JP2004215844A - Slot machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To quickly detect loss of synchronism of a stepping motor in a slot machine using a stepping motor as a driving source for driving a rotary reel to rotate. <P>SOLUTION: When a start lever is operated by a game player (YES in #10), the stepping motor is started (#12), and in the lapse of designated acceleration time, it is held at a fixed rotating speed. When the acceleration time is ended (YES in #14), it is discriminated whether the loss of synchronism is caused in the stepping motor or not (#16). When detection of loss of synchronism is discriminated (YES in #16), a stop lamp is extinguished when it is lighted (#20), and the stepping motor is restarted (#22). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a slot machine that employs a stepping motor as a drive source for rotating a rotating reel.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a three-reel type slot machine including a start lever for starting rotation of three rotating reels having a plurality of symbols drawn on an outer peripheral surface thereof, and three stop switches corresponding to each rotating reel is known. (For example, see Patent Document 1). In this slot machine, after the first to third medals have been inserted, the start lever is operated to rotate the three spinning reels, and a lottery for determining a winning mode is performed. By sequentially operating the corresponding stop switches, the rotation of the corresponding rotary reels stops. In such a slot machine, it is necessary to grasp the symbols displayed on the rotating reels. For this purpose, the rotating position of the rotating reels must be detected. Therefore, the reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reel is detected. In addition, a stepping motor is widely used as a drive source of the rotating reel since the rotation angle of the rotating reel can be easily known by an open loop configuration.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2002-165931 (paragraph [0003])
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Incidentally, the stepping motor easily loses synchronism when an external load is applied for some reason, for example, during rotation at a constant speed, and the rotation stops. In slot machines, abnormal stoppage of the spinning reel leads to interruption of the game, so it is possible to quickly detect step-out, and when step-out is detected, it is possible to quickly perform necessary control such as returning the motor and notifying the player. desired.
[0005]
On the other hand, conventionally, when the reference position in the rotating direction of the rotating reel is not detected even after the lapse of a predetermined time, an operation of determining that the motor is abnormal has been performed. Did not. Further, the control is performed so that the return process is performed after the determination that the motor is abnormal. However, since it is necessary to wait for the above-described predetermined time, the necessary control cannot be quickly performed even when the step-out occurs.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and provides a slot machine using a stepping motor as a drive source for rotatingly driving a rotary reel, which can quickly detect a step out of the stepping motor. The purpose is to:
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention relates to a slot machine including a rotating reel, and a stepping motor that starts up by operating a start lever and rotates the rotating reel. And a motor drive unit for holding the motor at a constant speed after a predetermined acceleration time, a step-out detection unit for detecting the presence or absence of step-out of the motor based on a drive current of the motor, and a start-up of the motor. And a drive control means for controlling the motor drive means and restarting the motor when the out-of-synchronization is detected after the acceleration time has elapsed. (Claim 1).
[0008]
According to such a configuration, if the motor loses synchronism while the motor is held at a constant speed, the drive current of the motor increases as compared with the normal state. Motor step-out detection becomes possible. Therefore, the step-out can be detected immediately after the elapse of the acceleration time from the start of the motor. When step-out is detected after the elapse of the acceleration time, the motor driving means is controlled to restart the motor. If step-out occurs, the motor is immediately driven after the elapse of the acceleration time. Is restarted, and the control for returning the motor can be quickly performed.
[0009]
Further, the present invention further comprises a reference position detecting means for detecting a reference position in the rotating direction of the rotating reel, wherein the drive control means performs the demounting after the elapse of the acceleration time and before the detection of the reference position. When the step-out is detected by the key detection means, the motor is restarted (claim 2).
[0010]
According to such a configuration, the motor is restarted when the step-out detection unit detects the step-out after the acceleration time has elapsed and before the detection of the reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reel. If step-out occurs, the motor is restarted even before the reference position is detected, and the control for returning the motor can be performed quickly.
