JP4348197B2 - MFP and personal authentication method in MFP - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction machine equipped with a plurality of functions such as a copy function and a scanner function, and a personal authentication method in the multifunction machine.

Conventionally, a multifunction peripheral having a user authentication function has been developed for security and consumable management. For example, only user registration information that satisfies the registration requirements is registered in the user registration information file, and only when the user registration information is verified to be in the user registration information file, the user who has entered the user registration information is licensed (For example, see Patent Document 1).
JP 2001-292262 A

  However, since the conventional multifunction device forces the user to input user authentication information from the touch panel or keyboard, there is a problem that hinders smooth operation when the user wants to use the multifunction device immediately or frequently uses the multifunction device. There is also a method in which a card storing authentication information is inserted into the multi-function peripheral and the multi-function peripheral reads user authentication information, but the card insertion / removal operation hinders smooth operation.

  The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances as described above, and allows the user to perform personal authentication without any work for personal authentication, and smoothly from the personal authentication to the next operation based on the personal authentication. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multifunction device and a personal authentication method in the multifunction device which can be shifted to the above, and whose operability is greatly improved.

According to the present invention, whether or not a multifunction peripheral reads user recognition information from a memory card via radio waves in a non-contact manner, transmits the recognition information read from the memory card to a server, and the user recognition information is registered. Inquires, obtains a customized menu from the server that indicates the functions that can be executed by the user whose registration is confirmed, and acquires a learning menu corresponding to the customized menu that indicates the functions that can be executed by the user whose registration is confirmed from the server. Each menu is displayed for the user whose registration is confirmed .

  According to the present invention, the user can perform personal authentication without any work for personal authentication, and can smoothly shift from the personal authentication to the next operation based on the personal authentication, thereby greatly improving the operability. It is possible to provide a multifunction device and a personal authentication method in the multifunction device.

A first aspect of the present invention, recognition information of the user by sending an information reading means for reading the identification information of the user from the memory card in a non-contact manner via radio waves, the recognition information read from the memory card to the server There a registration confirmation means for inquiring whether or not it is registered, a menu obtaining unit that obtains a customized menu from the server indicating this by registration can be performed by a user is confirmed function, authentication for the user registration has been confirmed Display means for displaying a message indicating that, the server stores a learning menu corresponding to a customization menu that can be executed by a user whose registration has been confirmed, and the menu acquisition means This learning menu is the setting information that was set when the job related to the previous customization menu was executed. Update and register at the end of the job, read the learning menu together with the user's recognition information, and if the display means has a customized menu of the user whose registration is confirmed, the customized menu When the customized menu does not exist, the standard setting and the standard menu are displayed. Further, when the learning menu exists, the setting information registered in the learning menu is customized. A multifunction device that is displayed in association with a menu and displays the standard setting and the standard menu in association with a customized menu when the learning menu does not exist .

Thus, read-recognition information of a user without contact through a wireless wave from the memory card, identification information read by the confirming whether or not it is registered. Therefore, the user, the user ID or PIN number from the touch panel or the operation button or the like such to manually input, the work for personal authentication can be personal authentication without any.

In addition, a customization menu indicating functions that can be executed by the authenticated user who has been registered uniquely is displayed. Therefore, the user can perform personal authentication without performing any work for personal authentication, and the customized menu that can be executed by the authenticated user can be selected, so that the user can smoothly shift to the menu selection work. Can do.

Furthermore, the setting information set when the job related to the previous customization menu is executed is registered in the learning menu, and the setting information is displayed in association with the customization menu. Accordingly, the latest setting information is always registered together with the customization menu, and the content set by the user in the previous execution of the job related to the customization menu is reproduced.

On the other hand, when there is no customized menu of the authenticated user or when there is no learning menu, the standard setting and the standard menu are displayed. Therefore, the authenticated user can use the standard menu even if the customized menu or the learning menu is not registered, and can know that the menu is a standard setting.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the MFP according to the first aspect, when a job related to a menu selected by the user from the customization menu displayed by the display unit is executed, the job is registered in the learning menu. Job control means is provided for controlling the job based on the setting information.

