JP2004203418A - Service station system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service station system for reliably performing treatment when a card is stuffed. <P>SOLUTION: When a plate-like storage medium is inserted in an insertion port of a read-writer, a control means records the use start data in the plate-like storage medium before filling oil and recording the balance in the plate-like storage medium. Before the plate-like storage medium is returned from the insertion port of the read-writer, the use end data is recorded in the plate-like storage medium after filling oil and recording the balance. A discrimination means to discriminate whether or not the use start data and/or the use end data is recorded in the previous use based on the read start data and/or end data is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates mainly to a self-service type gas station system.
[0002]
[Prior art and its disadvantages]
In general, a read / write unit that reads and writes a magnetic card performs reading and writing by reciprocating the card a plurality of times, as shown in FIGS. In many self-service type gas station systems, the refueling device is provided with the above-mentioned lead writer so that a prepaid card or a rewrite card can be used.
[0003]
Since the refueling device is installed outdoors, dust and foreign matter enter the lead writer, which causes a card to be clogged. In addition, since refueling takes several minutes, the transport of the card is stopped for several minutes, so that the card is easily clogged in the reader / writer.
[0004]
When the card is clogged, the reader / writer is opened and the card is taken out. However, if the card is jammed before writing the balance on the card, there is a discrepancy between the balance recorded on the card and the actual balance. Such a discrepancy is an important issue that can lead to gas station credit problems.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reliably perform processing after a card jam has occurred.
[0006]
Means and effects for solving the problem
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is a refueling station system including a plurality of refueling devices having a refueling pump, a flow meter for measuring a refueling amount, and a refueling nozzle for refueling, A refueling schedule information inputting means for inputting refueling schedule information including a refueling amount or a refueling amount; a read writer for reading and rewriting the balance of the plate-shaped storage medium; and When inserted from before, before refueling, and before recording the balance in the plate-shaped storage medium, the start data of use is recorded in the plate-shaped storage medium, the plate-shaped storage medium of the lead writer Control means for recording the end-of-use data on the plate-shaped storage medium after refueling and after recording the balance before being returned from the insertion slot; and read start data and / or end data. Based on the data, in the previous use, characterized by comprising determining means for starting the data and / or end data it is determined whether or not recorded, the.
[0007]
When refueling, first, a plate-shaped storage medium (hereinafter, simply referred to as a “card”) is inserted from a card insertion slot of a reader / writer. After the recorded content is read by the reader / writer in the inserted card, start data is written. Thereafter, by performing a predetermined operation from the input means or the like, refueling is performed according to the refueling schedule information. When refueling is performed, refueling data corresponding to the refueling is stored in the storage unit, and after refueling, data such as a balance corresponding to the refueling is recorded on the card, and end data is recorded on the card.
[0008]
Now, after the start data is recorded on the card and before the end data is recorded on the card, if the card is jammed in the reader / writer, a card jam is displayed, and the service person at the gas station reads the reader / writer. Open and remove the card. The serviceman inserts the removed card into the reader / writer again, and if the end data is not written, the card is returned from the insertion slot, and it is known that there is a discrepancy between the refueling content and the balance according to the refueling content. Can be. Thereafter, the serviceman sets the abnormal mode, and the recorded content of the card is rewritten based on the content stored in the storage unit.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
overall structure:
As shown in FIG. 1A, the self-service type gas station system includes, for example, one management device 20 and a plurality of fuel devices 10 i. The refueling device 10i is connected to the management device 20 via an interface (not shown).
As described later, the customer performs refueling after inserting a prepaid card or money into the refueling device 10i, and receives a prepaid card, change, or the like returned from the refueling device 10i after the refueling.
The management device 20 manages the refueling device 10i, and is composed of, for example, a personal computer.
[0010]
Refueling device:
The refueling device 10i shown in FIG. 2 includes a control unit including a microcomputer (microcomputer) 11, for example. The microcomputer 11 is connected to a refueling display 12, a currency discriminating means 13, a card reader / writer 14, a slip issuing means 15, a change issuing machine 16, a refueling machine control means 18, and a setting unit 19 via an interface (not shown). ing.