[0011]
Further, the present invention provides a stopping means for stopping the rotation of the motor, and stopping when the reference position detecting means detects the reference position after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the rotating reel. Reel stop control means for operating the means, wherein the drive control means detects the out-of-synchronization by the out-of-synchronization detection means before the stop means becomes operable by the reel stop control means. Then, the motor is restarted (claim 3).
[0012]
According to such a configuration, when the reference position is detected after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of the rotation of the rotating reel, the stop means for stopping the rotation of the motor can be operated. If the step-out detection unit detects step-out before the stop unit becomes operable, the motor is restarted. Therefore, if step-out occurs, the stop unit is made operable. By this time, the motor is restarted, and it is possible to quickly perform the motor return control.
[0013]
Further, in order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a slot machine including a plurality of rotating reels, and a plurality of stepping motors that are activated by operating a start lever and rotate the plurality of rotating reels, respectively. Motor driving means for activating each of the motors based on the operation of the start lever and maintaining the respective motors at a constant speed after a predetermined acceleration time; presence / absence of step-out of the respective motors based on the driving current of the respective motors A step-out detecting means for detecting the step-out, and when the step-out detecting means detects the step-out after elapse of the acceleration time from the activation of each of the motors, the motor drive means is controlled to detect the step-out. Drive control means for restarting only the selected motor (claim 4).
[0014]
According to such a configuration, if the motor loses synchronism while the motor is held at a constant speed, the drive current of the motor increases as compared with the normal state. Motor step-out detection becomes possible. Therefore, the step-out can be detected immediately after the elapse of the acceleration time from the start of the motor. When a step-out is detected after the acceleration time has elapsed, the motor drive means is controlled, and only the motor in which the step-out is detected is restarted. Immediately after the elapse of the acceleration time, only the motor in which the step-out has occurred is restarted, and it is possible to quickly perform the return control of the motor in which the step-out has occurred. Can continue the operation as it is.
[0015]
Further, the present invention further includes reference position detection means for detecting a reference position in the rotation direction of each of the rotating reels, wherein the drive control means is provided after the acceleration time has elapsed and before the detection of the reference position. When the step-out is detected by the step-out detecting means, only the motor in which the step-out is detected is restarted (claim 5).
[0016]
According to such a configuration, if the step-out detecting means detects the step-out after the acceleration time has elapsed and before the detection of the reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reel, only the motor in which the step-out is detected is detected. Since the restart is performed, if a step-out occurs, even if the reference position is not detected, only the motor in which the step-out occurs is restarted, and the motor in which the step-out occurs is performed. Can be quickly performed, and the operation of a motor that has not lost synchronism can be continued as it is.
[0017]
Further, the present invention is provided corresponding to the plurality of motors, respectively, a plurality of stop means for stopping the rotation of the corresponding motor, after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of rotation of each of the rotating reels When the reference position is detected by the reference position detection unit, the reference position detection unit further includes a reel stop control unit that can operate a stop unit corresponding to the rotating reel whose reference position is detected, and the drive control unit includes: When the out-of-synchronization is detected by the out-of-synchronization detecting means before the reel stop control means can operate the stopping means, the motor in which the out-of-synchronization is detected is restarted. (Claim 6).
[0018]
According to such a configuration, when the reference position is detected after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of the rotation of the rotating reel, the stop means for stopping the rotation of the motor can be operated. If the step-out detection unit detects the step-out before the stop unit can be operated, only the motor in which the step-out is detected is restarted. By the time the stop means becomes operable, only the motor whose step-out has occurred will be restarted, and it will be possible to quickly perform the return control of the motor whose step-out has occurred, and the step-out will occur. The operation of the motor that has not been performed can be continued as it is.
