will increase.

JP 2004-102403 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a function expansion device with reduced power consumption and a charging system for the function expansion device.

The function expansion device of the present invention is connected to a mobile information terminal, and has a sensor unit, and is connected to the mobile information terminal and the sensor so as to communicate with each other, and inputs information acquired from the sensor to the mobile information terminal. A control unit having a control unit; a storage battery that supplies power to the sensor unit and the control unit; a charge control unit that controls charging of the storage battery; and the mobile information terminal and the charge control unit by branching external power A switching unit that is interposed between the storage battery and the sensor unit and controlled by the control unit,
The control means causes the switching means to supply power from the storage battery to the sensor unit when acquiring the information from the sensor, and to supply power from the storage battery to the sensor unit when not acquiring the information from the sensor. It is characterized by blocking.

  The control means of the function expansion device of the present invention is characterized in that it is in a power saving state when it is not communicating with the mobile information terminal and the sensor.

  The function expansion device of the present invention receives the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal side, compares the level of the voltage level of the external power with respect to a reference voltage level, and based on the comparison, A comparison unit that generates a control signal for controlling the charge control unit and outputs the control signal to the charge control unit, wherein the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal in the comparison is higher than the reference voltage level; When it is low, the charging control unit is controlled to reduce a charging current to the storage battery.

A charging system of the present invention includes the function expansion device, a power supply device that supplies the external power to the function expansion device, and a connector that electrically connects the function expansion device and the power supply device,
The connector includes a surface contact unit provided on one of the function expansion device or the power supply device, and a protruding contact unit provided on the other side of the function expansion device or the power supply device and facing the surface contact unit when connected. And having
The surface contact unit includes an exposed circular contact, an annular contact formed concentrically and on the same surface as the circular contact, and disposed around the circular contact; A magnet that is coaxial with the circular contact and disposed on the opposite side of the exposed side of the circular contact;
The protruding contact unit includes one contact that is exposed and protrudes toward the circular contact, another contact that is exposed and protrudes toward the annular contact, and the circular contact It is coaxial with the contact, is disposed on the opposite side of the exposed side of the one contact, and has another magnet that attracts the one magnet and attracts each other.

  The power supply device includes a storage battery that stores power to be supplied to the function expansion device, and a charge control unit that charges the storage battery with power from an external power source.

  In the function expansion device of the present invention, the storage battery and the sensor unit are connected via switching means. The switching means is controlled so that the power of the storage battery is not supplied to the sensor unit when the control means and the sensor are not communicating. For this reason, the power consumption of the sensor unit can be eliminated before and after the function expansion device is functioned, such as when only the mobile information terminal is operated. Therefore, the power consumption of the function expansion device is reduced. In addition, since the power consumption is reduced, the charging time can be shortened.

  In the charging system of the function expansion device of the present invention, when the surface contact unit and the protruding contact unit come close to each other during charging, the magnets of each unit attract each other. Thereby, the circular contact and the one contact are positioned coaxially. The contacts of the surface contact unit and the protruding contact unit come into contact with each other. Here, since the contact of the surface contact unit is circular and annular, the contact of the protruding contact unit can contact the annular contact even if it rotates 360 degrees around the one contact. That is, both units can be connected without directionality. Therefore, it is possible to connect to the power feeding device without worrying about the direction of the function expansion device. The function expansion device charging system of the present invention can further reduce the time and effort required for charging in the function expansion device that realizes the shortening of the charging time. Further, even when the function expansion device is frequently charged, it is possible to prevent contact damage that may occur in the plug-in charger.

It is a perspective view of the charging system of the function expansion device and function expansion device of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the charging system of the function expansion device and function expansion device of the present invention. (A) It is a top view of the charging system of the function expansion device and function expansion device of this invention. (B) It is AA sectional drawing in Fig.3 (a).

  The function expansion device of the present invention will be described. In addition, the same code | symbol shown throughout each figure shows the same or the same thing.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the function expansion device 1 of the present invention is a device that expands the function of the mobile information terminal 3. The function expansion device 1 is typically a device that is detachably attached to the mobile information terminal 3 with the display means 5 of the mobile information terminal 3 exposed and can be carried together with the mobile information terminal 3. The function expansion device 1 and the mobile information terminal 3 are connected so as to be electrically communicable via a connector 15 (FIG. 2).

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the mobile information terminal 3 includes a display unit 5 such as a liquid crystal screen provided on one surface, a control unit 7 in which an application is installed, and a power source that generates power for the control unit 7. The terminal includes a circuit 9, a storage battery 11 that supplies power to the power supply circuit 9, and a charge control unit 13 that controls charging of the storage battery 11, such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or a smartphone. .