[0011]
The microcomputer 11 controls the devices connected to the microcomputer 11 and performs various calculations, and includes a CPU (determination means) 11a, a storage unit 11b, and a timer 11c for measuring time.
[0012]
FIG. 3 is a front view of the fueling device 10i. As shown in FIG. 3, the setting section 19 is provided with a display unit 17 composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and an input unit 19k composed of, for example, a numeric keypad. The display means 17 displays various status displays and operation procedures as described later. The setting switch 19k is a switch for inputting refueling schedule information including an oil type, a refueling amount or a refueling amount, and constitutes refueling schedule information input means.
[0013]
The lubricator control means 18 in FIG. 2 is connected to a lubricating device including a lubricator 18b and a lubricating nozzle 18a for oil types of "regular", "high octane" and "light oil", for example. Each refueling machine 18b is provided with a refueling pump and a flow meter for measuring the refueling amount, and is connected to the refueling nozzle 18a.
The refueling machine control means 18 controls the refueling machine 18b, enables refueling from a refueling nozzle 18a of a predetermined oil type according to the refueling schedule information, and counts the amount of refueling.
The refueling indicator 12 is, for example, a liquid crystal display device, and displays the amount of refueling supplied from the refueling nozzle 18a.
[0014]
The CPU 11a includes, in addition to the cash mode in which fuel is supplied with cash, a normal mode in which fuel is supplied using the card 3, and an abnormal mode in which the card 3 jammed in the reader / writer 14 performs post-processing described later. I have.
[0015]
The card reader / writer 14 reads, rewrites, and prints the prepaid card (plate-shaped storage medium) 3 shown in FIG. 4 in the normal mode. As shown in FIG. 5, the reader / writer 14 includes a print head 14b and a magnetic head 14c above and below the card transport path. The card 3 has a magnetic recording surface 30 shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b) and a print area on the back surface shown in FIG. 4 (c). Is inserted into the lead writer 14. The reader / writer 14 is provided with a transport device including rollers and belts (not shown). When the card 3 is inserted from the card insertion slot 14a (FIG. 3), the reader / writer 14 repeats the card 3 in the left-right direction in FIG. The card 3 is passed above and below the heads 14b and 14c while being transported, and reading, rewriting, and printing on the card 3 are performed.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, a magnetic recording surface 30 is provided on one surface of the card 3. The magnetic recording surface 30 is provided with a refueling information area 30A and a flag area 30B. In the refueling information area 30A, refueling data including a card No., a balance (deposit amount), a use date, a time, a refueling amount, an oil type, and the like are recorded. The use date is the date when refueling was performed, and is calculated based on time measurement information from the timer 11c at the time of refueling described later. The balance is a value obtained by subtracting the purchase amount from the prepaid amount that has been paid in advance.
Each time refueling is performed using the card 3, the previous refueling data recorded in the refueling information area 30A is erased and rewritten (overwritten) with new information.
[0017]
On the other hand, the flag area 30B is provided at the head of the insertion direction X1 of the card 3, and is rewritten to one of the end data “1” or the start data “0” at a predetermined timing.
When the card 3 is inserted from the card insertion slot 14a, the data in the flag area 30B is rewritten to the start data shown in FIG. 4B before refueling and before recording the balance on the card 3.
On the other hand, before the card 3 is returned from the card insertion slot 14a, after refueling and after recording the balance, the data in the flag area 30B is rewritten to the end data shown in FIG.
Therefore, when the card is not clogged and the refueling ends normally, the end data is recorded in the flag area 30B of the card 3 returned from the card insertion slot 14a.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 4C, a print area is provided on the other surface of the card 3. In the print area, the use date, the input amount, the balance, the message, and the like are sequentially printed. In the print area, n times of printing can be performed with a maximum of n times of refueling.
[0019]
The upper lid 14d of the lead writer 14 shown in FIG. 5 (h) is openable and closable. When the card 3 is jammed in the reader / writer 14, the upper lid 14d can be opened and the card 3 can be taken out. It is.