[0019]
Further, the present invention is provided in correspondence with each of the plurality of stopping means, and is made operable by a plurality of light emitting means for notifying that the corresponding stopping means can be operated, and by the reel stop control means. Light emitting control means for lighting the light emitting means corresponding to the stop means, wherein the reel stop control means restarts the motor when the motor is restarted after the stop means is made operable. The light emission control means temporarily disables the light emission means corresponding to the stop means which is disabled by the reel stop control means after the light emission means is turned on. It is characterized in that it is turned off once (claim 7).
[0020]
According to such a configuration, the light-emitting means corresponding to the operable stop means is turned on to notify the player that the stop means is operable, while the stop means is turned on after the light-emitting means is turned on. When the operation is disabled, the light emitting means corresponding to the stopping means is temporarily turned off, so that it is possible to accurately notify the player that the stopping means has become inoperable.
[0021]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
First, an external configuration of an embodiment of a slot machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a front view of the slot machine.
[0022]
The slot machine according to the present embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, in the slot machine 1, the front opening of the housing 3 is openably and closably closed by the front panel 5, and the operation panel 7 is disposed at a position substantially at the center of the front panel 5. Further, a front plate 9 is disposed above the operation plate 7.
[0023]
On the front plate 9, three reel windows 11 are juxtaposed, and left, middle and right rotating reels 12a, 12b and 12c are arranged inside each reel window 11, and the rightmost reel window 11 is disposed. A liquid crystal display 13 for displaying a game effect screen is provided next to the icon. The reel window 11 is set so that three symbols of each of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, and 12c can be seen. ing. Each of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, 12c is rotationally driven by a stepping motor M1, M2, M3 (see FIG. 2).
[0024]
The operation plate 7 further includes a bet switch 15 for reducing the number of credited medals and replacing the inserted medals, a start lever 17 for starting the rotation of each rotating reel, and each rotating reel 12a, 12b, A stop switch 19a, 19b, 19c for stopping the rotation of each of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, 12c, and a settlement switch 27 for paying out the medal slot 25 and the stored medals are provided correspondingly to the reels 12a, 12b, 12c. Is provided. In addition, a pay line is drawn on the front panel 9, a valid display lamp 31 for displaying a valid line in the pay line, various effect display lamps 33 for displaying a state of a bonus game, and the number of credit medals. A medal number display 35 is provided on the front plate 9, and a medal payout port 37 and a medal receiver 39 are provided below the operation plate 7.
[0025]
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of an electrical configuration of the slot machine 1. Although FIG. 2 shows a detailed circuit diagram of only the stepping motor M1 for driving the rotating reel 12a, the circuit configuration of the stepping motors M2 and M3 for driving the rotating reels 12b and 12c is the same. Detailed illustration is omitted.
[0026]
One ends of the A-phase coil K1 and the A-bar phase coil K2 of the stepping motor M1 are commonly connected to a power supply Vcc. The other end of the A-phase coil K1 is grounded via a phase pulse control transistor Q1, and the other end of the A-bar phase coil K2 is grounded via a phase pulse control transistor Q2.
[0027]
The B-phase coil K3 and the B-bar phase coil K4 of the stepping motor M1 also have substantially the same circuit configuration. That is, one ends of the B-phase coil K3 and the B-bar phase coil K4 are commonly connected to the power supply Vcc. The other end of the B-phase coil K3 is grounded via a phase pulse control transistor Q3, and the other end of the B-bar phase coil K4 is grounded via a phase pulse control transistor Q4 and a current detection resistor R1. ing.
[0028]
The CPU 41 controls the operation of each unit in FIG. 2 according to a control program stored in the memory 42. For example, when the start lever 17 is operated, the CPU 41 drives the stepping motors M1 to M3 to start the rotation of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, 12c, and when the stop switches 19a, 19b, 19c are operated, respectively, Is stopped, the driving of the stepping motors M1 to M3 is stopped, and the rotation of each of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, 12c is stopped.
[0029]
Each of the reference sensors S1, S2, and S3 includes, for example, a photo interrupter that detects a protrusion provided on the rotating reels 12a, 12b, and 12c. Thereby, the CPU 41 can determine the display symbol based on the number of drive pulses from the reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, 12c.