As a result, the job is controlled using the setting information registered in the learning menu, so job control based on the previous setting information is possible, and the job having the same contents as the previous one can be executed without performing the setting operation again. I can .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction peripheral according to the second aspect, the job control unit is controlled based on setting information registered in the learning menu while receiving control by the remote procedure method from the server. Executes the job related to the menu selected by the user.

Thereby, the operation screen is requested and distributed between the multifunction peripheral and the server, and the job corresponding to the selection menu can be executed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the multifunction peripheral according to the second or third aspect, the job control unit holds or manages information on consumables in units of jobs for each user. And the consumable information associated with job execution for each user are sent to the server. Thereby, it is possible to easily manage individual consumables by individual or department based on strict personal authentication without bothering the user.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information reading process for reading user's recognition information from a memory card via a radio wave in a non-contact manner, and transmitting the recognition information read from the memory card to a server. A registration confirmation step for inquiring whether or not a user has been registered, a menu acquisition step for acquiring a customization menu indicating functions that can be executed by a user whose registration has been confirmed, and authentication for a user whose registration has been confirmed. A display step for displaying a message indicating that the learning has been performed, and the menu acquisition step includes a learning menu corresponding to a customization menu stored in the server and executable by a user whose registration has been confirmed. The setting information that was set when the job related to the previous customization menu was executed and updated at the end of the job. Registering and reading the learning menu together with the user's recognition information, and the display step displays the customization menu when there is a customization menu of the user whose registration is confirmed, and the customization menu is displayed. If the learning menu is present, the setting information registered in the learning menu is displayed in association with the customization menu. A personal authentication method in a multi-function peripheral, characterized in that, when the learning menu does not exist, the standard setting and the standard menu are displayed in association with the customization menu . Thereby, the same effect as a 1st aspect can be acquired.

  Hereinafter, a network multifunction peripheral system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a network multifunction peripheral system according to the present embodiment. The multi-function device 100 can be connected to a personal information server 102 and a billing server 103 on the LAN 101. Two MFPs 100 having the same function are illustrated on the LAN 101. The LAN 101 is connected to the Internet 104. A WEB server 105 is connected to the Internet 104. The LAN 101 is connected to another LAN 106 via the Internet 104. Another server 107 and multifunction device 108 are connected to another LAN 106. For example, it is possible to adopt a network configuration in which the LAN 101 is arranged at a certain office, another LAN 106 is arranged at another office, and both LANs 101 and 106 are connected via an intranet. In the present embodiment, personal authentication, customized menu distribution, and execution of a customized menu performed by the MFP 100 and the personal information server 102 on the LAN 101 will be described.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the multifunction peripheral 100. The multi-function device 100 includes devices 201-1 to 201-n such as a modem that performs facsimile communication, a printer that prints out print data, and a scanner that scans a document and reads image data. These devices are controlled by the device control units 202-1 to 202-n. A control program for each device is stored in the hard disk 210, and a control command is given to the device control units 202-1 to 202-n by being read and executed by the job control unit 203 configured by the CPU. The touch panel 204 functions as a user interface. The touch panel 204 displays a menu and detects the operation content (selection content) of the user. The panel control unit 205 controls the touch panel 204. The basic functions as a multifunction machine are realized by the functional blocks described above.

  The multifunction peripheral 100 includes an RFID control unit 206 that detects the stored contents of the memory card 300 using radio waves. The RFID control unit 206 performs non-contact reading of registration data from the memory card 300 and writing of new registration data in a non-contact manner with respect to the memory card 300 in the detection area. The personal information control unit 207 manages registered data read from the memory card 300 or the personal information server 102 and manages a writing destination of new registered data. The interface for accessing the personal information server 102 on the LAN 101 is performed by the personal information server I / F unit 208, and the interface for accessing the charging server 103 is performed by the charging server I / F unit 209. The RFID control unit 206 detects registration information of the memory card 300, and the personal information control unit 207 performs personal authentication with the personal information server 102 based on the registration information.

  The multi-function device 100 stores a control program for controlling operations of the devices 201-1 to 201-n and other programs. In addition, the necessary work is performed by expanding the data on the work work 211.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing registration information of the memory card 300. As shown in the figure, the memory card 300 stores a user ID 301 as personal recognition information. The RFID control unit 206 reads the user ID 301 stored in the memory card 300.