  As shown in FIG. 2, the function expansion device 1 includes a sensor unit 17, a control unit 19, a storage battery 21, a charge control unit 23, a branching unit 25, and a switching unit 27.

  The sensor unit 17 includes a sensor 29. The sensor 29 is a sensor 29 that is not incorporated in the mobile information terminal 3, a sensor 29 that is more functional than a sensor that is incorporated in the mobile information terminal 3, or the like. For example, the sensor 29 is a reader / writer that reads article information stored in an RF tag attached to the article and writes information in the RF tag. The sensor 29 is not limited to a reader / writer, and may be a barcode reader that acquires symbol information by scanning a barcode symbol displayed on an article. In addition, a microphone and an amplifier circuit that amplifies the signal of the microphone may be used. The sensor unit 17 further includes a sensor power supply circuit 31 that generates power for the sensor 29 and its peripheral circuits. The input of the sensor power supply circuit 31 is connected to the storage battery 21 via switching means 27 described later, and the output is connected to the sensor 29 and power supply terminals of its peripheral circuits.

  The control unit 19 includes control means 33. The control unit 33 is communicably connected to the mobile information terminal 3 and the sensor 29 and inputs information acquired from the sensor 29 to the mobile information terminal 3. The control means 33 is typically a microprocessor, and is connected to the mobile information terminal 3 and the sensor 29 by wire. As a communication method, serial communication is typically used. The control unit 19 includes a control unit power supply circuit 35 that generates a power source for the control unit 33 and a power source for peripheral circuits. The input of the power circuit for control means 35 is connected to the storage battery 21, and the output is connected to the power terminal of the control means 33. The control means power supply circuit 35 and the sensor power supply circuit 31 are independent power supply circuits.

  The storage battery 21 supplies power to the sensor unit 17 and the control unit 19. The storage battery 21 is typically a lithium ion battery having a protection circuit that prevents overcharge and overdischarge.

  The charge control unit 23 supplies a part of external power to the storage battery 21 to charge the storage battery 21, and is, for example, a charge control IC that controls a charge current.

  The branching unit 25 branches external power and supplies it to the mobile information terminal 3 and the charging control unit 23. For example, the branching unit 25 branches one input connected to the connection connector 37 to the external power source and the input to the charging control unit 13 of the mobile information terminal 3 and the charging control unit 23 of the function expansion device 1. A circuit having two outputs connected individually. The branching unit 25 may be a circuit incorporated in the charging control IC.

  The switching means 27 is interposed between the storage battery 21 and the sensor unit 17 and is controlled by the control means 33. The switching means 27 is typically an analog switch in which the storage battery 21 is connected to the input end, the sensor power supply circuit 31 is connected to the output end, and the output of the control means 33 is connected to the control end. Alternatively, a transistor in which the storage battery 21 is connected to the emitter, the sensor power supply circuit 31 is connected to the collector, and the output of the control means 33 is connected to the base may be used.

  The switching means 27 is controlled by the control means 33 as follows. When the control means 33 does not acquire information from the sensor 29, the control means 33 controls the power supply from the storage battery 21 to the sensor unit 17 to be shut off (switch open state). On the other hand, when acquiring information from the sensor 29, the control means 33 controls the state in which power is supplied from the storage battery 21 to the sensor unit 17 (switch closed state). That is, the control means 33 controls the switching means 27 to be closed when detecting an information request signal from the control means 7 of the mobile information terminal 3. As a result, power is supplied to the sensor power supply circuit 31 and the sensor 29 becomes communicable. Next, the control means 33 performs an initial setting of the sensor 29 and causes the sensor 29 to function. Next, the control means 33 confirms the presence or absence of information with respect to the sensor 29 at a predetermined interval. If there is no information, the confirmation of the presence or absence of information is repeated. If there is information, the information is acquired from the sensor 29. The control means 33 that has acquired information from the sensor 29 by this communication controls the switching means 27 to be in an open state, and cuts off the power supply to the sensor power supply circuit 31. Then, the control unit 33 inputs the acquired information to the control unit 7 of the mobile information terminal 3.

  The function expansion device 1 of the present invention extends the function of the mobile information terminal 3 by inputting information acquired by the sensor 29 to the mobile information terminal 3. Here, in the function expansion device 1, the storage battery 21 and the sensor unit 17 are connected via the switching means 27. The switching means 27 is controlled to be in an open state by the control means 33 when the control means 33 is not acquiring information from the sensor 29. Therefore, the power consumption of the sensor unit 17 can be eliminated before and after the function expansion device 1 is made to function, such as when only the mobile information terminal 3 is operated. Therefore, the power consumption of the function expansion device 1 is reduced.