[0030]
The stop lamps L1, L2, and L3 are provided inside the stop switches 19a, 19b, and 19c, and notify the player that the stop switches 19a, 19b, and 19c can be operated. As shown in FIG. 4 described later, the CPU 41 stops the stop switch 19a when the reference sensors S1 to S3 detect the reference positions of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, and 12c until the predetermined time T2 elapses from the end of the acceleration time T1. , 19b, and 19c are enabled, and the stop lamps L1, L2, and L3 are turned on to notify the player accordingly.
[0031]
The amplifier circuit 51 includes, for example, an operational amplifier, and amplifies the drive current signal of the stepping motor M1 that has been converted into a voltage by the current detection resistor R1. The filter circuit 52 is for smoothing the signal from the amplifier circuit 51, and is configured by, for example, an integrating circuit including a resistor and a capacitor. The transistor Q5 is turned on / off by a control signal from the CPU 41, and is turned on when a high-level step-out determination invalid signal is output from the CPU 41, whereby the output signal of the filter circuit 52 is pulled down to the ground level. . On the other hand, when the transistor Q5 is off, a signal from the filter circuit 52 is input to the comparison unit 54.
[0032]
The D / A converter 53 is a circuit that converts an n-bit digital signal output from the CPU 41 into an analog signal, and generates a reference signal for determining out-of-step. The comparison unit 54 is, for example, a comparison circuit using a comparator. The comparison unit 54 compares the reference signal input from the D / A conversion unit 53 with the drive current signal input from the filter circuit 52, and when the drive current signal is larger than the reference signal. Then, a detection signal to the effect that a step-out occurs is output to the CPU 41. The CPU 41 can determine whether or not the stepping motor M1 has stepped out based on the detection signal from the comparison unit 54.
[0033]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation when the stepping motor M1 is started, and FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing the transition of the rotation speed when the stepping motor M1 is started. 3 and 4 show the operation of the stepping motor M1, but the same operation is performed when the stepping motors M2 and M3 are started.
[0034]
In FIG. 3, when the start lever 17 is operated by the player (YES in step # 10), the stepping motor M1 is started (step # 12). That is, when a predetermined phase pulse signal is transmitted from the CPU 41 to the phase pulse control transistors Q1 to Q4 and rotation starts at time t = 0, as shown in FIG. 4, after a predetermined acceleration time T1, It is kept at a constant rotation speed N1. When the stepping motor M1 is started, the CPU 41 outputs a high-level step-out determination invalid signal to the transistor Q5.
[0035]
Next, in step # 14 of FIG. 3, it is determined whether or not the acceleration time T1 has ended. Until the acceleration time T1 ends (NO in step # 14), the acceleration state is continued. When the acceleration time T1 ends (YES in step # 14), the output signal from the CPU 41 to the base of the transistor Q5 is switched from the high level to the low level, and the determination whether the stepping motor M1 has stepped out or not is started ( If step-out is not detected (step # 16) (NO in step # 16), it is determined whether or not the reference position of rotating reel 12a is detected (step # 18), and if the reference position is not detected (step # 18). Steps # 16 and # 18 are repeated.
[0036]
If it is determined that step-out has been detected (YES in step # 16), the stop lamp L1 is turned off if it is on (step # 20), and the stepping motor M1 is restarted (step # 22). Then, the process returns to step # 14.
[0037]
On the other hand, if no step-out is detected (NO in step # 16) and the reference position of the rotating reel 12a is detected (YES in step # 18), the rotating reel 12a is driven based on the number of drive pulses from the reference position. , That is, the displayed symbol can be determined, the operation on the stop switch 19a is enabled, and the stop lamp L1 is turned on to notify the player of that (step # 24).