  On the other hand, the personal information server 102 stores a personal information table for each user. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a personal information table of a certain user. The personal information table includes a user ID 310 serving as personal recognition information, personal information 311 such as a department to which the user belongs, the number of registered customization menu tables 312, and registered customization menu tables 313-1 to 313-n. The user ID 310 is the same as the user ID 301 shown in FIG. The personal information 311 is not limited as long as it is information related to an individual. In this example, the personal information 311 includes an individual name, a department, an ID code other than the user ID, and the like. The customization menu tables 313-1 to 313-n are customization menus registered by the individual with the user ID 310 in the personal information server 102. For example, a menu name of a customized menu such as “meeting material” or “pamphlet distribution” is set. Such customized menu table data is distributed to the multi-function peripheral 100, and the “menu name” of the customized menu is displayed on the panel.

  The personal information table further includes the number of learning menu tables 314 and individual learning menu tables 315-1 to 315-n. A user-specific customization menu is registered in the personal information server 102, and can be read into the multi-function device 100 and instructed to be executed. The setting contents of the customization menu that has been instructed in the past in the MFP 100 are registered in the learning menu table 315 as learning results. For example, if the holder of the memory card 300 has registered four customization menus in the personal information server 102 and has a past record of executing each customization menu, four learning menu tables corresponding to the four customization menus 315-1 to 315-n are registered, and the setting contents at the previous execution of each customization menu are registered. The learning menu table includes setting items necessary for executing the customization menu. In this example, items covering all menus that can be instructed to be executed by the multifunction device 100 are listed.

  A specific configuration of the learning menu table will be described with reference to FIG. In relation to the menu for executing the functions of the copy, scanner, and printer, resolution information, paper feed setting, paper discharge setting, paper size, number of copies, and finisher information are included as items. In relation to the menu for executing the FAX function and the electronic mail function, the number of destinations (telephone number), individual destination phone number, the number of destinations (mail address), and individual email addresses are included as items.

  In this example, when the multifunction peripheral 100 executes a job related to the selection menu, the multifunction peripheral 100 is controlled from the server by the remote procedure method. A control program and necessary data for controlling the multifunction peripheral 100 by the remote procedure method are held on the server side. It is assumed that the WEB server 105 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 by a remote procedure method. After selecting the menu displayed on the multifunction device 100, the WEB server 105 takes over the processing. For this purpose, information (including the URL of the WEB server 105) for allowing the WEB server 105 to take over the processing is included in the table data of each of the customized menu tables 313-1 to 313-n.

  Next, the operation of the present embodiment configured as described above will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart from reading the registration information from the memory card 300 to displaying the customization menu. For example, a user carrying the memory card 300 stands in front of the multifunction device 100 to perform a desired operation on the multifunction device 100.

  The RFID control unit 206 radiates a radio wave to the memory card 300 carried by the user to read out the user ID 301 in the memory card 300, and the personal information server I / F unit 208 performs personal authentication based on the user ID 301. A personal authentication request is issued to the information server 102 (S101).

  When the personal information server 102 designates the user ID 301 from the personal information server I / F unit 208 and receives a personal authentication request, the personal information server 102 determines whether or not the personal information table is registered with the user ID 301. As shown in FIG. 4, since each personal information table includes a user ID 310, if a personal information table having a user ID 310 that matches the user ID 301 is registered, the personal information table of the user is stored in the personal information server 102. Will be registered. In response to the personal authentication request, the personal information server 102 transmits a “registered user detection” response if the personal information table is registered, and a “unregistered user detection” response if the personal information table is not registered. Send.

  The presence of the table information is confirmed according to the content of the response received by the personal information server I / F unit 208 (S102). When the personal information server I / F unit 208 receives “unregistered user detection” (S103), the “unregistered user detection” is given to the panel control unit 205 (S104). If “unregistered user detection” is given, the panel control unit 205 controls the touch panel 204 to display that the user is an unregistered user (S105). FIG. 7A is a display example indicating that the user is an unregistered user displayed on the touch panel 204.