  Further, the control means 33 may be in a power saving state except when information is transferred between the mobile information terminal 3 and the sensor 29. For example, the control means 33 may be a microprocessor having a standby function. This microprocessor is set in a standby state until the information request signal is received. The microprocessor returns to the normal operation state using the information request signal as a trigger. After the information is input to the mobile information terminal 3, the standby state is set. Since the microprocessor in the standby state consumes less power, the power consumption of the function expansion device 1 is reduced.

  As described above, the function expansion device 1 of the present invention does not waste power because the control unit 33 is in a power saving state and the switching unit 27 cuts off the power supply to the sensor unit 17 except during communication. This consumes much less power than the mobile information terminal 3 such as a PDA or a smartphone having a liquid crystal panel or the like. Since the storage battery 21 on the function expansion device 1 side does not supply power to the mobile information terminal 3, the storage battery 21 having a smaller capacity than the storage battery 11 of the mobile information terminal 3 can be used, thereby reducing the product cost. Can do.

  Furthermore, the function expansion device 1 of the present invention may include the comparison unit 39, and the charging control unit 23 may control charging of the storage battery 21 in accordance with the output of the comparison unit 39. The comparison unit 39 compares the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal 3 side with the reference voltage level 40 and outputs the comparison result to the charge control unit 23. The reference voltage level 40 is a predetermined voltage level, for example, a voltage level obtained by dividing an external power supply by a predetermined resistor, or a voltage generated by a Zener diode connected to the external power supply via a resistor. Is a level. The charging control unit 23 is connected to the output of the comparison unit 39 and controls the charging current to the storage battery 21 according to this output. Specifically, in the output of the comparison unit 39, when the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal 3 side is lower than a predetermined voltage level, the charging control unit 23 reduces the charging current of the storage battery 21. . The comparison unit 39 is, for example, a comparator in which one input terminal is connected to the output terminal on the mobile information terminal 3 side of the branch unit 25 and a reference voltage is input to the other input terminal. The charge control unit 23 is, for example, a charge control IC having an FET (field-effect transistor) having the comparator therein and a gate connected to the output of the comparator, and the voltage level of the one input terminal is When the voltage level is lower than other voltage levels, the charging current for the storage battery 21 is limited. As such a charge control IC, for example, the by2407x series manufactured by TEXAS INSTRUMENTS can be used.

  The present invention including the comparison unit 39 and the charge control unit 23 has the following operations and effects. When the consumption current of the mobile information terminal 3 increases and the output voltage on the mobile information terminal 3 side of the branching unit 25 decreases, the comparison unit 39 detects a decrease in the output voltage and outputs a signal. Based on the signal from the comparison unit 39, the charging control unit 23 limits the charging current to the storage battery 21. As a result, a larger amount of current can flow through the mobile information terminal 3 side. That is, when the load on the mobile information terminal 3 increases, such as when the mobile information terminal 3 is operated while charging the storage battery 11 on the mobile information terminal 3 side having a large charge capacity, priority is given to power supply to the mobile information terminal 3. Therefore, the charging current to the storage battery 11 on the mobile information terminal 3 side with large power consumption does not decrease. On the other hand, although the charging current to the storage battery 21 of the function expansion device 1 is limited, since the power consumption of the function expansion device 1 itself is reduced as described above, there is no problem when the function expansion device 1 is used. For this reason, it is possible to achieve both charging on the mobile information terminal 3 side and charging of the function expansion device 1.

  Next, the charging system 41 of the function expansion device 1 of the present invention will be described. The charging system 41 of the function expansion device 1 of the present invention is provided in the function expansion device 1, the power supply device 43, the function expansion device 1 and the power supply device 43 as shown in FIGS. And a connector 37 to be connected.

  The power feeding device 43 supplies external power to the function expansion device 1. The external power is typically power supplied from a computer USB port. The power feeding device 43 has a support surface 47 that faces the back surface 45 of the function expansion device 1 and supports the back surface 45. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the power feeding device 43 has a disk shape having an upper surface as a support surface 47. The function expansion device 1 is placed on the support surface 47.