[0038]
Next, it is determined whether or not the step-out of another motor (here, the stepping motors M2 and M3) has been detected (step # 26), and if not (NO in step # 26), the stop switch 19a is turned off by the player. Until the operation is performed (NO in step # 28), the process returns to step # 16 and the above operation is repeated.
[0039]
On the other hand, if the out-of-step of the other motor is detected (YES in step # 26), the motor stops until the stop lamp of the out-of-step motor (for example, the stop lamp L2 when the stepping motor M2 steps out) lights up. The lamp L1 is turned off (step # 30), the process returns to step # 16, and the above operation is repeated. Then, when the stop switch 19a is operated by the player (YES in step # 28), this routine ends.
[0040]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, as soon as the predetermined acceleration time T1 ends from the activation of the stepping motors M1 to M3, that is, even before the reference positions of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, and 12c are detected, Since the detection of the presence / absence of step-out is started, the step-out of the stepping motors M1 to M3 can be quickly detected. For example, in the case of the related art in which the motor abnormality is determined based on the reference position in the rotating direction of the rotating reels 12a, 12b, and 12c, as shown in FIG. When the reference position is not detected, it is possible to determine that the motor is abnormal for the first time. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to wait for the predetermined time T2, and the step-out of the motor can be detected earlier by that amount. As a result, by restarting the stepping motor in which the step-out has occurred, it is possible to quickly perform the motor recovery processing.
[0041]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the detection of the presence / absence of step-out is started before the operation of the stop switches 19a, 19b, 19c is enabled, the step-out of the stepping motors M1 to M3 is quickly detected. be able to. Also, since only the stepping motor in which step-out has occurred is restarted, the other normal motors can continue to operate.
[0042]
Further, according to the present embodiment, since the digital value output from the CPU 41 is converted by the D / A converter 53 to generate the reference signal for determining the presence / absence of step-out, the control stored in the memory 42 is performed. The reference signal level can be changed only by changing the program. Therefore, even when the characteristics of the stepping motors M1 to M3 used change, a reference signal having a level corresponding to the characteristics can be easily generated without changing the circuit configuration.
[0043]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes other than those described above can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a three-reel type slot machine has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention can be applied to a slot machine having four or more reels. For example, in the case where, instead of or in addition to the liquid crystal display 13 for displaying a production screen, a production rotary reel for displaying a design symbol is used, and a stepping motor is used as a drive source of the production rotary reel The present invention can also be applied to
[0044]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the step-out of the motor is detected based on the drive current of the motor, and when the step-out occurs, the motor is restarted immediately after the lapse of the acceleration time. As a result, the step-out can be detected immediately after the acceleration time elapses from the start of the motor, and the return control of the motor can be quickly performed.
[0045]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the step-out is detected after the elapse of the acceleration time and before the detection of the reference position, the motor is restarted. Occurs, the motor is restarted even before the reference position is detected, so that the motor return control can be performed quickly.
[0046]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, if a step-out is detected before the stop means can be operated, the motor is restarted. In this case, the motor is restarted before the stop means can be operated, and the return control of the motor can be quickly performed.
[0047]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the step-out of the motor is detected based on the drive current of the motor, and when the step-out occurs, only the motor that has step-out is restarted immediately after the lapse of the acceleration time. Therefore, it is possible to quickly perform the return control of the motor in which the step-out has occurred, and to continue the operation of the motor in which the step-out has not occurred.
[0048]
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a step-out is detected after the acceleration time elapses and before the detection of the reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reel, only the motor in which the step-out is detected is detected. Since the restart is performed, it is possible to quickly perform the return control of the motor before the reference position is detected, and it is possible to continue the operation of the motor that has not lost synchronism.
[0049]
Further, according to the invention, when the step-out detection unit detects the step-out before the stop unit becomes operable, only the motor in which the step-out is detected is restarted. Therefore, it is possible to quickly perform the return control of the motor before the stop means becomes operable, and it is possible to continue the operation of the motor that has not lost synchronism.
