EP0890927B1 - Device for capturing and evaluating time and operational data - Google Patents

Abstract

The system is designed so that each employee has an identification card (1). Handheld devices (2,2') each contain readers (7) for the identification cards as well as a clock, a data memory for information like names, project numbers or item costs, also a data processor. These devices store data read by the identification card and link it up with the clock time and data records of events. Terminals (3,3') with bidirectional interfaces (11,11') facilitate data exchange between each terminal (3,3') and handheld devices. A stationary data processing unit (5,6) is linked to the terminals via data lines (4). Handheld devices, terminals and data processing unit are all configured, so that data records of events stored in handheld devices after reading an identification card are uploaded from handheld devices to terminals and stored there meanwhile.

Description

The invention relates to an arrangement for recording and evaluating time and Operating data.

For the rational management of a company with a plurality of Employees must have an objective record of their working hours. For this purpose, time recording systems are known, in which the working time is recorded by stamping the time on a stamp card, the respective Employees "come" when they start working and when they finish Activity "goes" stamps. Modern time recording systems have one instead Stamp card an electronic identification card for every employee which is read in at terminals in the entrance area of the company. This usually includes interruptions in working hours, for example registered for lunch or a doctor's visit by the respective Employee inserts his identification card into the terminal and the corresponding Buttons pressed.

The electronic identification cards mentioned are generally machine-readable Cards with a barcode, magnetic stripe or memory chip, which is an identification of the employee and thus an assignment to the staff of the company.

In the known time recording systems, the terminals are usually fixed in the Entrance area of a company or department installed and via a Network connected to a central computer, which the detected identification numbers saves, assigns the current time and if necessary Checks authorizations and unlocks access. The use of a central computer ensures that all times are on a single Obtain reference time and enables central administration of authorizations and databases as well as a permanent up-to-date overview of the personnel presence.

Time recording systems of the type just described are the subject, for example DE 39 38 694 C2 or DE 23 57 948 A1.

In contrast, the present invention takes into account the special requirements for companies with spatially separated and frequently changing Workplaces where there is usually no installation of a time recording system can be made. Companies of this type are in particular construction companies, which a majority of employees on changing construction sites use, as well as assembly companies and craft companies. The place of use an employee of such a company can be different on a daily basis; also changing the construction site during the day is not uncommon.

At the locations of use, the employees operate large devices that operate over their operating time be settled. Operation of large equipment, such as one Excavators usually require special qualifications and therefore must not be carried out by every employee. The same is true the use of vehicles on conditions such as a driving license or bound a driving order.

For billing work performance and for rational management The recording of working hours also for companies with changing work locations the employee is necessary. In addition, the recording of the operating hours of vehicles and large equipment as well as the used materials required. So far, this has been achieved in that the respective Workplaces responsible persons about the working hours, the device hours and the materials keep handwritten lists in regular Time intervals can be collected and evaluated. The access authorization for large devices and vehicles is usually also personally monitored.

The frequent change of personnel from one construction site to another, the imprecise, mostly estimated recording of working and operating times as well as material consumption leads to statistical fluctuations in the data collected, which counteract rational management. This can even go so far go that mistrust of the employees and from it disturbances in the operational peace arise, which has a negative impact on the operating results. A objective recording of time and operating data through technical measures Therefore not only lowers the losses, but contributes through higher justice also to motivate employees.

DE 195 05 330 A1 describes a device for recording and evaluating Known time and / or operational data that addresses the problem that Recording of time and operating data also in the field or on a construction site to enable. For this purpose, the data acquisition by means of a mobile Identification card in the size and design of a pocket calculator, which via a keyboard, a display, a data processing unit, has a storage unit and a data interface. Every employee a company has such a mobile identification card personalized for it, which he briefly sent to the the respective workplaces connects permanently installed terminals, which essentially consist only of a coding, for example a coding plug. The data collected is stored in the mobile identification card with the Time linked and saved and can be read out on the display. In regular All mobile identification cards are to be used for billing intervals connected to a permanently installed central computer via the data interface in which the data records are evaluated. The assignment of the Data on certain people, activities, cost centers, machines etc. is made in the mobile identification card itself by using stored data the resulting data records and keyboard inputs are linked and saved become.