  On the other hand, when “registered user detection” is received in step S103, the personal information server I / F unit 208 stores the personal information table data of the user received from the personal information server 102 in the work work 211 (S106). . Furthermore, the personal information server I / F unit 208 causes the panel control unit 205 to display the registered user name and the like (S107). FIG. 7B is a display example of confirming that the user is a registered user displayed on the touch panel 204.

  In this way, the RFID controller 206 reads the user ID from the memory card 300 carried by the user in a non-contact manner, performs personal authentication with the personal information server 102 installed separately from the multi-function device 100, and the authentication result is used as the multi-function device 100. Therefore, even if the user does not manually input the user ID and password from the touch panel 204 or operation buttons (not shown) of the multifunction peripheral 100, personal authentication can be performed.

  As described above, when the personal authentication based on the user ID read from the memory card 300 by the RFID control unit 206 is completed, it is determined whether or not there is a customized menu table for the user authenticated this time (S108). If the personal information table data stored in the work work 211 in step S106 includes the customization menu table, it is determined that the customization menu table exists, and if the personal information table data does not include the customization menu table, the customization is performed. It is determined that the menu table does not exist.

  Personal information is registered in the personal information server 102 for personal authentication, but if a customized menu that is a unique menu is not registered, the customized menu table is not included. In this case, the personal information control unit 207 causes the panel control unit 205 to display a standard menu (S109). That is, the user who has been personally authenticated can use the standard menu even if the customized menu is not registered in the personal information server 102.

  The standard menu is a menu other than the customized menu, and can be dealt with on a menu screen prepared as a standard by the manufacturer. The panel control unit 205 holds such menu screen data prepared as a standard. For example, the screen includes a selection button for basic functions such as a FAX function, a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and an e-mail function. Various settings (resolution, paper feed settings, paper discharge settings, paper size, number of copies, destination phone number, destination email address, etc.) required for executing each function are default values or values entered by the user each time Is used. FIG. 8A shows a display example of the standard menu. Corresponding to the copy function, FAX function, and scanner function, selection buttons for “copy”, “FAX”, and “scanner” are displayed. “XXX-like” is the name of the user who has been personally authenticated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S108 that the customization menu table exists, the customization menu (menu name) is displayed on the panel control unit 205 (S110). When the personal information table shown in FIG. 4 is stored in the work 211, the menu names set in the customized menu tables 312-1 to 312-n are displayed on the touch panel 204 (S110). FIG. 8B shows a display example when the customization menu is displayed.

  In this way, the RFID control unit 206 performs personal authentication based on the user ID read from the memory card 300 and automatically displays the customization menu registered in the personal information server 102 on the touch panel 204 by the user. Simply stands in front of the multifunction peripheral 100, and the customized menu registered by the user can be selected on the touch panel 204.

  Next, an operation when a desired menu is selected from the customization menu displayed on the touch panel 204 will be described with reference to FIGS. The display example shown in FIG. 8B is a display state before the learning menu is reflected.

  When displaying the customization menu on the touch panel 204, it is determined whether or not the learning menu table is registered in the personal information table read from the personal information server 102 and stored in the work work 211 (S201). As shown in FIG. 4, when a learning menu table is registered in the personal information table, a numerical value is registered in the item of the number of learning menu tables 314. By checking the numerical value of the number of learning menu tables 314, the presence or absence of the learning menu table can be known.

  If it is determined that the learning menu table is not registered, the process proceeds to step S202, and the panel control unit 205 displays the standard setting. FIG. 8C shows a display example when standard settings are displayed for the customization menu. “XXX-like confidential BOX” and “FAX to xxx-like” are customization menus.

  As described above, when the customization menu is registered in the personal information server 102, but the learning menu table corresponding to the customization menu is not registered, it indicates that the standard value is set in the panel control unit 205. A message 401 is displayed. In FIG. 8C, the standard setting for the paper size is displayed, but other items such as the resolution and the number of copies can be displayed together.