[0020]
The microcomputer 11 of FIG. 2 attaches a card number and a slip number (identification information) to the refueling data every time the refueling is performed, and transmits the data to the management device 20 (FIG. 1).
The slip issuing means 15 issues a delivery note or a receipt from the slip discharge port 15a.
[0021]
The money discriminating means 13 is for discriminating a bill inserted from the bill insertion slot 13a (FIG. 3), and determines the type and the number (number) of bills.
The change issuing machine 16 repays change mainly in the cash mode, and has a change payout port 16a (FIG. 3).
[0022]
Refueling method:
First, the normal mode will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the operation diagrams of FIGS. 5 and 6 as appropriate.
[0023]
Normal mode:
In step S1, when the customer inserts the card 3 into the card insertion slot 14a (FIG. 5A), as shown in FIG. 5B, the card 3 is conveyed toward the front (rear direction) X1. Proceed to step S2.
In step S2, the magnetic head 14c of FIG. 5C reads the information recorded on the magnetic recording surface 30 of the card 3 during the transport, and proceeds to step S3A.
[0024]
In step S3A, it is determined whether or not the inserted card 3 is a card that can be used in this apparatus. That is, in step S2, if the record information cannot be read from the card 3, or if the read record information is different from the information used in the present apparatus, the process proceeds to step S15, and the card 3 is inserted into the card insertion port 14a. (FIG. 6 (o)). In other cases, the CPU 11a stores the refueling data read from the refueling information area 30A in the storage unit 11b, and then proceeds to step S3B.
[0025]
In step S3B, it is determined whether or not the data recorded in the flag area 30B of FIGS. 4A and 4B is end data “1”. As shown in FIG. 4A, when the end data is recorded in the flag area 30B, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the start data “0” is recorded, the process proceeds to step S15, and the card 3 is returned from the card insertion slot 14a.
[0026]
Here, the start data is written before refueling and before recording the balance on the card 3 as described above. On the other hand, the end data is written after refueling and after recording the balance. Therefore, when the end data is not recorded on the card 3 (that is, when only the start data is written), there is a discrepancy between the refueling data recorded on the card 3 and the actual refueling content. It is determined that there is suspicion. Therefore, when returning the card 3 from the card insertion slot 14a, the display means 17 indicates that "the recorded content of the card is abnormal. After setting the abnormal mode, insert the card and perform the correction process." Is preferably displayed.
[0027]
Write start data;
In step S4, as shown in FIG. 5 (d), the card 3 conveyed toward the front X1 is reversed in the reverse direction, and as shown in FIG. 5 (e), the rear (in the direction of the card insertion port 14a) X2 Conveyed toward. During the transfer, the magnetic head 14c rewrites the data in the flag area 30B (FIG. 3B) of the card 3 with the start data “0”, and proceeds to step S5.
In step S5, as shown in FIG. 5 (f), the card 3 conveyed to the rear X2 is conveyed after being inverted to the front X1. During the conveyance, as shown in FIG. 5G, after the magnetic head 14c reads the information recorded on the magnetic recording surface 30, the card 3 is stopped at the stop position P1 in FIG. 5H. The CPU 11a checks the read information against the information written in step S4 (performs a data check), and proceeds to step S6. In the data check, if the two pieces of information are different from each other, it is determined that a writing error has occurred, and the process returns to the previous step to perform writing again.
[0028]
In step S6, the balance read out from the card 3 by the CPU 11a is displayed on the display means 17, and the process proceeds to step S7.
In step S7, when the customer performs a predetermined operation using the setting switch 19k to set and input the refueling schedule information, the CPU 11a stores the refueling schedule information in the storage unit 11b, and proceeds to step S8.
[0029]
In step S8, when the customer takes the refueling nozzle 18a, a nozzle switch for starting a pump (not shown) is turned ON, and refueling is enabled.
In step S9, the refueling machine control means 18 discharges a predetermined amount of fuel from the refueling nozzle 18a of the oil type according to the refueling schedule information, counts the refueling amount, and proceeds to step S10. On the other hand, the refueling indicator 12 updates and displays the amount of oil being supplied at any time.