This system known from DE 195 05 330 A1 represents the reversal of the previous one known time recording systems. The functions of the central computer, in particular the time data acquisition, the processing of stamp processes as well The cost center accounting is mostly in the mobile ID card misplaced; the access points are identified by the coded terminals, which thus perform the same function as the Had identification cards. This places high demands on the Miniaturization and the performance of the microprocessor, which is reflected in high costs per employee. There are also problems with regard to manipulation of the data, with regard to the operating effort and sensitivity to environmental influences, as is typical occur on construction sites. There are concerns about data security.

The invention is therefore based on the object of an arrangement for detecting and evaluation of time and operating data for companies with changing and to propose workplaces that are spatially separated from one another and which are acceptable technical effort a maximum of reliability and data security offers.

This object is achieved by an arrangement with the features of claim 1 solved.

Advantageous refinements and developments of the invention result from claims 2 to 15.

The arrangement for recording and evaluating time and operating data according to the invention comprises an identification card for each employee, a number of portable hand-held devices, each with a reading device for the identification cards, a clock, a data store for information such as names, Cost centers, project numbers and the like as well as with means for data processing, which the data read from the identification cards with the Link time and with saved data to event records and save. There is also a number of terminals with at least one bidirectional Interface provided through which a data exchange between a Terminal and a handheld device can take place. Finally, the arrangement includes also a data processing system, which is stationary by means of data lines connected to the terminals.

The hand-held devices, the terminals and the data processing system are in accordance with the invention so designed that in a hand-held device when reading an identification card formed and saved event records when connecting copied into one of the terminals of the hand-held device and cached there become. The data processing system picks up if necessary evaluates all event data records cached in the terminals centrally and provides correctly and completely evaluated event data records with a release note. The release note is issued to the terminals and kept ready there. The event records stored in the handheld devices are only released for deletion when the respective Handheld device is connected to a terminal, in which a release note for the corresponding event record.

With the arrangement according to the invention, a system for recording time and operating data is thus created proposed to meet the needs of businesses who employ a large number of employees in the field. Due to the mobility of the handheld devices, the stamping and stamping processes can be moved directly to the construction site, with no permanent installations from Terminals or some wiring are required. Event records will be then formed when an employee inserts his identification card into the mobile Plugged in the handheld device, when there was a meeting of the employee and the person responsible Person takes place. Here, the proven concept of simple ID card, as is familiar from fixed time recording systems broadcast the mobile area.

Due to the nature of the data flow, it is possible for an employee to participate can carry out stamping operations on any handheld device accessible to him. This is This is particularly important for employees who change their job location frequently Advantage, because these can easily be used on a handheld device, for example "come" and stamp "go" on another handheld device.

With the counterflow data flow concept according to the invention, in which the The handheld device stores all event data records, each time they are connected with the terminal of the data processing system and only on the basis of a Release note deletes, i.e. only guaranteed after the event data records have been evaluated, the desired data reliability is achieved: the path of an employee through different locations and cost centers can always be complete are tracked and tracked, even when individual Handheld devices not read out for the normally planned billing period were. The counterflow data flow concept ensures that no event records get lost. The manipulation of event records is practically impossible.

The data handling in the data flow concept according to the invention becomes significant simplified when each event record formed in a handheld device with a unique event number and saved together with this becomes.

Data security is further improved if the identification cards of the Employees also contain a data storage device, for example a chip, in which the event data records formed in the handheld device during reading are written become. The event data records, which are also important for the employee, are stored thus identical both in the handheld device and at the employee before and can be compared at any time and reconstructed if necessary.

The handheld devices, the terminals and the data processing system are preferred trained so that when exchanging data between a handheld device and one of the terminals information, such as personnel records, cost center records, Project information and the like, in the data storage of the handheld device to be written. Such information is already in the data store available, they will be updated. For the creation of event records In the handheld device, current data from the Data storage used; a manual reading or updating of the saved Data is not necessary and also not for data security reasons possible. Nevertheless, the handheld device does not have to have a data processing system at fixed times or one of the terminals, because the current data is held in the terminals and every time the Handheld device with one of the terminals with in the data storage of the handheld device existing data are compared.

If the handsets each have a display, they can be stored in its memory existing event records are retrieved for information. Also the possibly updated content of the data memory can be viewed on the display are displayed; So it is also possible without any problems for certain employees Display messages the moment the employee connects his identification card to the handheld device.