  If it is determined that the learning menu table is registered, the process proceeds to step S203, the learning menu table data is read from the work work 211, and it is shown that the learning menu table is customized based on the table data. A message 402 is displayed. In FIG. 8D, in response to the fact that A3 is registered in the “paper size” item of the learning menu table of FIG. 5, a message 402 displays that A3 size is set for the paper size. Yes. If customized information is registered on the learning menu table for other items such as resolution and number of copies, this can be displayed.

  Next, the user selects a desired menu (standard / customized) on the touch panel 204. When the menu displayed on the touch panel 204 is touched, an execution instruction specifying the menu is input from the touch position (S204).

  The learning menu table corresponding to the customization menu selected by the user includes setting information (resolution, number of copies, destination, etc.) necessary for executing the menu. The setting information related to the menu to which the execution instruction is input in step S204 is read from the work work 211 to the panel control unit 205 and held as panel setting information.

  The panel control unit 205 checks various panel setting information (resolution, number of copies, destination, etc.) (S205). Specifically, when a panel setting information change instruction is input from the touch panel 204 or an operation button (not shown), the instructed setting information is changed according to the instruction content. Apply the changed setting information to the panel setting information.

  Assume that the panel setting information has been changed. For example, assume that the paper size is changed from A4 to A3. The panel control unit 205 rewrites the paper size item in the learning menu table from A4 to A3. If other items are changed, the corresponding items in the learning menu table are similarly rewritten.

  The learning menu table data changed in this way is registered in the personal information table of the personal information server 102 again. Therefore, it is determined whether or not the panel setting information has been changed (S206). When the setting is changed, the panel control unit 205 notifies the personal information server I / F unit 208 of the changed learning menu table data, and accesses the personal information server 102 from the personal information server I / F unit 208. Then, the learning table of the personal information table is updated (S207).

  Next, the panel control unit 205 gives the held panel setting information to the job control unit 203 and notifies the job control unit 203 of the start of the job (S208).

  The job control unit 203 executes the menu based on the panel setting information while receiving control by the remote procedure method from the WEB server 105. Specifically, the WEB server 105 holds operation screen data necessary for executing each job for all menus (including individual user customization menus), and the WEB server 105 requests from the MFP 100. Accordingly, a necessary operation screen is taken out and transmitted to the multi-function device 100 as the job progresses. In the multifunction peripheral 100, the job control unit 203 gives operation screen data to the panel control unit 205 and causes the touch panel 204 to display the operation screen. The job control unit 203 detects an input to the operation screen displayed on the touch panel 204, and outputs a command to the corresponding device control unit 202-1 to 202-n as appropriate. At this time, the command is generated based on the panel setting information. For example, A3 is designated as the paper size. In addition, the job control unit 203 requests the WEB server 105 for the next operation screen in response to an input from the touch panel 204. In this manner, the operation screen is requested and distributed between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the WEB server 105, and the job corresponding to the selection menu is executed.

  As described above, when the customize menu is selected, the job is executed based on the corresponding learning menu table, so that the content itself set by the user in the previous job execution is reproduced. Further, when the contents of the panel setting information are changed at the time of execution of the current job, the changed contents are reflected in the learning menu table and then reflected in the personal information table of the personal information server 102. The latest setting information is always registered.

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart after job execution. The job control unit 203 holds or manages consumable information for each job. When the job related to the selection menu is completed (S209), information on the consumables used is read from the job control unit 203 (S210). The department code is read from the personal information 311 stored in the work work 211 (S211), and the department name and consumable information are notified to the accounting server I / F unit 209 (S212). Then, the charging server I / F unit 209 accesses the charging server 103 and requests registration of the department name and consumable information of the user (S213). Upon receiving the registration request from the accounting server I / F unit 209, the accounting server 103 registers the received department name and consumable information. For example, when consumables are managed by department, the quantity of consumables is added for each department.

  In this way, after the RFID control unit 206 performs personal authentication based on the user ID read from the memory card 300 and executes the job, the consumable information associated with the job execution is stored in the accounting server 103 by department using the personal authentication result. Or, since writing is performed for each individual, it is possible to easily manage individual consumables by individual or department based on strict personal authentication without bothering the user.

  In the above description, the functions of the personal information server 102 and the accounting server 103 are provided in separate servers. However, the functions may be realized physically by one server. Further, although the WEB server 105 controls the job of the MFP 100 by the remote procedure method, the same remote procedure function may be executed on the personal information server 102. The personal information server 102 and the billing server 103 may be arranged on the Internet.