When refueling is completed in step S10 and the nozzle 18a is returned to the original position, the nozzle switch is turned off, the pump is stopped, and the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, the CPU 11a calculates a purchase amount from the refueling amount, and calculates a new balance by subtracting the purchase amount from the balance (prepaid amount). On the other hand, the CPU 11a calculates the use date and time based on the time measurement information from the timer 11c. The CPU 11a associates the use date, time, and time with the current refueling amount, purchase amount, and new balance, and stores the new refueling data in the storage unit 11b.
[0030]
Write end data;
In step S11, the card 3 stopped at the stop position P1 (FIG. 5 (h)) until the refueling is completed is transported toward the rear X2 as shown in FIG. As a result, the recorded content of the flag area 30B is rewritten with the new refueling data, and the flag area 30B is overwritten with the end data “1”, and the process proceeds to step S12.
As shown in FIG. 4A, the flag area 30B is provided at the top of the card 3 in the insertion direction X1. As described above, since the card 3 is recorded while being transported to the rear X2, the end data is written after writing new refueling data.
[0031]
In step S12, as shown in FIG. 6 (j), the card 3 is transported while being inverted forward X1. During the transport, the magnetic head 14c records on the magnetic recording surface 30 as shown in FIG. 6 (k). The read information is read, the CPU 11a performs a data check, and proceeds to step S13.
In step S13, as shown in FIG. 6 (l), the card 3 is inverted to the rear X2, and as shown in FIG. 6 (m), the print head 14b puts the current refueling data (FIG. c)) is printed, and the process proceeds to step S14.
In step S14, as shown in FIGS. 6 (n) and 6 (O), the card 3 is further conveyed toward the back X2 and returned from the card insertion slot 14a.
[0032]
Abnormal mode;
Next, a case where the card is jammed will be described.
When the card is clogged, a warning message such as "The card is clogged. Call a service person" is displayed on the display means 17. The serviceman at the gas station called by the customer opens the top cover 14d (FIG. 5 (h)) of the lead writer 14, and takes out the jammed card 3. After closing the upper cover 14d, the serviceman performs a predetermined operation to set the CPU 11a to the abnormal mode. When the CPU 11a displays the message "Refueling is not printed, press the print button." Is displayed. The serviceman checks the print area of the card 3 taken out, and if the print content relating to the current refueling is not printed, presses a predetermined print button and then removes the card jammed in the reader / writer 14 into the card. It is inserted again into the insertion opening 14a.
[0033]
Hereinafter, the abnormal mode will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In step S20, when the service person inserts the card 3 into the card insertion slot 14a (FIG. 5A), as shown in FIG. 5B, the card 3 is transported toward the front (rear direction) X1. Proceed to step S21.
In step S21, the magnetic head 14c shown in FIG. 5C reads the recording information recorded on the magnetic recording surface 30 of the card 3 during the transport, and the process proceeds to step S22.
[0034]
In step S22, it is determined whether or not the inserted card 3 is a card that can be used in this apparatus. If the card 3 cannot be used in this apparatus, the process proceeds to step S26, and the card 3 is returned from the card insertion slot 14a (FIG. 6 (o)). Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S23.
[0035]
In step S23, the CPU 11a checks the card number read from the card 3 against the card number of the last refueling data stored in the storage unit 11b of the refueling device 10i. If the two card numbers match, the process proceeds to step S24. If the card numbers are different from each other, the process proceeds to step S26, and the card 3 is returned.
[0036]
In step S24, as shown in FIG. 9, four types of processing are performed based on the recording information.
Process No. 1 (previous card data + end data);
When the card 3 is clogged in the steps of FIGS. 5A to 5D, the last refueling data is recorded in the refueling information area 30A, and the end data is recorded in the flag area 30B. I have. Therefore, in such a case, the CPU 11a determines that the card is clogged before the refueling is performed, and returns the card 3 from the card insertion slot 14a to the customer without rewriting or printing the data. On the other hand, the CPU 11a causes the display means 17 to display a message such as "Please refuel from the beginning."