The handheld devices can each have a keyboard for entering event data, the means for data processing available in the hand-held device data read from the identification cards with the internal time, with selected saved data and with the keyboard Link data to event data. The flexibility in handling the This significantly increases handheld devices. For example, quantities of used material, a change of cost center of an employee or the location of the handheld device can be entered manually. Here it makes sense when linking data with data entered via the keyboard only then occurs when the operator's identification card has a corresponding one Access authorization is assigned. This presupposes that in the handheld device from information originating from the data processing system is available which assign different access authorizations to the individual identification cards.

The data exchange between a handheld device and a terminal can be done by The handheld device can be plugged into a holder provided on the terminal be, with electrical contacting, for example, via contact springs or connector. But it can also be very advantageous if the Data exchange also via contact-free communication technology, such as B. that Cellular network or - using a modem - the normal telephone network can take place: The handheld devices then no longer have to be more or less regular Distances for reading the event data records brought to the location of a terminal become; they can also remain on a construction site for long periods.

Particular advantages result if the arrangement according to the invention is additional has a number of machine terminals, each via a bidirectional Have an interface to which a handheld device can be temporarily connected and via which a data exchange between the machine terminal and the handheld device can take place; the machine terminals are also located each via a further bidirectional interface for data exchange with a machine or a vehicle. Such machine terminals are in the Interact with an inserted handheld device capable of automatically and to record device usage times without the possibility of manipulation and if necessary, also monitor the authorization of the device user, that the device can only be operated if a handheld device with connected to the machine terminal, an identification card in the handheld device inserted and the operation of the machine or vehicle through the identification card is authorized. Also fuel delivery systems, scales and the like can be provided with machine terminals so that the dispensed quantities as data via the bidirectional interface of the machine terminal read in, transmitted as event data to the handheld devices and there with the time, with stored data, with an identification card read data and, if necessary, entered via the keyboard Event data records are linked and saved.

If there is a contactless data exchange between the handheld devices and the terminals The machine terminals can be provided, especially if they are are installed in vehicles with mobile radio equipment, advantageously used for this purpose become. The mechanical connection of a handheld device to a stationary one installed terminal is achieved by mechanically connecting the handset replaced with a machine terminal that is mobile accessible on site.

The data processing system can consist of a network server and at least one Evaluation computers exist, the network server with all terminals is connected via a network. With the network server is a central data management ensured, even if the evaluation of the event records is not always on one and the same evaluation computer: The event data records can, for example, partly in the HR department and partly in the Material management can be processed and evaluated independently, whereby the Network server coordinates the data flow and manages it centrally. The (possibly accidental) Switching off an evaluation computer has none due to the network server Influence on data security and reliability in communication the data processing system with the portable handheld devices.

Figur 1

eine Prinzipskizze der erfindungsgemäßen Anordnung.

In the following an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows:

Figure 1

a schematic diagram of the arrangement according to the invention.

The embodiment shown in Figure 1 includes a number of identification cards 1, several handheld devices 2, 2 ', two terminals 3, 3', a local network 4, a network server 5 and an evaluation computer 6.

The handsets 2, 2 'are each with a reading device 7 for the identification cards 1 provided, and with a display 8 and a keyboard 9. Zum Connecting an identification card 1 to a handheld device 2 becomes simple inserted into the reading device 7. The identification cards are preferably 1 commercially available chip cards; the reading device 7 is accordingly preferably designed as a chip card reader.

To connect the handheld devices 2, 2 'to the terminals 3, 3', these each have a mechanical insert 10, 10 'and an electrical interface 11, 11'. A handheld device 2 is used for communication with a terminal 3 by simple means Inserting the handheld device 2 into the slot 10 connected to it.

Finally, a machine terminal 12 with one is independent of the local network 4 Interface 13 is provided for a handheld device 2 '. Via another interface 14, the machine terminal 12 is fixed with a large device, here an excavator 15, connected.

Each employee of the company receives an individual identification card 1 that is designed as a chip card. This chip card is central with individual data such as card number, personnel number, date of issue and other data described, as well as a visible name on the map surface.