  The function expansion device 1 and the power feeding device 43 are electrically connected via a connector 37. As shown in FIG. 3B, the connector 37 includes a surface contact unit 49 provided on the back surface 45 side of the function expansion device 1, and a protruding contact unit 51 provided on the support surface 47 side of the power feeding device 43. Have. The surface contact unit 49 and the protruding contact unit 51 have exposed surfaces 46 and 48 that face each other when connected.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the surface contact unit 49 includes a circular contact 53, a plurality of annular contacts 55, and a magnet 57. The circular contact 53 and the annular contact 55 are disposed so as to be exposed on the back surface 45 side of the function expansion device 1. The circular contact 53 is a circular contact surface arranged on the exposed surface 46 of the resin regular circular plate 59. The annular contact 55 is an annular contact surface disposed on the exposed surface 46 of the resin regular circular plate 59. A plurality of annular contacts 55 having different diameters are arranged on the same plane and concentric with the circular contact 53 with a gap. Either the circular contact 53 or the annular contact 55 is connected to the input of the branching section 25 as an external power input terminal. The other contacts are connected to the input / output terminals of the control means 33 as signal lines. The magnet 57 has a disk shape, and is arranged coaxially with the circular contact 53 and inside the circular contact 53 (on the opposite side to the exposed side of the circular contact 53).

  The protruding contact unit 51 includes a plurality of contacts 61 and a magnet 65. The contact 61 is a contact terminal that is exposed to the support surface 47 side of the power feeding device 43 and protrudes toward the circular and annular contacts 53 and 55. For example, the plurality of contacts 61 are incorporated in a resin-made round disc 63 and protrude from the exposed surface 48 thereof. The plurality of contacts 61 have one contact 61 a that contacts the circular contact 53 and a plurality of other contacts 61 b that contact each annular contact 55. Any one of the contacts 61 is in contact with an external power input terminal of the surface contact unit 49 as an external power supply terminal. In FIG. 3, a plurality of protruding contacts 61 are arranged in a line. The contacts 61 at both ends are in contact with the outermost annular contact 55 in order to maintain a contact balance with the surface contact unit 49. The magnet 65 has a disc shape, and is oriented so as to attract the magnet 57 in the surface contact unit 49 and coaxially with the circular contact 53.

  The charging system 41 of the function expansion device 1 of the present invention has the following operations and effects. When the function expanding device 1 is charged, when the surface contact unit 49 and the protruding contact unit 51 come close to each other, the magnets 57 and 65 attract each other. Thereby, the circular contact 53 and the one contact 61a are coaxially positioned. The contacts of the surface contact unit 49 and the protruding contact unit 51 come into contact with each other. Here, since the contacts 53 and 55 of the surface contact unit 49 are circular and annular, the contact 61 of the protruding contact unit 51 is in contact with the annular contact 55 even if it rotates 360 degrees around the single contact 61a. Is possible. That is, both units 49 and 51 can be connected without directionality. Therefore, the power supply device 43 can be connected without worrying about the direction of the function expansion device 1. The charging system 41 of the function expansion device 1 of the present invention can further reduce the time and effort required for charging in the function expansion device 1 that realizes the shortening of the charging time. Further, even when the function expansion device is frequently charged, it is possible to prevent contact damage that may occur in the plug-in charger.

  In FIG. 3, the surface contact unit 49 is provided on the function expansion device 1 side and the protruding contact unit 51 is provided on the power feeding device 43 side. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the protruding contact unit 51 on the function expansion device 1 side. The surface contact unit 49 may be provided in the power feeding device 43.

  Furthermore, the power feeding device 43 may include a storage battery 67 and a charge control unit 69. The storage battery 67 stores electric power to be supplied to the function expansion device 1, and is connected to an external power supply terminal of the protruding contact unit 51. Thereby, the electric power charged in the storage battery 67 is supplied to the function expansion device 1 and the mobile information terminal 3 through the connector 37. Note that the capacity of the storage battery 67 is preferably the sum of the capacity of the storage battery 21 of the function expansion device 1 and the storage battery 11 of the mobile information terminal 3. Thereby, both the storage batteries 11 and 21 can be fully charged by one electric power feeding. The charge control unit 69 charges the storage battery 67 with electric power obtained from an external power supply, and is a charge control IC that controls a charge current, for example. The charging control unit 69 has an input side connected to an external power source via a detachable cable, and an output side connected to the storage battery 67. Since the power supply device 43 stores external power in the storage battery 67, power can be supplied even in a place without an external power source. In addition, power can be supplied simultaneously while using the mobile information terminal 3 and the function expansion device 1.