[0050]
Further, according to the invention described in claim 7, when the stop means cannot be operated after the light emitting means is turned on, the light emitting means corresponding to the stop means is temporarily turned off. It is possible to accurately notify the player that the operation has become impossible.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a slot machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a main part of an electrical configuration of the slot machine.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of starting a stepping motor.
FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing transition of a rotation speed at the time of starting a stepping motor.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Slot machines 12a, 12b, 12c Rotating reels 19a, 19b, 19c Stop switch (stop means)
41 CPU (drive control means, stop control means, reel stop control means, light emission control means)
54 ... Comparison unit (step-out detection means)
L1 to L3: stop lamp (light emitting means)
M1 to M3: Stepping motor R1: Current detecting resistor (step-out detecting means)
Q1 to Q4: phase pulse control transistors (motor driving means)
S1 to S3: Reference sensor (reference position detecting means)

Claims (7)

Spinning reel,
In a slot machine having a stepping motor that starts up by operating a start lever and rotates the rotating reel,
Motor drive means for starting the motor based on the operation of the start lever, and holding the motor at a constant speed after a predetermined acceleration time,
Step-out detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of step-out of the motor based on the drive current of the motor,
A drive control unit that controls the motor drive unit to restart the motor when a step-out is detected by the step-out detection unit after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of the motor. A slot machine characterized by that: Reference position detecting means for detecting a reference position in the rotation direction of the rotating reel, further comprising:
The drive control means causes the motor to restart when the out-of-step is detected by the out-of-step detection means after the elapse of the acceleration time and before the detection of the reference position. The slot machine according to claim 1. Stopping means for stopping the rotation of the motor,
When the reference position is detected by the reference position detection unit after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of rotation of the spinning reel, the reel further includes a reel stop control unit that enables the stop unit to operate.
The drive control means restarts the motor if the out-of-step detection is detected by the out-of-step detection means before the stop means can be operated by the reel stop control means. The slot machine according to claim 2, wherein A plurality of spinning reels,
In a slot machine including a plurality of stepping motors that are started by operating a start lever and rotate the plurality of rotating reels,
Motor driving means for activating each of the motors based on the operation of the start lever and holding the respective motors at a constant speed after a predetermined acceleration time,
Step-out detection means for detecting the presence or absence of step-out of each motor based on the drive current of each motor,
When the out-of-synchronization is detected by the out-of-synchronization detecting means after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of each of the motors, a drive that controls the motor driving means to restart only the motor in which the out-of-synchronism is detected. A slot machine comprising control means. Reference position detecting means for detecting a reference position in the rotating direction of each of the rotating reels,
The drive control means restarts only the motor in which the out-of-step is detected when the out-of-step is detected by the out-of-step detection means after the elapse of the acceleration time and before the detection of the reference position. The slot machine according to claim 4, wherein the slot machine is operated. A plurality of stopping means provided for each of the plurality of motors, for stopping rotation of the corresponding motor,
When the reference position is detected by the reference position detection unit after the acceleration time has elapsed from the start of rotation of each of the rotation reels, the stop unit corresponding to the rotation reel whose reference position has been detected can be operated. Reel stop control means,
The drive control means, if the out-of-step is detected by the out-of-step detection means before the stop means can be operated by the reel stop control means, restarts only the motor in which the out-of-step is detected. The slot machine according to claim 5, wherein the slot machine is operated. A plurality of light-emitting units provided in correspondence with the plurality of stop units, respectively, for notifying the operability of the corresponding stop unit,
Light emitting control means for turning on the light emitting means corresponding to the stop means enabled by the reel stop control means,
When the motor is restarted after enabling the stop means to be operable, the reel stop control means temporarily disables the stop means corresponding to the restarted motor,
7. The slot machine according to claim 6, wherein the light emission control unit temporarily turns off the light emission unit corresponding to the stop unit that is disabled by the reel stop control unit after the light emission unit is turned on.

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