A portable handheld device 2 is available to each group of employees, which the employees, similar to known fixed installations, participate in Register and deregister using your identification cards 1. The display 8 of the Handheld device 2 is used to control the stamping process in dialog. The Stamp event is recorded together with the personnel number, the time with date, the cost center as well as the event type and a unique event number stored in the handheld device 2 and at the same time - because of the limited Storage space incomplete - also written on the chip of identification card 1.

The group leader for whom the appropriate authorization is entered can configure the handheld device 2 via the keyboard 9 so that all those subsequently registered Stamp events are assigned to a defined cost center.

The person entitled searches for the cost center from a list of cost centers that were previously saved in handheld device 2. The stamping process takes place only correct if the respective personnel number in the in the handheld device stored personal data record was included. Unknown personnel numbers are rejected and the event is saved as an abuse attempt.

At the end of a billing cycle, typically a week, the Handheld devices 2, 2 'brought back to the company by the working groups and there inserted into a terminal 3, 3 '. In this process, a transfer of the stored event records along with data that the particular handheld device 2, 2 'mark, triggered to Terminal 3, 3', where all data is cached, collected and reformatted if necessary. On request the data are forwarded to the data processing system 5, 6.

In the evaluation computer 6, the event data records are sorted according to personnel numbers, Sorted cost centers and other criteria. Event pairs are formed here that describe a period of time, for example the working time of an employee or the operating time of a device, and processed for further processing. Events that indicate incorrect operation or misuse are shown and can be edited by hand. The same is the insertion of event data, for example if a stamp operation is forgotten authorized. The event data recorded by the evaluation computer 6 are used in a known manner for payroll and for generation of inventory overviews, cost overviews and the like.

It is important for the operational safety of the system that all event data in the Handheld device 2 can be provided with an individual event number. First after the processing of an event data record in the evaluation computer 6 This is released for deletion by the associated event number in a Delete list is added, which to the terminals 3, 3 'and thus to the Hand devices 2, 2 'is output. This counterflow data flow concept, with if necessary, additional backup of the respective transmission interfaces with digital means of data backup, created by the inherent redundancy of the event data the necessary data reliability.

When a handheld device 2 is inserted into a terminal 3, the deletion data record is displayed also a current personnel record, a device record and a cost center record transferred from terminal 3 to handheld device 2. These records contain lists of personnel data, authorizations, available Devices and cost centers. A program update may come as additional data, a material record and a record with messages for individuals Employees in question.

The personnel data record can also be used to record data for each employee on the previously posted Working hours, broken down according to different categories such as Overtime, night work etc. as well as information about sick days and vacation days contain. This data can be accessed by the employee on the handheld device 2 can be read out by reading a corresponding one after reading in the identification card 1 Info button is pressed.

Device usage times are recorded in that the handheld device 2 ' plugged into a machine terminal 12 and the use of the device by plugging an identification card 1 with the necessary authorization released becomes. The authorization takes place in that in the handheld device 2 'the personnel number compared with the entries in the personnel data record and the device list becomes.

In order to prevent misuse, the identification card 1 during the Device usage in handheld device 2 'remains; otherwise an alarm is activated. If the card is not reinserted within a defined period of time, the withdrawal event together with the previously entered personnel number as an abuse event stored.

As an alternative to triggering the alarm, the machine terminal 12 can also be designed in this way be that the device connected to it operates without an authorized identification card 1 is not possible.

In order to ensure that all employees of the company can use any handheld device 2, 2 'can stamp and stamp and thus flexibly from construction site to construction site and can switch from cost center to cost center, in particular the last stamp event is stored on the chip of the identification card 1, so that the employee has information about the cost center and stamping process to the external handset 2, 2 '. In addition, the central Data collection in the form of event lists, which only occur when evaluating periods be paired, the path of one person through several construction sites and Traceable cost centers. The counterflow data flow concept enables thereby that different handheld devices 2, 2 'are not read out simultaneously have to.

The portable handheld devices 2 contain for recording and processing the data a microprocessor with program and data storage, interfaces for bidirectional Data transfer to identification card 1 according to the valid one Standard as well as another interface, via which a data exchange with terminals 3 and machine terminals 12 is possible as soon as that Handheld device 2 is inserted into the respective holder. The handheld devices 2 have each also has an internal clock with high accuracy, which when plugged in synchronized in a terminal 3 with the central time of the data processing system 5, 6 becomes. The microprocessor's memories are designed so that too the contents are retained when the power supply is switched off. The Electronic also has an operating mode in which the power consumption to a minimum is reduced. If the handheld device 2 is not used for a long time, i. H. neither If a key is pressed or a card is inserted, this mode of operation becomes automatic set. This enables longer storage without data loss. With actuation a button, the handheld device 2 is reactivated immediately.