  As described above, the function expansion device 1 and the charging system 41 of the function expansion device 1 have been described. However, the present invention has been variously improved, modified, and modified based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Embodiments can be implemented, and all of these embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, the comparison unit of the function expansion device 1 is not limited to a comparator. This comparison unit is connected to the output of the branching unit 25 on the mobile information terminal 3 side, and a voltage dividing circuit that divides this output voltage, and is connected to the output of this voltage dividing circuit, and the divided voltage is analog-digital. The analog-to-digital converter to be converted and the output of the analog-to-digital converter are connected, the digitally converted value is compared with the reference voltage level value, and when the reference voltage level value is larger, the charge control unit 23 And a comparison calculation unit in the control means 33 that outputs a signal for limiting the charging current. The reference voltage level value is a predetermined numerical value stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control means 33.

  Further, the resistor constituting the voltage dividing circuit may be a variable resistor. The voltage dividing ratio of the output voltage can be adjusted by this variable resistor. That is, when the power consumption of the sensor unit 17 is high, the variable resistor is set so that the divided voltage level becomes high. This makes it difficult for the digitally converted value to fall below the reference voltage level value. And it becomes difficult to restrict | limit the electric current of the charge control part 23, and the charge to the storage battery 21 is not restrict | limited. In this way, it is possible to distribute the charging current corresponding to the power consumption of the mobile information terminal 3 and the function expansion device 1 and the capacity of each of the storage batteries 11 and 21.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Function expansion apparatus 3 ... Mobile information terminal 5 ... Display means 7 ... Control means 9 ... Power supply circuit 11 ... Storage battery 13 of mobile information terminal ... Charge control part 15 of mobile information terminal ... Connector 17 ... Sensor part 19 ... Control part 21 ... storage battery 23 of function expansion device ... charging control unit 25 of function expansion device ... branching unit 27 ... switching means 29 ... sensor 31 ... power supply circuit for sensor 33 ... control means 35 ... power supply circuit for control means 37 ... connector 39 ... comparison part DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 41 ... Charging system 43 ... Power feeding device 45 ... Back surface 47 ... Support surface 49 ... Surface contact unit 51 ... Projection contact unit 53 ... Circular contact 55 ... Circular contact 57 ... Magnet 59 ... Round disc 61 ... Projection contact 61a ... one contact 61b ... another contact 63 ... Charging control unit of the storage battery 69 ... power feeding device of the disc 65 ... Magnet 67 ... power feeding device

Claims (5)

A function expansion device connected to a mobile information terminal,
A sensor unit having a sensor;
A control unit connected to the mobile information terminal and the sensor in a communicable manner, and having a control means for inputting information acquired from the sensor to the mobile information terminal;
A storage battery for supplying power to the sensor unit and the control unit;
A charge control unit for controlling charging of the storage battery;
A branching unit that branches external power and supplies the mobile information terminal and the charging control unit;
Switching means that is interposed between the storage battery and the sensor unit and controlled by the control means;
With
The control means causes the switching means to supply power from the storage battery to the sensor unit when acquiring the information from the sensor, and to supply power from the storage battery to the sensor unit when not acquiring the information from the sensor. The function expansion device characterized by blocking.   The function expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is in a power saving state when communication with the mobile information terminal and the sensor is not performed. A control signal for inputting the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal, comparing the voltage level of the external power with respect to a reference voltage level, and controlling the charge control unit based on the comparison A comparison unit that generates and outputs to the charge control unit,
In the comparison, when the voltage level of the external power supplied to the mobile information terminal is lower than the reference voltage level, the charging control unit is controlled to reduce the charging current to the storage battery. The function expansion device according to claim 1, wherein the function expansion device is provided. A function expansion device according to claim 1;
A power supply device for supplying the external power to the function expansion device;
A connector for electrically connecting the function expansion device and the power supply device,
The connector is
A surface contact unit provided on one of the function expansion device or the power supply device;
A protruding contact unit that is provided on the other side of the function expansion device or the power feeding device and faces the surface contact unit at the time of connection;
The surface contact unit is
An exposed circular contact, an annular contact formed concentrically and on the same surface as the circular contact, and arranged around the circular contact, and coaxial with the circular contact A magnet disposed on the opposite side to the exposed side of the circular contact,
The protruding contact unit is
One contact exposed and projecting toward the circular contact; another contact exposed and projecting toward the annular contact; and coaxial with the circular contact. A charging system for a function expansion device, comprising: the one magnet disposed on a side opposite to the exposed side of the one contact, and the other magnet attracting each other. The power supply device
A storage battery for storing electric power to be supplied to the function expansion device;
A charge control unit for charging the storage battery with power from an external power source;
The charging system of the function expansion device according to claim 4, comprising:

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