[0037]
Process No. 2 (previous card data + start data);
When the card 3 is clogged in the steps of FIGS. 5E to 5H, while the previous refueling data is recorded in the refueling information area 30A, the start data is recorded in the flag area 30B. I have.
Here, as described above, since the card 3 is stopped at the stop position P1 from the start to the completion of refueling, card clogging occurs after the transport of the card 3 after refueling (FIG. 6 (i)). It is. Therefore, in such a case, the CPU 11a determines that the card is clogged after the refueling is completed, and that the refueling content does not match the recorded content of the card, and new refueling data (actually refueling data) is stored in the storage unit 11b. The refueling data is read out, the new refueling data is updated and recorded in the refueling information area 30A, and the end data “1” is recorded in the flag area 30B.
On the other hand, regardless of whether or not the print button has been touched, the card 3 is returned to the customer after the printing corresponding to the current refueling is performed in the printing area based on the refueling data.
The display means 17 displays a message such as "New refueling data has been recorded."
[0038]
The new refueling data stored in the storage unit 11b is stored until the next normal mode step S8 (FIG. 7), and is deleted when the nozzle switch of the refueling nozzle 18a is turned on, and is updated to the next refueling data. It is memorized.
[0039]
Process No. 3 (new card data + end data + print button ON);
When the card 3 is clogged in the steps of FIGS. 6 (i) to 6 (l), new refueling data is recorded in the refueling information area 30A and end data is recorded in the flag area 30B.
Here, as described above, writing to the flag area 30B is performed after writing to the refueling information area 30A. Therefore, if end data is recorded in the flag area 30B, it is determined that new refueling data is recorded in the refueling information area 30A written before the flag area 30B.
On the other hand, in such a case, if the print button is touched, the CPU 11a determines that printing corresponding to the current refueling has not been performed, and performs printing corresponding to the current refueling on the print area. Return the card 3.
The display means 17 displays a message such as "New refueling information is printed."
[0040]
Process No. 4 (new card data + end data + print button OFF);
When the card 3 is clogged in the steps of FIGS. 5 (m) to 5 (o), the refueling data of the current refueling is recorded in the refueling information area 30A, and the end data is recorded in the flag area 30B. In such a case, if the print button is not touched, the CPU 11a completes refueling, writes new refueling data corresponding to the refueling, and prints corresponding to the current refueling. Is returned to the customer without rewriting and printing the data on the card 3.
The display means 17 displays a message indicating that the post-processing has been completed normally.
[0041]
After the post-processing, when the serviceman removes the card 3 from the card insertion slot 14a, the process proceeds to step S25, where a new balance is displayed on the display unit 17, the abnormal mode ends, and the normal mode starts.
[0042]
In the above-described embodiment, the determination is made based on whether only one of the start data and the end data is recorded. However, as shown in FIG. May be provided with data areas 30C and 30D in which start data and end data are recorded, and post-processing may be performed based on the values of both data. For example, the value of the start data and the value of the end data are incremented each time refueling is performed, and when the values of both data are the same value (FIG. 10C), it is determined that new refueling data has been normally written. The determination may be made. The data may be the number of times of printing on a print area.
[0043]
When the card 3 is inserted into a refueling device different from the refueling device 10i in which the card 3 is clogged, refueling data corresponding to the card No. is received from the management device 20 to the refueling device. Post-processing may be performed.
[0044]
Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (b), one or more elements of the display 12, the money discriminating means 13, the lead writer 14, and the slip issuing means 15 may be provided for each refueling device 10Ai. May be provided separately from the refueling device 10Ai.
Further, as the card 3, a rewritable card whose print surface can be rewritten may be used.
[0045]
In the apparatus having the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 on both sides, only one change issuing machine 16 is provided, and one change issuing machine 16 issues changes to the change issuing ports 16a provided on both sides. It may be.
Further, instead of providing the change issuing machine 16 for each refueling device 10i, a change voucher is issued from the refueling device 10i, and recorded on the change voucher from a change vending device installed separately from the refueling device 10i. The change of the amount may be paid.