The handheld device 2 also has other interfaces that are only related are activated with a machine terminal 12 and the control of a relay or an acoustic signal generator. The machine terminal 12 also has internal logic that triggers the alarm, if the associated vehicle or machine is not plugged in and activated handset 2 is put into operation. Furthermore, the serial Handset 2 interface available for expansion purposes.

The dialogue with the handheld device 2 is carried out by a few, labeled with symbols Keys, 8 corresponding messages in plain text and data in the display are displayed. The symbols allow in connection with an inserted Identification card 1, which contains the necessary rights for this Configuration of the handheld device 2, with essential operating data such as serial number, Date and time can be set. Another button allows read out the content of inserted identification cards 1, others Keys are used to select a cost center and the operating mode of a vehicle. You can scroll through the saved data records with two arrow keys, see above that it can be operated very easily by selecting from lists. In order to incorrect entries are almost impossible.

The hand-held device 2 has, in addition to the visual display 8, a Acoustic signal generator with which confirmation tones when used successfully Alarm tones are given in the event of incorrect operation.

The dialog guidance on the display 8 of the handheld device 2 can be in several languages expire, the appropriate language from the inserted identification card 1 automatically selected in connection with the saved personnel data record becomes. This makes use on international construction sites easier.

Finally, the data flow concept according to the invention will be discussed again become:

A personnel record with a list of employees, their respective personnel numbers and their rights, a cost center record with a list of Cost center numbers and associated names, a vehicle and device data record with a list of all available vehicles and machines, as well as a news record with messages for individuals Employees are generated and managed in the evaluation computer 6, in the network server 5 stored and mirrored via the local network 4 in the terminals 3, 3 '. To compares the software of terminals 3, 3 'at regular intervals by some Seconds duration the date of the files in the network server 5 that of the files in terminals 3, 3 '. Is a file on the network server 5 newer as the locally mirrored, the latter is updated. Each time you insert one Handheld device 2 in a terminal 3 will be a completely new inventory of current ones Records transferred to handheld device 2.

In the opposite direction, those collected in the handheld devices 2, 2 'are collected Event data each time a handheld device 2 is inserted into a terminal 3 read into Terminal 3, transferred to the network server 5 and thus the Evaluation computer 6 provided. Since there are several terminals 3 in the system, 3 'are present, the event files on the network server 5 are not easy overwritten. Rather, Terminal 3 checks whether an event data record already exists occurs in the file. If not, he will be sent to the event list attached to the file. After successful transmission of the event data on the network server 5, the data in terminal 3 are deleted.

The event data present on the network server 5 are obtained from the evaluation computer 6 read on request and transferred to the internal database. If the data import was successful, the event data records are assigned Deletion data written to the network server 5 and then the original Event file deleted.

If a terminal 3 recognizes a new deletion data file on the network server 5, these are copied to the local hard disk storage of Terminal 3.

When a handheld device 2 is inserted into a terminal 3, it is in the terminal 3 transfer existing deletion data to the handheld device 2; this clears the event data corresponding to the deletion data and transmits only the remaining event database to terminal 3. Not or not completely evaluated event data are thus retained in the handheld device 2 and are re-issued to Terminal 3 with each insertion process.

Compilation of the reference symbols

1

identification cards

2, 2 '

handsets

3, 3 '

terminals

4

Local network

5

network server

6

evaluation computer

7

reading device

8th

display

9

keyboard

10, 10 '

insertion

11, 11 '

Interface (from 3, 3 ')

12

machine terminal

13

Interface (of 12)

14

Additional interface (from 12)

15

excavator

Claims (15)