  The present invention allows a user to perform personal authentication without any work for personal authentication, and can smoothly shift from personal authentication to the next operation based on personal authentication, greatly improving operability. In addition, the present invention can be applied to a personal authentication method in a multifunction machine.

System configuration diagram of an embodiment of the present invention Functional block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. The figure which shows the data constitution which is remembered in the memory card Configuration diagram of personal information table registered in personal information server shown in FIG. Configuration diagram of the learning menu table shown in FIG. Flowchart of personal authentication and menu display in the MFP (A) The figure which shows the example of a display of the authentication result of an unregistered user, (b) The figure which shows the example of a display of the authentication result of a registered user (A) A diagram showing a display example of a standard menu, (b) a diagram showing a display example of a customization menu, (c) a diagram showing a display example of a customization menu without data registration in the learning menu table, (d) for learning The figure which shows the example of the display of the customization menu which does not register data in the menu table Flow chart after selecting the customize menu in the MFP Flow diagram after job completion in MFP

Explanation of symbols

100 MFP 101 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 102 Personal information server 103 Charging server 104 Internet 201-1 to 201-n Device 202-1 to 202-n Device control unit 203 Job control unit 204 Touch panel 205 Panel control unit 206 RFID control unit 207 Personal information control unit 208 Personal information server I / F section 209 Billing server I / F section 211 Work work 300 Memory card

Claims (5)

Information reading means for reading the user's recognition information from the memory card via radio waves in a non-contact manner, and registration for transmitting the recognition information read from the memory card to the server and inquiring whether or not the user's recognition information is registered a confirmation unit, thereby a menu obtaining unit that the user registration has been confirmed to retrieve a customized menu of functions that can be executed from the server, and displays a message indicating that the authentication with the user registration has been confirmed Display means ,
The server stores a learning menu corresponding to a customization menu that can be executed by a user whose registration has been confirmed, and the menu acquisition unit executes the learning menu when a job related to the previous customization menu is executed. Updated and registered at the end of the job with the setting information set to, read the learning menu together with the user's recognition information, and the display means has a customized menu for the user whose registration is confirmed The customization menu is displayed. When the customization menu does not exist, the standard setting and the standard menu are displayed. Further, when the learning menu exists, the learning menu is displayed. The registered setting information is displayed in association with the customization menu, and the learning menu is displayed. If no standing to display in association with it and the standard menu is a standard set customization menu, MFP, characterized in that. When executing a job relating to a menu selected by the user from the customized menu and the display means is displayed, and characterized by having a job control means for controlling the job based on the setting information in which the registered in the learning menu The multifunction device according to claim 1 . The job control means executes a job related to a menu selected by a user based on setting information registered in the learning menu while receiving control from the server by a remote procedure method. 2. A multifunction machine according to 2 . The job control means holds or manages information on consumables for each user on a job basis, and sends the user recognition information and consumable information associated with job execution for each user to the server after executing the job for each user. The multifunction device according to claim 2, wherein the multifunction device is a multi-function device . An information reading step that reads the identification information of the user in a non-contact manner via radio waves from the memory card, the recognition information read from the memory card and transmitted to the server queries whether recognition information of the user is registered A registration confirmation step, a menu acquisition step for acquiring a customization menu indicating a function that can be executed by a user whose registration has been confirmed, and a message indicating that the user whose registration has been confirmed has been authenticated. A display step of displaying,
In the menu acquisition step, a learning menu corresponding to a customization menu that can be executed by a user whose registration is confirmed, stored in the server, is set information set when a job related to the previous customization menu is executed, Update and register at the end of the job, read the learning menu together with the user's recognition information, and the display step includes the customization menu when there is a customization menu of the user whose registration is confirmed. When the customized menu does not exist, the standard setting and the standard menu are displayed. Further, when the learning menu exists, the setting information registered in the learning menu is customized. Displayed in association with the menu, and when the learning menu does not exist, standard And a standard menu displayed in association with the customized menu that Jode, personal authentication method in the MFP, characterized in that.

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