If it is necessary to provide a card stocker storing the card 3 and refund the change, instead of issuing a change voucher, the balance corresponding to the amount of the change is stored and the amount is stored in the print area. The printed card 3 may be issued.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the start data and the end data are recorded before and after refueling and are determined. Therefore, even if the card is clogged during refueling or the like, the start data and the end data are determined based on the two data. It is possible to accurately grasp whether or not refueling has been performed and whether or not the balance has been updated, and rewrite the recorded contents of the card so that there is no discrepancy between the refueling situation and the balance etc. It becomes.
[0047]
In the normal mode, when the end data is not recorded, by returning the card from the insertion slot of the reader / writer, the fact that the discrepancy has occurred can be immediately recognized by the serviceman, and the discrepancy has occurred. Preventing the card from being used can prevent the situation from becoming complicated.
[0048]
In addition, in the abnormal mode, if the display according to the recorded contents of the card or the operation procedure of the abnormal processing is displayed, the operation at the time of the abnormality can be easily understood.
[0049]
Furthermore, if a storage unit for storing the executed refueling content is provided in a fueling device or the like, the storage content of the storage unit is read out, and the read writer performs predetermined recording in accordance with the read out content, thereby causing a discrepancy between the cards. If there is, the discrepancy can be corrected easily and reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1A is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a self-service type gas station system according to the present invention, and FIG. 1B is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating a modification thereof.
FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a refueling device.
FIG. 3 is a schematic front view showing a fueling device.
4A and 4B are schematic diagrams showing stored contents of a prepaid card, and FIG. 4B is a front view showing printed contents of the card.
FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing a card reading and rewriting process.
FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing a card rewriting and printing process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a normal mode.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an abnormal mode.
FIG. 9 is a table showing types of post-processing.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a prepaid card showing a method of recording start data and end data according to a modified example.
[Explanation of symbols]
3: Prepaid card (plate-shaped storage medium)
10i: Refueling device
11: microcomputer (control means)
11a: CPU (determination means)
11b: storage unit
13: Money identification means
14: Lead writer
14a: Card slot
18a: Refueling nozzle
19: Setting switch (refueling schedule information input means)

Claims (4)

A gas station system comprising a plurality of oiling devices having a plurality of oiling nozzles for oiling,
Refueling schedule information input means for inputting refueling schedule information including refueling amount or refueling amount,
A reader / writer for reading and rewriting the balance of the plate-shaped storage medium,
When the plate-shaped storage medium is inserted from the insertion port of the lead writer, before start of refueling and before recording the balance in the plate-shaped storage medium, the start data of use is recorded in the plate-shaped storage medium. Control means for recording the end data of use in the plate-shaped storage medium before the plate-shaped storage medium is returned from the insertion opening of the lead writer, after the refueling, and after recording the balance, ,
Determining means for determining, based on the read start data and / or end data, whether or not the start data and / or end data was recorded at the time of previous use;
Gas station system with. In claim 1,
The control means includes a normal mode in which refueling is performed using the plate-shaped storage medium, and an abnormal mode in which processing is performed on the plate-shaped storage medium clogged in a lead writer.
In the normal mode, the start data is recorded before refueling, and the end data is recorded after refueling.As a result of the determination, the start data is recorded at the time of previous use and the end data is not recorded. In such a case, a gas station system that controls the inserted plate-shaped storage medium to be returned from the insertion port of the lead writer. In claim 1 or 2,
The control means includes a normal mode in which refueling is performed using the plate-shaped storage medium, and an abnormal mode in which processing is performed on the plate-shaped storage medium clogged in a lead writer.
A gas station system comprising a display unit that, when the recorded content of the plate-shaped storage medium is read in the abnormal mode, displays a state corresponding to the recorded content, or displays an operation procedure of abnormal processing. In claim 2 or 3,
It further comprises a storage unit for storing refueling contents,
In the abnormal mode, when the recording content of the plate-shaped storage medium is read, the storage content of the storage unit corresponding to the plate-shaped storage medium is read, and the read writer performs predetermined recording, and the end data is read. Gas station system to record.

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