1. A device for capturing and evaluating time and operational data, including:

   an identification card (1) for each employee,

   a plurality of portable hand appliances (2, 2') with a respective reading device (7) for the identification cards (1), a clock, a data storage means for information such as names, cost centres, project numbers and the like, as well as data processing means that combine the data read from identification cards (1) with the time of day and with stored data into event data sets and store them,

   a plurality of terminals (3, 3') with a bi-directional interface (11, 11') over which data exchange between a terminal (3, 3') and a hand appliance (2, 2') may take place,

   as well as data processing apparatus (5, 6) which is fixedly connected via data lines (4) with the terminals (3, 3'),

   the hand appliances (2, 2'), the terminals (3, 3') and the data processing apparatus (5, 6') being so constructed

   that the event data sets formed in a hand appliance (2) on reading an identification card (1) and stored are copied into one of the terminals (3) on its being connected with the hand appliance (2) and are temporarily stored there,

   that the data processing apparatus (5, 6) accesses all the event data sets temporarily stored in the terminals (3, 3') and centrally analyses them,

   that the data processing apparatus (5, 6) provides correctly and fully analysed event data sets with a release note and reports them to all terminals (3, 3'),

   and that the event data sets stored in the hand appliances (2, 2') are freed for erasure only when the respective hand appliance (2), on connection with one of the terminals (3), contains a release signal for the corresponding event data set.
2. The device according to claim 1 characterised in that the hand appliances (2, 2') are so formed that each event data set formed in a hand appliance (2, 2') is provided with a unique event number and is stored together with the latter.
3. A device according to one of claims 1 or 2 characterised in that the identification cards (1) contain a data store into which the event data sets formed in the hand appliance (2) on reading-in are at least partly copied.
4. A device according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that the hand appliances (2, 2'), the terminals (3, 3') and the data processing apparatus (5, 6) are so formed that during data exchange between a hand appliance (2) and one of the terminals (3), information such as staff data sets, cost centre data sets, project information and the like is written into the data store of the hand appliance (2).
5. A device according to one of claims 1 to 4 characterised in that the hand appliances (2, 2') have a respective display (8).
6. A device according to claims 4 and 5 characterised in that on the reading-in of an identification card (1) selected information from the data store and/or the identification card (1) may be displayed on the display (8) of a hand appliance (2, 2').
7. A device according to one of claims 1 to 6 characterised in that the hand appliances (2, 2') have a respective keyboard (9) for inputting event data, the means for data processing present in the hand appliance (2, 2') being so constructed that the data read from the identification cards (1) may be combined with the time of the day, with stored data and with data input via the keyboard (9) into event data sets.
8. A device according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that the data stores of the hand appliances (2, 2') contain data that associate the individual identification cards (1) with different access authorisations.
9. A device according to claims 7 and 8 characterised in that the means for data processing present in the hand appliance (2, 2') are so formed that the combination with the data input via the keyboard (9) takes place only when the identification card (1) is associated with a corresponding access authorisation.
10. A device according to one of claims 1 to 9 characterised in that the hand appliance (2, 2') and the terminals (3, 3') are provided with means over which a contactless data exchange may take place.
11. A device according to one of claims 1 to 10 characterised in that additionally a variety of machine terminals with respective bi-directional interfaces provided, a hand appliance (2') being temporarily connectable to the interface and over which data exchange between a machine terminal and the hand appliance (2') may take place, and a further bi-directional interface (14) is provided for data exchange with a machine or a vehicle.
12. A device according to claim 11 characterised in that the machine terminals (12) are respectively rigidly connected with a vehicle or a machine and are so formed that the machine or vehicle may only be operated when a hand appliance (2') is connected with the machine terminal (12), an identification card (1) is inserted into the hand appliance (2') and the operation of the machine or of the vehicle is authorised via the identification card (1).
13. A device according to one of claims 11 or 12 characterised in that the machine terminals (12) give out information such as operational times, operational dates, material consumption and the like, via the bi-directional interface (13) to the respective connected hand appliance (2') and the means present in the hand appliance (2') for data processing is so formed that the data obtained from the machine terminals (12) may be combined with data read from an identification card (1), with the time of the day, with the stored data and optionally with the data input via the keyboard (9) to form event data sets.
14. A device according to claim 10 and one of claims 11 to 13 characterised in that the means for connect-less data exchange contain the machine terminals (12).
15. A device according to one of claims 1 to 14 characterised in that the data processing apparatus (5, 6) consists of a network server (5) connected via a network (4) with all the terminals (3, 3') and at least one analysing computer (6).

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